Believe the Unbelievable

Everybody has their own reasons for starting their fitness journey.

Many have their own reasons for staying focused. It could be encouraged by that lifelong goal of competing, or attaining that 'dream body' they always hoped for. Some have been motivated by the other end of the spectrum, where illness and disease lie, when a few words of hard truth by a doctor has provided someone with the drive they sorely needed.

The dreams will vary.

The motivations between all of us will differ.

Whatever your reasons, never give up and never stop believing. No matter what obstacles you come up against; because there will be obstacles, and many.

This is the story of Matthias Steiner, a German-Austrian Olympic Weightlifter.

In 2004, a German woman named Susann had been watching the weightlifting contests on TV. This is where she first noticed Matthias. She contacted the Eurosport commentators  and repeatedly asked for Steiner's email address until eventually, they gave it to her. She contacted Steiner, and they agreed to meet in Lower Austria. They married shortly thereafter.

Despite his diabetes, Susann was always encouraging Steiner to continue participating in competitions and forever chase his dream. He promised Susann he would take part in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, for her, if nothing else because she had always believed in him.

Sadly, the year before the Games in July 2007, Susann died in a car accident. Heartbroken, Steiner lost weight and lost sight of his goal.

He then remembered the promise to his wife.

With only one more lift to go, Matthias Steiner put everything on the line for that one last shot at the gold, and went for 10kg more than he had ever lifted before, for her, if nothing else because she had always believed in him.