From “Ray-Ray” to Lieutenant Colonel: Lorenzo Ray Phillips Shares His Journey from Hustle to Higher Purpose in New Chapter “Unleash Your Greatness”
Featured in Unleash Your Greatness – From Discipline to Destiny, launching February 1, 2026 in Atlanta with Les Brown
ATLANTA, GA — Author, speaker, and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzo Ray Phillips is sharing his powerful “rags to resilience” journey in his chapter for the upcoming anthology Unleash Your Greatness – From Discipline to Destiny alongside legendary motivational icon Les Brown and an international lineup of co-authors.
In his chapter, Phillips invites readers into his story as a little boy known as “Ray-Ray” growing up in Detroit, where unpaid bills, shut-off utilities, and a single mother working multiple jobs were the norm. At just five years old, he was standing outside a grocery store offering to carry bags so he could help his mother keep the lights on—only to be publicly criticized and labeled as a “hustler” destined for jail or worse.
Rather than allowing those labels to define him, Phillips shows how a series of key influences, decisions, and disciplines quietly began to reshape his future. A pivotal turning point came when a 17-year-old student, Clarence Ray Cooper, started a military-style drill team at his middle school. What began as a way to “look cool” quickly revealed a deeper truth: Lorenzo had a natural gift for leadership, motivation, and inspiring others toward a shared goal.
His chapter outlines the inner work behind his transformation—from lethargic, discouraged child to Industrial Engineer with a master’s degree in Business and a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. Phillips shares practical principles readers can apply immediately, including:
- Plugging into a Higher Power through prayer, visualization, and gratitude.
- Understanding that “Where your focus goes, your energy flows.”
- Identifying and protecting your core gifts—the things you do best with the least effort.
- Applying OQP, “Only Quality People,” to upgrade your relationships and environment.
- Using tools like Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule to override procrastination and negative self-talk.
Phillips emphasizes that greatness is not reserved for a select few; it is the natural expression of our God-given gifts when combined with discipline, faith, and consistent action.
“You’re the only you we’ve got,” he writes. “If you don’t do you, then you won’t get done.”
Unleash Your Greatness – From Discipline to Destiny will officially launch on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Atlanta Airport Marriott, where Lorenzo Ray Phillips will join Les Brown and fellow co-authors live on stage to share their stories of resilience, faith, leadership, and legacy.
Tickets and event information: https://lesbrown.com/atlanta
About Lorenzo Ray Phillips
Lorenzo Ray Phillips is an Industrial Engineer, holds a Master’s degree in Business, and is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. From a childhood marked by poverty and hardship to a career of leadership and service, his mission is to help others recognize the greatness already inside them and equip them with practical tools to pursue their God-given destiny.
Media Inquiries:
Email: Lorenzo.ray.phillips@gmail.com
Phone: +1 (904) 885-8530
