The Power of Many

I was giving a motivational speech when I went into cardiac arrest. I don’t remember this, but I was told later that when I fell off the stage, people started clapping because they thought it was part of the talk. During the helicopter ride to Cleveland Clinic, it dawned on me: I’ve got it all wrong. For decades, I’ve talked about the power of one person to make a difference. But the power of one wasn’t going to save me that day. If these other people don’t step up, I’m dead. 

It was a cool thing to go through, and it changed my message. I used to go around the world and have people in the audience stand up and say with me: “My body. My choice. I’m not your toy. The Power of One.” Now it’s a deeper message: “The Power of One, but together we are the Power of Many.” Before, someone would walk out of one of my talks feeling like Superman. Now, you’ll walk out a more humble Superman. 

We’re all standing on someone’s shoulders. You have “the Power of One” to start a fire, but you need “the Power of Many” to keep the fire burning. I think this message resonates with the times. We have to work together. I’m glad to be here today to get this message out. 

Stephen Sroka, PhD, is a motivational speaker and adjunct assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine. He participated in a clinic trial, led by cardiologist Mazen Hanna, MD, of Cleveland Clinic, to treat ATTR amyloidosis (a disease in which protein deposits can lead to heart failure) with the drug tafamidis.