Many have learned about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States through our history books and history classes in school. We’ve all been well educated on his great accomplishments like the Emancipation Proclamation, which led to the abolition of slavery.

We’ve learned of his great leadership in leading the United States through one of its most divisive moral, cultural, and constitutional crises. And we’ve also learned about his eventual reuniting of a country divided by a brutal civil war. However, what most of us have never learned about, is Abraham Lincoln’s motivational story of triumph over adversity. So, that’s exactly what we aim to highlight in this Abraham Lincoln Success Story feature.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S MOTIVATIONAL STORY

Most people know who Abraham Lincoln is, but the don’t about his story of struggle. Many of us have never learned about Lincoln’s personal challenges.

Our formal education rarely provides the insights of Lincoln’s struggles. The struggles that eventually helped him to become a man of character. And not just that, but also one of the most well-known politicians and presidents in history.

So, we aim to share with you some key personal aspects about Abraham Lincoln that can also inspire you to strive for greater achievement in your life. Our hope is that they’ll also encourage you to persist when adversity arises, as it eventually will.

As such, we’ve pulled together Lincoln’s impressive rap sheet when it comes to overcoming defeat. His list of failures and set backs are showcased to demonstrate that sometimes, even the greatest among us have to go through hell before finding our success.

Early Life

Before we dive into Abe Lincoln’s struggle story, here are a few important details. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky.

He was born into a one-roomed cabin with parents whom he stated where undistinguished. He was not given a great education, but he did love to read.

As such, he was self-educated. And took it upon himself to eventually go into law. That said, let’s get into how he went about becoming “The Abraham Lincoln”.

Abraham Lincoln’s Struggle Story

Without further ado, here is Abraham Lincoln’s inspiring list of obstacles endured, with a few of the most critical victories he managed to obtain over his lifetime:

1818: Lost his mother at the age of 9

1832: Lost his job

1832: Defeated for legislature

1833: Failed in business

1833: Went into debt (Took 10 Yrs. to pay off)

1834: Elected to legislature

1835: The woman he loved and was to marry died

1836: Had a nervous breakdown

1838: Defeated for Speaker

1843: Defeated for nomination for Congress

1848: Lost re-nomination

1849: Rejected for Land Officer

1854: Defeated for Senate

1856: Defeated for nomination for Vice-President

1858: Again defeated for Senate

1860: Elected for President of The United States of America

Related: Abraham Lincoln Quotes on Success

Last Like Lincoln

There is no doubt about it, Abraham Lincoln’s life is a collection of moments where he persisted in the face of hardship and failure. His record of obstacles , failures, and achievements are guiding lights that prove that success comes through outlasting our failures.

Hopefully, you’ve come to realize that any defeats you may come across in your life are only temporary. We also hope that you’ve come to realize that your success is just a matter of managing your failures and moving on and forward towards your goals without losing enthusiasm.

If you try and fail, you can always get back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. You can learn from your mistakes, knowing that each attempt was a learning experience.

So, if you’ve experienced any setbacks or failure lately, or if you’ve fallen off your proverbial horse, just remember good ole Abe Lincoln and his inspiring story of struggle. Remember how he conquered his countless defeats, and realize that you can do the same.

Then, dust yourself off and keep moving forward towards your biggest goals and dreams. Keep striving to achieve the impossible.

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this Abraham Lincoln Success Story then you’ll also enjoy this article on inspiring short stories on success.

Tom Brady is well known across the world these days, especially in the United States of America and among those who appreciate the rough and tumble sport of Football. Brady has managed to achieve numerous records and accolades in the sport over the past two decades. Achievements like having the most wins by a quarterback in NFL history, or the most touchdowns by a quarterback, and having won the most NFL championships. Indeed, these are just a few of the many accomplishments Tom Brady has managed to achieve during his sensational and long career. And, it’s why we aim to dive into how such a legend came to be in this Tom Brady Success Story special.

The aim of this page is to inspire as well as provide key insights about Tom Brady’s success. We believe success leaves clues, and that every high achieve leaves a blueprint that others can follow in the wake of their success. Thus, we want to provide you with a better understanding of how Tom Brady became the legend he is today, as well as a few insights you can leverage to help you win in business, work, and at life in general.

So, if you’re ready to start learning from Tom Brady’s inspiring success story, let’s get to it.

TOM BRADY SUCCESS STORY

Tom Brady was born in San Mateo, California, and was the youngest of three other siblings, all of which were his sisters. The young Brady grew up idolizing players like Steve Young, Dan Marino, and especially Joe Montana. However, he didn’t fall into the typical athletic path followed by most players who make it into the NFL. While most kids start to get groomed to become gods of the grid iron around the 3rd grade, Tom Brady wouldn’t start playing football until he was a freshman in high school.

Brady’s debut into football as a freshman was hardly special and certainly not noteworthy. In fact, Tom Brady was initially a bench warmer, but he eventually got his shot to play his Sophomore year when the starting quarterback for the JV team quit. And fortunately for Brady, that opportunity helped him segue into the starting Varsity QB role when his Junior year arrived.

After developing a passion for the sport, Tom Brady would commit to playing at the next level. As such, he honed in on marketing himself to scouts, and ensuring he stood out as a player worthy of consideration. Brady would eventually catch the eye of a handful of big name universities. But he eventually opted for Michigan University.

The Under Dog

Tom Brady’s decision to become a Michigan Wolverine didn’t automatically mean he would find success on the field. Nor did it mean it would happen overnight.

In fact, Brady came into the program as an underdog, with seven other quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart. To get his chance, Brady would have to put his aim to outshine each and every single one of them into overdrive. And with laser-like focus, he would do just that, earning himself the back-up slot by the time he was a Sophomore. But he hadn’t hit his mark just yet.

And similar to his high school days, Brady had to remain humble and patient as he waited for the perfect opportunity to seize his moment. That day would eventually come two long years after his arriving at Michigan. He would finally win the starting quarterback position for the Wolverines his Junior year. And the rest was history, as he went on to lead his team to two bowl games, that last of which they won over Alabama.

