A Year in Awe-Inspiring Fitness Stories
Finding motivation to work out and eat healthy is not easy — but there are some people who move us to really stick to our goals no matter how many challenges we face. This year, we came across a few stories of strength and perseverance that made our own personal goals seem just a little more achievable. Check out the people who made us smile, cry, and gasp at everything they managed to accomplish, and get ready for enough inspiration to last you for years to come. Source: Shutterstock
Mo'ne Davis Throwing Like a Girl
When Mo'ne Davis threw two shutout games in the Little League World Series, she not only made league history, but also inspired girls worldwide to follow their dreams. Her 70 mph pitches landed her on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and now the iconic athletics publication has named her SportsKid of the Year 2014. It's been a great year to throw like a girl!
Rebekah Gregory DiMartino's Moving Journey
Rebekah Gregory DiMartino's story is one of strength and survival. Rebekah survived the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings but made the difficult decision to amputate her leg this year after over 15 operations. Still, Rebekah has persevered, and she has now set a goal of running the 2015 marathon with her new prosthesis — truly an inspiration to us all.
Team Larry
Larry Evans is on a life-changing weight-loss journey that we can't help but be excited to watch. With the support of hundreds of thousands of fans cheering him on, Larry gets closer to his goal every single day.
The World's Oldest Gymnast
Sure, Johanna Quaas may be 89 years old, but that hasn't stopped her from continuing to pursue her passion, gymnastics. Watch the inspiring videos of Johanna (who is officially the world's oldest active gymnast) flipping, swinging, and planking like you've never seen before.
Kacy Catanzaro's Total Domination
If you were ever told you couldn't accomplish something, prepare to be inspired by Kacy Catanzaro. The amazing athlete defied expectations when she became the first woman to ever advance to the finals of American Ninja Warrior. Watch how she tackled the course, and get inspired to conquer your own fitness challenges.
Olympian Amy Van Dyken-Rouen
After suffering crippling paralysis from an almost fatal ATV accident, six-time gold medal winner Amy Van Dyken-Rouen has fought every day through painful physical therapy in the hopes of strengthening her body.
Lauren Hill's Inspiring Basketball Game
Diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer and told she only had a few months to live, college basketball player Lauren Hill brought the stadium to tears when she took the court in an NCAA game in front of 10,000 cheering fans.
The First Female NBA Coach
Never say never. Former WNBA player Becky Hammon made headlines when she became the first female NBA coach ever when she signed on with the San Antonio Spurs in August.
91-Year-Old Marathoner Harriette Thompson
Despite just undergoing radiation treatment for cancer, 91-year-old Harriette Thompson completed her 15th marathon this past June and became the second oldest US women's marathon finisher, all in record-breaking time. Since she began running, Harriette has raised over $90,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — helping others facing daunting diagnoses like her own.