The Klimb with Adrian Branch

Resilient Ruthie: Overcoming Adversity with Faith and Grit

• Adrian Branch • Season 1 • Episode 8

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Ever questioned if you're truly meant for greatness? In this soul-stirring episode, Adrian Branch welcomes two-time Olympic gold medalist Ruthie Bolton for a profound conversation about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through life's toughest challenges.

Ruthie takes us back to her humble beginnings as the 16th child in a family of 20 in McLain, Mississippi, where her minister father instilled unshakable principles that would shape her extraordinary journey. With remarkable vulnerability, she shares the pivotal moment at age 14 when conquering her fear of jumping a fence became the unexpected foundation for her championship mindset.

The conversation delves into Ruthie's heartbreaking college recruitment story—being told she wasn't talented enough while watching her sister receive star treatment. Instead of surrender, Ruthie embraced a grueling 10-hour bus ride to Auburn University, where coaches bluntly informed her she would never make the travel team. Through tears and determination, she transformed rejection into fuel, ultimately becoming a starter her freshman year.

Perhaps most powerful is Ruthie's raw account of forgiveness after being unexpectedly cut from the Sacramento Monarchs, the team where she had become a franchise icon. "When you don't forgive, you become a prisoner of your own emotions," she reflects. "It clips your wings and you can't not just fly, but soar."

Now an author, coach, and humanitarian, Ruthie shares how her current book "Sent with Purpose" emerged from her realization that every struggle was preparation for a greater mission. She offers listeners a masterclass in mental resilience: "When resistance tries to hit me, the stronger they come, the stronger I get."

Ready to break through your own barriers? Join us for this transformative episode that will leave you saying, "If she can overcome, I can overcome too." 

Connect with Ruthie on social media @RuthieBolton to learn more about her inspirational journey.

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Introducing Ruthie Bolton

Speaker 1

Hi , I'm Adrian Branch , former pro-athlete turned motivational speaker and certified life coach , and welcome to the Climb , a show where we celebrate the stories of resilient people sharing how they turned adversity into success , From the business sector to athletes and beyond . Be inspired and learn what it takes to climb .

Speaker 2

Hey , hey everybody , how you doing ? Adrian Branch here and welcome to another episode of the Climb . I'm your host and this show is all about resilience and celebrating people's story , about how they overcome , what's their mindset , what's their procedures . We want you to come away from this show saying , hey , if they can do it , I can do it too . If they can overcome , I can overcome as well , and that's why we're bringing you the best guest in the business that you can identify with their story .

Speaker 2

Well , this one young lady that's coming on is just precious . You're going to be wowed by her story . She has so many wisdom nuggets , she has so much experience . Celebrated athlete , her name is Ruthie Bolton . She's been a two-time Olympic gold medalist in basketball . She's a mom , she's an author , she's a humanitarian . She tries to live out the 66 books of the Bible , in her own words , by loving people and loving others . And she has a unique story and I can't wait for you guys to hear her story and how she's overcome and how she is a champion for people . So , ruthie , good morning , good day , good afternoon , wherever you are , and welcome to the show .

Speaker 3

I'm excited . Hey , man , good morning . I'm on the West Coast . I'm in the you know , in the LA area right now , but I'm excited to be on here . I know we've been talking about this for a couple months and it's so exciting to be on the same team with you . Man , we're on the same team . Pass me the ball when I'm moving , baby .

Speaker 2

Well , I'm so excited . I want to jump right into it because there's so many touch points for our listeners to identify with . Yes , you've been a celebrated athlete . Yes , you never lost in college or so , with 199 wins and only 13 losses at Auburn University . But I want to jump right into it and take us back a little bit . You've got a unique family . Everybody doesn't have a Ruthie Bolton family . Tell us about the start

Growing Up in a Family of 20

Speaker 2

in McLean .

Speaker 3

Mississippi . Yes , I have a very modest family size . I'm a 16 of 20 children . I'm really thankful that my mom and dad didn't stop at 15 , because I would have been left out .

Speaker 3

Both of them said be fruitful and multiply , be fruitful and multiply . So I'm a 16 . My brother is a 17 . I have a twin brother . Okay , and just , my dad was a minister .

Speaker 3

We grew up in a very strict home . It was a dime , a dime . It was a dime , a dime , a penny , a penny . There was no gray area to wonder . It was like .

Speaker 3

You know , my dad was very consistent as a father and my mom was just in love . She can look at you and she can look at you and say Adrian , I think you're lacking vitamin C . Whoa . She can look at you , just like having 20 children she knew when a baby cried was just for you to pick them up . Or if they was really hurting , she would say they just want to be picked up . Leave them alone and then hear another cry and say you know what ? They're hurting somewhere . So my mom was an expertise in the children bearing babies , and what's so unique is that her sister lived about five miles away . They had 18 in their family .

