Diving into the unknown, student athlete proves the merits of hard work

Gerald Hodges was already a great athlete on land, but he didn't know how to swim. So he decided to face the challenge head-on, and join the swim team. Steve Hartman has his story "On the Road."
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[@rachelw821]

What a beautiful spirit this kid is! Wisdom beyond his years, and surpassing most adults as well. I will hang on to this one: If I can't handle not being good at something, then how can I be a successful person?

[@dianemoonstone4715]

Agree wholeheartedly!

[@ivokarmely453]

This quote that Gerald shares in this news pkg has to be one of the most powerful I have ever heard. And to hear from someone so young. Amazing!

[@barbarawright5774]

Acknowledge Almighty God, young man. He is with you. Waiting for you.

[@sh__10]

The complete absence of racial stereotyping remarks in this comment section is why I still have faith in humanity. I love all of you.

[@MuchLoveMa]

Love you too.

[@larrymcjones]

Love you too man

[@matthew-oc5oe]

black people cant swim lol

[@discovegan5056]

i was expecting it too

[@justin2269]

matthew38 shut up

[@el7jake]

What a terrific quote AND attitude, Gerald. Congratulations on learning how to "not drown" so well.

[@praisesaintglory]

Repoter: He can't swim Me: *W A I T*

[@osvaldom1697]

【SokinWith】 he's black

[@kawaiibtslover1012]

@@osvaldom1697 so what??

[@icantaim4981]

@@osvaldom1697 racist I'm black and can swim

[@ioKaza]

Dab master69 Dab on them haters ok?

[@ulfyn2143]

Red’s Life he is replying to the comment saying that this person is saying wait because this dude is black. That was the joke so please allow me to r/wooosh

[@alexise.2270]

I can't wait to show this to my children. What an amazing young man. I can't wait to see who he becomes as an adult!

[@officialJoCa]

Will you remember Alexis? Will you promise me? I will come back for you.

[@Raziq.D]

A gay guy who can handle balls

[@jaker8875]

Vanish ._K wait I thought the same thing ...

[@edit2893]

@@officialJoCa i might be dumb but is that blink 182 refference

[@M-hc9xm]

Let's hear it for the woman cheering him on to finish the early race. Such encouragement, belief and support in her voice.

[@mbhonimongwe3994]

I watch this every now and then for encouragement

[@michaelevans1193]

That young man will be a success in whatever he sets his mind to in life. One note, we should also credit the coach that helped him turn that drive, ambition and talent into a winner.

[@catbeara]

I'm a swimming teacher and from what I can see his swimming technique is fantastic! Bravo, must have taken a lot of work and dedication. 💛

[@MorrisartsCool]

We are using this video clip in our Youth program Sunday School Class at Johns Creek UMC, in Johns Creek, GA. Gerald made an impression on me right now! Wow, loved this ending!

[@MH-il4gb]

Jill Morris A true inspiration

[@dragonfly4484]

Keep it going Jill

[@blueturtle1719]

Amen

[@roberthudson1959]

This reminds me of one of the most famous stories in swimming. There once was a freshman swimmer who was so slow her teammates begged their coach not to put her on the medley relay. By the end of her high school career, she was the best swimmer in the state. By the end of her college career, she was the best swimmer in the NCAA. By the end of her career, she was multiple Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken.

[@doitnowrememberitlatersws9948]

What a great kid!

[@Nahdese]

Man this is my high school math teacher right now

[@debramallinak5356]

This was shown to our teacher convocation today. I am showing this to my math classes the first week of school! ❤️

[@milissiajohnbaptiste-cole8273]

Amazing, very uplifting story. And applies to everyday life.

[@AK47_414]

He better write this in his college essay

[@bigbaba1111]

one day, this guy will be an amazing husband and father.

[@alison4316]

God, what a kid 💕 I love that the presenter was tearing up at the end. Me too, man. Me too.

[@danthomas6587]

That kid is my new personal hero.

