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Belief is a Thought you keep Thinking; Don’t you Think? | Michael Marckx | TEDxCSUSM


so I have the joyous occasion to share

so I have the joyous occasion to share with you why it is that you guys are

with you why it is that you guys are

with you why it is that you guys are gonna fail to have a great life and to

gonna fail to have a great life and to

gonna fail to have a great life and to illustrate that point I want you guys to

illustrate that point I want you guys to

illustrate that point I want you guys to imagine something with me imagine you

imagine something with me imagine you

imagine something with me imagine you get to spend 90 minutes with one of the

get to spend 90 minutes with one of the

get to spend 90 minutes with one of the world’s greatest psychics someone that

world’s greatest psychics someone that

world’s greatest psychics someone that can see the past and can see the future

can see the past and can see the future

can see the past and can see the future I want you to think about what it is

I want you to think about what it is

I want you to think about what it is that you believe she will paint your

that you believe she will paint your

that you believe she will paint your future life to look like

future life to look like

future life to look like imagine that so do you imagine yourself

imagine that so do you imagine yourself

imagine that so do you imagine yourself the head of some radical new company

the head of some radical new company

the head of some radical new company that’s bringing clean drinking water to

that’s bringing clean drinking water to

that’s bringing clean drinking water to millions of people or some tech savvy

millions of people or some tech savvy

millions of people or some tech savvy engineer has come up with an incredible

engineer has come up with an incredible

engineer has come up with an incredible app that’s going to help change the face

app that’s going to help change the face

app that’s going to help change the face of the world and wipe away some of that

of the world and wipe away some of that

of the world and wipe away some of that stuff that Colin shared with us earlier

stuff that Colin shared with us earlier

stuff that Colin shared with us earlier or maybe do you kind of think I’m not

or maybe do you kind of think I’m not

or maybe do you kind of think I’m not sure what it is that she’s gonna tell me

sure what it is that she’s gonna tell me

sure what it is that she’s gonna tell me my future is gonna look like and I’m a

my future is gonna look like and I’m a

my future is gonna look like and I’m a little afraid of what this chick is

little afraid of what this chick is

little afraid of what this chick is gonna tell me so let me share with you

gonna tell me so let me share with you

gonna tell me so let me share with you why what you believe is what’s gonna

why what you believe is what’s gonna

why what you believe is what’s gonna make you fail to have a great life or

make you fail to have a great life or

make you fail to have a great life or have an incredibly successful one so

have an incredibly successful one so

have an incredibly successful one so when I was 23 I just graduated from

when I was 23 I just graduated from

when I was 23 I just graduated from college I was living the life that I had

college I was living the life that I had

college I was living the life that I had always dreamed of I had just made the

always dreamed of I had just made the

always dreamed of I had just made the u.s. national team as a triathlete was

u.s. national team as a triathlete was

u.s. national team as a triathlete was playing music at night I was training

playing music at night I was training

playing music at night I was training during the day surfing my brains out and

during the day surfing my brains out and

during the day surfing my brains out and it was just incredibly fun

it was just incredibly fun

it was just incredibly fun a little bit later on I went on to win

a little bit later on I went on to win

a little bit later on I went on to win the World Amateur Championships that

the World Amateur Championships that

the World Amateur Championships that year turned pro I was getting paid to go

year turned pro I was getting paid to go

year turned pro I was getting paid to go around and race and all the while I was

around and race and all the while I was

around and race and all the while I was living in this duality of at night I’m

living in this duality of at night I’m

living in this duality of at night I’m partying and playing music and and then

partying and playing music and and then

partying and playing music and and then during the day I’m training and on the

during the day I’m training and on the

during the day I’m training and on the weekends I’m racing and then I’m going

weekends I’m racing and then I’m going

weekends I’m racing and then I’m going to a gig and then so

to a gig and then so

