Montpellier Business School
25 September 2019

Overcoming the impossible – discover the recipe for surpassing yourself by the athlete Philippe CROIZON

Overcoming the impossible – discover the recipe for surpassing yourself by the athlete Philippe CROIZON

At the beginning of every school year, curiosity, unknown and new projects jostle in the head of all students, but the fear of failure can be an obstacle to taking initiative. This Tuesday, September 10th was therefore the ideal day to lift these potential brakes and welcome in the premises of Montpellier Business School Philippe CROIZON. Philippe is a former worker who became adventurer and athlete after he lost all his members. He came to share his story with the freshmen of the Grande Ecole Program.

The entourage, humour and sports: Philippe CROIZON’s three resilience tools

“When you have a crisis, a break-up or an accident, you go through the famous five phases of resilience. First is abnegation; we refuse what happens to us. Then there is the negotiation with oneself. It is generally followed by depression, anger and finally acceptance. The phases have no predefined order and especially no predefined duration”, said Philippe CROIZON after explaining the circumstances of his accident.

To accelerate this resilience, Mr. CROIZON relied on three pillars: the entourage that offered him his autonomy. Sport, which encourages to surpassing oneself. And humour, which punctuated the entirety of the conference and which also helps play down the situation.

« Impossible does not exist » 

Sport was the main theme throughout Philippe CROIZON’s life course. “My first challenge was being able to walk for my grandparents’ 50 years of marriage. When I was admitted to the Rehabilitation Centre, I was told “For you, nothing is forbidden; you have to try everything possible”. Once this first bet won, Philippe’s other challenges were: a parachute jump with his son, the participation in the Paris-Dakar, then the famous crossing of the Channel and the challenge of connecting all five continents swimming.

«You have got to dare. Impossible does not exist. These are only inhibitors that we put upon ourselves. I tend to follow an idea and be afraid only after receiving all the information. This is why one must set and commit to one’s goals before doubt arises. “

Communication and Teamwork: Self-giving is just as important as surpassing oneself

While preparing to cross the Channel, Philippe CROIZON surrounded himself with a sports coach, doctors and his companion, Suzana Sabino. “The essential thing when you put a team together is communication. Silence is a real poison. Caregivers are just as important as those who perform the challenge on D-Day. Self-giving is just as important as surpassing oneself. That is why at the end of a challenge, I never say “I succeeded” but “we succeeded”.

The conference ended with the admiration and applause of the 500 students of the Grande Ecole Program, ready to take on new challenges and overcome the impossible.

 

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