Never Quit: Turning Adversity Into Your Edge!
- Mike Hartman
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
When I was 20 years old playing professional hockey, Lindy Ruff shared a message with me that I have never forgotten:
"60 miles from Buffalo to Rochester and 120 back."
At first, it sounded like he was talking about a drive between two cities. But the lesson had nothing to do with mileage. It was about commitment, sacrifice, and determination. It was about understanding that success is rarely a straight line. There will be long days, setbacks, disappointments, and moments when you question whether the effort is worth it.
The athletes who ultimately succeed are often the ones who keep going when others decide to stop.
That lesson came to mind when I recently spoke with Andrew Lavine and reflected on his journey. Andrew grew up around sports and developed a passion for tennis at a young age. Like many athletes, he faced adversity, challenges, pressure, and uncertainty along the way. His path was not perfect, and there were moments when things did not go according to plan.
Yet Andrew continued to move forward.
Rather than allowing adversity to define him, he used it as fuel. He stayed committed to his goals, trusted the process, and continued working even when results were not immediate. Through discipline, resilience, and consistent effort, he transformed obstacles into opportunities for growth.
His determination eventually helped him achieve his goal of playing Division I tennis.
One of the most important mindset lessons we discussed was learning to stay neutral. Too often, athletes ride an emotional roller coaster. They get too excited after a win and too discouraged after a loss. The problem is that both extremes can pull you away from the process.
The goal is to stay grounded.
When things are going well, stay humble and continue working. When things are difficult, stay patient and continue working. Success is built through consistency, not emotion.
Determination is not about never struggling. It is about refusing to quit when struggles appear. Every setback provides an opportunity to learn. Every challenge provides an opportunity to grow stronger. Every obstacle provides an opportunity to develop resilience.
Andrew's story reminds us that adversity does not have to become our excuse. It can become our advantage. The road to success is rarely easy, but those who remain committed to the process often discover they are capable of far more than they originally believed.
Five Mindset Tips for Determination
Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Champions understand that goals are achieved through daily habits, preparation, and consistent effort. Focus on winning the day.
Stay Neutral
Do not get too high after success or too low after setbacks. Learn from both and keep moving forward.
Control What You Can Control
You cannot control every result, but you can control your attitude, effort, preparation, and response.
Use Adversity as Fuel
Challenges can either stop you or strengthen you. Choose to view adversity as an opportunity for growth.
Keep Showing Up
Success rarely happens overnight. The ability to continue showing up, especially when things become difficult, is often what separates those who succeed from those who give up.
Remember Lindy Ruff's lesson: "60 miles to Rochester and 120 back." Success requires extra effort, extra commitment, and the willingness to keep going when the journey gets tough. Andrew Lavine's story is proof that determination, resilience, and a strong mindset can help turn adversity into achievement.
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