Hatevation

Ahhh Hatevation is a term I coined because I've always used haters as motivation. Seems like no matter what you do, you are going to get haters. You can be minding your business in your own world not bothering anybody and get hatted on. I have come to realize also that the term "hater" or "hate" can be used out of context. So let me clarify what a hater is. For example: If I don't like something I'm not hating on it, I just don't like it. Hating is when you really like something about someone or something and you deliberately talk bad about it because it's not you.

I used hate as motivation since middle school, I have experienced haters of all sizes, shapes, colors, religion, and status. My love for football began the day I was born, during potty training I wouldn't use the bathroom unless a football book was in there. As I grew older my love only grew. I finally got my chance to play in middle school. I was a natural, made the team became a starter and eventually became a captain of the team. I use to say things like "I'm going pro" or "I can make it to the League". This would prompt my first hate experience, a bench warmer told me "you aint going pro, you can't make it to the league!" I was crushed! Struck silent, I started having doubts in my mind. I went home that day and told my mother what happened. So we had long discussion and she eventually told me "people only do to you what you allow them to". That was kind of heavy for me at 13 but I understood it perfectly. Never again would I let the words of a hater stop my progress. I went to practice that next day with a renewed spirit of motivation. Hate like that has fueled my career even until now. Not just in football in everything from acting, to modeling, to designing, or even speaking about my faith.

It's funny how adversity brings out the best in people or the worst in people. That kid could have broken me down on that practice field that day. If I allowed that to happen I would have never got a chance to experience the things I that I have. Playing in professional stadiums, traveling all across the country, living in different places, and meeting people from all across the globe are just some of the experiences.

I hope this blog is encouraging and gives you the strength to be Hatevated. Never allow negative things people say or do towards you to stop you. They are just bench warmers watching from the sideline wishing they were you.