our next speaker is the only man in the entire world whose life’s work yes
entire world whose life’s work yes
entire world whose life’s work yes his life’s work is to electrify crowds
his life’s work is to electrify crowds
his life’s work is to electrify crowds at stadiums around the world here you
[Applause]
[Applause] ladies and gentlemen please welcome mr.
ladies and gentlemen please welcome mr.
ladies and gentlemen please welcome mr. Kavon Hughes
Kavon Hughes
Kavon Hughes [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
come on I can’t breathe this or any
come on I can’t breathe this or any oxygen here so here’s my idea for a TED
oxygen here so here’s my idea for a TED
oxygen here so here’s my idea for a TED talk I believe we should all get up and
talk I believe we should all get up and
talk I believe we should all get up and down dance and random places and throw
down dance and random places and throw
down dance and random places and throw t-shirts thank you good night
is anyone here going through life feel
is anyone here going through life feel like they’re living like someone else
like they’re living like someone else
like they’re living like someone else then maybe they’re just not living their
then maybe they’re just not living their
then maybe they’re just not living their true self it’s sometimes they have a
true self it’s sometimes they have a
true self it’s sometimes they have a mask on but you just don’t know how to
mask on but you just don’t know how to
mask on but you just don’t know how to get rid of it I know I live like that
get rid of it I know I live like that
get rid of it I know I live like that and I felt my true potential was being
and I felt my true potential was being
and I felt my true potential was being stifled by this concept of fear
stifled by this concept of fear
stifled by this concept of fear rejection and other people’s
rejection and other people’s
rejection and other people’s expectations and everything in between
expectations and everything in between
expectations and everything in between but the power of unmasking yourself of
but the power of unmasking yourself of
but the power of unmasking yourself of just getting up and doing whatever it is
just getting up and doing whatever it is
just getting up and doing whatever it is you want and not caring who’s watching
you want and not caring who’s watching
you want and not caring who’s watching is when a life really happens trust me
is when a life really happens trust me
is when a life really happens trust me because it happened to me when I was a
because it happened to me when I was a
because it happened to me when I was a kid I tried out for all the sports teams
kid I tried out for all the sports teams
kid I tried out for all the sports teams didn’t make any of them hold your tears
didn’t make any of them hold your tears
didn’t make any of them hold your tears and the schoolyard
and the schoolyard
and the schoolyard I was always last pick at the tennis
I was always last pick at the tennis
I was always last pick at the tennis club
club
club all I ever won was the sportsmanship
all I ever won was the sportsmanship
all I ever won was the sportsmanship award nobody wants to win the damn
award nobody wants to win the damn
award nobody wants to win the damn horsemanship award okay I would go home
horsemanship award okay I would go home
horsemanship award okay I would go home to my mom and I’d whine oh my god I’m so
to my mom and I’d whine oh my god I’m so
to my mom and I’d whine oh my god I’m so dejected I can’t believe this and mom
dejected I can’t believe this and mom
dejected I can’t believe this and mom would say trust me there’s other ways
would say trust me there’s other ways
would say trust me there’s other ways you can contribute to the team
you can contribute to the team
you can contribute to the team and they didn’t quite understand it at
and they didn’t quite understand it at
and they didn’t quite understand it at the time but those were really profound
the time but those were really profound
the time but those were really profound words that would change my life you know
words that would change my life you know
words that would change my life you know when I was 14 came home from school one
when I was 14 came home from school one
when I was 14 came home from school one day mom said to me my sister can you
day mom said to me my sister can you
day mom said to me my sister can you come sit in the living room my sister
come sit in the living room my sister
come sit in the living room my sister are thinking yes
are thinking yes
are thinking yes we’re finally getting the puppy right
we’re finally getting the puppy right
we’re finally getting the puppy right she says have a seat
she says have a seat
she says have a seat so we sit down she holds her hand tells
so we sit down she holds her hand tells
so we sit down she holds her hand tells us she’s just been diagnosed with breast
us she’s just been diagnosed with breast
us she’s just been diagnosed with breast cancer but don’t worry about it guys I’m
cancer but don’t worry about it guys I’m
cancer but don’t worry about it guys I’m gonna beat this I’m gonna fight this and
