David’s Ode to Kobe…

“Those times when you get up early… those times when you stay up late… when you’re too tired… you don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream.” — Kobe Bryant.

By now, you would have been inundated with appreciation posts by the many that have been touched by one Kobe Bryant. You may be asking why is a tech entrepreneur now following suit.

Well, most of you wouldn’t know this about me, but sport was a major part of my life growing up. I spent every day of the week training for tennis and then in the winter months juggling 5am boxing sessions into tennis training once a day into football training twice a week. In my younger years I bemoaned the work ethic required to make it and ultimately that resentment and focus on talent > work ethic culminated in a flurry of injuries between the age of 14 and 16 that derailed all my hopes and dreams.

Ever since taking the leap of faith to work in a brand new startup in a relatively new industry, I made a promise to myself that I would never let excuses derail my progress, that I would break every mental and physical barrier to get to where I want to be. All the endless nights, 2am finishes, ups and downs that my work life has endured and will continue to endure is the most satisfying aspect of my life.

The stories of Kobe beginning practise 2 hours earlier than anyone was even awake , the constant desire to be better and the no excuse, no quit attitude has resonated with how I approach my life.

Until the end of time, I will look back on all of those stories as inspiration and will continue to live my life the same way Kobe did. Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but his journey is a lesson for all to consume.

Thank you Kobe, your story turned a confused, unsure boy into a determined, relentless and unwavering man.

#MambaMentality

David Di Stefano, CEO @ Equal, Twitter: @davedistef