Diamond Dallas Page (DDP)

One may think its typical of someone like me to write my next Overcoming the Odds article on a Professional Wrestler.  However, I feel this particular person has Overcome more Odds than just in his Athletic Endeavors.  Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page (known as DDP) was grew up with dyslexia and ADD.  In fact, Page has admitted in interviews that even at the age of 31, he could still only read at a third-grade level.  Embarassed by this fact, Page became determined to read a book, a big one at that.  After a year, Dallas had read Lee Iacocca's first autobiography, a 352 page volume detailing the automobile magnate's career with Ford and Chrysler.  His perseverance paid off for sure.

Dallas decided to become a Professional Wrestler at the age of 35, an age not typically associated with athletic rookies.  After several years of wrestling in World Championship Wrestling, Dallas finally became a mainstream star around 1997.  Just as Dallas was entering the most successful point of his wrestling career, he suffered ruptures to his L4/L5 discs.  Discovering the health benefits of Yoga, Page made a recovery and would become World Champion and a household name in Professional Wrestling.  He Main Evented Pay-Per-Views with Sports Figures and Celebrities including Karl Malone and Jay Leno.  Eventually, he would enter World Wrestling Entertainment and TNA Wrestling.   He eventually would retire from WRestling but still makes occasional apperances including this past Sunday at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas in front of 101,000 people.

Since yoga had helped heal his body after injuries, Dallas would eventually form DDP Yoga. Mixing the best parts (in his opinion) of Yoga with his traditional principles of training, Dallas's DDP Yoga has swept the nation and has appealed to both men and women.  I do it myself in addition to my weight training and cardio.  I find it to have both strength training and cardiovascular benefits.  There are also suggested Nutrition Guides to go along with DDP Yoga.  You can purchase both at http://ddpyoga.com/

Combined with his DDP Yoga and a Positive Mindset, Dallas has helped various people turned their life around.  One man whose story was shown on National Television was Arthur Boorman.  Arthur had served and injured himself in the Persian Gulf War.  He risked never walking again, as was told to him by certain doctors.  His weight ballooned up to 300 lbs.  Most people gave up on him except for Diamond Dallas Page who reached out to him.  Arthur learned the positive aspects of living from Page in addition to the health aspects of DDP Yoga.  Although it was tough, Arthur would over 100 lbs. and is featured on several DDP's Yoga videos and workouts.
You can watch Arthur's story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Of course, Dallas would also reach out to his fellow wrestling friends who needed some help.  Jake "the Snake" Roberts had lived with Dallas for a while and had taught him many of the aspects of the wrestling business that had helped Dallas become a success.  Jake's life had spun out of control with drug and alcohol abuse as well as bad health.  Dallas reached out to him and invited him to move in with him in Atlanta.  Jake lost up to 60 lbs. and was able to conquer his demons. In addition, Scott Hall (aka Razor Ramon) had experienced the same type of problems and was also invited to move in with DDP.  He eventually turned his life around.  Both he and Jake "the Snake" Roberts were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.  The process that Dallas went through with turning Jake Robert's life around can be seen in the Documentary The Resurrection of Jake "the Snake" Roberts.  This also featured Scott Hall in his fight to overcome his demons.  This documentary, released in 2015 and Directed by Steve Yu, won best Documentary at Slamdance Film Festival.  Even Non-Wrestling Fans Praised the Documentary and past addicts have even credited it for helping them get them back on the right track again.  Some people called it the best Documentary of 2015 and there was some speculation that it would be in the list of nominations for Best Documentary at the Oscars last March.  It can purchased at I Tunes.  You can go to site of doc.
http://www.jakethesnakemovie.com/

Diamond Dallas Page has indeed Overcome many obstacles in his life.  Most importantly, he has proven to people that it is never too late in life to achieve certain reasonable goals.  He proved people wrong when he taught himself how to read at an adult level at age 30.  He proved people wrong by becoming a Professional Wrestling star passed the traditional age of an athlete.  He proved people wrong when he came back from an injury and became World Champion.  He has helped others prove people wrong such as Arthur Boorman, Jake "the Snake" Roberts and Scott Hall.  Many other people have turned their life around under the guidance of DDP Yoga, Nutrition and Dallas's positive thinking.