to a gig and then so times I literally drive from that gig at

times I literally drive from that gig at

times I literally drive from that gig at the fabulous whisky a go-go on the

the fabulous whisky a go-go on the

the fabulous whisky a go-go on the Sunset Strip to someplace where the

Sunset Strip to someplace where the

Sunset Strip to someplace where the triathlon is going to go and and don’t

triathlon is going to go and and don’t

triathlon is going to go and and don’t even sleep in between that’s the life I

even sleep in between that’s the life I

even sleep in between that’s the life I was living and it was really cool and it

was living and it was really cool and it

was living and it was really cool and it was everything that I dreamed it was

was everything that I dreamed it was

was everything that I dreamed it was going to be I had this vision for myself

going to be I had this vision for myself

going to be I had this vision for myself as a kid I’m either gonna be an athlete

as a kid I’m either gonna be an athlete

as a kid I’m either gonna be an athlete or a musician and I was actually living

or a musician and I was actually living

or a musician and I was actually living both of those so it was pretty cool and

both of those so it was pretty cool and

both of those so it was pretty cool and then BOOM

then BOOM

then BOOM like literally boom because I’m riding

like literally boom because I’m riding

like literally boom because I’m riding my bike the day before a big race and

my bike the day before a big race and

my bike the day before a big race and I’m two miles from home and dreaming of

I’m two miles from home and dreaming of

I’m two miles from home and dreaming of the victory that’s going to be mine the

the victory that’s going to be mine the

the victory that’s going to be mine the next day and someone cuts through

next day and someone cuts through

next day and someone cuts through traffic stops in the middle of the bike

traffic stops in the middle of the bike

traffic stops in the middle of the bike lane as I’m going about 30 miles an hour

lane as I’m going about 30 miles an hour

lane as I’m going about 30 miles an hour and literally boom I hit the side of

and literally boom I hit the side of

and literally boom I hit the side of that car huge explosion huge dent on

that car huge explosion huge dent on

that car huge explosion huge dent on that car fly over the top of it land on

that car fly over the top of it land on

that car fly over the top of it land on my head I’m unconscious I wake up in the

my head I’m unconscious I wake up in the

my head I’m unconscious I wake up in the hospital and realize oh my god my life

hospital and realize oh my god my life

hospital and realize oh my god my life is really messed up I’m physically gonna

is really messed up I’m physically gonna

is really messed up I’m physically gonna have to go through 18 months of rehab

have to go through 18 months of rehab

have to go through 18 months of rehab and the dream life that I was leave

and the dream life that I was leave

and the dream life that I was leave leading up until that moment had been

leading up until that moment had been

leading up until that moment had been taken away from me I was bumming and

taken away from me I was bumming and

taken away from me I was bumming and then through a series of little dark

then through a series of little dark

then through a series of little dark alleys I’m end up working in the

alleys I’m end up working in the

alleys I’m end up working in the warehouse of my main sponsor so I’m

warehouse of my main sponsor so I’m

warehouse of my main sponsor so I’m spending my days now packing boxes and

spending my days now packing boxes and

spending my days now packing boxes and sending them off to customers or packing

sending them off to customers or packing

sending them off to customers or packing boxes and and labeling it Lance

boxes and and labeling it Lance

boxes and and labeling it Lance Armstrong and like leaving him a little

Armstrong and like leaving him a little

Armstrong and like leaving him a little note because Lance was my teammate

note because Lance was my teammate

note because Lance was my teammate before that and pretty much kind of

before that and pretty much kind of

before that and pretty much kind of bumming but I’m thinking okay so I’ve

bumming but I’m thinking okay so I’ve

bumming but I’m thinking okay so I’ve got my music career and that’s going to

got my music career and that’s going to

got my music career and that’s going to save me from this mess that I’m in

save me from this mess that I’m in

save me from this mess that I’m in alright I’m going to the bands that I’m

alright I’m going to the bands that I’m

alright I’m going to the bands that I’m in are going to one of them is going to

in are going to one of them is going to

in are going to one of them is going to take me out of here and I had that hope

take me out of here and I had that hope

