[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] unless I got off at the wrong stop this
unless I got off at the wrong stop this
unless I got off at the wrong stop this is which university are we at food ah as
is which university are we at food ah as
is which university are we at food ah as florene University right I was great
florene University right I was great
florene University right I was great because it’s my very first time here
because it’s my very first time here
because it’s my very first time here today on campus and I want to let you
today on campus and I want to let you
today on campus and I want to let you know how special this place is to me
know how special this place is to me
know how special this place is to me because if it wasn’t for floor in
because if it wasn’t for floor in
because if it wasn’t for floor in University I want to be here today and
University I want to be here today and
University I want to be here today and that’s because if it wasn’t for fluent
that’s because if it wasn’t for fluent
that’s because if it wasn’t for fluent University my parents wouldn’t have met
University my parents wouldn’t have met
University my parents wouldn’t have met some forty eight years ago right here
some forty eight years ago right here
some forty eight years ago right here yeah and um and so back then it was kind
yeah and um and so back then it was kind
yeah and um and so back then it was kind of like you know you have fjc you you
of like you know you have fjc you you
of like you know you have fjc you you have my parents and then oh it’s me yeah
have my parents and then oh it’s me yeah
have my parents and then oh it’s me yeah like PPAP so actually there’s more like
like PPAP so actually there’s more like
like PPAP so actually there’s more like university my parents meet and then then
university my parents meet and then then
university my parents meet and then then they get married and then they have kids
they get married and then they have kids
they get married and then they have kids now they gotta find a place to raise
now they gotta find a place to raise
now they gotta find a place to raise their family and that sent them to the
their family and that sent them to the
their family and that sent them to the u.s. in search of the so-called American
u.s. in search of the so-called American
u.s. in search of the so-called American dream but we asked what really is the
dream but we asked what really is the
dream but we asked what really is the American dream and to clear one
American dream and to clear one
American dream and to clear one misconception the American dream is not
misconception the American dream is not
misconception the American dream is not you know muscle-bound rappers you know
you know muscle-bound rappers you know
you know muscle-bound rappers you know with in big gold chains and and
with in big gold chains and and
with in big gold chains and and half-naked ladies soaking in bubble
half-naked ladies soaking in bubble
half-naked ladies soaking in bubble baths at making it rain from the ceiling
baths at making it rain from the ceiling
baths at making it rain from the ceiling you know although technically this could
you know although technically this could
you know although technically this could be somebody’s American dream it’s not
be somebody’s American dream it’s not
be somebody’s American dream it’s not typically what most people have in mind
typically what most people have in mind
typically what most people have in mind so the American Dream by modern
so the American Dream by modern
so the American Dream by modern definition refers to the ideals of
definition refers to the ideals of
definition refers to the ideals of freedom equality and opportunity
freedom equality and opportunity
freedom equality and opportunity traditionally held to be available to
traditionally held to be available to
traditionally held to be available to every American it’s also described as a
every American it’s also described as a
every American it’s also described as a life of personal happiness and material
life of personal happiness and material
life of personal happiness and material comfort traditionally sought by
comfort traditionally sought by
comfort traditionally sought by individuals in the u.s. now there’s a
individuals in the u.s. now there’s a
individuals in the u.s. now there’s a problem with this because by modern
problem with this because by modern
problem with this because by modern definition available to every American
definition available to every American
definition available to every American and sought by individuals in the US
and sought by individuals in the US
and sought by individuals in the US well that excludes my parents and
well that excludes my parents and
well that excludes my parents and hundreds of thousands to millions of
hundreds of thousands to millions of
hundreds of thousands to millions of people before and after them and these
people before and after them and these
people before and after them and these people who at one time dreamt of an
people who at one time dreamt of an
people who at one time dreamt of an amazing America that people were talking
amazing America that people were talking
amazing America that people were talking about and these people made incredible
about and these people made incredible
about and these people made incredible sack
sack
sack to emigrate there and these immigrants
to emigrate there and these immigrants
to emigrate there and these immigrants helped to make America a great melting
helped to make America a great melting
helped to make America a great melting pot of ambitious hard-working people and
pot of ambitious hard-working people and
pot of ambitious hard-working people and furthermore you have people like me and
furthermore you have people like me and
furthermore you have people like me and obvious ABC and that doesn’t stand for
obvious ABC and that doesn’t stand for
obvious ABC and that doesn’t stand for american-born Chinese it stands for
american-born Chinese it stands for
american-born Chinese it stands for American born citizen and I qualify for
