Jehyve Floyd writes book of Inspiration
Feb 26, 2021 9:57:19 GMT -5
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Post by thecrossisback on Feb 26, 2021 9:57:19 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/story/sports/2021/02/26/godfidence-former-holy-cross-basketball-star-jehyve-floyd-writes-book-inspiration/6816374002/
Former Holy Cross star Jehyve Floyd is starting for his Hapoel Gilboa Galil team of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, he’s engaged to be married in June, he’s embracing his faith and his life’s journey — the good and the bad — and eager to share his experiences with the hope of inspiring others in his forthcoming book, “Godfidence.”
After graduating from Holy Cross in 2019, Floyd, a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, signed his first professional contract with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg of the German Bundesliga. Being cut by the team was a dark, difficult and very reflective time for Floyd, who has suffered from self-doubt much of his life. His written thoughts about the disappointment were part of his healing process and also the impetus for his book.
“It was more of a spiritual awakening,” Floyd said during a Zoom interview from Gan Ner, the small village where his team is based and about 90 minutes north of Jerusalem. “I had been trying to do life alone this whole time, basically just wrestling with my worst fears of disappointment and failing and abandonment. Trying to balance my faith and basketball has always been tough for me until I was able to hone in and include my faith in my basketball journey.”
Floyd hoped his 150-page, first-person narrative, being published by Williams Commerce, would come out in February for Black History Month, but likely will be released within the next two weeks, he said. He recently received a proof of the book. On the cover is a smiling photo of Floyd, the first member of his immediate family to graduate from a four-year college, in his Holy Cross cap and gown.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen (the book) as a book,” Floyd said.
Floyd, 23, said he never really had a knack for writing, though his compelling college essay, about determination, indicates otherwise. He has always been introspective, interested in gaining and sharing inspiration and wisdom, and while studying sociology at Holy Cross leaned on his own experiences to learn about society. Floyd has since developed a strong interest in psychology.
“I’m continuing to learn,” Floyd said. “You’re going to learn something about yourself every day.”
In the introduction to the book, Floyd, who grew up in New Jersey, writes about the impact of his parents’ divorce, when he was 11, and its aftermath, leaving home at age 17 and living at friends’ houses before heading off to Holy Cross.
“I remember how (the divorce) really affected me,” Floyd said. “I had suicidal thoughts. I questioned my existence, tried to find my purpose in life. Having confidence in God’s plan for me has always pushed me to keep going. If I didn’t have faith, I probably wouldn’t be here, to be honest. Holding on to my beliefs really steered me to where I am now.”
Finding his place at Holy Cross was the next challenge for Floyd, who also writes about his struggles with anxiety and depression.
Inherently shy and alone in a new environment, Floyd eventually flourished as a very involved and dedicated member of the Holy Cross community, a leader of Men of Color Athletes and the Black Student Union, and with a video series called “The Hub.”
“Shyness comes from feeling alone,” Floyd said. “Once you are embraced by a community, you start to feel like yourself, you start to feel accepted where you can be your true self. In the book, (I write about) having this mask just to protect who you are so you won’t be judged or feel hurt. It’s OK to be yourself. Everybody won’t accept you, and that’s OK because the ones that do are going to mean the most to you.”
Floyd had his first speaking gig last month, a Zoom discussion with student-athletes at Washington College in Maryland about the issues and struggles of being a Black athlete at a predominantly white college. The feedback he got after the presentation is inspiring Floyd’s next book.
In “Godfidence,” Floyd presents his struggles, failures, successes and triumphs to give readers a realistic perspective of his life.
“I’m willing to be vulnerable and express my story,” Floyd said, “so it can allow people also to feel comfortable to not ignore their pain and be able to find love again. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to find love in this thing we call life. That’s mainly my purpose now; I’m just trying to spread as much love and positivity and be real and not just show the good side of stuff. In the book there is a lot of dark side. People will be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were like that,’ but I’m human and I’m not perfect and I understand that.”
On the topic of love, Floyd will marry Rosangel Cruz Cabrera, a 2018 Holy Cross graduate and Rhode Island resident, this summer.
“I talk a lot about that in the book, too,” Floyd said, “my journey learning how to love someone else. Long distance shows you a lot how committed you are to that person, learning how to communicate and hold that bond from a long distance.”
Floyd has watched most of his former HC’s teams games this season on the Internet.
“Our team (in Israel) reminds me a lot of the team for Holy Cross right now,” Floyd said. “Young, energetic, no egos, just playing really hard.”
After being cut by the German team, Floyd picked right back up and signed with Larisa of the Greek Basket League. In 2019-20, he led the league in blocked shots with 44.
Floyd believes “Godfidence” will appeal to young athletes and their parents, his contemporaries, and an even wider audience.