Diamond Dallas Page also serves as an Inspirational Speaker and has published two books.  He has also starred in several movies.

(Information taken from DDPYoga.com; DiamondDallasPage.com; Wikepedia; and Bigthink.com.

Sylvester Stallone

I wrote this article just a day after learning of the passing of actor Tony Burton.  In the legendary Rocky films, Burton played Tony 'Duke' Evers the trainer of Apollo Creed and later Rocky Balboa.  I also write this article just a day before the 88th Academy Awards and two days after the 52nd anniversary of Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali, dethroning world heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston.  Sylvester Stallone has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Creed.  This is an offshoot of the "Rocky" films which, along with the "Rambo"

films, made Stallone a household name.  Sly, as he is called by some, is a cultural icon and has achieved worldwide success.  However, Stallone's rise to the top was far from easy. In addition, he has dealt with many lows in his personal life.  The purpose of this 'Overcoming the Odd's' article is to display not only the ways in which an actor overcame personal odds, but also to signify to readers that it is never too late in life to achieve a reasonable dream if you commit yourself.

It was Hollywood in 1975.  In just a year, actor Sylvester Stallone, would be the talk of the town with the premiere of Rocky.  At the time, however, Stallone was a 29-year-old struggling actor facing many personal and financial dilemmas.  Not only was his wife six months pregnant, Stallone only had $106 in the bank and his dog, Butkus, was starving.  Stallone was pressured by his wife to give in and take a regular job.  However, deep inside his heart, Stallone knew he couldn't give up trying to fulfill his dreams.  Even though taking up a regular job would help him pay the rent and get ready to support his child, Stallone could not give up what was in his heart.  After selling some his wife's jewelry, Stallone made a last ditch effort that was one of the hardest things any person could do.  He sold his dog, Butkis, for $50.00 outside of a liquor store.  Stallone has admitted this was one of the lowest points for him as he loved his dog. However, it would become an underdog story, no pun intended, that would even eclipse the character of Rocky Balboa in his next film.  Stallone had witnessed little known club fighter Chuck Webner go 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali in Ohio.  This inspired Stallone to write the script for Rocky.  Indeed, Sly's script would begin to garner much attention.  The bidding on it reached $265,000.  The problem was that the studios wanted James Caan or Ryan O'Neal to play Rocky Balboa while Sly insisted he play the character himself.  Sly was refusing the money in order to play the character himself.  He was risking everything.  Eventually, the producers settled on a less lucrative deal which allowed Stallone to play Rocky Balboa.  The rest they say is history.  1976's Rocky ended up winning three Oscars and grossed $225 million worldwide.  It also spawned five sequels as well as a spinoff in that of 2015's Creed.  

Sylvester Stallone's success would continue throughout the next three and a half decades with dozens of films such as First Blood, Cliffhanger, Copland and The Expendables.  Of course, even with money and success, Stallone would face other odds he had to overcome.  He would go through failed marriages as well as fluctuations of popularity.  In 2012, Stallone's son, Sage, whom starred in Rocky 5, passed away.  As one can imagine, losing a child has to be one of the most distinctive things a human being can go through.  Sylvester Stallone took home a Golden Globe for Creed in January of 2016 and paid tribute to his son.  Tomorrow, we will see if Sly takes home an Oscar like he Rocky did 40 years ago.  Interestingly, this is Stallone's first Oscar nomination since the film. 

Sylvester Stallone Overcame the Odds of possibly not succeeding and living his dreams.  He sacrificed his time and took a huge financial risk to become a worldwide icon.  At nearly 70 years of age, he continues to influence people such as my myself with his dedication to physical fitness.  Sylvester Stallone, there will never be another. He showed it's never too late in life to achieve your dreams.  Most importantly, Stallone proved a 5 foot 10 175 lb. actor could portray a character that was larger than life!!!


