Nothing can prevent this guy from moving forward.

Last Saturday, I witnessed a very determined runner tackle a triathlon with the enthusiasm of a toddler at a candy store. He started out strong, navigating the swim portion with a splash that could rival any dolphin. Then came the bike ride, where he pedaled furiously, even passing by a herd of bewildered cows who looked like they were rethinking their life choices. But it was during the marathon leg that it all went sideways. Our hero tripped over his own shoelaces (which, let’s be honest, were probably tied in the most conspicuous double knot imaginable) and went tumbling into a bush. You’d think that would have been the end of his race, but no—he emerged from the foliage like a reborn yet slightly disheveled phoenix, dusting off the leaves and marching on like nothing had happened.
The sheer audacity of his self-determination was mesmerizing. Here’s a man who literally went headfirst into a bush and came out with a new leafy fashion statement. Most of us would have been crying over our scraped knees with an ice cream sundae, but not him. He ignored the onlookers’ laughter, the bewilderment of the race officials, and even that irritating fly that had taken up residence in his hair. It’s that kind of relentless spirit—combined with a knack for melodrama—that makes one appreciate the ridiculousness of life. Honestly, if this guy can keep plowing through with that attitude, I’m convinced he could run a marathon while balancing a stack of pancakes on his head.