Speaker 3

So our basketball team , our starting five , was our first and second cousin baby and we didn't play the radio . We didn't play the radio . Our whole team was related except for two . So we had a squad from a real small B school but the foundation that my mom and dad gave us , man , you know survival skills , man , I'll be outside playing and if somebody hit me or if I go in there crying , junebug hit me , guess what ? It's like the black hole . You ain't going back out . Apparently you can't handle it . So you get in here and go and wash dishes and go and sweep the floor while you're in here . So , listen , when I got hurt or something happened , I learned how okay , I just lick my wounds and keep it moving because I ain't going inside , I love being outside . So it's just a lot of different principles that I learned growing up in a big home ,

The Chicken Fence Moment

Speaker 3

no-transcript , and I would just .

Speaker 3

I was quiet , though I didn't really say a lot . This is what I was told . I was quiet . I always really observed , but I loved being active . I loved jumping and climbing . So we used to jump fences and , listen , I would miss a meal . Listen , I would stay outside all night and jump fence and climb trees . That's just the kind of person I was . And so this one particular day , as we started jumping fences that's how I lived .

Speaker 3

Sport for the day I got ready to jump this one particular fence called the chicken fence . And as I'm running , I'm just excited . I get to the fence and all of a sudden I'm like oh my goodness , I don't know if I can do this . So I looked at it , I'm like okay , and I walked back . I said I got this . And I ran to the fence and it's like it got even higher and so everybody was just jumping easy by me and I'm thinking like what is wrong with me ? What is going ? I got this , I got this . I proceeded to jump the fence again and it even got higher . So I'm really freaking out . I'm really getting like , oh my goodness , oh my goodness . And I could see them leaving me and they waved at me like come on , don't worry about it , don't worry about it , we'll pretend you jumped it . Just come on . Like no , no , I .

Speaker 3

Street light came on . I don't know if you know anything about it , but when the street light came on , we had five minutes to be in the house , five and my dad didn't play . So I remember having to go . I didn't want to go inside . I was willing to risk getting a spanking . They were like you better come on , you're going to get in trouble , you know , and , and they said you can do it tomorrow . I'm like I don't want to wait tomorrow , I want to do it today . So I remember just going inside and just feeling so distraught , feeling like man , I got to do it . Like I pondered , I processed it .

Speaker 3

I remember the next morning mouth-fucking-fucking got day . Good , I remember walking out the house , walking over people , people laying on the floor sleeping . I'm walking out . I'm like , okay , I think I got this , I think I got you do it , you got it . I'm talking to myself , I'm self-talking , I'm talking to myself you got this . Took a deep breath , you got it . You've done it before . You've done it before . Just believe it , you got to see it . So I remember I took a deep breath and I started running . I put everything in that run , everything in that jump , everything that I learned , coming off the right foot , using my core , springing up . And I remember getting to that fence , a , b , and I jumped . I jumped , I leaped and my body started to twist but I landed over . I think I landed on my side and I'm looking up like wow , I'm over the fence , like oh , my God , I did it .

Speaker 3

And when I shared this message with kids on this story . I said why was that so important ? Jumping a fence ? And , matter of fact , it wasn't peer pressure to jump it because they told me , don't worry about it , what I wanted to do . It was something inside of me that would not let me say no , would not let me walk away .

Speaker 3

And I remember thinking I said , man , I did it , and the way I was able to do this , I started seeing myself on the other side of that fence . I started seeing myself on the other side of that , of that fear . So when I shared that message with kids and with adults , whomever , I said , in order for me to have jumped that I had to see myself on the other side . And that's when I started celebrating . I started celebrating the advance . I know I got this . I know I got this , and you know what , ab , I believe that's the day I started becoming a world champion . That's the day I started becoming a WBA All-Star , that's the day I started becoming an Olympian .

Speaker 3

It's that at the inside , I just felt that it like you know , I don't want any excuse I got to do it and when I did it , the victory , it just pushed me forward and my fear just had me handcuffed , choked around the neck . I was just like what is wrong with me , like , and I couldn't even say you know what . No big deal , but I do believe , without a doubt . And when I share with kids , I said now don't go out and do something that's going to get you injured . I said , but I had done this before , but for some reason , that particular day and God is interesting Like he got a sense of humor , like he injured me .

Speaker 3

I feel like he was pruning me at that moment for a season it's like my shirt says sent with purpose , which is a book I just finished . He was pruning me for that moment , for my journey . I I couldn't worry about Juma to the left or Sneola to the right , he was pruning me for that moment . He would prune me then for a moment such as these and such as my career folded . So when I think about that , I was like , wow , god , you took that little bit of tangible . You know , little Mississippi girl with a bad , bad Jericho , ashy ankles , ashy elbows , just a hot mess . And listen , I look more like a twin brother than you . But he took me and the significant thing is AB , I'm still young , I'm saved , but I'm still young in the ministry . I don't know what's going on . I just know this little Mississippi girl wanted to get on that fence and when that victory came listen , I never looked back and I know , go no and you never look back and finish that point .

Speaker 2

Finish that point . You never look back .

Speaker 3

Never look back because I was . So there's a saying you can't argue with results . Whoa , you can't argue with results when you get to a point where it's like , okay , I see , That'd be like math . I wasn't that great at math , my son was , but I had to study harder to get math . But the formula of success and three things that I . Was that a spiritual moment , I believe . So Was it a physical moment ? Yes , it was , and something my father would say often . He said if you take a life with you , a few principles , you won't need a suitcase full of rules .

