One of the feel-good stories of the USA's match against Zimbabwe last week was Mason Pedersen earning his first cap.
Pedersen was an All American at Arizona, a vice-captain of the USA Maccabi, and a leading professional nine to 10 years ago. He was on the track, but injuries, several quite serious, kept derailing him.
However, Pedersen kept on working. He became the starting tighthead at the Austin Gilgronis in MLR, and then shifted to the Seattle Seawolves where he had to fight for a starting spot once more.
He got there, too. But all of that glosses over the difficulties. He didn't play for about 21 months and underwent seven surgeries in the space of five years.
You don't get back from that unless you have a ton of desire.
And his improvement at Seattle, for which he credits his coaches, has vaulted him into the Eagles.