gonna beat this I’m gonna fight this and
gonna beat this I’m gonna fight this and my mom said just keep living just keep
my mom said just keep living just keep
my mom said just keep living just keep loving just keep going on with things
loving just keep going on with things
loving just keep going on with things then my mom neither did she ever fight
then my mom neither did she ever fight
then my mom neither did she ever fight that two years later my mother lost her
that two years later my mother lost her
that two years later my mother lost her battle to cancer 16 I was alone I was
battle to cancer 16 I was alone I was
battle to cancer 16 I was alone I was scared I didn’t know what to do next and
scared I didn’t know what to do next and
scared I didn’t know what to do next and as you can probably tell I was a mama’s
as you can probably tell I was a mama’s
as you can probably tell I was a mama’s boy but I had to get things back
boy but I had to get things back
boy but I had to get things back together I had to figure out a way to
together I had to figure out a way to
together I had to figure out a way to move on a couple months later I went
move on a couple months later I went
move on a couple months later I went back to school this new attitude I
back to school this new attitude I
back to school this new attitude I figured I’m gonna try out for the
figured I’m gonna try out for the
figured I’m gonna try out for the basketball team yet again but this time
basketball team yet again but this time
basketball team yet again but this time I’m gonna shave my legs to see if I can
I’m gonna shave my legs to see if I can
I’m gonna shave my legs to see if I can be a little more aerodynamic guys never
be a little more aerodynamic guys never
be a little more aerodynamic guys never do that
do that
do that it’s even work my buddy Jay and I we try
it’s even work my buddy Jay and I we try
it’s even work my buddy Jay and I we try out for the team we go to see if our
out for the team we go to see if our
out for the team we go to see if our names on the gym board and Jay screams
names on the gym board and Jay screams
names on the gym board and Jay screams with joy yes he made it and I’m like oh
with joy yes he made it and I’m like oh
with joy yes he made it and I’m like oh didn’t make another team again I was 6
didn’t make another team again I was 6
didn’t make another team again I was 6 feet tall how could I not make it how
feet tall how could I not make it how
feet tall how could I not make it how much talent do I not have right but it
much talent do I not have right but it
much talent do I not have right but it was funny because in that moment I
was funny because in that moment I
was funny because in that moment I wasn’t as upset as I used to be when I
wasn’t as upset as I used to be when I
wasn’t as upset as I used to be when I was facing all the other rejection I’m
was facing all the other rejection I’m
was facing all the other rejection I’m thinking how important it was to make
thinking how important it was to make
thinking how important it was to make the sports team you see when the worst
the sports team you see when the worst
the sports team you see when the worst thing that happens to you in your life
thing that happens to you in your life
thing that happens to you in your life happens to you you just kind of blow it
happens to you you just kind of blow it
happens to you you just kind of blow it off whatever you got nothing to lose so
off whatever you got nothing to lose so
off whatever you got nothing to lose so a couple weeks later I surprised Jay and
a couple weeks later I surprised Jay and
a couple weeks later I surprised Jay and the rest of the basketball team at an
the rest of the basketball team at an
the rest of the basketball team at an away game I painted my face I put
away game I painted my face I put
away game I painted my face I put overalls on and I showed up and cheered
overalls on and I showed up and cheered
overalls on and I showed up and cheered like an absolute lunatic I knew it was
like an absolute lunatic I knew it was
like an absolute lunatic I knew it was working because the away fans
working because the away fans
working because the away fans wanted to kill me and the guys in my
wanted to kill me and the guys in my
wanted to kill me and the guys in my team were like I think I like it took
team were like I think I like it took
team were like I think I like it took them a little while and then at
them a little while and then at
them a little while and then at university my buddy said hey should do
university my buddy said hey should do
university my buddy said hey should do something different at the football
something different at the football
something different at the football games so one Saturday morning before the
games so one Saturday morning before the
games so one Saturday morning before the big game I go to the grocery store and I
big game I go to the grocery store and I
big game I go to the grocery store and I buy the largest watermelon you’ve ever
buy the largest watermelon you’ve ever
buy the largest watermelon you’ve ever seen in your life I carve it out put it
seen in your life I carve it out put it
