5 Inspiring real life stories of people who didn’t let their circumstances define them.

Hey guys, it’s weekend whoop! Whoop!

So today, I’m sharing with you real life stories of people who pushed beyond boundaries and didn’t let their circumstances define them. As you know, my blog is about inspiration, to inspire people to live their happiest and best lives. If you’d like to keep updated with stories and writings such as this, click the follow blog button at the sidebar of your screen, if you’re using your mobile, it’s right down as you scroll.

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My first story is this woman, once diagnosed with clinical depression and contemplated suicide. Had a failed marriage and a dependent daughter. She lived on government grants to support herself and her child. In 1990, on a four-hour delayed train trip to London from Manchester, the idea for a story of a young boy attending a school of wizardry came fully formed in her mind.

In 1995, by the time she’d finished the manuscript for the first book and sent to twelve publishing houses, they were all rejected. She was then adviced to get a day job since she had little or no chance of making money through writing children’s books.

Today, she’s UK’s best-selling living author with an estimated worth of $1billion. She’s JK Rowling of the Harry Potter Franchise.

                        (Nothing is impossible).

He went to Dover school but dropped out before completing his education. Did many menial jobs after dropping out. He later co-owned E&S music which didn’t last long. In 1985, He formed the Fanfare record with partner Lain Burton which also flopped. In 1989, the company closed down forcing him to move back to his parents.

At 32 years of age, he had £5.26 in his pocket. He lost everything and was completely broke. He used that last £5.26 to pay his taxi fare back to his parents after loosing his home.He recalls hoping and praying that the taxi fare wouldn’t cost more than £5.26. He didn’t quit on himself afterwards. He created the highly successful “X–factor” and “Got Talent” which became popular in the US and U.K that led to spin-offs in several other countries all over the world. He was one of the judges on “American idol“. Worth $550million, his name is Simon Cowell.

(You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character).

This Nigerian-born singer from Ebonyi state started out by selling rat-killer poisons on the streets of Lagos and was once a bricklayer. He grew up in a slum called Ilaje in Ebutte–metta. He started out his musical career as a street jam and carnival dancer. Later he signed a record deal with K–Solo’s Record company in 2010 before becoming a protègè of Timaya’s Dem mama record which he also later left.

He was a judge at “The voice Nigeria” season 1, a huge singing contest spin-off of “The Voice” US.  He’s a household name in music, have won several awards and signed big endorsement deals. His name is Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie popularly known as Patoranking. Born 27 May, 1990. His net worth is estimated at 400Million Naira.

( Do not despise the days of little beginnings)

Okene Kogi-state born Nigerian A-list actress recalls living in an uncompleted building with her mother and siblings and lizards. It rained and ‘sunned’ on them. Sometimes, they had to look for sticks to help make a temporary roof. Her brothers did several menial bricklaying jobs to feed the family. While she worked as a house cleaner in order to survive. She also hawked “pure”(sachet) water on the streets to survive.

After failing her university entrance exam(Jamb), she resorted to auditioning for movie roles. She was shot to limelight by her role in the movie “the maid” in 2004. Her performance paved way for many more roles which led to her success. She’s won many awards and signed endorsements worth millions of Naira. She’s a top actress in Nigeria and her net worth is estimated at 600million Naira. Her name is Mercy Johnson–Okojie.

( When life brings struggles, it pays to see the light at the end of the tunnel).

This Ohio-born sex and the city star grew up in relative poverty. She was raised by her mother after her parents divorced shortly after her birth. She’s the fourth of eight children. Her mom encouraged her love for dance and she was able to scrape up enough money to send her to singing and ballet lessons. She landed her first broadway role at age 11 and was able to support her family from dancing and singing gigs.

She recalls not having electricity at their home, no Christmas or birthday celebrations and many times , the bill collectors from the phone company would shut their phones off. Her step-father who was a trunk driver could hardly take care of the family. They were on welfare.

Today, she’s a world-wide famous movie and fashion icon and owns her perfume NYC and Lovely lines, her shoe-line SJP and her cloth line LBD by SJP. With many endorsements and awards, she’s estimated at net worth of $90million. She’s Sarah Jessica Parker.

PS: If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you ~ Steve Jobs.

Real winners don’t give up!

#Beinspired

Jessica Hugo