How to Keep Fighting in Tough Times with Boxer Derrick James

Summary: 

Today, the man in your corner is professional boxing trainer Derrick James. Walk and listen as Derrick tells you how to stay in the fight regardless of the adversity you may face. 

Derrick is now a member of the Board at the Boys and Girls Club in Oak Cliff, Texas, the same inner-city gym where he learned to box and break a generational cycle of incarceration. Throughout the walk he shares small anecdotes that give you an idea of what he had to do to rise from humble beginnings and transform into becoming ‘Trainer of the Year’. 

He says staying in the fight is as simple as asking yourself one simple, but life changing, question. Tune in to find out what it is and start contemplating your own decisions throughout our walk. 

“You can be your best for everybody else, when you’re at best for yourself”

Timestamps: 

● [00:49] Who is Derrick James? ● [01:29] How boxing is a comeback sport. ● [02:34] Speed walk time. ● [04:45] Boxing punches (and how to do them like a pro, from a pro). ● [06:39] How being slow can take you far. ● [08:23] How Derrick James started boxing. ● [09:37] Making it all the way to the Olympic trials in 1992. ● [10:13] Second speed walk (get to a good location). ● [13:30] Another set of boxing punches ● [13:50] Hanging on and waiting can be all the medicine you need. ● [15:25] How his career was boosted by love (“I need to get back to some kids in the city”) ● [17:02] The greatest lesson this professional learned from boxing. ● [18:06] Hitting the reset button (ask yourself THIS question). ● [18:52] Speed walk 3 (time to contemplate the question). ● [21:18] What if you don’t achieve your goals because life happens? ● [22:59] Final round of boxing jabs (and start toning those shoulders)! ● [24:23] Who has been Derrick’s cornerman? ● [25:14] Three dreams give Derrick purpose and motivation to keep fighting (are any of them the same for you). ● [27:08] How knowing who you are keeps you strong and humble. ● [27:42] How to meditate (from a boxer).

Key Takeaways: 

● When doing boxing punches, the power is in the rotation. ● Where you start in life does not dictate where you can potentially end up. ● Sometimes waiting out the tough times is all you need to get to a sea of light in your life. ● Boxing can teach you to be focused and humble. ● “Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right? If you want to be happy, you’ve got to have humility” - Derrick James ● If you don’t achieve what you want, you have to keep pushing. Find another way to do what you want to do. ● “When you know who you owe, you can never think you are better than the individual that you owe” - Derrick James

Links: 

Connect with Derrick James: Website | Instagram

Connect with Brenda: Instagram | Website