seen in your life I carve it out put it on my big beautiful noggin I paint my
on my big beautiful noggin I paint my
on my big beautiful noggin I paint my face purple I put on a cape and I put
face purple I put on a cape and I put
face purple I put on a cape and I put purple leotards on because that’s what
purple leotards on because that’s what
purple leotards on because that’s what and I had addy in a fence and I became
and I had addy in a fence and I became
and I had addy in a fence and I became known as melon head and then I needed a
known as melon head and then I needed a
known as melon head and then I needed a job that summer so I became the mascot
job that summer so I became the mascot
job that summer so I became the mascot for my local baseball team yes folks I
for my local baseball team yes folks I
for my local baseball team yes folks I was Lenny the Lynx and I’m telling you
was Lenny the Lynx and I’m telling you
was Lenny the Lynx and I’m telling you that Lynx head was the largest thing
that Lynx head was the largest thing
that Lynx head was the largest thing you’ve ever seen in your life you could
you’ve ever seen in your life you could
you’ve ever seen in your life you could barely go anywhere with this thing
barely go anywhere with this thing
barely go anywhere with this thing you’re starting to see a pattern of why
you’re starting to see a pattern of why
you’re starting to see a pattern of why I was single for so long I get it hurts
I was single for so long I get it hurts
I was single for so long I get it hurts but something somebody wasn’t quite
but something somebody wasn’t quite
but something somebody wasn’t quite right you know I I was wearing these
right you know I I was wearing these
right you know I I was wearing these masks and I wasn’t totally connecting
masks and I wasn’t totally connecting
masks and I wasn’t totally connecting with people the way I thought I could
with people the way I thought I could
with people the way I thought I could and the way I thought I should so fast
and the way I thought I should so fast
and the way I thought I should so fast forward to a couple years later but an
forward to a couple years later but an
forward to a couple years later but an Ottawa Senators NHL hockey game in my
Ottawa Senators NHL hockey game in my
Ottawa Senators NHL hockey game in my hometown with a buddy of mine and
hometown with a buddy of mine and
hometown with a buddy of mine and there’s no excitement in the arena
there’s no excitement in the arena
there’s no excitement in the arena there’s dissipation it’s just dead quiet
there’s dissipation it’s just dead quiet
there’s dissipation it’s just dead quiet and I’m really upset and we’re sitting
and I’m really upset and we’re sitting
and I’m really upset and we’re sitting there and I’m like I’ve got they’d watch
there and I’m like I’ve got they’d watch
there and I’m like I’ve got they’d watch this and he goes please don’t please
this and he goes please don’t please
this and he goes please don’t please don’t it was too late just suddenly the
don’t it was too late just suddenly the
don’t it was too late just suddenly the song comes on and I get up on my chair
song comes on and I get up on my chair
song comes on and I get up on my chair and I’m dancing and I’m dancing and I’m
and I’m dancing and I’m dancing and I’m
and I’m dancing and I’m dancing and I’m just going absolutely nuts and the
just going absolutely nuts and the
just going absolutely nuts and the crowds looking at me like you are right
crowds looking at me like you are right
crowds looking at me like you are right now
now
now like this guy’s possessed get some
like this guy’s possessed get some
like this guy’s possessed get some medical health but in that moment in
medical health but in that moment in
medical health but in that moment in your life or whatever that might be for
your life or whatever that might be for
your life or whatever that might be for you where you just decide to get up and
you where you just decide to get up and
you where you just decide to get up and go for it you’ve got to keep dancing
go for it you’ve got to keep dancing
go for it you’ve got to keep dancing because I just kept dancing I just kept
because I just kept dancing I just kept
because I just kept dancing I just kept dancing I just kept dancing and suddenly
dancing I just kept dancing and suddenly
dancing I just kept dancing and suddenly the craziest thing happened the entire
the craziest thing happened the entire
the craziest thing happened the entire arena went absolutely nuts
arena went absolutely nuts
arena went absolutely nuts and everyone’s going crazy I sit back
and everyone’s going crazy I sit back
and everyone’s going crazy I sit back down to my seat my buddy is long gone at
down to my seat my buddy is long gone at
down to my seat my buddy is long gone at this point we haven’t spoken since and
this point we haven’t spoken since and
this point we haven’t spoken since and I’m sitting there I’m thinking oh my god
I’m sitting there I’m thinking oh my god
I’m sitting there I’m thinking oh my god what did I just do and then it hit me
what did I just do and then it hit me
