The Rocky Road of Chronic Pain & Motivation to Move Forward

“Let me tell you something people suffering in pain already know…”

As you search the internet for motivational speakers, speeches and the like, you may be surprised at one of the top picks.

Surprised that is, unless you are a fan of the ROCKY films. Rocky Balboa, in particular.

(Warning: The following paragraphs contain spoilers)

In this 6^th film, Rocky is living a modest post-fight career life, running a restaurant and coping with the loss of his wife, Adrian. Meanwhile he is watching his son become bitter and looking for his own identity and place in the world.

In the middle of the film, Rocky addresses the son’s frustrations with a speech that had as much impact on the moviegoer as it did on Rocky’s son.

Here it is:

“When things got hard, you started looking for something to blame. Like a Big Shadow.

“Let me tell you something you already know.

The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

But it ain't about how hard you hit…

…It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.

That's how winning is done!

Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!

This speech, or at least its message, is one that could also come from someone who is hit with chronic pain.

Everyday.

This could be a message from the people who get hit with nerve, leg, back, piriformis or sciatic pain-everyday-and hit back.

In fact, over 31 million Americans face chronic pain on a daily basis.

That’s 31 million people who find the will to keep moving forward.

31 million friends and family who take the hits and keep moving forward.

(31 million Americans mostly suffering in silence, too.)

Although they may feel they are losing a battle, they are winning the war. There is always hope.

Perhaps, for many, hope is simply a stretch away. For some, it is much more.

Either way, they keep taking the hits and moving forward.

How’s that for a motivational moment?

(Now time to crank up a little "Eye of the Tiger" Rocky theme song, and some favorite past Rocky clips, courtesy of Survivor, ES, and YouTube.)