Speaker 2

Wow , say that again .

Speaker 3

If you take a life with you , just a few principles , you won't need a suitcase full of rules . What are those principles ? Your faith , what are your faith ? Your faith is something , okay , who you are . You got faith in something . It could be your car , it could be your house , it could be whatever , but you got faith in something . But that's your faith . Attitude Attitude is your disposition , it's your , it's your intuition . Okay , and then character is the chances that you make . And that was a big one , because we know from sports world that we're not born winner or loser , we're born choosers . So we get to choose AB . We get to choose , and that's the part that's so hard , like how do I choose ? Do I go left or right or do I just stay ? So , in your seasons , understanding what's important at that time and you might can't see why it's important , but it's like right now trust in the process . I had to trust the process of me and that space right there , and that experience changed my life forever .

Speaker 2

Yes , wow , you know what ? I told the listeners that they were going to be in for a treat and you said so much that that that fence at 14 was a lightning rod moment where you dug down deep and I wrote in my notes the resilient Ruthie was born and you said that was before all the other accolades , but you never quit and it was a mindset . Then you talked about your dad . I wanted to celebrate your dad , gave you another nugget . Tell us that story when you had to get on the bus and you did not want to take that 10-hour ride ,

The Life-Changing Bus Ride

Speaker 2

and that was a defining moment as well .

Speaker 3

Man , listen . There's something my father would say Experience is your greatest teacher . You can learn . We learn from everything around us . We learn from people's stories . But when you go through it it becomes tattooed in your heart and your mind . So it becomes listen , it doesn't matter , nobody can tell my story like I tell it . Some people tell it but it's like coming from . So when I think about from that , that fence prepared me , that fence story prepared me . They got me ready for that bus ride , I tell that listen , I've spoken so much , so , so much .

Speaker 3

I can't tell my story hardly without telling it Listen , if they give me . I can't tell my story hardly without telling it Listen , if they give me . You know you got three minutes to speak . Sometimes I have those three-minute speeches . I have those five , ten minutes . It's like to me , it's almost . I can't , you don't . It's hard to tell the story without that component because it shapes , it defines me and it really it's a place of . It came out of a place of fear . I know we're not supposed to have a spirit of fear , but I think there's a good fear . I think there's a good like we're supposed to feel , god , I think there's a good thing like a good scare .

Speaker 2

That could spur you on .

Speaker 3

Yeah , straight , straight , scare forward , Like there's a good scare and I'm sitting there like Lord , like I'm a good girl , like I don't got one spanking in my life , like I was obedient . Listen , I ate green . I ate green vegetables , sometimes even when I didn't like them .

Speaker 2

Yeah , he said , you never got sick . Even trying to play hooky from church , you never got sick .

Speaker 3

Never got . Listen , trying to do everything the right way . I'm like Lord , hey , can I get rewarded ? What is going on , like , why am I having to fight for everything ? Why is this so hard ? Why is this making it so hard for me ? I'm thinking like , oh my goodness , I'm like what did I mess up ? But when I didn't get recruited and I run into coaches all the time , that didn't recruit me anyway , but I just like I didn't get any letters or any phone calls and I'm sitting by the phone . I'm sitting by the phone waiting and waiting on the mail , like like . I'm like what is going on ? I'm just sitting here like , oh my goodness , you know the dejection , the frustration , my faith I ain't gonna lie , I ain't trying to make a story sound great , but my faith wavered . I started to say , lord , what is this ? If I've done things the right way , I felt like I'm having faith , but I feel like it's not rewarding me right now .

Speaker 3

And I remember my father was my anchor , he was my mentor . He said listen . He said , I know you feel in some kind of way . He said but people perspective , and what people don't do , that's on them and don't even get mad . I'm like , seriously . He said guess what , if a door closed , get through a window . If a door closed , get through a window . Now what is that window ? That window , hey , it's an opportunity . So that door closed , no one recruited me , literally no one wanted me . But that window was that I had the ability , I had the decision .

Speaker 3

I could get on the phone and call Auburn and say I got a phone call the old phone back in the day , say what about me ? Can I come on a school visit ? Can y'all take a peek at me ? And they said well , we didn't call you because we were just as a staff , we thought about it and we just felt like you are not the caliber player your sister is and we just don't think you will ever make the travel team . We just don't think you're that talented player . But we could , if you want to come , we could talk about it . But you will have to ride a bus and this bus ride will take about 10 hours and I know we flew your sister on a private jet , but we just don't have the budget to fly you . And I'm thinking , man , this is going from bad to worse . I'm like , could you just like hold up for a second ? I'm thinking like you know what , well , I guess basketball wasn't meant to be , because I ain't riding no bus . That's why I'm like I'm using all bad English and everything . I ain't riding no bus . Forget all that .

Speaker 3

And I remember him saying hey , daughter , and that's why he called me most of the time , because he couldn't remember my name , with it being 12 girls . He said listen , you can sit there with an attitude , all you want . He said what is that quote that I have on every door in the house ? Attitude Life is 10% of what happens to you , 9% how you respond to it . Say it again Life is 10% of what happens to you , but 9% how you respond to it . I'm thinking like , okay , what they got to do with .

