With the proper motivation, you can do anything. I was just a

Hear these words, O seekers of perseverance, from Lee Haney, eight-time Mr. Olympia, who declared: “With the proper motivation, you can do anything. I was just a poor kid that ate pork and beans out of a can and apple sauce. I went from rags to riches. But it does take a lot of determination, inner strength, drive, and discipline.” His testimony is not only the story of a champion’s rise, but also a sacred teaching about the power of the human spirit when joined with motivation and unwavering will.

The origin of these words lies in Haney’s journey from poverty to greatness. He was not born into abundance, nor did the path of comfort lay before him. Instead, he began in struggle, sustained by simple meals and the dream of becoming more than his circumstances. Through discipline in training, drive in ambition, and the cultivation of inner strength, he rose to claim the highest honors in the world of bodybuilding. His journey mirrors the ancient truth: greatness is not inherited, it is forged.

Consider the imagery of “pork and beans out of a can.” It symbolizes both deprivation and humble beginnings. From such scarcity, many might surrender to despair, yet Haney used it as fuel for his fire. He proves that the measure of a man is not in the wealth of his childhood, but in the resolve of his heart. The humble meal becomes a symbol of transformation, for from meager sustenance he built a body and spirit of monumental power.

History abounds with similar examples. Recall Abraham Lincoln, who grew up in poverty, reading by firelight in a log cabin, yet rose to become one of the most revered leaders in history. Or consider Booker T. Washington, born into slavery, who through discipline and determination became a leading educator and orator, reshaping the destiny of his people. Like Haney, they remind us that beginnings may be humble, but endings may be glorious, if forged with drive and discipline.

Emotionally, Haney’s words cut through illusion. Too often, people imagine greatness as the fruit of luck, talent, or inheritance. Yet he unmasks the truth: motivation is the spark, but only discipline and inner strength keep the flame alive. Without discipline, motivation fades. Without inner strength, drive falters. His life teaches us that the union of these virtues transforms hunger into victory, weakness into resilience, and poverty into triumph.

The lesson for all is clear: nurture motivation, but do not depend on it alone. Build the habits of discipline, train your spirit in inner strength, and cultivate the drive to persist when the road is long. Do not despise humble beginnings, for they may be the very soil from which greatness grows. What matters is not where you begin, but the strength with which you endure and the will with which you rise.

O seeker of wisdom, take this teaching into your life. Begin each day not with despair for what you lack, but with gratitude for the chance to grow. Let your struggles shape you, not break you. Feed your body with endurance, your mind with focus, and your soul with courage. And when you falter, remember Haney’s path: from poverty to mastery, from humble meals to eternal renown.

Finally, let this truth endure across the ages: the true wealth of a man is not his possessions, but his determination and discipline. As Lee Haney proclaimed, with proper motivation and unshakable inner strength, there is no height beyond reach. Let your life be the proof of this wisdom, and pass it on to those who come after you, as an eternal testament to the power of the human will.