I have had the privilege lately of interviewing some pretty inspiring people who have lived through very rough things; from human trafficking, abusive parents, alcoholism, drug addition and more. I have these people on the Podcast to tell their stories and how they overcame to inspire others, but what is happening is they are inspiring ME! It is such an unexpected side-effect of doing this podcast. And I get to be inspired at least 3 times; first, when doing the recording, second when editing and a third time when I listen to the published version. I may even go back and listen to the episode a second or third time after it is published too. Not because I love hearing myself talk, I swear!

Sterling Walker with @sterl_fitness has been one of my most favorite guests so-far. He is so young, yet so wise! I wish I had his determination and attitude at 25! But I also am glad I didn’t have to endure the things he did in order to have that attitude.

To hear him talk about his life in the beginning, it doesn’t sound so bad. It sounds better than my childhood at first, at least he had a mom and a dad at home. At least he was involved in something (wrestling) in high school, and graduated. At least he got to go to college right out of high school. But we quickly realize, his childhood wasn’t that great after all. I wonder how many people on the outside looking in thought he had a great home-life too. It is just another example of how you really never know what is going on behind closed doors.

Sterling says it was his late grandmother who gave him the strength he has today. She must have been one amazing and tough woman because he sure has a lot of strength.

After figuring out Wrestling really wasn’t his passion, it was his father’s, he realized fitness is his true passion. So he’s set out on a mission to inspire others and help people with their fitness, but honestly, he can inspire people in so many other ways too. He inspired me to hit the gym the day we did the recording, and he hadn’t even talked to me yet. And after completing the editing I’m now inspired to get up and meditate and set my intentions in the morning before I start my day. He didn’t even say in so many words to do that, and I’m not sure if he even does that himself, but he did say something. He said you have to get up in the morning and take care of yourself. Its the whole concept of putting on your oxygen mask before helping others. And that is so important for us all to remember. We have to take care of ourselves before we can really do a good job taking care of others.

I titled this blogpost “If you fail, they fall” because it is these words that truly hit home with Sterling when he had to take in his younger brother and sister after child protective services removed them from their parent’s home due to an abusive father. Wes Walker, Sterlings mentor, said these words to him and Sterling took them to heart and they have been his mantra ever since. Sterling really impressed me with how he took little nuggets from different people all through his life and really learned what they meant, and applied them to his life in his own, unique, way.

Check out Sterling’s Instagram (@sterl_fitness) if you’re ready for some “tell-it-like-it-is” advise, tough love and a lot of colorful language 🙂