I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the Ed Mylett Podcast, but it’s one of my favorites.

Yesterday, I listened to an episode in which Ed was interviewing former professional arena football player and WWE Superstar Thaddeus Bullard (known in the ring as Titus O’Neil). What an amazing episode!

As they discussed overcoming challenges, Thaddeus shared his amazing story about how he was conceived when his mother was raped at the age of 11. ELEVEN! She was being taken to a doctor to abort the baby when she jumped out of the car and ran to avoid the abortion and he was born when she was only 12 years old! As you can imagine, he had a very difficult childhood being raised by a kid! Didn’t know his father; got into fights all the time…

As a last hope, he ended up being sent to live at a boys ranch and ended up staying there for 5 years where he began to turn his life around and ended up going on to play college football before making his way to the Arena Football League and eventually the WWE.

As I was listening, it hit me that here’s this guy who was the product of rape, raised by a teenager, had a horrific childhood, and yet he went on to become very successful both in career and family life.

There’s obviously more to his story and I would encourage you to listen to the episode, but the lesson I took from it is this:

YOUR PAST DOES NOT PRECLUDE YOU FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL.

It’s not what happens to you that matters as much as how you THINK about what happens to you. If you keep focusing on all the negative things that happened to you and keep telling yourself that those things are holding you back from accomplishing your goals, then they will. They will act as your ball and chain as long as that is how you view them.

Don’t misunderstand me–if you have trauma in your life, get the help you need, but don’t believe that those things have to prevent you from moving forward.

Thaddeus succeeded DESPITE his past and so can you.

You can’t focus on the road in front of you if you can’t take your eyes off the rearview mirror.

If you feel stuck in the past, I hope that inspires you to begin to believe that change is possible, and coaching can help.

While I’m not a counselor to help you overcome past trauma, I can help you identify blind spots and develop strategies to accomplish your personal and professional goals and I’d love to help. Reach out and let’s see if we’re a good fit.