Principles from Mike Tyson
From Fear to Power: How Mike Tyson punched the Shadows
Estimated reading time (5 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Every Friday, I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“Discipline is doing what you hate to do but doing it as you love it.”— Mike Tyson.
Mike Tyson is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He is well known for his strength, quick fists, notable defensive abilities, and ferocious and intimidating boxing style. Tyson had a knockout-to-win percentage of 88% and was ranked 16th on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and first on ESPN's list of "The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History".
But Tyson has a soft side, too.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Tyson developed a love for pigeons, a hobby many might find surprising for the ferocious heavyweight champion. In interviews, Tyson revealed that he used to raise pigeons and even found solace and a sense of calmness in their company.
It is estimated that he had over 2,500 pigeons in different locations at one point in time.
The unexpected twist comes when you learn that Tyson's connection with pigeons runs so deep that he has a tattoo on his face inspired by them. The tattoo on the side of his face is a Maori-inspired design with a swirl that Tyson has referred to as a "Māori warrior" or simply "the warrior tribal tattoo." However, in later interviews, Tyson clarified that the tattoo was inspired by his love for pigeons, symbolizing freedom and strength.
“You gotta train every day, you gotta prepare. Just like a fight, you gotta prepare, or you’re not going to do well at all, but you can have all the training in the world, and it all comes down to the tenacity of the birds, their perseverance, and the will to win.”
This unexpected connection to pigeons showcases a softer and more reflective side of Mike Tyson, a man known for his intense and sometimes controversial presence in the boxing world. It's a reminder that individuals, even those with fierce public personas, can have unexpected and deeply personal passions that reveal different facets of their personalities.
Small ask: 👉 If you enjoy reading this post, share it with friends! Or feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏
Question to Ponder
What is an unexpected and profoundly personal passion that you have and would like to foster more?
Call to Action
Mike Tyson is renowned for his incredible discipline, especially during his prime years as a professional boxer. His disciplined approach to training, combined with raw talent and unmatched ferocity in the ring, contributed significantly to his success. Here is a framework you can use today that is inspired from “Iron Mike”:
1. Unearth Your "Why":
In the gritty streets of Brooklyn, Mike Tyson's world shattered at sixteen with the death of his mother—a pillar of strength. Broken and rudderless, Tyson faced a crossroads, a void that could either consume him or forge a path to redemption. Enter Cus D'Amato, a maestro with a vision who unearthed Mike’s why. “He was indestructible and could defeat anyone standing before him.”
2. Embrace Your Origins and Aspirations:
In the unforgiving alleys of Brooklyn, Mike Tyson's childhood was a baptism by fire. Crime was a constant companion, seeping into every facet of daily existence. Bullied and defenseless, Tyson harbored a deep-seated fear, gnawing powerlessness that fueled the streets' survival dance. “Fear is my friend because fear pushes us’. The fear that I felt while being bullied on the streets triggered my fighter instincts, leading me to turn towards boxing”.
3. Commitment and Consistency:
Understand that the real battle is not in the ring but in the consistent grind of training. Tyson's philosophy is straightforward: Discipline is doing what you hate with the passion you reserve for what you love. Embrace the discomfort of growth. Embrace an unwavering commitment to your goals. Tyson's obsessive training, guided by Cus D'Amato, instilled in him the belief in invincibility. Develop rituals that reinforce your indomitable spirit. “Boxing is the easy part. When you get into the ring, that's the vacation, but when you get into the gym, you have to do things over and over till you're sore and your mind says - I don't want to do this anymore. Discipline is doing what you hate to do but doing it like you love it, and without discipline, you are nothing. You have to shut down the voice in your mind that wants to quit.”
4. Learn from Setbacks:
Tyson's humbling loss to Buster Douglas served as a pivotal moment. He was undefeated Tyson with a record of 37-0, out of which 33 wins were knockouts. In his autobiography, he wrote that he felt he had let down his mentor and father figure, Cus D'Amato, who had passed away several years earlier. He also felt like he had let down his fans and the people of his hometown, who had supported him throughout his career. After the defeat, Tyson took a break, regrouped, and refocused. When facing setbacks, allow time for reflection and return with renewed determination. Acknowledge setbacks, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones for improvement. Tyson's comeback with 4 back-to-back wins was a testament to the power of resilience.
Action Plan:
Define Your "Why": Reflect on your purpose, the driving force that will keep you resilient in the face of challenges.
Visualize Your Journey: Envision your journey, recognizing the challenges you've overcome and the triumphs you aspire to achieve. Let fear be a motivator, propelling you toward your aspirations.
Discipline in Action: Develop daily rituals that require commitment and consistency. It could be in your work, fitness, or personal growth.
Embrace Setbacks: When setbacks occur, instead of dwelling, analyze, learn, and come back stronger. Take breaks for self-reflection and rejuvenation.
While Tyson's career had its highs and lows, his discipline inside and outside the ring remains a defining aspect of his legacy. It's a quality that contributed to his success in boxing and speaks to his resilience and ability to overcome challenges.
Video of the Week
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 116 - The First 100 with Hamesh Chawla, the co-founder of Mulberri
Episode 117 - The First 100 with Kris Bennatti is the Co-founder & CEO of Bedrock
And that’s a wrap for now!
Thank you for giving your attention and checking this edition out.
If you enjoyed this edition, it would MEAN A LOT to me if you could take a few seconds and help me by sharing this article with your friends.
If you are not a subscriber, sign up and join others who receive it directly in their inbox weekly.