Dan O'Brien Quotes

Powerful Dan O'Brien for Daily Growth

About Dan O'Brien

Dan O'Brien (born October 15, 1966) is an American poet, playwright, screenwriter, and film director, known for his thought-provoking work that blends the personal and political. Born in San Francisco, California, he was raised in a family with a strong artistic background; his mother, Elizabeth Humphrey, was an artist, and his father, Tom O'Brien, was a novelist. O'Brien attended the University of Southern California (USC) where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in English. His poetry and plays often reflect his experiences at USC, including the 1990 play "The American Pilot," which earned him an Obie Award for Distinguished Playwriting. In the 1990s, O'Brien was deeply influenced by his friendship with renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and poet and AIDS activist Paul Monette. This period significantly shaped his work, particularly in addressing themes of love, loss, and mortality. His collaboration with Mapplethorpe led to the play "The House in Scarsdale," which was adapted into the film "Mapplethorpe" (2018). O'Brien's major works include the poetry collections "War Reporter" (1994), "Nomadic Verses" (1996), and "Winter Solstice" (2007); the plays "The War That Is Now" (2003) and "The Body of an American" (2004); and the screenplay for the film "Tomorrow We Move" (2004). His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, two PEN/USA Awards, and two Whiting Writers' Awards. Today, Dan O'Brien continues to write poetry, plays, and screenplays that challenge and inspire audiences, while also teaching at the University of Southern California as the Robert P. Hubbell Professor in Screenwriting.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a series of baby steps, followed by gigantic leaps, then more baby steps."

This quote suggests that life consists of a sequence of small, gradual progressions (baby steps) interspersed with significant, transformative moments (gigantic leaps). These transitions can be challenging but are essential for growth and development, after which we return to smaller, manageable steps (more baby steps), allowing us to adjust, learn, and prepare for the next leap. This cycle of progress reflects the ebb and flow of life's journey and encourages perseverance in both small and monumental achievements.


"I believe in being fully present in life. I believe in love and laughter, wisdom and whimsy, family and friends."

This quote expresses a deeply rooted belief in living a full, rich life that embodies various essential aspects of human experience. It emphasizes the importance of being fully present and engaged in life, finding joy and happiness in love, laughter, and moments of whimsy. Additionally, it highlights the value of seeking wisdom to better understand oneself and the world, and cherishing relationships with family and friends as vital components of a meaningful existence. Overall, this quote encourages us to savor life's experiences, embrace love and joy, cultivate wisdom, and nurture our connections with others.


"The bravest people I've known are those who have said 'I am afraid,' but went on staying afearless in the face of fear."

This quote highlights the courage not just in overcoming fear, but in acknowledging its presence while continuing to act despite it. It suggests that true bravery lies not only in the absence of fear, but in the ability to confront fear, acknowledge it, and press forward with resilience. The quote emphasizes that vulnerability and fear are human emotions, and those who face these feelings head-on and maintain their courage in spite of them are the most admirable individuals.


"Courage is not the absence of fear, it's the decision to act regardless."

This quote by Dan O'Brien highlights that courage does not equate to the absence of fear, but rather it embodies the determination to proceed with actions despite the presence of fear or apprehension. In other words, courage is the ability to face uncertainty or potential danger, knowing full well that one may feel afraid, and choosing to act anyway. This perspective emphasizes that courage is a choice made in the face of adversity, not a lack of fear or anxiety.


"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone."

This quote emphasizes the idea that while we may not have the capacity to assist every person in need, each individual has the power to make a difference in someone else's life. It highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and taking action in our local communities, recognizing that even small acts of kindness can have profound impacts on those around us. Essentially, it encourages people to focus on helping others wherever they are able, creating a ripple effect of positivity that can transform lives and communities for the better.


Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal.

- Dan O'Brien

Winning, Very, Olympic, World Record

Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal. It was a lot of years of work, and when I won it, it was more a sense of relief than jubilation or exaltation.

- Dan O'Brien

Years, Very, Olympic, World Record

When my world record got broken in 1999, it hurt a little bit, to say the least. But I was in a leg brace at the time and I had just had knee surgery and I couldn't do anything about it.

- Dan O'Brien

About, Had, Least, World Record

I was a good decathlete until I got with a coach that really knew how to train specifically for the event... I'd really describe it as like being a juggler; you have ten balls and you're trying to get them all in the air at the same time.

