Meet Hergy Mayala

We were lucky to catch up with Hergy Mayala recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hergy, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience was born with me.

I came into this world during a civil war in Congo. The war was literally in our backyard. Most people around us had already accepted defeat and lost faith in the idea that anything could get better. But my parents didn’t. They fought for me and my sister when the world around us was falling apart. They refused to quit when quitting looked like the only option. Eventually, we were able to escape to a safer town.

Growing up, that same mentality was passed on to me. I learned very early that when everything around you tells you to give up, there is always another step you can take. There is always a way forward.

That mindset followed me into every stage of my life, in sports, in business, and in adversity. It became a habit: keep going. Don’t accept defeat as a final answer. Not every day will be a good day, but every day moves you forward.

My faith has always been a reminder of that. In 1 Peter 5:10 it says that suffering produces endurance, and when endurance has run its course, we become stronger and more complete. So when I experience hardship today, I don’t see it as a sign to stop. I see it as confirmation that I’m being shaped for something bigger.

That’s where my resilience comes from: from my roots, from my family, from my journey, and from knowing that there is always a reason to keep going.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a professional receiver and the founder of Receiver Academy, where I train and mentor young athletes to maximize their opportunities. My focus is on the complete development of a receiver, technique, football IQ, recruiting, strength, mentality and discipline. This year we launched a global platform that gives receivers anywhere in the world access to the same high-level training and knowledge that prepares them for the next level.

I also run a nonprofit organization supporting children in Congo, creating hope and opportunity through sports. My mission is to build more than athletes, I want to build confident leaders, open doors, and give young people the resources to reach their highest potential.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The Three most important lessons that shaped my journey all came from coaches who changed my life.

1. “You’re never as good as you think you are.”

I learned this at a young age. It taught me humility, but also the importance of constantly improving. The moment you think you’ve “arrived” is the moment you stop growing.

2. “Potential is like a Ferrari with no gas.”, Coach Aaron Smith

I realized that talent without work means nothing. The only way to fulfill potential is through discipline, preparation, and mastering your craft. That lesson became a foundation for everything I do today.

3. “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.”, Rhett Lashlee

Relationships and networking matter. Opportunities are created by people, and the right mentors, teammates and connections can elevate your path. That reminder taught me to build relationships, ask for help, and stay connected.

My advice for anyone starting their journey is simple:

Stay humble. Work like your talent isn’t enough. And surround yourself with people who push you higher. Those three things have carried me through every level of my life and career.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest growth in the past 12 months has been learning to surrender instead of trying to control everything. As an athlete and as someone who constantly strives for more, my instinct has always been to force solutions and push for outcomes. But this past year taught me that not everything needs to be controlled. Sometimes you have to allow things to unfold, to trust timing, and to let the right opportunities come.

That shift helped me slow down, appreciate the small moments, and be fully present. It made me more grateful, calmer, and better at enjoying the process instead of only chasing the goal. Surrendering didn’t make me passive, it made me more focused and grounded. It reminded me that growth happens in the moments we let go just as much as in the moments we push forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: hergymayala
• Linkedin: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3077632cc7d9f6838d2a9d4c05fa704ebb2452eb2a5a63d912a77ab6b900b6ddJmltdHM9MTc2NDI4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=05dd6896-dfac-6299-057b-7e3fde6d6317&psq=hergy+mayala+hudl&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9jYS5saW5rZWRpbi5jb20vaW4vaGVyZ3ktbWF5YWxhLTgzNzIxNDE4Ng
• Twitter: Bigplayhm

Image Credits

toronto argos
Bc lions