Being famous enough to be recognized on the streets was of little comfort. I was unemployed, with only a tenth grade education and no marketable skill. My first year working, I think I earned about $1,200 doing small bits of modeling and acting. When my wife saw my tax slip which showed how little income I had earned for the year, she went through the roof. I knew I had to find some real employment.
My first two jobs were selling for different divisions of Avenue Television and Telecommunications. Both were disasters that drove my confidence down even further. I never quit either job because that wasn’t me, but I was very relieved both times when I was told that I was being let go. It was just as well, because I can’t remember making any sales. I was incredibly depressed, and absolutely seething with anger at the world.
The only release during those bleak days was running ten miles every day alone with my dog. It was the only escape I had. I started working at a radio station and doing some air time for free. Over the next sixteen years, I worked and improved and became the anchor for the sports broadcasts for CityTV in Toronto. I was driven by the fear of falling back to the state I had been in during the first few years after retirement.
I finally have stability in my life, which is quite a change considering I have moved at least 48 times. I am now recognized for my television career and not for hockey. Recently I embraced spirituality, and I credit it with finally bringing peace and happiness to my personal life. That, combined with a stable career, have made the last twelve years the best of my life. Whatever comes my way, I will deal with and accept, because I know that God is applying the direction and knowing this has taken away my fears of the future. I have learned from my ups and downs that we take life for granted. It is precious and we spend too much time worrying. I now live to enjoy each day thoroughly and am no longer in a fragile state.
In the past, when difficult moments arose, I would blame others and escape to another night or week of partying. My turnaround occurred when I took responsibility for my future and ceased blaming others. I stopped escaping the challenges I was enduring which allowed me to set the foundation for a new career. I did not quit trying despite years of frustration and self-imposed humiliation.
Bio: Jim McKenny was an NHL hockey player in the 1960s and 70s primarily playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Upon retirement, he found himself heavily in debt. He eventually became a television sports anchor in Toronto for many years before retiring. Provided by: www.survivingadversity.com
