Most Inspiring of the Month

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a force to be reckoned with. He helped to bring down the British Empire's rule in his native India - and he did it all without the use of violence or force. This man lived his life to serve others. He was arrested 11 times and even spent time in jail along side his wife, Kasturba Gandhi. He willingly subjected himself to long fasts throughout his lifetime. Through it all Gandhi eventually helped lead the British to "Quit India." After a long struggle India gained independence in 1947. Sadly Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse (a Hindu fanatic) in 1948; however, his determination and influence continues to encourage billions around the world to live a life of nonviolence.

Team Hoyt

In 1977, Dick Hoyt, at 37 years old, decided to run his first race. The only difference between him and the other competitors in the five-mile run was that he was pushing Rick, his 15-year old son, in a wheelchair. Rick, diagnosed with cerebral palsy since birth, told his father after the race, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” And with that phrase Team Hoyt was born. As of February 2011, the Hoyts have competed in an unprecedented 1,042 endurance events, including 240 triathlons. Despite the challenges that Team Hoyt has faced, their relationship and their lives can be summed up in the words emblazoned on the wheels of Rick’s wheelchair: “It’s a Good Life!”

Brad Stevens

Butler University men's basketball coach Brad Stevens, 34, is turning heads and building quite a program in Indianapolis. Stevens joined the program after he quit his job with a pharmaceutical company to volunteer at Butler. He worked at Applebee’s to support himself before he was promoted to assistant coach during the 2001-2002 season. Under the tutelage of coach Todd Lickliter, Stevens had an overall record of 131–61 as an assistant coach, and was named head coach for 2007–08 campaign. Stevens became the youngest coach in NCAA Division I to record a 30 win season in his head coaching debut and became the youngest to win two Final Fours. Stevens also serves motivational speaker on the topics of perseverance and overcoming adversity.

Brryan Jackson

Brryan Jackson, 19, is a living miracle. When he was an infant, his father injected him with AIDS-infected blood, intending to kill him and dodge having to pay child support. But, Jackson defied the odds. He lived. Doctors say tests for the last two years have shown no trace of the virus in his body. Jackson founded the nonprofit Hope Is Vital - H.I.V. He spends every summer at Camp Kindle for HIV-positive children. "You can either look at the blessings that come from life, you know, look at all the problems as opportunities for blessings or you can just ignore them and let them run you and let them control your life," he says. "I just decided, I want to put an end to this, I want to make a difference."