Michael Kelly shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Michael, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe people are secretly struggling with their own identity. Most of us wrap our identity around what the world thinks we should be instead of who we were called to be. God created each of us in His own image and instilled a gift in all of us. What we need to do is seek our creator for the answers instead of what the world thinks that we should be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael Kelly and I am a teacher and a basketball coach. I am not just any teacher I am an ISS (In School Suspension) facilitator, where I monitor the class of the kids who make bad decisions. Why i chose to add that to my resume, is because coaching basketball helped me understand the battles that our youth go through. The environment, friends and/or things that the youth watch or listen to can affect the way they see life. Most kids just need love and discipline and that’s the reason why i do what i do
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The one person who saw me before i saw myself was my mother. My mom always encouraged my brother and i to be whatever we wanted to be. She will let us know if we were good at something and let us know if we weren’t. If we were really into something, my mom saw fit that we had everything we needed for that specific thing. My mom came to every game that she could make. Her presence alone let me know that she truly saw who i was going to become.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes there were plenty of times that i almost gave up, but it’s my faith in Jesus that keeps me going. Life has many unexpected obstacles that comes our way, but we must still push towards our goal! Gold needs to be refined with intense heat to remove impurities. So when we go through trials or set backs, it’s to mold us and take away anything that is holding us back from becoming who we are supposed to be.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie i think the coaching setting tells itself is that winning is the most important. Yes, as a coach you want to win, but i also want to make sure that the youth lives are changed. Basketball is more than a game, it’s an outlet for the youth to build character and discipline. Talent can take you so far, but good character and discipline could keep you around longer
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story i hope people tell when I’m gone is that i loved Jesus, and that i gave my all to the next generation.
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