Dreams change when you least expect it, but every closed door brings new opportunities.
Arnold has been growing, evolving, and adapting his life story ever since he was a kid. Growing up on the rough streets in Saint Lucia, Arnold started forming his own path and followed his dreams of being a professional basketball player. After years of training, and making it into the NCAA Division 1 level, Arnold chose to hang up his jersey, and start a new journey with his wife and family. Jump to several years later, he is now a beloved ‘Dad-fluencer’, motivational speaker, and published author, sharing his story and love of being a father in hopes to inspire others with his personal story.
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey to Canada?
In 2010 after graduating from University, I decided to move to Canada where it has become my home ever since. Back then, I really wanted to pursue a professional basketball career, but sometimes dreams don’t always work out. This is when I decided I am going to hang up my jersey and start a family. And ever since I became a family-man, a father, and a husband, this has been one of the happiest days of my life.
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
A Daddy. Ambitious. Motivated.
How did you get to where you are today?
Right now, I am in a very happy place in my life. Because back when I was growing up, I never had my father involved in my life. When I was a kid, I made a promise to myself that I would always be there for my children, and ever since I became a father in 2014 to my first son, that promise has been kept. And as of today, I am blessed with 3 boys! I met my wife in 2014 and she has been one of the most supportive, loyal, and amazing women in my life. She was able to give birth to 3 of my amazing boys, and I thank my wife every day for allowing us to have an awesome family. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today because I was in a place in my life where, I was broken, I was hurt, I really wanted to pursue a professional basketball dream, but after hurting myself, I decided to hang up my jersey and go and pursue a different dream. Luckily, after meeting my wife, I was able to find that dream. And that dream was for me to become a family-man, a husband, and just raise my boys the way I was never raised. My children bring me so much joy and happiness every day, and I am so thankful for being able to be part of their lives.
What are your goals and aspirations?
My children. Every morning when I wake up, I look forward to loving my children even harder than the day before. I look forward to being even more present and involved in their life, because as a child, I never had that. My father never loved me. He was never there. He was never around. So, I made a promise that I will make a difference. I will break the cycle. I will be more involved in my children’s life. So, every day, this is my goal, this is my aspiration. I want to become the best father to them. I want to raise them right. I want to be there whenever they need someone, or a shoulder to cry on. Yeah…that is the type of dad I want to be to my boys. I know what it feels like to have that void missing in your childhood. I love my boys so dearly, and every day I think of ways on how I can become a better father for them, and help bring happiness in their life, because that’s what I ever wanted as a child. And I know deep down inside, if I had my father involved in my life, things would have been so much easier.
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