Studies of human resilience are as fascinating as they are encouraging because they are reminders of the human capacity to overcome adversity. From every day setbacks, challenges, and resistance (from ourselves or externally) to extraordinary adversity in the forms of loss, grief, marginalization, and pain, the ability of humans to overcome obstacles and challenges is remarkable.

Stories of other people overcoming can be encouraging and inspiring, even helping us to not give up when we feel like quitting.

The Tour de France began on July 1st and will continue through July 23rd. One of the stories that debuted a few days ago chronicles the story of American cyclist Taylor Phinney. This Tour is Phinney’s first, although it has been a long time coming. Three years ago he was slated to ride in the Tour but hit a guardrail going over 60 miles per hour, shattering his leg.

He was told it was very unlikely he would be able to run again, and racing on a bike did not seem likely.

He spent his long recovery contemplating cycling, and how the skills and lessons learned in cycling fit into the greater scheme of the world.

Today he is one of top contenders in the 2017 Tour.

Phinney is an encouraging example of remaining positive, of working hard despite external forces and circumstances suggesting he may fail at his goals, and of keeping things in perspective.

Don’t let what life throws at you keep you from trying. Acknowledge your circumstances for what they are, but don’t let obstacles or setbacks prevent you from trying. Don’t let life’s curve balls turn your dreams, or the course you are on, into a future “what if”. “What if I kept going despite that accident?”, or “What if I tried again despite my first business model failing?”

You are living YOUR life. No one else has the privilege to be you, to live the life you have, to chase the dreams and goals you have.

Never give up, no matter what life throws at you.

When we tackle obstacles, we find hidden reserves of courage and resilience we did not know we had. And it is only when we are faced with failure do we realize that these resources were always there within us. We only need to find them and move on with our lives.”

~A.P. J. Abdul Kalam

Run on, my friends.

L