"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."
                                                                 — Aristotle Onassis

Each year, I’m blessed to travel the country, sharing the empowering message of Black Belt Leadership and the Mind of a Champion with teams, organizations, and individuals hungry to reach new heights.

One powerful theme I share is how the stories we tell ourselves — especially the negative ones — can secretly disempower us, trapping us far from the happiness, success, and fulfillment we deserve.

But here’s the good news: when we shift into Forward Focused thinking, we don't just overcome obstacles — we transform them into stepping stones. Challenges become blessings. Setbacks become setups for our greatest breakthroughs.

A Simple Exercise That Can Change Your Life

During many of my keynotes and workshops, I guide participants through an exercise where they share a challenge they're facing. But there’s a twist...

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
                                                  — William Shakespeare, Hamlet

It’s human nature to label the events in our lives as “good” or “bad,” especially when they don’t unfold according to our plans or expectations. But what if those very labels are limiting our growth? What if what we see as a setback is actually the beginning of a breakthrough?

One of the most profound lessons we can learn is that meaning is not found in the event itself, but in how we interpret and respond to it.

Sometimes life reminds us of this truth. It disrupts plans, shifts priorities, and forces us to adapt in ways we never imagined. And yet, for many, it can also became a time of deep reflection, renewed purpose, and unexpected opportunity. It shows us the power of perspective and the importance of staying nimble—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.Let me share a story that beautifully illustrates this idea.

Let me sha...

“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”

                                                                                                                                     — Dwayne Johnson

This morning, I almost skipped my mini-exercise routine. I was tired. I felt sorry for myself. And honestly, I just didn’t feel like it. Then a story came rushing back to me—one that stopped my excuses in their tracks.

Years ago, I heard about an elderly man who walked into a gym and turned heads.

He was in his early nineties—yet his body was lean, powerful, and incredibly strong. His chest was broad, arms defined, legs like tree trunks. His back was solid, yet supple. Even his white hair carried a kind of youthful energy, matched only by the twinkle in his steely blue eyes and the vibrance of his spirit.

Someone asked him his secret.

He smiled and said,

“Over 70 years ago, I made a promise to m...

"There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you are committed, you accept no excuses—only results." – Art Turock

A few years ago, I was at a conference and heard a speaker share a quirky yet profound take on commitment. He said:

"I had bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning. The chicken was involved, but the pig was COMMITTED."

While this may sound a little cheesy, it stuck with me. It made me reflect deeply: How committed am I really to the things I say I’m committed to?

Or, as the legendary coach Steve Chandler often asks, "Are you interested, or are you committed?"

In my 50 years as a martial arts instructor, I’ve had the honor of working with thousands of students. Of those, hundreds have reached the prestigious rank of Black Belt and beyond. But here’s the thing—what sets these students apart isn’t physical prowess. It isn’t about strength, flexibility, or ...

“We’ve got to remember that we get whatever we focus on in life. If we keep focusing on what we don’t want, we’ll have more of it. The first step to creating any change is deciding what you do want so that you have something to move toward.”

— Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within

In sports, business, and life, champions share one powerful belief: What we focus on expands.

Think for a moment about the vision you have for your life or your business.

When you focus on the things that fuel your passion, things that energize you and ignite your soul, you often attract the right people and the right circumstances to help you on your journey. It’s like the universe starts working in your favor.

On the flip side, when you focus solely on the obstacles or challenges you face, it can feel like those very obstacles multiply.

But here’s the key truth I want to share: I’m not suggesting you ignore your challenges or pretend they don’t exist. Absolutely not. What I’m inviting y...

"Accept, then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. This will miraculously change your whole life."
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     — Eckhart Tolle

A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a transformative meditation retreat. Four days of immersion in peace, stillness, and centeredness left me feeling deeply connected. But when I returned to the "real world," I was immediately struck by how easily I slipped back into old habits, the familiar patterns of overthinking and stress that often take hold in everyday life.

The biggest challenge I face is learning when to accept things as they are, to let go of my need to control every outcome, and to surrender to the flow of life. It’s a lesson that continues to evolve, and ...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                              — Anthony J. D’Angelo

As I sit and reflect on my journey, one thing becomes crystal clear: people have a profound impact on our lives—sometimes for a lifetime, sometimes for a fleeting moment. And here’s the magic: it’s not always the amount of time spent with someone that matters, but the quality of the impact they leave behind. Even brief encounters can ignite something that stays with you forever.

I’m reminded of one such person in my life: Frank Jeffrey.

When I first graduated from college, I embarked on my professional journey with the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company. Frank was my first District Manager, and even though I didn’t directly report to him, his influence was undeniable. He became my mentor, a wise, steady presence guiding me through the challenges of my early career.

I’ll never f...

“Today is a new day. Don’t let your past determine your future. Let today be the moment you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start creating the life you truly deserve. You hold the power and the time to transform your life. Break free from the chains of victimhood and embrace the greatness that’s always been within you. You were never meant to live a life of mediocrity!”
                                                                                                                                                                                                           – Steve Maraboli

Are You Living as a Victim, or Are You Taking Ownership of Your Life?

A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a life-changing seminar by one of the most transformative coaches I’ve ever known—Steve Chandler. During that event, he posed a question that has stayed with me ever since:

Are you living as a victim, or are you stepping up and owning your life?

At first glan...

“If people are good only because they fear punishment, or hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.”
                                                                                                                – Albert Einstein

There’s a story that’s been told time and time again about John Lennon as a young schoolboy. One day, his teacher assigned the class a simple task: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

As the answers came in, they were exactly what you'd expect from a group of young children: policeman, nurse, teacher, fireman, and so on. Practical aspirations. Safe. Expected.

Then it was John’s turn.

The teacher asked, “John, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Without missing a beat, young Lennon replied with one word: “Happy.”

Legend has it that his teacher wasn’t amused. She threatened to punish him unless he answered with something more conventional. But John stood firm, offering no other answer than the one that was true to his h...

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
                                               – Mahatma Gandhi

In today’s world, many of us feel the weight of a society that seems more divided than ever. Anger, frustration, and resentment are ever-present, often sparked by the simple fact that others don’t see the world the way we do. These emotions fuel our daily lives, amplified by the relentless flow of headlines and social media posts.

So much of our frustration stems from wanting others to act, speak, or think like we do. At the very least, we hope they’ll listen to us with openness and empathy. But here's the question: Are we willing to do the same?

This question reminds me of a story that I hold close to my heart, one that speaks to the power of our own mindset and presence.

A young man, fresh to a new town where he knows no one, strolls down the street. As he passes a weathered old man sitting on a rocking chair outside the general store, he asks, “Hey, I’m new ...