I’ve recently been doing a lot of podcasts and interviews sharing my experiences as a professional fighter. I’ve been fortunate to gain some extremely valuable insight from the sport, and it’s my passion to share this knowledge with others.
As the saying goes, “All ships rise in a high tide.”
By sharing my successes and failures, I can encourage and teach others how to succeed in their own lives; to avoid some of the mistakes I’ve encountered; to do better than I’ve done.
When the tide is high, we all benefit. The world becomes a fuller place with happier people.
One of the questions I am most often asked is, “What can someone who is stuck in a rut or just plain afraid to take a chance do to accomplish their goals? What can they do to get started?”
Well…
It’s not sitting on the couch.
It’s not telling your friends about your idea.
And it’s not thinking about your idea.
IT’S TAKING ACTION. It’s doing one little thing. It’s making a chronological list of all the things that need to be done to get where you want to go and doing step one. It’s that simple. But most of us won’t do it because we want more. We want something juicier, something fancier. We want to get dressed up or buy a new gadget.
We choose not to do it because it sounds too simple.
Let’s take a look…
I wanted to become a professional speaker. I wanted to become a corporate speaker. Here is the starting point of my most recent corporate speaking event…
One lonely day, while working from home, I googled “speaking organizations.” Through my Internet travels, I came across the Beating the Odds Foundation. I looked up a contact email and emailed them. They responded and we set up a call. Turns out, they are located in Central PA and the founder, Rocco Scalzi grew up in Altoona, PA, right near my hometown. Growing up, Rocco was part of the small, tight knit group of Italians that my mother was part of; they actually knew each other growing up. Rocco’s parents knew my grandparents.
Rocco’s best friend, Rocco Alieniello’s, dad was in my grandparent’s wedding. We hit it off. Through Rocco’s organization, Beating the Odds Foundation, I spoke at the Hollidaysburg Jr. High, and it went extremely well. Turns out, Rocco’s friend, Rocco Alieniello, is the President (Western PA) of US Foods. US Foods was having a corporate event in March and they were looking for a speaker. Rocco asked Rocco (confusing, yes) if he knew of any good speakers. He (Scalzi) was impressed with my performance at Hollidaysburg and suggested that I speak at US Foods. Rocco Alieniello trusted in his friend’s judgement, and, alas, I’m a professional corporate speaker. One little email started it all. (100 other emails went unanswered, but it only takes one).
Things don’t just happen. You have to MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
You make them happen by TAKING ACTION.
Create ideas. Plant seeds. DO SOMETHING!
Weekly Updates
- My book, Driven: My Unlikely Journey from Classroom to Cage is now available on Kindle. Get it here!
- I recently sat down with bestselling author Hal Elrod for his “Achieve Your Goals” podcast. Listen here!
Thank you all for reading and have a great day!
Spaniard
About the author : cbrenneman
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Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Latest videos
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
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Cool story. Corporate speaking sounds like a challenge, but very helpful to mentor professionals and leaders, good luck with your everything. Thanks for the great material to read Charlie.
It’s a challenge for sure, but I appreciate the art of seamlessly connecting my story to their vision. I’m glad you enjoy the content; I’ll keep it coming!
I just listened to your podcast with Hal and it hit me right where I needed it. I love your story and how honest you are. It’s weird that the reality IS all about those small steps and small decisions, but made everyday, that really moves us forward. I’ve been procrastinating and hesitating and dreaming and blaming a lot, instead of taking any different actions to get better results. I fight with those small decisions and put them off for a few hours, then a day or two, then a week.. And get upset that my life isn’t any better, nor do I feel any better about past “mistakes.” Thank you so much for reaching out to share your story with the world and living by your values. It is when we hone our light and allow it to shine out loud, that we inadvertently allow others to shine too.
I sincerely appreciate it. The biggest deciding factor in achieving anything is actually getting started. The snowball effect can’t help but happen. I appreciate the support and wish you luck in your endeavors.