Underrated & Underestimated

During his final days of college, Tom Brady’s coach received only one call of interest from the NFL for his star quarterback. But, that didn’t deter Brady and his goal of playing football in the NFL. He set his sights on the NFL draft, and had high hopes of getting picked up early. But, Brady would be let down. Instead of getting chosen early like he felt he should have, it wasn’t until the 6th round as the 199th pick that he would eventually get to breathe a sigh of relief.

Tom Brady was underrated and underestimated. In fact his draft report from 2000 NFL draft noted the following qualities:

• Poor Build | Skinny
• Lacks Great Physical Stature and Strength
• Lacks Mobility and Ability to Avoid The Rush
• Lacks a Really Strong Arm
• Can’t Drive The Ball Down Field
• Doesn’t Throw a Really Tight Spiral
• System-Type Player Who Can Get Exposed if Forced to Adlib
• Gets Knocked Down Easily

There is no doubt that Brady wasn’t the highest rated, he wasn’t the best athlete, he didn’t have the best numbers, the best mechanics, but he did have the qualities that have proven to matter most: heart and determination. And Brady used both qualities to prove to all the NFL, and its fans, that he is and was the quarterback who should have been chosen first in that NFL draft. The draft was like a slap to the face for Brady, and he would take the experience to heart, using it to fuel his future achievements and prove his worth.

Absolute Proof

A since 2001, Tom Brady has been doing just that. During his second year with the New England Patriots, after the starting Drew Bledsoe was sidelined due to an injury, Brady took to the field, has since come off. And for the past 20 plus years, Brady has been stacking and collecting achievements and accolades like a kid collects comics.

For the past 20 years, Tom Brady has been providing to the world, absolute proof, that he is the best of the best when it comes to football. He has the evidence to prove it, and here it is:

• Super Bowl Champion 7 Times Over
• 5 Time Super Bowl MVP
• 3 Time MVP of the NFL
• 2 Time NFL All-Decade Team Player
• Most Games Won By a Quarterback
• Most Games Played By a Quarterback
• Most Combined Passing Yards
• Most Touchdown Passes
• Most 4th Quarter Comebacks
• Most NFL Championships
• Best Touchdown to Interception Ratio
• Only Player to Win a Super Bowl for Both The AFC + NFC

And the list can and does go on and on. Tom Brady has shown absolute proof of his greatness.

Related: Tom Brady Net Worth

Tom Brady’s Success Ethos

Tom Brady went from high school benchwarmer to underrated draft pick, to ultimately becoming one of the NFL’s most celebrated players. But how did he do this? How did Tom Brady become so successful?

Well, as mentioned earlier, Tom Brady didn’t have all the sought after qualities and attributes that the other quarterbacks had, but he had the qualities that mattered most. And his number one quality, was his determination to be the best quarterback. In short, he had will power.

And over the past two decades, through sheer will power and focused determination, Brady has managed to get better with every snap. He takes his role as a leader and the quarterback of his team very seriously, leading him to approach every day as another day to prove to himself, his coaches, and his doubters, that not only does he deserves to be on the field, but that he is the best person for the job.

In addition to this, Tom Brady has also revealed his success ethos in his own words. So, we’ve listed his most poignant quotes on success with a short summary on each:

1. “To me, football is so much about mental toughness, it’s digging deep, it’s doing whatever you need to do to help a team win and that comes in a lot of shapes and forms.”  – Tom Brady

The magic ingredient for success in life and in sports comes down to mental toughness and extra effort. Champions know it, and Tom Brady knows it.

2. “If you don’t play to win, don’t play at all.”  – Tom Brady

Competition has been underrated as of late, in fact many are trying to give it a bad rap these days. But they are mistaken. Because great accomplishments, championships, and victory over anything rarely comes to the person who isn’t striving to win. And much of Brady’s success comes down to purely wanting to win.

3. “I didn’t come in with the opportunity to play right away. I had to earn it.” – Tom Brady

Tom Brady’s humble realization that what he was after would not come easily, or be easily kept, allowed for him to put in the proper levels of preparation, and continued improvement to see him rise to the occasion time and time again.

4. “To me, what separates really good players from great players; execute well under pressure.” – Tom Brady

Lastly, Brady understands that winners, be they athletes in sports, generals and warriors on a battlefield, or executives within a business, win because they possess the poise and calmness of mind to respond effectively when pressed. And this is exactly what Tom Brady has managed to master; effective execution.

Related: Motivational Tom Brady Quotes

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the Tom Brady success story that highlights Brady’s journey of going from being a benchwarmer in high school, to overcoming the odds of a depth-chart that went seven levels deep to start in college, to being an underrated 6th round draft pick who would go on to become one of greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game of football. 

We’ve also uncovered the main driver behind Brady’s greatness, and the success ethos that has guided him to becoming the living legend we’ve all come to admire. And since there is power in repetition, and because repetition is the mother of learning and the architect of accomplishment, here is one last recap on Tom Brady’s recipe for success:

Mental Toughness | Will to Win | Staying Hungry | Effective Execution

Lastly, we hope you apply these insights to your own life. May they help you take on aspects of your life with the mindset of a champion, and help you be victorious like one. And remember, you don’t have to have the strongest indicators of what’s typical of an athlete, professional, or entrepreneur to be successful, because numbers aren’t everything, but heart is.

Till next time,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed our Tom Brady Success Story, then you’ll certainly enjoy learning from other G.O.A.T.s like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cristiano Ronaldo, and some of our other popular success stories.

Michael Jordan hardly needs an introduction considering he is one of the best known former basketball players in the world. He’s arguably the greatest NBA player of all-time having played 15 seasons in the league and winning six NBA championships in the process. But what makes Michael Jordan so remarkable isn’t just his accomplishments as a basketball player; it’s his incredible story of unmatched determination that all began with one instance of choosing to overcome adversity.

“Limits, Like Fears, Are Often Just An Illusion.”

– michael jordan –

As such, we aim to take a closer look at Michael Jordan’s life story to highlight some of the seemingly small aspects that played an oversized role in his become the G.O.A.T (the Greatest Of All Time). By understanding what helped Jordan become so successful, we can unlock the strategies and mindset that can help us improve our own lives and potentially achieve a little bit of greatness in our own unique ways.

