"Lord, help me get one more."

A man walks into war without a weapon.

That’s not the start of a joke.

It’s the true story of Desmond Doss from Hacksaw Ridge.

When I first watched the movie, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days.

If you don't know the story, Desmond Doss was a US Army medic who refused to carry a gun because of his religious beliefs.

Yet he still went into battle.

Without a weapon.

Let that sink in.

While bullets flew and bombs exploded around him,

Doss dragged 75 men to safety—one by one—often under heavy enemy fire.

When exhaustion nearly broke him, he'd simply whisper,

"Lord, help me get one more."

Then he'd go back into the hellfire.

Again.

And again.

One more.

One more.

One more.

That line hit me like a gut-punch.

He didn’t try to save the world in one go.

He focused on one more.

One more human life.

One more act of courage.

One more moment of light in the darkest place on Earth.

During training, his fellow soldiers and commanders had mocked him relentlessly.

Called him weak.

A coward.

Useless.

But Doss never wavered.

He didn't stand on soapboxes shouting about his beliefs.

He just lived them—consistently, and boldly.

And on that ridge, when others broke down in tears or retreated in fear, it was the "coward" who showed true courage.

Doss became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.

The same men who had ridiculed him now stood in awe of his bravery.

This isn't just a war story.

It's about something much deeper.

How many of us water down our convictions because we're afraid of looking different?

How many times have you stayed silent when you should have spoken up?

I've been guilty of this more times than I care to admit.

But here's what I've learned:

The people who make the biggest impact aren't necessarily the loudest or most aggressive.

They're the ones who know exactly what they stand for and refuse to compromise.

Edmund Burke nailed it:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Let that hit you.

When we hide our light—our unique perspectives, our hard-earned wisdom, our truth—we're actually enabling the opposite to flourish.

But what if you took a stand like Doss?

What if you committed to your "one more"?

One more authentic conversation.

One more bold decision.

One more act of leadership when it would be easier to follow.

Marianne Williamson put it perfectly:

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

I've seen this firsthand in my coaching groups.

When one business owner finds the courage to pivot their entire strategy based on conviction rather than convention, it creates a ripple effect.

Suddenly others find the courage to make their own bold moves.

Your boldness unlocks boldness in others.

Your conviction inspires conviction in others.

Truth brings confidence.

And confidence is contagious.

This week, I challenge you (and myself) to be more like Desmond Doss:

Stand firmly in your truth—boldly and consistently.

Focus on helping "one more" person with genuine service.

Let your light shine so brightly that it gives others permission to do the same.

What's one bold stand you'll take this week to share your light more freely?

Reply and let me know.

Boldly forward,

-Zack