what did I just do and then it hit me totally hit me I finally took off my
totally hit me I finally took off my
totally hit me I finally took off my mask I finally just decided to be me but
mask I finally just decided to be me but
mask I finally just decided to be me but the real me and in that moment in your
the real me and in that moment in your
the real me and in that moment in your life where you cheer yourself on and you
life where you cheer yourself on and you
life where you cheer yourself on and you cheer yourself to try things it’s
cheer yourself to try things it’s
cheer yourself to try things it’s incredible what will happen in your
incredible what will happen in your
incredible what will happen in your community and how people will support
community and how people will support
community and how people will support you it’s pretty incredible and I
you it’s pretty incredible and I
you it’s pretty incredible and I challenge everyone in this room to have
challenge everyone in this room to have
challenge everyone in this room to have that moment where you’re like you know
that moment where you’re like you know
that moment where you’re like you know what enough of it I’m just going to take
what enough of it I’m just going to take
what enough of it I’m just going to take my mask off and I’m just going to go for
my mask off and I’m just going to go for
my mask off and I’m just going to go for it because when that happens that’s when
it because when that happens that’s when
it because when that happens that’s when life’s magic begins my friends that’s
life’s magic begins my friends that’s
life’s magic begins my friends that’s when it begins and your whole community
when it begins and your whole community
when it begins and your whole community will embrace you it is unbelievable
will embrace you it is unbelievable
will embrace you it is unbelievable back to the game adrenaline is rushing
back to the game adrenaline is rushing
back to the game adrenaline is rushing through my body I have no idea what’s
through my body I have no idea what’s
through my body I have no idea what’s happening the craziest thing happened
happening the craziest thing happened
happening the craziest thing happened whistle stop whistle blows play stops
whistle stop whistle blows play stops
whistle stop whistle blows play stops next thing I know 10,500 people turn
next thing I know 10,500 people turn
next thing I know 10,500 people turn around me and look at me they’re like
around me and look at me they’re like
around me and look at me they’re like come on big red white boy let’s dance
come on big red white boy let’s dance
come on big red white boy let’s dance and I’m thinking to myself I should have
and I’m thinking to myself I should have
and I’m thinking to myself I should have gone with my buddy but I had to embrace
gone with my buddy but I had to embrace
gone with my buddy but I had to embrace it so I get up from my seat and ten
it so I get up from my seat and ten
it so I get up from my seat and ten thousand finer people like what’s he
thousand finer people like what’s he
thousand finer people like what’s he gonna do and I had no idea so I should
gonna do and I had no idea so I should
gonna do and I had no idea so I should pull over and I go to the aisle and I
pull over and I go to the aisle and I
pull over and I go to the aisle and I start by the way I’m completely sober
start by the way I’m completely sober
start by the way I’m completely sober this entire time I swear and I’m up
this entire time I swear and I’m up
this entire time I swear and I’m up there and I’m dancing and I’m going
there and I’m dancing and I’m going
there and I’m dancing and I’m going crazy and I’m going crazy but what’s
crazy and I’m going crazy but what’s
crazy and I’m going crazy but what’s crazy now is ten thousand five hundred
crazy now is ten thousand five hundred
crazy now is ten thousand five hundred people are cheering they’re going nuts
people are cheering they’re going nuts
people are cheering they’re going nuts they’re high-fiving me the place is
they’re high-fiving me the place is
they’re high-fiving me the place is going off 20 seconds later the team
going off 20 seconds later the team
going off 20 seconds later the team scores the play stops I’ll go back to my
scores the play stops I’ll go back to my
scores the play stops I’ll go back to my seat someone from the Senators came up
seat someone from the Senators came up
seat someone from the Senators came up to me I thought they’re gonna like make
to me I thought they’re gonna like make
to me I thought they’re gonna like make a citizen’s arrest or something by
a citizen’s arrest or something by
a citizen’s arrest or something by behavior Cameron no they just wanted my
behavior Cameron no they just wanted my
behavior Cameron no they just wanted my information to maybe bring me back some
information to maybe bring me back some
information to maybe bring me back some day to come and get crazy again
day to come and get crazy again
day to come and get crazy again am i okay the next day I go to my what I
am i okay the next day I go to my what I
am i okay the next day I go to my what I thought as a Canadian kid was my dream
