I had dinner with my mentor yesterday
He's a 52yo finance guy who recently married a 26yo who's in medicine -- they met during an Ironman triathlon
This is a guy I try to take cues from -- the way he carries himself, how everyone respects him, how full of integrity he is, his calmness and confidence
He said some things that really struck an emotional chord with me -- I wasn't expecting this at all (actually almost cried), but here's what I remember:
"I've always admired your story. By your own admission, you grew up poor and clawed your way through life. Imagine how your parents feel looking at you now. Just think about it for 5 seconds. Your parents who escaped to America with nothing? What parent wouldn't be brimming with pride? I'd be blessed to have a son like you, but I'm 52."
"The most dangerous person is the one who can straddle both sides: easily relating to everyday common folks because he cut his teeth among them and playing the game in corporate white America, the old boys' club, the guys who don't know anything about poverty. And yet he never loses his identity, where he came from, what he stands for, and never forgets to give back to the world. He has the hunger, the natural charisma, the compassion, the "f--k you" determination. That's the guy everyone should be careful of. I'm happy that I'm breaking bread with him right now."