Confidence Is Strength Collector Mug is a reminder that confidence is built through work, courage, and belief in yourself. The words on this mug are inspired by Muhammad Ali, an African American boxer born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942. When he was 12, his bicycle was stolen, and after telling a police officer he wanted to fight the thief, the officer suggested he learn how to box first. That moment began his boxing journey.
Ali faced challenges in school and struggled with reading when he was young, but he became powerful with his words. He practiced speaking, rhythm, and poetry, which helped shape the voice that later inspired millions. In 1960, he traveled to the Olympics in Rome and won a gold medal. He later became heavyweight champion of the world multiple times and was known for sayings like “I am the greatest” and “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” He also said, “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them,” a reflection of how he understood confidence and discipline.
In 1967, at the height of his career, he was banned from boxing and lost his title after refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam War, standing firm in his beliefs despite losing years of competition. Later in life, he spent time visiting hospitals, prisons, and communities to encourage others, often without publicity. In 1996, while living with Parkinson’s disease, he lit the Olympic torch in Atlanta, a moment that many people remember with deep respect. His life shows us that confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you build, protect, and stand on over time.
The background artwork on this mug comes from an original painting created by my son, Lamonte, whose creative expression and imagination are a constant reminder that legacy is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to build. This piece brings together history, voice, and the next generation of artists in one meaningful object meant to be used every day.
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.79″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.25″ (8.3 cm) in diameter
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.69″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.35″ (8.5 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Colored rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