thought as a Canadian kid was my dream
thought as a Canadian kid was my dream job working at a local rink for $7.00 an
job working at a local rink for $7.00 an
job working at a local rink for $7.00 an hour
hour
hour and I’m sitting there I get the
and I’m sitting there I get the
and I’m sitting there I get the newspaper and the front page of the
newspaper and the front page of the
newspaper and the front page of the newspaper says dancing redhead bandits
newspaper says dancing redhead bandits
newspaper says dancing redhead bandits still show at Senators game I’m like oh
still show at Senators game I’m like oh
still show at Senators game I’m like oh my god I think that’s me and all I can
my god I think that’s me and all I can
my god I think that’s me and all I can think about was how do I explain this to
think about was how do I explain this to
think about was how do I explain this to my dad tonight but in that moment my
my dad tonight but in that moment my
my dad tonight but in that moment my mother’s words rang so true to me
mother’s words rang so true to me
mother’s words rang so true to me there’s other ways you can contribute to
there’s other ways you can contribute to
there’s other ways you can contribute to the team but in that moment I finally
the team but in that moment I finally
the team but in that moment I finally just took off my mask
just took off my mask
just took off my mask that’s what she was saying to me just be
that’s what she was saying to me just be
that’s what she was saying to me just be yourself you know when you’re going
yourself you know when you’re going
yourself you know when you’re going through what she went through and she
through what she went through and she
through what she went through and she learned so much but ultimately what she
learned so much but ultimately what she
learned so much but ultimately what she was saying is just be yourself and
was saying is just be yourself and
was saying is just be yourself and that’s what it’s all about
that’s what it’s all about
that’s what it’s all about not being afraid because contributing to
not being afraid because contributing to
not being afraid because contributing to the team isn’t isn’t what it’s always
the team isn’t isn’t what it’s always
the team isn’t isn’t what it’s always all about it’s finding ways that you can
all about it’s finding ways that you can
all about it’s finding ways that you can contribute to make embrace your talents
contribute to make embrace your talents
contribute to make embrace your talents that make you well your uniqueness
that make you well your uniqueness
that make you well your uniqueness allows your uniqueness to shine that’s
allows your uniqueness to shine that’s
allows your uniqueness to shine that’s what it’s all about and that’s what my
what it’s all about and that’s what my
what it’s all about and that’s what my mom was saying to me it was crazy
mom was saying to me it was crazy
mom was saying to me it was crazy I loved it was shocking and I tell
I loved it was shocking and I tell
I loved it was shocking and I tell people there’s no way I would have had
people there’s no way I would have had
people there’s no way I would have had this career how’d I not got up a second
this career how’d I not got up a second
this career how’d I not got up a second time there’s no way because had I not
time there’s no way because had I not
time there’s no way because had I not got up the second time I’m sure I
got up the second time I’m sure I
got up the second time I’m sure I wouldn’t have had a career performing at
wouldn’t have had a career performing at
wouldn’t have had a career performing at 1400 sporting events for teams like the
1400 sporting events for teams like the
1400 sporting events for teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers the New York Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers the New York Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers the New York Knicks Montreal Canadiens ambit’s and orders
Montreal Canadiens ambit’s and orders
Montreal Canadiens ambit’s and orders Bakersfield Condors for over 18 million
Bakersfield Condors for over 18 million
Bakersfield Condors for over 18 million people live in ten countries in 40
people live in ten countries in 40
people live in ten countries in 40 states and nine provinces and have only
states and nine provinces and have only
states and nine provinces and have only been hospitalized eight times that’s not
been hospitalized eight times that’s not
been hospitalized eight times that’s not bad
bad
bad so what if the crowd hadn’t cheered me
so what if the crowd hadn’t cheered me
so what if the crowd hadn’t cheered me on that night when I got up and went for
on that night when I got up and went for
on that night when I got up and went for it where would I be
it where would I be
it where would I be I probably wouldn’t be here or Willa
I probably wouldn’t be here or Willa
I probably wouldn’t be here or Willa what I’ve kept going what I found other
what I’ve kept going what I found other
what I’ve kept going what I found other ways to get up have you ever gotten up
ways to get up have you ever gotten up
