The syndicated talk show “Live with Kelly and Michael” needs a new host. Today is Michael Strahan’s last day on the broadcast. While we’ve heard quite a bit about the move in terms of co-host Kelly Ripa’s reaction, this is a good time to take a moment to talk about Michael Strahan himself.
Regardless of public opinion about how he’s leaving the show, this is a man who has now accomplished milestones in two careers that most people think are impossible to obtain. From the NFL to TV personality and now on the way to joining Good Morning, America, he is likely on his way to becoming a superstar.
From Improbable to Successful
How did he end up on such an unlikely path? Let’s go back to Strahan’s own words from his 2014 acceptance speech when he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. The theme of his enshrinement speech was “the improbable.” He calls himself an improbable Hall of Famer because he did not play football until he was in college.
A decision to change
Strahan was the youngest of six children and was beaten up, abused, picked on and ridiculed by his older siblings. At the age of thirteen, Michael decided he wanted to change. He told himself, “I can change the course of action in my life. There is something I don’t like, I can change it.”
As part of that choice, he bought a Jane Fonda exercise tape. When his father discovered what Michael was doing, he began taking his son to the gym and running with him in the woods. His father would encourage him when he did not want to exercise by saying, “someday it will pay off.”
It did.
The 5 actions that lead to Sucess
In his speech, Strahan goes on to acknowledge how amazing his improbable success is, and addresses the five actions it took to get there.
1.He wanted to change.
2.He took action.
3.He kept working through times when he didn’t want to continue.
4. He did something “outside the box”; in his case, a Jane Fonda exercise tape.
5. He had help; first, his father and later coaches and teammates.
It is important to notice that he made a decision and took a risk before the help arrived. He was willing to be ridiculed for using a Jane Fonda exercise tape. He was also willing to work hard even when it did not feel good and when he was not motivated.
Fake it until you make it
When we decide to change, in the beginning, it might feel good and we have a sense of accomplishment, but there will be a time in the process that it no longer feels good and we want to quit. To be successful, it is necessary to continue in the face of discouragement, depression and pain. There will be times when we have to “fake it until we make it.”
It will be necessary that we listen to coaches, teachers and those we respect and do what they tell us. It will be necessary to practice and practice and practice; then, after we have practiced all we can stand, we will need to practice more.
Michael Strahan’s extremely late start to the game of football made him an improbable success, but he overcame the odds. You can do the same in therapy, no matter how improbable success may seem now.
Change can and does happen. Success can and does happen. It takes hard work and determination. It means continuing even when you lose faith in yourself and the process. It may be improbable, but it is possible.
After days, months and perhaps years of pain and struggle, or the disappointments of life, it seems improbable that talking to someone will help. Yet the improbable does happen, people do change. I have seen it over and over again. From simple life decisions to major pain, I have seen people become content with themselves and their lives.
There is hope. Change is possible. I can help. Call me (919)881-2001
