Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat

Akeem Haynes - Going from Homeless to Winning an Olympic Medal

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Episode notes

Today's guest is Akeem Haynes, undoubtedly one of the most inspiring people walking this planet right now. I love this person.

Akeem is originally from Sav-la-mar Jamaica. At the age of 7, he moved to Canada for a better life with his mother. Shockingly, at the age of 13, Akeem and his mother became homeless and lived at a bus stop for a period of time. He learned early in his life to use his pain as fuel to push past the obstacles that came his way.

Akeem went on to represent Canada in 2 Olympic games (2012-2016), and in 2016 he helped Canada break a 25 year record and win a bronze medal in the process. Along with his athletic accomplishments, he is a twice published author and now an international motivational speaker who helps individuals and organizations develop a resilient mindset to overcome their own obstacles.

Listen as we discuss:

  • Akeem's harrowing story of coming home from school one day, only to find his mother packing their belongings in garbage bags on a freezing cold day
  • How they ended up living at a bus stop until an angelic woman took them in
  • His feelings of gratitude for not having gone through the experience alone
  • I ask, and he answers: How could humanity let that happen to a mother and child?
  • Why it's so hard to ask for help, and the futility of trying to do everything yourself
  • Becoming a superhero
  • Sharing your story to pave the way for others
  • Getting better vs getting bitter
  • The inspiring evening primrose, which is beautiful, but grows in the dark
  • The loss of my son Ali, and how I realized there was never a deal that assumed he'd stay forever
  • Why do bad things happen to good people?
  • How different perspectives manifest around you when a flight is delayed

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LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Connect with Akeem Haynes on Instagram @underdogakh, on Twitter @underdogakh, on Facebook @Akinspires, and his website, akeeminspires.com

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