Speaker 3

Now the only thing I'm feeling is I'm feeling a sense of rejection . I'm feeling a sense of rejection . I'm feeling like I don't matter . I'm feeling like how's that guy something to do with this ? He said your attitude , how you approach this . He said I'm telling you you got this , you're built for this . He said your sister got a more natural talent . Yeah , it shows it's more transparent Yours . You got to dig a little deeper , you got to go through more hurdles , but it's there .

Speaker 3

He , I said okay , and I trusted my dad . I said you know , dad , I feel like he was just telling me . That initially made me feel good . I said well , I felt a little bit of sense of hope because my dad believed in me . He said get on that bus and go . He said you're going to Auburn , you're going to prove them wrong . He said but at the end of the day you get a free education because they had promised a scholarship for both of my sisters . So in hindsight it was sort of a you know . He said you'll get a free education . He said I don't care if you'll make one basket . He said get there , go to school , do well in school , get your education . So that's okay . So I get on that bus , ab , and I go .

Speaker 3

And a lot of times students ask me were you scared ? I said I was so scared I doubted every moment . I'm like why am I doing this ? Why ? Like what ? How many more ways can this coach tell me that ? I suck ? Like why are you sabotaging yourself ? But then I just like you know what ? I got this . My dad believes in me . I'm so self-talking the whole way . Matter of fact .

Speaker 2

Yeah , I believe in self-talk . I'm big on self-talk .

Speaker 3

So you're saying self-talking what you're doing , you're labeling things . You're looking at , you're looking at a pantry . Okay , let me put this over here , let me put this over here . It's like okay , self-talking like so , but I'm still like feeling like okay , I don't . As I start to try to figure out AB , what the outcome is , what if I ? What if I get there and the coach don't want me ? And what if I get there ? All this create more anxiety , anxiety like I can't control that right now . I focus on the journey , right now , where I can control AB .

Speaker 3

I was so overwhelmed that when we stopped at the five-hour mark , we supposed to get off and get food . I didn't even get food . I didn't even get off . I was just like stoic , like I ain't missing this bus . I'm like uh I'm just awake . I'm excited in the journey , but I'm excited to get there and I'm embracing . I'm trying to think of every scenario in my head , every scenario in my head . And I get there and I'm so hungry , my stomach growling .

Speaker 3

The coaches pick me up , they take me to the house and they feed me this . My coach was Italian , so they feed me this food . I'm eating . Listen , Amy , I'm eating like this . They like man , slow down . There's more where that come from . They said why you got your hand like this . I said because when I ate at home , people , people be taking things off your plate . When you're in the family 20 , you put your hand this way . They take your food and take it that way , like mom who ate my drumstick uh , I don't know . She said keep your , keep your eyes on your food . When we grew up , you eat your food . Now you taste it later . It's military style . Anyway , I eat and I'm just eating . The eating made me feel better . I'm thinking like you know what I feel , like something good going to happen . Though Afterwards the coach called me in the back .

Speaker 3

This is important . Right here I'm sitting down , just like I'm sitting down , like I sat in front of the coach and he come back and I always tell him like he had this strong smell , this scent , some kind of cologne he wears . He's never told me what it is . It's like it's so strong . He said I can't tell anybody . He said I can't tell anybody , it's my secret . So anyway , I sit , let me know what I got to do , Like I'm just ready , I'm ready for this journey , and I sit there .

Speaker 3

He paused for a second . He just shakes his hair , Okay , and I'm thinking like , oh , this don't look right . And he tells me . He said man . He said I hope you enjoyed your meal . He said I don't .

Speaker 3

We just , we just don't think this is a place for you guys . We don't , you know , it's just , we thought about it and it'd be very discouraging for your sister to see you go through this . You just not the player , your sister is . And I'm just like I'm sitting there , just frustrated . I'm sitting there , mad to where I don't even know how to articulate it . He said I know what we promised your parents and we will honor the scholarship , but give us about a week to find another school that may want you .

Speaker 3

And I'm sitting there , I had no words , I'm speechless . And I'm speechless . I'm mad at myself for getting on that bus to go . I'm mad at God . Thank you , Lord , Thank you for the ambush , Thank you for setting me up . I'm mad . So when I get back , they drive me back home . And AB , as they drive me home and I tell this a lot when I speak to little kids I say you know , I was a snack .

Speaker 3

I love snack . I was a cookie monster . I could find a cookie on the floor and eat it . If it had been there for 20 minutes , Don't matter . I'm like , I ain't throw any cookies away . I didn't even want their cookies . They tried to feed me . I didn't want their food , I didn't want nothing . I just wanted to get home and I wanted to hear what my dad had to say to my mentor . I wanted him to bring some relief , I wanted him to give me guidance .

Speaker 3

And so I get home and the first thing he asked me . He said what did they say ? I said Dad , they said I'm not good enough and I just broke down crying . So what are the options ? I said . They said that I can , that I can . They said they're going to look for a school for a week . So that's okay . You got to sit here and wait . He said you'll be fine . He said it's okay to hurt . That means you care . He said God got you . He said you did not spare that car accident for nothing . He said he that car . I told you about the car accident didn't .

Speaker 2

I no , no .

