He floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. He went toe to toe with every heavy-hitter he came across. He was a heavyweight – not only in weight class but in sheer presence, both inside and outside of the ring.

Born in 1942, Cassius Clay went from a young boy aspiring to whup a bike thief to one of the most prominent athletes of all time. And on June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali passed away at 74, leaving behind nine children – one of whom is a boxer herself – and a legacy as one of the greatest fighters to ever live.

The man left an indelible mark on history and culture, and whether or not you're a boxing fan, there's no doubt that there are plenty of lessons you can learn from the guy.

Stand Fast by Your Beliefs

As a black athlete in the '60s, Cassius Clay hated going by his birth name. So what did he do? Well, there’s a reason he’s known as Muhammad Ali. He said, “Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it.”

When Ali was called to serve in Vietnam, he firmly refused on grounds that combat service went against his pacifistic Muslim faith, making him one of the most famous conscientious objectors to military service in U.S. history. He “ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong,” he said. “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform... and drop bombs and bullets on brown people... while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?”

“Lighting that torch in Atlanta didn't make me nervous. Standing up to the government – that made me nervous.”

This sentiment – that the United States ought to shift its focus from foreign wars and xenophobia to the eradication of hatred and bigotry on our own shores – was not only ahead of its time, but it launched Ali’s name from the realm of prized heavyweight boxer to that of an iconic civil rights figure. Ali was even stripped of his championship title because of his objection and still refused to be drafted. That made him an idol during the civil rights struggles of the '60s and '70s, and established him as an icon of the socially-conscious athlete for long after he hung up his gloves.

As for you? It's simple: hold true to yourself and your own beliefs, no matter what they may be.

Confidence is Key

Ali’s trash talking before his fights were some of the best ever, and his antics provoked the ire of fighter and fan alike. The sheer amount of confidence he exhibited bordered on cockiness, sure. But looking at his legacy, it's safe to say that confidence can get you pretty far.

“He might be great, but he'll fall in eight."

So give it a shot for yourself: stand tall with your head held high. Smile at everyone you meet. Don’t shy away from meeting strangers at your friend’s sister’s party where you don't know anyone, or let stage fright take hold before your presentation at work. Just like Ali owned the ring (or the mic during interviews), own that confidence. Be bold.

Don't Be Afraid to Crack a Joke

As Ali knew well, humor is something you can never have too much of. In his memoir, he revealed that a large slice of his desired legacy was his sense of humor, which comes through clearly in his cocky jabs to other boxers and his poetic self-promotion –e specially in his memorable rhymes about his near-superhuman athletic capabilities:

“I done wrestled with an alligator, tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick.”

Even into his later years, after Parkinson’s Disease had begun to debilitate his physical capabilities, his wit remained sharp as ever, as seen in numerous interviews within the few years prior to his passing. This speaks to the power of humor to defy human limits and spit in the face of even the most intense adversity, while keeping yourself young at heart. That's consistent with Ali’s philosophy and attitude, but more importantly, with the surefooted audacity he intended for his fans to absorb from his sensational persona.

Give Back

When you’re given a voice, it’s your duty to use it to help others. Besides being an immutably prominent figure during the civil rights era, Ali illustrated his commitment to equality and positivity by filling countless humanitarian roles – his negotiation for the release of several American hostages in Iraq in 2001 is just one example of many. As he said himself, “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

He was a wealthy, respected athlete and sports icon, yes, but he still went to great lengths to serve in the world around him. So do something yourself. Help out at your local shelters, donate canned goods or old clothes, adopt a shelter pet, or do whatever you can to make a difference in your world – no matter how big or small.

Be Passionate about Something

It goes without saying that Muhammad Ali had a fire and sheer talent for boxing. But even after he lost much of the vigor and speed of his youth, spending his prime years without a boxing license due to his Vietnam protest, he continued on. He remained dedicated to the sport – to being a champion – and he still managed to be granted a license while his case was in appeal, and continued to box until his license was reinstated. That fire never went out.

It wasn’t just boxing that he loved either. The man said once that of all his successes, he was most proud of his family. And he was a devout Muslim, with a deep personal fulfillment from his faith. Simply put: Ali was a great at boxing, but he was also great at life. Be passionate about your own.

Grab Life by the Horns

Ali started out as a young boy who had his bike stolen, vowing to get back at whoever stole it. Then he was a Golden Gloves champion, and then an amateur champion, and then an Olympic gold medalist. But obviously, he didn’t stop there: he turned professional and embarked on a remarkable and long career as a three-time world heavyweight champion.

What's that tell you? That you should always have a hunger for more, whether it’s to improve your weightlifting numbers, get that promotion at work, or whatever else. Keep moving on up with your life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was."

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life," Ali said. Case in point: he kept fighting way past his prime, he took on Sonny Liston when he was the underdog, he spoke his mind and let everyone know damn well who “The Greatest” was. He took his chances with his beliefs and with his career and they paid off. Follow suit by taking a leap here and there: ask out that pretty girl at the bar, see your boss about that raise you feel you’ve earned, go sky diving, and just generally try to break out of your comfort zone. Get out there – you'll be glad you did.

Speak Like You Mean It

Look up videos of Muhammad Ali trash talking, or giving speeches, or being interviewed. First of all, he doesn’t hold back whatsoever. He says anything and everything he wants to say, usually with a rhyme or touch of musicality. Second, his voice is loud and proud, like a roar. Now obviously, you probably shouldn't go into work hollering at everyone, but cut back speaking timidly. You’d be surprised how much more confident you’ll feel when you speak a little louder and a little sharper. Try it out: not quite drill sergeant but not quite librarian, either.

Find Your Purpose and Pursue It

Wake up every morning with a little bit of purpose. Drag yourself off to the gym before or after work, be productive at the office (as best as possible), and try to make the most out you can out of your day.

"Don’t count the days; make the days count."

Feeling drained from a droning nine-to-five? Switch things up: show up a little earlier, leave a little earlier, and take your guy or lady out to dinner. Swing by that new bar you've been meaning to check out for months. Clear some time to kick back and read whatever book has been sitting on your nightstand for ages. Shoot a text to a buddy you haven't seen in a while. Or just make yourself a fresh cup of pour-over instead of grabbing some instant coffee from the work break room once you get into the office. Life is short – live it up while you can.

So when you find yourself at the border of your comfort zone and uncharted territory, consider these lessons, and feel Muhammad Ali’s heavy glove on your shoulder, gently but firmly prodding you to step over the edge.

Life Lessons You Can Learn from Muhammad Ali

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