Kenyon Glover: Living Life on Purpose

by Cyrus Webb

The road to the destination called purpose is sometimes a tricky one.

We all know what it's like to have a love for something and either never see it realized or have it snatched away. What we do in that moment determines not only the rest of our lives but what our purpose might actually be.

Take Kenyon Glover for instance. Today he seems to have it all: an amazing career as a model, actor, director, clothing line designer and he ends the year that is 2013 as an author having published his autobiography From Atlanta to Hollywood: Chasing the Dream. There seems to be very little that he can't do. Few would guess that all of what he has accomplished in the entertainment industry almost never happened. Why? Because after his NBA dreams were shattered, Glover had gotten to a point in his life where he was not only suicidal, but had actually held a gun to his head and pulled the trigger...

How was he able to realize and walk in his purpose before it was too late? That and more is what we discussed in our fascinating conversation.

KENYON GLOVER ON HIS LIFE NOW: "I'm blessed to be able to do what I have learned to love to do. It's been a heck of a journey. I have an interesting story to tell, and I hope it will inspire others to keep pushing for their dreams. I thank God for allowing me to wake up and do what I do. It's been rough. This live is one where you have to put in 120% a day. If you slack up everything can fall apart. My goal when I wake up is to make today better than yesterday. I've come a long way, and I'm appreciative for everything I've overcome and had fun doing it."

KENYON ON SPORTS: "I started playing basketball at the age 5. It was all I wanted to do. It was my dream to play in the NBA. Fortunately I had people around me that worked with me and wanted to see me succeed. I had brothers who pushed me and trained with me everyday. They made me tough and strong. It meant alot to have my family there to support me."

"I played ball through high school and had scholarship offers all around the country. I got to a point where I wanted to be: the NBA. Then 3 months after joining the Milwaukee Bucks I was injured. The doctors said I was done."

KENYON ON MOVING FORWARD: "After my NBA dream was gone I went into a total depression. I became suicidal and attempted suicide. I put a gun to my head and pulled the trigger, but the trigger got stuck. From that moment on I knew there was something else God wanted me to do.

"I started getting on my knees and praying and getting myself back together. It took me about a year. It was then that someone approached me about modeling. I got into it and before long I was working all over the country with different clothing companies. After that a friend invited me to attend an acting workshop with them. At the workshop I was asked by the acting coach to participate and fell in love with acting. It took over from there. I got to a place where I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. Basketball was put in the back of my mind. It been non-stop ever since."

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The lessons that Kenyon have learned through his experiences are ones he is passing on to all that he meets. "You can't give up," he says. "Never give up on anything. No matter what, continue to pursue your dreams."

I asked him about the attention he gets from being in front of the camera and if it was something he was completely comfortable with. "It's been very comfortable for me," he replied. "I see it as a way of using it to my advantage. If I can inspire someone else to achieve what they want to achieve it's all worth it."

The projects that appeal the most to the mogul are action projects. "Those are the the roles that attract me," he says. "I like being the good guy that saves the day."

Outside of those that support him in person from project to project is his amazing online audience that follow him on each step of his journey. "I love social media because it connects you with your fans. They want to know more about you as a person, and I am able to talk with them one on one." Kenyon also using the online tools to grow as well. "I try to get advice and suggestions from my peers," he says. "I'm constantly picking their brains, because they are where I want to be. I'm really thankful for those who support me. It's good to know that they care and like what I have going on. I respect that."

There's a lot to look forward to from the man that is living his life on purpose. Kenyon has added another title to his name: that of director. His first short film is called LEAGUE OF REDEMPTION. He is also gearing up for the next season of his popular web series ANICA and promoting his newly launched clothing line called LDG which stands for League of Distinguished Gentlemen. Kenyon explains: "The main purpose was to be a movement. It's caters towards men who are making positive moves, are role models and giving back to their communities. When you have on LDG I want you to feel like you are part of something good."

To stay in contact with Glover visit his website www.kenyonglover.com and check him out on the social networking sites at www.facebook.com/kenyondglover  and www.twitter.com/kenyonglover. You can find out more about the clothing line at www.lodgclothing.com.


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REVIEW: From Atlanta to Hollywood (Chasing A Dream)
by Cyrus Webb

A lot of times when it comes to someone in the public eye we just focus on the good they are doing or on the success. Few, however, know the path that they had to travel in order to get there or the challenges that could have stopped them along the way.

In his book FROM ATLANTA TO HOLLYWOOD: Chasing A Dream, renaissance man Kenyon Glover shares not just the highs of his life but what it was like for him to rise from a past of abuse, bad decisions and betrayal to be respected as an actor, director and business man.

I have interviewed Glover a few times on Conversations LIVE Radio, but a great deal of what he shares in the book was new to me. I think it really does give a glimpse into what it takes to make it in life and how you can't allow a setback or a bad situation to define you.

After dealing with a dark chapter in his life and attempting to end it all Glover came away with this revelation: "God had a plan for me and that was God's way of telling me that He ain't done with me yet." After that he was able to refocus his life and even was able to inspire others because of his positive outlook and determination. When it comes to his family he says that they have helped him to realize what is ultimately important. "I have learned that sometimes you have to put yourself and your dreams aside and put your family ahead of your dreams...Now when I walk into auditions or gigs, I have a sense of security because I know I have a family at home waiting on me that loves me no matter what. Whether I succeed or if I fail, they are going to love me regardless."

This entire book is a life lesson for us all. Regardless of what you are going through or what you might face, the important thing is to never give up on what is important. The road may not always be easy, but if you stick to the journey it will be worth it.