Why we need to bounce back from tragedy...

When all you hear is bad news and there are more bad turns than good, the easiest thing is to give up, to wallow in the pool of self-pity. Yet, the truly remarkable nature of the human spirit emerges under the toughest of circumstances, especially when one has faced some of life’s most challenging moments. There are many such stories out there, stories that warm our hearts and encourage us not to give up when faced with tough circumstances. Just bounce back.

Bryshon Nellum, one of the star athletes on Team USA, was shot in what was suspected to be a deliberate attempt to curb his stellar career. One of the star athletes with an outstanding record, Nellum’s one goal was to be included in Team USA for the Olympics. That dream was almost shattered with the injuries caused by the bullets to his legs but Nellum never gave up on his dream.

Enterprising young man

Recalling the injury, he says that the moment he realized the wounds were not life-threatening, he wanted to know if he could ever run again. The doctors thought he could - but not at the world class speed he had before the shooting. Nellum says that was his motivation, the trigger factor that told his system he had work to do, to get back to what he was.

Nellum chose to bounce back instead of accepting the verdict over his health. Most of us would have given up on testing our limits when told of an injury that may limit us. A few of us would opt to test the limits, as this enterprising young man did. It took Nellum 44 months, three surgeries and countless frustrating days before Nellum could bounce back into earning a spot on Team USA. Nallum didn’t just come back - he bolted into the US Olympic team with a stunning third place finish in the 400 metre finals at the US Olympic trials that earned him a Hollywood style applause.

When confronted with his likely selection into the team, Nellum says what went through his mind was his preparation for the victory lap. The pain in his legs as he ran, thousands of grueling hours spent in rehab, fear of being shot at again - he says he had to deal with it all as he got ready mentally and physically for the final moment that saw him qualify.

Bryshon Nellum

USC track and field coach Ron Allice called it nothing short of a miracle - he also called Nallum a strong willed, dedicated young man who saw many set backs but came through stronger.

There is a lesson Nellum teaches us all. In life, you will always find adversity and setbacks. There will always be disappointments and unexpected tragedies, situations you could do nothing to change yet it will change you for always. How many of us can bounce back from that kind of disaster as Nellum did? Whether or not we are in the midst of a promising career as he was, life is all about choosing to come back even when coming back seems to be the hardest thing to do.

Remarkable come back

Nellum could have given up too. The injury had made his once powerful legs weaker but he never gave up. Giving up, for him, was not a choice. He chose instead to stage a remarkable come back. It had to do with his mental state and attitude as much as it had to with his physical state.

What lessons can we learn from this young man and how can we apply such lessons to our daily lives…without bitterness, without remorse, Nellum bounced back from an injury that could have easily cost him a place on Team USA. His attitude speaks volumes for his courage and determination. You don’t have to be a world class athlete to recover the way Nellum did. That power is within us all - we just have to discover it in ourselves.