Orrin,
As a huge fight fan, I thank you for this post. I was in college when this fight occurred, and just like everyone else in my apartment watching, I knew that Tyson was going to destroy Buster. As the first few rounds past I saw fear in Tyson, and boldness in Buster, and I knew Tyson was in for trouble. As often with bullies, if one can overcome the paralyzing fear, and weather the initial storm of the fight, the bully will soon face their greatest fear... All bullies fear that someday they will actually have to fight toe to toe with someone smart enough to know their tricks and bold enough to fight back.

In 1990, when I saw this I was proud to have witnessed someone overcome what seemed like insurmountable odds and still come out a champion. Here we are 18 years later, and TEAM is a modern day BUSTER! Along came some fighters willing to stand up to undefeated bullies, weather the initial storm, and then come out swinging. The thing I love most about Orrin and Chris is that they are doing it with class. That just makes the victory all the sweeter.

Raymond

Hello Orrin, My husband Paul and I developed a small business 15yrs ago March 2nd. It has been through a lot in those years but is still existing. This point in our lives Paul is tired of the daily struggle with the company. I have often said that our company is much needed in the state of MI.. Our Goliath is the Government, we provide sales and services to over 700 out of the 1500 Fire Dept. in MI. our company takes care of their breathing air compressors through maintenance agreements, provide services for thier airpacks. Most Chiefs that know us have always shared good reports to thier neighboring F.D., We are always struggling, cutting back on employees, we now close on Friday except for Paul my great leader. Now with TEAM, system,and the LLR our Great Big little bussiness will retire at 55. But who will take care of these Fire Depts.? I have always felt that the services we provide should be mandatory in every Fire Dept. Thier breathing air is the lifeline of these heros. Our manufacturer Mako Compressors has a handful of companies like us all over the USA and a lot of them cover more than one state which compromises the detailed service needed. These companies are a niche in the business world and we are always fighting daily to keep our doors open. How would one go about bringing this to Goliaths(Government) attention? My Paul has over 30yrs experience in his field. He has been called upon by very reputable people. Orrin you, Laurie,Chris,Terry,Steve and Beth Morgan, not to mention those I hear daily have come into our lives put God first on our busy agendas and gave our children and grandchildren a future. We will always be a part of the TEAM and thankful to all of you. If ever we can help out Steve Morgan can reach us. Peace and Grace, Julie BBNQ

Orrin,
Great example of how important the "why" is to anything you want to accomplish in life. Recently a friend suggested that I watch "Cindrella Man". The story of James J. Bradock.
James was a fighter and was at the prime of his carreer when the depression hit. He had fought a few fights during the start of the depression to put food on the table for his wife and three children. In a turn of events, (breaking his hand in multiple spots) his fighting had come to a stop. He was experiencing "a desert" time of his life. Through his love of his family and his struggle to remain the leader of his house his purpose became clear. To make it through he picked up work at the ship yards, (lifting grain sacks with a broken hand, as the movie shows) and kept his family together. Often times not having enough money for milk, or electricity.
His promoter landed him a fight after his hand healed, to fight a heavy weight champ, although it was to take place in a few days. James had been working and keeping in shape, (Doing the Work) and his faith had not waivered in the reason for all that he did.
When he was asked 'why' he fought as he did, he said "For Milk".
He had remembered how it felt not being able to provide, he remembered the promise he made to his son, he remembered the struggle and was not going back.
I truely thank you for this blog site. It has been inspirational.
Just one question. Why does it happen that some will get to a certain point in any venture where they don't think they can become any better or do any more then decide it was better in the struggle?
I would think they would need a self improvement system to overcome the next obstacle. Thanks again.

