Isidre Esteve‘s story is much more than that of a rider. It’s the story of someone who decided that WE ARE WHAT WE SET OUT TO BE. From his beginnings on a motorcycle to his transformation into a racing driver after a spinal cord injury, Isidre has shown that LIMITS ARE MEANT TO BE SURPASSED.
I was fortunate enough to hear him speak at the ESADE Alumni Lleida Annual Conference held a few days ago. And I can tell you, without fear of being wrong, that it was one of the best conferences I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen hundreds). Furthermore, I thought Isidre was not only a great speaker, but also a great person, one of those who leave a mark.
I wanted to share with you the MAIN LESSONS HE SHARED WITH THE ATTENDEES.
- WORK TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS. After his accident in 2007, many people thought his career was over. But not him. He returned to the Dakar in 2009, this time on four wheels, with an adapted car and unwavering determination. So, live your life intensely, because as Isidre says, “Life goes by too fast, you have to grab it no matter how.”
- SELF-CONFIDENCE IS KEY. Isidre never stopped believing in his ability to compete. His comeback wasn’t just physical; it was mental, emotional, and technical. Every kilometer he traveled is a testament to his faith in himself. As Isidre says, “The only thing that can make me better is my ambition.”
- YOU MUST FIND PATHS WHERE YOU CAN’T SEE THEM. When life closed a door on him, he designed a new route. With innovation, technology, and courage, he returned to doing what he loved.
- KNOWING HOW TO MAKE DECISIONS IS ESSENTIAL: Isidre explains that surrounding himself with a committed team, embracing adaptation, and moving forward when all seemed lost. Every decision has its pros and cons, and you must analyze well before deciding. He affirms that in life, “We all have our Dakar,” meaning we all experience difficult times in which we must make decisions and move forward.
- MAKING THE MOST OF THE WORST SITUATIONS IS ONE OF HIS GREATEST VIRTUES. Where others see tragedy, he sees opportunity. Where there is pain, he finds learning. As Isidre Esteve often says, “The worst barriers are psychological ones.”
- THE STRENGTH OF THE TEAM HAS BEEN HIS DRIVING FORCE. Life’s important challenges must be faced as a team. His sporting and personal achievements have been achieved surrounded by others who have worked in a coordinated manner to achieve the stablished goals.
- FALLING AND GETTING BACK UP. That is Isidre’s essence. No matter how many times life has tested him, he has always come back stronger, humbler, and eager.
And as he himself says:
“I can’t always complain about what I can’t do; I have to think about what I can do: live and enjoy life.”
Because in the end, WHAT DEFINES A CHAMPION IS NOT THE GOAL, BUT THE ATTITUDE WITH WHICH THEY WALK THE PATH.
And in this post, I also want to show you how we CAN BE WHAT WE PURPOSE, because Isidre has also been able to make the best of the challenges and changes that have been appearing in his life. And this is how he creates and develops one of his most important projects, The Isidre Esteve Foundation, which the slogan “Never stop”, has been promoting personal autonomy, improving health and quality of life of people in vulnerable situations since 2011. Don’t miss it!