ways to get up have you ever gotten up and it just didn’t quite work the way
and it just didn’t quite work the way
and it just didn’t quite work the way you thought you’re like ah I’m not gonna
you thought you’re like ah I’m not gonna
you thought you’re like ah I’m not gonna get up again I’m just gonna run home and
get up again I’m just gonna run home and
get up again I’m just gonna run home and hide what do you do because all of us
hide what do you do because all of us
hide what do you do because all of us had this voice in our head don’t we we
had this voice in our head don’t we we
had this voice in our head don’t we we have this voice in her head should I
have this voice in her head should I
have this voice in her head should I shouldn’t I oh my god there’s this girl
shouldn’t I oh my god there’s this girl
shouldn’t I oh my god there’s this girl I’m gonna embarrass her she’s not gonna
I’m gonna embarrass her she’s not gonna
I’m gonna embarrass her she’s not gonna like me oh my god I’m never gonna go out
like me oh my god I’m never gonna go out
like me oh my god I’m never gonna go out with anyone I may be single the rest of
with anyone I may be single the rest of
with anyone I may be single the rest of my life oh my god one of my friends
my life oh my god one of my friends
my life oh my god one of my friends gonna think oh my god my friends gonna
gonna think oh my god my friends gonna
gonna think oh my god my friends gonna think I’m so crazy oh maybe they don’t
think I’m so crazy oh maybe they don’t
think I’m so crazy oh maybe they don’t like me maybe I’ll get new friends oh my
like me maybe I’ll get new friends oh my
like me maybe I’ll get new friends oh my god my parents will
god my parents will
god my parents will oh my god what should i do should I get
oh my god what should i do should I get
oh my god what should i do should I get up said I got you want you do you just
up said I got you want you do you just
up said I got you want you do you just get up right it’s just so much easier in
get up right it’s just so much easier in
get up right it’s just so much easier in that moment in your life where you just
that moment in your life where you just
that moment in your life where you just get up what happens is pretty amazing
get up what happens is pretty amazing
get up what happens is pretty amazing what happened to me that night that
what happened to me that night that
what happened to me that night that community won’t embrace you because
community won’t embrace you because
community won’t embrace you because you’re taking chances you’re taking
you’re taking chances you’re taking
you’re taking chances you’re taking risks as hard as it might be and I
risks as hard as it might be and I
risks as hard as it might be and I challenge you to surround yourself like
challenge you to surround yourself like
challenge you to surround yourself like you do here with coaches and mentors and
you do here with coaches and mentors and
you do here with coaches and mentors and people they’re going to help you out and
people they’re going to help you out and
people they’re going to help you out and friends that are close to you and
friends that are close to you and
friends that are close to you and advisers because those that adversity
advisers because those that adversity
advisers because those that adversity and those challenges in your life it’s
and those challenges in your life it’s
and those challenges in your life it’s going to happen it’s just part of life
going to happen it’s just part of life
going to happen it’s just part of life trust me and that rejection trust me for
trust me and that rejection trust me for
trust me and that rejection trust me for every game that I get hired to there’s
every game that I get hired to there’s
every game that I get hired to there’s probably five teams that say no but I
probably five teams that say no but I
probably five teams that say no but I celebrate that victory when someone
celebrate that victory when someone
celebrate that victory when someone believes in me do you keep going you
believes in me do you keep going you
believes in me do you keep going you know when might when I started to do
know when might when I started to do
know when might when I started to do this I told my dad and my dad’s like oh
this I told my dad and my dad’s like oh
this I told my dad and my dad’s like oh no you’re not but yeah I hate him I had
no you’re not but yeah I hate him I had
no you’re not but yeah I hate him I had to had to figure out a way and it was
to had to figure out a way and it was
to had to figure out a way and it was really hard my dad wanted me to get a
really hard my dad wanted me to get a
really hard my dad wanted me to get a job I said dad I’m not qualified to do
job I said dad I’m not qualified to do
job I said dad I’m not qualified to do anything I’ve got a dance and eventually
anything I’ve got a dance and eventually
anything I’ve got a dance and eventually my dad picked up on it and believed in
my dad picked up on it and believed in
my dad picked up on it and believed in me which was pretty cool and then
me which was pretty cool and then
me which was pretty cool and then there’s the people that are gonna you
