At the age of 19, I stood at the pinnacle of my life as a star athlete and fierce competitor. A college football wide receiver with a knack for catching passes that left audiences in awe, I also held the title of champion kickboxer, with my last victorious bout broadcasted to a wide audience on ESPN.
However, fate took a cruel turn when a devastating car accident shattered my dreams. The collision left me with a broken neck, and I was paralyzed from the chest down. The doctors’ grim prognosis was that I would spend the remainder of my days confined to a wheelchair. It was in that moment of despair that I realized a fundamental truth: regardless of the hardships that befall us, we always possess a choice. We can opt to nurture bitterness within, or we can embrace the path of becoming better. We can surrender to feelings of powerlessness, or we can concentrate on the aspects of our lives that we can still influence.
It was during this transformative period that I became resolute in my pursuit of an audacious goal – the dream of standing tall once more. Remarkably, I not only transformed this seemingly insurmountable objective into reality, but I also achieved remarkable feats beyond my wildest imagination.
My journey led me to qualify for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, an exclusive club where fewer than 8% of the world’s most accomplished life insurance and financial services professionals gain entry. I revolutionized an entire industry in Southeast Asia, penned a bestselling book, and ascended to the ranks of top-rated inspirational speakers. I embarked on a mission to share my message of resilience with Fortune 500 organizations and captivated audiences around the globe, from Australia and Bermuda to Canada, India, Spain, the Czech Republic, and beyond.
Amidst these remarkable accomplishments, I also found time to explore the depths of the ocean as a scuba diver, soar through the skies as a skydiver, carve down snowy slopes as an avid skier, and indulge in my passion for golf by hitting balls on the course whenever opportunity knocked. Each of these achievements was a testament to the relentless focus, unwavering optimism, and indomitable determination that I affectionately refer to as my VISION, MINDSET, and GRIT.
My story serves as a reminder that no matter the challenges life throws our way, we have the power to shape our destiny through our choices and unwavering commitment to our goals.
