By Ahsan

"Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity."
Stephen Covey

What are the limits to your potential?

Can you do “that something” you always felt excited over but keep chickening out or putting off?

Why are you holding back or not even trying?

Maybe you don’t realize that you are good enough. You ARE strong enough, and just maybe, you could be breaking records like Dr. Bannister if only you tried hard enough!

The following story I came across is briefly mentioned in our book, Awesome Life:

Roger Bannister was born in Harrow, England, on March 23, 1929. As a young boy, Bannister

showed great athletic potential and went on to attend Oxford University, where he studied

medicine.

Throughout his time at university, Bannister continued pursuing his passion for running, becoming a dominant force in middle-distance running. However, one elusive goal had yet to be accomplished: breaking the four-minute mile.

At the time, the four-minute mile was considered an insurmountable barrier. Many believed that the human body simply could not run that fast. But Bannister was determined to prove them wrong.

On May 6, 1954, at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, Bannister lined up with two other runners to attempt to break the four-minute mile. Unfortunately, conditions were far from ideal, with strong winds and rain making for a challenging race.

But despite the odds, Bannister pushed himself to the limit, crossing the finish line in three minutes and 59.4 seconds. The crowd erupted into cheers as Bannister collapsed onto the track, exhausted but elated.

Bannister’s accomplishment was a watershed moment in the history of athletics. It proved that the limits of human potential were not fixed, and anything was possible with enough determination and hard work.

In the years following his historic achievement, Bannister continued to compete in and win numerous races, but it was his breaking of the four-minute mile that remained his most enduring legacy. He went on to pursue a career in medicine, becoming a respected neurologist and continuing to advocate for the importance of physical activity and fitness throughout his life.

Bannister passed away on March 3, 2018, but his legacy lives on as an inspiration to athletes and non-athletes alike, a reminder that anything is possible with the right mindset and a willingness to push oneself to new levels of performance.

Life is awesome and short. We are here, and then we are not. If you feel like there is a mountain you still need to climb, you should recall the story and accomplishments of Dr Roger Bannister. Imagine yourself beating your own 4-minute mile.

Start a 4 Minute Mile Challenge, personally or with a friend. If you like, you could start a 4 Minute Mile Challenge with a few friends or consider having a workplace challenge.

Feel free to post this entire article as an introduction to the concept: go ahead; I challenge you!

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