ANDY DENT | LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, MENTORSHIP, AND THE POWER OF FAITH IN PERSONAL GROWTH

A great example of this principle is a story from my good friend, Andy Dent.

Andy grew up in a household that struggled financially and ultimately broke apart due to the stress of it all. That experience at a young age created a desire deep within himself to do all he could to be able to support his family financially, but he had zero clue on how he would get there.

Later in his life, Andy served a mission for the LDS Church in Vancouver, Canada. While he was there he served under some incredible mission presidents, who saw potential in him and gave him responsibilities and resources to grow and succeed during the mission, and afterward.

One of them, a man named Ken Knight, took Andy under his wing and taught him about humility, faith, and kindness. Later Ken discovered that he had cancer, and one of the last things he did was arrange for Andy to attend school at BYU. 

Andy was shocked and asked him repeatedly how he could pay him back. Ken’s response was a simple one, “You’ll repay me by doing this for someone else one day.”

After Ken passed, Andy resolved that he would never forget the incredible ways his mentors and God had blessed his life and that he would do all he could to pay it forward.

Many years later, after Andy had his first massive financial success—the first of many—he told me that he immediately went to Ken Knight’s grave, and told him that he wouldn’t forget his promise, and would pay it forward.

You never know the good you can cause by just believing in someone more than they believe in themselves.

Andy has been such an incredible example to me and all those he interacts with. His humility and desire to serve people have touched the lives of so many individuals. I’m grateful for our friendship.