Speaker 3

I was still

Surviving a Near-Fatal Car Accident

Speaker 3

in high school . This happened like a month prior , six weeks prior . We were heading to church and I was a daddy's girl bad hair , bad chair , curl . My mom didn't want me to go , it was just a mess . My dad said leave her alone . I don't care about all that and I'm sitting in the car , just happy . I go to church and I just love being around my dad , love being around . My dad and my sister was in the front and we about 10 minutes from the house .

Speaker 3

Matter of fact , last , about five , six minutes , as we got ready to make this left turn , I saw this 18 wheel coming and I'm like dad , go , dad go , go go , and it get closer and closer , closer and closer and this way , apparently , he hit the back of the car . The car spun around about two or three times , that's what I was told . My door came off . I was thrown out of the car about 10 , 12 feet . When they came to a stop , my dad was facing the road and facing back this way versus this way they looked .

Speaker 3

And my sister ? She screamed because she had a daughter , like two years old at the time , she's first lady . She said my baby and my dad said Ruthie , he's like , oh my goodness , my dad said when he saw I was gone , they looked for me and he said that he never really questioned God . But that moment he just said God , I'd rather you had taken me . They didn't know where I was . They thought the 18-year-old kept going and never stopped . But they found me in a ditch and my head was laying right on the Bible .

Speaker 2

Whoa yeah .

Speaker 3

Wow , as a matter of fact , a deacon had the church with my dad . He stopped and they stopped and they looked . They called the heli no , the mammogram . The helicopter came and got me . It took them four or five minutes to get there and they helicoptered me to the hospital . But a lot of people thought my dad had put the Bible in the dish . But anyway , I go to the hospital . You think they did all the tests . I spent one night in the hospital , all the you know , check me , everything was good and they let me go the next day .

Speaker 3

So my dad brought that up . He said listen , some people don't need to survive something like that , to not just survive and not get seriously injured . I literally you know . He said God didn't do all that just to throw it away . He said he got a plan for your life . He said basketball , I don't know . He said , but this is an opportunity , you have to embrace it . You have to go , don't worry about what's going to happen down there . He said embrace it and I go . And I said Dad , he said he didn't do all this for me . He got a plan for your life . I don't know what it is .

Speaker 3

So my dad , for two years , two or three years . He was like , daughter , stand up , and I was quiet , shy , I didn't like my dad . He was like even in college , my dad , like they said , my twin took all my words Like I didn't like her , saying I was just like you , I would sit there and just look , but I was a leader . And so he said God got something for her . He said I don't know what it is , but you don't survive a car accident like that . God gives you a lease on life if you don't have a plan for your life . So I get on that bus and I go to Auburn and the rest is history .

Speaker 3

This coach playing . Your like the coach that I would play my juniors a year . I started my freshman year and I always ask kids what do you think I started playing ? I give them the shorter version . Most of them say junior , some of them say senior . I say I started my freshman year . They're like what ? Like they could like start at an SEC Division I school and like with a bad Jericho but a good attitude .

Speaker 2

Let me ask you this one , ruthie , and I'm going to try to get a few more before we close down , because it's profound , the car accident .

Speaker 3

We need part two , man . We just got to get a part two . You know you can't , we just got to .

Speaker 2

Part two . We're going to double it up . We're going to double it up with this one Motivational speaker , oh my goodness . So watch this . You could have been mad at God , reverend Linwood could have been mad at God with that car accident and you felt like you didn't get the same respect of your celebrated sister . I want to move ahead in the story for a second and say after a celebrated career with the Sacramento Monarchs , you're the first person to have your jersey retired . You're in the WNBA , so in the early stages , one of the first all-stars of that prestigious league , fourth all-time in three-pointers made .

Speaker 2

But then I want to talk about betrayal and forgiveness , because the equivalent and for the listeners out there for Ruthie's accomplishments . You would have to drag it out of her , but that's the equivalent of what Kobe Bryant was to the Lakers . She was a standard fixture . Like Kobe was like Derek Jeter to the Yankees . But then

Forgiveness After Betrayal

Speaker 2

they cut you . So imagine Derek Jeter getting cut . Imagine the great Kobe Bryant getting cut . Well , ruthie got cut from her beloved Monarchs and you're frankly talking about the anger and how you had to forgive them . Tell us about that one . And forgiveness , because there's some listeners that has to dance that dance .

Speaker 3

You know it sounds good , you know , forgive your enemies or forgive that sounds cute when you hear it , but when you literally have to live it and I always say , you know I'm going to forgive her . You know , whatever when I talk , but it doesn't listen . After that experience and knowing I did not do anything wrong , that I feel like they took me for granted . I feel like how they handled it was so wrong .

Speaker 2

And they won the championship that year without you . Yes , yes , okay .

