Evander Holyfield

I was fortunate to meet the 4 time world champion boxer Evander Holyfield this morning. He has a big comeback that he is attempting to make. He had goals he had set to reach when he was younger. He thinks back to when he had nothing to remind himself of what he should be thankful for now. When he was a diamond but was covered in dust and no one knew it.

When he was 8 yrs. old he started boxing. The coach told him he could be the heavyweight champion of the world. He replied,"I am only 8 years old, how can I be the champion?". The trainer replied,"You won't always be 8." He knew he only weighed 65 lbs. The trainer said,"You won't only weigh 65 lbs.". After he went home and asked his mom, she said yes, if you listen, follow directions, and don't quit.

His mom is his hero although he did not realize that at first because she was always disciplining him. Keeping him focused on his goals. He lost his first match and wanted to quit, his mom said she did not raise a quitter, and sent him back. The third try he finally beat him. He now realizes that with working harder he can overcome all challenges.

He is coming back now at such a older age because he wants to be in control of his life not let the critics control it. He now has to get up at 5 o'clock in the morning and workout when no one is watching. This is the same workout pattern he did when there was no food on the table like in the beginning when he was broke. He now donates time and money to help those people that are less fortunate. If it wasn't for the people believing in him when he had nothing he would not be here.

We need someone to believe in us. I know I believe in you probably more than you believe in yourself. You may say,"You don't even know me". I know that you are only where you are now but you will not always be here. I know you are not perfect but none of us are. I know that everyone who has ever been successful had to beat the same demons of self-doubt. With that in mind I know that you can do anything that you want to with your life. That does not mean it will be easy, but it never was intended to be.

Now that we know where you are going and what you are going to be when you "grow up" what about everyone else? Most don't have people in their lives that believe in them and that's what we can give the world through OurGV. That is the gift you have to share.