“I feel whoever is human could relate to this,” Floyd said. “That’s my goal. Whatever hands it touches, I know I’m doing my job because I’m just doing the best I can to use my life as an example to show people there is a God, and when you believe, good things will happen.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
Former Holy Cross star Jehyve Floyd is starting for his Hapoel Gilboa Galil team of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, he’s engaged to be married in June, he’s embracing his faith and his life’s journey — the good and the bad — and eager to share his experiences with the hope of inspiring others in his forthcoming book, “Godfidence.”
After graduating from Holy Cross in 2019, Floyd, a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, signed his first professional contract with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg of the German Bundesliga. Being cut by the team was a dark, difficult and very reflective time for Floyd, who has suffered from self-doubt much of his life. His written thoughts about the disappointment were part of his healing process and also the impetus for his book.
“It was more of a spiritual awakening,” Floyd said during a Zoom interview from Gan Ner, the small village where his team is based and about 90 minutes north of Jerusalem. “I had been trying to do life alone this whole time, basically just wrestling with my worst fears of disappointment and failing and abandonment. Trying to balance my faith and basketball has always been tough for me until I was able to hone in and include my faith in my basketball journey.”
Floyd hoped his 150-page, first-person narrative, being published by Williams Commerce, would come out in February for Black History Month, but likely will be released within the next two weeks, he said. He recently received a proof of the book. On the cover is a smiling photo of Floyd, the first member of his immediate family to graduate from a four-year college, in his Holy Cross cap and gown.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen (the book) as a book,” Floyd said.
Floyd, 23, said he never really had a knack for writing, though his compelling college essay, about determination, indicates otherwise. He has always been introspective, interested in gaining and sharing inspiration and wisdom, and while studying sociology at Holy Cross leaned on his own experiences to learn about society. Floyd has since developed a strong interest in psychology.
“I’m continuing to learn,” Floyd said. “You’re going to learn something about yourself every day.”
In the introduction to the book, Floyd, who grew up in New Jersey, writes about the impact of his parents’ divorce, when he was 11, and its aftermath, leaving home at age 17 and living at friends’ houses before heading off to Holy Cross.
“I remember how (the divorce) really affected me,” Floyd said. “I had suicidal thoughts. I questioned my existence, tried to find my purpose in life. Having confidence in God’s plan for me has always pushed me to keep going. If I didn’t have faith, I probably wouldn’t be here, to be honest. Holding on to my beliefs really steered me to where I am now.”
Finding his place at Holy Cross was the next challenge for Floyd, who also writes about his struggles with anxiety and depression.
Inherently shy and alone in a new environment, Floyd eventually flourished as a very involved and dedicated member of the Holy Cross community, a leader of Men of Color Athletes and the Black Student Union, and with a video series called “The Hub.”
“Shyness comes from feeling alone,” Floyd said. “Once you are embraced by a community, you start to feel like yourself, you start to feel accepted where you can be your true self. In the book, (I write about) having this mask just to protect who you are so you won’t be judged or feel hurt. It’s OK to be yourself. Everybody won’t accept you, and that’s OK because the ones that do are going to mean the most to you.”
Floyd had his first speaking gig last month, a Zoom discussion with student-athletes at Washington College in Maryland about the issues and struggles of being a Black athlete at a predominantly white college. The feedback he got after the presentation is inspiring Floyd’s next book.
In “Godfidence,” Floyd presents his struggles, failures, successes and triumphs to give readers a realistic perspective of his life.
“I’m willing to be vulnerable and express my story,” Floyd said, “so it can allow people also to feel comfortable to not ignore their pain and be able to find love again. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to find love in this thing we call life. That’s mainly my purpose now; I’m just trying to spread as much love and positivity and be real and not just show the good side of stuff. In the book there is a lot of dark side. People will be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were like that,’ but I’m human and I’m not perfect and I understand that.”
On the topic of love, Floyd will marry Rosangel Cruz Cabrera, a 2018 Holy Cross graduate and Rhode Island resident, this summer.
“I talk a lot about that in the book, too,” Floyd said, “my journey learning how to love someone else. Long distance shows you a lot how committed you are to that person, learning how to communicate and hold that bond from a long distance.”
Floyd has watched most of his former HC’s teams games this season on the Internet.
“Our team (in Israel) reminds me a lot of the team for Holy Cross right now,” Floyd said. “Young, energetic, no egos, just playing really hard.”
After being cut by the German team, Floyd picked right back up and signed with Larisa of the Greek Basket League. In 2019-20, he led the league in blocked shots with 44.
Floyd believes “Godfidence” will appeal to young athletes and their parents, his contemporaries, and an even wider audience.
“I feel whoever is human could relate to this,” Floyd said. “That’s my goal. Whatever hands it touches, I know I’m doing my job because I’m just doing the best I can to use my life as an example to show people there is a God, and when you believe, good things will happen.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
