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DICKINSON — Former North Dakota football captain and motivational speaker Hunter Pinke will bring his powerful message of resilience and hope to Dickinson State University on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The event, hosted by the DSU Heritage Foundation, is open to the public and will take place from noon to 1 p.m. (MST) at the Dorothy Stickney Auditorium in the May Hall Building.
Pinke, who transitioned from an athlete to a motivational speaker after a life-altering skiing accident in 2019 left him paralyzed from the chest down, will focus his keynote on resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. His ‘No Bad Days’ philosophy, which advocates living with gratitude and joy despite adversity, will be central to his message.
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“The question is not if adversity will hit your life, but rather when. Everybody encounters struggle at some point in their life. That struggle can drag you down or spring you forward,” Pinke said, emphasizing the inevitability of challenges and the potential for growth.
Pinke’s journey from his injury to becoming a motivational speaker began after doctors warned him about the difficult days ahead. His response, “I don’t have bad days,” became the foundation of his ‘No Bad Days’ philosophy. This mindset, focusing on stacking positive experiences, living with purpose, and maintaining a hopeful outlook, has resonated with audiences across the nation.
Pinke’s story has made a national impact, particularly after a video of his recent speech to Crimson Tide athletes in Alabama went viral on social media. The video amassed nearly one million views on X (formerly Twitter) and caught the attention of national college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who praised Pinke’s message by commenting, “What perspective!”
This event is part of DSU’s ongoing tradition of hosting motivational speakers before the start of classes, aimed at inspiring both the Dickinson community and DSU students. The audience is expected to include community members, university and school teachers, faculty, staff, administration, and athletes from collegiate, high school and middle school levels.
DSU Acting President Ty Orton highlighted the event’s importance, stating, “This event is open to the public, and we strongly encourage businesses, teams and anyone eager to overcome and redefine challenges to join us.”
The DSU Heritage Foundation continues its tradition of bringing motivational figures to Dickinson, aiming to equip attendees with the tools to tackle their own challenges and view adversity as an opportunity for growth.
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