In this episode of The Daily Helping, we welcome the extraordinary Asante Cleveland, a former NFL tight end known for his tenure with the 49ers, Patriots, and Chargers. Asante now steps into the spotlight for a different reason: to share his deeply personal journey, as chronicled in his recent book, "Walking Through the Dark."
Despite Asante's triumphant sports career, he had to navigate a challenging upbringing to get there—an upbringing marred by an abusive household. He details his father's intervention, a former NFL player himself, and the life-changing assistance of his friend’s mother. In this powerful recounting, Asante discusses his shift from a volatile home to a stable environment under his father's guidance, where his passion for sports truly blossomed.
From soccer to basketball to football—his ultimate path—Asante’s athletic career began to take shape somewhat unexpectedly when he received an offer to play football in high school. His story continued at the University of Miami, setting the stage for his future NFL career.
The undercurrent of this conversation is resilience. Throughout his story, Asante unpacks the deeply ingrained effects of his childhood abuse, a trauma that remained present even as he made significant strides on the football field.
The release of "Walking Through the Dark" during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns resonated with those facing their own adversity and hardship, particularly those in abusive situations. Asante's intention with the book is clear: to inspire those in similar situations, illuminate the power of resilience, and encourage forgiveness.
Through introspection and self-discovery, Asante found his true calling: aiding athletes, particularly during their transition periods. Leveraging his own experiences and his platform, he seeks to promote mental health and personal understanding within the athletic community. He plans to write more books focusing on mental health challenges that athletes face during transitions, to continue aiding young athletes, and to use his unique voice to advocate for resilience and recovery from trauma. Asante's journey highlights the therapeutic power of sharing our stories and confronting the past.
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
“Do your best. That is the most important thing that I've learned. When I was a kid playing basketball, this kid kicked my butt up and down the court. It was bizarre to me because I was a good soccer player and this was my first time playing basketball. So I figured since I'm good at soccer, of course I'm good at basketball too. And I was humbled. On the ride home, as I'm pouting in the car, my dad stops at this high school that has these outdoor basketball courts near our house. He stops the car and says, ‘Asante, I'm gonna walk down to that far baseline. And when I turn around, if you're not standing at the free throw line, I'm just gonna walk back to the car and we'll never talk about it again. But if you wanna be great, you will meet me at the free throw line.’ So he gets out and just walks. I eventually follow him. But once we finally meet, he gives me a big hug and says, ‘That kid wasn't better than you, but he has put in more work than you have.’ So whatever you wanna be great at, it takes work. It's not just gonna happen. You have to be committed and dedicated to it.”
--
Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.
Resources:
Produced by Nova Media