Bordering On Arrogance

There needs to come a time in your life where you decide nothing will get in your way ... period! Until this day, your goals will remain wishes and hopes.

No matter your circumstance, dreams can manifest for you, but you first must know they will. Excuses disappear, drive and hunger take over. 

There's no Easy Button ... only sweat, frustration, and eventual celebration.

No Overnight Success

What will you do to improve your "game?" Make time. No more excuses.

Now What

We're all going to lose ... and often. Defeat isn't the issue, being able to ask yourself, "Now what" is what will make or break us. Getting used to, and accepting the loss is the killer of all competitors. Once we give-in to the defeat, part of our soul dies.

Perseverance, resiliency, and a commitment to never quit after a loss is what separates the 1% from the 99% - the elite from the average. Give 100% effort on and off the athletic field, and never EVER accept defeat. Never allow it to dictate who you are and what you believe about yourself. 

Did you fight to your maximum ability? Did you sweat and bleed every last bit of energy out of your system? Will you come back next time even hungrier? If your answer is yes to those questions, you can't lose! 

Your Crossroads Are Coming

When your crossroads appear, will you sacrifice or quit?

1% Radio Interview

Thank you 100.5 for asking me to be a guest on your show. Along with hosts Paul Arco and professional golfer, Chelsea Bach, we discussed the 1% Mindset ... in and out of the athletic arena. This mentality isn't about sports, it's about changing lives!

       Our segment of the 1% Interview begins at 37:15.

Take yourself to the next level! 

My Reason ...

You must know why you're doing what you're doing in order to endure the pain and struggle. 

This gorgeous girl is my reason for waking up at 4am and grinding all day!

You Can't Be Stopped

To separate from the pack, you must be willing to do what they won't. To separate from your old self, you must be willing to sacrifice what you wouldn't in the past.

Barriers are only tests of your drive and passion. 

Decide nothing will keep you from reaching your goals ... do whatever it takes!

Embrace The Pain

Go harder than you think is possible. 1% Success is only attained by working yourself past exhaustion. This is why I've labeled it 1% - the majority can't fathom, or won't imagine making this type of sacrifice.

If you want to achieve things you've never had, you must do things you've never done!

Your body can go beyond self-limiting beliefs ... it's the mind that tries to convince you to stop when it becomes "too painful." Risk the struggle, embrace the pain.

What are you waiting for? Make impossible possible. Break records. 

Let's Be Honest

I wanted to share an email I was recently sent - read it carefully. Grab it's true meaning ...

Last night I was taking a break from my late night blogging and trying to rest my mind by indulging in some television time with my husband. We were watching a show called “The Voice (the blind auditions)” which I found surprisingly engaging with many gifted contestants and amusing banter amongst the judges. The premise of the show is that the contestants sing and the judges can’t see what they look like. They must judge them only on what they hear and turn their chairs around if they want them for their team. If multiple judges turn around the contestant must choose which judges team they wish to join.  There was a moment in the show when three of the four judges turned around, although one had waited until the very last moment—only seconds before the performance ended.  When the contestant questioned each judge as to why they wanted him on their team, each provided standard complimentary responses. Finally when the judge who waited was asked what his hesitation was, he gave critical and honest feedback about the performance, making the point that there was room for improvement.  The contestant picked the honest judge saying later that he appreciated his constructive criticism. 

I have been thinking about this moment and the choices we make in life to open ourselves up to the opinions and guidance of others. We always have the choice to ask for feedback, but so often we shut our eyes and ears with the belief that we know better, instead of opening our minds and hearts to the possibilities.  Instead we want to be invisible rather than allow others to help us nurture the growth that is inevitable, that is destined. 

Someone said to me the other day that “you can either embrace your inner priestess or she will become your inner bag lady”.  At the time I thought I understood what he was trying to tell me but, upon further reflection I think that I have just begun to reveal the true meaning. Perhaps my "priestess self" isn’t exactly how I would like the outside world to see me. I might not be ready to reveal her honestly and this person was boldly calling me out for having some work to do to accept and reveal my true self.  At the time I wasn't ready to hear it, as I open myself up to accepting his true message to me, I can suddenly see myself more clearly and hopefully move forward to a better place. If I continued to deny my inner priestess her due care and attention, she just might turn on me and start sifting through my inner trash.  When we choose to move forward and embrace change (i.e. our inner priestess) we are propelled forward, but when we turn our back on the truth and deny change and growth,  we become stagnant in a landfill of our own making.

When we boldly seek honesty, crave it, accept it, we are rewarded by transformation. I think that as I have found in myself and as I observe in others around me, the unconscious path is more often chosen--that of kind words, and lovely reflections--it lures us down an endless, vapid path with no reward. When we consciously invite true reflections and kind but honest guidance it leads us to amazing places that we never could have dreamed of. 

There's Tough ... Then There's The Seals

The Navy Seals are the most mentally tough humans on the planet. To reach that next level, you must be willing to become comfortable with the most uncomfortable. Your mind dictates all action.

