Latest news with #determination
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lucy Bronze always had 'eye of the tiger', says early coach
England footballer Luzy Bronze always had the "eye of the tiger" with her determination to succeed, one of her early coaches has 33-year will line-up against Italy later in the semi-finals of the Women's Euro 2025 tournament having helped her country come back from two goals behind in the previous part in her seventh major competition, defender Bronze is one of England's most successful Jobson, who helped oversee her training at Alnwick in Northumberland more than 20 years ago, believes her talent was "obvious straight away". He told BBC Radio Newcastle he first became aware of the her when she was one of only a handful of girls to attend a football camp. "She came along with her brother. She wanted to impress and to train. It was a fantastic week."At the end of the camp we were playing in a game. I remember getting the ball in the middle of the field and getting wiped out in a tackle."I thought it was my brother Shaun [but], as I looked up, there was Lucy looking down at me as if to say 'come on, get up'."From a young age, she had it. One of her middle names is Tough. She's very tenacious and resilient." 'Best in the world' Jobson, who runs the Trident Soccer group with his brother, recalled how the pair helped Bronze get involved with training camps in the United States before she moved there aged 17 having won a scholarship with the University of North later went on to play for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon and Barcelona and is currently with Chelsea, having won five Champions League trophies, nine league titles and six domestic cups. Jobson said he was proud seeing Bronze score England's first goal against Sweden in their quarter-final comeback on Thursday before finding the net again in the penalty shoot-out."That game the other night was wonderful. It was great to see how much Lucy drove that team forward."It was eye of the tiger stuff out of Rocky. She galvanised the team."You can see from the moment the referee blows the whistle she wants to keep driving them forward. "For me, she's the best female footballer in the world." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Free Malaysia Today
12-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Fruit, family and football: meet the small trader with big dreams
Muhammad Irwani Amirsirifuddin remains all smiles despite his physical limitations. (Bernama pic) IPOH : Despite being a person with disabilities, Muhammad Irwani Amirsirifuddin is determined to succeed each day. Having lost his right leg below the knee in an accident some time ago, the 33-year-old from Kampung Pulau Padang Bota Kiri in Parit, Perak refuses to rely solely on government aid or public donations. The seventh of 10 siblings has taken the initiative to earn a living by selling fruits from his three-wheeled motorcycle around Bota, near Parit, stopping at well-populated eateries. 'As long as I'm able to move, I'll continue to use my strength to earn a living for myself and my family,' he told Bernama when met here. Irwani – who is fondly known as Wan Sekerat, which literally translates to 'Half Wan' – leaves home in the morning to collect fruits from local suppliers around Bota Kiri and Titi Gantung, before making his rounds between 11am and 2pm and staying for 10-20 minutes at each eatery. 'It is mangosteen and rambutan season. The response has been very encouraging: I can sell 40-50kg of fruit a day, with mangosteens priced at RM10 per kg and rambutans at RM9,' he told Bernama. He shared that he had sold fish in his village from 2018 before switching to fruits in 2022 upon realising the demand from customers. Irwani lost his leg in a motorcycle incident in 2015. (Bernama pic) 'People who stop in Bota are often from out of town. So, when they see fruits that can be easily peeled, they tend to buy them,' said Irwani, who earns around RM1,500 a month. Recounting how he lost his right leg in 2015, he revealed that it had happened on the way back to Bota after a kayaking activity in Pasir Salak. 'I was born with a right leg that didn't function properly – it was limp and dangling – and on the way back, I was riding pillion with a friend. Perhaps I was tired, but I didn't realise that my leg had slipped into the rear wheel. 'I was admitted to Manjung Hospital and, on my second day there, I asked the doctor to amputate my leg below the knee because it couldn't be saved.' Despite the incident, Irwani has never lost hope: instead, it has fuelled his determination to keep working and avoid becoming a burden to his family. 'I could rely on the monthly assistance of RM450 I receive from the social welfare department, but that's no reason for me to sit at home and do nothing. We shouldn't let our disabilities be an excuse to remain idle,' he said. Irwani does brisk business by stopping at popular eateries in Bota near Parit, Perak. (Bernama pic) And in spite of his physical limitations, Irwani's ambition remains strong: he actively plays football as part of the national amputee football team Harimau Kudung, under the Malaysian Amputee Football Association (Mafa). 'I've been involved in sports since 2018 and became more active in 2022. I'm currently preparing for the Amputee Football World Cup Qualifiers in Jakarta this November. 'People with disabilities are not only capable of being independent but can also contribute meaningfully to society and the nation. 'Most importantly, never let your limitations become a barrier to success. With effort, prayer, and trust in God, success will come,' he concluded.
Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Emirati teen born with motor disability delivers heartfelt graduation speech
In a moment that blended joy with emotion, Sultan Al Aray Al-Teneiji stood as he watched his teen son, Mayed, who was born with a motor disability, take the stage and deliver a heartfelt speech at his high school graduation at Shamal Secondary in Ras Al Khaimah. For a father who had walked a long, challenging road beside his son due to his condition, this was not just a milestone. It was a triumph. "It was a feeling that can't be described," Sultan said, recalling the moment his son addressed the audience with composure and confidence. In his speech, which he called "my message", Mayed said: "This moment didn't come easy. It came with hardships, tears of patience, and the constant prayers of my mom and dad, who supported me every step of the way." "I am a student of determination. Yes, my body may be weak but my will, my abilities, and my spirit are stronger. I've learned that 'hard' doesn't mean 'impossible,' and in the end, the reward is worth every struggle," he added. Mayed went on to say: "There were moments I felt weak and even moments I felt let down but I never gave up. I kept going because I was surrounded by people who lifted me up and believed in me. The fesh graduate also sent an inspiring message to those going through hardships: "Don't lose hope. The road is tough, but the destination is beautiful. And to my friends, don't look at people of determination as different. We are just like you, maybe even stronger." 'A full-time commitment' From the moment Mayed was born, Sultan and his family faced the reality of a lifelong disability that would make everyday tasks daunting. Yet, bolstered by both financial and emotional state support, and relentless parental dedication, Mayed persevered. "The challenge wasn't easy," Sultan admitted. "But with God's grace and the incredible support from the government, we made it through." Sultan described how Mayed surprised the family by telling them, just before the graduation ceremony, that he had prepared a speech. For the father, the significance wasn't only in the academic milestone, but also in seeing his son step into society, engage, and express himself publicly. The family's daily life involved rigorous care routines. Mayed's condition required frequent physical therapy, specialised equipment, and ongoing stimulation of blood circulation due to limited mobility. "It is a full-time commitment," Sultan said. "We made sure there were regular visits from medical professionals to stimulate his circulation and strengthen his body, as he doesn't walk." Perseverance beyond academics The family's journey was made even more demanding when Mayed's younger brother, Abdullah, was diagnosed with the same condition. Yet Sultan remains hopeful, saying, "In two years, Abdullah will graduate from high school too." Sultan praised Shamal School and its principal for their flexibility and compassion. "They eased so many of the burdens, especially regarding attendance and early dismissal," he explained. "Sitting for long hours is physically painful for them, especially after surgeries on their spines. But the school adapted, letting them leave early or arrive later when needed." According to Sultan, Mayed's perseverance went far beyond academics. "Despite everything, he never said he didn't want to study. He was determined to learn, to prove to himself and others that he's capable." As for the future, Sultan said he hopes Mayed will continue his education ideally through a programme that accommodates his condition or via remote learning. "University won't be easy," Sultan admitted. Mayed needs a companion with him, whether it's in a classroom or at a technical institute. That's why we're considering remote learning because without a companion, it will be difficult for him to continue." Despite the logistical hurdles, Sultan remains hopeful and determined. "This is just the beginning for him. He's proven that he can stand in front of a crowd, tell his story, and inspire others. Whatever comes next, I know he will face it with the same courage."
