By Mike Sciortino, EVP, Managing Director, Head of Distribution, CMG Capital Management Group
Willie Burton
Imagine being born premature with cerebral palsy. Imagine wanting to compete like everyone else in high school sports. Imagine not knowing if you would be able to.
Last night I saw an inspirational story titled, ” Will Power.”
It was the story of Willie Burton, a high school wrestler with the heart of a champion. In spite of his disability, he went out for the wrestling team, literally crawled onto the mat for each match and went 0-23 his Freshman year. When the time came for the next wrestling season, he went out for the team once again. As the team ran around the track for conditioning, he rolled around the track for 2 miles in a wheel chair, hands bleeding.
To him it didn’t matter because he wanted to be part of a team.He would go on to lose every match his Sophomore and Junior year. By the last match of his Senior year, he was 0 – 100 going into his final match. What kept this young man going?
They say that in wrestling the first period goes to the one with the best technique, the second period to the one best conditioned and the final 
period to the one with the biggest heart. When he was interviewed before his last match, he was asked what kept him going. His response was,” I asked myself, what do I want my legacy to be… The boy who never won a match?”
Well, all his persistence and hard work finally paid off in his final match. HE WON!!!
Four days later he was off to regionals. He was pinned 40 seconds into the first period. His career may have been over, but the respect he earned and the people he inspired live on.
As he crawled off the mat, he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. The lesson he left in that gym that day was simple… Don’t you dare quit! What a legacy to leave. What will yours be?
Mike Sciortino has more than 30 years experience in the investment management business. Mike speaks at Conferences and writes often about how advisors can differentiate themselves, grow their practice, and improve their lives through time-tested processes. See all of Mike’s stories for CMG Advisor Central. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
