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Finding Gratitude in Adversity: Lessons from Robert Downey Jr.'s Journey
Episode 19822nd May 2024 • This Shit Works • Julie Brown
00:00:00 00:05:30

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In this episode Julie explores the transformative power of adversity, inspired by Robert Downey Jr.'s remarkable journey.

Downey's acknowledgment of his "terrible childhood" underscores how early experiences shape us. Despite facing addiction, incarceration, and professional setbacks, he emerged as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, thanks to his resilience.

Listen in for lessons on resilience, transformation, and finding light in the darkest of places from Downey's inspiring story.

Drink of the week….Iron Man Inspired Tony Stark Mocktail.

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Speaker:

I'd like to thank my terrible

childhood and the academy in not order.

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That was the opening line from

Robert Downey Jr's unforgettable

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academy awards, acceptance speech.

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His words were not just an acceptance

speech, but a Testament to resilience, a

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celebration of triumph, over adversity.

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And honestly, I've been thinking

about them ever since he spoke them.

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Welcome to episode 1 98 of this shit

works a podcast dedicated to all

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things, networking, relationship

building and business development.

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I'm your host, Julie Brown speaker,

author and networking coach.

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And today I'm talking about

how adversity can shape us in

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profound ways for better or worse.

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It can break us down

or it can build us up.

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It's a crucible that tests our resilience,

our strength and our character.

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My terrible childhood.

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It's a stark acknowledgement of

the struggles that shaped him.

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Childhood experiences, both good and

bad leave indelible marks on our lives.

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They mold us, shape us.

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And sometimes they scar us.

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Adversity doesn't discriminate.

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It's the great equalizer,

touching the lives of celebrities

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and everyday people alike.

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But what sets individuals apart

is how they respond to it.

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Downey Jr.

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Has spoken previously about growing

up with parents who are drug addicts

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and said that his father gave him

drugs at a very young age quote

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marijuana for the first time, age

six and a little Coke as a child.

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That lifestyle and early exposure

to drugs led to multiple arrests

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and eventually incarceration.

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For as long as five years between

:

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Was arrested as many as five times.

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He was sentenced to 15 months behind

bars due to charges related to drugs.

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The illegal substances included

heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.

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Because of this Downey Jr.

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Became uninsurable as an actor.

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After reading that last sentence,

it's surprising that that same

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person recently won an academy award.

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And is one of the highest paid actors

in Hollywood history due in large part

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to his reoccurring role as iron man.

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So with that, let's

remember that adversity.

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Isn't the end of the story.

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It's just the beginning of a new chapter.

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It's an opportunity for growth.

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For transportation and for finding

the light in the darkest places.

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It's also an opportunity to open

our hearts, to the kinds of people

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who will change us for the better.

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And not hurt us.

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In his speech, Downey Jr.

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Talks about his wife, Susan

Downey, who he humorously

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referred to as his veterinarian.

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Quote.

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She found me a snarling rescue

pet and loved me back to life.

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That's why I'm here.

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And quote.

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So many people are facing some sort

of adversity, whether it be overcoming

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the echoes of their own shitty

childhoods wrestling with self-doubt

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facing rejection, living in poverty,

dealing with a physical injury or

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a mental illness, racism, sexism,

or the myriad other isms out there.

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So as we reflect on Downey Jr's

words, let's remember that adversity.

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Isn't the end of the story.

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Like I said, it's just a chapter of

your life that you find yourself in,

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but it's also an opportunity for growth.

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Transformation and for finding

light in the darkest of places.

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Okay.

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Friends.

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Onto the drink of the week, which

since Downey Jr has been sober since

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2003, we will be featuring a mocktail.

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It is the iron man inspired

Tony stark mocktail, and here's

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what you're going to need.

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Four to five fresh raspberries

juice of half a lemon, a dash of a

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Gavi sweetener, sparkling lemonade,

and a lemon slice for garnish.

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What you're going to do is in a glass.

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You're going to combine the raspberries

of lemon juice, Nia Gavi and muddle

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metal, metal, metal, metal, and then

strain that juice, that good stuff.

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Um, Over ice and then top it

with sparkling lemonade and

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garnish it with the lemon wheel.

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All right friends.

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Short one this week, but

that's all for this week.

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If you like what you heard

today, please leave a review

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and subscribe to the podcast.

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Also, please remember to share the podcast

to help it reach a larger audience.

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If you want more, Julie

Brown, you can find my book.

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This shit works on Amazon

or Barnes and noble.

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You can find me on

LinkedIn, actually brown BD.

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Just let me know where you

found me when you reach out.

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I am Julie Brown, underscore

BD on the Instagram.

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Or you can just pop on over

to my website, Julie Brown.

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bd.com until next week.

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Cheers.

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