It’s a quote that Chicago fitness guru Brandon Carter holds close to his heart. Because if it wasn’t for getting bullied in military school at a young age, the fitness entrepreneur wouldn’t have embarked on the difficult but rewarding journey, which led to him making such a success of his life.

Brandon grew up the hard way on the mean streets of Chicago’s Southside. Surrounded by drugs, poverty, and crime, Brandon didn’t enjoy the opportunities and options that others his age took for granted.

Fortunately for Brandon, his parents stepped in at a crucial period during his development, and in his own words, “they sent me to military school to prevent me from getting involved with the wrong people.”

Yet Brandon’s first experience of military school was extremely negative. As one of the few black kids in what was to all extent and purposes a white world, he felt out of place from day one.

Things got worse, as Brandon explains, “I was bullied a lot, and I’d get called the ‘n-word’ more than often. As a result, I’d get into fights a lot, but I’d always lose because I wasn’t as physically fit as the people I’d be fighting.”

And so, Brandon’s life settled into a routine of bullying and beatings, until one summer he began training with family friend Aaron Mohammed (Steve Harvey’s current trainer) and his life turned a corner.

Brandon revealed, “Aaron taught me to train and really kicked me into shape. I went back to school, ready to stand up to the bullies because I knew I was finally ready to fight them and win.”

Except when Brandon’s tormentors witnessed his new-found self-confidence and physical prowess, the last thing they wanted to do was pick a fight with him. Instead, the same kids who used to beat him up asked him what his secret was and began seeking tips on how to improve their own physique.

By improving his confidence and transforming the way he carried himself, Brandon experienced firsthand how training and fitness could change a person’s life.

He had found his true calling and purpose. From that day on, Brandon dedicated his life to helping others make a similar journey through self-discipline and professional training.

You might recognize Brandon in his role as a fitness model for big-name sporting brands such as Nike, Puma, Adidas, and Brand Jordan, but for the last two decades, Brandon has been busy preaching his gospel of absolute fitness as a personal trainer and nutritionist.

His online fitness business, which was launched in 2008, built a following of over three million on social media and YouTube. These days Brandon is still in the game but prefers to spend his time helping other trainers benefit from his hard-won expertise with his High Ticket Trainer program.

Brandon made his name and built a successful life for himself grounds up.

As Lou Holtz once said, “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.”

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