Welcome to another powerful episode of the closing the 18 inch gap podcast—where stories fuel action, inspiration becomes a reality, where together we break through barriers and build bold dreams. Today, we're diving into 20 of the most remarkable true stories of people who faced crushing hardship, brutal rejection, and sometimes even laughed at dreams—but kept going until they changed their lives, and often, the world. The stories that I bring to you today did not happen overnight, and I will never be bringing anything of an overnight success, get rich quick kind of stuff. It’s just not me. So, I can’t wait to get into this with you on the other side.
Quote of the week: "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." - Theodore Roosevelt
Points covered in greater detail in this podcast episode:
1. Sylvester Stallone – Sold His Dog for Survival Stallone was broke and desperate, so he sold his dog Butkus for $25. Weeks later, he wrote Rocky, refused to sell it unless he starred in it, and bought back his dog for $15,000. Rocky won 3 Oscars. From broke to icon.
2. Chicken Soup for the Soul – Over 140 Rejections Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s manuscript was turned down by over 140 publishers. One finally said yes. The book has now sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
3. Nick Vujicic – No Limbs, No Limits Born with no arms or legs, Nick overcame bullying and depression to become a world-renowned speaker and author, inspiring millions.
4. Howard Schultz – Rejected 242 Times .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}
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