Croix Sather, marathoner, author and inspirational speaker, spent time in Vero Beach last Friday to share his “Dream Big and Act” message with United Against Poverty STEP (Success Training for Employment Program) participants, before also visiting later that day with guests at an afternoon reception at Vero Strength + Conditioning.
Sather ran across America, running a marathon a day for 100 consecutive days, as he toured the country on what he deemed a “coddiwomple.” Each evening he spoke with nonprofit support groups, frequently with individuals recovering from addiction, the homeless and veterans. Sather’s experiences resonate with audiences; his inspirational message essentially follows his own life-changing realization that all it takes to make a change in your life is that first step.
“Croix is a motivational speaker and athlete who had a moment in his life where he decided to make a change,” explained UP Executive Director Annabel Robertson. “That is essentially what our STEP program is about. People who are motivated to make a change and then providing them with the support they need to make that change.”
Robertson explained that a key aspect of STEP is emotional intelligence. “We teach people to understand their emotions, how they respond to the world and how to use their own internal power to motivate themselves.”
Sather shared his motivational journey, from the moment he decided he wasn’t happy with his life as a carpenter to the grueling 2,621-mile run across the country and later the 146-mile unassisted run he made through Death Valley.
Sather related that an assistant principal told him in high school that he wouldn’t amount to anything, something many UP clients have also experienced throughout their lives.
“I got tired of being ordinary and realized I needed to change my own life. We all have a seed of greatness inside,” shared Sather. “You can do so much more than you are doing now. If I listened to others I never would have written a book, run across America or through Death Valley.”
Pointing out that most people are held back by something irrational and manufactured in their own mind, he added, “It’s that irrational fear that stops us from trying.”
He indicated that while desire and drive must come from within, it takes the support and guidance of others to attain greatness, whether the goal is to run a marathon, get an education or leave an unhealthy relationship.
“Take action and stop doing stuff that doesn’t serve you,” Sather advised.
The focus of UP is to inspire and empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic sufficiency through education, crisis stabilization, job training and food assistance. As one of the busiest single-site social service agencies in the state, the Indian River County center serves roughly 600 individuals each day and has an 86 percent success rate, ultimately providing a $2.4 million impact on the community.
