By Jeff Wilen for JAWBreaker

Former wrestler Marc Mero spoke Thursday in front of several hundred students, faculty and guests at Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach.

Since 2007, Mero has been the founder, author and inspirational speaker of "Champion of Choices," which empowers people to make positive choices.

I found Mero's roughly hour-and-a-half speech to be captivating. If you ever have a chance to listen to him speak, do so.

Mero used clips from his wrestling career right off the start, which garnered credibility from any doubters.

He did an excellent job incorporating music into his talk.

As a fan of Drowning Pool's "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor," I enjoyed the wrestling clips.

"We are defined by the choices we make," Mero said.

Mero said he wrestled for 14 years, traveling to 250 cities per year.

He spoke about hanging out with celebrities like former President Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Ali, Kiss, Kid Rock, Shaquille O'Neal and Hulk Hogan.

He got a good crowd response when he held up his two world championship belts and a few action figures.

Mero spoke about transferring hopelessness to happiness and tragedy to triumph.

He discussed how he became famous and rich, but how he wasn't happy until about 8 years ago when he rededicated himself to Jesus Christ.

"I'm not that different than you," Mero told what was mostly young children in the crowd.

The bulk of Mero's talk was about his family experiences. He talked about divorce and what it was like seeing his dad pack his bags when he was 8 years old.

"Happiness is the key to success," said Mero, who reminded the kids it's not about money or fame.

I could tell how Mero cares for the future of children.

He was interested in their dreams -- catching a winning pass in the Super Bowl, getting the game-winning hit in the World Series or becoming a famous singer.

"When you feel that defining moment, you have to go for it," Mero said. "Follow your heart."

Mero talked about his boxing career and "I believe," leading to him becoming the New York State Golden Globes Boxing Champion.

He explained that sometimes life throws you a curveball, evident with a broken nose that ended his boxing career.

That led to Mero's rough years. He spoke about drinking and drugs.

"One year became 10 years," said Mero, whose only steady job during this time was digging swimming pools.

"I had no time for my mom, my brother, my sister," Mero said.

I liked Mero mentioning his high school reunion, and how kids he couldn't remember at that moment would come up to him and remind him how he protected them from bullies in high school.

Mero didn't avoid the topic of suicide, giving specific examples of children he has encountered through his talks. He explained how important it was to not take on the world by yourself and to avoid negative behavior.

Mero's encounters opened new doors for him.

"Everybody hurts; everybody cries; hold on," Mero said in regards to bullying. "I'm dedicating my life to helping as many people as I can. How you are treated is as important as how you treat other people.

"It's not on the outside, it's on the inside what matters," Mero said.

Mero talked about his love of God and love of people.

"We're defined by our choices," said Mero, who started wrestling at the age of 30 and made his big debut one year later.

For those who don't recall Mero's rise to fame, it was quick. And impressive.

Mero was named Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year in 1991.

He ended up getting the black cadillac and the boat he wanted as a youngster. He got a house, and another house and a third house. But he lost it all.

"My wife walked out," Mero said, without mentioning Sable (Rena Greek) by name. "I don't blame her."

One of the touching moments of Mero's speech, which was probably lost on many of the youngsters, were the big names on his "Death List."

Names such as Eddie Guerrero, The British Bulldog, Hawk, The Big Bossman, Owen Hart, Mike Awesome, Rick Rude, The Junkyard Dog, Miss Elizabeth, Test, Nancy Benoit and Chris Benoit were listed.

The list is a reminder to Mero of his friends, and wrestling opponents, that are no longer with us for various reasons -- mostly (but not all) due to bad choices.

Mero went back to a discussion of his family -- his sister's cancer, getting a phone call while at a Japan show saying his mom had died, finding out his brother fell and hit his head and died, and finding out his father died. He spoke of why cigarette smoking is bad, mentioning his mother's death at the age of 58 and his father's death.

There was a very nice clip from the 1992 Olympics of Derek Redmond, who tore his hamstring in the 400-meter semifinal but still managed to finish the race, with some assistance from his father, as the crowd cheered.

Mero closed with how things are "going to get better." He said how important it is to have "faith, not fear."

"Fear builds mountains, and faith removes them," Mero said. "Smile. Making a living is not the same as making a life."

On something I think the children really related to, Mero explained how important parents and family are, giving his experiences of ignoring them at various times in his life as proof.

"Repair broken relationships and be careful who you let fall out of your life," Mero said.

Mero impressively rambled off 26 occupations, each one starting with a different letter of the alphabet. And yes, wrestler was on the list.

"The greatest risk is not taking one," Mero said about kids' dreams.

Mero closed his talk by taking numerous pictures with the children, signing autographs and taking questions from the kids.

I know Mero got through to the children, as the questions centered around what he was talking about and not about his wrestling career.

That doesn't mean JAWBreaker didn't ask a few wrestling questions. After the speech, of course.

Mero confirmed to me how important the Malenkos were in "teaching him how to wrestle." He was appreciative in Dusty Rhodes "giving me my first contract" and becoming Johnny B. Badd.

"I was the first wrestler with a guaranteed contract," Mero said.

Mero said he doesn't watch much wrestling now, but keeps up with the major story lines.

As busy as Mero is, I can understand why. And I appreciate what he has dedicated his life to doing.

"I get 100s of letters every day," Mero said.

Mero said he doesn't keep in touch with many wrestlers. But he talks to Diamond Dallas Page, who is a big motivator through his yoga.

He also mentioned those wrestlers that are trying to help others through religion or motivation -- Lex Luger, Ted DiBiase, Nikita Koloff and Sting, to name a few.

"I still train three times per week and eat really good," Mero said.

Mero said some of his best feuds were with Stone Cold Steve Austin and the late Brian Pillman.

He said his best feud was probably with the late Eddie Guerrero, who just "knew" how to wrestle.

Mero has a book out on "How To Be The Happiest Person On The Planet."

For more on Mero, visit www.facebook.com/marcmero2 or www.ThinkPOZ.org