More heart, more passion with Ashon Avent: From teen parent to father of five, an entrepreneur shares his story of growth
Ashon Avent’s family building journey started at the age of 16. Now, at 41, with five children, he is the Owner of Main Event Sports & Apparel, as well as I 2 Can Be Healthy LLC, where he helps people who have diabetes and obesity make healthy choices.
In this episode, Ashon shares the story of his journey from a high school athlete and dad to businessman and family man. Detailing monumental moments of growth and learning, he describes what it’s like to feel the pressure to provide for his child and figure out what to do with his life as a teenager, as well as navigate adulthood with an unconventional family dynamic. Ashon shares powerful lessons he’s learned from his time as an athlete, his college brotherhood, and his own parents. He also emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining bonds with family members and apologizing when you know you’ve made a mistake.
Takeaways:
You have to invest in your children to help them grow. Give them experiences and opportunities to do something different, something you think they would latch onto.
Ashon was part of a brotherhood in college that helped him develop vulnerability, trust, emotional expression, and leadership. These qualities are important in being a man, a parent, a partner, and a friend.
You don’t have to be the smartest or most skilled person, you just have to work hard.
It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. Sometimes families aren’t started in the most ideal way, but it’s never too late for you to make changes.
Through failures is where you gain your greatest wisdom.
The most selfless thing you’ll ever do is to give up a part of you for your kids. It’s okay to be selfish sometimes to make sure you’re happy and healthy.
Ashon’s definition of family: Family is not always the people that you were born with, but it’s the people that you choose to keep in your life along the way. It’s giving love but also learning how to receive love.
In This Episode:
[ 1:47 ] Ashon’s early life
[ 3:21 ] How Ashon defines healthy relationships + Identifying good people to surround yourself with
[ 5:04 ] What was it like to become a parent at 16?
[ 8:23 ] Ashon’s school provided the necessary support for him
[ 9:25 ] Role models he looked to as an example of a great parent
[ 10:06 ] Do your kids take after your willfulness and business savviness?
[ 12:58 ] Ashon’s professional journey from a high school athlete and dad to business man with a family of 7
[ 16:38 ] Ashon’s coaching style: How many of your experiences in high school and college are reflected in the way you coach people?
[ 18:16 ] Do you push your kids the same way you push your health coaching clients?
[ 19:24 ] Why his parenting has changed over the years + What he learned between his first child and his last two babies
[ 20:31 ] How M.A.L.E.S (Men Achieving Leadership Excellence and Success) helped develop him into the man he is today
[ 25:43 ] Incorporating vulnerability, trust, emotional expression, and leadership into parenting, relationships, and everyday life
[ 26:06 ] What prompted you to get your MBA and how did you feel when you graduated?
[ 27:33 ] What is it like to watch your child be a parent?
[ 28:30 ] The legacy Ashon wants to leave for his family
[ 29:47 ] Was there a moment you thought of not participating as a dad?
[ 30:39 ] Ashon’s message about starting a family
[ 31:11 ] Having the courage to apologize to his children + The difference between a relationship and a bond
[ 33:41 ] Wisdom that Ashon shares with his children + Embracing failure and vulnerability
[ 35:40 ] Ashon’s definition of family
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