(Facts taken from article written by Sean Braswell "Stallone's Rocky Start" on ozy.com and Wikepedia)

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints

Well the 54th Superbowl is getting closer and we're In the midst of the NFL Playoffs.  In addition, so is Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  One of the biggest celebration for Mississippians was when the closest home NFL team, the New Orleans Saints, won the Superbowl in 2010.  Not only did the team as a whole prove that they could overcome enormous adversity, it proved the resilience and athletic spirit of Quarterback Drew Brees.  People recall how totally forgettable the 2005-2006 season was for the New Orleans Saints as they went 3-13.  Not long before the season began, Hurricane Katrina had damaged the Superdome and the destruction of the Saints' home city had seemingly further dampened the spirits of any future success for the team.  Drew Brees had hit free agency at the time.  However, he was considered to be at the end of his football career by some as he had just suffered a serious shoulder injury.  The New Orleans Saints, however, showed confidence in him.  Since Brees and the then broken team got together in March 2006, they have become perennial candidates.  Combined with head coach Sean Payton's offense, Drew Brees helped raise the band's legacy back from the dead and led them to the aforementioned Superbowl win in 2010.  It is important to also note that upon signing with the Saints in 2006, the Brees Dream Foundation rebuilding various city facilities in New Orleans proving Drew Brees' commitment to charity and the city as a whole.  Drew Brees overcame the odds of an injury that threatened to end his career.  The New Orleans Saints overcame the odds as a team that had been previously written off by many.  You could also say that the city of New Orleans overcame the odds of the costliest storm in US history.  WHODAT!!!

Benjamin Franklin

I'm going back many many years in my next article to one of America's Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin.  While a young child, Ben Franklin's father wanted him to attend school with the clergy.  Unfortunately, he could only afford to send his son to school for two years.  Benjamin Franklin's formal education ended when he was only 10 years old.  However, he would continue educating himself through rigorous reading.  When Ben was only 15, he founded The New-England Courant, which was the first truly independent newspaper in the colonies.  At the age of 21, Ben Franklin created the Junto.  This was a group of like minded artisans and tradesman in Philadelphia whom debated various morals, politics, and philosophy in an effort to make the community better.  In 1729, Franklin became the publisher of a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazzette.  He saw the printing press as a way to inform the colonial people of various aspects of morality in another effort to help the community. 

Of course, one of Benjamin Franklin's biggest contributions to society was the discovery of electricity.  He published a proposal for an experiment to prove that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm that appeared capable of becoming a lightning storm. While certain people performed this experiment with varying results, it were these experiments that led to Franklin's invention of the lightning rod.  The rest they say is history.

Benjamin Franklin is an important figure in American History.  As previously noted, he served to improve the colonies.  Franklin served as the first United States Ambassador to France. He championed the American cause by being a spokesman at the highly publicized testimony in Parliament in 1766. Ten years later at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin replied to a comment from John Hancock that they must all hang together:  "Yes, we must, indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." 

Simply put, Benjamin Franklin achieved much in his life without the traditional educational or financial background.  Education is important and having the proper financial resources to obtain things is important as well.  However, I feel in today's digital world, people give up on their dreams because they are given reinforcements from the media that they are not smart enough or rich enough to achieve them.  Well that television you watched or computer you are using is functioning from something that was invented by a man whom educated himself.  Benjamin Franklin Overcame the Odds.

Collin Clarke

My next Overcoming the Odds article is on a young man whom competed in a bodybuilding contest.  Competing in these types of contests requires great discipline as it pertains to diet and exercise.  In the case of Collin Clarke, competing in a bodybuilding contest showcased more than just self discipline.  It displayed  a perfect example of chasing a dream that would inspire others.  Collin Clarke is a 22-year old man from Indiana with Down Syndrome.  In addition, he had been overweight.  Training with fellow bodybuilder Glenn Ubelhor, Clarke sacrificed many hours to his diet and training and lost up to 60 lbs. In November of 2015, Collin competed in the Kentucky Muscle Bodybuilding Championship placing 5th in the Novice Light Division.  Although unable to attend the contest, four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler sent Collin a gift encouraging him to continue chasing the dream.  Check Videos Below!!!  Collin Clarke overcame the odds of obesity and down syndrome to compete in a contest geared towards health!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSUBEk9pQQM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_kuuHCtIsk