[@michelleeggers719]

I dont know if you read these comments but, the young man who couldnt swim has changed my life. I have bad anxieties and he talked me into keep trying. I at 61 do not have discipline. After watching this many times...i now complete things. I started working out 6 days a week, i go to mass, i say the rosary. I have time in my day to give thanks.. i now do not concentrate on the struggle but the goal. Thank you young man! Its never too late.

[@DLNM]

Listen to this young man's quote again. HE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! RESPECT

[@Thestreakz]

I like how it ends “oh baby, that is awesome”

[@etaesu83]

The streakz if you look closely, he almost seems to choke up a bit

[@ac6298]

this is what confidence looks like. his smile is contagious - this young man is gonna be great in whatever he does

[@curlywavy18]

This is definitely one of my favorites in this series. He's going places.

[@Anon46282]

THATS RIGHT !!!! THIS AINT NO BOY!!! THATS A MAN!! YOURE WAY WAY AHEAD MAN!! RESPECT!!!

[@gingerthetrailpup7223]

What a great young man. And kudos to his parents. Kids these days could learn something from this.

[@nikegloves209]

my man cried after that report.

[@naeemahbadia4266]

Aww the joy when he was talking is heart warming

[@ThePackman2323]

You are stunning

[@kimberlyzager9697]

This kid is going to be something amazing when he grows up

[@The.S.M.Evans.91]

I could watch videos like this all the time. I'm glad that we worked to overcome his weakness. If only more people had this man's mindset.

[@boydcrowder9841]

I loved this segment. I saw this play live on the news, and have been looking for the clip on KZbin ever since. Finally found it!

[@willdobson6091]

Love this story. I swam in college, was a lifeguard, and have taught swim lessons, and coached swim teams for many years and you always know when a swimmer real has talent. This young man had the raw talent and turned it into something special.

[@johnnauman347]

Gerald has a beautiful stroke.

[@ayemaeyalit3354]

John Nauman It takes a month or so to learn, the rest of it is practice with the team.

[@punbishal5874]

What a great day to start with. I don’t believe a high school kid younger than me is giving me life lessons. Still shows I got long way to go and age is just a number.

[@jenniferross3725]

Congratulations Gerald 🕺🏽🎊🎉💫✅

[@blueturtle1719]

I think of Gerald now whenever I am dealing with difficulties and trials.His words and attitude was really inspirational for someone so young as him.

[@deegrant6426]

That kid is adorable. God bless him

[@carlosestrada51]

After watching this I became so fascinated because I was student athlete myself and I was a swimmer for my schools. Rosemead High School and for two years at PCC! And I remember the times when I would race in the 200 medley relay! Butterfly and freestyle were my strokes in swimming!!! 🏊🏻

[@majorleaguinfidel]

He's a remarkable young man, truly remarkable.

[@ebonynyle1824]

This inspired me.

[@notepadinc655]

hes in highschool, but has wisdom, how incredible at so young he makes the realization most adults never confront " if i couldnt handle not being good at something, then how could i consider myself a successful person"

[@yardleyj9391]

Gerald is another version of his coach who never abandoned the idea of a winning team! Let's hear it for the Coach. ❤️

[@axeamaniac4490]

My names Gerald too! This young mans going to go far in life!

[@allenrobison220]

I love how the journalists daughter was inspired to ride her bike because of this young man. You had to have watched the full episode to know what I’m talking about. Great story

[@paesano285]

Simply Amazing!!

[@kissesnkale]

Wow! That quote .. Amazing!

[@ucanon2662]

Great story, great young man: Gerald and great future for Gerald...Work hard, be humble and strive for greatness Gerald!

[@brianburns7211]

That kid is a very wise person!

[@YummyFood454]

Holy smokes what a story!!!! This guy really shows how someone starts from the bottom and works their way to the top.

[@shecrazyhorse3122]

Awesome 😁 Thanks for sharing Congratulations 👏😎 to Gerald and his team. God bless the Coach.😁

[@samanthab1923]

How insightful for one so young. Love him. Hope he got a scholarship somewhere great 🙏🏻

[@aprilsmith3683]

What an awesome story to come across this morning... Oh Lordy...how I needed this wake up call today... Young man...I thank you... April Smith Johannesburg South Africa 🇿🇦

[@ac6298]

OUTSTANDING

[@_Pure.truth_]

Young man you have figured out the answer to a good life! Don’t fall to your feelings or fears but rise to the challenges.