take me out of here and I had that hope and that dream okay I’m alright music is

and that dream okay I’m alright music is

and that dream okay I’m alright music is gonna work out so I got this gift to go

gonna work out so I got this gift to go

gonna work out so I got this gift to go visit a psychic 90 minutes with one of

visit a psychic 90 minutes with one of

visit a psychic 90 minutes with one of world’s greatest psychics and I Drive my

world’s greatest psychics and I Drive my

world’s greatest psychics and I Drive my VW van up to the west side of town and

VW van up to the west side of town and

VW van up to the west side of town and there’s this beautiful house and then

there’s this beautiful house and then

there’s this beautiful house and then this beautiful woman answers the door

this beautiful woman answers the door

this beautiful woman answers the door and I’m thinking where’s the psychic

and I’m thinking where’s the psychic

and I’m thinking where’s the psychic lady student she has some sort of trippy

lady student she has some sort of trippy

lady student she has some sort of trippy garb on but this beautiful woman

garb on but this beautiful woman

garb on but this beautiful woman escorted me into to what was her den and

escorted me into to what was her den and

escorted me into to what was her den and is just amazing everything was amazing

is just amazing everything was amazing

is just amazing everything was amazing about it and I’m just tripping out like

about it and I’m just tripping out like

about it and I’m just tripping out like the wait you’re the psychic and she

the wait you’re the psychic and she

the wait you’re the psychic and she immediately begins to share with me

immediately begins to share with me

immediately begins to share with me things that there’s no way she could

things that there’s no way she could

things that there’s no way she could have known now I need you to know if

have known now I need you to know if

have known now I need you to know if this is well before Al Gore invented the

this is well before Al Gore invented the

this is well before Al Gore invented the internet so there’s no way no way the

internet so there’s no way no way the

internet so there’s no way no way the chick could have googled me checked out

chick could have googled me checked out

chick could have googled me checked out my pithy pace book Facebook posts or

my pithy pace book Facebook posts or

my pithy pace book Facebook posts or checked out my Instagram feed or done

checked out my Instagram feed or done

checked out my Instagram feed or done any research on me to find out any other

any research on me to find out any other

any research on me to find out any other things that I’m doing

things that I’m doing

things that I’m doing she just went right into it she goes

she just went right into it she goes

she just went right into it she goes okay I want you to know your dad is

okay I want you to know your dad is

okay I want you to know your dad is really sick I was like I already know

really sick I was like I already know

really sick I was like I already know that but he’s going to live your dad’s

that but he’s going to live your dad’s

that but he’s going to live your dad’s time is not now and at the time my dad

time is not now and at the time my dad

time is not now and at the time my dad was really sick so I was really kind of

was really sick so I was really kind of

was really sick so I was really kind of delighted to hear that and she said he’s

delighted to hear that and she said he’s

delighted to hear that and she said he’s going to go on and in fact 30 years

going to go on and in fact 30 years

going to go on and in fact 30 years later my dad’s still alive hey Dad

later my dad’s still alive hey Dad

later my dad’s still alive hey Dad and then she goes right into it she goes

and then she goes right into it she goes

and then she goes right into it she goes okay I get the sense that you like to

okay I get the sense that you like to

okay I get the sense that you like to race I have a sense of turning wheels

race I have a sense of turning wheels

race I have a sense of turning wheels and she puts her hands like that it’s

and she puts her hands like that it’s

and she puts her hands like that it’s like but you’ve had an accident and that

like but you’ve had an accident and that

like but you’ve had an accident and that accident was a turning point for you and

accident was a turning point for you and

accident was a turning point for you and I was like yeah that’s me up I’m still

I was like yeah that’s me up I’m still

I was like yeah that’s me up I’m still messed up from it physically and

messed up from it physically and

messed up from it physically and mentally should have seen ice to be

mentally should have seen ice to be

mentally should have seen ice to be really smart and handsome and look at me

really smart and handsome and look at me

really smart and handsome and look at me now at the time I had like long hair and

