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From Wondery, I'm Virginia Matson, and this is Who's Amazing Life.

You've heard of people who changed the course of history.

But before they made their mark on the world,

they were people like you and me, still figuring out what they wanted to do with their lives.

On this episode, you will be that person everyone knows. You might be a musician,

or an athlete, a scientist, or a painter. You may know what the person accomplished later in

life, but now you can experience everything they faced along the way. From challenges and heartbreak,

to triumphs and excitement, all the moments that built this person into someone who would change

the world. There will be clues to who you are, so pay attention, but only at the end

where you find out who you are. So sit back and imagine your amazing life as the thrill-seeker.

Imagine that you're seven years old. It's a warm summer day in Kansas City,

and you're on the roof of the woodshed behind your house. Other kids your age might be spending

the afternoon climbing trees or playing baseball, but you've dreamed up something different.

Today, you've built a roller coaster, and now you're going to ride it.

Your stomach is pressed flat on a rickety cart, teetering on the edge of the woodshed's roof.

Beneath the wheels of your cart are two wooden planks that slope very steeply to the ground below.

You feel your little sister Muriel's fingers digging into your pant legs,

as she struggles to hold on to you. She's waiting for your signal to let go and send you zooming down.

Are you sure you want to do this? That drop looks pretty scary.

She's right, of course. You know your roller coaster looks like a disaster waiting to happen,

...