Photo Credit: Prostock-Studio
Examining Mike Tyson’s comeback journey can teach oncologists to see beyond the illness and the white coat to encounter the real person hiding underneath.
The hype leading up to the November 15, 2024, boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on Netflix turned eyes to Tyson’s prior shortcomings and current attempts to amend them. For those of us growing up in the 80s and 90s, Tyson’s comeback reunites us with a sporting icon and legend, albeit with some unsettling fear of his incredibly unpredictable, ferocious persona and a level of embarrassment for his prior vicious violence and crimes.
Over decades, we have seen the impetuous, impregnable, want-to-rip-your-heart-out and eat-your-children ego of a superstar fade and give way to a human who is delicate and frail, not only in the ring but also in his personal life through tragedy and anguish. Indeed, more recently, we see signs of making amends and authentic reflections on his mentors, life, and legacy.
It is powerful to reflect on the iconic sporting journeys of amazing athletes. The idea is not to highlight their triumphs and struggles, which are in the spotlight, but rather to reflect on our own journeys, which we have the luxury of hiding in the safety of our minds.
In many ways, seeing beyond the boxing gloves of Mike Tyson’s journey teaches us as oncologists to see beyond the illness (in our patients) and beyond the white coat (in our careers) to truly encounter the real person that hides underneath. This requires continual empathy development, an innate ability any of us can tap into. Empathy does not mean weakness and does not require emotional entanglement or judgment. Indeed, real superstar status and courage require owning one’s mistakes and developing empathy for the common suffering we all share.
Behind the art of war, fear, and human mammalian instinct exists a delicate creature in anguish with their previous self, undergoing the painful evolution from anger to empathy, from ego to wisdom, and, ultimately, from shackles to freedom. All of us are fighting ghosts of events and insecurities that define us. Wherever we may be on that journey, often in the safety of our own minds, there is that unseen kryptonite that holds us back but also motivates us to make our own comeback story.
Key Lessons From Mike Tyson’s Comeback Journey
- Dues are meant to be paid. Demons are meant to be confronted.
- Empathy is an ability. It can be tapped into. It can be developed.
- All journeys and people are capable of being saved.
- Not all journeys have the luxury of taking place out of the spotlight
- It is never too late to start being a role model.
- There is goodness in people and opportunities to make amends.
- Courage requires owning one’s mistakes.
- Sportsmanship, character, and composure require time.
- A lifelong pursuit of greatness requires intense work, focus, and patience.
- True competition is between you versus the previous you.
- Failure is not fatal.
- Discomfort is necessary for growth.
- Personal growth is not always linear and not always upward.
Questions to Reflect Upon
- Is there goodness in all people and opportunities to make amends?
- Are all journeys and all people capable of being saved?
- Beyond judgment of others, how developed is our empathy?
- Behind the controversy or publicity, do we truly believe in redemption?
- As we fight our own demons and insecurities in the safety of our minds without a spotlight, how does the unseen kryptonite both hold us back and motivate us to make our own comeback journey?
Watch my full podcast analysis of Mike Tyson’s comeback fight, including reflections upon many of the above lessons, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT9Fg1TXkbk.
Find more of my “Journeys of Transformation” columns here.
