We live in a world that celebrates extremes. Scroll through social media and you’ll see dramatic before-and-after photos, stories of people climbing mountains against all odds, or ads promising overnight transformations. Those stories are inspiring, sure—but they also set a false expectation. They make it seem like progress has to be loud, obvious, and measurable in big leaps.
Living with Ataxia has taught me the opposite lesson: sometimes progress is quiet. Sometimes it’s so small you almost miss it. And sometimes it shows up in ways no one else can see—but you feel it deep down. In fact, I’d say most of the time, it is only you who will be able to feel the small gains.
The Reality of “Background” Progress
A perfect example is the medication I’ve been on through an Expanded Access Program: Troriluzole. It’s still waiting on FDA approval, and when I first got the prescription, my neurologist set the tone right away.
“This is a background drug,” he told me. “You may never be able to tell if it’s doing anything.”
That’s not exactly the kind of pep talk you want when you’re already fighting a progressive condition. We all want the lightning bolt moment—where something new comes in and suddenly everything changes. But with Ataxia, and honestly with life in general, it rarely works that way.
Still, I decided to try it. And here’s what happened: no fireworks, no dramatic transformation, no sudden ability to do something I couldn’t do the day before. But now and then, I’ll notice something small. A second or two where I feel steadier on my feet. A moment when my balance feels just a little more natural.
Are those moments because of the medication? Or are they the result of the hours I’ve been putting in at physical therapy and the gym? Or maybe it’s just my brain and body having a good day? The truth is, I don’t know. And maybe that’s not the point.
Bursts, Not Breakthroughs
Those flashes of stability may last only seconds. They’re not the kind of thing you can measure on a chart or show off in a video. But to me, they matter. They remind me that progress doesn’t have to look like a breakthrough—it can come in bursts.
That’s something I’ve learned over and over again, not just with medication but in the gym. When I first started working out more regularly, it felt like everything was uphill. Machines that seemed easy for other people left me drained. Exercises that required balance felt almost impossible. There were days I wondered if it was even worth it.
But I kept showing up. And slowly, I started to notice changes. Not the kind of changes you brag about to your friends, but the kind you feel in your own body:
- Finishing a workout or therapy session without feeling completely wiped.
- Catching myself before stumbling instead of going down.
- Realizing I could add a little more weight on a machine than last time.
Those aren’t the kind of wins that get you trending online. But they’re real. And stacked together, they start to add up. And I just listed the gym as an example. I could name many examples in everyday life.
Why Small Wins Keep Us Going
Here’s the truth most people don’t want to admit: the big leaps are rare. Most of life is built on small wins that no one else notices.
That one day you wake up and feel a little stronger. That time you do something on autopilot that used to take all your focus. Even the moments when your symptoms don’t get worse—those count, too. In a progressive condition like Ataxia, sometimes the biggest win is just holding the line.
I think about this a lot when I see other people chasing perfection. Whether fitness, career, or health, we’re taught to look for the big transformation. But what keeps us moving forward isn’t the leap—it’s the next step. And then the one after that.
Making It Personal
Honestly, I used to overlook these kinds of victories. I brushed them off, telling myself they weren’t enough. But when I started paying attention—noticing the seconds of stability, the slight improvements in strength, the days when I felt more energized—I realized those were keeping me in the fight.
And it’s not just about Ataxia. This lesson applies everywhere. If you’re building a business, small wins might look like one new customer, one meaningful conversation, or one idea that clicks. If you’re trying to get healthier, it might be choosing water instead of soda, or making it to the gym once more this week than last.
The point is, the “big moment” may never come in the way you expect. But the small ones? They’re always happening, if you’re willing to see them.
Why I Built InspireThread Around This
That idea—of celebrating the small but meaningful steps—led me to create InspireThread. I didn’t want to build just another clothing line; I wanted to create reminders.
A shirt, a mug, or a koozie isn’t a cure for Ataxia. But it can remind you that you’re part of something bigger. It can spark a conversation that spreads awareness. It can be that subtle nudge in your day that says: keep moving forward.
I’ve worn pieces from the collection when I needed that extra push. When someone asks about the meaning behind a design, it opens the door to talking about resilience, Ataxia, and the bigger message of awareness. That’s what small wins look like, too: everyday items becoming conversation starters.
A Final Thought
Troriluzole hasn’t been a miracle drug for me. But those fleeting flashes of steadiness? They matter. The extra effort at Physical Therapy? It matters. The days I notice I can do something I couldn’t before—or even the days I don’t get worse—those matter, too.
Progress doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers. And if you’re willing to listen, those whispers are enough to keep us moving.
So here’s my reminder to you, wherever you are in your journey: don’t wait for the big leap. Celebrate the steps, the bursts, the seconds that keep you going. Because one step at a time is how we all move forward.
If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to keep following along on my blog — I share real stories about Ataxia, resilience, and finding meaning in everyday life. If you want a reminder to carry, check out the Steady Steps Collection at InspireThread. Every piece is designed to encourage awareness, spark connection, and remind you that small wins matter.
