Doesn’t get Easy You Just Get Stronger With Terrell M Sumpter

Whats your Backstory 

Terrell M Sumpter is 26 years of age originally from Philadelphia PA born and raised where he spent most of his days. A kid who is the youngest of 4 and someone who valued family more than anything. Growing up in the trenches of Philadelphia was a bit tough, at age five Terrell lost his mother due to cancer and it left him in a world of hurt. Terrell and his mother shared a very strong bond that could never be broken she was like his best friend. It was a big loss for Terrell and his family to face which left them heartbroken. He just didn’t know what the future will hold for him and after the passing of his mother he had split up with his brothers and sister and moved in with his Aunt Gladys who lived in North Philadelphia for a while. 

He was struggling with education didn’t really know basic math or reading and his aunt and sister helped him develop those strengths and skills. It was tough,  here you have kid who lost the closest person to him. Terrell says it wasn’t easy losing the one who knew him most and before bed he will just break down. You only get one mom, please cherish her to the fullest, communicate daily and appreciate her. Most importantly tell her “I love you after every conversation you just never know when that will be the last convo you two have. He learned that he had to make his momma proud somehow someway. 

He started dealing with a lot depression, anxiety, anger and behavior issues. Another event, occurred in his young years where Terrell’s close friend had got shot and killed in the streets of North Philadelphia. He says this is somebody who many people respected and just a week before his death he talked about how he wanted to leave the streets alone and do right by his family no more hustling no more drugs than later the next week he was murdered. It was a hard pill to swallow and just could not take it anymore with so much death and losing loved ones and good people in his life. “It’s like when you want to change, there’s people out there who will do their best to make sure you don’t and it’s scary you know”.

 A year later Terrell moved with brother El who raised him and was there every step of the way of his young life. Terrell experienced so much at a very young age in his neighborhoods from drugs, guns and senseless acts. Growing up you thought being on the corner was cool or “bussing traps in the alley” was the life and really it wasn’t. “I thought that’s where the real money was at because I have seen up close “real street hustlers” counting up hundreds and thousands of dollars that any young kid would be mesmerized to see and later in life those same people end up falling victim to the streets because of beef, envious people or just didn’t have any plan to turn their lives around. Later in his teens years Terrell started to run in the streets more, leave school early and do what he wanted to do not what he needed to. 

Terrell started to make poor decisions and started to get himself into trouble with the law but he took responsibility and accountability for his actions. Truth be told “I was a humble dude and A focus for me was to just live and maintain and take care of my family.” “I did that by hustling and saving every penny that was just the only option I knew that someday I would be able to leave the city of Philly because it just wasn’t nothing promised there. 

“A greater influence in my life at the time was my brother El who also worked in Law Enforcement. He did all he could for our family especially me and my sister. He was there and came through for any situation. I just wanted to  take my own route and learn the hard way from a high-profile juvenile case and city riot I had got arrested at age 14 did juvenile time in the placement centers and also juvenile boot camps. After a while I started to take it easy and do good from 3 years of house arrest and 5 years on probation. I learned from my mistakes and just knew if I would continue to live reckless it will be just the price to pay. Life’s too short but it can be long when you just decided to do right. People close to me were either in the streets hustling or in jail “just the life we chose”. 

“ I decided to smarten as I got a little older and started separating from the distractions” . It was for the best, Terrell started to think about the life he desired and started to hustle more as a deli clerk and as a drug dealer and saving money was the method. He started to get that feeling that there was more out there than just “quarter hugs and alleyways”. 

He made a brave decision at 19 that changed his life to leave it all behind finally step out the nest and move to Sunny Florida. Terrell had $60,000 saved up from slicing meat at a $7-hour wage grocery store weekly pay and much more from the drugs he sold. He decided to take the step and leave home Terrell had paid his way and rode the greyhound bus 18 plus hour ride and it was all self-sufficient. 

“One of the best decisions I ever made and known it could lead to new beginnings and better lifestyle living. I went the traditional right went to a private college studied Criminal Justice of Homeland Security I wanted to go to the navy that was the plan. I must admit I hit rock bottom many times and learned a lot about my-self to be stronger. I started to learn that I will get through this with the grace of the man above and manage to complete college with honors being awarded on the dean’s list 4 times later graduated with My Bachelor of Science degree in summer of 2016 which helped me later discover my true calling and mission” . 

Terrell is an overcomer and dreamer, life strategist who is super passionate about helping and guiding people out their comfort zones and into their Throne. He learned from his past experiences that life will never be easy nor a promise and life is what you make it so make it worthwhile. I now spend time being an advocate and a mentor for at risk youth.