Having said that, if you’re ready to learn about how the greatest of all time became the greates of all time, let’s dive right in to this Michael Jordan Story.

THE MICHAEL JORDAN SUCCESS STORY

Early Days

Michael Jordan was born in New York City, NY on February 17, 1963. He grew up in somewhat large family, having four other siblings. And at the age of five his parents sought out a safer environment to raise the family, so they packed up and moved to Wilmington, NC.

It was in North Carolina where Jordan would eventually make a name for himself. But, his first love when it came to sports was in baseball. In fact, in 1975 at the age of 12, he was awarded with the title of “Mr. Baseball” for the Dixie Youth Baseball Association._^[1]

Jordan also loved playing catch with his Father outside in his youth, and shared a love for the game with his father, who also loved baseball.

But Jordan would eventually start playing basketball because his older brother Larry. Jordan idolized his older brother, but he also competed with him for his father’s attention and admiration. And Larry was good in basketball. So Jordan strived to make a name for himself as a basketball player as well.

When Jordan was a sophomore at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan aimed to play basketball for the Varsity team. He thought he was good enough so he tried out. Unfortunately, at the time he was only standing at 5’10” and his coaches didn’t believe he was ready, so he was cut from the team._^[2]

Awakening The Sleeping Giant

Jordan’s coaches likely didn’t realize how competitive Jordan was when they cut him, nor did they realize how much he wanted to play on Varsity as a sophomore. But, by cutting Jordan they unknowingly unleashed a fury within him that very likely fueled his fiery competitive spirit for the rest of his career.

Cutting Jordan from the team awakened a sleeping giant within him. He didn’t take the rejection well, especially because one of his friends who was also a sophomore happened to make the team. In fact, after receiving the news that he didn’t make the team, Jordan locked himself in his closet when he got home and cried.

Despite the frustration, Jordan decided to channel his frustration into positive activity. Jordan accepted, for the time being, his new reality, and still played basketball, even though it was only for the JV team.

However, he sought to leverage his time on the JV team to sharpen his skills. As such, he put his heart and soul into shining on the court, and shine he did. Jordan would go on to put up multiple 40 point games that year and become the best player on the team. In short, he dominated on the courts, even though it was only against other 14 and 15 year old players._^[3]

He took advantage of the off-season to hone his game, training long and hard over the entire summer. During that time, he would also put on an extra four inches in height. Needless to say, when he came back to play his Junior year, he was ready to take care of business.

Jordan made the cut this time around, and he immediately went to work to make a name for himself. In his first Varsity game he put up 35 points. And it didn’t take long before he was the team’s best player and highest scorer, averaging 20+ points per game.

The following year he would help his team achieve a No.1 standing in the state, even though they didn’t win the state championship. He would also become his team’s MVP, and make the All-American team.

College Bound

Jordan’s superstar performance during his last two years in high school paved the way for his college career. In fact, he committed to UNC long before finishing out his senior year of high school, signing a letter of intent in November of 1980._^[4]

Jordan’s success on the college courts didn’t skip a beat. In just his first year he was awarded the ACC’s ‘Freshman of The Year’ award, and he made the game-winning shot in the 1982 national championship game against Georgetown.

Michael Jordan’s extraordinary Freshman year helped set the stage for his long and productive career in basketball. And even though his college team didn’t win national championships for the next two years that he played, experiencing greatness in that first year solidified Jordan’s champion mindset.

Jordan would go on to achieve the following accolades as a collegiate athlete:

• 1982 ACC Rookie of the Year
• 1982 national champion
• 1982 All-Tournament Team
• 1982 Freshman All-American
• 1983 First Team All-ACC
• 1983 East Regional Team
• 1983 consensus All-American
• 1983 National Player of the Year (The Sporting News)
• 1984 First Team All-ACC
• 1984 ACC Player of the Year
• 1984 ACC Athlete of the Year
• 1984 consensus All-American
• 1984 consensus National Player of the Year
• 1980s NCAA Tournament All-Decade Team
• NCAA Tournament All-Time Team
• Named the No. 1 male athlete in ACC history
• Named a top-15 player in the 75 Years of March Madness Celebration

In addition the impressive accolades above, MJ also achieve a handful of impressive personal records during his college years as well. Here are just a few of his most impressive ones:

• Most points by a sophomore in North Carolina history: 721 points
• North Carolina’s leader in points and steals: 1982-83 and 1983-84
• Tied for fourth in North Carolina history in steals in a season: 78 steals
• Ranked Sixth in North Carolina history in field goals made in a season: 282 field goals
• Ranked Seventh in North Carolina history in points in a season: 721 points

Needless to say, Michael Jordan had an extremely successful college career in basketball, and it led to him getting drafted after only playing for UNC for three years.

The Pros

Jordan’s on-court dominance didn’t stop after college. The competitiveness and determination he exemplified in his college years transferred seamlessly into his professional play.

The bulk of Jordan’s career was spent with the Chicago Bulls, even after a few short retirements. But he also spent two seasons as a Washington Wizard.

Despite where he was playing in the pros, Jordan would go on to score 32,292 points in his professional basketball career, while achieving 6 NBA championships, obtaining 6 NBA Finals MPV, as well as 5 NBA MVP titles, 2 NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, as well as 2 Olympic Gold Medals, and this is the short list.

That said, Jordan became a force to be reckoned with in the NBA, not only was he one of the most entertaining players to watch for over 15 different seasons, but his competitiveness and will to win helped him become what most people agree upon; the greatest basketball player of all-time.

Michael Jordan’s Massive Fortune

Michael Jordan’s extraordinary career in basket ball helped him also become one of the richest men on the planet. Not only is MJ considered the best NBA player of all-time, he’s also the G.O.A.T. when it comes to money.

As of 2023, Michael Jordan’s net worth is $3 billion, which makes him more than two times as rich as the next richest player, which is Lebron James.

And even though MJ is retired, with a fortune like this, he can live like a king for the rest of his life without ever having to touch his principal.

In fact, here’s how much Michael Jordan’s net worth could easily earn him every single year for the rest of his life: $120,000,0000 per year or more.

