How sports influence my life | James ZHAO | TEDxWukangRd

Summary

James Jorgenkong shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and finding strength through sport. Raised by immigrant parents in Australia, he faced challenges with identity, family estrangement, and bullying. Despite these struggles, sports like rugby offered him a sense of belonging and connection. After being kicked out of home at 16, James was taken in by his coach and his wife, who supported him through his final school years, teaching him life lessons and offering him a second chance. His story emphasizes the power of mentorship, resilience, and how sport can transform lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 James Jorgenkong admits he's not the greatest at being in the spotlight, but he values relatability over perfection.
• 😀 He acknowledges his insecurities, such as feeling overshadowed by his girlfriend's physique, yet strives to connect with others through his struggles.
• 😀 James’ parents were first-generation migrants, and their lack of resources and language skills made his early years challenging.
• 😀 His early life involved a significant cultural adjustment, including being sent back to China as an infant and later reuniting with his father in Australia.
• 😀 Sports, especially rugby, played a crucial role in helping James fit in and build meaningful relationships despite being an outsider due to his ethnicity and language barriers.
• 😀 James’ mother, a successful businesswoman, was often absent due to her work commitments, leading to emotional distance between them.
• 😀 At the age of 16, after being kicked out by his mother, James faced homelessness but found refuge with his rugby coach Dan and his wife Roxanne.
• 😀 Dan and Roxanne not only provided a home for James but also covered his education fees, giving him the chance to focus on his studies and future.
• 😀 James credits Dan, Roxanne, and his rugby mentor Ian Brown for shaping him into the person he is today, offering both practical skills and emotional support.
• 😀 As a coach and fitness KOL, James believes it's his responsibility to show his imperfections, teaching that vulnerability is key to building connections.
• 😀 He concludes with a quote from Nelson Mandela, highlighting how sport can unite people, inspire hope, and create positive change in the world.

Q & A

What challenges did James face in his early life?

James faced several challenges in his early life, including being raised by first-generation migrant parents with little knowledge of the local language, being one of the few Asian kids in a small town with little English, and experiencing bullying. Additionally, his parents separated when he was young, and he struggled with his relationship with his mother due to her lack of time and attention as she focused on her business.

How did rugby play a role in James' life?

Rugby played a crucial role in James' life by providing a way for him to fit in and connect with others. It helped him form meaningful relationships and gave him a sense of belonging in a community, despite being different and facing language barriers. His love for rugby also opened doors for him to connect with mentors and coaches who influenced his life positively.

What impact did James' mother’s business success have on him?

While James' mother’s business success enabled her to provide him with material possessions, it also led to a growing emotional distance between them. Her success meant she had little time for James, and they became more like roommates than a mother and son, which contributed to the strained relationship between them.

How did James' relationship with his parents affect him as a teenager?

James’ relationship with his parents became increasingly strained, especially after his parents’ separation. At 16, after a conflict with his mother, he was kicked out of home. Seeking refuge with his father, he discovered that his father did not have a home for him either, which left James feeling abandoned and alone.

What role did Dan and Roxanne, James' rugby coach and his wife, play in his life?

Dan and Roxanne provided James with a home when he had nowhere to go. They covered his living and educational expenses during his final year of high school, allowing him to focus on his studies. Their support not only offered him practical help but also emotional guidance, teaching him life skills and giving him a sense of love and belonging.

Who is Ian Brown, and how did he contribute to James' life?

Ian Brown was James' rugby coach from a young age. He played a significant role in James' life by being a consistent presence, driving him to training, and helping him stay involved in rugby. Ian's generosity and kindness made him a second father figure to James, and his support helped James persevere through difficult times.

What does James mean when he says that coaches and fitness KOLs should not just teach how to get six-pack abs?

James believes that coaches and fitness KOLs have a greater responsibility than just teaching physical skills like getting six-pack abs. He emphasizes the importance of showing vulnerability, demonstrating that even mentors are not perfect, and offering support and guidance in overcoming personal struggles, thereby creating a deeper connection with their audience.

How did James’ experiences shape his views on mentorship and support?

James’ experiences of being taken in by strangers like Dan and Roxanne, as well as the kindness of figures like Ian, shaped his views on mentorship and support. He learned that true mentorship involves more than just offering practical help; it also means providing emotional guidance, showing compassion, and being there when someone needs support the most.

What is the significance of Nelson Mandela’s quote in James' speech?

The quote from Nelson Mandela—'Sport has the power to change the world'—is significant because it encapsulates how sport was a transformative force in James’ life. It allowed him to connect with others despite language barriers, gave him hope during challenging times, and ultimately inspired him to help others in the same way that sport had helped him.

What message does James hope to convey to his audience at the end of his speech?

At the end of his speech, James hopes to inspire his audience by sharing how sport changed his life and how mentorship played a key role in his personal growth. He emphasizes that, like sport, challenges and struggles are part of life, but through mentorship and support, anyone can overcome adversity and find hope.