Thanks Orrin for another terrific example of what it takes to be a Champion,but also more importantly to stay a Champion each day. Champions do just a little more and keep the 'eye of the tiger'--Thanks for your mentorship to many of us--be free coach

Orrin,
I think we can learn much from both Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas. I won't say much about Mike Tyson, except that for this fight he was overconfident and underprepared, a very dangerous combination in any situation. Buster Douglas, on the other hand, came into this fight not only prepared and confident (but not OVERconfident) but with a cause that overcame any other facts about the situation (If the dream is big enough, the facts don't count!). However, the biggest lesson is in the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say. Buster Douglas had the memory of his mother to fuel the fire for this fight, but he let the fire go out after this one fight. He did not have a new dream to strive for after he obtained the prize before him. Fortunately we know that this will never happen to Orrin, Chris and the team. Our leadership realizes that there are always more giants to conquer. Remember that David took five smooth stones when he went against Goliath, even though one was enough to bring Goliath down. David knew that there would be more giants in his future.
DaveC

Orrin,
I LOVE IT! Just one more example that when someone ordinary does something extra-ordinary give the credit to passion and that we are better then we think we are.

Matt

great job highlighting a modern day african american! that was an awesome fight. i'll never forget tyson thinking he had his mouthpiece back in as it hung off to one side and the ref watching him with this 'look' and calling the fight. unfortunately, it was all down hill after that for buster.

Orrin ~ We are interested in your thoughts on the recent lawsuit filings of Mona-Vie and Quixtar. Any news would be great.

I share your “underdog” POV, Orrin...to the point of despising bullies, or those who lord it over the underdog, and stepping in, at times, to offer myself as a substitute for the bullied. Whenever possible I like a level playing field; competitive advantages are one thing, dirty tricks are another.

That being said, the Rocky pictures and especially “Cinderella Man” are favorites, the latter because it’s based in truth. Inspirational movies are wonderful cathartic releases, made even more so when they actually happened (with a little bit of Hollywood flare, no doubt).

My current “fave”, which I’m not all the way through yet, is Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce’s battle against slavery. A different sort of fight, to be sure, but one in which Wilberforce is the extreme underdog, to the point of becoming physically ill during the lengthy process to achieve his goal.

Of course nothing replaces the feeling of winning your own battle, against complacency, fear and the status quo: signing up a new TEAM member, making a cold contact, experimenting with different contact approaches & thinking on one’s feet to achieve victories (both small and large).

Thanks for leading the charge and raising the bar!

Orrin and Laurie I wrote this today with the intentions of only sending it to my immediate leaders but was urged to pass it on to you especially since it is a history lesson and all. This was the only way I could think of to get it to you so it's not exactly a comment on your blog. Thank you for all you do and I hope you enjoy.
Amanda and Scott Schoch

I recently read the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. It has to be one of my favorite books ever. I learned so much from it and I’m trying to implement it into my daily life. The greatest lesson that came to me was that you may not know your actually traveling down Gods path until he throws a road sign out in front of you. I decided to pass the book and the lessons along to a friend and after much contemplation on her part she is now reading the book. She is going on a mission’s trip to Ecuador this August. April recently accepted the Lord into her life and He is doing amazing things through her on an everyday basis. When she received the news that she was accepted into the group for the mission trip she was ecstatic and scared at the same time. She had to have told me a hundred times that it is 3,012 miles to Ecuador. I found this absolutely hilarious until I realized her fear could hold her back from completing a dream that she has had since elementary school of helping children from another country find Jesus Christ as their Savior.

That was when I remembered that I had given her the book. I asked if she remembered it and she said she could see it from where she was. I remembered that in the book was a story of a girl going on a mission’s trip that was afraid but faced her fears and changed her life along with many others. So I told her about it and got her excited about the book. She read the first chapter with me on the phone. This morning when I asked her if she loved the book April said “"I can't give you that satisfaction yet, but I know it was strategically placed in my hands for God to use in the right place, at the right time...even if I didn't think so."” For me this was huge! Our system is changing lives one book at a time!

