“Attitude Determines Where You Will Go In Life”
[Written by Don Burgess]
His past does not determine his future.
Cervio Cox has been to prison — multiple times — but rather than letting that label define him, Mr. Cox made a decision to use his experiences as building blocks.
Now a personal trainer at Seaview Ultimate Fitness Club, he lives by the M.A.D.E. Movement brand motto — Mental Attitude Determines Elevation.
Mr. Cox told Bernews it was while he was in prison facing attempted murder charges that he decided to take steps in turning his life around.
“I had a family, a daughter to take care of so it was a natural progression,” Mr. Cox said. “When I had the police come knock on my door and disturb my momma, it wasn’t a good look. I didn’t want to go through that again.”
He said while at Westgate he read and trained daily which enlightened him to different paths.
Mr. Cox said he realized he was making the same decisions and getting the same results. He admired people who kept themselves fit, regardless of whether they were in prison or not.
“It was a common thing that if you went to jail, you started working out and getting bigger,” he said. “I started doing my pushups and was super serious about it.
“People were seeing my results — some were coming to me for advice on fitness so I gave them books on health and fitness. I was doing a lot of reading about it so I was able to give them some educated advice.”
Cervio Cox training in the gym:
Mr. Cox said that was one of several moments that led him to become a personal trainer.
“I could be my own boss, which was something I’ve always wanted. Here I make my own times and create my own path.”
He had previously spoken with Seaview’s Ross Caesar prior to his last time being sent to jail so after being acquitted in November 2014, he pursued being a personal trainer.
“It was already simmering before I got out so I just turned the heat up.” Mr. Cox said. “I knew the direction I wanted to go and Ross Caesar was super helpful.”
He added that from all the reading he had done, passing the National Council for Certified Trainers Exam in April 2015 was easy.
Mr. Cox approached Seaview owners Melanie De Rosa and Percy Paynter about working there — they took a week to mull over the decision, but they believed that here was a young man who was getting his life together and deserved a chance.
He competed in two bodybuilding competitions last year, one in April the other in August finishing in the top three in his class both times.
Cervio Cox competing in a bodybuilding competition last year:
Mr. Cox is channeling his positive energy into a bright future and adds that others don’t have to let their past circumstances drag them down.
“The Mental Attitude Determines Elevation just clicked for me,” he said. “That’s my belief — people’s mental attitude determines where they will go in life.
“Everybody handles things differently, but I can say to anybody in a hard spot that somehow, someway you have to find within yourself the inner strength to keep moving.
“Even when you are down, accept the fact that you are down but don’t dwell on it. Figure out what you’re going to do to get yourself out of that hole.
“Start creating options and start creating pathways… to get out of your situation.”
Congratulations Mr Cox.
Your story is truly inspiring. May your success know no bounds, and your positive impact be renowned.
Very good, if we have Politicians running our island that were in the same position anything is possible.
Congratulations Mr. Cox. All the best to you. Always remember M.A.D.E. and keep believing, no matter the circumstances.
All the best mate! Keep it up.
Congratulations on the first leg of your journey. Keep striving to thrive. Set higher goals for yourself: you have a story and a message to tell. See yourself as a motivational speaker across the world. Dream big in 2016.
Appreciate that positive energy people.
Cervio great job and well done! but you need to take your message to the schools too cause many young people think that being in that street life is cool and its not, so please pass this message on to as many young people as you can. You been there and Who feels it knows it brah!blessings up!
Congratulations Cervio,Malcolm x discovered his path in Prison,he today stands as one of the most inspiring and sought after leaders in America Today even and especially after death.The spirit never dies and may your spirit live on forever as an inspiration to others in Bermuda.Much continued success and good health to you and your family and loved ones.To Percy Paynter and Melanie Derosa of the Seaview Health Club,congratulations for your example of good citizenship and .Proud to be a member of your facility.
Keep doing what your doing. Well done!!
excellent step forward. This country needs more and more young folk showing other young folk that they can achieve, and the process did not happen in a week. One may have to study on Fri-day and Saturday nights, from time to time, and also be willing to volunteer time in helping others. All the best to Mr. Cox .
this is a great inspirational story. Glad he turned his life around. Keep it going
good for you Cervio!
Proud of you Cerv.
This story gives me faith in Bermuda and its people the opportunities are there for the taking ,you are blessed Mr.Cervio God will guide you on your path !
This is truly an inspiring story. Way to go! We must look out for our young black men who are at risk – all symptomatic of deeper, psychological and historical issues which need addressing. Continue to encourage and talk to them and tell them they are princes and are capable of beating the odds.
Hopefully you mean on ALL OUR lost young men not just black, white, brown, purple, etc!
So proud of you Cervio! Inspiring
Set your sights higher…Premier one day?