While the definition of success has changed in myriad ways over the years, the recipe remains more or less the same. To make it far and reach great heights, one needs to have ambition and the motivation to translate visions into reality. Joel Samuels, an entrepreneur, athlete, and public figure currently making bold moves in several industries, has always embraced a go-getting attitude, which explains why he’s managed to make headway. Armed with big plans, he is aiming to expand his reach, widen his influence, and inspire others all at the same time.
A two-time MACH Ice Hockey Champion and a Nationals Ice Hockey Participant, Joel is a highly driven individual with an impressive portfolio attached to his name. The George T. and Estelle M Crowder Scholarship awardee has aced numerous competitions, including the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League, where he placed champion in 2009 and 2010. These achievements did not come easy, but amid the odds, he succeeded in securing a position in an industry known for its competitive nature.
Among the long list of challenges that Joel has had to overcome are the harsh realities that the Black community and people of color continue to face. “I would say growing up and playing in a predominantly white sport as a Black athlete from the age of four is the biggest hurdle,” he shared. “Play only came in by growing tough skin and being the best player on the ice. That would be something that nobody could take away from me, so I put in the time to train, go to camps worldwide, and excel.”
Apart from systemic issues that disadvantage minorities, Joel also had to deal with colleagues and authorities who did not believe in his and his teammates’ potential. Although daunting, he did not allow this setback to keep him from his goals. “I received my double major in Economics at Virginia Tech while elevating their hockey program. My teammates and I banded together to directly manage our program after the fallout of admins who declined to support a budding team,” he said.
Through it all, Joel demonstrated an awe-inspiring degree of grit and dedication to his dreams – characteristics that helped him barrel through the barrier of being a minority playing hockey, build on his family’s legacy, and create a footprint of his own through his all-out efforts within the fitness space. Up until now, he places a heavy premium on these characteristics and emphasizes them whenever he is mentoring other aspirants.
Moreover, in maneuvering clients in the right direction, Joel highlights the importance of the right mindset and action. “One of the things that I always teach my clients or friends is the motto ‘I can, I will, and I did,” he added. “You have to believe in yourself and your ability to make things happen. Once you have accepted the fact that you are capable of anything, you have to devise a plan for a full-on life take-over. Then, you take action.”
With his eyes set on the next level of his career, Joel will not slow down anytime soon. In the years to come, he aims to cement his standing in the hockey scene and entrepreneurial realm even more solidly.
