Jake Thibeault’s life instantly changed on Labor Day weekend of 2021. During a hockey game, a devastating hit sent the 18-year-old crashing into the boards, paralyzing him from the waist down and testing everything he had built—his strength, his speed, his relentless training—in ways he had never imagined.

But Jake refused to let that moment define him. His journey isn’t just about hockey or hard work; it’s about resilience, purpose, and the power of a strong foundation to redefine what’s possible.

This week, Jake visited Holderness to share his story in an inspiring Q&A with our students. His talk moved our community, offering a firsthand perspective on the power of a positive mindset to persevere through life’s toughest challenges. Students and teachers left with a renewed appreciation for resilience and the reminder that setbacks can become springboards for new opportunities. 

Hockey was everything to Jake. From a young age, he threw himself into the game, embracing the discipline, grit, and determination required to succeed on the ice. Growing up in Central Massachusetts, he spent countless hours honing his skills, always striving to improve. Alongside his love for hockey, Jake worked on a farm, balancing early morning skates with long days laboring in the fields. From age eleven until just a week before his injury, Jake spent his summers working five days a week on the farm, learning the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance—principles that became the backbone of his success both on the ice and in life.

He thrived in this grind, pushing himself further each day, building physical strength and mental toughness to help him face the challenges ahead. His parents instilled a powerful philosophy in him and his brother: if you want something, go after it—no one will stop you but yourself. This mindset became the bedrock of everything Jake achieved, a lesson he still carries with him.

Despite often being the smallest player on the ice, Jake embraced the underdog mentality. He used his size as fuel to train harder, push further, and prove his worth. His growth wasn’t just measured in physical strength; it was about evolving. By the time he reached Milton Academy, he had become one of the stronger athletes in the gym, a reflection of the foundation he had built through years of hard work and sacrifice—qualities that would serve him when life threw its hardest challenge at him.

The injury happened instantly, shattering his world and leaving him to question everything—his identity as an athlete, his future, and his purpose. But instead of surrendering to the weight of this setback, Jake saw it as another test of his resilience. His mindset didn’t waver—he continued setting goals, pushing forward, determined to dictate his path rather than let circumstances define him. He refused to let the injury limit his potential. Instead, he chose to use it to inspire others, proving that even the most difficult of challenges could be overcome with the right mindset.

When a student asked Jake how he developed the mental strength to cope with such a drastic change in his life, Jake responded, “It’s not something that happens overnight. Mental toughness builds upon every challenge you face, whether on the ice, in the gym, or in life. I learned to embrace discomfort and use hard times as opportunities to grow. Surrounding myself with a supportive team, keeping my goals in sight, and focusing on the things I could control helped me build that mental resilience.”

Jake’s story resonates deeply within any high-achieving community like Holderness. It’s easy to overlook the years of effort, the small victories, and the sacrifices that lead to success. But Jake reminds us that laying a strong foundation over time is essential. “It wasn’t just about hockey or my physical strength—it was about my mental toughness, resilience, and the mindset my parents instilled in me: if you want something, you have to fight for it. This wasn’t just a fight for my body; it was a fight for my purpose, my identity, and my future. I refused to let adversity strip away my ability to grow and inspire.”

Jake’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience is forged not during moments of ease but through overcoming adversity. This philosophy is echoed in the mantra guiding our third-year students on their Out Back adventure in the snowy White Mountains: "Endure when you must, enjoy when you can." As our students prepare for their upcoming 11-day journey, they, too, will face the challenge of enduring hardships and savoring the moments of joy along the way.

Resilience emerges through hard work, determination, and the ability to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth. Jake’s story is one of profound transformation, proving that when we confront life’s toughest challenges, we have the power to turn them into powerful gifts.

About Jake Thibeault

Motto: No Quit!

A high school hockey player from Central Massachusetts, Jake had joined Milton Academy to continue his passion for hockey and was in his senior year. In an instant, his hockey career came to an end when he was checked into the boards, becoming a paraplegic. Jake is currently at Babson College and is an integral member of the men’s ice hockey team. 

His life experiences, especially living a full life with a spinal cord injury, allow him to look at the world a bit differently. “The lessons I've learned can hopefully help others overcome their own adversities, something that is defined by us.  I know the importance of support, of help from others, and to have the opportunity to do the same for someone else is something I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to do.”

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