Misfit Entrepreneur January 2025 - 436: From World Champion Kickboxer to Prison to Business Icon: Ted Pryor’s Unbelievable Journey of Redemption

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Dave Lukas Chats with Ted Pryor

436: From World Champion Kickboxer to Prison to Business Icon: Ted Pryor’s Unbelievable Journey of Redemption

This week’s Misfit Entrepreneur is Ted Pryor. Ted has had one heck of a Misfit Entrepreneur journey. From 1982 to 1987, Ted was the middleweight kickboxing champion of the world. But behind the scenes, he was a key player in the biggest marijuana trafficking operation in American history. After a stint in prison, he re-emerged and became wildly successful in business, eventually founding Children of America, a company dedicated to providing high-quality childcare and education with more than 60 locations across 15 states.

In addition to that, Ted is an actor, producer, and just released his latest books, Three-Time World Champ: The Death-Defying True Story of a Kickboxer Turned Drug Smuggler . . . Turned Business Icon.

I excited for Ted to share his story and lessons learned from his entrepreneur journey.

https://tedpryor.com/

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Show Notes

Ted’s journey began as a scrawny kid in Queens, New York, who was constantly protected by his older brother. After moving to Florida and facing adversity, his father pushed him to take responsibility for himself, introducing him to karate. This transformed Ted’s confidence and discipline, eventually leading him to become a black belt and competing at high levels. He transitioned into kickboxing, where he thrived, becoming the middleweight kickboxing world champion from 1982-1987. However, during this time, Ted found himself involved in the marijuana trade, a decision influenced by his family’s struggles and his mother’s use of marijuana to ease her pain from cancer treatment. These choices led to a prison sentence but also became the turning point that fueled his commitment to a better life.

Note: We spend a lot of time going through Ted's story because it is so unbelievable and he answers a lot of questions giving insights along the way.

What were some of the most important lessons you learned from going to prison that helped you as an entrepreneur?

Prison was the lowest point of his life but also a place of personal transformation.
His martial arts training gave him the confidence and strength to survive in a brutal environment.
Learned the importance of discipline, self-awareness, and mental toughness.
Made a commitment to never return to crime and to rebuild his life through legitimate means.
Prison taught him resilience and the value of using tough experiences to fuel growth.

How did Ted start building his business, especially Children of America?

Initially used funds from his past to start a car wash business, cleaning and investing his money into legitimate ventures.
Partnered with Michael Weissman, who mentored him and introduced him to the childcare business.
Applied his skills in business development to expand from a few locations to over 60 centers across 15 states.
Focused on quality education and care, building a reputation as a top childcare provider.
Today, Children of America is the 7th largest childcare provider in the U.S., offering subsidized education to underprivileged families.

How did you overcome your past to become a successful entrepreneur?

Ted focused on proving the doubters wrong and showing that he could turn his life around.
He embraced discipline, hard work, and integrity in his business practices.
Leveraged the lessons from his past mistakes to build a strong foundation for his future.
Maintained a strong “never quit” attitude, instilled in him through martial arts and life experiences.

What advice do you have for others looking to move past their struggles and succeed?

Never feel sorry for yourself. Instead, take ownership of your situation and focus on solutions.
Stay disciplined and focus on personal growth, even during the most challenging times.
Remember that tough experiences can be transformative if you face them head-on.
Embrace the challenge of proving others wrong and let it fuel your success.

Best Quote

The tough times made me have no alternative but to get tough and do the right thing. I knew I was never going back.

Family and Helping Others: Ted focuses intently on the importance of family and making a positive impact on others.

Think, Be, Do: Believe in yourself, visualize your goals, and take consistent action to achieve them.

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