Speaker 3

They won it without me . I was working with the team but before how they released me , there was not any type of I felt like my loyalty meant nothing and I felt like because of the person I'm not a confrontational person they took my kindness or weakness and just felt like , oh okay , it doesn't matter what you've done , we're going to just go cut you Instead of just having a real grown-up conversation with me , say you know what ? We would like to go in a different direction . Can this last year be your last year ? But we'll make it great for the fan . We'll let the league say you're going to retire , you're going to retire this year . They did every other pro I would say franchise player like that in a different team , like they're retiring . I feel like they overlooked that . I was mad and I was disappointed and I was really just like man and I had resentment and I . But I just had to forgive because I , just I , I I said I know , I know you , bob , you brought me this far for a reason . I know it wasn't man , man trying to tell me no at every , every junction , but you got your . You I had , I knew my purpose there . I knew in my church I my church . I sat with purpose . I knew my purpose . But it's hard to still walk in your purpose . It's hard to forgive and I had to learn how to forgive . But you know what , through that pain , through that pain , it birthed my curriculum Mighty , aim High . I had to aim higher than my circumstance . I aimed higher than the fear , than the resentment , than the bitterness , because bitterness it's like adversity make you bitter or better . And I had to choose . It would make me better . With tears in my eyes , every day that I was over there , the same coach that pretend I never did nothing in the game . People were livid , people were so upset . I prayed to God . I said , lord , I hope you see it . I hope you see it . I said but I will still trust you , I will not abandon our relationship . I will not abandon our relationship . I believe you still got purpose in my life .

Speaker 3

But I had to reminisce a little bit over my life . And I had to reminisce over my life and just say , Lord , you brought me this far for a reason . I will still trust you , I'm still yours , I'm sold out to you . And it wasn't easy . Though , with tears in my eyes , I said I got it . I got it . I got to be able to forgive . And that's when I started to work on my journal about dealing with anger , aiming higher , knowing the accountability of what God has given me . Luke 12 and 48 said to whom much is given , much is required . I said , lord , this is you . You've allowed me to be here for a reason .

Speaker 3

So when I reminisce over my life , the car accident , I almost stopped playing basketball at all , like literally this close . And then you paved the way , like we created a partnership . I said so I'm still in this . It wasn't easy , I'm still in this , but it was tough learning how to let go and let God . It's easy to say it , but to really do it , to live it .

Speaker 3

And I did , and that's what freed me , because when you don't forgive , you become a prisoner of your own emotions . You think you're doing it to them , but it's you . It clips your wings and you can't not just fly sore . So for me to forgive them , I was able to really still walk in my purpose and God he would navigate it for me . And really , to be honest , all of that going through that experience of rejection , God was still pruning me . It wasn't like sometimes we go through things differently . Maybe , like you got the little mountains . Maybe my mountain was higher than someone else . I'm like , look at that , they mountains over there . Why am I going through this ? And so God proved that maybe my obstacle course , if you will , was a little bit more challenging , because he was building me for a purpose , as now , so learning how to forgive , I'm loving that man , ruthie .

Speaker 2

I'm wow , I really want to sit here and start tearing up a little bit . But I'm loving that man , ruthie . Wow , I really want to sit here and start tearing up a little bit , but I'm like , let me keep my cool because it's like man , you are on fire . Let me ask you again as leading into that what's that shirt ? Because you're an author of six books . Now , what's that latest book ? You got the advertisement right there . Let's see that one Sent with a Purpose . What is that one about ?

Speaker 3

This came from listen . It has birthed really the last four years and you and I have talked at times . I feel like I just I don't . I feel like my mindset and my focus in my career like how , listen ? I told him . I said I'm so focused I don't play .

Speaker 3

When this coach told me and I want everybody to get to this audience , whether you're in sports or whether you're in business or whatever you're in cross is huge . When this coach named why everybody made this team the Olympic team , she named Lisa Leslie , your size and your scoring ability . Lisa Leslie was amazing , one of the best teammates . Katrina McClain , your rebounder . Teresa Edwards your leadership . Dawn Staley , your playmaking ability . Katie , your shooting . Nikki McCray rest in peace your defense . She named everybody .

Speaker 3

I'm like what is she going to say about me ? She finally get to me and she just say you know what ? I told the committee that I'm not going to leave the country without Ruthie . And she said because I can trust her in my foxhole . It's

Sent with Purpose

Speaker 3

such a strong military statement . It's almost like saying you got accountability , you got focus , you got commitment . We can't win without you . I don't even want to try to even go on this battlefield without a player like you , I was like , so that created a sense of accountability and she can trust me . So I feel like that's what pushed me so hard . That's why I gave everything I had , because she said I can trust you and she believed in me . She partnered with me there .

Speaker 3

It wasn't easy , but I feel like the same thing in my life now . God . He's given me all of this , I'm allowed me to go through some of the tough challenges , but I'm still here and I said , lord , I want to be just as dedicated in my walk with you , in my purpose with you . I don't want to just go through the flow . I don't want to just be like a person on the team , be like oh , I'm just on the team , on the team wearing the uniform , but am I being fruitful ? The coach called my name . Do I go in and make a difference or do I just ? I'm so busy looking at the rafters and worried about , oh , why I'm not playing and I'm not becoming a student of the game and I'm not helping the team , so I'm getting pushed further and further down the bench . I'm not being fruitful . I'm looking at the bench and the coach said you know how the coach looked down .

Speaker 2

And looked past you . They're trying to . I've been there .

