Finding Gratitude in Adversity: Lessons from Robert Downey Jr.'s Journey

Speaker: 00:00:01

I'd like to thank my terrible

childhood and the academy in not order.

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That was the opening line from

Robert Downey Jr's unforgettable

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academy awards, acceptance speech.

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His words were not just an acceptance

speech, but a Testament to resilience, a

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celebration of triumph, over adversity.

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And honestly, I've been thinking

about them ever since he spoke them.

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Welcome to episode 1 98 of this shit

works a podcast dedicated to all

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things, networking, relationship

building and business development.

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I'm your host, Julie Brown speaker,

author and networking coach.

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And today I'm talking about

how adversity can shape us in

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profound ways for better or worse.

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It can break us down

or it can build us up.

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It's a crucible that tests our resilience,

our strength and our character.

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My terrible childhood.

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It's a stark acknowledgement of

the struggles that shaped him.

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Childhood experiences, both good and

bad leave indelible marks on our lives.

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They mold us, shape us.

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And sometimes they scar us.

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Adversity doesn't discriminate.

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It's the great equalizer,

touching the lives of celebrities

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and everyday people alike.

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But what sets individuals apart

is how they respond to it.

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Downey Jr.

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Has spoken previously about growing

up with parents who are drug addicts

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and said that his father gave him

drugs at a very young age quote

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marijuana for the first time, age

six and a little Coke as a child.

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That lifestyle and early exposure

to drugs led to multiple arrests

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and eventually incarceration.

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For as long as five years between

: 1996

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Was arrested as many as five times.

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He was sentenced to 15 months behind

bars due to charges related to drugs.

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The illegal substances included

heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.

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Because of this Downey Jr.

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Became uninsurable as an actor.

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After reading that last sentence,

it's surprising that that same

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person recently won an academy award.

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And is one of the highest paid actors

in Hollywood history due in large part

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to his reoccurring role as iron man.

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So with that, let's

remember that adversity.

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Isn't the end of the story.

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It's just the beginning of a new chapter.

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It's an opportunity for growth.

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For transportation and for finding

the light in the darkest places.

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It's also an opportunity to open

our hearts, to the kinds of people

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who will change us for the better.

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And not hurt us.

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In his speech, Downey Jr.

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Talks about his wife, Susan

Downey, who he humorously

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referred to as his veterinarian.

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Quote.

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She found me a snarling rescue

pet and loved me back to life.

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That's why I'm here.

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And quote.

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So many people are facing some sort

of adversity, whether it be overcoming

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the echoes of their own shitty

childhoods wrestling with self-doubt

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facing rejection, living in poverty,

dealing with a physical injury or

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a mental illness, racism, sexism,

or the myriad other isms out there.

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So as we reflect on Downey Jr's

words, let's remember that adversity.

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Isn't the end of the story.

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Like I said, it's just a chapter of

your life that you find yourself in,

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but it's also an opportunity for growth.

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Transformation and for finding

light in the darkest of places.

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Okay.

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Friends.

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Onto the drink of the week, which

since Downey Jr has been sober since

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2003, we will be featuring a mocktail.

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It is the iron man inspired

Tony stark mocktail, and here's

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what you're going to need.

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Four to five fresh raspberries

juice of half a lemon, a dash of a

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Gavi sweetener, sparkling lemonade,

and a lemon slice for garnish.

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What you're going to do is in a glass.

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You're going to combine the raspberries

of lemon juice, Nia Gavi and muddle

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metal, metal, metal, metal, and then

strain that juice, that good stuff.

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Um, Over ice and then top it

with sparkling lemonade and

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garnish it with the lemon wheel.

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All right friends.

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Short one this week, but

that's all for this week.

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If you like what you heard

today, please leave a review

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and subscribe to the podcast.

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Also, please remember to share the podcast

to help it reach a larger audience.

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If you want more, Julie

Brown, you can find my book.

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This shit works on Amazon

or Barnes and noble.

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You can find me on

LinkedIn, actually brown BD.

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Just let me know where you

found me when you reach out.

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I am Julie Brown, underscore

BD on the Instagram.

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Or you can just pop on over

to my website, Julie Brown.

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bd.com until next week.

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Cheers.