Money Metric	Amount
Net Worth:	$3,000,000,000
**Earnings Per Year:	$120,000,000
Per Month:	$10,000,000
Per Week:	$2,307,694
Per Day:	$329,670
Per Hour:	$13,736
Per Min:	$228
Per Sec:	$3.81

Note: this is an estimated (but very possible) earnings metric based off the earning power of Michael Jordan’s net worth assuming a 4% annual yield.  It does not include how much MJ makes from side projects, sponsorships, social media, etc. These calculations are for entertainment purposes only.

Success Ethos | MJ’s Success Story

With a net worth like this, it’s obvious that Michael Jordan is just as savvy as a businessman as he was a basket ball player. In fact, these days, Jordan is the primary owner of the Charlotte Hornets, as well as Nascar’s 23XI Racing.

In addition to owning this great franchises, Jordan did in the past, and also continues to makes loads of money as and principal spokesman for many household brands like Nike, Gatorade, Coca Cola, Wheaties, Hanes, and countless others.

Having said that, there’s no doubt that Michael Jordan knows a thing or two about success and achievement. In fact, here’s a few keys to success that he’s uttered in his own words:

1. “The key to success is failure.” – Michael Jordan

2. “My competitive drive is far greater than anyone else that I’ve met, and I thrive on that.” – Michael Jordan

3. “There is no “I” in team but there is in win.” – Michael Jordan

4. “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” – Michael Jordan

5. “Success doesn’t stop when you get there.” – Michael Jordan

Related: Michael Jordan Quotes

Success In Action

If you’ve never seen MJ in action, this short video is worth the watch. It quickly demonstrates why he’s the best of the best, and why’s he’s worth ever penny of the billions he’s earned:

Final Thoughts

Michael Jordan’s success story should be an inspiration for just about everyone. It provides one of the best examples on how disappointment and rejection can be transformed into something so much greater than we ever imagined.

Jordan’s story also demonstrates the type of mindset needed to win and dominate regardless of the field your in. It highlights the extra-mile that you must go into your training and preparation, and the extraordinary levels of desire you must have for winning if you wish to become the best.

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this Michael Jordan Success Story write up we have a hunch you’ll also appreciate our Kobe Bryant Success Story as well.

There is no question that Mark Cuban has achieved great success in his life. He is a self-made billionaire, and he has turned his passion for business into a successful career. But how did he do it? Certainly, it wasn’t easy. It took him years of hard work and determination to achieve his goal of becoming a billionaire, but in the end, he did it.

“It Doesn’t Matter How Many Times You Fail. You Only Have To Be Right Once And Then Everyone Can Tell You You’re An Overnight Success.”

– mark cuban –

That said, we believe success leaves clues, so we’ve decided to explore Mark Cuban’s story of success to see what his journey to the top reveals. As such, in this article, we will explore how Mark Cuban got started with business and what his first big break was that propelled him into stardom. We will also look at some of the challenges he faced along the way, and some of the clever ways he overcame them. So, if you’re ready to learn form this iconic entrepreneur and investor, let’s dive right in:

THE MARK CUBAN STORY OF SUCCESS

How Mark Cuban Got Started With Business

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mark was the son of a working-class family that wasn’t always supportive of his aspirations. Despite a mother who was worried about her son’s professional options, Mark proved he had a knack for entrepreneurship by collecting coins, stamps, and baseball cards, and striving to profit off of them. He was undeniably a hard worker from an early age, and he credits much of his success to his drive and work ethic.

When Mark Cuban was in high school, he had a dream of becoming an entrepreneur. He started out selling garbage bags door to door and clearly had a knack for business. After high school, he attended Indiana University, focusing on business administration.

When in college, he made a bold move and decided to buy a local bar for the price of $15,000. He used his business skills to turn the bar around and make a profit, making it one of the most popular college student hangouts in the town. This was his first big break in the business world, and it showed him that he could be successful if he put in the hard work.

The Challenges of Becoming an Entrepreneur

Of course, no journey is without its challenges. And for Mark Cuban, there were plenty of them. After struggling to secure a career after college, he decided to go out on his own and start Broadcast.com with a fellow friend and alumni, Todd Wagner, which was an online video and streaming platform. He used the proceeds from the sale of his first technology company, MicroSolutions, to fund this endeavor. 

He struggled to make ends meet as he poured money into his business without seeing any return for quite some time. But by taking risks and pushing himself outside of his comfort zone, Mark Cuban finally started making some headway.

The idea of streaming was quite new in the year 1995, and many people doubted its potential. Critics and naysayers said it was redundant since there was already access to television and radio. However, Cuban and Wagner had a vision that streaming platforms would eventually overtake traditional media channels.

The company grew and was acquired by Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999, which gave Cuban his first taste of major success as an entrepreneur. This was a defining moment for Mark Cuban, as he became a self-made billionaire at the young age of 41. It also made him one of the richest people in America.

The Turning Point

Being able to leverage such a large deal with Yahoo allowed Cuban to start investing in other businesses and expand his portfolio. He started acquiring companies like HDNet, the Landmark Theater Chain, and various online publications.

But it was his investment in the Dallas Mavericks that turned out to be his most successful venture yet. In 2000, he purchased the team for $285 million when it was on the brink of bankruptcy.

He has since turned the team around and made it one of the most successful in the NBA. As a result, Mark Cuban’s net worth has grown an estimated $5.7 billion. Mark states that it had never crossed his mind that the Mavericks were a business investment and that the profits were a natural progression from following his passions and interests.

He then joined the Shark Tank TV show in 2011, which was what propelled him into stardom. He became one of the most successful investors on the show and has invested in more than 85 different companies through Shark Tank. In addition to this, he has also been a consistent fan favorite and continues to appear on the show every season.

Clearly, Mark Cuban is a testament to the saying “hard work pays off.” He is living proof that if you have a dream and are willing to put in the hard work, anything is possible. Each incremental step he took in his career was a stepping stone to the next opportunity.

“I Do (Shark Tank) Because It Sends the Message to Kids and Entrepreneurs of All Ages That if Somebody From a Small-time Town in Idaho or North Carolina Can Find Their Way Onto the Carpet to Pitch to the Sharks, Then Anybody Can.” – Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban Success Insights

Mark Cuban’s background in the ever-changing field of technology has taught him to value education above all else. From watching tutorials to listening to podcasts to reading books, to talking with top experts, he has a voracious appetite for learning.