Speaker 3

Like I don't trust you . The coach said I don't trust you Really I don't trust to bring you in the game why ? But I want the coach to trust me . That's why I did . I worked so hard . When we would get workouts AB , we would have to do like four , six , 400s . You know , maybe sometimes four , 200s , five , 100s , run it . This is on our rest time , away from the team and people were like jump rope five minutes . I did everything . They all went to my girl . You just weighed 200 . My teammate got up to me , like you did . I did everything because I said I want her to still trust me . I feel like if I don't do one something , she's going to see and tell . She's going to be able to tell I didn't do something and tell she was ready to tell I didn't do something . So I was bought in .

Speaker 3

So now , in this part of my life set with purpose , I said Lord , I'm all in . I'm saying yes to the journey . I want to be what you want me to be . I want to be everything that you created me for , from the little girl , little Nathman , mississippi girl that had a bad shot and a bad Jericho girl A bad shot and a bad Jericho girl . A bad shot and a bad Jericho girl . I want to be all you want me to be , so I want you to be able to trust me with this platform you've given me . I do , and so that's where this book comes from . I'm sent with purpose . Luke 248 , to whom much is given , much is required . Acts 20 and 24 talks about Lord . I'm not my own self , my gifts . You know , like I said , I can't pat myself on the back too hard . I even brought my little gold medal right here .

Speaker 3

Yes , I can't pat myself on the back too hard . I want to say I am yours , Stand on that podium . I stood on that podium actually 11 different times , 10 different times for different like they only really highlight mainly the Olympics . But you're up there for the world championship , You're up there for the Goodwill Games . All these different tournaments , all these different games I won 60-0 .

Speaker 2

You guys were 60-0 .

Speaker 3

60-0 . Like for me to stand on that platform and reminisce over my life and how I end up on this space , like I would be crazy , ab , to think I just did it on my own . And so when I tell kids I say , yeah , I had a little bit of talent , but I had this grit and I had this commitment to just embrace the opportunity . So now in my life , sent with purpose , I said Lord , you sent me with purpose . I'm in this with purpose and in my season , the subtopics , it's understanding my calling the season of my life Right now . You know , season in life is summer . It's summer , you know , hot obviously .

Speaker 2

Winter , spring and fall .

Speaker 3

Different things . It's like , what are you doing in that season in your life ? Sometimes your season , spiritually , could be a winter . Sometimes you're like , well , I don't know , we get so caught up . I don't get so caught up in what I'm supposed to be doing . I said , lord , how can I grow now ? What fruits am I bearing now ? And so that's the main thing I think we could call up I want to be , I want to be this . Or sometimes we call up in the past or what I didn't do , take a deep breath , exhale . I said , okay , I'm in Mississippi . I didn't think I would be in Mississippi for four or five years , you know . And sometimes I got called up . I say , okay , it's a season that I'm here for a reason . So how can I be the best version of Ruthie , how can I be the ? Be bold , be minded , be the best version of myself so that I can be better for my kids , I can be better for just plant seeds and be a light . And so that's what I want to be . I want to be like a good meal .

Speaker 3

I'll show your wife her favorite meal . What's the favorite meal your wife cooks ? Before you walk in the house , before you even see her . You can smell the aroma of the meal . You can smell the aroma of the meal that she's cooking . It may be pork chops , it may be baked chicken , it may be fried chicken . You smell it before you start to anticipate the taste . Oh man , that's so good . The biscuits , that's so good , but the biscuits , you smell the aroma that you start , and that's how I want my life to be the aroma of Jesus in my life Wonderful , wonderful , wonderful .

Speaker 3

I want to be like what do you have ? Like I like how you deal with adversity , yeah , and . I heard . When that happens in my life , I feel like I said wow , that's to me . I feel like that's a three-point play right there , that's a three-point play .

Speaker 2

Nice form . Let me jump in right here , ruthie , and let the listeners catch this for a second . My goodness , I'm going to ask you one more question to encourage them , but I want our listeners to know what was said . At 14 years old , the resilient Ruthie was born because it was a can-do spirit Having to get on that bus ride where your dad was like daughter Because of so many of you guys , he called you daughter and said get on this thing . This will help change your life . You had tremendous success playing with your sister at Auburn and then your pro career and you had to forgive people and you didn't let it get the best of you . And then now , the next season of your life , I want to bring it up here and ask you this one . It's a real simple question before we let you out of here and yes , we're going to have to do this again my teammate Ruthie , how can you encourage our listeners to keep climbing

Encouragement to Keep Climbing

Speaker 2

?

Speaker 3

Yes , keep climbing and you know what it's the . You say that I don't know if I ever told you this about climbing a hill . I love running hills and I listen . It's something about that gravity . I think it's that winning mentality in my life . It's that competitive spirit . When I climb a hill , I lean , listen gravity trying to say you don't belong here . Gravity don't want me up there and I look at it as my enemy trying to keep me down . I don't run in this bad boy . It get tough , but when I lean in and put my core in it , I got this . So when you climb in a hill of light , and that struggle and that disappointment and that anxiety , lord , is this meant for me ? I'm telling you , lead in , let your core lead in , that core of who you are , because at the moment you think you're the weakest . That is your strongest . Your breakthrough is so close . Your breakthrough is right there . I know because I've lived it . I know when it feels like I wanted to quit so many times and I would climb up to here , but I found a way .

