Daily Inspiration: Meet Bruce Pulver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Pulver.

Hi Bruce, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If you had told me just a few years ago that today I’d be speaking on stages, writing a best-selling book, hosting podcasts, and appearing in live commercial and print advertising campaigns, I would’ve laughed. My professional life began in corporate sales and leadership—an incredible career that taught me about drive, discipline, and the power of connecting with people. But along the way, I discovered something deeper: the extraordinary impact that our words have on our mindset, our beliefs, and ultimately our performance.

The understading or the power of our words changed everything. I began studying how my words can shift a conversation, a team dynamic, and even a result or outcome. That passion led me to write my book, *Above The Chatter, Our Words Matter*, and to step onto a TEDx stage to share the message ” The Secret to Changing Negative Self-Talk by Renewing Our Mindset” reaching over 750,000 people worldwide. From there, my work expanded into keynote speaking, corporate workshops., leadership development, and mentoring individuals and teams on how to reframe their language and unlock new levels of clarity, motivation, and performance. This year, I was invited to caddy at the United States Open Girls Junior National Golf Championship, the perfect setting to test the power of what we say (or don’t say) at the highest level of junior golf competition in the world.

What I didn’t expect was how this same journey would open doors into commercial, print, and acting work. It’s been an exciting new chapter—an extension of my mission to communicate with purpose and presence. During this year’s March Madness College Basketball Championship, I appeared with Shaquille O’Neal in the Home Depot “Tips from the Tool Shaq” national advertising campaign. Whether I’m in front of a camera, behind a microphone, or standing in front of an audience, my goal is to connect authentically and inspire others to see what’s possible when we choose our words—and our mindset—with possibility intentions.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any journey worth taking, mine has had its bumps and setbacks. Early on, the biggest challenge was stepping away from a successful corporate career to pursue something more purpose-driven but far less predictable. Trading stability for uncertainty was both thrilling and terrifying. There were times I questioned whether I’d made the right move, especially when opportunities came more slowly than I had hoped.

Another struggle was learning to quiet the inner critic—the voice that says, “Who are you to do this?” My mindset battle was real. Ironically, this challenge became one of my greatest teachers, reinforcing the very message I now share with others: our words create our reality. I had to in live that truth before I could authentically teach it.

The pivot into acting and commercial work has brought its own learning curve. The audition process, rejection, and the waits for callbacks can test anyone’s patience. But I’ve learned to treat every opportunity—whether it leads to a project or not—as a chance to grow, connect, and stretch creatively. Every “no” becomes fuel for persistence and refinement.

Looking back, the challenges have shaped me just as much as the successes. They’ve taught me that resilience isn’t built in the spotlight—it’s forged in the quiet moments when you choose to keep believing in your purpose, even when the results aren’t immediate.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of everything I do whether I’m speaking on stage, facilitating a workshop, hosting/guesting a podcast, performing on camera or supporting an athlete in competition, is one obsession: helping people see and strive toward their own amazing potential. I believe we all have unique GIFTS. I call them: “God Installed Features To Share.* Those gifts aren’t accidents; they’re part of our purpose. I see this work as both a privilege and an honor to help others find, develop, and share their GIFTS with the world.

Through my speaking and workshops, I guide people and teams to understand how the words they choose directly shape their mindset, actions, and outcomes. My approach is interactive, thought-provoking, and deeply personal, because real transformation doesn’t come from information alone—it comes from inspiration and application. I’m known for turning simple words into powerful tools for awareness and change. My focus is not on inspiration or motivation. Instead I strive for ACTIVATION with a commanding call to action for my clients to mplement and activate the changes our thoughts and words can bring.

What sets me apart is how I connect. I don’t just talk *at* others; I strive to engage *with* them. Whether it’s a corporate team, a school assembly, or a community outreach group, my goal is always to leave people not only motivated but equipped to take meaningful action the very next day. ACTION is a favorite word for me because it defines itself with merely its letters. ACTION = I + ACT + ON!

I’m proud that my work bridges many worlds—corporate, educational, community, individuals and now creative through my acting and commercial projects. Each platform envelops the same message in a different way: when we recognize the power of our words and our gifts, we can change how we see ourselves—and what is possible.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk is an interesting thing. It’s often painted as an all-or-nothing leap, but I’ve learned that risk can also be taken in stages—with faith, intention, and respect for the responsibilities we carry. I’ve always believed you can pursue a passion without abandoning your obligations. For a long time, I described my life as having “my feet in two canoes”—one firmly in my corporate career and one in my growing purpose-driven work. Balancing both requires focus, humility, and a lot of late nights, but it allowed me to honor my commitments while still building toward meaningful impact in this world.

Eventually, I felt a clear and powerful calling to “step out of the boat.” In the story of Peter walking on water, (Matthew 14 V 29) Jesus doesn’t calm the waves first—He simply invites Peter to take that first step of faith. That moment resonates deeply with me because it captures what risk to me often looks like in real life. The conditions are rarely perfect. The water is never still. But when you feel that calling—when something inside you says, “It’s time”—you have to trust that the One who called you out will also guide your steps. And He has.

For me, risk isn’t about recklessness—it’s about courage. It’s about doing hard things, even when they’re uncomfortable or uncertain. If something feels hard, it usually means we are growing, stretching, or moving toward something that matters. And while stepping out of the boat can be scary, staying in it when you’re meant to move can be an even greater risk.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abovethechatterourwordsmatter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruce_pulver
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruce.pulver.5
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucepulver/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brucepulver