🧭 Sunday Storytime: 3 Stories of Resilience

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Jim Rohn on Change

• Sunday Storytime: 3 Stories on Growth, Persistence, and Resilience

• Favorite Posts I Found This Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

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3 Stories of Growth and Resilience

Today’s post is based on my post on X today where I talked about how Bill Parcells turned into one of the best coaches of all-time and his strategy for turning around a team and a culture. For those who haven’t read it, it’s an inspiring story from being almost fired to becoming Super Bowl Champion. His is 1 of 3 inspiring stories of resilience, grit, and perseverance (I also included this story as number 3 if you didn’t see the post on X).

Story 1 - Austin Ekeler - Story of Resilience, Grit, and Perseverance

In 2017, Austin Ekeler went undrafted and signed with the LA Chargers. He was the 6th-string RB. His only goal was to make the team, but it was a long shot. He was an undersized D-II RB that wasn't drafted and wasn't getting practice reps.

He told his family, "Don't call me. I don't want to be distracted."

Austin was getting 0 real reps in training camp. The only reps that got him noticed were special teams and scout team. So those opportunities are what he would take advantage of.

He ran every special teams rep as hard as he could, flying down the field.

He "over studied" to make sure he was in position and consistent. And the hard work started to pay off. One day, head coach Anthony Lynn noticed his effort on special teams and asked who that was flying down the field.

The results weren't immediate. He kept working hard and being consistent, but he wasn't moving up the depth chart. He was still 6th-string and barely getting reps.

He even broke down crying in front of his position coach because nothing was changing, until it did... During the preseason, he started to get more opportunities and stand out. He made some tackles and plays on special teams.

He was always in position and he continued to get noticed. Ekeler's effort ultimately paid off when he made the roster. That year, Ekeler led the NFL in tackles on punts. He realized that was his opportunity, that was his role, and that was his job.

That was just the beginning for him because then his role and job would continue to evolve. In 2021-22, Austin led the NFL in total touchdowns from 2021-2022 with 38 touchdowns.

Story 2 - The Story of Psyche - A Tale of Trials and Transformation

Psyche was a mortal of extraordinary beauty, whose fame angered the gods, specifically goddess Aphrodite. Jealous, Aphrodite sent her son Eros to make Psyche fall in love with a terrible creature, but Eros accidentally fell in love with her instead. He kept his identity hidden as they lived together in a magical palace, with one rule: she must never look at him. Consumed by doubt and curiosity, Psyche broke the rule, and Eros left, devastated by her betrayal.

Determined to win back his love, Psyche sought redemption and faced grueling tasks set by Aphrodite. She sorted seeds, gathered golden wool, and braved the Underworld to retrieve a box of beauty. Each task tested her resilience, but she persevered with the help of allies and sheer determination. Her final trial—opening the forbidden box—put her into a deathlike sleep, but Eros intervened, rescuing her and asking Zeus to make her immortal.

Psyche’s journey—from betrayal and heartbreak to redemption and transformation—embodies the power of self-reflection and resilience. Her willingness to confront her flaws, endure suffering, and fight for what she loves demonstrates that true growth only happens through hardship and a desire to be better. Her name, which means “soul,” reminds us that growth and transformation are intrinsic to the human spirit.

Story 3 - Bill Parcells Turning Around a Team and a Culture

The Scene: It's 1983 and the New York Giants went 3-12-1 in Parcells' first season. It was an awful year and Bill knew he was about to get fired. The Giants offered the job to Howard Schnellenberger, but he declined. Bill knew he had to change, so that's what he did.

That offseason, Bill changed everything. He realized that he lacked confidence and connection with the team. Bill said, "To lead, you’ve got to be a leader. That may sound obvious, but it took me an entire year to learn - and it wasn’t a pleasant year." Bill changed 3 things:

1. He Held People Accountable - Bill told the team that losing was no longer tolerated and started to tell them the brutal truth. He confronted players on their performance and held them to a higher standard. Look at the quote below: You were either all-in on improving or out.

2. He Focused them on Purpose and Performance - He connected the purpose to the players and anchored the team on values and purpose. Success comes from what you do every day. Bill told the team that achievement comes from their values: relentless effort and commitment.

3. He Connected With Everyone - Bill would spend time connecting with players and coaches 1-on-1. He built relationships from scratch. He needed to build credibility and respect. He did this through showing people that he cared, being honest, and spending time investing in everyone.

1984 was a building block for Parcells' future success and coaching philosophy. The Giants went 9-7 and made the playoffs. The team bought in and started to see success on the field. Two years later in 1986, the Giants and Bill Parcells would win their first Super Bowl.

So what can we take away from these stories?

1. Success Comes from Resilience, Hard Work, and Continual Growth - Success isn’t a straight line—it’s built on the ability to adapt, persevere, and improve through challenges. Austin Ekeler didn’t see results immediately, but his relentless effort and willingness to grow eventually made him one of the NFL’s best. True success comes when you embrace the grind and commit to getting better every day.

2. If Something Matters to You, You Will Work for It - Psyche’s journey shows that love and purpose drive us to endure even the hardest trials. When something truly matters, you’ll find the strength to confront setbacks, keep going, and rise stronger. If the “why” is big enough, the work becomes worth it.

3. You Have to Look Yourself in the Mirror Sometimes and Change - Bill Parcells turned his career around by confronting his weaknesses and changing his approach. Growth starts with being honest about what’s not working and making a conscious choice to improve. Sometimes the hardest person to lead is yourself, but that’s where transformation begins.

Favorite Posts I Found This Week

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