I’ve watched this video over and over, feeling energized and covered in goosebumps each time. The 4th-grade boy in the video, William, has reached superhero status in my opinion. When you watch this video, you’ll understand why. The video spills over with goodness. There’s positivity, bravery, determination, empathy, and unflustered focus.
The scene is set during an outdoor running club, where students run a short loop through the woods. Along the course, they are presented with a choice. They can take the easier route, which includes a set of wooden steps, or they can choose the more difficult challenge, a section we call The Mud Wall.
For the first time, William chose Mud Wall.
As a new member of the club, he has little to no experience climbing it. The hill is steep and unforgiving, covered in loose, dry dirt, with only a few exposed roots and small rocks offering anything resembling a handhold or foothold. The dry leaves provide the only real source of traction, and even they seem determined to send you sliding backward.
Mud Hill is not an easy climb. And William quickly discovered just how difficult it is.
As the scene plays out, you immediately notice an experienced teammate cruising up the hill with little difficulty. Rose has taken this route countless times. At one point, though, she too had to learn the techniques and strategies needed to conquer the wall.
Then you see William.
One could see the determination in William’s face as he scanned the ground, searching for anything that might help. A root to grab, a rock to brace against, anything that might give him just enough leverage to move one step closer to the top. Every movement is deliberate. Every inch is earned. And then, just as he makes progress, his feet lose traction.
He slides. Slowly at first, then suddenly, his body slips backward down the hill until he is right back where he started. All that effort. Gone in an instant. It is the kind of moment that can break your spirit. The kind of moment when the easier choice is right there in front of you. Turn around. Walk away. Take the easy route.
And perhaps, in the past, William might have done exactly that. But something had changed. William stopped, gathered himself, and looked back up the hill.
He didn’t quit. Not today.
William was on a mission. One way or another, he would conquer Mud Hill. As William slowly worked his way upward, he continued scanning his surroundings. Maybe there is a better route. Maybe there are more roots. Maybe a tree will give him something to hold onto. He noticed the lines other runners were taking. He watched them move up the hill with an ease that comes from experience. But he doesn’t let their success discourage him. Instead, he seems pleased for them, maybe more motivated. He puts his head down and continues his mission.
Today, perseverance defines William’s mindset.
You could actually see his confidence begin to grow as he sensed the top was within reach. His slow, uncertain movements become steadier and more deliberate. He pulled with his hands. He pushed with his legs. He adjusted his footing. He kept moving. And then, just as William reached for one final root, another student, Rhett, appeared beside him and offered his hand.
I have to admit, I wonder how many athletes would be too proud to accept that invitation. And honestly, I doubt William needed his help. Maybe others would feel that accepting help somehow diminishes their accomplishment.
Not William. He recognized the empathy behind Rhett’s gesture and took his hand. I liked that he was willing to accept help. A true team player. And kudos to Rhett. He saw the struggle and chose to help.
Finally, William reached the top.
I expected this to be a celebratory moment for William, and it certainly was. You can see the pride written all over his face. But William’s job wasn’t finished. He knew how difficult that climb had been. He had just experienced it himself. And now, he noticed another runner struggling to make the ascent.
Without hesitation, William turned his attention toward Norman. The boy who had just needed a hand now saw someone else who needed one.
“I can help Norman.”
Along with perseverance, William showed us something equally powerful: character is revealed by what we do when the challenge is over. He accepted help when he needed it, celebrated his accomplishment, and then immediately turned around to help someone else.
With his positivity, bravery, determination, empathy, and focus, William had a day to remember. I know I’ll never forget watching his journey up Mud Wall. I’ll hold on to this video as a reminder and as an example I can share with students for years to come. What better example of perseverance, courage, humility, empathy, and an unwavering focus on doing your best and helping others? I’m so proud of you, William!
William, the SUPERHERO!
