The 8 Steps of Overcoming Adversity

Travis Roy was your typical college freshman at Boston University in 1995. Current NHL Nashville Predators Coach John Hynes was also a student at Boston University, and the two played on the hockey team together.

"He was a happy-go-lucky kid, easy to talk to," Hynes said. "Eager to play, really upbeat, always had a smile on his face and brought positive energy to the team. He was just really passionate about life, and he really loved hockey."

Roy took to the ice for his first shift as a college athlete, then 11 seconds later, his life changed. When attempting to hit a North Dakota player into the boards, Roy ended up crashing awkwardly and dropping to the ice on a forecheck. The hit rendered him a quadriplegic, though he did regain strength his right hand later in life.

On Oct. 29 Roy passed away at 45. Though 11 seconds on the ice and just 45 years here on earth is not enough time to accomplish much, Roy left a huge impact on many lives, creating the Travis Roy Foundation, which raised over $19M for spinal cord injury victims. Roy was a best friend to many, and he served as an inspiration to those he never met. Simply put, he inspired anyone he came in contact with.

Roy did not choose his life from a wheelchair; yet, he was determined to make an impact, to overcome those awful 11 seconds. He easily could have sulked, spent his life wondering, “Why me?” And no one would have thought differently. A bright, handsome, intelligent young man who has his future changed in 11 seconds has a right to pout, sulk and feel a sense of bitterness. It might be tempting to some, but not Travis Roy. He gave up nothing; he made a difference with his determination, smile and positive outlook.

He followed a simple 8-step plan to face adversity:

Next time we face challenges that we were not expecting, let’s set our watch for 11 seconds, think of Travis Roy and follow his eight-step plan.

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