A path of leadership, resilience and inspiration
A trail of leadership, resilience… and inspiration.
In 2010, Pierre Tarance became quadriplegic at the age of 27 after a ‘cathedral tackle’ during a Vannes Rugby Club match. At Kerpape Hospital, he met Marie, his physiotherapist… They fell in love, got married and had two children.
On 19 and 20 September, Pierre covered 165 km of the Grand Trail du Finistère in 28 hours, carried by a team of 100 runners coordinated by Marie. I had the honour of being one of them.
It all started when a group of enthusiasts (Olivier Savourel, Daroussin Pascale, Maximilien Daroussin) suggested to Pierre that he go for a ride in a joëlette. At the end of that day, Pierre told them: ‘Feeling the wind on my skin again at full speed… that’s priceless.’
Pierre is not a passenger. He is the leader. He knows high-level sport, the culture of effort and team spirit.
In the centre of the joëlette, tablet in hand, he trains, guides and motivates: ‘Come on, guys, goal: aperitif or dinner?’ The result: everyone surpasses themselves; no one wants to slow down the group.
He is also a rugby coach in Auray. This weekend, his team won without him. As if by fate. 100 runners. 48 hours together. Couples, strangers… united by a common purpose.
Leadership is also about this: creating a world that others want to belong to.
The Pierre qui Roule association orchestrated impeccable logistics thanks to dozens of volunteers. This raises a question: what projects can we propose that will inspire others to get involved, contribute and feel excited?
A joëlette is piloted by 3, 7 or 9 people, with defined roles: pony, horns, leader… Everyone finds their place naturally. Distributed leadership, coordination, trust, collective power.
And then… arriving at the beach, singing, at dusk and under the smoke of the flares… Magical.
This weekend, I remembered my American friend and speaker W Mitchell (quadriplegic and 80% burned) and his two iconic phrases:
- “What happens to you doesn’t matter; what matters is what you do with it!”
- “Before, I could do 10,000 things. Today, 9,000!”
If I had to motivate a team again or rebuild a bond, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second: 48 hours with Pierre in the joëlette. Or invite him to your next convention.
Bravo, Pierre. Bravo, Marie.
A couple of entrepreneurs with a purpose.
You embody powerful, inspiring… and deeply human leadership.
