Feature image credit: Jules Antonio (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr

We all look for inspiration in our lives and it really can come from anywhere. For many of us, that comes close to home with parents and grandparents shaping our lives more than anyone else.

They’re often our heroes and the people we look up to, taking many of their parenting skills into our own lives, as well as aspects of their behaviour such as empathy, patience and love.

However, there’s plenty more inspiration out there too that can help make you the best version of yourself.

Alongside those close to us, public figures have long inspired us, from Hollywood movie stars to politicians, athletes and more. 

So, as we head into a new year, and you likely look for a “new me”, we’ve identified three icons that you can certainly find some inspiration from.

Apply these life lessons to your approach to travel; from never giving up when the chips are down, to helping others, and pushing through setbacks to achieve your goals.

Three Icons You Can Take Inspiration From in Life & Travel

Robert Downey Jr

Robert Downey Jr is returning to our screens in a huge Christopher Nolan blockbuster next year, and he’s been at the top of his game for a number of years now after miraculously turning his life around.

Once one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, it all came tumbling down as he battled issues with both drugs and alcohol.

It got to the point where he was getting in trouble with the law and the industry had washed their hands of him, movies unwilling to pay the insurance on him, such was the risk.

However, he got his head straight, sought out addiction counselling and returned to become Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes and a number of other huge roles that made him a box office smash and one of the most in demand actors on the planet.

The lesson to learn – even when the chips are down, you should never give up. There is always an opportunity to get your life back on track.

Image credit: nagi usano (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali will always be one of the great inspirations to people and if you’re ever looking for inspiration and a way to feel self confident, then looking to a man who described himself as “The Greatest” is certainly the place to look.

Not only was Ali “The Greatest” in the boxing ring, he also dedicated his life to helping others too, and was not only a huge player in fighting for equality, but has also been recognised for his humanitarian efforts.

A person whose influence on the world will forever be recognised, and if we even do a single iota of what he achieved, then we can consider our own lives a success.

Image credit: Jules Antonio (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr

Stephen Hawking

If you’ve seen The Theory of Everything, then you’ll certainly already look up to Stephen Hawking.

The famous physician is another example of pushing through setbacks to achieve your goals, with the Britan refusing to let his disability hold him back.

He has made some huge breakthroughs in science and has written a number of bestselling books. The greatest scientist of his generation, despite being diagnosed at aged 21 a slow-progressing form of motor neuron disease. 

Image by Terry Kearney (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr