He's the boy who chased a dream that grew up to be a man that lived one.
Set to become just the 14th man to captain Queensland in State of Origin, Billy Slater has reflected on how his career story has become a valuable parable for all Queenslanders.
Famously as a teenager who was unsigned by an NRL team, he drove almost 20 hours in a beaten up Mitsubishi Magna to trial with the Norths Devils in Brisbane, literally going the extra miles.
Now he is set for a "goosebump moment" when he leads the Maroons out on to Suncorp Stadium for his final Origin appearance.
"If you want something you need to work hard for it," Slater told QRL Media.
Game 3: Billy Slater Interview
For the full interview click on the embedded video.
"You need to believe you can go and get it.
"I've always been confident in my own ability, even with setbacks.
"You need to not take (setbacks) too hard. You need to get better from them.
"I suppose my story is one of inspiration for people.
"Hopefully it's inspired people not just to fulfil their rugby league dream, but dreams in life in general.
"Hopefully people can go out and be successful in all different areas."
In a candid interview, Slater discussed how skippering the Maroons would be reflected on in his older age, and how the team owed it to the people of Queensland to play every game as if their life depended on it.
