Have you ever been told you're not good enough? That dream you're chasing—too big, too far, too impossible? Ryan Gusto's remarkable journey from high school reject to Major League Baseball pitcher demolishes these limiting beliefs.
Gusto was cut from his high school baseball team multiple times, barely making varsity his senior year. Where most would see a dead end, he saw an opportunity. Through relentless persistence, he talked his way onto a junior college team, excelled beyond expectations, and eventually caught the attention of MLB scouts. Even when faced with the double blow of a global pandemic and Tommy John surgery costing him two full seasons, Gusto refused to quit. His breakout AAA season with a 3.7 ERA and 141 strikeouts earned him a spot with the Houston Astros, fulfilling a dream that seemed impossible just years earlier.
What makes Gusto's story universal is that his superpower wasn't some rare talent—it was his mindset. When confronted with rejection, he chose to believe in himself. When obstacles appeared, he found a way forward. As former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink suggests, when things go wrong, say "Good"—because difficulties are opportunities to level up. Your mind is your greatest asset in any challenge, far more powerful than any physical attribute.
Your blessing in life comes when you find the "torture you're comfortable with"—that struggle that forces growth and ultimately leads to your greatest achievements. Whatever your dream, whatever your setback, remember that you can figure out a way forward. Keep learning, keep believing, take one step at a time, and remember: you can't be broken.
