Extract from Eric's website: http://www.ericbaileyglobal.com/about-eric-bailey.php

The Story of a Vision   

The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, and this you will become. – James Allen

On the rainy evening of November 26, 1960 in South Central Los Angeles, Eric Bailey came into the world. His story, one of success against overwhelming odds, was just beginning.

At birth Eric was identified as having Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, a congenital deformity of the knee joint. Unwilling and unable to handle the responsibility of caring for a disabled newborn, Eric’s biological parents gave him up for adoption.

Growing up in South Central L.A. Eric was forced to confront the significant barriers around him. Abject poverty, crime, drug abuse, inadequate medical care, a flawed educational system and negative peer influence were problems he routinely faced. Many told him of an inevitable fate: gang violence, drug addiction, prison or death. The message was simple – You are destined to be an uneducated, disabled black man who will never amount to anything.

They were wrong.

Eric, even from an early age, had an innate visionary ability. Supported by his adoptive parents he began to craft a vision for himself far exceeding the minimal expectations foisted upon him. His parents constantly reminded him that, “Life stops when you stop!”

He realized that true vision meant transforming your perspective on the challenges in your life. He refused to let his challenges become barriers. They were going to be lessons to learn from. Weights to train with. Not something to keep him down. Something to make him stronger.

In spite of his knee disease, which doctors said would rule out any athletic endeavors in life, Eric was determined to play basketball. He made his high school team, training for up to 35 hours a week. His diligence was rewarded and by the time he graduated he had earned numerous awards, including Player of the Year, All CIF (California Interscholastic Federation), All City and Most Valuable Player.

In class, however, Eric struggled. Initial rejection by all of the colleges he applied to was something he took in stride. Undeterred, Eric went to a junior college to improve his grades and ended up obtaining a scholarship to Boise State University.

Though passed over in the NBA draft he was determined to play pro basketball and headed off to Australia for a career in the NBL. Eric went on to a successful pro career, playing for over a decade with the Hobart Devils, Melbourne Tigers, Gippsland Lakers, Gold Coast Rollers, and Southern District Spartans.

After retiring from his basketball career Eric went on to have a successful career as a top salesman with a number of companies. He has organized children’s charity events and hosted celebrity basketball tournaments alongside the likes of ex-NBA phenomenon Michael Jordan and movie star Jamie Foxx. Eric also hosted an on-air radio show for 3 years and wrote a weekly newspaper column on the topics of health and motivation.

Ultimately, a desire to share his life experience and insights into the importance of vision led Eric to begin his career as a professional speaker. Since 1996 he has spoken to over 1.5 million people around the world on how to achieve personal and organizational excellence.

Eric continues to inspire audiences around the world with his story and the incredible power of vision.