American born citizen and I qualify for
American born citizen and I qualify for the American Dream according to the
the American Dream according to the
the American Dream according to the first definition because of my
first definition because of my
first definition because of my nationality and where I was born but
nationality and where I was born but
nationality and where I was born but according to the second definition I
according to the second definition I
according to the second definition I don’t qualify anymore because I no
don’t qualify anymore because I no
don’t qualify anymore because I no longer live in the u.s. so it’s a bit
longer live in the u.s. so it’s a bit
longer live in the u.s. so it’s a bit ridiculous to think that simply because
ridiculous to think that simply because
ridiculous to think that simply because I’ve been in Asia for 14 years that my
I’ve been in Asia for 14 years that my
I’ve been in Asia for 14 years that my ideals of freedom equality and
ideals of freedom equality and
ideals of freedom equality and opportunity you know which have been
opportunity you know which have been
opportunity you know which have been engraved in my brain since birth
engraved in my brain since birth
engraved in my brain since birth suddenly and simply no longer apply
suddenly and simply no longer apply
suddenly and simply no longer apply so it’s not like I would suddenly be
so it’s not like I would suddenly be
so it’s not like I would suddenly be communist by moving to China so let’s
communist by moving to China so let’s
communist by moving to China so let’s take it back to 1931 when the original
take it back to 1931 when the original
take it back to 1931 when the original term American Dream was first used by
term American Dream was first used by
term American Dream was first used by the author James Truslow Adams at that
the author James Truslow Adams at that
the author James Truslow Adams at that time the American Dream emerged from
time the American Dream emerged from
time the American Dream emerged from ideas of referencing more towards the
ideas of referencing more towards the
ideas of referencing more towards the reasons why people from all over the
reasons why people from all over the
reasons why people from all over the world were immigrating to America so it
world were immigrating to America so it
world were immigrating to America so it was things like seeking religious and
was things like seeking religious and
was things like seeking religious and personal freedoms as well as
personal freedoms as well as
personal freedoms as well as independence equality opportunity and
independence equality opportunity and
independence equality opportunity and you’ve all probably heard life liberty
you’ve all probably heard life liberty
you’ve all probably heard life liberty and the pursuit of happiness so you know
and the pursuit of happiness so you know
and the pursuit of happiness so you know you remember Will Smith and cute little
you remember Will Smith and cute little
you remember Will Smith and cute little Jaden with his afro right so Adams wrote
Jaden with his afro right so Adams wrote
Jaden with his afro right so Adams wrote this he said the American dream is that
this he said the American dream is that
this he said the American dream is that dream of a land in which life should be
dream of a land in which life should be
dream of a land in which life should be better richer and fuller for everyone
better richer and fuller for everyone
better richer and fuller for everyone and opportunity for each according to
and opportunity for each according to
and opportunity for each according to ability or achievement that dream of a
ability or achievement that dream of a
ability or achievement that dream of a land in which life should be better
land in which life should be better
land in which life should be better richer and fuller for everyone so
richer and fuller for everyone so
richer and fuller for everyone so nowhere in the original definition does
nowhere in the original definition does
nowhere in the original definition does it say that you must be American or
it say that you must be American or
it say that you must be American or located in America so let’s try to start
located in America so let’s try to start
located in America so let’s try to start thinking of the American dream more as a
thinking of the American dream more as a
thinking of the American dream more as a concept and an attitude you know a lot
concept and an attitude you know a lot
concept and an attitude you know a lot of people say attitude is everything
of people say attitude is everything
of people say attitude is everything this would be working hard and earning
this would be working hard and earning
this would be working hard and earning your keep creating endless opportunities
your keep creating endless opportunities
your keep creating endless opportunities no discrimination to where you’re from
no discrimination to where you’re from
no discrimination to where you’re from or if you’re rich or if you’re poor is
or if you’re rich or if you’re poor is
or if you’re rich or if you’re poor is the
the
the dream of åland any land anywhere in
dream of åland any land anywhere in
dream of åland any land anywhere in which life should be better for anyone
which life should be better for anyone
which life should be better for anyone not just Americans when people ask me
not just Americans when people ask me
not just Americans when people ask me what I’ve been doing all these years in
what I’ve been doing all these years in
what I’ve been doing all these years in Asia I tell him I’m in Asia pursuing my
Asia I tell him I’m in Asia pursuing my
Asia I tell him I’m in Asia pursuing my American dream and obviously I get a lot
American dream and obviously I get a lot
American dream and obviously I get a lot of weird looks and some people might
of weird looks and some people might
of weird looks and some people might think I’m crazy but does it even matter
think I’m crazy but does it even matter
think I’m crazy but does it even matter you gotta ask yourself does it even
