As a college football player, Inky Johnson dreamed of playing in the NFL to make a better life for his family. Inky was on the way to achieving his dream when an injury changed everything. What should have been a routine tackle led to a life-threatening injury that ended his football career and permanently paralyzed his right arm. Instead of being defeated, Inky channeled his hardship into a powerful message of overcoming adversity. As a popular motivational speaker, Inky empowers audiences to embrace the daily challenges of life to live with a greater purpose.
Follow Inky: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Show Notes
- Growing up in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta in a two-bedroom home with 14 people (2:15)
- What football meant to Inky as a kid (5:18)
- Falling in love with the process and the structure of football (6:50)
- What Inky learned about the power of forgiveness from struggling to repair his relationship with his father (9:04)
- How he was able to maintain perspective and a positive outlook in the tough times (10:35)
- The life-threatening injury that ended Inky’s college football career and changed his life forever (11:45)
- What the doctors told Inky when he arrived at the hospital (13:56)
- “Worrying is a down payment on a problem that you may never have.” (18:25)
- The transition from high school to college football (19:50)
- “Courage is the ability to start something without any guarantee of success” (23:00)
- A defining moment in Inky’s life (24:40)
- His journey after football (27:32)
- The story of going to meet Oprah Winfrey (29:26)
- The moment he realized the power of his story (36:09)
- His advice for someone going through adversity (38:35)
- Learning to trust change (43:31)
Resources / People Mentioned
- Inky Johnson: An Amazing Story of Faith and Perseverance (book)
- SC Featured: The play that altered Inky Johnson’s life (video)
- University of Tennessee football
- Nick Saban, college football coach
- Jerod Mayo, NFL
- Ramon Foster, NFL
- Robert Ayers, NFL
- Eric Berry, NFL
- Kobe Bryant, NBA
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Jon Dorenbos on Life is Magic- A Story of Resilience, Faith and Forgiveness
- Ryan Holiday on How to Turn Obstacles into Advantages
- Joshua Medcalf on How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great
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