“An Ode To A Fallen Hero”

“You need to assume an identity in any season that unlocks who you want to be.” — Dave Hollis

Before I get started on this post, I want to bid a farewell to one of the people I considered a mentor, Mr. Dave Hollis. No, I didn’t know him personally but by reading his books and following his campaign via social media, I felt a connection to Dave. Although we never had a chance to cross paths, when he spoke, I listened and the advice he gave spoke to me and encouraged me not to give up. So, this one is for you, my friend! Hope to see you, one day!

The opening quote by Seneca brought me back to a book by Dave Hollis titled, “Built Through Courage”. Throughout the book, Dave used the analogy of sailing across troubled waters to reach your destination and the light houses that help guide you along the way. Those words couldn’t have found me at a better time. I was lost. I had somehow forgotten who I was, and it was Dave’s book that brought me back home.

While reading 2–3 chapters a day, maybe 4 on a good day, it made me realize that I needed to lock back in on my mission in order to provide for my family the way I envisioned. In order for me to lock in, I needed to become the person I wanted to be and never look back. So, I began to tap in on my creative process and found a way to get back into my creative groove. Getting back in my groove, aligning my purpose with my vision and visually seeing myself in the next 10–20 years, have really put things into perspective for me. It’s given me a reason to keep pushing and encourage as many as possible that they could also become successful.

Greatness is who we are. We are infinite beings and somehow, we have lost touch with that. We have allowed ourselves to become to lost in the sauce to know which way we really needed to go and which way to turn away from. If you don’t have a destination, no wind will be enough because you will be floating away. By understanding where we are going, we are unlocking a new level of self-respect by demanding that we grow into the shoes we are trying to fill.

To be great, we have to be willing to do things others aren’t. To be great, you have to put down the self-limiting beliefs that society is accepting and accept the real truth. The real truth is that in 2023, you can be whatever you want to be. There’s literal proof, every day, that seeds of dreams are still being harvested. There’s proof that just like them, we too can be successful. Dave’s book was proof. From leaving a great job at Disney to help his wife Rachel run her business, stories of helping Destiny’s Child to become one of the best groups in their era, Dave was an example to me that you can choose at any time the route you want to take. He was an example that finding something greater doesn’t always mean more money, it could be something simple as spending quality time with your family.

Starting today, let’s embrace the idea of living the life we want to live. Let’s embrace the idea that at any given point of time, you can give yourself permission to dream big. To think outside the box, improvise when necessary and even navigating through harsh times is what the dream requires. But as I always say, the person we are destined to be is on the other side of the adversity we are facing. The storm we are in will pass and the sun always shines the best after a storm.

Dave, you were a great guy and it hurt like hell finding out you passed when you did. As I’ve said before, your story is amazing, and your work has allowed me to unlock a version of myself that I haven’t seen in over 9 years. You set a good example for the millions of lives you’ve touched. It’s rough that you’ve left so soon but I know you’re watching down on us all. You’ve been a light house on my journey to helping me rediscover who I am. I’m going to keep the Hollis (even though we aren’t related) name running strong. Rest In Peace, bruv!

• SB