The crossroads—when you make those observations about yourself and realize that some things have to change. In history, those defining moments were battles, like the Battle of Bunker Hill or Gettysburg. For me—for Ray J. Pope—it was the battle of Ray versus Fat!
When I met champion bodybuilder and motivational speaker L. D’Shawn Wright, I immediately noticed he was a different type of a trainer. I’ve had some amazing trainers in the past due to my ever-losing struggle with loving to eat lots of food! But no one did what he did. He sat me down and asked about my life, my goals and my motives. He wanted to know what things make me tick, what upsets me, and the things that bring me joy.
Outside of my family, I told him I want to travel the world and help people of all cultures, opening my family up to a diverse way of living. I explained that I wanted to leave a legacy for my daughters and their future children.
I delivered such a response that I knew for sure I may have seen a possible tear in the muscle-bound mentor’s eye!
Then he took the time to share some of his past. I became the one with the tear in my eye as he revealed the reasons why he is so focused on living such a healthy, powerful and motivating life.
Our session ended that day with bittersweet emotions for me.
I had a great conversation, but I was wondering why I had to wait to start working out. On my next visit it was clear.
You know the statement, “Be careful what you wish for.”? It rang true that day! He began with simple activities for me. I started with steps—no problem. Then we went to push ups—I got this. Then he added in other things, and I began to feel muscles that haven’t been awakened in years! Then the sweat began pouring. I scrambled around searching for a cool breeze. Each step now felt as if I were stepping from one level of a house to another. I pushed objects back and forth on the floor. I went from one movement to another, and back again.
“D’Shawn, I can’t feel my legs!” I belted, buckling at the knees.
“They’re still there. I’m looking at ‘em,” He snapped. “Stop dancin’ around like Michael Jackson, stabilize yourself and keep pushin’!”
“You’re evil!” I shot back.
“I’m not here to have friends. I have enough of them. I’m here to help you change your life,” he said. “Didn’t you say that you wanted to leave a legacy for your girls? Didn’t you say that you want to change the world? You can’t even fathom changing the world without changing yourself. Get up, RAY PEEZY!”
I had no idea where he came up with that name. But, I did know that this session will ring out forever in my memory of the passion that my trainer had towards helping me change my life and motivating me to be healthy. At the end of that session (I had been there a good two hours), he opened the door for me as I was finishing a lap to the mailbox. I collapsed to the floor. He extended his arm with the intent to help me back on my feet. With a sarcastic smirk, he looked at me and said, “Great first 10 minutes. I like it. Go get some water and let’s do it again!”
