#7 Nick Vujicic No legs+ No arms = No problem

When talking about inspiration, Nick Vujicic is one of many individuals that comes to mind. Born without legs and arm, Nicks parents knew he was going to have troubles. It was questioned if Nick would even live. His parents were a little thrown off when Nick was born but loved him anyhow. They raised him with one idea. That idea is you don’t know what you can achieve until you try. At an early age, Nick had to learn how to do simple tasks. Nick was offered prosthetics at the age of six. He denied them because it slowed him down. Later on in his years, Nick faced bullies. High school was one of the toughest times for Nick. Nick found himself wanting to commit suicide until he found someone else just like him. At that moment, Nick knew that he had to be a leader for someone else.

Being a leader for someone else is exactly what Nick Vujicic did. At the age of 19, Nick started motivational speaking. He started in Australia and then traveled for five years. Nick traveled for 3 million miles to 58 countries. His main purpose was to inspire individuals to do anything they set their mind to.  Nick says that attitude determines your ability to succeed. He demonstrated this by being able to do anything a normal person could do. Fishing, swimming, boating, cooking, and getting ready are just some of the things Nick can do without arms or legs. Nick relies on his “drumstick” to do most of his activities. Ironically, Nick says he is blessed to be able to have his drumstick of a leg. Without it, he would not be able to do some of his activities.

God is an important part of Nicks life. He believes that everything happens for a reason. Another important message that Nick teaches on is not the challenge that comes up but how you deal with them. At the age of 32, Nick is the founder of Life without Limbs and a motivational speaker. His company is based out of Los Angeles. Even at the age of 28, Nick went through another hardship. He invested poorly and was getting more depressed. Luckily, Nick went to his wife Kanae. She stuck by his side and later had a child with him named Kiyoshi. Nick says, “I am not a superhero. But I embrace life and focus on what is most important.” He finds that he can be a miracle for someone else and that is worth living for.

#6 Team Hoyt

Team Hoyt is a father and son team that runs. When Rick Hoyt was born his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. With the absences of oxygen, Rick was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. However, that did not stop Rick. Rick was determined to do everything a normal kid could. This mindset came from Dick Hoyt. Dick treated his son no differently than if he was normal. One of Ricks top achievements is graduating from Boston University. With a special speaking chair, Rick was able to graduate with a degree in special education.       

Dick Hoyt is the greatest father in the world. At the age of 36, Dick and Rick ran in their first race (1977). The race was for lacrosse players that were paralyzed. After running the race Rick said, “Dad, when I am running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” Ever since that day Dick made it his job to get in shape. Dick knew that he had to be in great shape to push his son in races. Furthermore, Dick did not just stop with running. Instead, he expanded his body to swimming and biking.

With body in shape, Dick and Rick competed in many athletic events. Some of their greatest achievements is 257 triathlons, 72 marathons, and 6 ironmans. They have participated in the Boston marathon 32 times. These are just some of their achievements. All calculated together, team Hoyt have been in 1130 endurance events. In 1992, team Hoyt biked the US. They biked 3735 miles in 45 days. Some might think how is this possible? Well they have special gear to carry Rick. Equipped with a specials boats, bicycle seats, and wheelchair, is how they participated in these events.  In April 21, 2014 team Hoyt ran their last race. Of courses, this last race was the Boston marathon. One might remember the Boston marathon bombing. Yes, team Hoyt was in that race.

I think it is crazy how in shape Dick Hoyt must be. At an older age, Dick is stronger than me. I can barely run a mile. Dick can run miles carrying someone else. The most impressive part of a race is swimming. Dick swims pulling a boat that holds his son. That takes some serious endurance and strength. Dick pushes through the pain because he knows that his son loves racing. The world’s greatest dad puts his son first and his body last. Team Hoyt has inspired thousands of people. For more information, go to their Team Hoyt website.

