As a football player at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, James Amps learned much about teamwork and focus from legendary football coach Herman Boone. James Amps went on to build upon this knowledge as a renowned motivational speaker and the author of the book Speaking to Excel.

From his current headquarters in Pembroke Pines, Florida, he has managed the daily operations of the public speaking and corporate consulting organization AMPS International for more than 23 years. In 2003, he founded a charitable arm of this organization that seeks to empower small business leaders and emerging entrepreneurs.

Over the years, James Amps has addressed high school students at institutions of learning such as Bloomfield High School in Connecticut, as well as in youth programs like Missouri Boys State at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He has also addressed postsecondary students at institutions such as the National Defense University at Fort McNair, in Washington DC and the Army War College in Carlisle Penn.