you gotta ask yourself does it even
you gotta ask yourself does it even matter what other people think about you
matter what other people think about you
matter what other people think about you see I was born and raised in the state
see I was born and raised in the state
see I was born and raised in the state of Oregon along the coast the town I
of Oregon along the coast the town I
of Oregon along the coast the town I grew up in had a whopping astounding
grew up in had a whopping astounding
grew up in had a whopping astounding population of 5000 people
population of 5000 people
population of 5000 people that’s not even 17 percent of the number
that’s not even 17 percent of the number
that’s not even 17 percent of the number of students enrolled here at Florin
of students enrolled here at Florin
of students enrolled here at Florin University my family was basically the
University my family was basically the
University my family was basically the only family in town that wasn’t white
only family in town that wasn’t white
only family in town that wasn’t white and to make things better my dad loved
and to make things better my dad loved
and to make things better my dad loved John Wayne and cowboy movies so I grew
John Wayne and cowboy movies so I grew
John Wayne and cowboy movies so I grew up on a ranch with all kinds of animals
up on a ranch with all kinds of animals
up on a ranch with all kinds of animals and all kinds of guns
and all kinds of guns
and all kinds of guns reporters used to follow my brother and
reporters used to follow my brother and
reporters used to follow my brother and I around town and take pictures as if
I around town and take pictures as if
I around town and take pictures as if they were trying to prove that aliens
they were trying to prove that aliens
they were trying to prove that aliens and ETS landed in America and my parents
and ETS landed in America and my parents
and ETS landed in America and my parents even had my brother and I dress up as
even had my brother and I dress up as
even had my brother and I dress up as Cowboys and ride horses in the town
Cowboys and ride horses in the town
Cowboys and ride horses in the town parade for multiple years and from our
parade for multiple years and from our
parade for multiple years and from our perspective as kids it was cool to be
perspective as kids it was cool to be
perspective as kids it was cool to be riding horses in the town parade and for
riding horses in the town parade and for
riding horses in the town parade and for the people reading the paper it was cool
the people reading the paper it was cool
the people reading the paper it was cool to see two Chinese boys being paraded
to see two Chinese boys being paraded
to see two Chinese boys being paraded around town on horses the more of the
around town on horses the more of the
around town on horses the more of the story is it doesn’t really matter where
story is it doesn’t really matter where
story is it doesn’t really matter where you come from there’s always going to be
you come from there’s always going to be
you come from there’s always going to be people who are quick to formulate an
people who are quick to formulate an
people who are quick to formulate an opinion of you now despite how it may
opinion of you now despite how it may
opinion of you now despite how it may sound I loved growing up in Florence
sound I loved growing up in Florence
sound I loved growing up in Florence Oregon and I wouldn’t trade it for
Oregon and I wouldn’t trade it for
Oregon and I wouldn’t trade it for anything
anything
anything although some people could be ignorant
although some people could be ignorant
although some people could be ignorant at times most people were kind easygoing
at times most people were kind easygoing
at times most people were kind easygoing and innocent some of them may be a
and innocent some of them may be a
and innocent some of them may be a little under exposed to the world but I
little under exposed to the world but I
little under exposed to the world but I believe it’s because of the simplicity
believe it’s because of the simplicity
believe it’s because of the simplicity of my environment that as a child it was
of my environment that as a child it was
of my environment that as a child it was easy for me to absorb the notion that
easy for me to absorb the notion that
easy for me to absorb the notion that anything is possible my teachers at
anything is possible my teachers at
anything is possible my teachers at school told me I could be anything if I
school told me I could be anything if I
school told me I could be anything if I put my mind to it and I believed it so I
put my mind to it and I believed it so I
put my mind to it and I believed it so I was 18 years old when I left Oregon
was 18 years old when I left Oregon
was 18 years old when I left Oregon I was an adult so I thought it’s doing
I was an adult so I thought it’s doing
I was an adult so I thought it’s doing something crazy I went to college now I
something crazy I went to college now I
something crazy I went to college now I was living in Seattle experiencing new
was living in Seattle experiencing new
was living in Seattle experiencing new things and eventually graduated from the
things and eventually graduated from the
things and eventually graduated from the University of Washington with the BA
University of Washington with the BA
University of Washington with the BA which I assume found out stood for
which I assume found out stood for
which I assume found out stood for barely anything I’m not saying that you
barely anything I’m not saying that you
barely anything I’m not saying that you you’re not gonna really really really
you’re not gonna really really really
you’re not gonna really really really really learn a whole bunch of stuff
really learn a whole bunch of stuff
really learn a whole bunch of stuff that’s important F we’re in university
that’s important F we’re in university
that’s important F we’re in university but after graduating I was supposedly
but after graduating I was supposedly
