The years that shape you

When Archie Wilson walked into his first press conference this week for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the place was already buzzing.

This 19-year-old Aussie punter can kick with both feet, run, throw—and, legend has it—bring the house down with his rendition of Piano Man at training camp. He’s never actually played an American football game, but in just two months with Nebraska, he knows the name of every teammate.

Then comes the question from the horde of journalists:

What’s it like, this being the first time you’re away from your family?

Archie’s smile falters. His head drops. And he gives a beautifully honest response 👇

Archie had already won the hearts of Nebraska’s football elite.

But here, in this incredible display of vulnerability, he unknowingly gave friends, family and fans alike a raw, relatable reminder:

Life is full of beautiful opportunities. But it’s also brutal, and full of struggle.

The 'prime suffering years'

It brought to mind a scene from Little Miss Sunshine (2006), a hidden gem with a lot to teach us about acceptance and self-acceptance:

“Do you know who Marcel Proust is?” Frank asks his troubled nephew, Dwayne, who until recently had vowed silence until achieving his dream of becoming a test pilot.

Dwayne claims to hate everyone, especially his family, communicating mostly through nods, shrugs, and a scrappy notebook. But now he’s facing the crushing news that his colour-blindness will keep him from flying—at least in the way he’d hoped.

“French writer. Total loser. Never had a real job. Unrequited love affairs. Gay,” Frank continues. “Spent 20 years writing a book almost no one reads. But he’s also probably the greatest writer since Shakespeare.

Anyway… he gets to the end of his life and decides that all those years he suffered—those were the best years of his life, because they made him who he was. All those years he was happy? Total waste. Didn’t learn a thing.

So, if you sleep until you’re 18… Think of the suffering you’re gonna miss! I mean, high school? Those are your prime suffering years. You don’t get better suffering than that.”

What makes this moment so powerful is that Frank doesn’t sugarcoat how difficult life can be. He knows grief and struggle first-hand, and he validates Dwayne’s pain rather than dismissing it.

In his honest, humble, and humorous way, Frank reminds us that our struggles aren’t obstacles to life, they’re a necessary, fundamental part of it.

They’re messy, ugly, and painful…

But they’re also where our greatest growth takes place.

The bigger picture

Archie may be in his own ‘prime suffering years’ right now, navigating the highs and lows that come with chasing a dream.

It might not make sense to him yet, but these moments of vulnerability and challenge will continue to shape him in ways he can’t yet see. The lonely nights, the gruelling practice sessions, the moments of doubt and homesickness—they’re building resilience, perspective, humility, depth, and one of the most important qualities of all: acceptance.

Acceptance isn’t about pretending the hard parts are easy or enjoyable. It’s about recognising they’re a natural part of the process, not to be rushed or resisted. These moments test us, stretch us, and sometimes even break our hearts on the way to becoming the people we’re meant to be.

Our greatest growth often comes from our darkest times. And as soon as we can accept that life is difficult and uncertain…

Life suddenly becomes a little less difficult.

The power is always in the acceptance. It’s not where we must end, but it’s where we can begin—making room for more freedom, more courage, and more connection on the road ahead.

Ready for more?

Dive into our Building Self-Confidence program to discover the ultimate perspective shift: I am enough.

Here, you’ll learn to embrace who you are and overcome your inner critic, unlocking the courage to live a life true to yourself.