there’s the people that are gonna you
there’s the people that are gonna you know other voices and these people that
know other voices and these people that
know other voices and these people that aren’t going to totally get it in your
aren’t going to totally get it in your
aren’t going to totally get it in your life yeah and then there’s people
life yeah and then there’s people
life yeah and then there’s people they’re gonna throw hot dogs at you
they’re gonna throw hot dogs at you
they’re gonna throw hot dogs at you cuz that’s happened to me way too often
cuz that’s happened to me way too often
cuz that’s happened to me way too often that’s another story but so what as long
that’s another story but so what as long
that’s another story but so what as long as you believe as long as you keep
as you believe as long as you keep
as you believe as long as you keep getting up right and when you get up
getting up right and when you get up
getting up right and when you get up there’s different opportunities that are
there’s different opportunities that are
there’s different opportunities that are gonna happen that you have no idea my
gonna happen that you have no idea my
gonna happen that you have no idea my friends and trust me it’s that concept
friends and trust me it’s that concept
friends and trust me it’s that concept of showing up full circle life you don’t
of showing up full circle life you don’t
of showing up full circle life you don’t even know but if you could picture a
even know but if you could picture a
even know but if you could picture a place that you would never imagine a
place that you would never imagine a
place that you would never imagine a million years would hire me to come in
million years would hire me to come in
million years would hire me to come in and fire up the crowd what would you
and fire up the crowd what would you
and fire up the crowd what would you think would you think like the world
think would you think like the world
think would you think like the world knitting Association maybe right
knitting Association maybe right
knitting Association maybe right no the US Open tennis in New York City
no the US Open tennis in New York City
no the US Open tennis in New York City you know the tennis right please quiet
you know the tennis right please quiet
you know the tennis right please quiet please
please
please seven years ago they decided someone
seven years ago they decided someone
seven years ago they decided someone narrow in my the way I look at is they
narrow in my the way I look at is they
narrow in my the way I look at is they took off their mask and they decided to
took off their mask and they decided to
took off their mask and they decided to take a chance on me and so they brought
take a chance on me and so they brought
take a chance on me and so they brought me out I performed in front of 25,000
me out I performed in front of 25,000
me out I performed in front of 25,000 people at Flushing Meadows firing up the
people at Flushing Meadows firing up the
people at Flushing Meadows firing up the crowd and when I fired up the crowd the
crowd and when I fired up the crowd the
crowd and when I fired up the crowd the crowd fired up the players and when the
crowd fired up the players and when the
crowd fired up the players and when the players got excited everyone was happy
players got excited everyone was happy
players got excited everyone was happy [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] there’s novak djokovic someone who knows
there’s novak djokovic someone who knows
there’s novak djokovic someone who knows exactly what it’s like to play without
exactly what it’s like to play without
exactly what it’s like to play without their mask on to live without their mask
their mask on to live without their mask
their mask on to live without their mask on and that moment was full circle for
on and that moment was full circle for
on and that moment was full circle for me because everyone was kind of cheering
me because everyone was kind of cheering
me because everyone was kind of cheering each other on and saying you know what
each other on and saying you know what
each other on and saying you know what let’s just give us a try and seven years
let’s just give us a try and seven years
let’s just give us a try and seven years later I’ve been performing every year at
later I’ve been performing every year at
later I’ve been performing every year at the US Open at moments like that you
the US Open at moments like that you
the US Open at moments like that you know I didn’t make that tennis team but
know I didn’t make that tennis team but
know I didn’t make that tennis team but I made it to center court at the US Open
I made it to center court at the US Open
I made it to center court at the US Open I don’t know how I didn’t make it on any
I don’t know how I didn’t make it on any
I don’t know how I didn’t make it on any hockey team I ever played a couple years
hockey team I ever played a couple years
hockey team I ever played a couple years ago I made it to the Stanley Cup Finals
ago I made it to the Stanley Cup Finals
