Strength from Weakness
Subject: Adversity
By 1,000 New Illustrations

Is a sound, strong body a necessary first step to athletic success? It would seem so. But some years ago, there was a young fellow who had to wear metal braces for serious weakness in his legs. He was threatened with lameness that might be a life-long handicap. A physician advised him to exercise his legs regularly, and suggested that he try jumping as something that might strengthen them.

The boy did so, and kept up his jumping practice through his school and college years. He found that before he stopped jumping he had broken the world’s high jump record by clearing the bar at six feet, four inches. There were probably 50 fellows in his class who had stronger muscles to start with than had this one. His weakness was the start of his wonderful record.

1,000 New Illustrations