Never Give Up | A Heartfelt & Enduring Message from the Legendary Basketball Coach Jimmy V
The Break Free Newsletter - Edition #14
Today, I am going to share with you my favorite speech of all-time. I typically watch it once every 3 months to refresh my senses and to keep my fire kindled inside.
Jimmy Valvano’s “Never Give Up” speech.
Jimmy Valvano, a renowned college basketball coach who won a national championship, gave this speech at the ESPY Awards in 1993 after being awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his remarkable courage in the face of terminal cancer.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports and embody the spirit of courage and perseverance.
Valvano, who was battling terminal cancer at the time, was recognized for his remarkable courage in the face of adversity and his inspirational approach to life. His speech at the ESPYs became one of the most memorable moments in the history of the awards show, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who heard it - including myself.
Never Give Up | A Heartfelt & Enduring Message from the Legendary Basketball Coach Jimmy V
I can’t watch this speech without shedding a tear and feeling inspired. This speech holds a special place in my heart. It hits home. It’s important.
In this speech, Valvano states “it’s important to know where you are” when reflecting on your life and in the spirit of this motto, I aim at least every 3 months to spend time to watch Jimmy V’s courageous message and to spend time deep in my thoughts, emotions, and dreams for the future.
Ultimately, this practice is an analysis of the state of my human experience and if I am spending time to laugh, think, and cry everyday.
This speech always pulls out of me important questions that may be lying dormant, such as: What are my dreams? What gets me out of bed in the morning? What are my passions? What am I grateful for? Where was I at 3 months ago and where am I going today?
One thing that porn has robbed from me in the past were these emotional questions - these questions that have deep meaning and hold great passion.
When I was in porn prison, I was numbed out to even the great words of the heroic Jimmy V.
The time for that is over.
I don’t want to be numb, I want to live.
We all need to live our lives.
We all need to laugh, think, and cry as much as possible because those are indications that we are alive.
I challenge you this week to be moved to tears.
I challenge you this week to think long and hard about where you are today and where you want to be in the future.
I challenge you this week to laugh until your stomach hurts.
I challenge you this week to feel alive.
Featured Articles & Video
This is a great article that I had the honor to co-write with
!
Check out my most recent podcast episode where I discuss with the importance of finding your calling and pursuing your purpose!
Building Momentum
52 Weeks of Freedom Series: Welcome to 2025, the year of Undivided Triumph! I'm dedicated to helping you achieve a porn-free year with a structured, week-by-week plan, a post each Friday this year, that builds a strong foundation for your future.
Join the Journey: Start with Week 1 - The Year Ahead – Recognizing the Problem and become part of the Porn Free Millennial community committed to breaking free from porn addiction.
Practical Tips: Jimmy V’s 5 Plays for Breaking Free
1. Never Stop Fighting – Stay in the Game
Jimmy V’s most famous words are a rallying cry for anyone facing a daunting challenge. Recovery and redemption is not about perfection, it’s about persistence. Even when it feels like you’re losing, staying in the game is the victory. Every time you fight the urge to give in, you’re proving that you refuse to quit.
2. Reclaim Your Time – Make Every Moment Count
Time is a gift, and addiction has a way of stealing it. Take back control by creating meaningful routines that reflect your values. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, journaling, or pursuing a hobby, every reclaimed moment is a step toward a better future. Make the most of your days and spend them with enthusiasm, because each day matters.
3. Embrace Your Emotions – Laugh, Think, Cry
Recovery reconnects you with feelings you may have tried to numb through addiction. Let yourself laugh at small joys, reflect deeply on your progress, and release pain when it surfaces. These emotions are signs of growth → they remind you that you’re alive, healing, and becoming whole again.
4. Build Your Legacy – Leave Addiction and/or Destructive Behaviors Behind
Like Jimmy V, you’re fighting for something bigger than yourself. This battle may have taken pieces of your past, but it cannot define your future. By committing to recovery, you’re creating a legacy of courage, integrity, and hope, not just for you, but for your loved ones and anyone inspired by your journey.
5. Celebrate Every Victory – Dream Big, Work Hard
Recovery isn’t just about breaking free from addiction; it’s about building a life you’re excited to live. Set a clear vision for the future—what does freedom look like for you? Then, tackle it one small step at a time. Each victory, no matter how small, brings you closer to your dream. Enthusiasm and consistent effort will turn your vision into reality.
Community Spotlight
- This is what it is all about! Improving ourselves so that we can one day help others! Keep up the self-development and mindset!
Reflection
“Every single day and in every walk of life, ordinary people do extraordinary things!” - Jimmy V
Witness the legendary moment when Jimmy V’s NC State Wolfpack pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history!
Additional Resources
Book of the Month that I am currently reading (finishing up soon, I am a slow reader - aiming to finish by end of the month)
Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking by Laila Micklewait
Porn Free Millennial Podcast of the Week:
Apps to Help You Stay Focused On Your Recovery:
Freedom - Blocks distracting apps
Stay Focused - Limits your screen time
I am Sober - Tracks your sobriety down to the second
A Call to Action: Your Challenge for the Week
This week, I challenge you to laugh, think, and cry. Let yourself experience the full range of emotions → joy, reflection, and even tears. Recovery is as much about reconnecting with your heart as it is about breaking free from old habits.
Spend time in deep thought or meditation. A simple practice like 4-7-8 breathing can help quiet your mind and bring clarity. Here’s how it works: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale slowly for 8 seconds. Repeat this for a few cycles and notice how it grounds you in the moment.
Let your emotions come to the surface. Feel them fully, don’t suppress them. This process isn’t just healing; it’s transformational.
Learn a powerful relaxation technique as demonstrated by Dr. Weil. The 4-7-8 breathing is a daily practice that can bring great calmness to the body. Four, Seven, Eight breathing - the gist is to do 4 cycles of these breaths, not necessarily sticking to the exact count down to the second.
Closing Remarks: Your Next Play | Keep Fighting for Freedom
Jimmy V’s words remind us that life is a fight worth giving everything we’ve got. Whether you're battling addiction, breaking free from destructive habits, or just trying to become a better version of yourself, his message is clear: Never give up, never stop dreaming, and never stop moving forward.
The journey isn’t easy, but every step you take matters. Celebrate the small wins, lean into your emotions, and stay focused on your goal. Recovery is possible, and with persistence, purpose, and a little courage, you can rewrite your story and leave behind a legacy of freedom and hope.
So today, ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take toward my dream of freedom? Then take it. And remember, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
Keep going. You’re stronger than you know.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Break Free.
Be Free.
Stay Free.
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Let’s thrive together and break the chains that bind us!
Podcast: Listen to the Porn Free Millennial podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Substack: Explore my fictional writings on Mac’s Musings Substack.
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Amazing speech. What a guy
There are some interesting looking books that I’ve seen by Gabor Matè. The one I really want to read is called in the realm of hungry ghosts.