now at the time I had like long hair and

now at the time I had like long hair and a nose ring so it’s like the first dude

a nose ring so it’s like the first dude

a nose ring so it’s like the first dude in California to have a nose ring so I’m

in California to have a nose ring so I’m

in California to have a nose ring so I’m sitting with her and she’s she’s you

sitting with her and she’s she’s you

sitting with her and she’s she’s you know like one after another telling me

know like one after another telling me

know like one after another telling me these things there’s just no way so she

these things there’s just no way so she

these things there’s just no way so she tells me look this turning point for you

tells me look this turning point for you

tells me look this turning point for you this accident you’re never going to go

this accident you’re never going to go

this accident you’re never going to go on to be a professional athlete again

on to be a professional athlete again

on to be a professional athlete again you will not have success like that

you will not have success like that

you will not have success like that again as an athlete

again as an athlete

again as an athlete oh wait what I’m still thinking to

oh wait what I’m still thinking to

oh wait what I’m still thinking to myself I’m 24

myself I’m 24

myself I’m 24 and you know triathletes especially

and you know triathletes especially

and you know triathletes especially Ironman athletes you can you can peak at

Ironman athletes you can you can peak at

Ironman athletes you can you can peak at the age of 37 so I’m like wait you’re

the age of 37 so I’m like wait you’re

the age of 37 so I’m like wait you’re wrong you’re totally wrong they do you

wrong you’re totally wrong they do you

wrong you’re totally wrong they do you think you’re a psychic

it’s like okay dude you need to quit

it’s like okay dude you need to quit this other band this other band is bad

this other band this other band is bad

this other band this other band is bad news and now I’m starting to trip

news and now I’m starting to trip

news and now I’m starting to trip because remember I need this band to

because remember I need this band to

because remember I need this band to work out to get out of this warehouse

work out to get out of this warehouse

work out to get out of this warehouse and to fix this reality that I’ve

and to fix this reality that I’ve

and to fix this reality that I’ve somehow found myself in she does that

somehow found myself in she does that

somehow found myself in she does that band is so toxic and I’m like wait no no

band is so toxic and I’m like wait no no

band is so toxic and I’m like wait no no you’re wrong here because that band’s

you’re wrong here because that band’s

you’re wrong here because that band’s about to get signed to Atlantic Records

about to get signed to Atlantic Records

about to get signed to Atlantic Records like things are working out for us it’s

like things are working out for us it’s

like things are working out for us it’s incredible and she does that it’s not

incredible and she does that it’s not

incredible and she does that it’s not gonna work out I’m sorry it’s just not

gonna work out I’m sorry it’s just not

gonna work out I’m sorry it’s just not gonna work she goes in fact you’re gonna

gonna work she goes in fact you’re gonna

gonna work she goes in fact you’re gonna have music in your life but you’re never

have music in your life but you’re never

have music in your life but you’re never gonna be some successful incredible rock

gonna be some successful incredible rock

gonna be some successful incredible rock star it’s just not going to happen for

star it’s just not going to happen for

star it’s just not going to happen for you and let me remind you you’re not

you and let me remind you you’re not

you and let me remind you you’re not going to be successful as a music

going to be successful as a music

going to be successful as a music musician either so she’s really bumming

musician either so she’s really bumming

musician either so she’s really bumming me out I am NOT enjoying this at all and

me out I am NOT enjoying this at all and

me out I am NOT enjoying this at all and she could tell like she’s like she could

she could tell like she’s like she could

she could tell like she’s like she could see my body tense up I’m like getting

see my body tense up I’m like getting

see my body tense up I’m like getting ready to walk out and she goes don’t

ready to walk out and she goes don’t

ready to walk out and she goes don’t worry about it it’s okay it’s alright

worry about it it’s okay it’s alright

worry about it it’s okay it’s alright you are going to enjoy some incredible

you are going to enjoy some incredible

you are going to enjoy some incredible success in fact you are going to go on

success in fact you are going to go on

success in fact you are going to go on to be tremendously successful and I

to be tremendously successful and I

to be tremendously successful and I guess I am as either a musician or an

guess I am as either a musician or an

guess I am as either a musician or an athlete she goes you were gonna be

athlete she goes you were gonna be

athlete she goes you were gonna be tremendously successful in business like

tremendously successful in business like

tremendously successful in business like business you may not remember but I told

business you may not remember but I told

business you may not remember but I told you I’m packing boxes in a warehouse

you I’m packing boxes in a warehouse

you I’m packing boxes in a warehouse right now look at me long hair nose-ring

right now look at me long hair nose-ring

right now look at me long hair nose-ring Drive my VW van I’m glad that it made it

Drive my VW van I’m glad that it made it

Drive my VW van I’m glad that it made it here by the way but business is what my

here by the way but business is what my

here by the way but business is what my dad does business is something I do not

dad does business is something I do not

dad does business is something I do not have an interest in that I don’t like

have an interest in that I don’t like

have an interest in that I don’t like business business is yucky I want to

business business is yucky I want to

business business is yucky I want to play I want to ride my bike I want a

play I want to ride my bike I want a

play I want to ride my bike I want a race I want to surf and then I want to

race I want to surf and then I want to

race I want to surf and then I want to play music at night she said I know it’s

play music at night she said I know it’s

play music at night she said I know it’s terrible I’m terrible telling you

terrible I’m terrible telling you

terrible I’m terrible telling you terrible things but they’re actually

terrible things but they’re actually

terrible things but they’re actually really good and I’m a psychic and I know

really good and I’m a psychic and I know

really good and I’m a psychic and I know these things and you can’t see it but

these things and you can’t see it but

these things and you can’t see it but you’re gonna go on to be tremendously

you’re gonna go on to be tremendously

you’re gonna go on to be tremendously successful in business and I had to just

successful in business and I had to just

successful in business and I had to just kind of let it all sink in business I’m

kind of let it all sink in business I’m

kind of let it all sink in business I’m like going in my head like business what

like going in my head like business what

like going in my head like business what am I gonna do in business so she goes

am I gonna do in business so she goes

am I gonna do in business so she goes don’t be afraid don’t be afraid of what

don’t be afraid don’t be afraid of what

don’t be afraid don’t be afraid of what it’s gonna be it’s all going to work out

it’s gonna be it’s all going to work out

it’s gonna be it’s all going to work out in fact you’re going to incorporate your