but after graduating I was supposedly set to take on the world
set to take on the world
set to take on the world yeah right getting a job at some big
yeah right getting a job at some big
yeah right getting a job at some big company like all my friends and
company like all my friends and
company like all my friends and classmates did wasn’t really what I
classmates did wasn’t really what I
classmates did wasn’t really what I wanted so I came up with a plan to
wanted so I came up with a plan to
wanted so I came up with a plan to manipulate my parents by saying hey I
manipulate my parents by saying hey I
manipulate my parents by saying hey I really want to learn Chinese and I
really want to learn Chinese and I
really want to learn Chinese and I caught a flight to Taiwan they were so
caught a flight to Taiwan they were so
caught a flight to Taiwan they were so proud since I’m speaking in English
proud since I’m speaking in English
proud since I’m speaking in English right now let’s see Nieman doc i ke
right now let’s see Nieman doc i ke
right now let’s see Nieman doc i ke Gagne what it’s on when I sit down to
Gagne what it’s on when I sit down to
Gagne what it’s on when I sit down to put some again 14 years later today my
put some again 14 years later today my
put some again 14 years later today my parents aren’t so proud of my Chinese
Taiwan to me was like Fantasyland I fell
Taiwan to me was like Fantasyland I fell in love with it from the very first week
in love with it from the very first week
in love with it from the very first week it was a land full of opportunities and
it was a land full of opportunities and
it was a land full of opportunities and it was exactly where I needed to be from
it was exactly where I needed to be from
it was exactly where I needed to be from a small town in Oregon to Fantasyland
a small town in Oregon to Fantasyland
a small town in Oregon to Fantasyland Taiwan I was meeting successful people
Taiwan I was meeting successful people
Taiwan I was meeting successful people celebrities and friends of mines were
celebrities and friends of mines were
celebrities and friends of mines were making it big in multiple industries
making it big in multiple industries
making it big in multiple industries this really defined anything is possible
this really defined anything is possible
this really defined anything is possible up until then the closest famous person
up until then the closest famous person
up until then the closest famous person I came across was a when my brother
I came across was a when my brother
I came across was a when my brother accidentally met Bill Gates in a
accidentally met Bill Gates in a
accidentally met Bill Gates in a restaurant bathroom and my brother
restaurant bathroom and my brother
restaurant bathroom and my brother called me right away and he said you
called me right away and he said you
called me right away and he said you won’t believe it I shook the hand of the
won’t believe it I shook the hand of the
won’t believe it I shook the hand of the richest man in the world and then he
richest man in the world and then he
richest man in the world and then he told me but Bill Gates didn’t wash his
told me but Bill Gates didn’t wash his
told me but Bill Gates didn’t wash his hands after going to the bathroom oh
hands after going to the bathroom oh
hands after going to the bathroom oh well you should get you still shook it
well you should get you still shook it
well you should get you still shook it and my brother was like y’all it’s Bill
and my brother was like y’all it’s Bill
and my brother was like y’all it’s Bill Gates okay okay I would shake it – so
Gates okay okay I would shake it – so
Gates okay okay I would shake it – so what I want you to know is that life is
what I want you to know is that life is
what I want you to know is that life is all about choices and it can be as
all about choices and it can be as
all about choices and it can be as colorful wild or fulfilling as you
colorful wild or fulfilling as you
colorful wild or fulfilling as you choose it to be now not everything I’ve
choose it to be now not everything I’ve
choose it to be now not everything I’ve done will appeal to all of you but over
done will appeal to all of you but over
done will appeal to all of you but over the years I’ve accumulated an
the years I’ve accumulated an
the years I’ve accumulated an unbelievable amount of experiences some
unbelievable amount of experiences some
unbelievable amount of experiences some of which may seem cool some things might
of which may seem cool some things might
of which may seem cool some things might sound horrible even and others may make
sound horrible even and others may make
sound horrible even and others may make you think that I’m some kind of super
you think that I’m some kind of super
you think that I’m some kind of super douchebag but know this every person you
douchebag but know this every person you
douchebag but know this every person you come across in life is different and if
come across in life is different and if
come across in life is different and if you can understand that from everyone
you can understand that from everyone
you can understand that from everyone you encounter you can learn what to do
you encounter you can learn what to do
you encounter you can learn what to do and what not to do as well as what you
and what not to do as well as what you
and what not to do as well as what you want and what you don’t want in life for
want and what you don’t want in life for
want and what you don’t want in life for instance like performing in front of
instance like performing in front of
instance like performing in front of tens of thousands of people partying
tens of thousands of people partying
tens of thousands of people partying with the rightful heir to the North
with the rightful heir to the North
with the rightful heir to the North Korean and dictatorship and even being
Korean and dictatorship and even being
Korean and dictatorship and even being thrown in jail and beaten up by police
thrown in jail and beaten up by police
