The best real life stories, which are the perfect example of persistence, determination, and grit. These are the true motivational stories that show nothing is impossible if we don’t quit.
In the path to achieve our dreams, we all fail at some point. There is hardly anyone who has never experienced failure in life. These failures come in different shapes and sizes. From scoring fewer marks in the examination to failing in the job interview, the failures could occur at any stage of life. But, what defines us is not our failure but how we refused to give up on our dreams and fought again after being failed.
In order to inspire you, here are some of the real life stories of heroes, who failed but never gave up on their dream. With persistence, determination and courage turn their dream into a reality! We believe these inspiring real life stories will give you enough courage to never give up on your dreams.
Here are some of the best true motivational stories that are the perfect example of strength!
Inspirational Real Life Stories #1: Sudha Murthy
One person who never fails to inspire is Sudha Murthy. She is a real-life example of how one needs to fight for her dream, irrespective of the struggle one has to bear. Sudha Murthy’s dream of becoming an engineer came with an immense level of struggle. Being a woman, neither her parents nor society was very keen on letting her pursue her dream. But she was stubborn.
Fascinated by science, when she told her family that she wants to take engineering, her family disapproval was very obvious.
“I had always been fascinated with science, even more so with its application. Engineering was one of those branches of science that would allow me to utilize my creativity, especially in design. But it was as if I had dropped a bomb inside our house. The immediate reaction was of shock. Engineering was clearly an all-male domain and hence considered a taboo for girls in those days.”
Even her college’s principal was skeptical of her joining the course.
“He (the principal) told my father, “Doctor Sahib, I know that your daughter is very intelligent and that she has been given admission only because of merit, but I’m afraid we have some problems.
She will be the only girl in college. It is going to be difficult for her. First, we don’t have a ladies’ toilet on campus. We don’t have a ladies’ room for her to relax either. Second, our boys are young with raging hormones and I am sure that they will trouble her.”
Being the only woman in her engineering class, she wasn’t even welcomed by her classmates. While sharing one of the instances, she mentioned:
“At times, they would throw paper airplanes at my back. Unfolding the papers, I would find comments such as – A woman’s place is in the kitchen or in medical science or as a professor, definitely not in an engineering college.”
But nothing could stop Sudha Murthy from turning her dream into reality. She fought for her dream and became an engineer. Later, she also fought against Tata’s company policy of not hiring women engineers. Thanks to her, Tata changed their policy and now employs so many women engineers.
Read Sudha Murthy’s complete inspirational story here. (Also Read:
Inspirational Real Life Stories #2: Manya Singh
The second inspiring story in our true motivational stories is Manya Singh. Manya Singh made a remarkable journey from being an autorickshaw driver’s daughter to Femina Miss India Runner Up. In her journey, she faced many hardships and failures. But, she never gave up.
Recently, sharing her inspiring story, Manya mentioned:
“I’ve spent numerous nights without food and sleep. I’ve spent many afternoons walking for miles on end. My blood, sweat, and tears have amalgamated into courage to pursue my dreams. Being a rickshaw driver’s daughter, I never had the opportunity to attend school as I had to start working in my teens. All the clothes I had were hand-me-downs. I yearned for books, but luck wasn’t in my favour. Eventually, my parents mortgaged whatever little jewellery my mother had to ensure that I paid my exam fees in order to earn a degree. My mother has suffered a lot to provide for me. At 14, I ran away from home. I somehow managed to complete my studies in the day, became a dishwasher in the evening and worked at a call centre at night. I’ve walked hours to reach places so I could save the rickshaw fare.”
Read Manya Singh’s inspirational story here.
Inspirational Real Life Stories #3: Sudha Chandran
The next inspiring story in our true motivational stories is Sudha Chandran. Sudha Chandran is not only a famous actress and Bharatanatyam dancer but also a symbol of courage, determination, and positivity. At an age when many of us are carefree about the future, Sudha Chandran’s life took an ugly turn.
She was only 17 when she lost her right leg in an unfortunate accident. Due to negligence during her initial treatment, she had to make a heartbreaking choice between her life or her leg. With no other option, the braveheart went for an amputation. But, what makes Sudha’s story is so inspiring is the fact that even after bearing so much pain, Sudha didn’t lose hope. Rather, she made sure that the accident didn’t change the direction of her life. She got her artificial leg and relearned everything from walking to dancing.
Read Sudha Chandran’s inspirational story here.
Inspirational Real Life Stories #4: Anita Dongre
Another inspiring story in our true motivational stories is Anita Dongre. The famous fashion designer Anita Dongre fought against social regressive thought process at every step in her successful career. But, at every step when society told her not to pursue her dream, she stood tall. She refused to bow down.
In one of her interviews, she shared how she persistently pursue her dream after marriage:
“Very often, it’s taken for granted that if there is a choice between a man’s career and a woman’s career — the woman will give hers up. A woman’s career choices are somehow never given as much importance — but I made it infinitely clear that work is my religion.
I still remember once, very early on in our marriage when my in-laws wanted me to stay at home and not attend a particular fashion week — they thought this was just some hobby I’d picked up and I could miss it…
But I went and spoke to my husband and said, ‘I have to go— it’s important and he said ‘I’ll handle it, don’t worry and that’s the kind of support every woman needs.”
The reason why Anita Dongre could build a successful fashion empire by being true to her dream. She knew if she couldn’t fight for her dreams, who else will! And, that’s the reason why she has hundreds of stores across the country!
Read Anita Dongre’s inspirational story here.
Inspirational Real Life Stories #5: J.K.Rowling
In our list of real life stories, how could we forget to include JK Rowling – one of the most successful authors? The creator of “Harry Potter Series” has sold more than 400 million copies worldwide. Like many others, success didn’t come easy to her. She fought various battles in her life before becoming successful.
As per sources, there was a time in her life when she was diagnosed with clinical depression and contemplated suicide. Her marriage had failed, and she was jobless with a dependent child. She was so poor that she couldn’t afford to support herself and her daughter.
But, she never gave up on her dream to write. So in 1990, when she was on a train trip, the idea about a story of a young boy attending a school of wizardry came into her mind. In 1995, she finished the manuscript of her first book on an old manual typewriter. Her manuscript was rejected by twelve publishing houses. But she didn’t give up. And, today, she is United Kingdom’s best-selling living author, with an estimated fortune of £560 million, ranking her as the twelfth richest woman in the UK.
Inspirational Real Life Stories #6: Oprah Winfrey
No list of inspiring real life stories is complete without Oprah Winfrey. A role model for young women everywhere, she proves that nothing is impossible. There are very few people who know how Oprah failed before becoming the richest African American woman in the world.
Unlike many, Oprah wasn’t blessed with a peaceful childhood. From being abused at nine years old, Oprah got pregnant at 14. At an age when many of us were enjoying a carefree childhood, Oprah was struggling with problems that we can’t even imagine. But, she promised herself to not let her circumstances define her. She fought for a better future. And, with her persistence and determination, she became one of the most successful TV show anchors. Later, she took risks and started her own production company.
Today, Winfrey is one of just 13 African American billionaires and an inspiration for women everywhere.
Read Oprah Winfrey’s inspirational and powerful quotes here.
At IFORHER, we hope these true motivational stories would have inspired you as much as they inspired us. We salute these courageous souls for inspiring many others to fight their life circumstances and turn their dreams into reality.
