Empower Network

A few years back, me and my partner, Dave Wood, were both homeless.

For Dave, he lived in a van, and when he couldn’t scrounge together a quarter or two to use a pay phone to call a friend for a hot shower – he and his wife would shower on the beach. 

For me, before I got clean and sober 5 years ago — I was homeless, hopeless and battled a viscous addiction that almost put me in my grave.

However, it wasn’t the plan for us to die that way.

Somehow, with a little bit of grace, a ‘foot up’ from a few people with a big enough heart to help, and some good old fashion “work your ass off and don’t quit no matter what” — we rose up from near death and defeat to change our lives, inspire others, and go on to help tens of thousands of people around the world get results in their business (and in their life).

Because for us — success is not just about us — and it never has been.

We never forgot where we came from, and what it took to get where we are today.

Which is why, after what we’ve accomplished together, and now united with the most powerful and motivated group of leaders in the marketing world — we’ve started to think bigger about who we can help, and how we can help them.

So we’ve decided to start right in our local city, the place where Empower Network’s headquarters is at, and hit the streets in an effort to make a difference in someone’s life we may never get to meet unless we go out and find them.

So we are doing just that.

This morning we hit the streets to give back –  and what better of a day to do it than Thanksgiving.

We choose to help out and serve breakfast at one of the local homeless shelters — well actually, it’s a giant campground called ‘Pinellas Hope’ ran by local nonprofit organization called Catholic Charities.

And in our service work, we served, hung out with and talked to the folks there at the campground. We heard all kind of stories and shook hundreds of hands. We talked to people who fell on unfortunate circumstances and ended up homeless as a result of all kinds of different reasons — some that blew even me away — and I’ve heard and seen a lot.

But the thing I noticed more than anything else was the not the pain and heartache – it was the hope and gratitude.

As I walked around serving drinks and cleaning up trash, I heard more “thank-yous” than anything else. I heard laughter and I saw joy in the eyes of the people.

And as I stood talking to the men, woman and children there — one thing more than anything else was reinforced in my mind….

No matter how far down you get in life — no matter how dark and hopeless it may seem at times — and no matter where your decisions or circumstances may land you — it’s never the end — it’s always the beginning.

Each day.

Each breathe.

Each decision…

…is a new start.

And you can choose to look at the good….

…..or you can choose to look at the bad….

…..and it’s just that simple.

Today, I’m going to keep it that simple, because it is.

Empower Network is about having HOPE.

And as much as I know what it’s like to have none — today I have it — lot’s of it, and we have to together.

Even better…..

Everyone, from the support reps to the leaders – to the person who just got started right now here at Empower with us —  is a living, breathing example of what HOPE looks like.

We couldn’t do this without YOU.

And today, we’re grateful for the ability to give back……

…and were grateful for the most amazing people I’ve ever seen in my life.

So thank you for being YOU

And thank you for your struggles, and your victories — because that’s what makes us GREAT.

I love you guys, and from everyone here at Empower Network — it’s an honor to be of service to you guys — now let’s got change the damn world!

Who’s with me?

- David Sharpe
“I Got Hope Today, Baby!”

P.S. Leave me your thoughts below, and have an amazing Thanksgiving!