[@nepnep1149]

Image what the other people were thinking. He was just holding back his true power to give everyone a chance.

[@aprilmitchell6453]

GOD Bless U Continously

[@iimarrrzlaw64gl73]

Heart of a warrior!!

[@jantruitt9241]

Cool Wonderful Story Thank You Steve ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@laylah.phillipss]

His mom is my teacher -_- and I’m not lying and my teacher showed me this video

[@texerious2356]

is she a good teacher

[@raymondcaylor6292]

What a great young man !

[@derakc.2783]

I love these segments!!! "Ohh baby that is...Awesome :)"

[@zbutler3111]

Damn kid! You're gonna live a life worth looking up too, you already are

[@myrealityzone]

I love this story!

[@aznilsson]

True grit

[@roger_is_red]

wow a very special person Love this!!!!!!!!

[@muffs55mercury61]

Man, I love this !!

[@somewhereinmontana3405]

Wow…what a young man! Words to live by. 💗 (P.S. Beautiful stroke!)

[@damiengarbutt7229]

Simply remarkable.

[@timothyshortnacy7550]

Incredible!!

[@TheParentDr]

Awesome Story, that extra drive is what we all need!

[@becca5100]

This inspires me, age 69 1/2, SO much. Success, indeed!

[@childofakingcharity5597]

I'm not a crying person, but I had to watch it a second time😢

[@walkingthetightrope6637]

I feel like a proud mom even tho I'm 18

[@TheMrmoc7]

This kid is going to grow up to be something extraordinary. No doubt in my mind.

[@becca5100]

He already is!

[@EmanuelAfa]

Nothing is impossible,the word it self says I’m possible

[@anthonywright3443]

Opportunity, with open access!!! That's all we ever asked for!!!!!

[@montierapittman4531]

Wow!! Amazing

[@NoraS-K]

Amazing and brave

[@clairmcconchie7164]

I love this story

[@isamarcano2041]

If only my coaches were as encouraging

[@rachelw821]

Always someone else to blame isn't there?

[@taylorc146]

Oh baby that is awesome.

[@drewzifer]

The Tiger Woods of the pool.

[@ac6298]

I LOVE THIS KID

[@deesong6722]

Omg, I love this!!!

[@davanmani556]

Indiana legendary coach Doc Counsilman would love this man.

[@tcareccia]

Love him.

[@matthewc3959]

Awesome

[@woibacawoi]

The reporter is so cool

[@lynnemiller3633]

Awesome! I trust the belief inside of you that says you can do it. You can do it. You can do it!

[@lallred1911]

Every kid, athletic or not, should be taught how to swim. It's a matter of safety. Many towns have public pools. If not, there are bound to be motel pools or ponds.

[@davanmani556]

The man of all-time

[@lindalove8936]

FUTURE MOTIVATION SPEAKER AND OF COURSE FUTURE OLYMPICS COMPETITOR ! HE HAS GOT WHAT IT TAKES

[@clarak1586]

damn that's the kind of storyline you see in american movies, good on this very wise young man

[@lamehoodium3613]

oh baby that is awesome... بمووووت شدخل

[@Reunion4ever]

Wowwwww !!!!

[@nunnu5657]

oh baby that is awsome.

[@cozylime_2006]

Good job Gerald!

[@brianburns7211]

If I had a company, he’d be my first pick. I’d know that however challenging a project, it would get done well.

[@71Jagurl]

Am impressed

[@CycoPatPonfe]

This kid Gerald will become a successful millionaire someday! With that positive attitude! Good on you kid!

[@amonrodriguez3518]

By god that is the smartest young man alive! He found out a way to get 4 years of free swimming lessons!

[@user-xm6df2xf5o]

Whenever you found out your icecream is gone, think of Gerald