in fact you’re going to incorporate your

in fact you’re going to incorporate your athletic life into

athletic life into

athletic life into your business life you’re gonna

your business life you’re gonna

your business life you’re gonna incorporate your music into your visits

incorporate your music into your visits

incorporate your music into your visits life you’re gonna incorporate all the

life you’re gonna incorporate all the

life you’re gonna incorporate all the things that you love into that stuff

things that you love into that stuff

things that you love into that stuff that’s going to make you tremendously

that’s going to make you tremendously

that’s going to make you tremendously successful in business you cannot be

successful in business you cannot be

successful in business you cannot be afraid you cannot look back and you must

afraid you cannot look back and you must

afraid you cannot look back and you must do the things that are most your own

do the things that are most your own

do the things that are most your own meaning apply yourself to the things

meaning apply yourself to the things

meaning apply yourself to the things that you love what you’ve been doing

that you love what you’ve been doing

that you love what you’ve been doing already and it will work out for you and

already and it will work out for you and

already and it will work out for you and then she went on to tell me the kicker

then she went on to tell me the kicker

then she went on to tell me the kicker of it all which is like that the most

of it all which is like that the most

of it all which is like that the most insane ridiculous

insane ridiculous

insane ridiculous part of the story which she says oh and

part of the story which she says oh and

part of the story which she says oh and by the way tomorrow a guy with dark hair

by the way tomorrow a guy with dark hair

by the way tomorrow a guy with dark hair down to here his name begins with an S

down to here his name begins with an S

down to here his name begins with an S he’s going to call you on the phone and

he’s going to call you on the phone and

he’s going to call you on the phone and he’s going to offer you a job and you

he’s going to offer you a job and you

he’s going to offer you a job and you must take that job in order for all the

must take that job in order for all the

must take that job in order for all the stuff I’m telling you about being

stuff I’m telling you about being

stuff I’m telling you about being successful and all that you got to take

successful and all that you got to take

successful and all that you got to take that job tomorrow which is like how

that job tomorrow which is like how

that job tomorrow which is like how ridiculous is that whole thing like how

ridiculous is that whole thing like how

ridiculous is that whole thing like how does she know that tomorrow that phone’s

does she know that tomorrow that phone’s

does she know that tomorrow that phone’s gonna ring and the dude is gonna look

gonna ring and the dude is gonna look

gonna ring and the dude is gonna look like you know some long-haired Hessian

like you know some long-haired Hessian

like you know some long-haired Hessian dude and his name begins with an S so I

dude and his name begins with an S so I

dude and his name begins with an S so I leave her I’m kind of tripping out I’m

leave her I’m kind of tripping out I’m

leave her I’m kind of tripping out I’m happy my dad’s gonna live bummed because

happy my dad’s gonna live bummed because

happy my dad’s gonna live bummed because everything I dreamed of isn’t gonna work

