He was a two-time all-conference tailback, the fourth-leading rusher in Georgia Tech football history, with 3,300 yards, a two-time Academic All-ACC selection, and he was selected for the 2006 Hula Bowl, where he ran a NCAA bowl game record of 311 yards and four touchdowns. For those of you that don't know football, he's *kind of a big deal.* After setting unmatchable records (to this day), he was drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens in 2006; however, in 2009, a devastating injury ended his career, and his world as he knew it. It was then that Prince turned to the power of meditation to focus and devise a new game plan for his future.
Today, Prince is an author, motivational speaker, inspirational fitness trainer, an expert in the areas of fitness, meditation, and holistic health. His passion lies in teaching our youth mindfulness, increasing literacy, and empowering those around him with confidence, health, and lifestyle changes. He draws from his own experiences and aspires to encourage young people all over the world to practice mindfulness as a means for confronting their fears, enhancing their overall well-being and pursuing their dreams.
Through his own dreams, his I’mAgine book series manifested and Prince began writing his first book entitled, “Danny Yukon and the Secrets of the Amazing Lamp” – the story of a young boy who overcomes the loss of his father with the help of his uncle who teaches him meditation. The pages of this inspirational book are not only increasing literacy and inspiring the love of reading in our youth, but it is also encouraging the next chapter of their story to be led by health, wellth and mindful living. Through Prince’s mindfulness curriculum, he has also developed programs such as his “The Ultimate Athlete Retreat” and “The Ultimate 21 Day Fitness Challenge" to ignite the spark that you have within you to reach new heights that you never thought imaginable.
Today, he's sharing his journey with us in an exclusive interview for the AGL series. So sit back, relax, and read on to learn how this player in winning at the game of life and inspiring the next generation to do the same.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? Where do I start? I came from humble beginnings, the best of both worlds. One parent an immigrant from Africa the other one a native of America. I got “love and nurture” as a young child, and austere up bringing along with discipline as a young man.
I graduated from Georgia Tech Institute as an all academic, student athlete, and I still hold a NCAA record for the most rushing yards in a bowl game (12 years). I was drafted to the Baltimore Ravens as the 132nd pick. Now I am an author, international fitness instructor, celebrity mindfulness expert, and life coach. My mission is to teach every kid in the world mindfulness and meditation.
What was your "gold lining" that lead you down this career path as an author, motivational speaker, inspirational fitness instructor and expert in fitness, meditation and holistic health? My gold lining that lead me down this career path was the beginning of my post-professional career as an NFL Running Back (my first career). I lost the most precious thing in my life, “myself.” I was depressed for three years and, during that depression, I felt like I was in a dark (pit) with no light present. I heard a quote from a cartoon ”When we hit our lowest point, we are open for our greatest change.“ I started making that change within myself.
When did you know it was time to write your book series I'mAGine? I knew after I had a dream about it. From that dream, I was inspired to name the series what it was called, that was the striking moment and ripe time for me to write.
Can you tell us about your Ultimate Athlete Retreat? Wow! That is one of the projects I am most proud of. This retreat is based on my book “Mindfulness for the Ultimate Athlete.” It stems from a conversation that my business partner, Robert, and I came up with while he pushed me to write a book about meditation for athletes. At the time I was working on a fitness project that created the ultimate athlete, but there was a component excluded. And, that was the mindfulness and meditation.
This retreat enriches an athlete’s ultimate potential through mind, body, and spirit. Words are inadequate to describe the experience. But, if I had to put it into words, I would say it’s an authentic, original and educational; a retreat that makes the individual a better human being first, and athlete second.
Who or what inspires you today? Myself, the world, my family, and the greater good for mankind.
What has been the most exciting moment in your career to date? My transition in life and the impact that is being made in and on the world with meditation. That has been the most exciting moment in my career to date.
Has the holistic health space changed since you first entered? Yes, it has. Well, everything in life evolves, that is science. Evolution is the inevitable.
What’s your best advice for all those people who want to follow in your footsteps and live a more mindful life? Meditate, and let that be your foundation of life.
What quotation or saying inspires you and motivates you to be yourself and do what you love? “Nothing is impossible unless,YOU believe it is. Become the apostrophe that transforms impossible into I’m possible.”
What's next? Is there anything that we should be on the lookout for down the pipeline? Yes, every Thursday, I guide a meditation class from 6:15- 7:00pm in downtown San Diego. Be on the lookout for my book, “Mindfulness for the Ultimate Athlete,” which will be available online in 2018, and I have two youth novels coming in 2018 as well. Also, check out the Imagine, I’m a genie, series, The Ultimate Athlete Retreat and The Ultimate 21 Day Fitness Challenge.
Head on over to http://www.princedanielsjr.com/ to learn more and/or follow him at @theprinceof_fit!
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