About Ishmail Downes, Self Improvement Strategist

Personal life

Ishmail Downes, called Ish by his friends and family, was born in Hammersmith, West London, England. He was brought up in Stonebridge, North West London and attended John Kelly Boys School. His parents split up when he was nine years old.

His mother has been quoted as saying, "I could see that Ish was going to be a leader from the second he learnt how to talk" and that "he has a big heart and is very charismatic".

Downes was a very talented Footballer, and had trials with various professional football clubs. Downes was tipped to become a professional footballer by most that saw him play.

In October 2000, Downes met his current fiancée, Elaine, who is also the mother of his only child (at the time of writing), Kai.

In 2003, Downes was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which effectively brought his football dream to an abrupt end. Downes is quoted as saying, "I believe this illness was 'given to me' to ensure that I fulfill my destiny". Due to his illness, Downes' life changed rapidly. When he suffered a relapse, he could be bedridden for up to two months, and each relapse always left behind some damage. As a result, Downes now struggles to control his 'predominate' right hand.

At one point, he even considered taking his life because he believed his future was bleak. In an interview he is quoted as saying "I considered ending it all for about 5 seconds, then I snapped out of it" He went on to say "Having MS, in a weird way, is one of the best things that's ever happened to me because not only have I learnt so much from it, but it enabled me to build some strong values and appreciate just how precious life is!"

Downes decided to seek his own treatment for his condition because he was not happy with what neurologists were offering him. He promised that not only will he make himself better, but he will share the information with others at no charge.

Downes recognized the need to fill the gaping hole in his life that football left behind. It was at that point his product, "Live your DREAM Life!" was born. Downes recognized that if he could replicate, in other aspects of his life, the features that becoming a professional footballer offered, he would feel fulfilled and be more enthusiastic about life. In doing this, Downes discovered that his destiny was to become a self improvement strategist.

Downes has been described as a 'Diamond in the Ruff' because of his upbringing in a notoriously 'ruff' area, known for it's high rate of drugs and gun crime. Downes is quoted as saying, "I'm proud of where I come from, It's what made me who I am today. I won't lie, it was tough, and I've seen things that is not cool. I just knew I didn't want to be part of that lifestyle."

Career and Ideas

Downes started his career by helping friends and family, not to mention himself, through challenges throughout life. He then began to realise that he has a natural gift in human psychology.

The audio program, "Live your DREAM Life!", was the first product that Downes developed and he took the decision to make it available to everybody, free of charge. Downes was continuously advised to sell the product for a fee in the region of £100-200. On this, Downes is quoted in an interview "I wanted to prove that I am genuinely a lover of people, and that I want to help everyone. As a side effect, it's a good way for people to get to know me and my work."

A quote from Downes, "I feel blessed, even if I help just one person, it's all been worth it. Money has never been my motivation, it's the feeling I get from helping people that drives me."

Ishmail Downes prides himself on honesty and integrity. He doesn't like to class himself as a life coach, instead, he calls himself a self Improvement Strategist.

Ishmail Downes & Charity

Downes vows to work with young people in deprived areas and schools, in an attempt to instill solid foundational values in them. He is committed to donating a tenth of his earnings to charity. Downes plans on setting up his own charity which will have a self improvement spin to it.

Downes says, "When I'm no longer breathing, I just want to be remembered as a great, happy guy who contributed considerably to society"