Men Who Motivate: Lessons from Three Standup Dudes

Let me start by noting how indebted I am to the great role models in my family who instilled values, morals, and character which guide me on how to conduct myself as a man to this day. While I won’t go into detail, I hope they know how grateful I am for my upbringing. That said, this post is about three public figures who have also shaped my behavior from boyhood to proto-adulthood and continue to guide me as I take on life's challenges.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

This post was inspired by the death of Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., who passed in late March this year. I first saw Gossett Jr. in his role as Marine Gunnery Sergeant Foley in "An Officer and a Gentleman" when I was a tween. The film left a lasting impression on me with its life lessons on building character, perseverance, and the importance of teamwork. The tough, moral leadership shown by GySgt. Foley helped me navigate my own tough training; I would not quit. Rest in peace, Gunny Foley.

Photo courtesy of Jim Leatherman / Orlando Culture Shock

I first heard about Henry Rollins when he was the lead singer of the punk rock band Black Flag when I was in high school. (Even though I confess I was mostly listening to the Doors and the Bangles then—ugh.) Rollins truly claimed space in my brain in the 1990s when I saw his spoken word performance in Vancouver in 1994 with my bud Jun Kodanzinski. Rollins is the epitome of hard work, taking chances and trying new things, and just grinding until it works. He has been a beacon of creativity, staying true to his roots, and making peace with aging. Rollins has remained true to his principles while remaining culturally relevant for over four decades!

Credit: Outside Magazine

Then there's David Goggins, whom I discovered through podcasts. Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL who also served in the Air Force and completed Army Ranger School, came from a disadvantaged childhood to become a highly successful motivational speaker/entrepreneur. Often heard saying "you can't hurt me," he is a top endurance athlete, inspires millions with his relentless drive, self-discipline, and ability to vanquish extreme physical and mental barriers. His story of overcoming childhood abuse, racism, and poverty to achieve greatness is a powerful testament to human potential. He's a foul-mouthed force of nature.

These three men come from vastly different backgrounds but share a tenacious work ethic and a willingness to "embrace the grind." Louis Gossett Jr. overcame racism and poverty to become an acclaimed actor. Henry Rollins transformed from a shy, insecure youth into a punk rock icon and Renaissance man. David Goggins went from a bullied child to a decorated Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete. Their stories taught me that success is earned through relentless hard work, perseverance, and a refusal to quit in the face of adversity. There's no luck or shortcuts involved.

I also discovered that Gossett Jr., Rollins, and Goggins found motivation in unexpected places. Gossett Jr. was inspired by the civil rights movement, Rollins by the punk scene, and Goggins by grueling military training and service. Their stories remind us that motivation can be found anywhere if we have the right mindset and push ourselves farther than we think we can go. Exploring how these men drew inspiration from unexpected sources has given me insights and inspiration to keep going when life's inevitable challenges and setbacks happen.

This trio have faced doubt, criticism, and their own insecurities and used them as fuel to overcome more than a few obstacles to achieve interesting and great things. I am writing about them now because they've motivated me at different stages in my life. And I reckon many other people, too.

Holiday in Vietnam Part Two

More Ho Chi Minh City Adventures...and Beyond
Here are a few more impressions from the latter half of our family holiday in Vietnam. Southeast Asia has always held a special place in my heart ever since a course I took while in university titled "The Vietnam War in Perspective." Heavy sociopolitical lessons aside, during this trip we saw many places in Vietnam where history was made. 

Our remaining days there turned out to be a fun mix of dodging motorbikes at intersections like human Frogger champions, taking more than few trips to rural areas outside HCMC, and discovering the taste of egg coffee and the rich, distinctive flavor of durian, the so-called "King of Fruits." Here's a few glimpses of those walking trips in Ho Chi Minh City and our travels beyond the city.

Day 5

We started our day by walking to the War Remnants Museum, which provides a graphic account of Vietnam's wars during the Cold War era. On the way there, a friendly coconut seller convinced me to hoist a giant bough of coconuts to get a discount—a photo opportunity I couldn't resist! (Naomi is a big fan of naturally sweet coconut juice.)

The museum itself was a powerful and moving experience, chronicling the Vietnam War primarily from the Vietnamese perspective—as it should be. I'm glad we visited the museum, and hopefully our daughters absorbed some of its tragic lessons.

Day 6

Day six was all about our much-anticipated adventures in the natural surroundings and wilderness south of HCMC. The bus ride was a bumpy affair, crammed with around 20 fellow tourists, but the promise of real mangrove forests and jungle kept our spirits high. A short ferry ride, though an old diesel beast, offered up-close views of the brown Saigon River, a sight neither Naomi nor I wanted to miss. We made a quick stop at Ca Gia Mai, a spa-like place to eat a local lunch before continuing to the Monkey Island sanctuary and the SAC North Vietnamese Army jungle camp. The multitude of monkeys were the undisputed stars of the show because they managed to snatch a couple of pairs of sunglasses from some of our unsuspecting fellow tourists. We then ventured into the jungle mangroves via speedboat to the replica NVA camp to see how the soldiers lived and fought during the war. We also encountered a small group of Vietnamese officials, all clad in olive green uniforms—an interesting sight to be sure. The bus ride back to the hotel proved to be a bit of a snoozefest for the girls, while I spent the time marveling at the endless stream of owner-operated shops lining the highway. Even though Vietnam is still officially a socialist state, the overall vibe felt openly and ecstatically capitalist.

Day 7

Another morning, another convenient pick-up at our hotel! This time it was for our Cu Chi Tunnels visit about 50 km north of HCMC. The tunnels are an immense network of connecting passages and underground installations used by Viet Cong guerrillas to hide and prepare for their military operations during the war in the 1960s.

Our charismatic tour leader, who called himself "Super Jason," led our group of 11 to his minivan and introduced the driver. We made a stop at the Agent Orange Victims' craft store on the way, where I bought a fridge magnet. The two-hour ride through heavy traffic, then lush countryside, offered a fascinating glimpse into the lives of everyday people. Super Jason's tour was a real rock-and-roll affair. During the drive, he held up his laptop to show us videos about the tunnels and the political context, and then hosted a Q&A afterward. After we arrived, most of the tour participants -- including the Rising Family™ -- tried the Cu Chi tunnel passages and ventured into the underground bunkers. It was a dark and claustrophobic experience, something I won't forget.

Day 8: Saigon History Revisited

On the last day of our vacation, I was determined to see the former CIA station chief's apartment rooftop, something only I wanted to do. For me, seeing that spot on the rooftop was akin to seeing tangible history, or at least something that happened within my lifetime. So I woke up early in the morning and went on this solo sightseeing trek because it was not far from our hotel. At that early hour, it was eerily quiet, with only sleepy-looking security guards protecting government buildings and joggers. Reaching the corner near the City Hall building, I spent a few minutes at Ho Chi Minh's statue. Soon, I found the old apartment building, then took a moment to soak in the view and contemplate the black-and-white photos depicting Saigon in 1975 when North Vietnamese Army tanks were on the city's streets and Vietnam War hostilities were nearly over. It was a chance to ponder what life might have been like during that chaotic period when desperate people were scrambling onto rooftops to escape the city by helicopter.

Anyway, it was our last day in HCMC. It was time for some final pampering and last-chance enjoyment. We treated Elena and Marina to facials and massages for Naomi and me. The square in front of our hotel was packed with people celebrating from late afternoon onward since it was the evening before New Year's. So we ended our trip to Vietnam the same way we started it: eating from street food stalls, listening to music, and soaking up the holiday atmosphere and the buzz of happiness in the air. We could not have asked for a better way to end the trip and the year 2023.

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