We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Eddie Connor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Eddie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

In the words of Sophia from the movie “The Color Purple” I can most assuredly say “All my life I had to fight.” I have faced many storms in my life but I discovered the courage to find strength in the storms. My grandfather always lived by the words, “If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living will not be in vain.” I strive to live by those words and empower people to overcome obstacles. My legacy is not about awards, it’s about realizing that the greatest reward comes from serving others. I believe if serving is below you then leading is beyond you.

The triumphant transformation of life comes from turning “no” into new opportunity. In my journey to overcome obstacles, by God’s grace, I found the “can” in stage four cancer. I’m a living witness that the least likely can do the most mighty. In the midst of being overlooked for years, I used all of that disappointment to fuel me to become great and inspire people to step into their greatness. I’m grateful for the doubters and detractors because it made me more determined. True legacy is about learning, lifting, loving, and leading on new levels. Every day I’m on a mission to transform lives and unveil to people that challenges create champions.

Dr. Eddie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a business owner who has taken the leap, I empower people to leap into their purpose and overcome obstacles. I have an online community, the “Eagles Academy” that connects leaders who desire to soar into success and purpose. I equip you to maximize your purpose by enhancing your growth through teaching, developing a structure for success, and our accountability partner community. Our “Eagles Academy” is for business owners, entrepreneurs, career professionals, people of faith, ministers, leaders, mothers, mentors, fathers, and any person who desires to maximize their purpose.

I have written 14 books and speak to thousands, locally and globally. I’ve spoken at churches, conferences, and colleges. I’ve been blessed to share on ABC, BET, CBS, NBC, The Steve Harvey TV show, and at Bishop TD Jakes’ MegaFest.

For more information and to register to join our online community, go to: www.TheEaglesAcademy.com

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The saying goes, “An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down without a parachute.” Undoubtedly, it’s a big risk to reap the rewards but you can’t reap the rewards without taking the risk. If you want to aspire higher and reach new levels, you have to take a leap of faith. Personally, for me to shift from full-time educator and professor to full-time entrepreneur was totally risky. Creating something from nothing, betting on myself, and beating the odds was very risky but all the more rewarding. I did not allow my situation to shrink my vision. If you want to aspire higher and reach new levels, you have to take a leap of faith. Knowing your why and discovering how to level up will be the ultimate reward.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’m reminded of a quote by Dr. Myles Munroe who affirmed, “Vision is purpose in pictures.” For much of my life, I’ve known my purpose but the vision and picture of my future always seemed to be blurry. As a son of parents who are ministers, I was raised to love God and express love to people. Grappling with their divorce and the absence of my father, I battled with how to become a man when I didn’t interact with one. How do I play the role without the script? To make matters worse, in high school, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

For almost two years, I received chemotherapy and radiation to eradicate an aggressive form of cancer. Battling that disease brought about the dis-ease of depression, dismay, and mental discombobulation. Many people didn’t think I was going to make it, but God healed me and I persevered. I found the can in cancer. The battles did not stop there. I was told by my guidance counselor that I would never go to college. However, from being told I would never go to college to serving as a professor at a college is one of my victories. Servant leadership is near and dear to me, which is why I developed the organization “Boys 2 Books.” It’s an after-school program that provides an opportunity to give back as a mentor and empower young males via literacy, leadership, and life skills enrichment.

I realize that normal is not behind us, rather it’s ahead of us. Life as we once knew it will not be life as we now know it. This is not a return to normal; this is an exit from it to forsake the familiar. We are in a unique time of creativity to cultivate what we would like the world to be. If you keep doing the same old things, you will get the same results. If you do something different, you will see something different. Tradition should not be your Achilles heel of tribulation but rather a gateway for inspiration.

I realize that everything you’ve overcome in your history must be used as a bridge to walk by faith into your destiny. I can recall times in my life that were risky but I persevered anyway. Times like finding the “can’ in cancer to be an overcomer. Forgiving my absent father years before receiving an apology from him. Being told by my guidance counselor that I would never go to college. Found financial resources to stay in college when everything told me to drop out. Gaining the confidence to share my story, write 14 best-selling books, and share on major media outlets was quite risky. Embracing healing, wholeness, and interpersonal success despite imperfections. All of these moments of truth and transparency were risky but brought me to a place of clarity. The most dangerous place in life is not walking on water. It’s when you remain in the boat. You have to feel the fear and do it anyway. The biggest risk is not taking one.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheEaglesAcademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EddieConnorJr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieConnorJr
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EddieConnorJr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/EddieConnor

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