The man who made me realize I had a inherent talent for writing and that I need to use that Gift

Once you have reached a level of competence

You do not want to waste your time making "lateral moves"

Either move forward and up, or stay where you are until you can move forward and up

One of my first mentors taught me this

His name was Bob
In 2013, I got contacted by a magazine editor through facebook,

he had been reading my articles and facebook posts, and he offered me my first paid writing gig

I did't know him for very long, he died the next year in 2015

But he taught me some things
Bob was an intense man, and he HATED snivelers, and phonies, and idiots

"Getting paid to work with weak dumbasses is never worth the money"

He also told me never to make "lateral moves"

"It either gets you ahead, or it gets you nowhere"
Bob also was unabashedly confident in his skillset, something he made zero humble brag apologies for

"If you're good, youre GOOD, so say you're good"

He hated false humility

I talked myself down ONE time around him, and he told me to STFU and unfuck myself immediately
He also told me never to brag about anything that you're not world class at

I made reference ONE time in conversation that my Big 3 lifts were improving

"Daughter, I've trained high school boys who bench press 405 for reps

If you're not world class,

NO ONE GIVES A FUCK"
"You're amazing at two thing, WRITING and TEACHING

So fucking DO THAT"

He did not waste words at all

-I was only...23-24 when I met him, I was not who I am now obviously

I loved him for how HARSH he was

It wasn't malicious or vindictive

He simply brooked no shit
Bob had been a high school football coach for around 20 years

He didnt endure waste, laziness, or emotional bullshit

He got called an asshole constantly

That said, he also was very compassionate for the people he coached and mentored
The best Men I've known have all been called assholes

They're also the most compassionate Men I know

That is not coincidence

Nice men are disgusting. Most of all the ones who pretend to care about everything and everyone
Bob died on Birthday, April 4th

He was the catalyst that made me realize I have a inherent talent for writing and that I need to use that Gift

I wish I could still talk to him, I miss him
Maybe I'll tell more of the story later on

I would also like to dedicate his article to @ashucoin for nominating me at @themarkymark contest. I am really grateful for the honour and I look forward to winning that prize.