Yesterday hit me hard—like a punch right to the gut. You ever have one of those days? I had a run-in with someone I honestly consider a friend, and it left me spinning. At first, I just sat there, wallowing in that hurt, trying to make sense of it.
But then first thing the next morning something funny happened: out of nowhere, my brain started replaying the old Johnnie Walker slogan, “Keep Walking.” Not exactly the ceremonial toast in a crystal glass (it was, after all, five in the morning), but I had to laugh and mutter it to myself.
That little phrase brought me all the way back to a meeting in São Paulo maybe a decade ago. We were talking with this group of marketing folks about the best ad slogans of all time—the kind that work everywhere, no matter what language you speak or country you call home. “Keep Walking” was the one everyone agreed on. And now, sitting there at dawn licking my wounds, it just felt right to chuckle and say “Keep Walking”
So, I started thinking: why does “Keep Walking” stick with us? Why does it feel so powerful when the chips are down? Turns out, this isn’t just a pep talk. There’s real science behind why getting up and moving forward—even after a disappointment—is such a big deal for our minds and bodies.
What Happens Inside When You Get Knocked Down
When something knocks us down (like my rough day yesterday), the body immediately jumps into action. Stress hormones like cortisol spike up, setting off that feeling of fight or flight, maybe even a touch of shame. It’s your internal alarm system: “Hey! Something’s not right. Take notice!”
Hello, Neuroplasticity and Dopamine!
But here’s the amazing part: our brains are wired not just to stress out, but to recover, to adapt, and to grow. Here is what I learned that made me want to get walking—-
Neuroplasticity kicks in—your brain literally starts rerouting itself, helping you learn from what happened and adapt for next time.
Dopamine—the go-get-’em neurotransmitter—shows up when you start thinking about how to get up again or what you’re going to do next. It rewards you for taking even tiny steps toward a better outcome.
Endorphins and other feel-good chemicals start flowing as soon as you take action—maybe talking to someone, tackling a mini task, or just getting outside for a walk. They soothe those “emotional burns,” making it possible to hope again.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—think of it as growth fertilizer for your mind—surges during times of challenge, making your neurons stronger and sparking long-term resilience.
And that’s just your brain. The rest of your body gets in on the act too. When you turn a setback into something constructive—reaching out, reframing the situation, just moving your body forward—your immune system actually perks up, dialing down inflammation and boosting health.
Why “Keep Walking” Matters
In the end, mottos like “Keep Walking” aren’t just empty words. Turns out, they’re pretty good blueprints for bouncing back after life punches you in the mouth. They resonate because we’re literally built to move, grow, and keep trying.
So, after getting clobbered yesterday, I took the slogan seriously. I put on my shoes and walked—a lot. Not because I was trying to set a record, but because something deep inside needed that motion. Step by step, 28,369 times, I worked through that disappointment and noticed just how real and true those two words are.
Next time life sweeps your legs out from under you, just remember: your biology is rooting for you to rise, dust yourself off, and keep moving. “Keep Walking” isn’t just advice. It’s how we heal, grow, and make it through, one step at a time.
Ohh and now its 6;43 pm pst maybe its time for that crystal glass of Johnny Walker and a “Cheers” to the Science of “Keep Walking” ——and as usual OnWard and UpWard AZ
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio:
