PREVAIL: How to become more powerful than the odds stacked against you: How to become more powerful than the odds stacked against you

By Brandon Sweeney

This book had to be written.  In my work as an educator,  speaker,  and coach I am encountering more and more youth who lack maturity and resilience.  They give up when they are challenged, retreat unde

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweeney Speaking & Consulting
• Release date: Jul 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9780578706214

Brandon Sweeney

Former college athlete, Brandon Sweeney grew up fatherless in the inner city of Akron, OH. He chose to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL to escape the traps of the inner city. Along his journey, Brandon was met with insurmountable obstacles. The biggest obstacle was his promising athletic career being abruptly cut short Brandon ultimately discovered that God had a purpose and plan beyond football. Now a Minister, Youth Leader, Motivational Speaker, 2-time Author, and Educator, Brandon travels around the sharing messages that are relevant, life changing, entertaining, and impactful. Coach Sween is the ultimate youth advocate with simple, yet powerful, strategies that are helping hundreds of students, athletes, and influencers become resilient leaders. ​ Brandon resides in Houston, TX with his beautiful wife Ashantae Sweeney. They have two beautiful children: Judah and Bethany

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PREVAIL

How to become more powerful than the odds stacked against you

BRANDON SWEENEY

Praise for Prevail

PREVAIL will completely shift your paradigm on adversity. It’s a must read for anybody wanting practical ways to overcome setbacks.

Jackie Battle, Former NFL Running Back

Brandon Sweeney has knocked it out of the park with PREVAIL.  The Chapters invite you on an epic journey, like a feel-good movie.  When you think of PREVAIL think of over comers, underdogs fighting back, finding their true selves and speaking life over their situations.  I pray that you will find your true self as you PREVAIL."

Fleceia Comeaux, Head Chaplin for the WNBA

One thing that we all have in common is at some point we will face adversity.  What makes us special is how we attack it! Prevail tells us how!

Melvin Bullitt, Former Veteran Safety for the Indianapolis Colts

This book is a must read for any athlete. It shows pragmatic examples of the never die and never give up attitude.

Tim Castille, Former NFL Running Back

It is often said that people are a product of their environment. I'd beg to differ; we are a product of our mindset. Brandon Sweeney clearly shows us how to have the PREVAIL mindset and change who we become and our destiny.

Ikki Soma, Chaplin for the Houston Rockets

PREVAIL can help you understand the difference between trying and succeeding.  Stop trying and succeed read PREVAIL!

Dr. Mark Robinson, Author of Athletic Identity and Owner & Director of the Personal Player Development Institute

PREVAIL is a book that will capture the hearts of many people that feel everyday struggle to win at life. The content and real-life connections by the author Brandon Sweeney provides insight and clarity on how to develop your Strong WHY and create the future that you and your family deserves. The book is truly God inspired.

Derrick Emanuel, Program Director of Ascending To Men, Houston ISD

To order more copies go to www.sweeninspires.com For bulk orders email [e-mail]

A close up of a sign Description automatically generated

Author: Brandon Sweeney Editor: Joyice Robinson

© Copyright 2020- Brandon Sweeney All rights reserved.

For worldwide distribution. Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other- except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

DEDICATION

To my wife who has encouraged me, pushed me, and challenged me to be better and do better. I love you

To my son Brandon Judah, Bethany Simone, and my future baby girl, you have what it takes to PREVAIL, WIN, OVERCOME, & BE VICTORIOUS

To the youth: Today is proof that yesterday didn’t defeat you, keep fighting so someone can hear your prevail story

To my mom, you are my biggest fan and supporter. Thank you for believing in me

To my dad, you always have my back no matter what and one of my biggest supporters. I am so glad God reconnected us.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

THE PREVAIL MINDSET

PURSUE PURPOSE & VISION

RESOLVE TO KEEP GOING

EMBRACE RESPONSIBILITY

VALUE YOUR VALUES

ANTICIPATE & ADAPT TO CHANGE

IGNORE DISTRACTIONS AND NEGATIVITY

LEAN ON YOUR LIFE TEAM

CLOSING NOTES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION

P

REVAIL is a word that sums up my life. It means to prove more powerful than opposing forces. In other words, to become more powerful than the odds stacked against you.

From my childhood leading into adulthood I was faced with so many opposing forces. I was the least likely to succeed in life according to the stats and opinions of society based on my skin color. I grew up poor, raised by a single mother, I didn’t know who my father was, raised around gangs, drugs, and violence. I was told I would end up with baby mamas, in jail, or dead by 18 years old.

I had trouble reading and writing in school, I was verbally abused by my youth football coach, I constantly had to prove myself to people whether that was fighting in the neighborhood, competing for a starting spot on a team, showing a girl’s parents that I wasn’t some thug, or showing teachers that I wasn’t a dumb jock (athlete). My college football career ended due to a career ending injury, I battled depression and suicide as a result. I was almost evicted from my apartment, I had people walk out on me, turn their backs on me. I’ve also made plenty of bad decisions.

Yet, despite everything I faced, I overcame them all and succeeded instead. I became more powerful than these opposing forces designed to hinder me from God’s purpose and plan for my life. I now travel the country empowering and inspiring youth, educators, parents, and coaches. I have a beautiful family; I have two degrees. I am an author and entrepreneur. I have mentored and coached countless young people to prevail in life

So, I’ve written this book just for you--to share with you how I was able to do this.

See, I believe that you are more powerful than anything you face in life. I believe that you are needed in your generation. I also believe that you were born in your generation on purpose to accomplish something bigger than yourself.

It doesn’t matter how you were raised, what people have said to you or about you, how many mistakes you have made, how dysfunctional your family is, or how many times you have failed or quit. The power is not in any of that; the power to prevail, to succeed, and to do great things in life is within you.

You must prevail, not to prove the people who doubted you, wrong; but to prove to yourself and to those who believe in you that you have what it takes to succeed and to leave your mark in this world. You must prevail because your family is counting on it. Your community, your teammates, your generation, and those who need what God has placed in you via dream, talent, and ideas.

If you do not prevail, then you will be forgotten. You will have allowed those odds stacked against you to absorb you, and no one will have benefitted from your life. Now, let's begin this good work because you have what it takes to prevail; but it will take everything you got. Are you ready to prevail? Let's go!

THE PREVAIL MINDSET

Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.

-Steve Maraboli

Your state of mind