thrown in jail and beaten up by police so I’ve been trying to keep my bucket
so I’ve been trying to keep my bucket
so I’ve been trying to keep my bucket list as short as possible focusing to
list as short as possible focusing to
list as short as possible focusing to accomplish as much as possible and as
accomplish as much as possible and as
accomplish as much as possible and as some may say die on empty you got to
some may say die on empty you got to
some may say die on empty you got to make life fun approach life as if you’re
make life fun approach life as if you’re
make life fun approach life as if you’re the star in your own movie or show each
the star in your own movie or show each
the star in your own movie or show each day is a new day a new episode with
day is a new day a new episode with
day is a new day a new episode with 86400 exciting seconds so you got to
86400 exciting seconds so you got to
86400 exciting seconds so you got to make each second count because
make each second count because
make each second count because eventually time runs out for us all even
eventually time runs out for us all even
eventually time runs out for us all even Bill Gates all that money that he’s got
Bill Gates all that money that he’s got
Bill Gates all that money that he’s got he can’t even buy time so honestly I’m I
he can’t even buy time so honestly I’m I
he can’t even buy time so honestly I’m I personally am NOT crazy successful yet
personally am NOT crazy successful yet
personally am NOT crazy successful yet and I’m not even at the level of success
and I’m not even at the level of success
and I’m not even at the level of success that I have in my own mind but as an old
that I have in my own mind but as an old
that I have in my own mind but as an old man yes I’m almost 40 years old I’m more
man yes I’m almost 40 years old I’m more
man yes I’m almost 40 years old I’m more than happy with my life and more than
than happy with my life and more than
than happy with my life and more than happy to share what I’ve learned from my
happy to share what I’ve learned from my
happy to share what I’ve learned from my experiences and failures so you don’t
experiences and failures so you don’t
experiences and failures so you don’t have to experience the same failures
have to experience the same failures
have to experience the same failures that I had instead you can focus on
that I had instead you can focus on
that I had instead you can focus on making each second of your life count
making each second of your life count
making each second of your life count and not having life and having any
and not having life and having any
and not having life and having any regrets in it so how many of you have
regrets in it so how many of you have
regrets in it so how many of you have done something in your life that you’ve
done something in your life that you’ve
done something in your life that you’ve regretted okay my shades are too dark so
regretted okay my shades are too dark so
regretted okay my shades are too dark so I can’t see any hands well I’m sorry to
I can’t see any hands well I’m sorry to
I can’t see any hands well I’m sorry to say but the reality of it is
say but the reality of it is
say but the reality of it is that regret may stick with you for the
that regret may stick with you for the
that regret may stick with you for the rest of your life and that’s why you
rest of your life and that’s why you
rest of your life and that’s why you have to avoid regret you have to avoid
have to avoid regret you have to avoid
have to avoid regret you have to avoid regret at all costs one of the deepest
regret at all costs one of the deepest
regret at all costs one of the deepest fears in life is at the end of your life
fears in life is at the end of your life
fears in life is at the end of your life when you’re wishing you could have done
when you’re wishing you could have done
when you’re wishing you could have done things differently that’s because the
things differently that’s because the
things differently that’s because the pain of regret weighs much more than the
pain of regret weighs much more than the
pain of regret weighs much more than the pain of failure I’ll say it again the
pain of failure I’ll say it again the
pain of failure I’ll say it again the pain of regret weighs much more than the
pain of regret weighs much more than the
pain of regret weighs much more than the pain of failure we you have choices in
pain of failure we you have choices in
pain of failure we you have choices in life so don’t let people make your
life so don’t let people make your
life so don’t let people make your choices for you don’t choose to live
choices for you don’t choose to live
choices for you don’t choose to live with any regrets and don’t choose to
with any regrets and don’t choose to
with any regrets and don’t choose to leave with any regrets no one or no
leave with any regrets no one or no
leave with any regrets no one or no things should be able to deprive you of
things should be able to deprive you of
things should be able to deprive you of your American Dream it’s easy to say
your American Dream it’s easy to say
your American Dream it’s easy to say that but unfortunately the world is full
that but unfortunately the world is full
that but unfortunately the world is full of haters and sometimes these haters are
of haters and sometimes these haters are
of haters and sometimes these haters are the people that are closest to you the
the people that are closest to you the
the people that are closest to you the ones you trust and care about the most
ones you trust and care about the most
ones you trust and care about the most and the ones that should be there for
and the ones that should be there for
and the ones that should be there for you in times of struggle to support and
you in times of struggle to support and
you in times of struggle to support and encouragement these haters make you
encouragement these haters make you
encouragement these haters make you doubt yourself the most they suck your
doubt yourself the most they suck your
doubt yourself the most they suck your confidence right out and replace it with
