Previous Guest

Terry Tucker (he/him)

Terry joined Momma on July 31, 2023 live on Twitch to talk about Leading an Uncommon & Extraordinary Life (Sustainable Excellence, Resilience & Living w/ Cancer)

About Terry

Terry Tucker is a motivational speaker, author, and international podcast guest on the topics of motivation, mindset, and self-development. He has a business administration degree from The Citadel (where he played NCAA Division I college basketball) and a master’s degree from Boston University. In his professional career, Terry has been a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, a high school basketball coach, a business owner, a motivational speaker, and for the past eleven years, a cancer warrior (which has resulted in the amputation of his foot in 2018 and his leg in 2020). He is the author of the book, Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life. Terry has also been featured in Authority, Thrive Global, and Human Capital Leadership magazines.

Socials / Links for More Info

References / Things Mentioned During the Stream

Episode Summary

In the captivating episode of "Even Tacos Fall Apart," we chatted with an extraordinary guest, Terry Tucker. Terry's remarkable journey through life, coupled with his battle against cancer, brings forth a wealth of wisdom and insight that has the power to inspire and transform.

Terry begins by sharing his diverse life experiences, which include stints as a college basketball player, law enforcement and a corporate leader. He emphasizes the importance of staying curious and maintaining a hunger for learning throughout one's life. Terry believes that we all have multiple purposes in our lives, and these purposes are intertwined with our unique gifts and talents. He encourages folks to discover their purposes that align them with their values, emphasizing that someone's job they do to pay the bills need not be the same as their life's purpose.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Terry discusses the concept of being comfortable with oneself. He highlights the pitfalls of seeking external validation, particularly through the lens of social media and constant connection to technology. Terry advocates for setting aside time for introspection and self-awareness, allowing the mind to wander and explore without distractions. This practice helps people find comfort within themselves and reduces the reliance on external validation.

Terry draws attention to the power of self-talk, emphasizing the need to eliminate the word "can't" from our vocabulary. He shares an inspiring anecdote from his coaching days when he discouraged his players from saying "I can't." This simple change in mindset can lead to profound shifts in one's attitude and capabilities. He believes the ability to confront self-doubt is crucial to achieving success and resilience.

One of the most poignant moments in the episode comes when Terry reflects on his battle with cancer. He stresses that while cancer can take away physical faculties, it cannot touch his purpose. Terry's resilience shines through as he discusses the challenges he's faced, from amputations to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, he remains unwavering in his commitment to nurturing his inner self.

Terry leaves listeners with a profound message: while we diligently care for our physical bodies, we should allocate equal time to nourish our hearts, minds and souls. These aspects of our being are eternal and deserve as much attention as our physical well-being. Terry's journey and insights remind us that life's most extraordinary aspects are not defined by external circumstances but by our inner resilience, purpose and unwavering commitment to living an uncommon and extraordinary life.

This episode of "Even Tacos Fall Apart" with Terry Tucker is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and the transformative power of embracing one's unique journey with open arms. It serves as an inspiring reminder that sustainable excellence and an extraordinary life are within reach for anyone willing to embark on the path of self-discovery and personal growth.


If

Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you   

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:


If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:


If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’


If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!