I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’
Muhammad Ali
Do success stories remind you of your own dreams? The ones you left half-way through, because, you felt you just couldn’t? Life is about trying, especially when the stakes are down! We often feel that success comes to those who get lucky, are mentally or physically stronger than us, or people who are plain ‘Born with it, or talented!’ Well you know what, the ‘great’ amongst us perhaps faced more challenges than we are aware of.
We bring you 4 life stories where great people were not born, but made, where sheer grit, hard work & determination triumphed over personal setbacks & ‘bad luck’ to win the day! Can you do it too? Find out how they did it, and it might inspire you to reach for the skies too!
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, these stories are sure to inspire you and give you hope!
The following success stories of triumph & conviction will give you courage as well as serve as a reminder: determination might just save the day. So without further ado, here we go!
1. Denzel Washington
The star of Training Day, Equalizer and so many more films, Denzel Washington delivered a powerful speech at the University of Pennsylvania.
His struggle
“In the acting business you fail all the time. I auditioned for a part in a Broadway musical -‘ perfect role for me’ I thought. They said thank you we’ll call. They called me back for the second part of the audition- the acting part. I didn’t get the job. I did a play, Fences on Broadway at the same theatre where I failed that audition.”
Denzel Washington
2. HSY (Hasan Sheheryar Yasin)
One of our favorite designers and now seen in Pehli Si Mohabbat, climbed his way to the top. Step by step. Hope and self confidence are his key to making it! Here’s his story
His struggle
“I only had about 2000 Rupees at that time. So I bought a machine from that money. I didn’t have money for fabric, so I went home, picked up my curtains, mom’s curtains, whatever I could find in the house and prepared 5 pieces”
HSY
Read more on our Heart To Heart With HSY
3. Ayesha Siddique Khan
This one’s for all the girls out there, who are told ‘you can’t do this, tum to ladki ho‘. Ayesha Siddique is a lawyer by profession and a human rights activists. She recalls her struggles and how she manages her life; moving back and forth, practicing law and continuing her studies.
Her struggle
I come, not only from a culturally conservative family, but also a political one. Living in the village meant being publicly scrutinized, living up to their expectations and adapting to the same rigid values.
AYESHA SIDDIQUE
Her story is a message for girls that they can do whatever they want; and with the right support, all is possible! Way to go girl!
4. Muhammad Ali
The fearless and legendary boxer, the great, Muhammad Ali – Everyone’s star and role model. He fell back, he got up, but he gave his all in the ring!
His struggle
He refused a military service call in 1967, he was convicted for draft evasion and stripped of his heavy weight title. But did he give up and lose hope? No, instead he came back up stronger than ever!
I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’
MUHAMMAD ALI
‘I am the greatest’ and indeed he was. Focus, confidence and strong personality and aura were they key to all his achievements!
Life Lessons
Can you identify with any one of them? Or perhaps you have your own journey, a different set of struggles or setbacks that have kept you away.
Pain, uncertainty and fears are temporary. We have to fight back, try our best to overcome all the negativity and put our focus to good use. Push forward for an outcome that tells you you can, rather than, you can’t!
Don’t doubt yourself. Tell yourself that you’re the greatest and that you can do any and everything!
Get started on that acting career, writing course, art workshop or Masters scholarship plans – yes you can. Join the ranks of life’s wonderful success stories and live the dream, it’s never too late
