It has been an extremely busy week for me offline in the gym so I apologize in advance for any delays in responding to emails and updating the blog.

To close out the week though, here’s an inspiring compilation of motivational clips from around the web. It was recently passed along to me and is certainly worth a look.

Train hard!

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Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

The video below shows an inspiring young man who lives with cerebral palsy. The mental strength that he displays is beyond admirable. It’s difficult to find words that could accurately describe his amazing character. I won’t even attempt it.

Instead, I’ll cut right to the chase and encourage you to view this brief video. Watch what Scott must overcome on a daily basis. Listen to his advice.

Regardless of what obstacles stand in your way, it could always be worse. There’s always someone who is dealing with more yet continues to fight. Scott makes no excuses. He continues to move forward.

We could all learn from his example.

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The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it. – Jordan Belfort

If you are familiar with this blog, you’ve probably heard of Eric Thomas. He is perhaps best known for this speech that went viral a few years ago. In the time since, he’s become one of the most popular public speakers of today.

I’ve posted several of his speeches in previous entries. A few examples can be found below.

Win The Day

The Price of Success

Pain Is Temporary

I have always enjoyed Eric’s message. There is an instant sense of realness and passion that comes through when he speaks. As for what led him to become a successful speaker, the video below sheds light on his humble beginnings.

As you will see, it doesn’t matter how you start. What matters is how you finish. It is never too late to change. The future has not been written. You don’t need to be a victim of the past. If you want to do something, start now. Begin with small steps. Don’t try to change everything at once. Small steps taken repeatedly is what eventually leads to significant change in the future.

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It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot

In the brief video below, you will see a young wheelchair-bound man perform incredible work from a pull-up bar. And while many of the Youtube comments are quick to mention his light bodyweight, they seem to overlook that this young man lives without the ability to use his legs.

It is impossible for me to fathom what it is like to wake up in the morning unable to walk. I could not imagine living like that. For this young man to overcome his daily struggles and take to the bar is incredibly inspiring. I care less about his physical strength and more about his mental resolve.

He hasn’t cried poor me based on the unfortunate circumstances that he’s challenged with each day. Instead, he’s found something that he is passionate about doing. Rather than sitting behind the computer and debating his bodyweight, perhaps we should instead follow his approach which is to make the most of our circumstances. This young man works hard to pursue something that he clearly enjoys.

No one would have blamed him for sitting in his chair rather than getting up and attempting to do what few have done before. That alone is worthy of admiration. I tip my hat to him and wish him the best.

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Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.

It’s been a few years since I mentioned Brock Mealer on this blog. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the first video below. I originally posted it in early 2011. Upon watching it again, I’m just as inspired as I was when I first saw it.

Fortunately, Brock is still doing well. A more recent video about his story can be found next. You’ll see Mike Barwis discuss his involvement in preparing Brock to walk again. I literally had chills towards the end of the video. If Brock Mealer doesn’t inspire you, consider checking yourself for a heart beat.

As I’ve said many times before, it is important to decide for yourself what you’ll attempt in life. Don’t allow the pessimistic opinions that exist within others to influence you. There will always be someone who believes your goals are too ambitious. Fortunately, such beliefs are nothing more than opinions. There are plenty of educated professionals who didn’t think Brock would ever walk again. Imagine if he listened to them. Where would he be now?

I’m glad that we don’t need to answer that question. Brock made a decision to walk and never looked back. Failure wasn’t an option. No matter how many times he fell, he always clawed his way back to his feet to continue moving forward.

Look at him now.

Hats off to Brock for refusing to give up. We can all learn from his example.

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So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist long enough I will win. ~ Og Mandino

Jessica Cox is quite well rounded and accomplished. A few of her hobbies include playing the piano, flying airplanes and training in Taekwondo. What makes her unique however isn’t what she does but how she does it. Jessica Cox was born without arms.

In the brief video below, she shares some interesting thoughts regarding life and the challenges that it presents. Jessica has worked hard to perform many of the daily functions that we take for granted. We can all learn from her example. She maintains a positive attitude and is always looking for creative solutions to obstacles that stand in her way.

Her approach certainly beats getting frustrated when something doesn’t initially go as planned.

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Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Below is a video that I came across on Facebook last week (see here). What you’ll see within is an 84 year old man repping out chin-ups like a champ. I had not seen the video on Youtube until today and thought it was worthy of a share.

If you haven’t seen it yet, it will take just a minute to rid yourself of any age-related training excuse. This elderly man is more capable on a pull-up bar than the majority of our population. Just watching him makes me want to knock off a few sets.

Enjoy!

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Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

When James Blake Gallion was born, doctors informed his parents that he may never walk. Fortunately, they were wrong, but not just about walking. James set much higher expectations for himself. The story of his journey into the world of parkour is detailed in the inspiring video below. To see what he’s accomplished despite living his life with cerebral palsy is simply incredible.

James is a true testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

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The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.

At just 32 years old, Gwen van Rosmalen has endured more than most will face in a lifetime. She was only 28 years old when she first suffered a stroke. Tragedy then struck again a few months later. In what was supposed to be her last physical therapy session for the stroke, she was involved in an accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Fortunately, the former runner refused to succumb to her tragic circumstances. It did not take her long to find a new passion for life. In the video below, she tells her incredibly inspiring story.

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Life can almost always be worse and we can almost always do more.

Garrett Holeve is perhaps the most inspirational fighter I have ever seen. The video below highlights his story. Do yourself a favor and set aside 13 minutes of your day to watch it in its entirety.

Inspiration is an understatement.

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If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee