Balteff — Mr. Positive — inspires audiences through poetry

Changing the world by focusing on changing yourself is the “positive” mission of Gregory Balteff, also known as “Mr. Positive,” featured on 95.5 FM and nationally as the “Inspirational Poet” on the syndicated Tom Kent Radio Network. Balteff embraces dreams and goals through the delivery of poetry, and he reaches his audience through motivational speaking. “I have this ability of making people react and making people realize dreams can come true,” he said. “Acting follows thought and if you reflect on what I say, perhaps you can stay on track and do a little more to improve your life.”

His signature phrase, “Warrior,” speaks to the fighter in everyone. “Don’t give up. Stay steadfast and strong, because if you stop dreaming, you die,” Balteff explains. Balteff has virtually worked at every radio station in the Detroit area since he was 18, including WRIF on the Doug Podell show for four years. Apart from his speaking engagements, Balteff manages the Anytime Fitness gym in Commerce Township. He said he believes a healthy lifestyle is integrally linked to a positive perspective.

SCN: You have said you want to change the world. How does one achieve that goal, in your opinion?

GB: By becoming the best you can become. What happens is that people see it and it reflects on them. It rubs off on them. If I’m upbeat and positive, then they in turn will be upbeat and positive and it will be a domino effect.

SCN: Tell us how a speech impediment changed your life and directed your path.

GB: Basically it just made me realize and convince me that I’m going to show the speech pathologist — that I’m going to show the world — you can overcome obstacles, that you can win, that you can conquer, that you can make your dreams come true. It’s got to be visceral. It’s got to be within you. There’s a lot of outside stimuli that we see and hear everyday, but if it’s not within you, then no matter what stimuli hits you, your dreams won’t come to fruition. It has to be deep embedded in you.

SCN: What prompted you to begin motivational speaking and how did you get noticed?

GB: Because I wanted to change the world like Elvis and Ayn Rand and I was told I had a nice voice. I wanted to take what I learned and convey it to the world using radio as my medium to articulate my message. About 25 years ago, I called Power 96 FM and talked to Sonny Joe Harris and said, “I have the ability to change people’s lives. Can I say something?” He said to go ahead. That’s how (my) history all started.

SCN: Give us an example of how you motivate your audience.

GB: I use poetry in concert with my writer, Robert Balch of Macomb Township, to convey a positive message. We’ve done many of them. For instance, this would be one of many we would use. I always start my poetry with the word “Warriors” and then:

Remember the door’s always open, the way is always clear,

Desire left unspoken rings like thunder in your ear.

But your passion must be controlled and your vision must be true,

Still a future for those pure in heart will awaken yet in you.

Climbing higher, ever higher to a place you’ve never been,

Reach the summit, stand up tall and let your dream begin.

That’s how I convey positivity to the world. I want to change the world desperately. It’s the very core of my being.

SCN: What can you say to our readers who are going through difficult economic times?

GB: Hang in there. There’s always tomorrow. Each and every day brings a new beginning. Become the best you can become day to day. You’ve persevered in the past. Take that same experience, that same situation, and apply it to tomorrow. You will always come out ahead. I would ask the (SCN) readers to think about the difficulties you’ve had in the past, and there they are today. They’ve overcome them, they’ve won, and the challenge has been overcome.