"What You’re Made For": Lessons from a Life Well Lived

Orphaned at just thirteen in a still-segregated Washington, D.C., Daily Coach co-founder George Raveling—known simply as "Coach" to many—was introduced to a relatively unpopular sport at the time: basketball. The rest, as they say, is history.

But Coach Raveling hasn’t just witnessed history—he has lived it, transcending the intersections of sports, business, and culture. When you begin to unravel his journey, it's almost unfathomable how one person could have endured so much adversity, so many unknowns, and yet, at 87 years old, still stand eager to share the improbable series of unexpected opportunities, hard-fought battles, and life-changing lessons that have shaped and transformed him.

Yet that is exactly what he has done—a testament to the idea that it is never too late to make a positive difference, to lead a liberated, uncommon life, and to inspire others to do the same.

Coach Raveling’s highly anticipated book, What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports, co-authored with Ryan Holiday, officially releases today. Available wherever books are sold, it arrives at a unique and critical moment in history, culture, and leadership.

"What I want to do—and what I still strive for at 87 years old—is figure out what I don’t know but need to know, and how it can help me stay relevant in this ever-changing world," Coach Raveling recently shared.

As someone who has lived through so many pivotal moments, Coach Raveling reminds us that while the world and our organizations are constantly changing, we have far more control than we think to shape the trajectory of our own lives. And we begin this journey more intentionally by asking one of the most powerful, enduring questions: What am I made for?

Coach Raveling never set out to write a memoir. Instead, What You're Made For is an exploration of purpose and meaning—a collection of stories and lessons designed to inspire, challenge, and provoke reflection on the roles we are each called to play in this complex, beautiful journey of life.

Through chapters of his remarkable journey, Coach Raveling explores both timely and timeless lessons, such as:

• To be a trailblazer – to have the courage to forge new paths and open doors for others.

• To struggle – to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, knowing that the setbacks and hardships we endure shape us and give meaning to our triumphs.

• To seek out wisdom – to actively pursue knowledge with curiosity, embrace diverse perspectives, and step beyond comfort zones for growth and understanding.

• To serve others – to use your gifts and talents for the benefit of those around you.

• To keep hope alive – to believe in the possibility of a better future, even in the darkest of times.

• To tell the truth – to live with integrity and speak honestly, even when it’s difficult.

• To bring people with you – to lift others up as you climb.

• To create order from chaos – to find structure and meaning in life's challenges.

• To change the world – to believe in your power to make a difference, no matter how small.

• To live – to embrace each moment with purpose, gratitude, and urgency, making the most of our limited time to leave a meaningful impact on others.

These lessons—along with the many others found in the book—have shaped Coach Raveling’s understanding of what it truly means to live. They have guided him through the highs and lows, the triumphs and setbacks, and continue to inspire him every day to make the most of the time we have.

Because none of us truly know how much time we have. We can live in fear of our mortality, or we can use it as motivation to make the most of every moment. We can choose to spend our days making a positive impact in the lives of those around us, in the spaces we navigate, and in the world at large—or we can play it safe and watch from the stands as spectators. We can choose to spend our time connecting, sharing, and living with deeper gratitude and purpose—or we can drift through life, waiting for someone else to rescue us. But the truth is, no one is coming to save us.

Because that—is what we are all made for.

Not merely to exist, survive, float, or drift along, but to truly live. To squeeze every ounce of meaning and impact out of the time we are given. To touch as many lives as we can. To study, listen, and learn. To keep going, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

We are thrilled for the release of What You’re Made For today. We are profoundly inspired and immensely proud of the impactful work Coach Raveling and Ryan Holiday have collaborated on to share with you and the world.

We invite you to explore this question for yourself and with us—What was I made for?—through the wisdom of the many teachers and mentors who have influenced Coach Raveling’s extraordinary life, both in person and within the pages of books.

As Coach Raveling would say, "I can’t tell you where your path will lead, but I can tell you it begins by asking…What was I made for?"

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1  George Raveling and Ryan Holiday, What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports (New York: Portfolio, 2025) 187–198.