If there’s one thing Tim Tebow understands, it’s how to dust yourself off and start over.
The former NFL quarterback turned professional baseball player was recently asked what drives him to keep going in spite of all the negative press he receives. His response is so full of insight and wisdom that it’s quickly going viral, and honestly we think it should be required viewing for everyone.
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Don’t be defined by outside sources. You go after your dreams. Succeeding or failing is not making it to the bigs or it’s not necessarily fulfilling that. It’s having to not live with regret because I didn’t try.
I just feel for all the young people out there who don’t go after something because they are so afraid of failing that you are going to live with a lot more regret than you would’ve if you failed. I’m very passionate about that.
Tim’s passion is well documented, both on the playing field and off. The former college football superstar won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 before being drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2010 and moving on to the New York Jets in 2012. Although he later signed with both the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, he never started again in the NFL.
While many players might have thrown in the towel after the end of his NFL career, Tim decided to shift gears and pursue another interest. In 2016 he signed a contract with the New York Mets.
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This kind of tenacious sportsmanship comes from a deep belief that those who do not try have already failed. His advice to others is simple: go out there and try your hardest. Don’t live a life full of regrets and “what-ifs;” push through the adversity, fear, and doubt that others seem determined to heap upon your shoulders.
You’re always going to have critics and naysayers and people that are going to tell you that you won’t, that you can’t, that you shouldn’t. Most of those people are the people that didn’t, that wouldn’t, that couldn’t.
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When Tim isn’t playing baseball he spends a lot of time working with various charitable organizations, hoping to spread his message of positivity, acceptance, and perseverance. He seems determined to help others realize that it’s all about the journey — there will always be haters out there, but their thoughts and opinions don’t define us.
I think the reason people don’t go after things is because how much you will be criticized. What if I fall flat on my face? So fear and doubt and all these things creep in. I just don’t believe that’s the healthiest way to live. I don’t want to have to live with fear or doubt every day, and regardless of what everybody here says about me. It doesn’t define me.
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There’s one thing that defines me and that’s what God says about me, and, besides that, I get to live my dreams and try to help as many people along the way as possible.
No matter what you may think about Tim as an athlete, you’ve got to admit that this is truly a winning attitude. He’s got a lot of wisdom to share with the world, and if just one person hears his latest speech and feels inspired to chase their dreams he’ll have achieved what he set out to accomplish.
Listen to Tim’s thoughts on rising above the naysayers in the video below, and be sure to share these insightful words with others.
"You’re always going to have critics and naysayers and people that are going to tell you that you won’t, that you can’t, that you shouldn’t. Most of those people are the people that didn’t, that wouldn’t, that couldn’t."
Baseball aside, there's no doubt he's an inspirational guy pic.twitter.com/FDTwUuKXI2
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) February 16, 2019
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