Adversity Isn’t the Obstacle. It’s the Advantage.

Most people think adversity is something to overcome and forget.

Push through it, survive it, move on.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

When I was growing up legally blind, everything took more effort.

Learning, sports, relationships—it all came with extra layers.

And for a long time, I thought that was just the cost of being different.

But over time, I realized it gave me something most people never get.

It gave me grit.

Adversity forces you to adapt. To think differently. To find another way when the first one doesn’t work.

That mindset doesn’t go away. 

It becomes part of how you operate, how you lead, how you show up.

It’s why I was able to walk on to a Division 1 football team. It’s why I was able to become the first legally blind player to play in a game at that level. And it’s why I now help companies and teams break through their own perceived limitations.

Because I’ve seen it firsthand: what looks like a disadvantage on the surface can actually be your biggest competitive edge.

It teaches you how to problem-solve under pressure. How to stay calm in chaos. How to connect with people on a deeper level, because you’ve been where they are.

And maybe most importantly, it builds a kind of confidence that doesn’t come from winning.

It comes from knowing you can keep going even when things don’t go your way.

So, if you’re facing something hard right now, don’t just ask “How do I get past this?” Ask: “What is this preparing me for?”

Because the challenge in front of you might just be the training ground for the opportunity ahead.

Aaron