Bobby Pearce. World Champion Rower. Olympic Gold Medalist.

In the 1928 Olympics, Pearce was the only rower selected from Austria. So, let’s assume there was a lot of national pressure riding on him. Besides, who doesn’t want to win a gold medal?

However, during the quarter finals, when he was clearly beating his French opponent (and who doesn’t want to beat the French?), Bobby stopped rowing to let a family of ducks pass by. He then went on to have the fastest time of all 8 competitors in that round, later winning the Gold Medal.

Lesson learned? Slow down. Many people tell you that life isn’t a race. But Bobby Pearce proved that even when it is a race, you still have time to stop and help people. Even if those people are as lowly as some random ducks. Despite his rowing accomplishments – which, I admit, are quite impressive – the biggest thing I took away from Pearce’s life is the fact that he cared more about the welfare of a few animals than winning. And we should all live like that.

Bobby Pearce. World Champion Rower. Olympic Gold Medalist. Duck lover.

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” – Matthew 25:40