In order to be successful in business, Cuban also believes that you need to take risks and put yourself out there. He’s not afraid of failure and knows that it’s an important part of the learning process.

He uses a competitive metaphor to remind himself and others how important it is to give your all and stay consistent in your dedication to your dreams. In the world of technology and business, innovations are constantly happening and the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to always be learning.

He also believes that time is more valuable than money, so it is of the utmost importance to be mindful of how you’re spending it. Spiraling out because of failure, delaying action because of fear, or wasting time on things that don’t matter are all habits that Cuban has learned to avoid.

Lastly, Cuban stresses the importance of networking and building relationships. He knows that nobody is truly self-made and relies on his network of friends, mentors, family members when he needs advice or help in any situation. He has strategically built a network that he knows will help him every step of the way and aligns with colleagues that he trusts and respects.

Success In His Own Words

That said, Mark Cuban has offered at handful of tips and success insights over the years in interviews, published articles, etc. So, if you’re interested in some of his best advice when it comes to success, you’ll enjoy these quotes:

1. “The key to being successful and achieving your dreams no matter what they are, is finding something you really really like to do, and being great at it.” – Mark Cuban

2. “The only thing in your control is effort. That’s all, and that’s everything.” – Mark Cuban

3. “I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t fail a lot. The good, the bad, it’s all part of the success equation.” – Mark Cuban

4. “How wisely you use your time will have far more impact on your life and success than any amount of money.” – Mark Cuban

5. “It’s not about money or connections — It’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone when it comes to your business. And if it fails, you learn from what happened and do a better job next time.” – Mark Cuban

Related: Mark Cuban Quotes

More Billionaire Success Advice

The success insights just mentioned above only offer a solid glimpse on what has helped Mark Cuban achieve the success he now enjoys. Of course, there is so much more to his success that meets the eye, but this brutally honest mashup of Mark Cuban interviews provides clear instruction to aspiring entrepreneurs and would-be billionaires.

So, if you’re hungry for some additional success advice from a billionaire, then you’ll want to watch this short video:

_{^{Video Credit: Motiversity (Subscribe Here)}}

Final Thoughts

The Mark Cuban success story is one of grit, determination, and hard work. He has faced plenty of challenges throughout his career, but he has never given up.

By being passionate about what he does and continuously pushing himself outside of his comfort zone, Cuban has become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in America. And there’s no telling what he’ll accomplish next.

That said, we hope this Mark Cuban story provided you with a few practical insights that you can now leverage to go out and achieve the success you seek.

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed our Mark Cuban Story, then you’ll likely enjoy this powerful collection of rags to riches stories.

Grant Cardone is a prominent international businessman, speaker, and owner of Cardone Capital, a $5 billion investment firm.  Cardone is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book If You’re Not First, You’re Last, and other notable books like The 10X Rule, and Axiom Award winning Sell or Be Sold.  In addition to this, he is also the founder of Cardone University, a popular sales training platform that has accrued over 50,000,000 users and continues to grow to this day.  So, considering Grant Cardone’s list of impressive achievements, we will be diving into how this success superstar came to be in this Grant Cardone Story of Success.

“Average is a Failing Formula.”

They say success leaves clues, and we believe it.  Which is why we cover uber-successful people like Grant Cardone.  We also chose Grant Cardone because he has a great rags to riches story to boot. 

In addition to this, we also believe every story possesses hidden insights that can teach us, guide us, and benefit us in incredible ways.  So, with that being said, if you’re ready to learn how Grant Cardone became an above average person let’s dive in.

THE GRANT CARDONE STORY

Growing Pains | Grant Cardone Success Story

Grant Cardone grew up in a little town called Lake Charles in the state of Louisiana.   He and his twin brother were the youngest out of five children.  Cardone lost his father at the age of 10, and his mother, with no education or work experience, had to support 5 children alone. It was a combination that led to very slim prospects for Grant’s success growing up.  Fortunately, his mother found a way to make it work. Needless to say, Cardone grew up poor, and in an environment that was less than ideal.

And it was this environment, and the trauma he faced from losing his father early in life, and his oldest brother a few years later, that led him towards a self-destructive and downward spiraling path.  And so, from the age of 15 to 25, Cardone found himself in bad company, making bad decisions, and addicted to drugs.

However, there was one traumatic event that would act as a catalyst for reversing the direction of his life.  And this event would occur one rainy night when Cardone was walking home.  While walking home, a friend of his orchestrated a robbery at gunpoint against him.

And in his attempts to fight off the armed robber, Cardone was severely beaten with a pistol and left for dead.  Cardone ended up in the hospital for three days and would need over 70 stiches.  The robbery had damaged his face so severely that when his mother came to visit, she couldn’t even recognize him.  

This experience was a major turning point for Cardone.  But the final straw that would see Cardone check himself into a rehab center was the day his mother kicked him out of her house.

Turning Point

Grant Cardone was 25 years old when he finally decided to clean his life up.  After he got out of rehab, Cardone committed to living a sober life in pursuit of his potential.  And even though he felt like a loser at the time, he knew, deep down inside, that he was meant to do more with his life. 

As such, upon his release from rehab he chose to cut out all negative influences from his life.  He stopped hanging around his drug addict friends, he stayed away from his enemies, and all those negative influences and environments that in the past kept him going back to the comfort of drugs like clockwork.

The Struggle

Now after deciding to turn his life around things didn’t automatically become full of sunshine and rainbows for Cardone.  He still had to find an avenue to pursue his potential.  Cardone had his degree in accounting, but such jobs were limited at the time.  And, with the economy being slow with unemployment at 24%, Cardone didn’t have the luxury of being selective.

“What’s Crazy Is The Thing I Hated Became The Gateway To The Rest Of My Life”

– grant cardone –

As such, he landed a job as a car salesperson, even though he detested the decision, because he had an accounting degree.   However, he took some advice he got from his mother early on and applied it to his situation.   And the advice was this…  “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

As such, he got to work learning as much as he possibly could about selling, how to influence people, along with everything there was to know about the automobile industry. 