confidence right out and replace it with
confidence right out and replace it with the fear of failure they kill your
the fear of failure they kill your
the fear of failure they kill your dreams and they are your parents
dreams and they are your parents
dreams and they are your parents brothers sisters best friends co-workers
brothers sisters best friends co-workers
brothers sisters best friends co-workers and bosses these dream killers not only
and bosses these dream killers not only
and bosses these dream killers not only act like they know what’s best for you
act like they know what’s best for you
act like they know what’s best for you but they act like they know you best and
but they act like they know you best and
but they act like they know you best and the truth of it is that you know you
the truth of it is that you know you
the truth of it is that you know you know you know you feel it that there’s
know you know you feel it that there’s
know you know you feel it that there’s more to life than just getting a
more to life than just getting a
more to life than just getting a so-called
so-called
so-called real job and and all these people
real job and and all these people
real job and and all these people telling you you’re wasting your time
telling you you’re wasting your time
telling you you’re wasting your time doing the things that you enjoy
doing the things that you enjoy
doing the things that you enjoy sometimes you just gotta say shut up and
sometimes you just gotta say shut up and
sometimes you just gotta say shut up and move on they’re discouraging attitude is
move on they’re discouraging attitude is
move on they’re discouraging attitude is unintentional you got to understand that
unintentional you got to understand that
unintentional you got to understand that but they’re only trying to protect you
but they’re only trying to protect you
but they’re only trying to protect you because they care about you what they
because they care about you what they
because they care about you what they don’t realize is that in the midst of
don’t realize is that in the midst of
don’t realize is that in the midst of not wanting to see you get hurt they may
not wanting to see you get hurt they may
not wanting to see you get hurt they may be holding you back which will hurt you
be holding you back which will hurt you
be holding you back which will hurt you in the long run and in the worst
in the long run and in the worst
in the long run and in the worst possible way they themselves have a
possible way they themselves have a
possible way they themselves have a misconception that is better to avoid
misconception that is better to avoid
misconception that is better to avoid failure at all costs than to actually
failure at all costs than to actually
failure at all costs than to actually live life when to live life stands for
live life when to live life stands for
live life when to live life stands for life intensify
life intensify
life intensify via experience live it fully every day
via experience live it fully every day
via experience live it fully every day don’t let them dictate the way you live
don’t let them dictate the way you live
don’t let them dictate the way you live life now I’m not gonna pump you up and
life now I’m not gonna pump you up and
life now I’m not gonna pump you up and let you get overconfident failure hurts
let you get overconfident failure hurts
let you get overconfident failure hurts trust me I’ve met failure so many times
trust me I’ve met failure so many times
trust me I’ve met failure so many times most people you know actually wanna see
most people you know actually wanna see
most people you know actually wanna see you fail just so they can say see I told
you fail just so they can say see I told
you fail just so they can say see I told you so why else do you think people
you so why else do you think people
you so why else do you think people watch things like epic fail videos on
watch things like epic fail videos on
watch things like epic fail videos on YouTube where people are skateboard and
YouTube where people are skateboard and
YouTube where people are skateboard and crash break their arm or Eddie the Eagle
crash break their arm or Eddie the Eagle
crash break their arm or Eddie the Eagle with that special case kid who wanted to
with that special case kid who wanted to
with that special case kid who wanted to do the Winter Olympics and ski jump and
do the Winter Olympics and ski jump and
do the Winter Olympics and ski jump and he breaks his leg again and NASCAR where
he breaks his leg again and NASCAR where
he breaks his leg again and NASCAR where drivers are driving 300 miles per hour
drivers are driving 300 miles per hour
drivers are driving 300 miles per hour to slam into a wall Society loves seeing
to slam into a wall Society loves seeing
to slam into a wall Society loves seeing other people crash and burn because it
other people crash and burn because it
other people crash and burn because it gives them a sense of my life ain’t so
gives them a sense of my life ain’t so
gives them a sense of my life ain’t so bad but learning from failure allows you
bad but learning from failure allows you
bad but learning from failure allows you to grow and improve and become stronger
to grow and improve and become stronger
to grow and improve and become stronger one of my favorite speakers Les Brown
one of my favorite speakers Les Brown
one of my favorite speakers Les Brown always says keep failing forward until
always says keep failing forward until
always says keep failing forward until one day you’re gonna fail your way to
one day you’re gonna fail your way to
one day you’re gonna fail your way to success I wanted to share with you guys
success I wanted to share with you guys
success I wanted to share with you guys one of the lowest points in my life when
one of the lowest points in my life when
one of the lowest points in my life when my business partners of 11 years here in
my business partners of 11 years here in
my business partners of 11 years here in Taiwan my two best friends chose not to
