Pat Williams, owner of the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball
Association (NBA), speaker, author, health advocate and marathon runner, lives a
"never say never" approach to life. This past February, Pat was diagnosed with
multiple myeloma, a rare blood/bone cancer. In typical Pat Williams fashion, he
is not giving this disease the upper hand, as associate and publisher Adam Witty
outlines below. The five keys Adam identifies mesh with The Daniel Plan
principles.
By Adam Witty, Published by Author Advantage Magazine,
Advantage Media
Recently I had dinner with Advantage author Pat Williams. Many of you know of
Pat for his incredible accomplishments: as the Founder of the NBA's Orlando
Magic, as the author of over 65 books, as a motivational speaker, renowned
sports executive, and, gulp, the father of 19 kids! Pat has spoken at our
Marketing Summit, has graced the cover of this magazine, and has been an
inspiration to many.
I first met Pat when I was in college at Clemson, some 12 years ago. Pat
agreed, much to my pleasant surprise, to mentor me. He accepted a seat on the
Board of the company I was running at the time, TicketAdvantage. A sports
fanatic, my dream was to run an NBA basketball team. Why not learn from the guy
that brought NBA basketball to Central Florida? Over the years, Pat and I have
had hundreds of meetings, phone calls, e-mails, and voice messages. Aside from
my own father, I can think of no other person that has taught me more about
business and leadership. I owe a great deal to Pat.
In February, Pat was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, Multiple
Myeloma. I remember speaking with Pat two days after the diagnosis. I said Pat, if anyone can beat this, it is you. Second, you are going to beat
this. As we had dinner, I asked how treatment was going and what his doctors
were saying. My doctor says I have 5 big advantages in fighting this
disease†said Pat. I knew it was time to get out my notepad.
Family. The doctors say that having a loving family is the first critical
ingredient to overcoming a serious health challenge. With 19 kids and a loving
wife, Pat certainly gets a big check mark on that one! Faith. Believing in
someone bigger than yourself cannot be underestimated. Having a relationship
with God gives patients peace, equanimity, and solid footing. Being comfortable
with any outcome actually gives the body energy to recover. A devoted Christian,
Pat is a Sunday school teacher, and openly talks about his faith. Attitude.
As Pat Williams told me many years ago, Attitudes come in two flavors,
Positive and Negative. You choose the quality of your life by choosing what
attitude you have when the going gets tough. Pat is Mr. Positive, from his 65
motivational books, to the famous motivational quotes on his voice mail, Pat
drinks the positive kool aid 24/7!
Fitness. A former college baseball player, Pat has always been a fitness
buff. He has run in over 50 marathons, he exercises at least 1 hour every single
day. When I traveled with him to Detroit to launch our book on Coach Chuck Daly,
Pat was doing wind sprints in the hallway of the hotel. Seriously. Pat has
always eaten a sensible diet. His overall state of good health gives him a huge
advantage when fighting cancer. Professional Network. Just as having strong
support from your family is important, so is having strong support from
colleagues and business associates. There are few organizations as fine as the
Orlando Magic. The level of support Pat has received from co-workers and the
current owner of the club, Rich DeVos, is unparalleled.
As Pat shared all of this with me, I thought, Gee, it would sure be nice
to be Pat Williams if you ever got sick. But as I reflected further, I
realized that these five so called advantages that Pat has are purely of
his own creation. He has worked his tail off over a lifetime to prepare for this
day. Pat's hard work has been a giant insurance policy. Upon further
reflection, I realize that you don't have to be the author of 65 books, the
father or 19 kids, or a renowned sports executive to have the exact same
insurance policy for your own life. All it takes is hard work.
Although it is still too early to tell the exact progress of Pat's
treatment, I can tell you this, you would never think the man had cancer. He was
upbeat, full of energy, and executing on all aspects of his life, without
missing a beat.
When I was in boy scouts, we had a motto, be prepared. What are you
doing today, to prepare yourself for tomorrow? If cancer, or any other challenge
strikes, are you giving yourself the best fighting chance to win? A good
question or all of us.
Words of support can be sent to Pat at pwilliams@orlandomagic.com or by
mail: Pat Williams, c/o Orlando Magic, 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd., Orlando, FL
32810.
