Dream Big Never Quit | Marc Megna | Episode 115

Every parent wants their teenager to be happy and that means we want them to dream and to dream big. But what happens when life gets in the way? When they experience failure, bullying, or obstacles? How can we still connect with them and support them? How can we inspire them? Former NFL football player Marc Megna has been there. He was raised by a single mom who struggled financially. He was an overweight kid who was bullied but he found a way to follow his dreams. Listen in as Marc talks to Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler. He shares his story and what parents need to know about kids facing adversity.

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A Favorite Quote from the Show: 

The greatest gift we can give our kids is a good example.

High Points of Our Conversation On Dream Big Never Quit:

Marc watched his mom work 2-3 jobs and try to make ends meet. She never made excuses and did everything she could to keep her kids our of harm’s way. This was a great lesson for him and helped him appreciate his mom.

Some difficulties are good for kids but when they don’t know how to deal with the problems then it can harm them. 

Marc’s problems took him to a place where he didn’t want to leave the house or go to school.

It’s good to lose and to experience some adversity. We can help our kids learn from losses and difficult situations. However, if we only focus on the negative and are always hard on them then it is harmful. Let them know what they’re doing well and help them build on that. Let them dream big and use these experiences to help achieve their goals.

Marc didn’t tell his mom or anyone else he was being bullied for a several reasons:

• • He didn’t want to look weak
  • He wanted to be the cool kid
  • It was embarrassing and traumatic and so he didn’t want to discuss it
  • He didn’t want people to look at him differently
  • He also didn’t want to burden his mom

When a young person experiences something traumatic they relive the experience in their mind every day.

Marc used his traumatic experiences as fuel on the football field. It gave him a fire inside that helped him on the field. Unfortunately it didn’t go away off the field so he had an edge. That edge of anger and fire does not help you if you’re bitter and angry with a chip on your shoulder.

Marc wasn’t just bullied, at times he became a bully to avoid being bullied.

His family had a saying that he still lives by: The way you do one is the way you do all.

Resources Mentioned in Show:

Dream Big Never Quit: The Marc Megna Story

Just a Kid from Fall River https://www.justakidfromfallriver.com 

Megna Method podcast https://megnamethod.com/podcasts/

Our Guest Marc Megna:

Marc Megna is the co-owner of Anatomy Fitness gym and a top strength and conditioning coach in Miami, helping hundreds of clients—from celebrities and professional athletes to motivated beginners—achieve their fitness goals.

Adhering to the “dream big, never quit” motto he learned from his mother, it took years of hard work and unrelenting dedication for Marc to transform his life.  After playing football and earning a degree in sociology at the University of Richmond, Marc was drafted by the New York Jets in 1999. During his seven-year professional football career, he played for the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, and Montreal Alouettes. 

Now an elite trainer and fitness model, Marc has written for such publications as Fitness RX and Dr. Oz and has been featured on the cover of Inside Fitness and Muscle & Fitness magazines.  

To learn more or connect with our guest visit https://megnamethod.com or his Instagram or Facebook accounts @MarcMegna.

Photo credit: Austin Distel