Catch as Catch Can: Building a Legacy by Finding Opportunity in Every Obstacle

From the streets of Louisville’s Smoketown to corner offices and conference rooms, George Tinsley Sr.’s life journey is one of grit, perseverance, and the transformative power of seeing obstacles as opportunities. In this inspiring memoir, Tinsley vulnerably shares the challenges he faced growing up in poverty in the racially divided South and the key moments and relationships that enabled him to rise above.

A star athlete from a young age, Tinsley’s talents earned him a scholarship to Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he led the team to three NCAA Championships and became a two-time All-American. A brief but memorable ABA career followed, but Tinsley eventually decided to hang up his jersey and pursue a business career.

Starting as a KFC employee, Tinsley quickly ascended the corporate ladder before taking the leap into franchise ownership. Despite setbacks, including a devastating restaurant fire, he persevered, growing a small family business into a sixty-plus restaurant empire across multiple airports.

But this memoir is about more than business success. It’s also an intimate portrait of family, faith, and the unbreakable bonds that sustain us through life’s trials. Tinsley reflects on his loving adoptive mother, the search for his birth parents, and the untimely loss of his beloved daughter, Penni, with honesty and compassion.

Through it all, the message is clear: no matter the obstacles before you, with hard work, determination, and belief, you can transform them into steppingstones to reach your dreams. Tinsley’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and our ability to shape our own destinies. This unforgettable book will inspire you to see challenges in a new light and reach for your highest aspirations.