Let’s see, I guess the best example from me is that I’ve learned anything is possible if you really put your mind to it. I think you also demonstrated that pretty well in your own case with the marathon. There may be a lot of mental battles going on, but ultimately, you did it. In my case, it was my freshman year of high school. I was invited to attend a summer long conference that was by special invitation to students within the top 15% of their classes. Along with the prestige came the expense. My parents told me I couldn’t go because I wasn’t working and they didn’t have the money to send me.

I learned that if you really want something, you’ll find a way to make it happen. I spent the entire three months prior to the trip raising money…I went door-to-door asking for donations or offering to complete jobs for money. I mowed lawns, watered the grass, walked dogs, washed windows – tasks my mom had a hard time getting me to do, I did without complaint. I raised the money and attended the conference. It was perhaps the best experience of my life. Anytime I feel like quitting, I ask myself if I’ve fully put my mind to it because, nine times out of ten, the reason I’m failing at something is because I haven’t committed to it.