Episode Details

“I am what I am and that’s all I am.” – Popeye

Popeye is a character of grit, determination, and clean eating, even if it’s from a can. For those that may not know, Popeye is a cartoon sailor and the hero of his show. Popeye is always getting into fights, usually in defense of his love Olive Oyl. He often starts out getting beat up at the beginning of those fights. That is, until he gets out of a can of spinach and consumes it ultimately gaining superpowers. He is able to do inhuman things that only a cartoon character can do after eating an entire can of spinach in one swallow. I can honestly say I love spinach because of Popeye.

Popeye’s body is oddly shaped. His forearms are bigger than his biceps. His face is constantly in a grimace. He dates a clumsy person that always gets herself into trouble. He eats spinach (and I sincerely don’t know what else.) He speaks with a lack of intelligence.

With all of that, Popeye is still unapologetically himself. He knows who he is and owns it. He doesn’t care what others think.

This quote also reminds me of an Eminem song, almost of the same wording. The Way I Am is a song about how Eminem refuses to change who he is even though so many other people pressure him to be different. In the song you hear him dealing with the frustration and the pressure to do more than he wants to and be like other people. He lashes out in the song saying “No” in a lot of amazing lyrics.

What can you take from these two men? Be yourself. Be unapologetically you. Expect that others will want you to change and be what you want instead. If you aren’t sure who you are, that’s fine. Take the time to discover that person. Take no shame in going on this journey to find yourself. The journey will reveal who you are in your own time.