- Dan O'Brien

Good, Balls, Air, Specifically

When I was little, I wasn't allowed to put sugar on my breakfast cereal because it made me so hyper.

- Dan O'Brien

Made, Allowed, Put, Cereal

I think what my parents did was perfect. They were strict, concerned about my safety and held me back just a little.

- Dan O'Brien

Think, Perfect, I Think, Strict

As athletes, we're defined by what we've accomplished. Those are what most people remember and what you get paid for. But I learned more from my failures than from all of my successes put together - failures as an athlete and as a person.

- Dan O'Brien

Remember, Put, Accomplished, Defined

I was playing little league baseball when Bruce Jenner was winning the gold, but I don't think I was really paying attention at that time. It wasn't until 1980 - I think I was 12 years old - that I thought, 'Wow that's what I want to do. I want to be on the Olympic team.'

- Dan O'Brien

Thought, I Think, Olympic, Wow

The decathlon includes ten separate events and they all matter. You can't work on just one of them.

- Dan O'Brien

Work, Separate, Them, Decathlon

And there is such a thing as a decathlon high. It's like a rock rolling down hill, picking up momentum. You get better and better.

- Dan O'Brien

Down, Like, Picking, Decathlon

To me, the decathlon is its own little society and I am part of that culture.

- Dan O'Brien

Culture, I Am, Society, Decathlon

It took me time to realize that the men who won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon are just men, just like me.

- Dan O'Brien

Medals, Took, Olympic, Decathlon

I got interested in decathlon because a coach that I had was a big fan of Bruce Jenner, and he just saw the ability in me - but when it came down to it, I knew my best chance at a college scholarship would be in track and field.

- Dan O'Brien

College, Big, Had, Decathlon

There is nothing better than having a personal-best day, being in shape and pushing myself beyond my own limits.

- Dan O'Brien

My Own, Shape, Having, Limits

Through everything I've gone through- and I've been everywhere, at the top of the world, in jail, hung over drunk - I never gave up my dream of winning a gold medal in the Olympics.

- Dan O'Brien

Through, Over, Been, Gold Medal

It really means a lot that I won the gold medal - but I woke up the next morning expecting to feel different. I felt the same.

- Dan O'Brien

Next, Expecting, Means, Gold Medal

You need to become more than one type of athlete. You have to be a sprinter, a weight man and a distance guy all in one.

- Dan O'Brien

Distance, Athlete, Need, Sprinter

I just love playing so much, competing so much. You're able to put your losses behind you. One of the greatest attributes a decathlete can have is the ability to forget... to look ahead, not behind.

- Dan O'Brien

Love, Behind, Competing, Attributes

When first starting to work with someone you try to get them in the same mindset that you were in when you were successful, and I realized the best thing you can ever do is realize that they are not you. They have a different persona and mindset, and you have to figure out what works best within your communication with that athlete.

- Dan O'Brien

Best, Your, Works, Starting

I didn't get a ton of interest from colleges in baseball and football, but I was outstanding in track and had the sense that this would be my meal ticket... Track was a sport where I saw immediate improvement, and I had a lot of good support behind me... and the coaches had a lot of experience and pushed me in that direction for sure.

- Dan O'Brien

Experience, Behind, Had, Coaches

You have to be able to be a good loser. You have to be okay knowing you're going to fail every day in something without getting mad and upset.

- Dan O'Brien

Upset, Okay, Going, Good Loser

As a young child, I was never a crier. I never cried to get my way, or even when I was in pain.

- Dan O'Brien

Pain, Young, Way, Cried

If you never give up, you'll be successful.

- Dan O'Brien

Never, Give, Up, Successful

I was playing little league baseball when Bruce Jenner was winning the gold but I don't think I was really paying attention at that time.

- Dan O'Brien

Think, Little League, League, Paying

Take pride in exactly what it is you do and remember it's okay to fail as long as you don't give up.

- Dan O'Brien

Give, Okay, Exactly, Pride

I call myself a chameleon.

- Dan O'Brien

Myself, Call, Chameleon

Nowadays, to be a good world-ranked decathlete, you need to be good at everything.

- Dan O'Brien

Good, Need, Everything, Nowadays

As a young athlete, it was first about having fun; then it was about winning.

- Dan O'Brien

Winning, Young, Having, Athlete

After the failure in '92, my goal was to be a good pole vaulter. I used that as motivation.

- Dan O'Brien

Failure, Goal, After, Motivation

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