Speaker 3

There's a saying I don't know if it's a verse , I don't know if it's a song . Lord , don't give me strength to climb . Don't move the mountain , but give me strength to climb Like I don't . I want to . I want to feel the resistance , because that's what I feel like , what makes me strong . Give me it's hard to me to run . I love the resistance when running , trying to hold me down where I feel like that's my strongest . When resistance trying to hit me , I'm like , okay , what you talking ? You trying to hold me back , I'm like , no , you might have bring stronger , and the stronger they come , the stronger I get , baby . The stronger you bring it , the stronger I get . So I want to encourage you , the listeners , partner with you . Take a deep breath and just for one , if you got a breath and you got a heartbeat , god is giving you another lease on life . This is a day , say Lord , today it's like you've allowed me to see another day , another moment . So with this , I want to be what you want me to be . And how do I do that ? And so you understand , don't get so caught up in too far down the road . How can I be bold , be mighty , be the best version of me ? Take that little something . I took that little bit of gift that God gave me a little bit , little bit and got on that bus , confused , scared , it's all get out . And God just enlarged my territory . I get that even with my coach .

Speaker 3

I talked to him yesterday , day four yesterday , and he's just like , wow , he wrote my book , the Ride of a Lifetime . He wrote the four one . He said you taught us what faith resiliency is . He said , wow . So I just want to encourage you , do not let fear keep you handcuffed , lean into it , so what ? You fall flat on your face but don't live a life of .

Speaker 3

I wonder , what if I don't make it ? But what if you do ? What if I don't make that shot ? But what if you do make that shot ? It's March Madness , right now . You know I love March Madness and I'm starting to see some amazing games already . What if I don't make that shot ? But what if you do make that shot ? It's about right now . If the X and O's , they can throw them out the window right now . It is about that grit , that tenacity , that resilience . I don't care , we down by 10 , but we are not walking out here without a win . That's your mentality . You better huddle , get your huddle with yourself . You better look in the mirror and you just say , hey , listen . Hey , listen , ab . You know I got to do it . It's game time , baby . You better huddle along and say you know what I got . This I'm going to focus when you talk , when you talk yourself .

Speaker 3

That's self-talking . You can flex too . Come on , AB , flex . Don't like to show up . I kept finding the host . But , ab , I'm telling you hey , listen , if you all got it , listen , you're listening . This is your season to be the best version of you . Don't give up . Don't give up , but trust the process of who you are .

Speaker 2

Beautiful , beautiful , wow , ruthie man , I really have tears in my eyes . You are inspiring me . I'm so humble . Where can the listeners follow you on social media if they want to know more about the Mighty Ruthie ?

Speaker 3

Well , I have a little website , I think it's themightyruthiecom . The T-H-E mightyruthiecom is my website where a couple of my books . I don't have all my books yet on there because I'm you know , they're not all there , but my social media is just my name , ruthie Bolton , and then Mighty Ruthie Bolton on my social media . So if you go to my social media , my Instagram , and say that you were listening to this show and if you want a book , I'll send you a book and I'll send you a little extra gift with it .

Speaker 2

My goodness .

Speaker 3

To you , ab . You can always . If somebody reach out , you can always send them my information . Right , I do Facebook , so I know send them my information . I do Facebook , so I know a lot of people don't do Facebook anymore , but I do Facebook . You can leave me a message uh , ruthie Bolton , and uh , it just uh . And then they always send them to you if they want to or whatever , if they , if they want a book or whatever . But I'm excited , ab . I love this show . You awesome man . You know I keep getting . You did work for ESPN , didn't ?

Speaker 2

you , yeah , dude , a little bit , a little hanging A little hanging .

Speaker 3

I love how you . Thank you , ruthie . Thank you , I feel like you create a storyboard for the audience .

Speaker 2

Wow .

Speaker 3

You went on a journey , man .

Speaker 2

Yes , I'm telling you . I've been wiping the side of my eyes , so we appreciate you . Listen , folks . I told you you were going to be in for a treat . Ruthie , thank you for hanging , Thank you for being our teammate man , and I'm looking forward to seeing you again .

Speaker 3

I've got to leave him with this . I know we're about to run out of time , but I'll leave him with this . My heart says yes . My heart says yes to your ways . And you are welcome in . You are welcome in this place , Jesus . I love you . Jesus , I love you , oh my . And you are welcome in . You are welcome in this place . So I had to just give you a little bit of that . Say yes to the journey Say yes to the purpose .

Speaker 2

Wow .

Speaker 3

And I'm telling you , your best is yet to come .

Speaker 2

Thank you , your best is yet to come Game time .

Speaker 3

Thank you .

Speaker 2

Ruthie . Thank you so much . I'll see you soon . Ruthie Bolton , folks , sincere , genuine , my goodness blown away and listen . If you want to know more about us , head on over to adriennbranchspeakscom . Follow us on social media at Adrienne Branch Speaks and this show , the Climb . Follow that wherever podcasts are available . You guys are amazing . We got guests like Ruthie coming up again and again for my listeners . Be encouraged and keep climbing . Thanks everybody , we'll see you next time . Thank you .