Awesome Inspiring

In some cultures, and even more so in certain households, it’s drilled into our heads that in order to be successful in life, that you MUST be the absolute best. The School of Life is here to remind us that living life well isn’t equated with such lofty goals, and how the pressures of achievement often make our lives worse.

Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything is engaged to Cambry Kaylor, who suffered a tragic horseback accident when she was 18, leaving her partially paralyzed. To improve her mobility in their home, he ripped a hole through the second floor, and installed a Stiltz Lifts elevator for her to get up and downstairs with ease.

Accompanied by the familiar voice of Dirty Jobs and The Deadliest Catch announcer Mike Rowe, NASA offers up a truly inspiring video that both looks back on its many achievements, and looks forward to pioneering with many new missions. We choose to go to the moon… again!

After Skool reminds us how world leaders can and should inspire humanity, taking President John F. Kennedy’s impressive and memorable 1962 speech about science, discovery, and enlightenment, and illustrating some of its many highlights.

Emic Films introduces us to Wanda Diaz-Merced, an astrophysicist and computer scientist from Puerto Rico who studies the stars not through sight, but through sound. Despite losing her eyesight due to diabetes, she’s as passionate as anyone else in her field.

The idea of riding a bicycle 3400 miles across China is daunting enough, but Ed Pratt did that with one fewer wheel, and carrying his camping gear. In this video, he completes his epic journey as he approaches the Vietnam border. Check out previous episodes from his trip here.

(PG-13: Language) “And dogs? A few years ago it was a wolf! We just gave it love, and look what happened!” Daniel Koren reminds us of the things we take for granted that would actually blow our minds if we only stopped to appreciate them. Life – it’s a hell of a drug.

National Geographic introduces us to Richard Overton, America’s oldest living World War II veteran. The 109 year-old drinks whiskey, smokes cigars, and can still walk, talk, and has a valid driver’s license. He’s sharp as a tack, and could teach all of us a thing or two about life.

(PG-13: Language) In 2012, Doug Wright was in a crash which left him seriously injured. PLGRM explores the impact it had on his marriage, and his contact with Clyde Rowley, the man who caused the accident. Despite his hardships, Doug’s attitude is surprisingly positive.

“Good things do NOT come to those who wait, so don’t leave it to fate, your life deserves to be great…” Spoken word artist Gary Turk’s reminds us that every moment we put off doing what we’ve thought about doing is a moment we could be achieving something rewarding.

If you’re looking for a source of inspiration, look no further than Kyle Maynard, a man who not only has climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Aconcagua, but did it as a quadruple-amputee, and without the use of prosthetics. Wow. Just wow.

A moving short documentary about Andy, a man who lost his vision after a brutal assault, and the fascinating new technology which is helping him to regain his lost sense by sending electrical impulses to his tongue.

Andrew Jones is a serious stud. Not only is he more physically fit than most people we know, he’s a model, and he doesn’t let the fact that he has to live with an artificial heart while he waits for a transplant donor match get him down in the least.

Atlantium is a tiny self-declared sovereign state about 4 hours from Sydney, Australia, with about 3000 citizens in its current ranks. It was formed in the interest of creating a place where people of all kinds from around the world are welcome, and that values freedom above all.

A kick-ass promotional spot for a kick-ass organization, this spot for the SickKids Foundation at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children features kids and hospital staff doing battle against whatever comes their way, unwilling to give in to disease, illness, or injury.

“I’m right here on the first floor. The doors are open. I’m ready for more.” Meet Ruben Pardo, who has worked for 40 years as an elevator operator at an iconic art deco tower in Los Angeles. Dress Code’s charming look at a man dedicated to his work and supporting his family.

When Larry Woods was a millionaire back in the day, he was a self-confessed a-hole. But a single moment set him on the path to discovering true happiness. His new career as a shoeshine man may be humble, but it’s clear that he’s a much better person for it.

The latest spoken word performance by Gary Turk reminds us to get outdoors and enjoy what the world has to offer more. It’s a natural next step after his earlier piece about putting our gadgets down for a moment.

A fantastic promo for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, packed with amazingly capable people who have overcome physical hardships that could crush one’s spirit, but instead inspired these folks to excel. Be sure to watch the in-depth profile videos too. (Accessible versions here).

An injury derailed Devin Williams’ dream of playing high level college hoops, and he ended up in an art university. End of story? Nope. A class assignment unlocked his eye for filmmaking and teaching. Now he’s a YouTube star who has positively impacted many lives.

In this brief but brilliant promo clip for the new Chevy Cruze, spoken word artist Prince Ea offers up some flowing and inspiring prose about the internal mechanism that drives us to succeed, and how effort and motivation is more valuable than money and book smarts.

This feral kitten named Cassidy was born without rear paws, but thanks to the fine folks at TinyKittens, he’s doing quite well. After trying prosthetics and a wheelchair rig, Cassidy has a new conveyance that he loves best. He owes Shark Roomba Cat a debt of gratitude.

Inspired by Bill & Melinda Gates’ letter about superheroes, Destin of SmarterEveryDay met up with some of his idols. The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) flies to remote locations to deliver medicine, food and other valuables to people in need.