The person who coined the phrase “nice guys finish last” has never met Michael Chase.

Being considerate and compassionate to others has earned Chase a reputation as “The Kindness Guy” and afforded him countless opportunities to share his personal philosophy of kindness with others on a global scale.

In 2008, Chase shelved a successful photography career to found The Kindness Center in Biddeford. His mission: To become a motivational speaker and author whose message is on practicing the art of kindness.

He shared his message at every school, business and organization who wanted to hear it.

The talks resonated with audiences. And, soon Chase was receiving invitations to come and speak at venues across the nation and around the world. Community awareness projects, intended to put Chase’s lessons into practice, also sprang up in various incarnations, with Chase and dozens of volunteers taking to neighborhood streets to perform random acts of kindness for complete strangers. Volunteers passed out flowers, free coffee, mowed lawns and shoveled driveways – first in southern Maine, then across the country at satellite locales like Los Angeles and Boston.

Chase detailed the work in his self-published book “Am I Being Kind.”

Now he is poised to add a new chapter to what has seemed like his fairy-tale rise into the public consciousness.

On May 14, Chase will appear with motivational gurus Dr. Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson and other veritable heavyweights of the inspiration and self-improvement genre at the “I Can Do It” Convention in Toronto, Canada. The event will showcase the works of 30 motivational speakers signed with Hay House Publishing, a sponsor of the event and one of the largest promoters of inspirational literature in the world.

While Chase’s success didn’t sprout up overnight like the magic seeds in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” his story reads as fascinating testimony to the power of positive thought.

Once upon a time, Chase had an epiphany that kindness is a little gift that can make a big difference in the world.

To share his positive message, he had to overcome a lifelong fear of public speaking and a lack of writing experience. Step 1: Chase wrote out and pursued his vision, speaking whenever he could and recording the particulars for posterity. Step 2: Chase downloaded a copy of the Hay House conference speakers roster, added his name to the list and taped it to his wall as a visual reminder of his dreams.

His big break came last fall while attending a Hay House Publishing convention in Boston. There, Chase was randomly selected from the audience to give a five-minute spiel on his personal platform.

“I knew in my heart and soul that I was going to be picked,” said Chase. “It was the ultimate job interview — a once-in-lifetime opportunity.”

Within 24 hours, Hay House Founder Louis Hay personally contacted Chase, offering to publish his book and inviting him to be a guest speaker at the conference. His talk will follow Hay’s.

“This is such an incredible honor for me,” said Chase.

And, what of Chase’s previous dread of public speaking?

“I love what I do and that love of helping others overpowers any fear I may feel,” said Chase.