13 People Who Prove Why Giving Up Is Never an Option
People
07/21/2020

Being an ugly duckling when you’re young doesn’t define who you will become as an adult. There are people who know giving up is not an option and the process is very rewarding. They either lost weight, overcame depression, improved their beauty routine and social skills, or became their better selves.
Bright Side is amazed and inspired by these stories and found 13 people who decided not to ever give up on themselves.
1. “Middle school was a rough time. Luckily the lack of attention from boys helped me focus on school!”
2. An 11-year transformation — left: age 13, right: age 34
3. “Grew up fat and decided to finally do something about it 3 years ago.”
4. “Took about a year — I’m now trying to put on muscle.”
5. 4 years of development
6. “It took 4.5 years on and off to see changes but they were achieved.”
7. “Even my family doesn’t recognize me these days. It’s nice.”
8. “My face was always red, I was angry at my dad, and was ready to die for punk rock. Now my skin is healthier and I love my dad.”
9. “I started because I thought I loved a girl but found out I loved myself instead.”
10. “I came across this old video of me. I never realized I was as big as I was.”
14. “13 vs 24, I looked like a brown Peter Griffin.”
11. “Lost 110 lb in 18 months after a rugby injury, started rowing for my university, and got my MSc in mathematics.”
12. “I’d like to think the past 9 years have been kind to me.”
13. The difference of 4 years and 6 years sober
Are you also a fighter who went through amazing changes? Show us your process!
Preview photo credit asionahaya / reddit
Comments
Get notifications
Related Reads
10 Moments That Guide Us to Choose Quiet Kindness, Even If We Think Hope and Happiness Are Gone

People
04/28/2026
My Stepmother Inherited Everything and Kicked Us Out—But She Didn’t Count on One Thing

Family & kids
02/21/2026
12 Airport Stories That Prove Laughter and Surprises Make the Best Travel Companions

Curiosities
04/29/2026
12 Stories That Remind Us Empathy Speaks Every Language

People
03/22/2026
15 Moments That Show Kindness, Empathy, and Compassion Didn’t Go Out of Style in 2026

People
05/01/2026
12 Stories That Prove Quiet Kindness Survives Even When Hope Doesn’t

People
02/27/2026
12 Moments That Prove Quiet Kindness Has More Power Than Anyone Can Expect

People
04/23/2026
15 Acts of Kindness That Prove Compassion Is the Light That Guides Love to Heavy Hearts

People
03/27/2026
13 Real-Life Moments When Kindness and Empathy Made a Big Difference

People
03/30/2026
My Boss Made Me Pay Out of Pocket on a Work Trip, I Let Karma Do the Rest

People
03/28/2026
I Chose to Help My Sister Even After She Hurt Me—Then I Found Her Real Secret

Family & kids
02/23/2026
12 Neighbors Who Showed How Kindness, Empathy and Compassion Can Bring a Community Together

People
03/30/2026













