Neal Janiga - Real Estate Agent

In 1997, during my freshman year of college, I was digging through dumpsters for dinner.

When I left India, my parents made the ultimate sacrifice to help put me through college in America.

I deposited my tuition the day I arrived on campus. But because it was an international check, the financial office told me it would take up to two weeks to clear. Until then, my meal plan wouldn’t activate.

For a while everything was fine. I managed by living off pizza parties hosted by clubs and fraternities. But once those parties ended, I was left with nothing.

One night, I saw students throw pizza boxes into a dumpster. I was hungry. I thought, “How bad could it be?” I jumped in, pulled out a few slices, and ran back to my dorm.

The next night, I did it again. And again.

One night, I saw some guys throw out a party sub and a box of Pop-Tarts. As I reached for the Pop-Tarts, something hit me in the face and left me bleeding. In the corner of the dumpster was a raccoon, fighting me for the same box. (Believe me… I wish I was making this up)

That moment changed me. I remember thinking: “If THIS is my rock bottom, things can only go up from here.”

More than two decades later, I came back to my alma mater Luther College as the commencement speaker. I told that story on stage to the graduating class and afterwards, the Dean walked me to the same dumpster. On the side was a sticker of Aquaman with the words: “Not giving up is the most heroic thing you can do.”

Standing on that stage that day, I didn’t think about success or titles. I thought about that younger version of myself, alone behind the dorms, trying to find a meal and a reason to keep going.

If there’s one thing this story has continuously reminded me of, it’s this: Resilience isn’t built when everything goes to plan. It’s forged in the moments you think you can’t go any further.

Never doubt what you’re capable of in this life.
Your rock bottom is there to teach you how high you can climb.