Times
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Times
After five years and £40,000 of IVF I'm having a baby on my own at 49
Most people would describe me as determined. I've always been headstrong and I've always found a way to make things happen. I bought my first flat in Notting Hill in London at 25, with no help from anyone else, and would do ten photoshoots on a shoestring budget while I was the beauty and style director at Marie Claire magazine, where I worked until recently. That same determination has shaped every chapter of my life. And now, at 49, it's brought me here: seven months pregnant with my second child after four rounds of IVF, parenting my eight-year-old daughter, and doing it solo, by choice. Did I plan it exactly this way? Not quite. I always hoped to meet someone. I even dated while I was going through IVF, and met kind, interesting men. Some stayed friends; others couldn't handle my journey. I'd love a man by my side — but he would have to be the right one. Some days I long for someone to hug me, tell me it's going to be OK and make me tea. Yes, I'm strong and independent but, like anyone, I crave comfort. • One child in every school class is an IVF baby, data shows But life rarely turns out according to plan, and if there's one thing I've learnt, it's this: don't wait for the perfect moment. You build the life you want with what you have. I consider myself to be a nurturing person. I've always had the instinct to care for something beyond myself, but that only deepened after becoming a mother at 40. I found myself longing to give my daughter a sibling; not just a playmate, but a lifelong companion. I grew up in Gloucestershire with two siblings and 11 cousins, all of whom I saw and played with on a weekly basis. Our house was full of noise, laughter — glorious, joyful chaos — and we all loved it. That sense of community shaped me. I always imagined creating something similar. My daughter's dad and I separated when she was a toddler and from that point I was navigating life as a single parent while working as a journalist — a job that doesn't exactly lend itself to downtime. It wasn't easy. But over the years we've made it work. He's a brilliant father and we co-parent our daughter in a way that's respectful, supportive and centred around her. My mum has been instrumental too. She has helped to raise my daughter with such steady, understated strength — doing the school runs, ferrying her to gymnastics, circus school, swimming. It's the kind of day-to-day care that builds a child's world. I know I will lean on her again in the early days with my second. She's happy to be there for us and I'm grateful beyond words. This, to me, is what a modern family looks like. It may not fit the old definitions — the traditional nuclear family — but it works. Family doesn't need to follow convention. It just needs to be rooted in love, intention and commitment. I had always imagined a bigger family — I used to say I wanted four children — and the longing for a second never faded. If anything, it grew stronger after having my daughter. I dated and I was honest. I told people what I wanted. But I never met someone who said, 'Yes, let's do this now.' I'm realistic and do understand that it's a big ask. But I also knew I couldn't keep waiting for some mythical Mr Right to appear. I was tired of putting my life on pause — and I was running out of time. So, at 44, I made the decision to go it alone — not because I had given up on love, but because I wasn't willing to give up on motherhood. IVF, as anyone who has gone through it knows, is rarely smooth sailing, and the statistics are brutal. According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, success rates using your own eggs drop to 4.3 per cent after the age of 44, and to under 1 per cent beyond 45. • We're in a 'global fertility crisis'. Does this woman have a solution? I began the process with that warm glow of hope. But then the pandemic hit, stealing nearly two precious years as fertility clinics shut down or scaled back services. For women in their forties that wasn't just a delay; it was a seismic blow in which the hope of a family may well have been torn away. For me, it meant recalibrating and doubling down on what I knew I wanted. Cycle after cycle, setback after setback — through four egg collection rounds — I held on to an unshakeable belief that I would find a way. To date, it has cost me about £40,000 — each round bringing consultations, medications, scans and procedures. None of this is unusual in the fertility world, but it's still a significant physical, emotional and financial commitment. And it worked. At 49, I am now seven months pregnant. Sometimes I say those words out loud, just to feel their full weight. I stare at my bump in the mirror, still slightly in awe. Because even now, with this baby growing steadily inside me, it feels extraordinary to have done something so against the odds — but never against my will. The reactions have been incredible. My friends cried tears of joy when I told them — they have been with me through every setback and every fresh cycle, cheering me on. I couldn't have done this without them. My family has been incredibly supportive too. And my daughter— she is overwhelmed with happiness. She has been reading bedtime stories to the bump since the very start, and I've seen a new kind of confidence in her that I hadn't seen before. I worried that this might change the special bond we have, but it has only brought