Dr. Christina Rahm: Spotlight on "Never Give Up Day 2024"

As many of us were captivated watching the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, I am sure most of us, during at least one competition or another thought, “Wow, I can’t imagine the practice it took to execute such athleticism.”

The perseverance, determination, and all-out physical, mental, and psychological acumen to achieve their goals, not only to participate in the Olympics, but for many, to ultimately win an Olympic medal, is truly inspiring. The bottom line is, those athletes we witnessed competing in Paris this month, ‘never gave up’ on their dreams.

Coincidentally, ‘Never Give Up Day 2024,’ is celebrated on Sunday, August 18, only two days after the Olympics end. With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the games, I felt this observance was the perfect topic to highlight, as exampled by the thousands of Olympians who ‘never gave up’ on their Olympic aspirations.

As we know, athletes sacrifice a huge part of their social, academic, and even professional careers to compete globally. Year after year, practice after practice, potential injury after injury, nearly 10,500 athletes from more than 100 countries made the necessary courage and strength to compete with the world’s finest. How inspiring!!

Countries from around the world including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many, many others, not only unite for the Olympic Games, but unite to celebrate Never Give Up Day, and its meaning. The global observance is a powerful reminder of the perseverance, innovation, and dedication which defines these nations. Whether it be overcoming natural disasters and economic hardships, to making strides in social justice and equality, these nations exemplify the power of persistence and the indomitable human spirit of cultivating a mindset of utmost determination.

From a psychological standpoint, the term ‘determination’ is described as a “positive emotion which promotes perseverance towards difficulties, despite obstacles.” Further, determination helps us through many of the most difficult challenges life throws our way, and YES, there are plenty!!

Dr. Christina Rahm

This global movement also supports an unwavering fortitude for all those who dare to dream big. I am personally a BIG dreamer. I always have been, even as a little girl growing up in Southeast Missouri. I just knew I had it in me to do good things, while also supporting humanity, and likely why I initially studied psychology to better understand and help people.

I have dreamt big all my life. I never gave up on attaining my PhD’s, nor from becoming a scientist, a business executive, an entrepreneur, a scientific researcher, and product formulator, not to mention a mother, wife, humanitarian, and author.

Dreaming helps us see beyond ‘what is now’ and lets us better focus on ‘what could become,’ in the future.

In a world where skeptics cast doubt and naysayers question resolve, Never Give Up Day stands as a testament to the power of tenacity, while supporting all warriors in the battle of life’s dreams, and a much brighter future.

One of the many goals of this Day is to challenge those dreamers, their resilience, their victories, and their unwavering spirit. Celebrating this Day honors the courage of everyone who keeps moving forward despite the odds. The reality we experience each time we see an Olympic athlete being awarded a medal.

To become involved with Never Give Up Day on social media, use the hashtag #NeverGiveUpDay or click on www.facebook.com/nevergiveupday. For general information, go to https://www.nevergiveupday.com/.

In closing, congrats to the thousands of formidable athletes who have defied their own odds and made it to the Olympic Games. And to Team USA, you make us proud, year after year, as we watch in awe of your achievements, your sportsmanship, unity, and competition. Most of all, we applaud, and congratulate you for ‘Never Giving Up.”