What Does ‘All In’ Look Like?

You’ve heard the phrase: “I’m all in.” It’s a poker reference; it means I’m betting all my chips on this hand because either it is so good (there’s no losing) or they’re playing the ultimate bluff. In life, however, being all in means that an idea is so powerful that you will make any sacrifice to protect it. I hear people say, “I’m all in” or “I’ve drank the Kool-aid” or “I’m sold out.” I assume that they mean some principled statement, but fortunately we aren’t always tested on our commitment.

When I came across this video today, I saw the face of being all in, and it is probably one of the most beautiful images I’ve ever seen. Over the last month, the United States has experienced some of the worst tornadoes in modern history. Just this past weekend, Joplin Missouri was devastated by an EF-5 tornado that has taken an still increasing number of lives. From the devastation, we get a glimmer of a man that was without question all in.


Click here if the video doesn’t play.

Don loved Bethany more than he loved his own life, and he gave up his life so that she might live. In a culture where we sometimes lose trust in people’s words, we hear a story of someone who made a promise and acted out that promise paying the ultimate sacrifice. Wow.

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Jeremy Floyd

Jeremy Floyd is the President at FUNYL Commerce. Formerly, he was the CEO and President of Lirio, Bluegill Creative, a marketing and communications firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to managing the digital strategies, Floyd was an adjunct professor for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga MBA program teaching digital strategies and social media. Floyd blogs at jeremyfloyd.com and tweets under the name @jfloyd. Jeremy is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from MTSU in English and Philosophy.

  • Jeff Reed

    Jeremy, Thank you for posting this video. It is very moving and demonstrates one aspect of love that we should all aspire to.

  • Dorry

    He honored his commitment. She honored his memory with such dignity. A beautiful testimony of love.

  • There is no greater love than being “all in” for a friend. That is in the Bible Book somewhere.

  • Billy Rivet

    Very inspirational. I wish the best for her. Thanks for sharing Jeremy.

  • Dave

    I think that none of us really know that we are “all in” until circumstances reveal it. Then again, it is fair to ask the question, “Are there circumstances revealing my ‘all inness’ right now?” …Probably in every little decision.

  • @Dave – That’s a great point. I have had a conversation with a friend once: where is the line? As a parent, I wonder where the line for protecting my kids. If someone accidentally trips and falls on one of my kids, am I going to respond in anger? If they trip over my kids foot and then begin yelling at my kid will I respond in anger? The line of being all in seems to move and like you said you won’t know until presented with the facts. I guess my hope is that I will be all in when the circumstances require it.