everything I dreamed of isn’t gonna work

everything I dreamed of isn’t gonna work out but I’m gonna be a businessman so

out but I’m gonna be a businessman so

out but I’m gonna be a businessman so I’m like envisioning myself in a suit

I’m like envisioning myself in a suit

I’m like envisioning myself in a suit and tie cruisin around with my briefcase

and tie cruisin around with my briefcase

and tie cruisin around with my briefcase and doing all sorts of weird

and doing all sorts of weird

and doing all sorts of weird businesslike stuff and then I went back

businesslike stuff and then I went back

businesslike stuff and then I went back to reality where I’m working in the

to reality where I’m working in the

to reality where I’m working in the warehouse and the whole day went by and

warehouse and the whole day went by and

warehouse and the whole day went by and no phone call

no phone call

no phone call and that’s me know the phones look like

and that’s me know the phones look like

and that’s me know the phones look like that I mean they weren’t fancy green we

that I mean they weren’t fancy green we

that I mean they weren’t fancy green we couldn’t afford that but phones were

couldn’t afford that but phones were

couldn’t afford that but phones were attached to the wall and they had a cord

attached to the wall and they had a cord

attached to the wall and they had a cord and you know there was no I think cell

and you know there was no I think cell

and you know there was no I think cell phones at the time were like this big

phones at the time were like this big

phones at the time were like this big and if you used it for like two minutes

and if you used it for like two minutes

and if you used it for like two minutes you get brain cancer it’s terrible so at

you get brain cancer it’s terrible so at

you get brain cancer it’s terrible so at the end of the day or as the end of the

the end of the day or as the end of the

the end of the day or as the end of the day approached I’m going well alright

day approached I’m going well alright

day approached I’m going well alright dude it’s not gonna call psychic was

dude it’s not gonna call psychic was

dude it’s not gonna call psychic was punking me but I started to go hmm what

punking me but I started to go hmm what

punking me but I started to go hmm what if I could fashion a new reality what if

if I could fashion a new reality what if

if I could fashion a new reality what if I could just believe what she told me

I could just believe what she told me

I could just believe what she told me and what if I could become successful at

and what if I could become successful at

and what if I could become successful at business what would that look like you

business what would that look like you

business what would that look like you know would it involve all those things

know would it involve all those things

know would it involve all those things that

that

that and how would I make the first steps out

and how would I make the first steps out

and how would I make the first steps out of that warehouse towards that new

of that warehouse towards that new

of that warehouse towards that new reality what would those things be I

reality what would those things be I

reality what would those things be I don’t need I don’t need the psychic to

don’t need I don’t need the psychic to

don’t need I don’t need the psychic to tell me what that is and I don’t need

tell me what that is and I don’t need

tell me what that is and I don’t need some dude with long hair whose names

some dude with long hair whose names

some dude with long hair whose names begin with an S to tell me that I’ve got

begin with an S to tell me that I’ve got

begin with an S to tell me that I’ve got some new job but I’m gonna do why don’t

some new job but I’m gonna do why don’t

some new job but I’m gonna do why don’t I just go out and find that myself and

I just go out and find that myself and

I just go out and find that myself and so I’m closing up the warehouse and

so I’m closing up the warehouse and

so I’m closing up the warehouse and there’s this big like door that I had to

there’s this big like door that I had to

there’s this big like door that I had to close and it’s noisy and it’s clanking

close and it’s noisy and it’s clanking

close and it’s noisy and it’s clanking and I think I hear the phone but I’m not

and I think I hear the phone but I’m not

and I think I hear the phone but I’m not sure and I keep closing it and then it

sure and I keep closing it and then it

sure and I keep closing it and then it was the phone so I sauntered on over

was the phone so I sauntered on over

was the phone so I sauntered on over picked up the phone and this guy named

picked up the phone and this guy named

picked up the phone and this guy named Scott Sagar Eno called me said Michael

Scott Sagar Eno called me said Michael

Scott Sagar Eno called me said Michael I’ve been looking for you Gatorade just

I’ve been looking for you Gatorade just

I’ve been looking for you Gatorade just became the title sponsor of the Hawaiian

became the title sponsor of the Hawaiian

became the title sponsor of the Hawaiian Ironman and they’ve awarded my agency to

Ironman and they’ve awarded my agency to

Ironman and they’ve awarded my agency to direct the whole thing for them and I

direct the whole thing for them and I

direct the whole thing for them and I need you because I can’t do it for this

need you because I can’t do it for this

need you because I can’t do it for this reason and that reason I need you to go

reason and that reason I need you to go

reason and that reason I need you to go and do that I need you to be our point

and do that I need you to be our point

and do that I need you to be our point person which eventually ended up that I

person which eventually ended up that I

person which eventually ended up that I got to be the executive director of this

got to be the executive director of this

got to be the executive director of this event through the prism of Gatorade

event through the prism of Gatorade

event through the prism of Gatorade sponsorship so I had this way for the

sponsorship so I had this way for the

sponsorship so I had this way for the Chuckle there oh moment where I was

Chuckle there oh moment where I was

Chuckle there oh moment where I was like oh my god now I can live my life

like oh my god now I can live my life

like oh my god now I can live my life unfettered by fear right because in our

unfettered by fear right because in our

unfettered by fear right because in our lives people tell us you can’t go on and

lives people tell us you can’t go on and

lives people tell us you can’t go on and do that or our parents say no you don’t

do that or our parents say no you don’t

do that or our parents say no you don’t you’re not gonna be a drama or son right

you’re not gonna be a drama or son right

you’re not gonna be a drama or son right you’re gonna be an accountant because

you’re gonna be an accountant because

you’re gonna be an accountant because that’s practical and we have everyone

that’s practical and we have everyone

that’s practical and we have everyone around us telling us we can’t do this

around us telling us we can’t do this

around us telling us we can’t do this and we can’t do that and you shouldn’t

and we can’t do that and you shouldn’t

and we can’t do that and you shouldn’t do that and that’s not safe and that’s

do that and that’s not safe and that’s

do that and that’s not safe and that’s not cool and how are you gonna do that

not cool and how are you gonna do that

not cool and how are you gonna do that and by the way they’re all wrong but for

and by the way they’re all wrong but for

and by the way they’re all wrong but for me I knew that I was going to succeed so

