Attitude is everything!

A friend died very suddenly in February.He didn't realise that he had cancer,he was never to know.His legacy is a boxing gym that he strived to create and was only just starting to see the fruits of his extensive labours.

He lived by a simple yet clear message.Attitude is everything!

He trained me once a week for about two years, and although never quite reaching Floyd Mayweather's silky skills I wasn't bad, and the combinations flowed.Every time I stepped into the ring his ability to get me into the right frame of mind was a constant wonder to me.He never stopped smiling, and truly cared about the people he taught.He strived to create a family of boxers.

His dark secret was that as a young man, his brother had died in his arms, after being brutally stabbed.Instead of using his energy in a negative way, he took to boxing and became a consummate professional.He never mentioned the death of his brother, you would never have known.

He was a gentle man in a brutal sport,his attitude was everything.His sessions were tough (especially if sparring with him,he had a wicked body hook) but they were conducted in a way that appealed to all, and ego had no place in the ring.

In a world where we are quick to criticise, and road rage,supermarket rage and 'BBC canteen rage' exist he was a wonderful example of humanity at it's best.

At his funeral grown, scary looking men shed tears, and it reminded me of a saying,' A fact of life we all die,but the positive impact you have on others will be a living legacy'.

Whether leading teams of people, or just yourself, I hope that you can get a sense of the magic that the right attitude can pass on.

RIP Martin #attitudeiseverything