Willing 2 Win: Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling

In a recent episode of Willing 2 Win, Jeff asked our Legion listeners to think about what they were doing when they were seven, eight, or nine-years-old. What did they enjoy doing all day long, long after the streetlights came on?

I grew up in Peoria, Illinois, the hometown of Richard Pryor. When I was in fifth grade, he debuted his show, “Jo Jo Dancer Your Life is Calling,” and hosted the premiere in our hometown. I’m a fifth-grader who now has access to a VHS camera and deck when not many families had one because my father was a school superintendent. So we were able to check out the gear. I had the camera on my shoulder and right next to Richard Pryor and covered him talking with reporters as my first official press conference. I ultimately followed my dream years later, becoming a journalist due to that first taste of what I enjoyed, where I found my passion.

Jeff also shared his research examining what the top 1/10 of 1% of wage earners do differently than everybody else. It’s not about what school you went to, the money you were born with, or whatever the case may be. Jeff and his research team found that the most successful people in the world did one thing differently than anyone else. They knew what they wanted and were willing to share that goal with others. We want to challenge you to re-discover your childhood passion, figure out what you want, and reach out to those around you to make it happen.


Tara Thomas-Gettman

Tara Thomas-Gettman is an award-winning former news anchor, writer and motivational speaker who specializes in strategic communication and media relations.