In a world that often seems insurmountable with its challenges, there exists a narrative so compelling, it serves not only as a beacon of hope but as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. This is the story of Don Woodring, who faced adversities that could easily crush many. Not only did Don Woodring overcome these obstacles, but he won three state championships and also ascended to become the CEO of a public company at the age of 39, marking him as one of only ten individuals in the US to achieve such a feat under 40 at that time.
The journey was anything but easy. Don confronted each challenge with resilience and determination sprinkled with humor and a positive mindset of gratitude. Poverty laid its foundation early on, instilling a sense of humility, resourcefulness, creativity and tenacity. Familial battles with alcoholism and drug addiction taught him the power of discipline and willpower to seek change.
The seemingly daunting medical issues of everything from muscular dystrophy, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, a kidney transplant, a pancreas transplant, neuropathy, 12 eye surgeries that saved his eyesight, rejection of his new organs, going completely deaf in his right ear, learning how to walk all over again, nearly unbearable back and neck pain which doctors refused to treat and cancer made COVID and MERSA seem like a walk in the park.
It was easy to take these issues individually, but when you look at them in aggregate it can conjure up overwhelming feelings. Grappling with some severe sexual abuse demanded immense courage to confront deep-seated pain and reclaim personal power. However, of all of these obstacles, the only one that was the most difficult to accept was the fact that Don was a gay man. Don grew up in a small town in Central Pennsylvania at a time when gay people were arrested just for being gay. The gay pride event provided examples of the community to whom Don didn’t relate. So, he remained closeted until after they sold that public company he was running.
Surviving was the first priority, but for this to Don it was about thriving. Winning a scholarship to study abroad in Mexico provided him some of his greatest life lessons. Being selected as the top national recruit for a Fortune 500 company was incredulous, becoming the Country Manager of Mexico at 29 provided some self-confidence, but becoming the CEO of a public company at 39 was shared with his mentors: the CEO of DHL, the Founder, Chairman & CEO of a Fortune 500 company, the Chairman of Ruger and the Co-Chairman of EY.
So how did Don navigate through such overwhelming adversity? It wasn’t just personal fortitude but also the invaluable support from mentors who guided this journey. Mentorship played an instrumental role, not just personal mentorship but guidance from some of the great business minds across the globe. These mentors provided not only professional insights but also life lessons that imbued Don Woodring with wisdom beyond years.
Despite such accomplishments, “I don’t like to do that,” states Don modestly when asked to enumerate personal achievements. It’s a humility that speaks volumes about his character. Instead, focus shifts towards what is being done now: helping others unleash their potential through support from world-class mentors.
Realizing how lucky he was to receive great personal mentorship from not only one great mentor, but from several, Don started Mentorship Club. Mentorship.CLUB provides access to exceptional mentors in the world to those who are seeking to develop themselves significantly. A one-to-many feedback mechanism can be exponentially more powerful than a one-to-one.
This story isn’t merely about overcoming adversity or achieving professional success, it’s about leveraging your personal journey to contribute significantly towards uplifting others. It’s about recognizing that behind every seemingly insurmountable obstacle lies an opportunity for triumph for countless others walking similar paths. He truly feels that he has not had it worse than anyone else.
This narrative doesn’t just belong to one individual but rather it belongs to every person who dares to dream despite adversities. It serves as proof positive that no matter what life throws your way, with resilience, mentorship support, and unwavering determination, you too can emerge not just unscathed but victorious
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Website: (mentorship.club/our-story)
Published by: Nelly Chavez