Taiwan my two best friends chose not to
Taiwan my two best friends chose not to work with me anymore they didn’t even
work with me anymore they didn’t even
work with me anymore they didn’t even want to be friends actually and
want to be friends actually and
want to be friends actually and everything we built for over a decade
everything we built for over a decade
everything we built for over a decade was gone just like that
was gone just like that
was gone just like that for many of you 11 years is more than
for many of you 11 years is more than
for many of you 11 years is more than half your life right so imagine what I
half your life right so imagine what I
half your life right so imagine what I was going through it would have been
was going through it would have been
was going through it would have been easiest for me to pack my bags quit on
easiest for me to pack my bags quit on
easiest for me to pack my bags quit on my dreams and go back to the states but
my dreams and go back to the states but
my dreams and go back to the states but then suddenly I thought of the MMA
then suddenly I thought of the MMA
then suddenly I thought of the MMA fighters that I work with the
fighters that I work with the
fighters that I work with the professional fighters and what it takes
professional fighters and what it takes
professional fighters and what it takes for them to become a champion it’s their
for them to become a champion it’s their
for them to become a champion it’s their fearlessness to fight anyone anytime
fearlessness to fight anyone anytime
fearlessness to fight anyone anytime anywhere is their resilience in the face
anywhere is their resilience in the face
anywhere is their resilience in the face of adversity and never-say-die attitude
of adversity and never-say-die attitude
of adversity and never-say-die attitude to persevere until successful sometimes
to persevere until successful sometimes
to persevere until successful sometimes you get knocked down and sometimes you
you get knocked down and sometimes you
you get knocked down and sometimes you lose but it doesn’t make you a failure
lose but it doesn’t make you a failure
lose but it doesn’t make you a failure unless you choose to quit so then I made
unless you choose to quit so then I made
unless you choose to quit so then I made the choice to reset restart and rebuild
the choice to reset restart and rebuild
the choice to reset restart and rebuild because winners never quit and quitters
because winners never quit and quitters
because winners never quit and quitters never win
never win
never win I want everybody right now to say
I want everybody right now to say
I want everybody right now to say I am a winner come on I am a winner all
I am a winner come on I am a winner all
I am a winner come on I am a winner all right so I moved to Taiwan with barely
right so I moved to Taiwan with barely
right so I moved to Taiwan with barely enough money to last maybe not even
enough money to last maybe not even
enough money to last maybe not even three months I couldn’t read I couldn’t
three months I couldn’t read I couldn’t
three months I couldn’t read I couldn’t write and I couldn’t speak Chinese at
write and I couldn’t speak Chinese at
write and I couldn’t speak Chinese at all and 14 years later although my
all and 14 years later although my
all and 14 years later although my Chinese isn’t perfect through my
Chinese isn’t perfect through my
Chinese isn’t perfect through my experiences and failures I’m still here
experiences and failures I’m still here
experiences and failures I’m still here closing in on my dream checking off my
closing in on my dream checking off my
closing in on my dream checking off my bucket list by standing here on this
bucket list by standing here on this
bucket list by standing here on this TEDx stage and proving to my haters that
TEDx stage and proving to my haters that
TEDx stage and proving to my haters that it can be done here’s some examples of
it can be done here’s some examples of
it can be done here’s some examples of what you can accomplish if you truly
what you can accomplish if you truly
what you can accomplish if you truly believe enough these guys wanted to be
believe enough these guys wanted to be
believe enough these guys wanted to be an alien and a dragon this guy wanted to
an alien and a dragon this guy wanted to
an alien and a dragon this guy wanted to be Obama and Justin Bieber and these
be Obama and Justin Bieber and these
be Obama and Justin Bieber and these guys wanted to change the world now I
guys wanted to change the world now I
guys wanted to change the world now I know most of you might not agree with
know most of you might not agree with
know most of you might not agree with the people in the pictures but I wanted
the people in the pictures but I wanted
the people in the pictures but I wanted to show you how far actually believing
to show you how far actually believing
to show you how far actually believing can take you because believing as they
can take you because believing as they
can take you because believing as they say is achieving so ask yourself how
say is achieving so ask yourself how
say is achieving so ask yourself how badly do you want to achieve your
badly do you want to achieve your
badly do you want to achieve your American dream imagine this imagine
American dream imagine this imagine
American dream imagine this imagine graduating and getting a job because of
graduating and getting a job because of
graduating and getting a job because of stability the average salary is not
stability the average salary is not
stability the average salary is not great you don’t even enjoy it but it’s
great you don’t even enjoy it but it’s
great you don’t even enjoy it but it’s what you majored in and you don’t want
what you majored in and you don’t want
what you majored in and you don’t want your tuition money to go to waste
your tuition money to go to waste
your tuition money to go to waste it becomes difficult to drag yourself
it becomes difficult to drag yourself
it becomes difficult to drag yourself out of bed and you feel tired from the