me I knew that I was going to succeed so

me I knew that I was going to succeed so I could actually push the envelope I

I could actually push the envelope I

I could actually push the envelope I could do things that other people

could do things that other people

could do things that other people weren’t doing

weren’t doing

weren’t doing I could shun the status quo I could

I could shun the status quo I could

I could shun the status quo I could creatively disrupt I could get crazy

creatively disrupt I could get crazy

creatively disrupt I could get crazy with stuff and it’s all gonna work out

with stuff and it’s all gonna work out

with stuff and it’s all gonna work out because the psychic said so she was

because the psychic said so she was

because the psychic said so she was right about my dad she’s right about all

right about my dad she’s right about all

right about my dad she’s right about all these other things that I didn’t like

these other things that I didn’t like

these other things that I didn’t like but she was right because you know what

but she was right because you know what

but she was right because you know what some dude his name begins with an S his

some dude his name begins with an S his

some dude his name begins with an S his hair was pretty long called me the next

hair was pretty long called me the next

hair was pretty long called me the next day and said you’re gonna do this rad

day and said you’re gonna do this rad

day and said you’re gonna do this rad job and I said yes I am

job and I said yes I am

job and I said yes I am so the paradigm shift for me meant that

so the paradigm shift for me meant that

so the paradigm shift for me meant that I walked out of that warehouse and went

I walked out of that warehouse and went

I walked out of that warehouse and went on to enjoy the

on to enjoy the

on to enjoy the life where I got to travel the globe

life where I got to travel the globe

life where I got to travel the globe either creating or producing world-class

either creating or producing world-class

either creating or producing world-class events I became the publisher of surfing

events I became the publisher of surfing

events I became the publisher of surfing magazine I got to create innovative

magazine I got to create innovative

magazine I got to create innovative products I got to make TV shows and

products I got to make TV shows and

products I got to make TV shows and films I got to become the president and

films I got to become the president and

films I got to become the president and CEO of a publicly traded company I

CEO of a publicly traded company I

CEO of a publicly traded company I became the chairman of the board of the

became the chairman of the board of the

became the chairman of the board of the Surfrider Foundation I got to do all

Surfrider Foundation I got to do all

Surfrider Foundation I got to do all these things that I love to be a part of

these things that I love to be a part of

these things that I love to be a part of I got to put my passions either into

I got to put my passions either into

I got to put my passions either into creatively disrupting or helping

creatively disrupting or helping

creatively disrupting or helping institutions grow or doing things that

institutions grow or doing things that

institutions grow or doing things that made people’s lives better I got to do

made people’s lives better I got to do

made people’s lives better I got to do all of that and enjoy it and it was

all of that and enjoy it and it was

all of that and enjoy it and it was really amazing I have no idea what the

really amazing I have no idea what the

really amazing I have no idea what the next slide is but oh it’s the takeaways

next slide is but oh it’s the takeaways

next slide is but oh it’s the takeaways so I have a few takeaways for you guys

so I have a few takeaways for you guys

so I have a few takeaways for you guys and I’m hopefully you’re already like

and I’m hopefully you’re already like

and I’m hopefully you’re already like what takeaways we already know we know

what takeaways we already know we know

what takeaways we already know we know we need to pursue that which we love and

we need to pursue that which we love and

we need to pursue that which we love and we’re going to be incredibly successful

we’re going to be incredibly successful

we’re going to be incredibly successful and we don’t need a psychic for that but

and we don’t need a psychic for that but

and we don’t need a psychic for that but actually there’s a few other things that

actually there’s a few other things that

actually there’s a few other things that are really practical that I’d like to

are really practical that I’d like to

are really practical that I’d like to share with you

share with you

share with you first off if you’re gonna go about doing

first off if you’re gonna go about doing

first off if you’re gonna go about doing what you want to do and you think you

what you want to do and you think you

what you want to do and you think you want to do it take some time to really

want to do it take some time to really

want to do it take some time to really understand what it is that you’re

understand what it is that you’re

understand what it is that you’re northstar what it is that you really

northstar what it is that you really

northstar what it is that you really want to do that’s most your own like

want to do that’s most your own like

want to do that’s most your own like figure that out first right don’t

figure that out first right don’t

figure that out first right don’t flounder and like go from this thing to

flounder and like go from this thing to

flounder and like go from this thing to that thing and try and try and

that thing and try and try and

that thing and try and try and understand it by the way what you

understand it by the way what you

understand it by the way what you believe today to be your ultimate

believe today to be your ultimate

believe today to be your ultimate destination or your version of heaven it

destination or your version of heaven it

destination or your version of heaven it will morph over time and that’s okay as

will morph over time and that’s okay as

will morph over time and that’s okay as long as you’re directionally correct

long as you’re directionally correct

long as you’re directionally correct like you know that pretty much it’s kind

like you know that pretty much it’s kind

like you know that pretty much it’s kind of over there and it looks like this and