Lynyrd Skynyrd

This is my second post about an entire band, rather than a specific person.  By Dixie standards, I would be considered a city boy, although my drawl is evident when I'm outside of the south.  However, I've always been a huge fan of Southern Rock.  The gritty sound and songs about the swampland have always appealed to me.  No band exemplifies southern rock more than Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I've seen the tribute Lynyrd Skynyrd band 4 times to be exact.  While Lynyrd Skynyrd may be synonymous with southern rock, they are also synonymous with tragedy.  Following a number of huge hits in the 1970s including "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird", the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were in a plane crash on October 20, 1977 in Gillsburg, MS.  Lead Singer Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist Steve Gaines, Backup singer Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot and copilot of the plane were all killed.  The remaining band members and passengers were left with injuries and emotional scars for the rest of their lives.  Ten years later, the band name Lynyrd Skynyrd would continue.  Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny would take his shoes as lead singer joined by some of the remaining original members and additional musicians.  Even though the Lynyrd Skynyrd tradition would continue, there would still be turmoil among bandmates.  While guitarist Ed King (guitar player before plane crash) and drummer Artimus Pyle (second original drummer) would rejoin the band, they would leave for various reasons and carry grudges with various members.  In addition, original guitarist Allen Collins passed away as well as original bassist Leon Wilkeson.  The deaths of these original members led to contractual disputes between the band members and Ronnie Van Zant's widow Judy.  There was an agreement made where there had to be at least three original members in the band to carry the name Lynyrd Skynyrd.  There were various complications and variations of the contract.  However, the band carried on playing the music that was still touching the lives of succeeding generations of music fans.  Despite the turmoil within the band, the surviving members of the original renditions of Lynyrd Skynyrd joined together to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Black Sabbath, the Sex Pistols and several others.  In addition, the surviving members were joined by the all additional musicians and Johnny Van Zant to perform an unforgettable performance of Freebird proving the band's music was alive and well.  Of course, there would be additional losses.  Replacement Guitarist Hughie Thomasson (The Outlaws) passed away in 2007.  Original Member and Pianist Billy Powell passed away in 2009 as would replacement bassist Ean Evans.  Female backup singer Jo Jo Billingsley died in 2010.  Original Drummer Bob Burns (Before Artimus Pyle and plae crash) died in 2015.  Original and long time member Gary Rossington had a heart attack in 2015.However, he said in an interview that that cant stop him and that Lynyrd Skynyrd would be back on the road. Original Guitarist Ed King, whom left Skynyrd before the plane  crash, died Last Year. Larry Junstrom, also of .38 special,who played in the Earliest Days of  Lynyrd Skynyrd, died last year. Lynyrd Skynyrd are currently on their Farewell Tour.

The surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd include  (Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle, Backup Singer Leslie Hawkins, Current Guiarist Rick Medlocke whom also played in one of the first renditions of Skynyrd along with Greg T. Walker) (Medlocke and Walker would form Blackfoot).

have endured hardships, fighting, deaths, drug and alcohol problems, contractual disagreements, and most importantly a devastating plane crash which killed some of their band mates and friends and threatened to kill the Lynyrd Skynyrd name and music.  Lynyrd Skynyrd continues as a Tribute Band and their music will never die. Since its heyday, the band is praised outside the south and all over North America, Europe, Asia and the world over.  They have influenced various genres including Classic Rock, Folk, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Alternative, Country, Blues and Soul.  I leave you with a poem written by Charlie Daniels after the plane crash in 1977.


 A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You're free at last. 


 A BRIEF CANDLE, BOTH ENDS BURNING
AN ENDLESS SMILE, A BUS WHEEL TURNING
A FRIEND TO SHARE A LONESOME TIME
A HANDSHAKE AND A SIP OF WINE
SAY IT LOUD AND LET IT RING
THAT WE'RE ALL PART OF EVERYTHING
THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT AND THE PAST
FLY ON PROUD BIRD, YOU'RE FREE AT LAST


 A BRIEF CANDLE, BOTH ENDS BURNING
AN ENDLESS SMILE, A BUS WHEEL TURNING
A FRIEND TO SHARE A LONESOME TIME
A HANDSHAKE AND A SIP OF WINE
SAY IT LOUD AND LET IT RING
THAT WE'RE ALL PART OF EVERYTHING
THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT AND THE PAST
FLY ON PROUD BIRD, YOU'RE FREE AT LAST