out of bed and you feel tired from the
out of bed and you feel tired from the redundancies of your chosen lifestyle
redundancies of your chosen lifestyle
redundancies of your chosen lifestyle how are you ever gonna get married
how are you ever gonna get married
how are you ever gonna get married pay for the wedding the ring buy a car
pay for the wedding the ring buy a car
pay for the wedding the ring buy a car buy a home support a family and pay for
buy a home support a family and pay for
buy a home support a family and pay for school for your kids you are a slave to
school for your kids you are a slave to
school for your kids you are a slave to your work and your boss owns you and
your work and your boss owns you and
your work and your boss owns you and worst of all is that you’re making his
worst of all is that you’re making his
worst of all is that you’re making his dreams come true because you traded your
dreams come true because you traded your
dreams come true because you traded your own dreams in for a shitty salary
own dreams in for a shitty salary
own dreams in for a shitty salary somewhere you lost the motivation to
somewhere you lost the motivation to
somewhere you lost the motivation to enjoy your life and as a slap in the
enjoy your life and as a slap in the
enjoy your life and as a slap in the face you got fat along the way so you
face you got fat along the way so you
face you got fat along the way so you want to know why people are having less
want to know why people are having less
want to know why people are having less kids these days getting married later on
kids these days getting married later on
kids these days getting married later on in life and depression is a global
in life and depression is a global
in life and depression is a global epidemic with Taiwan having the highest
epidemic with Taiwan having the highest
epidemic with Taiwan having the highest depression rate now imagine your career
depression rate now imagine your career
depression rate now imagine your career was playing your favorite video game
was playing your favorite video game
was playing your favorite video game when would you stop playing the answer
when would you stop playing the answer
when would you stop playing the answer is you wouldn’t
is you wouldn’t
is you wouldn’t stop because you love it it’s exciting
stop because you love it it’s exciting
stop because you love it it’s exciting and you look forward to it when you
and you look forward to it when you
and you look forward to it when you discover your true passion it becomes an
discover your true passion it becomes an
discover your true passion it becomes an obsession life has a complete sense of
obsession life has a complete sense of
obsession life has a complete sense of purpose you wake up in the morning
purpose you wake up in the morning
purpose you wake up in the morning energetic and maybe you’ll even take a
energetic and maybe you’ll even take a
energetic and maybe you’ll even take a shot at starting your own business
shot at starting your own business
shot at starting your own business you’ve become fearless and you have the
you’ve become fearless and you have the
you’ve become fearless and you have the courage to face challenges because
courage to face challenges because
courage to face challenges because you’re chasing something you actually
you’re chasing something you actually
you’re chasing something you actually believe in people if you find something
believe in people if you find something
believe in people if you find something like I just mentioned if you have a
like I just mentioned if you have a
like I just mentioned if you have a passion that makes you feel like the way
passion that makes you feel like the way
passion that makes you feel like the way I just described that’s your calling you
I just described that’s your calling you
I just described that’s your calling you now have a direction it’s your American
now have a direction it’s your American
now have a direction it’s your American dream
dream
dream waiting there in the distance so go get
waiting there in the distance so go get
waiting there in the distance so go get it it’d be an honor if even one or two
it it’d be an honor if even one or two
it it’d be an honor if even one or two of you here today leave here feeling a
of you here today leave here feeling a
of you here today leave here feeling a bit inspired or encouraged to pursue
bit inspired or encouraged to pursue
bit inspired or encouraged to pursue your passions in life and go after that
your passions in life and go after that
your passions in life and go after that American dream
American dream
American dream remember that author from 1931 the guy
remember that author from 1931 the guy
remember that author from 1931 the guy who originally defined the American
who originally defined the American
who originally defined the American dream he said this to be not afraid of
dream he said this to be not afraid of
dream he said this to be not afraid of life believe that life is worth living
life believe that life is worth living
life believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the
and your belief will help create the
and your belief will help create the fact so in closing just remember this
fact so in closing just remember this
fact so in closing just remember this aliens do exist don’t let others dictate
aliens do exist don’t let others dictate
aliens do exist don’t let others dictate your path when your heart is already
your path when your heart is already
your path when your heart is already telling you the way and you have the
telling you the way and you have the
telling you the way and you have the right to choose and pursue an American
right to choose and pursue an American
right to choose and pursue an American dream or any dream for that matter
dream or any dream for that matter
dream or any dream for that matter anytime anywhere for anyone thank you
anytime anywhere for anyone thank you
anytime anywhere for anyone thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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