of over there and it looks like this and

of over there and it looks like this and you start working to get there and

you start working to get there and

you start working to get there and taking those steps to get there then

taking those steps to get there then

taking those steps to get there then you’re directionally correct

you’re directionally correct

you’re directionally correct directionally correct basically means

directionally correct basically means

directionally correct basically means this you’re good at something you love

this you’re good at something you love

this you’re good at something you love to do it

to do it

to do it you’re getting appreciated for doing it

you’re getting appreciated for doing it

you’re getting appreciated for doing it and it’s making people lives better for

and it’s making people lives better for

and it’s making people lives better for people all around you or people that you

people all around you or people that you

people all around you or people that you don’t even meet that’s directionally

don’t even meet that’s directionally

don’t even meet that’s directionally correct that means you’re following your

correct that means you’re following your

correct that means you’re following your North Star and again that thing may

North Star and again that thing may

North Star and again that thing may drift over time as the true North Star

drift over time as the true North Star

drift over time as the true North Star does but you’re directionally correct

does but you’re directionally correct

does but you’re directionally correct and you will end up someplace wonderful

and you will end up someplace wonderful

and you will end up someplace wonderful for me I thought I knew where I was

for me I thought I knew where I was

for me I thought I knew where I was going and it ended up that I was going

going and it ended up that I was going

going and it ended up that I was going to a place even better than I had

to a place even better than I had

to a place even better than I had thought because

thought because

thought because I was directionally correct in the

I was directionally correct in the

I was directionally correct in the things that I was doing the other thing

things that I was doing the other thing

things that I was doing the other thing that’s really important is let’s start

that’s really important is let’s start

that’s really important is let’s start at the end right like what does that

at the end right like what does that

at the end right like what does that version of heaven look like where is it

version of heaven look like where is it

version of heaven look like where is it and then let’s work backwards and figure

and then let’s work backwards and figure

and then let’s work backwards and figure out what it is that we’re gonna do to

out what it is that we’re gonna do to

out what it is that we’re gonna do to get there let’s let’s really understand

get there let’s let’s really understand

get there let’s let’s really understand where we want to end up sometimes things

where we want to end up sometimes things

where we want to end up sometimes things don’t work out the way you wanted right

don’t work out the way you wanted right

don’t work out the way you wanted right like I’ve been hit by a car five times

like I’ve been hit by a car five times

like I’ve been hit by a car five times and each one of those times had a really

and each one of those times had a really

and each one of those times had a really important pivotal moment for me but

important pivotal moment for me but

important pivotal moment for me but things don’t always work out the way you

things don’t always work out the way you

things don’t always work out the way you want in fact usually your higher-self

want in fact usually your higher-self

want in fact usually your higher-self reveals things to you and with the most

reveals things to you and with the most

reveals things to you and with the most distressed times not when things are

distressed times not when things are

distressed times not when things are cruising and everything’s good that’s

cruising and everything’s good that’s

cruising and everything’s good that’s not when it happens you’re calling

not when it happens you’re calling

not when it happens you’re calling typically manifests itself in awkward

typically manifests itself in awkward

typically manifests itself in awkward times money is not the end game right I

times money is not the end game right I

times money is not the end game right I need to remind you this that your

need to remind you this that your

need to remind you this that your calling in life may not have to do with

calling in life may not have to do with

calling in life may not have to do with money but fulfillment and happiness can

money but fulfillment and happiness can

money but fulfillment and happiness can and what I would like to remind everyone

and what I would like to remind everyone

and what I would like to remind everyone is that what you believe is the most

is that what you believe is the most

is that what you believe is the most powerful thing as you orient your life

powerful thing as you orient your life

powerful thing as you orient your life towards that great life that you’re

towards that great life that you’re

towards that great life that you’re going to leave because you’re going to

going to leave because you’re going to

going to leave because you’re going to lead a great life if you go ahead and do

lead a great life if you go ahead and do

lead a great life if you go ahead and do that so the closing is know where you

that so the closing is know where you

that so the closing is know where you want to go believe you’re going to get

want to go believe you’re going to get

want to go believe you’re going to get there and then keep thinking of that

there and then keep thinking of that

there and then keep thinking of that beautiful place and lastly happiness is

beautiful place and lastly happiness is

beautiful place and lastly happiness is not that beautiful place by the way

not that beautiful place by the way

not that beautiful place by the way happiness is what happens along the way

happiness is what happens along the way

happiness is what happens along the way as you’re going after that thing that

as you’re going after that thing that

as you’re going after that thing that you love as you’re walking towards that

you love as you’re walking towards that

you love as you’re walking towards that version of heaven that your own that’s

version of heaven that your own that’s

version of heaven that your own that’s where the happiness is thank you very

where the happiness is thank you very

where the happiness is thank you very much

much

much [Applause]

”

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