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- My friend died in a bicycle crash.
Ferdinand is one of those guys who always has a smile on his face.
A guy who has a great beard and works hard in the gym, at his work and at life. All that hard work shows. (He’s jacked).
I like to think I work hard too, so it was only natural that we hopped on a call and instantly hit it off.
We small-talked; our favourite workouts, goals, and projects we were working on. Until he shocked me.
This story is that shock. That initial spray of cold water out of the shower.
Let’s dive in.
(The 3 powerful lessons I learned from this are at the end)
In the heart of Belgium, a teenager named Ferdinand lived a life that many might say mirrored fairy tales — not for its magic, but for its transformative power.
He was a lost teen, on the verge of homelessness, with unhealthy habits. He looked in the mirror and hated what stared back.
I think we have all looked in the mirror at times in our lives, and wished that we could magically change what stared back.
On Valentine's Day 2020, this change happened for Ferdinand. Only it wasn’t the change he wished for.
He was racing down a road on his bicycle, feeling the thrill of wind rushing through his hair, pushing to faster and faster speeds. He was going approximately 69km/hr when he lost control. What followed was an accident so harrowing it left bystanders paralyzed with shock.
Ferdinand remembers, “floating in-between an abyss of space-time, existing where no light could be transmitted.” he continues, “I saw myself from a third person perspective, and thought this is it. I am gone.”
Yet, the story was far from over for him.
Paramedics rushed to the scene.
Red lights flashed in his face.
They carefully, yet quickly, loaded his broken body into an ambulance.
Yet Ferdinand existed in a dream. Floating in and out of consciousness, he wasn’t aware of the desperate pain his body was in.
Waking up was a painful ordeal: a paralyzed arm, multiple injuries, and a scarred mind that struggled with even the simplest tasks. He could no longer recall memories of his mother — the woman who had been his anchor throughout his life.
His once familiar body and mind were now alien.
(Can you imagine losing the very memory of your Mother? I can’t grasp the pain this must have caused.)
Past challenges, like his battle with homelessness, merged with the relentless pain of the accident's aftermath.
This was not just a physical battle, but an emotional and spiritual one too.
Doctors set grim milestones.
They told him his arm would never rise above his shoulder.
His mind would forever battle stutters and fog.
He would drink his meals out of a tube for weeks.
He had been thrust into the hot coals of God’s forge. To emerge burned, or tempered and stronger would be up to him.
He didn’t have much. But what he had was enough.
Armed with his mother's love, faith in God’s plan, and unwavering determination, he began the steps to recovery.
Every day he would wake up and fight.
He exercised his broken arm until the pain almost blinds him.
He worked out until sweat-soaked his shirt like he had showered.
He still found time to do his schoolwork.
Defying all odds, Ferdinand completed high school. He took up construction with one functional arm and ventured into copywriting and marketing, a field he approaches with humility and passion.
What drove him?
An unyielding spirit that viewed setbacks as mere setups for grand comebacks.
His daily rituals fortified his body and spirit:
exercising
public speaking,
nature walks,
healthy eating,
discipline and mindfulness,
and above all, gratitude.
Today, Ferdinand's life is a beacon of hope and determination. He seeks not just personal success but strives to uplift those around him. Through his journey, he demonstrates the indomitable power of the human spirit.
I have taken many things from this story besides inspiration.
Practice gratitude, life is good and you are blessed.
Take care of your health, you never know when it will be taken from you.
Determination and resilience will help you achieve the impossible.
As we reflect on his story, Ferdinand leaves us with a powerful reminder:
"Never stop improving, never stop winning. Everything can be a positive if you make it so."