Born in Akron, Ohio on September 8, 1989, Mylan Murphy was brought into this world ready to make an impact on other’s lives. Throughout his childhood, Mylan had a passion for basketball, fashion, business, and helping others around him. He was always trying to make someone feel better, rather if it was making them laugh, giving them advice, or simply just sharing words of encouragement. His sense of love and kindness truly is something special about him. However, in 2003 when Mylan was 13 years old, one of the biggest obstacles he has ever gone through jumped into his life; His family was separating, in result of his Parents’ getting a divorce. Just getting ready to enter his freshman year in High School, Mylan was distraught and confused. He had no clue how he was going to continue on in life, he felt like all he had was he and sports.

Due to hard times financially, physically, and mentally, Mylan’s determination would not let him down. The summer of his 8th grade year, Mylan started his first business. A clothing line by the name of Novel Clothing. While serving as a student-athlete, Mylan had great success with his clothing line. He would design shirts and sell them to various people; friends, family, etc. In result of his talent on the basketball court and business sense off the basketball court, Mylan received a lot of media attention throughout his high school years. He was featured on the front page of the Akron Beacon Journal for basketball as well as his clothing.

Following his first media debut, Mylan received a lot of attention nationwide for his accomplishments. He was soon in multiple newspapers locally and state-wide, as well as News Stations. He had a feature on Channel 5 News, and following his first television debut, Mylan received an article in “Career World” magazine for his basketball and business accomplishments. During Mylan’s media success, he was asked by many to start motivational speaking to other peers and younger individuals about his success.

Mylan began speaking and impacting other’s lives mid-way through his high school years. In result of, Mylan began to develop great personal skills which have helped him become the person he is today. Throughout his high school years, he began to find favor through his peers and was named Homecoming King, Class President, and Senior superlative, “Most Likely to become Famous”. In 2007, Mylan received a full basketball scholarship to college.

Shortly after leaving home for college Mylan’s independence started to kick in, and he was able to finally get a feel for himself, and find out who he really was; Not a basketball player, not a high school student, but as an adult in the real world. While living in a community surrounded by homeless people and drug addicts that Mylan would see daily, Mylan was forced to open his eyes to the problems that are within the real world. Going to school as a full-time college student as well as being a college basketball player, on top of being an entrepreneur, was an extremely tough and busy schedule for Mylan. After going through multiple problems with teammates, etc, all outside of Mylan’s own reach, he made the biggest decision of his life. Mylan chose to give up the game of basketball at the college he was currently attending. He realized that the majority of his life had been playing basketball, traveling the country for tournaments weekly, and it just wasn’t for him any longer at that specific time. It just wasn’t the lifestyle he wanted to further live in. This was definitely the lowest point in Mylan’s life mentally, however it was also the turning point of Mylan’s life overall. Mylan struggled with telling his family, friends, and coaches about his decision. No one was able to see the vision that he saw behind “basketball”. The only thing everyone else saw was just how good of a basketball player he was, and how “stupid” it was for him to stop playing. Mylan dealt with negativity from others for months and months after his decision was made. He was told he would never finish school, he was told it was the worst decision he’s ever made, he was told that he was stupid and had no clue what he was doing to himself. Although all the name calling, lack of support and negativity Mylan was put through hurt very much, he never let it get to him. He knew that he had a bigger plan in life than just “basketball”. Mylan had big visions planned for his future. And he knew that making the decision he made was in his best interest at that particular time. Regardless what everyone else said.

Mylan still continued school as well as business. He felt that he could now pursue more of his visions since he had the burden of basketball of his shoulders. Mylan began to give his clothes, shoes, and money away to the homeless straight off of the streets that he would see and run into around his apartment. Mylan firmly believe’s in giving back to all people, no matter race, sex, age, or background, and living in the environment in which he did, was the perfect situation and place for Mylan to prove so. The act of giving back helped Mylan establish his second business, which is a website by the name of www.iPostandSell.com which is a site for entrepreneurs and business owners to expose themselves and services by “Marketising Yourself to Success”, a phrase created by Mylan meaning advertise and market your product or service to success. And shortly after Mylan’s 1st website was established, he came up with another clothing line. And after the 2nd clothing line, he created his 2nd website/company which was designed for all people (specifically his friend’s) to make money through a t-shirt program he started, selling his clothing line shirt’s; www.M2PrintShop.com. While still finishing up his dental technician certification program that he was still in during his basketball days, Mylan was focused and determined to reach every goal he implied and prove all the doubters wrong that said he wouldn’t be anything and he wouldn’t finish school. In the summer of 2008, Mylan completed his Dental Technology Certification Program that people said he wouldn’t do. And although Mylan had finished his certification program and created multiple businesses and websites, he just wasn’t quite done. He felt that there was something missing. He wanted to do something that would actually impact people’s lives on a daily basis. He wanted to be known worldwide for helping and impacting others in a positive way. He wanted to create something that people couldn’t duplicate or take away from him. So after many long days of intense brainstorming, he decided to create an organization; Strive4 Organization. And here we are today, on the Strive4 Organization website, in result of Mylan’s Education, Inspiration, Motivation, and Dedication. The 4 main components that make up the Strive4 Organization.

On December 7th, 2008, Mylan suffered a severe leg injury while playing basketball in a pick-up game at a church. He fractured his tibia in eight spots, and stretched his ACL and PCL. Fortunately, Mylan did not undergo surgery however he underwent a major setback in his life like never before. After months and months of Mylan being unable to walk, he describes his injury as one of the best things that could have happened in his life. Mylan was able to sit back and realize how valuable life truly is. He was so limited and restricted to everything he was use to doing; it showed him a new way of life. It taught him discipline. While recovering from his injury, Mylan received a phone call from a college in regards to playing basketball. For weeks, Mylan was skeptical about even considering the option, due to his past experiences, and now, his most recent injury. However, there was something inside of Mylan telling him to seek the opportunity. So Mylan flew out to the school for an official visit, and fell in love with the opportunity and environment around him. Mylan describes his injury as “blessed” and “unreal”. He has accomplished multiple things that he has never imagined he could, especially with a broken leg, and wants the world to know that “you, too, can do the same thing; No matter the circumstance”. In April of 2009, Mylan signed a Letter of Intent to attend Northern Michigan University on a full basketball scholarship. Mylan oversees this opportunity to attend NMU, not only as a route to play basketball again and receive a free education, but most importantly as mission to impact people’s lives and help people as best as he can with sharing his story. Mylan also plans to start a college campus tradition that starts from NMU, which will carry eventually to every college in the country with Strive4 groups on every campus that will consist of students who all stand and believe for the Strive4 Organization’s goals and missions that Mylan is trying to get across to our nation, especially this generation.

Mylan has truly already, lived out a dream within his life thus far at such a very young age, and he continues to Strive4 more and being the best leader he can possibly be. He now impacts people daily through his organization, with the various programs, presentations, events, and life coaching techniques he uses. And just the simple fact of his presence is now appreciated to be within an environment because he truly is one who touches lives!