us closer. Now, my determination presents itself differently. I want to talk about my experience, to contribute to conversations with women who, like me, want families but are in more challenging situations. Women who have done the same have been invaluable, saving me from isolation and confusion during this experience through chats on social media and exchanges at school gates. I have discovered a sisterhood of those who are learning about the nuances of later motherhood, solo motherhood and IVF journeys. One of the most powerful things I've discovered is the strength of women supporting women, from all ages and stages. Danielle Fox-Thomas, a former beauty editor and one of my peers, co-founded the supplement brand OVA with Kat Lestage after their own difficult fertility journeys. Fox-Thomas went through IVF for ten years, while Lestage experienced recurrent miscarriages. Alongside the brand, they have built a thriving WhatsApp support group that has become a lifeline for so many of us. It's open to anyone navigating fertility, pregnancy or early motherhood. We share everything, from clinic recommendations to emotional support, throughout the rollercoaster of IVF. The stakes are high, the decisions life-altering, the costs significant. Having that collective wisdom and solidarity is an essential part of getting through it. Another difficult element: the fertility world is a commercial machine. Not every clinic puts your best interests first. At a couple of clinics I tried I didn't feel like the care was really there, and that can mean wasted time, money and precious opportunities. I was lucky not to be pushed into unnecessary treatments, but the lack of support was disheartening. It can feel like a minefield, so networks of shared experiences with other women are essential. • My sister died two weeks before my baby was born Conversations that used to be private are now shared more openly — about IVF, solo motherhood, and everything in between. Most importantly, they say: you're not alone. My previous job as a beauty and style director at one of the UK's leading glossy magazines meant that I was connected to an army of unbelievably supportive women, from colleagues to businesswomen. That said, publishing isn't always built to accommodate personal challenges — especially something as complex and consuming as IVF. I didn't tell anyone at work at the time. Not because people weren't kind, but because the structures just haven't caught up. Fertility journeys still aren't protected in the same way maternity is. There's no formal leave, no guaranteed flexibility, and speaking up can still feel risky — especially as a single woman over 40, without a second income to fall back on. We're told to avoid stress because it affects conception, but few workplaces are equipped to support this. Now I'm in my third trimester, some of the hurdles I've had to jump are starting to blur, but the emotional and financial stresses are still very real. When I first shared my plans, my dad and financial adviser went pale. Understandably so. Who expects a freelance single mother of two to shoulder this? But here I am, pulling off small fiscal miracles each month to keep us going. I'm launching a health and beauty YouTube channel before I give birth. If I can make it through IVF, I can build a life and business to support us — and I will. My mum always taught me that financial freedom means working for what you want. She worked in accounts — steady, honest work — and I saw how much pride she took in earning her own way. I hope the women who come after me will have it easier thanks to people like Anna Whitehouse (aka Mother Pukka on social media), whose campaigning helped to bring the Flexible Working Bill forward. It's a crucial step toward accessibility for working mothers. • Am I selfish for choosing to just have one child? Physically, I'm doing really well. I don't think about my age. My body feels unchanged. That said, early pregnancy brought debilitating sickness and exhaustion for about three months, and now I often need a 30-minute nap in the afternoon. Of course the recent heat has been especially draining. Thankfully, none of this really feels tied to my age — I feel strong and capable. Some studies suggest women who have their last child later in life tend to live longer, possibly because late fertility indicates slower biological ageing. For instance, a study of more than 1,200 US women found those who gave birth for the last time over 40 had noticeably longer leukocyte telomeres — a DNA marker of longevity — than women who finished childbearing earlier. Another review reported that women whose final child was born after the age of 33 had double the odds of living to 95, compared to those whose last birth occurred by age 29. That said, experts caution that this doesn't prove late motherhood causes longevity. It might simply reflect that women who remain fertile later may already be more biologically resilient. Risks rise, of course — gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia — but with good care, healthy outcomes are possible. Emotionally, I bring more now: perspective, calm, gratitude. I'm not alone. Look at Cameron Diaz, Naomi Campbell — women redefining motherhood in their own time, having children well into midlife. I've always taken care of myself. I try to eat as healthily as I can, though I won't pretend rounds of buttered toast haven't become a daily staple. The hardest part, honestly, is rest. It's the one thing I haven't quite figured out. Between work, solo parenting and preparing for the baby, it often feels impossible to carve out proper downtime. But I do what I can: I go to bed early and make sleep a priority — I need eight to nine hours just to function. I take slow weekend walks through the woods, and I try to make space for some peace and quiet where I can, but rest is the one thing I'm still working on. I'll be fine; I always am. This baby, like my first, is loved beyond measure. I'm pregnant at 49 and I've never felt more ready. Lisa Oxenham is wearing Ma+Lin Daisy linen dress in white; Vintage Gharani Strok in red
