Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph, born the 20th of 22 children, faced an uphill battle from the start. Stricken with polio and scarlet fever as a child, she was told she'd never walk again, an unfortunate prediction that, much like a bad stock tip, proved spectacularly wrong.

After years of wearing a leg brace and undergoing intensive physical therapy, Rudolph not only walked but ran. And then she ran fast. So fast, in fact, that she became known as "the fastest woman in the world" after her stunning performance at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where she snagged three gold medals in track and field.

Her achievements extended beyond the stopwatch. Rudolph broke barriers of race and gender, becoming an icon for aspiring athletes everywhere. While her faith was firmly rooted in Christianity, her incredible journey from illness to athletic superstardom certainly gives everyone something to kvell about.