Episode #327

From Ghetto to Greatness: The True Story of Jamaican Olympic Bobsledder Devon Harris

Key Takeaways

Adopt a growth mindset by reframing limits as temporary—shift from “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet.”

High expectations and strong belief drive performance—rise to the standard of the jersey you wear and the team you represent.

Relentless learning and extra reps compound—observe the best, reverse engineer their methods, and outwork others to compress the learning curve.

Top Quotes

I can't do this yet.

keep on pushing

We never once doubted that it wasn't going to happen.

Episode Summary

The world should never have heard of Devon Harris yet he became a 3-time Olympian, an author, and a highly sought-after international motivational keynote speaker. 

Devon Harris was raised in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica, yet he graduated from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and served as an officer in the Jamaica Defence Force. He started off as a barefoot boy trying to win a track race and became a member of his country’s first Olympic bobsled team.

Since his days on the bobsled slope, Devon Harris has become a top corporate keynote speaker and author, sharing his philosophy of Keep On Pushing and never stop dreaming with Fortune 100 companies across many industries.

He is the founder and CEO of the Keep On Pushing Foundation, a New York-based charity focused on helping children in disadvantaged communities receive a quality education.

He is also the author of the motivational children’s book, Yes, I Can! and the semi-autobiographical motivational book Keep On Pushing: Hot Lessons From Cool Runnings.

Devon joins us in this episode to share his inspiring experiences of success through failure; reminding us to dream big and to keep pushing to make the impossible possible. Tune in now.

Guest Bio & Links

Similar Episodes