Raise The Bar

The 99% settle for less. The 1% risk and expand. The woman in this audio is why I'm so passionate about what I do ...

Live Your Dream

Zack, the 1% Success Story I chose for my "Why You" challenge is making news! The NBA is taking notice - his dream of playing in the league is getting closer to becoming realized. With continuous hard work and dedication to his craft, you'll soon see Okong'o on the back of an NBA jersey. I feel blessed to be working with him. Great job, Zack!

Never Stop

There's a common denominator between all highly successful people - quitting is never an option, period!

Incredible things will happen in your life if you make a commitment to never EVER give up on your passions, no matter how long it takes or how much struggle is involved! I'm living proof that it can be done if you're willing to endure massive amounts of pain. I quit a lucrative career in order to pursue my passion. I went broke financially, emotionally, and as a husband ... but I knew "quit" couldn't be a part of my vocabulary and "stop" couldn't be a part of my vision. 

It took time, but it all turned around. The minute I hit bottom, my passion was tested and motivation created. I made a conscious decision that my family was more important than the temporary pain I was feeling - I couldn't quit. I wouldn't quit. 

When it's all said and done, you're being defined by your reaction to the difficulties in life, not by the success you attain. Create a 1% Mindset that refuses to stop, ignores failure, and is fueled by struggle. When you do this, you become unstoppable! 

You're My Biggest Weapon

You used to scare me. Now you motivate me.

99% of people warned me about you, but they all lied.

You're not evil. You're the reason I've achieved so much after thinking I was done.

I used to think you took away, but now I know you give.

You give greatness. You give the 1% Mindset. 

You ARE the 1% Mindset.

You've shaped me, molded me, helped me become a better teacher and motivator.

You're not scary. You're powerful beyond words. 

Because of you, I wake up before the sun.

Because of you, I've committed my very being to teaching my daughter fearlessness.

I thank you.

Until we meet again ... and we WILL meet again, pain.

Why You?

Here’s the future 1% Success Story of Zack Okong’o. We’ll be working together soon, helping him turn this dream into a reality.

I'm 18 years old, and a basketball player from Kenya. I'm still in high school entering my last year this September, and want to get to college in the US. I did trial SATs and did very well. I have universities interested, which has helped muster some confidence that next year I might get into a program.

I do have some problems, though - I'm filled with profound self-doubt as a person and in my skills. Despite all the hard work I relentlessly put in, I'm constantly frustrated. The lack of belief in myself has resulted in the premeditation of failure. I don't always quite put all the effort I can when playing major games because I'm afraid of failing. Everyday, however, I dream of playing pro ball. I just wanna play this game at a high level ... no joke ... I'm willing to die for it!

I'm constantly searching for motivation everywhere I can lay my hands on - from pple like you, Eric Thomas, Giavanni Ruffin, and others. I'm constantly reading books to keep me going, and I'm on YouTube looking at drills I can use to get better. I'm also studying the greats who have made it in the NBA. I WANT THIS SO BAD, COACH! Why cant I be the among the greats? I just need help learning to believe in myself, and all the hard work I've put in. It's what has gotten me to where I am now.

This year, I made the National team and will be going down to South Africa for an NBA camp. I got selected after being so disappointed last year when I wasn't even among the last of the players to be considered. I dreamed about it and prayed over it after last year's disappointment ... and got in. God is Great!!

I need some mental training, learning to trust myself, and my skills. I know I have what it takes - I just need some help getting there. I'm on my way out of this self-doubt jail and to free myself of it. I know I will!

Thanks coach ... very much.

You Can't Be Stopped

I feel your frustration ... but right on the other side of quit is your 1% Success Story!

Greatness Is Upon You

Eric's most powerful message, yet! Look in his eyes while he's speaking. THIS is what it means to have your motivation locked-in.

Choose Wisely ...

You only have two choices: Victim or the victor! How you perceive each situation in your life will determine your next move, ultimately creating your future.

"This is too tough - I can't do it."

OR

"I will make it, no matter what it takes ... period!"

The beauty of life is our ability to choose which mindset we wake up with each morning. It's this mindset that will create the path we walk and journey we live. Will you complain about the circumstances you're faced with or decide to change them? Will you be a model of defeat or strength for your children?

Victim or victor? Your choice!

Failure Equals Success

 If you're willing to fail many times before you achieve your goals, those goals will be yours!

No Days Off

Most look at today as a holiday - a time for rest. I, however, view this Labor Day as a time to separate from who I used to be. 

I used to be lazy.

I used to sleep in.

I used to take days off for no reason.

I used to work for money, alone.

I used to think of me before I thought of you.

I must work today. I need to be a model for my daughter during these times where most are complaining about lack, about what our country has lost, and what we used to have. She will NOT have a victim's mentality! She will grow up, instinctively knowing that her future is what she makes, not what the circumstances or others say she'll make.

So, yes ... today I will work, not because I'm obsessed with "work," but rather to show Logan that while others whine about what they don't have, our family creates what we will have!