Many of us lean on others for help, but sometimes you’ve got to take matters into your own hands. Throughout history, people have risen to the occasion, accomplishing incredible feats against all odds. Here are 10 such stories of people who went above and beyond.
Aimo Koivunen: The Meth-Fueled Marathon
During World War II, Finnish soldier Aimo Koivunen found himself in a dire situation. While on a ski patrol in 1944, his group was attacked. To escape, Aimo tried to take a capsule of Pervitin (methamphetamine) for an energy boost, but ended up consuming the entire bottle—30 pills! Weeks later, he was found alone, his heart racing, weighing only 94 pounds, and over 250 miles from his group. Now that’s commitment!
Maurice Hilleman: The Family Vaccine
In 1963, Maurice Hilleman was awakened by his daughter who was sick with the mumps. Instead of just getting her chicken soup, he collected samples of the disease and rushed them to his lab. After cultivating a weakened version, he tested the vaccine on his other daughter. Risky? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely! Hilleman went on to develop nearly 40 vaccines, saving countless lives.
The Viking of Stamford Bridge: A One-Man Army
During the war in 1066, one Norseman stood alone on Stamford Bridge, holding off the entire English army with his Dane axe. This nameless Viking allowed his comrades to form a shield wall, reportedly killing at least 40 men before being stopped by an English soldier who stabbed him from under the bridge. Talk about dedication to your team!
Dave Grohl: From Grief to Guitar
After the death of his friend and Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain in 1994, Dave Grohl channeled his grief into music. Over a single week, he wrote and recorded almost all the vocals and instruments for a debut album. This became the first Foo Fighters album. What a way to use your talent to overcome tragedy!
Martine Rothblatt: A Mother’s Cure
When Martine Rothblatt’s daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a fatal disorder with no treatment, Martine took matters into her own hands. She researched the disease, found a promising molecule, and eventually developed medicine to treat the disorder, extending her daughter’s life and helping thousands of others. That’s a mother’s love in action!
Clara Lemlich: The Voice of 20,000
In 1909, Clara Lemlich, a shirtwaist worker in New York, stood up against intolerable working conditions. Tired of empty promises from union reps, she took the stage and demanded a strike. Her impassioned plea ignited the “Uprising of the 20,000,” a massive strike that changed the garment industry forever. Now that’s using your voice!
John Crandon: The Scurvy Scientist
John Crandon proved the importance of vitamin C in a rather unusual way. In 1939, he induced scurvy in himself by cutting out vitamin C from his diet. After weeks of suffering symptoms like poor wound healing and hemorrhages, he began taking vitamin C again and quickly recovered, proving its vital role in health. Sometimes, you have to go the extra mile for science!
Herbert Hoover: From Flunk to Leader
Despite flunking most of his entrance exams to Stanford, Herbert Hoover didn’t let that stop him. Arriving on campus early, he started multiple businesses and became a campus leader, managing everything from the football team to student government. Hoover showed that a rough start doesn’t define your potential.
Almon Strowger: Revenge by Innovation
Almon Strowger, an undertaker, was losing business because a rival’s wife, who worked at the local telephone exchange, was diverting calls. Instead of just complaining, Strowger invented the automatic telephone exchange, forever changing how we communicate. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!
Gregory Watson: The A+ Amendment
Gregory Watson received a C on a college paper about an unratified constitutional amendment. Unhappy with his grade, Watson embarked on a decade-long quest to get the amendment ratified. In 1992, the Twenty-Seventh Amendment was officially added to the US Constitution, and in 2017, Watson finally received an A+ on his paper. Never underestimate the power of persistence!
These 10 individuals demonstrate the incredible things people can achieve when they refuse to give up. Whether driven by grief, revenge, or a simple desire for a better grade, their stories inspire us to push beyond our limits and strive for the impossible.
What inspires you to go above and beyond? Leave your comment below!