After he saw his income double from $3,000 to $6,000 per month, he knew he figured out one of the most powerful tools for becoming successful, applied knowledge.  And, through that effort and investment in knowledge, Grant Cardone eventually became one of the best car salesmen in the country.

Towards Becoming Self-Made

Cardone’s success within the industry would skyrocket. Eventually, the owner of the company fired him for trying to do the right thing when he informed him that another salesperson was stealing from him. 

But Cardone didn’t let this setback diminish his enthusiasm or momentum.  Instead, he decided to never become dependent on another person or company again. 

As such, he started his own sales consulting business, and began aggressively selling his sales strategies across the country.  And shortly thereafter, Cardone paved a way for himself as a self-made man.

Related: Motivational Grant Cardone Quotes

Success Ethos | Grant Cardone Story

Grant Cardone’s business took off, and his businesses were doing so well that he eventually became a millionaire by the age of 30.    But he didn’t become a millionaire just because his businesses were earning large amounts of income. 

The truth is, nobody automatically becomes a millionaire just because they have an income or a business. Grant Cardone became a millionaire by disciplining his money and fostering a millionaire mindset.

Essentially, every time he paid himself from his business’s earnings, he would consider himself “broke” immediately after, because he’d set all his extra money aside. He accumulated vast sums of money, and then used that money as down payments for investments, primarily in the form of real estate.

Cardone would do this for years, until his assets topped a million dollars.  And it is this same simple process that he uses to this day, which has helped him achieve more than a billion dollars in his investment ventures.  He strives to make as much money as he can, so he can invest as much as he can to build an investment empire, it’s that simple.

Success In His Own Words

With that being said, our Grant Cardone story wouldn’t be complete without a few wise words from the man himself. As such, here are a few supporting Cardone Quotes to help sum up his success ethos so you can follow suit:

1. “An Investment in Knowledge Always Pays The Best Interest.” – Grant Cardone

2. “Until you become completely obsessed with your mission, no one will take you seriously. Until the world understands that you’re not going away—that you are 100 percent committed and have complete and utter conviction and will persist in pursuing your project—you will not get the attention you need and the support you want.” – Grant Cardone

3. “Every time I get money, I go broke again because I shove it into this real estate thing [Cardone Acquisitions].” – Grant Cardone

4. “Cashflow is not bragging rights. It’s financial freedom.” – Grant Cardone

5. “Rich people don’t get rich by accident and poor people don’t stay poor by accident.” – Grant Cardone

But don’t just take our word for it. Watch the excellent video below. In the video he explains how he built up his massive net worth. In addition to this, he demonstrates how anyone can do the same to become a millionaire.

So, give it a watch, as it sums up his success ethos very succinctly.

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Related: Grant Cardone Net Worth

Conclusion

There you have it, the Grant Cardone story that describes his journey from being a poor kid from Louisiana, to barely surviving as a drug addict, to then making the most of his situation to rise to superstardom as one of the top motivational leaders internationally.

Grant now owns multiple businesses like Cardone Capital, Cardone Acquisitions, Cardone Training Technologies, Cardone University, Cardone TV, and many more.

We’ve uncovered the success ethos that has guided Cardone in creating the massive success and wealth he now enjoys. Here they are again as a recap to answer the question about how Grant Cardone became successful:

Obsession with Success | Self-Development | Investing Every Extra Dollar Into Assets

Now go forth and apply the Grant Cardone success insights you’ve just gained to help you improve your life.  And remember…

So, don’t doubt that by doing so, you can and will eventually become a self-reliant and a self-made millionaire, just like Grant Cardone.

Till next time,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed our Grant Cardone success story, then you’ll love this collection of short but encouraging success stories.

Sylvester Stallone has been one of the most recognized names in Hollywood over the past four decades. And it all started with a simple story of a down and out dock worker named Rocky. A nobody who was given an opportunity of a lifetime and seized it.

“It’s All About Dreams.  Dreams Cost Nothing, They Are Free.”

– Sylvester Stallone –

Since then, Sylvester Stallone, and his series of movies revolving around Rocky have been inspiring people all around the world.  Not surprisingly, Sylvester Stallone’s real life story is every bit as motivating and inspiring as the fictional Rocky character he created.  As you’ll soon see, Sylvester Stallone’s life story is also a success story.

His success story is one that should be observed, retold, and shared, just as much as his movies are. Why? Because success leaves clues.  So, that’s what we intend to do in this post today; share his inspiring rags to riches story and hope you takeaway something to help you create your own success story.

With that being said, let’s dive in…

THE SYLVESTER STALLONE STORY OF SUCCESS

Most people don’t know this about Sylvester Stallone, but he had a dream as a young man to become a big movie star in Hollywood.  He longed to become a great director, producer, and writer.   But of course, everyone told him it could not be done.  But, he wasn’t one to take no for an answer. And after finding little luck in the New York’s films scene, he decided to try his chances in Los Angeles.

As luck would have it, his life in Los Angeles was not all sunshine and rainbows.  He struggled and strived for a few years in Los Angeles as well.  At one point, things got so bad and he was so short on money that he had to take his wife’s jewelry, and sell it without her permission just to make a few extra dollars. 

He even went through a short period of homelessness, spending a few nights sleeping on the floor of a bus station.  But the worst of his dire straits would be when he had to sell his dog because he could barely keep him fed. 

Struggle was a way of life for Sylvester Stallone for many years.  But he was willing to suffer through barely making ends meet , so long as he could keep taking shots at roles, regardless of the size.  He was willing to go through hell so long as there was the potential to fulfill his dream of making it in Hollywood. 

“Life Is An Opponent That Never Stops Punching, So You Better Never Stop Punching Back.”

– sylvester stallone –

The Inspiration Behind The Inspiration

Fortunately, his trials and tribulations would not last forever.  One day after witnessing a boxing match between a virtually no-name boxer (his name was actually Chuck Wepner) who went head to head with the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali, a brilliant idea came to him.  

It is said, that after he watched this man take on the champ Ali, even knocking him down at one point, and almost going the entire distance of the fight with him, he became inspired by what he felt was a metaphor for life. 

