“It’s Rehab Time” is a familiar phrase that followers of former NFL player, author, and motivational speaker Trent Shelton have come to embrace. Shelton turned the otherwise negative connotation of the word “rehab” into something positive, even something to achieve.
The phrase became a mantra for Shelton after suffering personal struggles and loss. In 2007, he played for the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. His NFL dreams did not come to fruition as injuries, and the uncertainty of the NFL played out in his life.
In 2011, Shelton held his first speaking engagement at a church in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, and realized his passion and path was to help people discover the greatness within themselves.
Shelton started creating YouTube videos that gave motivation, inspiration, and real-life solutions to life’s everyday problems. He delivers messages on depression, how to remain positive, having gratitude, and protecting one’s peace. The videos quickly went viral, and Shelton now speaks to an audience of over 2.3 million people daily.
“It’s not easy to carry the responsibility to help people,” says Shelton, who has used his losses and heartaches as an example of how to never give up.
Pivotal moments in his life, like the birth of his children, his best friend committing suicide, and the death of his mother, are all topics he talks openly about to his “rehabbers”. That transparency has helped Shelton connect with people and make them feel less alone.
In a quote taken from Shelton’s website, he says, “I was at a crossroads of my life, and I had to make a decision on who I wanted to become. The beauty and tragedy of those two moments (the birth of his son and his best friend’s suicide) ignited a fire in me that changed my life forever. It fueled me to be a better man in every sense of the word. I wanted to be a better father for my son, and I wanted to honor the soul of my best friend.”
Shelton’s authentic approach to life has been detailed in his best-selling books, Straight Up and The Greatest You. The books and his online content are Shelton’s way of “rehabilitating your mind, body, and soul.” Shelton’s motivation has brought him to stages worldwide, touching people in the United States, the United Kingdoms, Fiji, and Sweden.
“Rehab Time is about rehabbing your life. It’s about becoming the person you are capable of being. The person you were destined to become,” says Shelton. “I love being able to help people discover the greatness within themselves.”
You can follow Trent Shelton @trentshelton on social media or learn more about him at trentshelton.com.
