The Story of Maria Conceicao: Resilience Fueled by Purpose

In my last post, I wrote about the concept of who you are fighting for and how it strengthens our resilience. Today, I want to share the story of an extraordinary woman who embodies this idea in the most remarkable way.

At a Mindvalley conference in Dubai, I had the privilege of seeing Maria Conceicao and hearing her journey firsthand. Maria, a former Portuguese flight attendant, founded the Maria Cristina Foundation using her own salary to break the cycle of poverty by educating underprivileged children in Bangladesh.

With no prior experience running a charity, Maria started with determination, gradually building a lifeline for hundreds of children. But resilience isn’t just about endurance—it’s about fighting for something bigger than yourself.

When Maria was laid off from Emirates Airline during COVID-19, she faced a daunting reality. Without her income, the future of the children was at risk. She asked how she could raise money and was advised to try running a marathon. Despite never having run before, she did it—not for herself, but for the children who depended on her.

Maria not only did that but also became the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest. She persisted, and eventually broke 10 world records in ultra-marathons and marathons—all to support the children she cared for.

I won’t do justice to Maria’s incredible story with just these few words—this is merely a glimpse. But what intrigued me most was when hundreds of students, raised and supported by Maria, came to the stage during the Mindvalley event in Dubai and called her "mother."

Maria’s story is a powerful reminder that when you identify your big thing—a crucial, impactful goal—and tie it to a purpose greater than yourself, you unlock a reservoir of resilience that can overcome any obstacle.
So, ask yourself: What is your big thing? Who are you fighting for?