In fact, he became so inspired by what he saw, that when he got back home from the fight, he locked himself up in his 8ft x9ft apartment for over three days straight.  And when he finally came out of his apartment, he had completed the script that would eventually come to be known as ‘Rocky’.

One Shot, One Opportunity

But just having that script in hand didn’t mean he was fated to overnight success.  No, there were still more obstacles that had to be overcome.  The script was written, but Sylvester didn’t yet have a backer/producer for it. 

However, his big opportunity would crystalize after wrapping up a casting call for a film he was auditioning for. A film that was being directed and produced by two notable film makers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler.  Now, he didn’t make the cut during that audition. But, before leaving the set that night he seized his moment while having conversation with Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler. And it was during that conversation that he boldly mentioned his interests in writing along with some of his ideas to the film producers. 

As fate would have it, they became intrigued enough in what he was saying, that they invited him to stop by their office at a later time so they could learn more about him and his ideas.  And as they say…the rest is history.

Nothing’s Over Till It’s Over

Sylvester Stallone’s script one over the two film makers, and they decided they would buy the script from him so they could make it into a movie.  They offered Sylvester Stallone upwards of $300,000, which was the most money he had ever been offered, let alone seen at that time.  But, he knew that if his script would become a success, he would forever regret not going for the lead role.  So, he made it a point to star in his own film, realizing that this would be his true shot at achieving success. 

So, after much negotiating, he would eventually decline upwards of $360,000 for the sale of his script alone.   He eventually won out in his negotiations and sold his script for $25,000, but on the condition that he would get to star in the lead role.

Success Ethos

Sylvester Stallone’s calculated risk to forgo what was a huge pay out at the time for his script, has made all the difference in his ultimate success.  The Rocky movie has since gone on to become a smash hit, along with a series of related cascading block buster successes. Successes that Sylvester Stallone proclaims he could have never imagined in wildest dreams.

And it all happened because he had a success ethos of never settling.   It happened because he was willing to embrace the pain and suffering of being without, until his vision was realized.

He was willing to take on the hits of life, and willing to lose it all to strike it big.  And it is because he had a vision of what he wanted, and stuck to it till the end, that he realized his vision, got everything he wanted, and struck it big.  Sylvester Stallone’s now has one of the most sizeable net worth’s in Hollywood, and he is arguably one of the most successful and well-known actors of all time.

Stallone’s Lasting Impact: A Creative Force Beyond Rocky

Sylvester Stallone’s journey didn’t end with Rocky’s triumph. His relentless creativity and ability to evolve have cemented his legacy as a multifaceted artist. Beyond acting, Stallone proved himself a visionary writer and director, crafting stories that resonate globally.

In 1978, he directed and starred in Paradise Alley, a gritty drama about three brothers in 1940s New York, inspired by his own challenging upbringing. Though overshadowed by Rocky, it showcased his knack for authentic storytelling.

Decades later, he created The Expendables (2010–present), a franchise he wrote, directed, and starred in, uniting action icons like Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren to revive the genre for a new era. His directorial work on Creed (2015) earned critical acclaim, proving his storytelling prowess at 69.

Stallone’s creativity extends beyond film. An avid painter, he has showcased his vibrant artwork in galleries like the Russian State Museum, using art to express emotions too raw for the screen. His 2005 book, Sly Moves, outlines his fitness philosophy, blending physical discipline with mental toughness, inspiring fans to adopt his work ethic.

At 78, Stallone continues to innovate, starring in the hit series Tulsa King (2022–present), a modern crime drama that highlights his adaptability. His lesson? Success demands versatility and courage to explore new crafts. So, take a page from Stallone: dedicate time to a passion project outside your comfort zone, like writing or art, to unlock new potential.

That said, his enduring impact shows that true success is about creating a legacy that evolves with time.

Video Credit via Mulligan Brothers

Related: Stallone’s Net Worth

Final Thoughts on Stallone’s Story of Success

The great thing about the Sylvester Stallone success story is that it provides us with hope for what is possible.  It also provides us with a road map of what achieving success, more often than not, looks like. 

So, use his experiences to prepare yourself for what you must do to achieve your dreams.  Let them prepare you for the challenging road ahead. And may they give you hope that the vision you glorify in your mind will come to pass.

Lastly, allow this story to help you believe that if you push hard enough, and strive long enough, you will eventually win.

Till next time,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this Success Story, then you’ll also enjoy these inspiring Sylvester Stallone Quotes, or even these extremely Motivational Rocky Quotes

David Goggins is a former Navy SEAL and USAF Tactical Air Control Party member who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is also a world-renowned ultramarathon runner and triathlete. But what makes David so remarkable isn’t just his accomplishments in the military or the fitness world; it’s his incredible story of overcoming adversity.

“Mental Toughness Is A Lifestyle.”

– david goggins –

In this story, we will take a closer look at David’s life story and showcase how he became one of the fittest men on Earth. By understanding the steps he took to become successful, we can better apply his principles to our own lives and hopefully achieve our own slice of greatness.

With that said, if you’re ready to learn about the mindset of one of the hardest men alive, let’s dive right in to this David Goggins Story.

THE DAVID GOGGINS STORY OF SUCCESS

How It Began | David Goggins Story

David Goggin’s early life was challenging. He endured a violent and controlling father, a family divorce, and poverty, all by the age of 8 years old. These early adversities ended up manifesting as health problems such as memory and attention issues as well as a stutter.

Despite having a rough home life in his youth, David had longed for a fresh start after he moved to Indiana with his mother and brother. He longed for a place where he felt safe. Nevertheless, Goggins did not anticipate the pain he would suffer during his first days at school, where he would eventually get bullied because of his unique appearance, and because and he didn’t know how to read.

Goggins didn’t appreciate the bullying, and as a result, he began skipping classes in order to escape the ridicule that was constantly lobbed at him by his classmates.

Needless to say, Goggin’s youth was not filled with sunshine and rainbows. It was a very tough and challenging way to grow up. Fortunately, those hardships didn’t break him, and instead made him stronger in the long run.

Once Goggins completed his schooling, he gave the military a shot. Unfortunately, after a failed attempt to join the Air Force’s as an elite pararescue team member due to sickle cell anemia, he became defeated for a very long time. But, Goggins persisted.

