Once I was on stage, the first scene ended. The lights came down so the crew could prepare for the next scene and I had to find my way in the darkness to the raised platform. It was completely dark and then I had to try to find to try to use my hand and then ouch my leg just slammed in the sharp corner of a raised platform.It was really painful. It was intense. I could feel my skin tear, but I still bit my lip, holding the pain, tried to be quiet, and sit still, waiting for the next scene to start.And then ...

In September of 2012, my life changed as I wore what seemed to be a massive spaceship to four-year-old me. I wasn't sure what was happening at the time, but I knew one thing. My role would change complete meat.I would no longer have breakfast at my grandma's every weekend or play with my cousins after church on Sunday. I was saying goodbye to the familiar signs, sights, sounds, and faces of home. At the time, I didn't realize that for the next 13 years, I would be faced with many challenges.moments of confu ...

Core Message - The central theme revolves around overcoming obstacles by questioning whether a perceived barrier is an excuse or a valid reason [10] - The narrative emphasizes the power of shifting from "want to" to "need to," highlighting the determination to find a way when faced with challenges [8] Overcoming Obstacles - The speaker initially viewed the $5,000 entry fee as an insurmountable obstacle, but reframed it as an excuse [4][5] - Ramadan was initially perceived as a reason to avoid training, but was later overcome by training at night [6] - Knee pain during the marathon was challenged as a potential excuse to quit, leading to the completion of the race despite the pain [7][8] Personal Achievement - The speaker raised $5,000 in 48 hours by incentivizing friends to donate in exchange for choosing the speaker's marathon costume [6] - The speaker completed the Washington Marine Corps Marathon, hopping the last mile due to knee pain, finishing in 6 hours [6][7][8][9]