Eric Thomas is known as the Hip Hop preacher. He’s an American author and minister who has become one of the most sought after, beloved and respected personalities in the self-help world. The man really walks his talk. Lebron James has credited him with inspiring him to win the 2012 NBA Championship.
But success didn’t come easy for Eric. He was born to a teenage mother who wasn’t ready to be a parent. When Eric was a kid, he faced a lot of tough breaks. At 16 after a tumultuous argument with his mother, he left home and dropped out of high school. He ended up homeless, living alone on the streets. For two years he lived in abandoned buildings, ate out of trashcans, and every single day he fought to survive. Drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence were all part of his reality.
When he was in his 20’s he decided that he wanted something more for himself so he swore that he was going to do whatever it took to change, to break the cycle. Someone gave him an opportunity to get his GED (General Equivalency Diploma). As much as he knew he hated school, he swore he would succeed and get his degree because he would never live on the street again. He knew he wanted to give his kids a better life than he had. Getting his GED was what turned his life around.
Maybe you’re facing tough times now or you’re holding onto a grudge feeling resentment about things in your past. A lot of people would be bitter and feel justified in blaming their miserable circumstances on why they can’t succeed. Eric learned the hard way that blame is a waste of time so he decided to look at his life and take responsibility for everything he could. It was up to him to change. No more blame.
In talking about his deadbeat father who abandoned him, he says, “So what my father wasn’t in my life. The truth of the matter is he ain’t never come into my life. So what I’m gonna wait the rest of my life for my man to come? He ain’t coming…I’m not gonna cry about it. I’m still going to be successful. I’m still going to be a millionaire. I’m still going to be one of the top motivational speakers in the world because I owe it to myself. Can’t nobody stop me but me. You need to get rid of them excuses and you need to stop pointing fingers at people and start pointing fingers at yourself.”
Eric typically gets $100K to speak for corporate America, but on the way he makes stops and does free appearances for Correctional Facilities, detention centers and schools.
A few years ago, we here at Supreme Athlete were blessed to have him talk to our students.
In the photo, he’s with Stanley “Stack” Williams the CEO of Supreme Athlete. SA is here to serve the community by giving kids the tools to go after their dreams.
How ‘bout you? What’s your dream? And how badly do you want it? Check out Eric’s video sharing his 10 secrets to success.