“Find a way to win.” The phrase may sound simple, even clichéd, but its depth runs far deeper. It’s not just about winning at all costs or bending the rules—it’s about summoning every ounce of grit and creativity to push your body and mind to the limit and beyond. When life backs you into a corner, when failure simply isn’t an option, the command becomes more than words. It becomes a mindset, a mantra.
What Does It Mean to Win?
Most of us have faced moments where our backs were against the wall, moments when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Perhaps it was a crisis that threatened your career, your dreams, or even your family’s well-being. Fear grips your body, and doubt clouds your mind. In that moment, you must make a choice: succumb or rise. To win means to acknowledge the pain, the fear, and the risk—and to move forward anyway. It’s about finding the inner resolve to push beyond exhaustion, to claw your way toward the goal when every fiber of your being tells you to stop.
The Drive to Push Forward
Consider a scene familiar to many sports fans. The quarterback takes the field with his offense, 50 seconds left on the clock, 70 or more yards to cover, and victory hanging by a thread. It’s a moment defined by pressure, determination, and strategy.
In the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame found themselves in a similar moment. On the first drive of the game, quarterback Riley Leonard faced relentless pressure from Ohio State’s formidable defense. His receivers struggled to get open, and he was forced to adapt. For seven consecutive plays, Riley kept the ball himself, rushing headfirst into the fray. Each carry gained short but crucial yards. Eventually, the Fighting Irish found themselves on the one-yard line. And once again, Riley took the ball and powered forward, securing the first touchdown of the game.
It was an unorthodox strategy, leaning so heavily on a quarterback to rush. Ultimately, Notre Dame fell to Ohio State, but Riley’s determination on that drive—his refusal to give in—was a masterclass in resilience. He found a way to win, even if the victory was short-lived.
Choosing Pain to Achieve Greatness
“I’m just gonna put the pedal on the floor and I’m not lifting it until I see God or a checkered flag.”
These words capture the essence of what it means to find a way to win. It’s a state of mind where you’re fully aware of the costs but embrace the pain anyway. Nothing will stop you. Nothing will stand in your way.
Winning isn’t always a sprint. Sometimes, it’s the painful next step forward. It’s getting back up when you’ve been knocked down, bloodied and beaten. The humiliation, the doubt, the exhaustion—none of it matters. All that matters is rising to your feet, taking the next step, and pressing onward.
What are you going to do?
So, when you’re faced with adversity, remember: Get back up. GET BACK UP! Take your left foot and step forward. Then take another step..and another.
Find a way to win.