While April was reading the book I decided to look at my newest favorite book, the Bible. It is stated in the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day that Benaiah’s story is very briefly spoke of in 2 Samuel 23:20-23. My husband Scott recently bought us a NASB Life Application Study Bible so that we can apply what we learn in church and when reading the bible to our daily life a little easier.


In 2 Samuel 23 the section is called David’s Mighty Men.
“One way to understand David’s success is to notice the kind of men who followed him. During the time he was being hunted by Saul, David gradually built a fighting force of several hundred men. Some were relatives; others were outcast of society; many were in trouble with the law. They all had at least one trait in common-complete devotion to David. Their achievements made them famous. Among these men were elite military groups like “the three” and “the thirty” they were true heroes.
Scripture gives the impression that these men were motivated to greatness by the personal qualities of their leader. David inspired them to achieve beyond their goals and meet their true potential. Likewise, the leaders we follow and the causes we commit ourselves to will affect our lives. David’s effectiveness was clearly connected with his awareness of God’s leading. He was a good leader when he was following his leader. Do you know whom the people you respect the most are following? Your answer should help you decide whether they deserve your loyalty. Do you always recognize God’s leading in your life? No one can lead you to excellence as your creator can.
Strengths and accomplishments:

• Able soldiers and military leaders
• Shared many special skills.
• Though frequently outnumbered, were consistently victorious
• Loyal to David

Weakness and Mistake:
• Often had little in common beyond their loyalty to David and their military expertise

Lessons from their lives:
• Greatness is often inspired by the quality and character of leadership
• Even a small force of able and loyal men can accomplish great feats

Vital statistics:
• Where: They came from all over Israel (primarily Judah and Benjamin), and from some of the other surrounding nations as well
• Occupations: Various backgrounds-almost all were fugitives”




That is exactly what the book said I typed it word for word. I know some of us enjoy Orrin’s history lessons simply because we know that history repeats it’s self. After reading this story I realized that sometimes our plans aren’t God’s plans and God’s plans may not be our plans but if we trust in our number one leader God. We will see his path laid out for us like map quest turn by turn. I never imagined when I read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day that it would lead me to this understanding or when I left the book with April that she would find it on a night that she needed it most in her life or that when I signed up with a company to make millions. I would find LIFE. I found life at home with my three year old whom I now enjoy every minute I am blessed with rather then counting how many times I tell him no in a day. I found life at home with my wonderful husband whom I run home to because I actually miss him and I love the conversations we have. I want to be around him more because of who he makes me want to be. I found life even at work. That’s right I work part time at McDonald’s and I love my job. I love walking in and seeing the place light up because they know I won’t accept anything else. Life is a blessing every minute we’re alive and if it took a business for me to find that than that was God’s plan. That sentence alone is where I found life. Life in my Savior Jesus Christ, my life was anew when I found him and I thank God every day for using TEAM to guide me down that path.

When it comes to winning. The competetive part of me yearns for that win! But the "Win at all Cost" attitude takes a back seat to the goal of winning fair and square. When the fight gets dirty, hitting below the belt, ear biting and rape charges occur you start to realize it is a win at all cost, twisted power struggle. It cost this man some jail time. Good job to the legal team that put him away!!! Putting tyrants like that in their place is praise worthy. I just want to say praise be to those who fight the good fight as tenaciously as they do day after day. The gratitude I feel toward those who fight moves me to want to help more people be a little freeer.
Here is a poem I love. Your dream is worth the fight!


James J. Corbett was asked what was the greatest one thing about fighting or. boxing. His reply is a classic.

"Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose in bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round -- remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped."

God Bless,
Debbie

where oh where have all the blogs gone? oh where oh where can they be? hah....this is the 3rd day with no blog. I feel like a parent whos kid doesnt call and comes home at 3:30 in the morning. Where have you been Orrin!? hah just kidding. I hope all is well. God Bless
Devin from PA

Orrin,
I have to echo Devin in saying that I felt kind of like a fish out of water without fresh blogs for the past days. The new post on Dallin is worth the wait.
DaveC