“Every single day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up and knows it must outrun the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter if you’re the lion or the gazelle—when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” – African Proverb (Popularized by Eric Thomas)
Let me ask you something real—what are you running for?
Because if you’re still waiting on applause, waiting on motivation, or waiting for someone to light the fire under you… friend, you’re missing the entire point.
We’ve been taught to chase accolades, to collect certificates, to look like we’re doing something—but real transformation? That starts on the inside. I’m not here to make you feel good. I’m here to empower you, because your life, your dream, and your purpose are far too valuable to wait on someone else to do the pushing.
Stop Looking the Part—Start Being the Part
Too often we chase the “beast mode” aesthetic without cultivating the beast mindset. You’ve got the hoodie, the grind playlist, the motivational quotes. But what does your discipline look like behind closed doors? What do your habits say about you when nobody is watching?
I’ve been there—reading, studying, analyzing the story of the lion and the gazelle just like Eric Thomas did. Why? Because I wanted to find the switch. That thing that separates the average from the extraordinary. That invisible force inside us that, once flipped, sets everything in motion.
And guess what? You have it too.
It’s not reserved for the privileged or the lucky. That switch lives inside the dropout, the single parent, the late bloomer, the dreamer with a scarred past. You don’t need permission to become powerful. You just need to activate what’s already within.
Takeaway: Don’t chase the appearance of strength. Build the discipline that turns the switch on from the inside.
Your Morning Battle: Run With Intention or Be Run Over
When you wake up each morning, what’s chasing you?
It might not be a lion, but it could be something just as fierce—depression, procrastination, imposter syndrome, fear, addiction, or even just the weight of your past. You’re not just running to build something. You’re running to survive your inner battles.
And here’s what we need to understand: The gazelle runs because it’s afraid of being eaten. The lion runs because it must eat to live.
The difference? One runs from fear, the other runs with purpose.
Which one are you?
I had to ask myself that question. I had to be honest about the places where I was simply reacting to life instead of running toward something greater. And let me tell you, that shift—from reaction to intention—is where transformation begins.
Takeaway: It’s not enough to just run. You must know why you’re running. Purpose fuels endurance.
Betting on the Beast Within
Let me speak directly to you, the believer, the visionary, the warrior in hiding:
It’s time to stop living at 70%. You can’t claim excellence while coasting on mediocrity. The dream God placed in your heart was never meant to be pursued halfway.
If you’re going to bet on yourself, do it boldly. Let your purpose push you harder than your fear ever could. When the sun rises tomorrow, don’t wait to be chased. Wake up already running—because your legacy depends on it.
You don’t need another reason. You don’t need more validation. The lion within you has everything it needs already. But that beast? It only wakes up when you decide enough is enough.
You were made for more than “almost.” This is the season for finishing, for breaking cycles, for getting all the way free.
Takeaway: Average ends where accountability begins. Stop needing a reason. Let your purpose push you.
Through our Inspiration Moments, we explore ways to adapt, inspire, and thrive, finding insights and resources that make growth more achievable, even for those juggling many responsibilities. For more inspiration and resources to help you reach your potential, visit bettingonme.com. Together, let’s make the most of the opportunities before us and create a future full of promise.
Thanks for allowing me to join you on this journey. Until next time, keep thriving and believing that ‘Life happens for you, not to you, to live your purpose.’
Respectfully,
Lynn “Coach” Austin
About
Lynn F. Austin is an educator, author, emerging AI thought leader, and doctoral candidate who is passionate about inspiring others to reach their highest potential. With a strong foundation in faith and expertise in leadership, personal growth, and AI in higher education, Lynn is dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace challenges, opportunities, and change.
As a speaker, Lynn shares her insights and experiences at schools, conferences, and workshops. As the author of The Newman Tales children’s book series and other business, motivational, and faith-based books, Coach Austin draws from personal experience and professional expertise to motivate readers to join her toward purposeful living along a ‘life happens for me (not to me) to live my purpose’ journey of faith, growth, and inspration