There are few men with a heart as big as Texas, Chris Lewis is one of those few. In a world of social media activism and keyboard warriors, Chris is a man of action, that action isn't furiously typing away at his keyboard in frenzied arguments with people he'll never meet. Rather Chris' hands were busy serving in the Navy, setting up a business and no shit fighting pirates on the high seas. Those experiences prepared him for the biggest fight of his life. Cancer.When Chris was diagnosed with lung cancer, they gave him 6 months to live, even as the cancer spread throughout his body, Chris has been fighting it, non-stop for three years. While doing this, he has continued to build his business and maintain his relationships.That may sound trivial on the surface, but realize that when your entire body is attacking itself the way cancer does while enduring the extremely painful process of chemotherapy, sometimes it takes the all of your strength to just get out of bed. However, that Texas-sized heart of a warrior won't quit. Of all the many talents and skills Chris Lewis has, quitting and giving in, are not among them.

This world is not perfect. As you've read from our hearts time and time again, great men and women who deserve more than anything else to live through their contributions, selflessness, and love for humanity are afflicted in unimaginable ways.

As the cancer continues to wreak havoc on his body, Chris still puts up a fight. The outcome of this fight is known, just like it is for everyone born. The only thing we are in control of is how we behave, those two dates on all of our headstones are meaningless, but that dash in the middle...it has all the significance in the world. Live like Chris Lewis. Fight like hell even in the midst of overwhelming odds, never lose faith, never give up the ship.Read more stories of American Grit here:

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RYAN JENSEN: LETTING GO TO GRASP FIRM