Despite the diagnosis, he refused to give up. “I wanted to feel something besides defeat. I wanted to just go the distance,” David said.

Eventually, he made his way into the Air Force, but as part of a different squad. This time around he made the cut to become part of the United States Air Force Tactical Control Party. But after a servicing for 5 years, he left the Air Force.

From a Nobody to a Somebody

After his 5 year stint in the Air Force, David found himself barely able to make ends meet. He worked as an exterminator, ate tons of junk food, and gained lots of weight. David’s life started to spiral in a downward direction and he began living an uninspired life.

Fortunately, David watched a documentary about the Navy SEALS one day, and found something to be inspired by. The challenge of becoming a seal, and having the mental and physical toughness of the program participants, gave David something to aspire towards.

Serendipitously, that show inspired Goggins to want to do more with his life. It inspired him to strive to become something more, something great. He was tired of being a nobody who just watched the lives of other great people on TV.

So, in was in that sudden moment, that he had found the motivation that would help him go on to lose more than 100 pounds in under three months. He discovered a newfound fire and energy. Thus, he channelled his driven to finally get fit and apply for the program.

He reflects that “It made me reflect on my fears, my insecurities. I saw real men who were overcoming adversity.”

Forward March

In order to get in shape, David joined a gym. Despite his intentions, he was unable to run more than a quarter mile on his first day. As a result of his psychological defeat, Goggins returned home crying and turning to food for emotional support.

Despite the minor regression, this man wasn’t the same as the person who was unmotivated to grow.

So, he got back on his proverbial horse and kept moving forward. He began to cycle and heavily restructured and restricted his diet and successfully brought his weight down to be able to apply for the Navy SEALS within 3 months.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The Turning Point

David Goggins held strong to his commitment and entered Navy SEAL training. Despite tremendous progress and growth in the program, he particularly struggled with the infamous “hell week”, an intense week-long training session where SEAL candidates are forced to move with minimal sleep and food.

Despite failing this grueling week the first time around due to a case of pneumonia, and the second time due to a stress fracture injury, he responded by completing two successful “hell weeks” in the same year. This shattered his limiting beliefs around his performance abilities and further fueled his progress.

This was the lightbulb moment for Goggins where he realized he needed to acquire a strong mental toughness in order to maintain a strong physical toughness. He dedicated himself to training both the body and the mind from this point forward.

His career in the military lasted for two decades and he received the “Top Enlisted Man” award for his efforts.

Related: David Goggins Quotes

Challenges Along the Way

One of the most challenging moments in Goggin’s life was when a helicopter, containing several of Goggins’ close friends inside, crashed during Operation Red Wings in 2005.

He used this devastating tragedy as fuel to drive him further. He raised money by long-distance running and donated the proceeds to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which grants educational scholarship opportunities to students who had lost their parents in the special operations sector. He has raised over 2 million dollars for charity.

David became an ultra-marathoner as a way to add momentum to his tragedies. The Badwater 135 is a grueling 135-mile run beginning in Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level, and ending at an elevation of 8,374 feet. To add to the excitement, it takes place in July, when Death Valley is at its hottest.

His qualification race was a one-day 100-mile run in San Diego, which he completed in 19 hours with little preparation. Upon finishing, he spent an entire year training for the Badwater 135 as hard as he could. Taking fifth place, he completed it in 30 hours.

He would next face challenges with his personal health. When David’s doctor examined him for a routine checkup in 2010, he found a birth defect called an atrial septal defect. Due to a hole between two of the atrial chambers of the athlete’s heart, the organ wasn’t able to operate at its maximum capacity. He was also struggling with progressive muscle weakness and wasting.

In order to save his life, David began to work intensely on rehabilitating himself. With consistent daily stretching, his body began to heal itself and realign. His heart also had time to restore and grow stronger.

Related: The Warrior Mindset

Lessons Learned

According to Goggins, his success is attributed to his “day one, week one” mentality. Every day he lives as though it was the first day of his new job. According to him, even though this mindset rubs people the wrong way, it works and makes him show up completely and with integrity.

He has also learned to never get comfortable with his accomplishments. He has remained hungry for more and believes that if you don’t continually challenge yourself, then you will never be satisfied with life.

David Goggins states that every day is an opportunity for achievement, and he doesn’t feel complete unless he has strived for that. His discipline is internally motivated, and unshakeable by any external standards. He aims to hold his standards higher than others do in order to achieve what others deem is impossible.

“Never Let People Who Choose The Path Of Least Resistance Steer You Away From Your Chosen Path Of Most Resistance.”

– david goggins –

One of the most important things that David Goggins learned over his years of training and competing is the importance of mental toughness. This was a lesson that he learned early on when he first joined the Navy SEALs, but it has stuck with him throughout his life.

Goggins believes that strength of mind is what sets people apart from each other in their ability to accomplish goals and achieve success.

Related: David Goggins Net Worth

Heavy To Hardcore

If you have a few minutes to spare, here’s a short video that provides additional insight on the mindset that helped David Goggin’s go from being over 300 pounds to becoming a hardcore Navy Seal.

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Goggins Pro Tip:

Goggins developed a unique mental strategy called the “Cookie Jar,” where he mentally revisits past accomplishments and hardships to draw strength during moments of extreme challenge, helping him push through ultramarathons and other grueling endeavors.

This concept is detailed in his book ‘Can’t Hurt Me’, and you can apply it to your life today to help you push through some of your toughest life challenges, like Goggins.

Final Thoughts

David Goggins story is an inspiration for all of us who are looking to challenge ourselves mentally and physically, and change our lives in the process. He has now shared his story with many people around the world and has inspired an entire community of individuals to challenge and push themselves to achieve the impossible.

These days, David Goggins also shares his message with people all over the world through his motivational speaking business. His message motivates people to get off their butts and get disciplined. But more importantly, he uses his platform to help people push their limits and become stronger.

With that being said, we hope you learned a few of those strong life lessons from this David Goggins story. Namely, that if you want to achieve our full potential, we have to rid our lives of laziness and stop making excuses for our lot in life.

Till then,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this David Goggins Story of success and hardcore persistence and overcoming adversity, then you’ll love this inspiring article on the true story of Rudy.