#5 Lin Hao "Hero of China"

           Imagine chaos all around you. The ground underneath you is shaking causing buildings to fall. The ceiling above has fallen down to the ground. The school that you were just standing in has collapsed without any warning. Now escape. Wait, you are also in 9 years old in second grade. This is exactly what happened to Lin Hao.

On May 12, 2008 a 7.9 (Richter Scale) earthquake hit Sichvan Province of China. During the earthquake, 70,000 people died. Most individuals would run from danger not looking back at anything. However, Lin Hao is not like most individuals. 9 years old, Lin Hao’s school collapsed. Miraculous, he was able to make his way out of the building. After escaping, Lin went back in the unstable building to find his classmates. He was able to carry two unconscious classmates from the rubble. Other than a small bruise on his head, Lin walked away with no injuries. When asked why he went back he said, “I was the hall monitor, it was my job to look after my classmates.” 10 survivors lined outside of the school including Lin Hao. 10 out of 30 classmates made it through the earthquake. While waiting for rescue, Lin encouraged his classmates to sing. He thought it would raise the spirts of his friends.

As if anything else could not go wrong, Lin’s parents could not be found. A 9 year old boy walked to Du Jiang Yan. With his sister’s company, a 7 hour hike through rubble ended in him reaching a safe zone. Later, he was reunited with his parents.

“The Hero of China” lined headlines around China. To honor Lin Hao, he was asked to walk in the 2008 Olympics. Along his side was Yo Ming (a famous NBA basketball player). Lin Hao’s appearance showed that there is more to the Olympics. More than multiple countries trying to win a sporting event. Lin showed that bravery can come from anyone. Does not matter what age someone is or what country someone comes from. Anyone can show an act of bravery. It all depends on that individual.

              Lin Hao’s story blows my mind. A little kid showed more acts of bravery than I have my whole life. Not every day does a huge earthquake takes down your school. Most people would run to a safe zone not looking back at their classmates. We need more Lin Haos in this world. We need more Hall Monitors.

#4 Nike: Just Do It?

Every athlete loved getting Nike clothes for their upcoming sport. Every year I would get a new pair of Nike basketball shoes for the season. A simple swoosh makes the whole shoe worth wearing. Not many people know about the background of Nike. The two major symbols of Nike have an interesting story.  

The Founders: Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight created Blue Ribbons Sports in January 25, 1964. On May 30, 1971 they changed Blue Ribbons Sports to Nike. The making of their company was started by Mr. Knight. Phil Knight made a student a pair of running shoes. Equipped with a waffle iron, he shaped the shoe by using a Japanese style. Track star of Oregon, Otis Davis went on to win two gold medals at the Olympics.

First, ironically, the “Just Do It” slogan comes from a murder. Gary Mark Gilmore was a man that was frequently caught in criminal activity including 3 robberies, 2 assaults, and 2 murders. The worst crime that was carried out was on July 19th and 20th, 1976. He was sentenced to death by firing squad in 1977. When asked any last words he said, “Let's do it.” Dan Wieden heard this and was inspired to create the “Just Do It” slogan. Dan Wieden was in advertising, and later Nike adopted his slogan. The founders of NIke (Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight) later added the Swoosh. The Swoosh means “Greek Goddess of Victory.” Ironically, the Swoosh and the Just Do It saying took off.

Both the Swoosh and Just Do it saying are on bags, shoes, and clothes. I find it funny that the Just Do It slogan was inspired by a murder. Now, Nike is worth billions. This year they have made a gross profit of 12.97 billion. All inspired by a murder, Nike is thriving today. Some might have thought that it was a stupid idea, but now the slogan Just Do It is everywhere. Goes to show that a stupid idea of brilliance can make millions. I wonder what was going through Dan Wiedon’s mind when he thought of creating the Just Do It saying. I would not think twice when hearing a murders last words. None less than get inspiration from what that man said. The next time you see a Just Do It slogan think about Gary Mark Gilmore. The hard ass man that said, “Let’s do it.”