 “ I am guiding them through their every life challenge with principles I have applied to my life that has helped me transform to be the elite leader I stand to be today. I have come such a long way and I am a  full-time orator and mentor who spends time mentoring students, athletes teaching them the fundamentals of what it takes to be the very best you. To look at your mistakes as lessons and allow adversity, struggle and hardships as a tool to grow. You may face pain but will you heal trust your journey. I have taken the extra mile to get each of these individuals focused and allowing them to know it is possible to reach new heights when you believe, trust, go for it and surround yourself with like minded people who will support, challenge and encourage you every step of the way”. 

There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work then to follow what matters most your passion. I have learned through this journey that this is much bigger than me. In a way that serves the world. The ability to help others will help you become the leader you desire be and help you reach heights you aspire to see. It is a truly calling and what makes the world a great place is the great people in it striving and thriving every day to make this world a better place. Our next generation, we must not judge or belittle but let’s lead by example and provide them with the proper tools, techniques and leadership to help them achieve greatness is a priceless feeling and give back to those who need it mostly”.

What made you decide to choose this career path? 

I decided to choose the personal development path because there’s so many people who need it. The personal development platform has allowed me to grow as a leader and being able to help others. The path of committing to life learning, studying, connecting and building with other like mind professionals who are on a similar mission. This career path is not the traditional but has also been a huge shift and transformation along my journey. It will be challenging but rewarding there’s a lot of work to come but it will take commitment and consistency which makes the path and journey worthwhile.

 I chose this career path because I also wanted to give back to my communities and lift communities across the world in an extraordinary way. I studied greatness and those who paved the way and to see how so much success was achieved but not giving people a hand out but a hand up and who has made tremendous difference around the world. 

I chose this path to help the younger generation that there is more out there for you and to know it’s possible. I decided to do what’s best for and just wanted to strive the be the best version of myself and to make an impact on many people who are lost, trying to find that career or niche. 

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that? 

When I first started, I wasn’t sure of my direction but I know I just wanted to put out great, meaningful and positive content to the universe. I was focused on more building brand and something that will impact millions of people. The mistake I made was just not connecting with other like minded people or not being to engaging with my community. When I started to build my social media presence and platform, I thought Instagram was only for pictures because that’s what I use to see and I wanted to bring a lot more similar to what some leaders were doing already.

It took me awhile to be more vulnerable to understand social media and to connect with people. I just wanted to do everything on my own and didn’t feel like I needed help to a great platform but there’s somebody who needs somebody. My advice to those building their social media presence and aspire to make a difference reach out and connect with others who are at a place you desire to get to. 

Do not be closed in and be open to new opportunities if it does resonate with your journey, if it can serve you, you’re bound to grow. That’s a mistake I made, I wasn’t connecting with people and it was purpose to connect with other purpose driven professionals across the world because it’s important and I learned to become more connected with the help and tools from supportive coaches, mentors and close people in my life. Surround yourself with those are willing to lift you high, people you can collaborate with on exciting projects to bring upon difference. When other like strong minded people come together extraordinary things happen. “Every expert was once a beginner” and we all have that one or two silly mistakes learned from the experience and it has helped us grow to be the creative, empowering and influential people we stand to be today. 

What do you think makes your company/personal brand stand out? 

The unique thing that makes my company/ personal stand out is individuality and originality. Also, the tremendous value I add to a community, clients, listeners and many more. The engagement and connection with those are really intrigued by my work, mission and consistency. 

Many people are intrigued by my brand name “The Inspire Before We Expire” which catches many people’s attention and to know I am living by that brand name and wasn’t over night to create this platform but I decided to take a step and use my life’s experience as a plus into my platform that has helped me become the elite leader and build a successful personal brand online that is now expanding and has opened so many doors.

What makes my personal brand stand out is staying true to myself, commitment and capturing the audience attention on another extraordinary level. The helping and guiding the next generation through the process, challenges, fear and comfort zone. I believe in consistency and proven methods and tools that has helped my personal brand continuously grows. 

I have built a great authentic brand from the ground up focused more building my brand while studying greatness and just implement more twists in my brand which added to the juice. An important thing when it comes to your brand is to know your audience, they play a big role in your growth, career and journey. 

The more and more people impacted by my message and story the bigger the reach of lives being changed. I am very consistent and that has allowed me to come this far and continuously put out great content. Another thing, that makes my brand stand out is my podcast show The Inspire Before We Expire where I bring some of the most influential and inspiring people to my show to share their journey to help others get from their breaking points to reach their breakthrough. 

What’s a quote that you live by? 

“Believe in yourself and all that you are, know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle”.

– Terrell M Sumpter