Laila Ali’s Champion Mindset Begins With Self-Belief

Sep 23, 2019

Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, is a four-time undefeated world champion in women's boxing and a wellness advocate. She shares her journey of overcoming challenges, the importance of self-belief, and transitioning from the boxing ring to television hosting. Laila discusses the legacy pressures she faced, her views on nutrition, and the significance of gradual lifestyle changes. She emphasizes how personal growth and embracing challenges shaped her identity beyond her father's shadow, inspiring listeners to pursue their own paths.

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ANECDOTE

Living in a Shadow

Laila Ali, despite being Muhammad Ali's daughter, doesn't feel overshadowed.
She focuses on her own path, though others may perceive her differently.

ANECDOTE

Troubled Youth

Laila Ali wasn't an athlete growing up and had a troubled youth.
She got arrested, went to juvenile hall, and later found direction through cosmetology.

ANECDOTE

Absent Father

Muhammad Ali wasn't present during Laila's troubled teenage years.
She chose not to have him visit her in juvenile hall, shielding him from her struggles.

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How do you find your path in the vast shadow cast by one of history's most accomplished and beloved humans?

For Laila Ali, the daughter of late global icon and humanitarian Muhammad Ali (the 8th of his 9 children), it wasn't easy. It wasn't always pretty. But over time, she found her voice. Staked her claim in very the ring that propelled her father to god-like status. And transcended that shadow as a multi-faceted talent that honors her father and yet is hers alone.

Although she was never an athlete growing up — and didn't take to the pugilistic arts until she was 18 — Laila would become the most successful female in the history of women’s boxing. A 4-time undefeated world champion, she racked up 24 wins, 21 knockouts and zero losses over the course of her storied career.

Retirement was just the beginning. Today the mother of two is a fitness & wellness advocate, TV host, home chef, cookbook author, and founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand.

A cultural icon in her own right, Laila currently hosts the Emmy Award Winning show Home Made Simple (which airs every Saturday on the Oprah Winfrey Network) and has appeared on everything from Celebrity Apprentice to Dancing With The Stars as well as Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America and many other national media outlets.

This is a conversation about the interior experience of growing up as a daughter of ‘The Greatest' — and the pressures and expectations that held.

It's about growing up in a broken household. The troubled youth that followed. Getting arrested. Meeting her bottom in a juvenile detention home. And the journey that followed to recreate herself.

It's about her often misunderstood career as a professional boxer. The entrepreneurism that propels her success. And the legacy she is dedicated to emulating.

But more than anything, this is a conversation about mindset. The cultivation of self-belief required to become a champion. Letting go of other's expectations. Developing the courage to fail. And the tools required to make your unique impact on the world.

You can watch it all go down on YouTube.

I had a ton of fun with Laila. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange!

Peace + Plants,

Rich