3 Famous People Whose Stories Teach Us to Never Give Up

• The stories of these three celebrities teach us resilience.

• Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered presidents in American history, faced numerous failures and setbacks before becoming the president.

• Joanna Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, experienced numerous failures and setbacks before achieving her remarkable success.

• Sylvester Stallone, renowned for his iconic roles in films like Rocky and Rambo, may be seen as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors in history, yet he endured many challenges before fame.

Joanna Rowling (better known as Harry Potter)

Joanna Rowling holding one of her masterpieces

At the age of 17, she was expelled from college.

At 25, her mother died.

She had a miscarriage at age 26.

At the age of 28, she divorced.

At 29, she relied on subsidies.

At 30, she attempted suicide.

But, despite all of this:

At the age of 31, she completed her first book.

At 35, she was named author of the year.

At 42, she sold 11 million copies of her book in just 24 hours!

According to sources, Rowling’s early manuscripts were rejected by several publishers before Bloomsbury Publishing finally took a chance on her. Furthermore, Rowling faced financial struggles during this time and even received rejections from literary agents. These failures and setbacks served as learning experiences for Rowling and ultimately shaped her perseverance and determination as a writer. One notable setback for Rowling occurred when her mother passed away, causing a period of darkness and grief that influenced the themes of loss and resilience in the Harry Potter series. Additionally, Rowling’s life was tumultuous as she divorced and struggled as a single parent, relying on government assistance to make ends meet.

The Story of the Paralyzed Boy

His facial nerve endings were injured during the birth process. His cheek, lips, and tongue were paralyzed.

When he was eleven years old, his parents divorced. By the age of 13, he had changed schools over ten times. He was expelled for poor behavior.

In school, he was teased for his indistinct speech and physically abused due to his small size.

Until he was 24, he worked as a cage cleaner at a zoo, a bellboy, and a bouncer at a restaurant. He aspired to be an actor, but due to his appearance and speech defect, he was not given any roles.

He visited over 300 studios at least four times each but received no results. Nobody wanted to cast him in lead roles.

He acted in a pornographic film when he was 24 years old due to his dire financial circumstances.

When he was 30, he secretly sold his wife’s jewelry. And she abandoned him with their one-year-old child.

Then he sold his dog for $50 because he had nothing to feed it. While sitting in a bar that same year, he saw a boxing match that moved him. He wrote a screenplay for a film in two days and later sold it for $25,000 with the condition that he play the lead.

The film was a huge success, earning ten Academy Award nominations. And it earned the actor more than one million dollars.

This individual’s name is Sylvester Stallone. The film that made him famous is called “Rocky.”

He later repurchased his dog for $50,000.

Sylvester Stallone’s story as a paralyzed boy is a testament to the power of determination and resilience. Despite facing challenges early in his life, Stallone’s unwavering spirit and determination propelled him toward success in the entertainment industry.

His experience as a paralyzed boy shaped his character and instilled a strong sense of perseverance. Stallone’s journey inspires many, highlighting the importance of never giving up on one’s dreams, no matter the obstacles. Stallone has showcased his versatility and talent as an actor, from his breakout role as Rocky Balboa to his portrayal of John Rambo.

Through his story, Stallone reminds us that adversity can be overcome with courage and persistence. His triumph over adversity serves as a beacon of hope for those facing their challenges, showing that anything is possible with dedication and belief in oneself.

Abraham Lincoln

In 1831, his business failed and was declared bankrupt.
In 1832, he lost his state’s legislative election.
In 1834, he failed again in business and was declared bankrupt.
In 1835, he had personal setbacks and, eventually, a severe nervous breakdown, with a long recovery.
1838 – Another electoral defeat.
1843 – Lost a seat in the United States Congress.
1855 – Lost a Senate election.
1856 – Lost election as a vice presidential candidate.
1858 – Lost another Senate election.
1860: Elected as President of the United States.

The stories of these three celebrated individuals teach us to never give up, not only after one setback but even after a million setbacks.