Heroes
Heroes Inspire us
Maybe your hero is a parent, a close friend, a celebrity, or an athlete who has overcome incredible adversity. It doesn’t matter what stage in life you’re in, we’ve all had a hero that we’ve looked up to. Often, we’re drawn to heroes because they reflect qualities we see in ourselves or aspire to develop. As humans, we naturally connect with others via stories of strength, resilience, and triumph—it’s in our DNA.
If you don’t have a hero yet, my advice is simple: find one. A hero can be a powerful guide, especially if you’re navigating adversity right now. It’s more than likely that if you are reading this, you’re facing a current physical challenge that’s taken an emotional toll as well. In moments like these, having someone who’s walked a similar path can be critical, if not vital.
For me, growing up, my hero (besides my mom) was Mia Hamm. Like many soccer-loving kids of the ’90s, I admired her and the unstoppable 1999 Women’s World Cup team. But what stood out most to me about Mia wasn’t just her ability to outplay defenders with grace and precision—it was her grit. She didn’t give up. Ever. That resilience and drive to always give her all, mirrored the values my parents instilled in me: hard work matters, but learning to channel that hard work toward your goals is where the real growth happens.
So, who’s your hero? Find someone whose values resonate deeply with you. Study their journey. What draws you to them? Is it their tenacity, their compassion, or the way they persevere through setbacks? If your hero is someone close to you, talk to them and learn from their experiences. If it’s a public figure, dive into their books, interviews, podcasts and stories. Discover what fuels their success.
Remember, no one starts at the top. Your hero likely faced countless obstacles to get where they are today. Let their story remind you that adversity is part of the process—and you’re capable of overcoming it too.
Here’s a quote that has driven me countless times throughout my life: “The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is watching.” -Mia Hamm
Be inspired by your heroes, and may we constantly keep pushing ourselves towards greatness, in spite of and because of our adversity. You, too, may just be your own hero one day.
