"It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career"
About this Quote
The subtext is catcher-specific. Catchers don’t just play a position; they absorb it. The job is bruises, squats, foul tips, collision-era wear, and the daily negotiation with pain. Fisk’s own mythology includes longevity and toughness, a body kept functional through seasons that would shorten most careers. So “overcome” isn’t an abstract motivational poster. It’s a claim to a particular kind of authority: the veteran who’s earned the right to redefine success because he’s paid for it physically.
There’s also a democratic sting here. Plenty of players achieve; fewer are allowed a second act after injury, slumps, bad luck, or being written off by management and media. By making overcoming the defining feature, Fisk invites fans to read careers like novels instead of spreadsheets: the plot twists matter. It’s a way to turn struggle into legacy, and to insist that perseverance isn’t consolation-prize greatness; it’s the core of it.
Quote Details
| Topic | Overcoming Obstacles |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Fisk, Carlton. (2026, January 14). It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-what-you-achieve-its-what-you-overcome-42315/
Chicago Style
Fisk, Carlton. "It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." FixQuotes. January 14, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-what-you-achieve-its-what-you-overcome-42315/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." FixQuotes, 14 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-what-you-achieve-its-what-you-overcome-42315/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.






