My first struggle was losing my house in the 2009 disaster with a 2 year old and 5 months pregnant with my second.
My husband and I couldn’t afford to feed all of us so I did the most heart-wrenching thing ever.
I sent my oldest to her grandmother to live while we found another place to live and I got ready to bring my second into the world.
It turned out to be good timing as my elderly father needed assistance and we moved in with him.
While pregnant with my third, my husband’s illness caused him to not be able to work and I had to get 2 full time jobs.
This led to a lot of health problems as I was a high-risk pregnancy but I struggled through for the sake of my family.
That continued for years, but through it, I learned patience, balance, trust and perseverance.
When my husband passed away in 2015, I moved to a new town with a new job that led me to my current successes.
I never gave up.
My kids see me as hard working and ambitious, and my goal is to set the highest of standards in a contributing adult as I can.
It can be a scary world – my advice is to take that leap of faith and believe in yourself, even if no one else does.
Take the criticism and use it to mold your path.
You are capable of things so much greater than you can imagine.
Find your why and never let it fall from your sight.
Just keep going.
Jacob Brown’s journey from the rigorous NFL fields to international stages is nothing short of inspiring. Today, as a seasoned entrepreneur, riveting speaker, and acclaimed writer, he stands as a testament to the power of resilience. Beyond his athletic achievements, Jacob co-founded Varlo—a premier brand specializing in cycling and triathlon apparel.
A three-time TEDx speaker, Jacob was distinguished as one of the ’40 Under 40′ in 2015. His insights and stories have graced the pages of Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Notable institutions and brand—including Intel, Meta, UPS, Stellantis, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Central Michigan University—have been captivated by his talks.