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Serena Williams says talent alone only gets you so far: For career success, like tennis, you have to grind ‘every day'
Tennis icon Serena Williams says people need to grind 'every day' and be 'determined' to make it big, whether it's in sports or business. The 43-year-old, who is now leading her own VC firm Serena Ventures, is investing in and mentoring underrepresented founders, with her principal piece of advice being to 'show up 28 hours out of 24' hours in a day. Other successful leaders like Brian Niccol, Steve Jobs, and Mark Cuban have previously echoed her sweat-equity work ethic. It's an old adage that practice makes perfect—something tennis star Serena Williams knows all too well. She echoes the sentiment that the grind never stops on the path to success, in both her athletic and business endeavors. Persistence and determination are two winning traits for sweeping a match—or leading an entrepreneurial venture. 'Tennis is [played] every day, you have to do it every day. You have to train, and business is the same,' Williams told CNBC Make It in a recent interview. 'It is exactly the same. You have to be very disciplined.' 'You also have to be determined through ups and downs, be determined to keep going.' Williams won 23 Grand Slam titles throughout her 27-year stint as the darling of tennis; in 2022, the Olympic athlete decided to step away from the sport to focus on her business work. She started a capital fund called Serena Ventures in 2014, where she uplifted diverse entrepreneurs, boasting that its Fund 1 investments were 79% underrepresented founders, 54% women founders, 47% Black founders, and 11% Latino founders. Serena Ventures raised $111 million during its early-stage fundraising—now, she says, her portfolio includes more than 14 billion-dollar companies and several decacorns. Williams's new career with Serena Ventures is budding as she helps uplift startup leaders and small businesses, like wig-customization platform Parfait, independent publication Wonderland, and relationship-wellness company Ours, to reach new heights. 'That's one thing that I'm excited to do, is to talk to these mentors about that determination that I've shown so much in my past career and just bring it out to this new career,' Williams said. Fortune reached out to Williams for comment. Williams tells Fortune she's drawn to founders who have a personal connection to the problem their company is trying to solve. And when it comes to advising them on leading a successful business, the decorated tennis champion says people need to go above and beyond. 'When I mentor founders one thing that I find myself giving over and over again is to just dust yourself off and don't stop,' Williams told Fortune in a recent interview. 'VC is interesting—it's a tough business, and then as a founder starting a new company, you have to show up 28 hours out of 24.' 'You win a few, you lose a few. You get knocked down, and you get right back up.' Williams displayed that same grit in her career, setting tennis records that may never be broken. With 367 career wins, 319 consecutive weeks as the number one tennis player, and nearly $95 million in total prize money, the 43-year-old legend should feel on top of the world. But even in the heights of her success, she has stuck to a philosophy that brings her down to earth. 'I think the main value that they instilled in me is just humility, and I think that goes way better than any championship or anything, because it keeps you grounded as an individual,' Williams told CNBC. 'It keeps you respectful, and it keeps you just like everybody else, because at the end of the day, we're all the same.' Williams isn't the only successful person espousing the idea of grinding all hours of the day. As a huge proponent of 'sweat equity,' serial investor Mark Cuban has recommended to 'work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it all away from you.' And the late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, who started working at Hewlett-Packard at the age of 13, said the determining factor between successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs is 'pure perseverance.' Brian Niccol—the CEO of Starbucks, who formerly held prominent roles at Chipotle, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell—also stays grounded by being curious. Despite being at the helm of a $111 billion coffee giant, Niccol doesn't see himself as having all the answers. Employees of all rankings still have something to teach him. 'The best business advice I ever received was: 'Don't be afraid to ask questions,'' Niccol told Fortune last year. 'Regardless of what position you're in, even as the CEO, there are moments where somebody's talking about something, [and] I don't totally get what they're talking about.' This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
