From footballer to motivational speaker, Paul plays a blinder
MOST people would be lucky to have one very well-paid career in their lives. Former Northern Irish soccer international Paul McVeigh has done it twice. He now manages to earn more from speaking to groups for an hour than he did as a Premiership footballer. Paul overcame inferiority feelings as ‘just a kid from West Belfast’ to make it in soccer’s top league. Then, inspired by his journey, he studied sports psychology and broke into the lucrative motivational speaking circuit on retiring from football. He has some sound advice on investment, career development – and how to keep wealth in the family.
What inspired your interest in motivational psychology?
When I first went to Spurs as an Irish kid from West Belfast, I trained with Jurgen Klinsmann and thought, ‘there’s no way I can be like him. He’s a World Cup winner’. Later, I saw my mate Rory Allen get into the first team and score on his debut and I thought: ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’ That was a pivotal moment for me. Months later I scored on my own debut. I realised later that my ingrained belief system was destructive.
After retiring from football in 2010 you studied in the US and later did a Masters in psychology. Now, to quote your website, can you tell us exactly ‘what business can learn from a stupid footballer?’!
A hell of a lot! How to reach the pinnacle of one of the most ruthless industries in the world, for example. I had 16 years at the top of the game as a Premier League footballer for Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City and can translate these experiences into strategies for success.
How much does keynote speaking pay?
It depends on your level of expertise but it could be anything from €4,000 to hundreds of thousands – for a 45-minute speech.
How did your first gig as a speaker go?
I had just came back from a course in America having paid quite a lot of money to learn how to do this but I was daunted and nervous, stuttering and stammering. It’s like the first time doing anything. Looking back now, it was terrible.
What did your parents teach you about money?
That it’s incredibly hard to come by and very easy to waste.
What was the first paid work you ever did?
A paper round for the Anderstown News. I had to not only deliver but also sell the papers.
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Yes, absolutely. At 32 I went for six to eight months not earning a penny. It was difficult going from earning a regular wage to nothing at all.
What’s the most you have been paid for a gig?
$20,000, in the USA.
What was the best year of your financial life?
Probably a toss-up between 2004 (as a footballer) and 2019 (as a keynote speaker).
What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun?
An Aston Martin. I was 25, single and didn’t have kids. I thought if I don’t buy one now I never will. I had it for a year and it just sat in the driveway.
What is your biggest money mistake – see last question I presume?
No, actually. I sold it (the Aston Martin) for the same price I bought it for. My biggest money mistake was a timeshare in the US. I paid $15,000, never used it and sold it for just $80. It was a complete waste of time.
The best money decision you made?
Buying my first house at 19 in Belfast. I bought it with my sister. We went 50-50 and doubled our money.
Do you invest in the stock market?
I am fascinated by the stock market – the nuances, cycles, psychology. And how diversity can spread your risk.
What’s your investment strategy?
To buy and hold long term. I go for ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). They have low costs and balance everything out to give you the market’s average return.
What luxury would you like to treat yourself to?
I do love holidays. I would love to travel the world first class.
What’s your No 1 financial priority?
Generational wealth. Passing it on to my family. I grew up near the Falls Road with never more than 2p to rub together. My long-term goal is to change that narrative for my family who never had private educations or an old boys’ network to fall back on.