Michelle McGann Q&A with Robert Tuchman

Incentive online columnist Robert Tuchman knows Michelle McGann is more than just winner of seven LPGA events, a member of the 1996 USA Solheim Cup team that defeated Europe and one of the top 50 all-time LGPA money earners. This golf star is also an illustration of undaunted motivation.

After having picked up her first set of clubs at the age of seven, and earning her rank among the best of all-time amateur golfers, McGann was confronted with her biggest challenge—being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the young age of 13. Since then, her perseverance has allowed her to overcome the disease through constant medical care and the use of an insulin pump, which she must wear during play.

Today, McGann lives in her hometown of Singer Island, Florida, and enjoys traveling, scrap booking, sports, and working out. McGann has raised millions and spent thousands of hours benefiting numerous diabetes causes.

Q. What is your typical speaking topic?

MM. My engagements typically focus on the challenge of either playing professional golf or living with Type 1 Diabetes (or both). This is my 25th year living with Diabetes, and my 20th year on the LPGA Tour, so I have plenty of stories about both!

Q. What do you enjoy most about giving speeches and making appearances?

MM. I love the opportunity to meet new people and the opportunity to share with them my personal experiences and learn about theirs. It is remarkable that despite how different we may all seem, that we are much more similar than the surfaces suggest.

Q. How do you prepare for speaking engagements?

MM. I make great efforts to learn about the group I will be spending time with, as well as the atmosphere in which we will be meeting. Then I simply try to make our time together enjoyable and fun for everyone!

Q. Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs and taking pictures?

MM. Yes, yes, and yes! This is a great opportunity to meet new people and develop new friendships.

Q. Most outrageous thing you have been asked to do by a client?

MM. Actually, when I think about it, I can’t stop laughing about the time a major food manufacturer asked me to autograph 1,000 golf balls in an afternoon! Try it yourself…It’s not as easy as you’d think! It’s not a good idea to get hand cramps when you use your hands in your job as much as I do!

Q. How many private appearances and or speeches will you do a year?

MM. Between golf outings and clinics, speeches, book signings and pro-am engagements, I may have more than 35-40 chances to meet with groups per year. It may sound like a lot, but I love the opportunities.

Q. Are your speeches more motivational, spiritual or comical?

MM. They have to be a bit of all three. Life’s hurdles don’t seem so big when you can laugh a little bit, but it’s the motivational and spiritual side of things where you might make a longer—term impact on someone, and that’s frequently the goal.

Q. How do you come up with your speech topics?

MM. It always helps to have input from the friends with whom I’ll be spending time. It’s important that together we determine the goals that they want to achieve in our short time together. Sometimes I make suggestions or enhancements based upon prior engagements or some recent personal experiences.

Q. What motivates you to do speaking engagements?

MM. I love to meet people and make new friends. It’s energizing for me, and helps me stay positive despite the challenges of daily life.

Q. Do you prefer speaking to certain types of groups or industries?

MM. I don’t necessarily prefer one group or industry over another, but there is a special place in my heart for kids and for groups involved with improving the quality of life for people with health challenges. Needless to say, it’s always fun to participate in a golf-related event, clinic or outing on a beautiful day with a positive, enthusiastic group.

Q. Favorite speech you gave or motivational moment?

MM. I have had many, many experiences that, selfishly, make me feel great. But the most recent outing that warmed my heart was attending the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children’s Congress in Washington, DC. Along with 150-180 children from around the country, we visited and met with dozens of the country’s leaders to make them aware of the challenges of Type 1 diabetes and the ways they could help us battle this terrible disease. The opportunity to spend time with these smiling, positive children was inspiring!

Q. Favorite golf moment?

MM. While my first tournament win was very special, I would have to say that my win in the Solheim Cup was my favorite. The Solheim Cup is the Olympics of women’s golf, and while playing for the American team in Wales, Great Britain, I beat the No. 1 player in the world, and helped the American team win the cup!

Q. One of your favorite speakers to listen to?

MM. My dad was a great basketball player at Notre Dame, so I grew up a “legacy” member of the “Fighting Irish.” There, coach Lou Holtz is a tremendous motivator and fountain of positive thinking. Lou’s quote, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it,” is one that I live by everyday. I am very proud to now know Lou and call him my friend.

Q. How did endorsers find out that you have diabetes?

MM. While I don’t necessarily publicize my Type 1 Diabetes, it’s not something I hide either…It’s who I am. Many people become aware of my diabetes through either my Web site or via articles I have written on Diabetes-related issues. Others have simply seen the Insulin pump on my hip and wondered why I have a “beeper with a tube.” Ha!

Q. Do you have any current endorsements you’d like to mention?

MM. Canon is a very special company to me. While their products are second to none, it’s their people that have made a huge impact on me. Their entire organization is first class, and the folks there are true friends for a lifetime.