ago I made it to the Stanley Cup Finals you know I tried every year to make it
you know I tried every year to make it
you know I tried every year to make it in basketball and every time I go back
in basketball and every time I go back
in basketball and every time I go back to my hometown I like to call up the
to my hometown I like to call up the
to my hometown I like to call up the coach that wouldn’t put me on the team
coach that wouldn’t put me on the team
coach that wouldn’t put me on the team and let him know that I made it to the
and let him know that I made it to the
and let him know that I made it to the NBA Finals so think about it if I can
NBA Finals so think about it if I can
NBA Finals so think about it if I can figure out a way to make a living
figure out a way to make a living
figure out a way to make a living acting like a lunatic at sporting events
acting like a lunatic at sporting events
acting like a lunatic at sporting events and throwing t-shirts out and dancing
and throwing t-shirts out and dancing
and throwing t-shirts out and dancing like a nut
like a nut
like a nut I’m pretty sure you can do whatever you
I’m pretty sure you can do whatever you
I’m pretty sure you can do whatever you want to do with your life but what does
want to do with your life but what does
want to do with your life but what does make it look like to you what does make
make it look like to you what does make
make it look like to you what does make it look like to you and you need to
it look like to you and you need to
it look like to you and you need to define that and build your foundation
define that and build your foundation
define that and build your foundation right now that’s where the excitement is
right now that’s where the excitement is
right now that’s where the excitement is that’s where the excitement is I want to
that’s where the excitement is I want to
that’s where the excitement is I want to challenge every single one of you in
challenge every single one of you in
challenge every single one of you in this room to get rid of that concept of
this room to get rid of that concept of
this room to get rid of that concept of having a mask on and just live your true
having a mask on and just live your true
having a mask on and just live your true self and I want you to think of
self and I want you to think of
self and I want you to think of something right now think of something
something right now think of something
something right now think of something right now
right now
right now it’s just get that moment that you want
it’s just get that moment that you want
it’s just get that moment that you want in your life whether it’s joining a club
in your life whether it’s joining a club
in your life whether it’s joining a club playing on a team asking someone out but
playing on a team asking someone out but
playing on a team asking someone out but being too afraid starting a job starting
being too afraid starting a job starting
being too afraid starting a job starting an online business starting a charity
an online business starting a charity
an online business starting a charity event
event
event what is that for you and I want you to
what is that for you and I want you to
what is that for you and I want you to think about it when that is completely
think about it when that is completely
think about it when that is completely clear in your mind I want you to stand
clear in your mind I want you to stand
clear in your mind I want you to stand up in this room when I say go I want you
up in this room when I say go I want you
up in this room when I say go I want you to stand up when it’s clear in your mind
to stand up when it’s clear in your mind
to stand up when it’s clear in your mind stand up tall stand up proud ready and
stand up tall stand up proud ready and
stand up tall stand up proud ready and go
feels pretty good doesn’t it feels
feels pretty good doesn’t it feels pretty good doesn’t it look around you
pretty good doesn’t it look around you
pretty good doesn’t it look around you the community is supporting you everyone
the community is supporting you everyone
the community is supporting you everyone in this room the crowd wants you to
in this room the crowd wants you to
in this room the crowd wants you to succeed
believe in yourself trust it and keep
believe in yourself trust it and keep getting on whatever chairs there are out
getting on whatever chairs there are out
getting on whatever chairs there are out there in your life and dance like
there in your life and dance like
there in your life and dance like everyone is watching and promise me one
everyone is watching and promise me one
everyone is watching and promise me one thing
thing
thing promise me one thing you’ll keep taking
promise me one thing you’ll keep taking
promise me one thing you’ll keep taking those masks off for the rest of your
those masks off for the rest of your
those masks off for the rest of your life thank you so much eagle Brooke I’m
life thank you so much eagle Brooke I’m
life thank you so much eagle Brooke I’m cheering for you
cheering for you
cheering for you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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