Elvira Burgo

This line hit me hard:

“My greatest angel, though, was my mom.”

Alex Toussant, author of “Activate Your Greatness,” describes his mother’s influence in a profound way, which demonstrates the critical importance of a mother’s role. Only then is a child able to survive adverse conditions, such as Alex’s. 

Alex says this of his mother:

“Despite all of the hardships, despite all of my self-inflicted wounds, she was always there. Though her efforts were often hampered by my dad (and by me), she never gave up on me, which was the only thing that made it possible for me to never completely give up on myself. Her love was unconditional, and that unconditional love was what allowed me to never let the darkness fully envelope me.” 

A rebellious child, Alex often misbehaved in school and associated with the wrong crowd. However, his struggles deepened after his father (Martial) was diagnosed with colon cancer.  “I got whupped or yelled for little things,” he said. 

Consequently, Martial was very strict, serious, and harsh. “It was all about work. It was like an obsession,” said Alex. Once best friends, their relationship changed dramatically when the breadwinner could no longer work. According to Alex, his father’s cancer emasculated him. 

One day, a life-changing moment occurred when Alex and his dad got into a massive confrontation.

Martial asked for his keys to the car Alex was driving, which Alex would no longer have access to. In response, Alex requested the $1,500 he owed him for fixing his car. Martial then stormed out of the house. 

Once back from the bank, Alex’s father said to him, “If you take this money, your life will forever change.” With much plea from his mother and brother not to, Alex took the money. “You motherf’n piece of shit. You’ll never be shit in your life. Get the 'f' out of this house,” yelled Martial.  

In that moment, Alex knew how his father felt about him, and he walked out of the house, never to live there again. Rock bottom, Alex also realized he had a choice: To remain in misery or to apply himself. “I had to prove my dad wrong,” he said. 

Although Alex didn’t allow his father’s words to destroy him, he had some depressing moments. He claims that his relationship with his father and military school “were the most painful things. that happened to him in life…Those things had knocked me down, dismantled me, piece by piece. But in the end, I built myself back up and made myself stronger and sturdier than I ever have been.” 

Alex had shifted his mindset. He no longer viewed himself as who he used to be, but as who he wants to be. And he advises his readers to do the same. 

Having started as a janitor, Alex became a successful Peloton instructor. After his success, Alex purchased a new home he wished to fill with love, carved out a room for his mother, and welcomed his brothers and father.

Although Alex has ultimately forgiven his father and believes his father didn’t hate him, he hated his disease. To sum up, Alex had this to say to all parents: “Parents out there, I implore you: Never, ever, give up on your kids. Whether you know it or not, you are that light at the end of the tunnel.”

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Thanks for reading. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article.

To read more of Alex’s journey and how to achieve greatness, please feel free to pick up a copy of his book, “Activate Your Greatness.” 

Take care,

Elvira
 

“Life changes very quickly, in a very positive way, if you let it.” Lindsey Vonn