Muhammad Ali fought in some historic boxing matches, most notably, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier (Thrilla in Manila) & George Foreman (The Rumble in the Jungle). Ali thrived in the SPOTLIGHT. He was often provocative and outlandish. He was known for trash-talking and rhyme schemes “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” and predicted which round he would knockout his opponent.
WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”?
ALI’S “WHY”
When Ali (then Cassius Clay) was 12 years old, a thief stole his brand new red Schwinn bicycle. Clay, in tears, found a policeman to report his bicycle stolen — Sergeant Joe Martin, who also trained boxers.
When the young boy told the policeman, I WANT TO WHUP THE THIEF WHO STOLE MY BIKE — Ali’s “WHY” to learn to start boxing was formed. The police officer’s boxing gym was in the basement at the same building. Cassius Clay showed up the next day to start training and spent the next 6 years training in that same basement gym.
The experience involving his stolen bike was a pivotal moment: a catalyst for his boxing career AND providing MEANING as a result of adversity.
If you trace Ali’s career, he always understood the realities of racial tensions and the effects of segregation & integration. Part of his boxing platform was used by Ali for social justice based on his life’s experiences.
“WHY” is finding meaning and purpose in your journey, which often times connects you to & with others to make a difference.
Let’s take a look at some of Muhammad Ali’s quotes to gain some insight into his perspective. It is obvious that Ali understood the value of training and hard work behind the scene and in the gym and on the road during the early morning runs. He understood desire & dream & vision. He understood taking risks & daring greatly. And he understood struggle and getting knocked down, & the will to get back up.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW. ALI WAS THE GREATEST BUT HE USED HIS PLATFORM TO HELP INSPIRE HOPE FOR OTHERS.
“I WANT TO FIGHT, NOT FOR ME, BUT TO UPLIFT MY LITTLE BROTHERS WHO ARE SLEEPING ON CONCRETE FLOORS”.
When you consolidate your “WHY” (meaning & purpose) with CONFIDENCE built upon a foundation of hard work & toughness and a mindset of never quitting & taking big risks, you can end up with THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! And if you can get a team full of Muhammad Ali’s with WHY & CONFIDENCE, you will PURSUE EXCELLENCE & WIN LOTS OF NEXT PITCHES!
WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”? All the best to you and yours in 2022!