A man who was once a slave in South Sudan fled to the U.S. before competing in the Olympics on two separate occasions. In what was already an extraordinary life, the Olympian has now joined the US Air Force.

When Guor Maker was a child, he was forced to be a slave, twice, in his home country of South Sudan. “When I was captured, I was forced to be a slave laborer,” he said.

“I would wash dishes or do anything else needed to get by. I slept in a small cell and rarely got to eat…but not always.” Eventually, Maker was able to escape his terrible conditions and seek refuge in the United States. “I was very excited to come to the U.S.,” he said.

“Looking back at everything my family and I endured, it is a miracle that we made it out of there.” Maker was determined to give his future family a better life than he started off with. He knew that he was only able to achieve that by getting an education and persevering through the toughest ordeals.

It was when Maker’s teacher introduced him to running that he truly came into his own. After training for a few years, Maker eventually reached a level where he was good enough to compete in not one, but two Olympic games.

His first Olympic outing was in the men’s marathon at the 2012 Olympics in London. That time, he was unaffiliated with any country. Then, once South Sudan had gained independence, he represented the country at the Olympics four years later in Rio.

“All of the things I’ve accomplished have derived from the opportunities the U.S. has [given] me,” he said. “When I first came to America, I didn’t have hardly anything, but with the support and opportunity this country has given me, I’ve been able to completely change my life.”

Maker’s next goal is to be in the US Air Force. From here, he aims to represent his country of refuge, the U.S. – which has given him so many new opportunities. “Joining the greatest Air Force in the world has been an absolute miracle,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for me.”

Many people will sometimes pay a lot of money to take their jewelry to professionals in order to have them polish their precious stones and metals to make sure they hold on to their incredibly alluring shine. But did you know that you can actually do it at home all on your own? That’s right, rather than spending hundreds of dollars to have someone else doing it, leaving them soaking in Coca-Cola will get the job done just fine.

There are so many ways to glaze a ham that it’s almost impossible for most people to decide which way is best. Would you rather have a honey glazed ham that shines as it comes out of the oven? What about just some simple syrup poured on top to give it that sweetness? Well, Lake Geneva Country Meats wouldn’t suggest using either one. Rather, for them, the best way to glaze a ham is with a can of Coca-Cola.

We have to warn you guys against doing this since it has been shown to be dangerous but we do want to include it since it is a unique thing that can be done with Coca-Cola. Apparently back in 2006, there was a trend of people using Coke as part of homemade tanning oil. While it does make you more sensitive to sunlight, it won’t offer you any protection meaning it’s not something that’s recommended to do.

You know that if there’s going to be Coca Cola cupcakes then there’s bound to be Coca-Cola cake too. Unlike the brownies though, this one isn’t made with the flavor enriched cherries, and rather just uses good old fashioned classic Coke. Unlike a lot of other Coke based recipes that we’re seeing on this list, this one comes directly from the Coca-Cola company itself. Although we have to warn you, there are quite a few ingredients on that cake list.

Tired of those oil stains sitting on the floor of the garage? Well, it turns out that the phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola is a great remedy to get those pesky stains off the floor and out of your life. That’s right, with just a little room temperature Coca-Cola left overnight on one of those stains your garage will look like it was built brand new. Just make sure you soak up the leftover Coke and oil you use.

We happen to be huge fans of sloppy joes. There’s something about biting into this messy burger that makes us feel like kids again as we struggle to keep the sauce from splashing all over our clothes (usually without much success). So when we found out that we could combine two of our favorite things, Coca-Cola and sloppy joes, we were super excited! All the credit goes to Mary from The Cake Chica for coming up with this recipe.

So before you start panicking that the beverage you’ve been drinking so long can actually run a battery, it’s not actually the case here. First off, it’s not the Coca-Cola itself that is running the battery, so you’re not ingesting some intense chemical. Rather, it’s the can itself that can help create the spark that you need. All you’ll need to make this happen is the can, some crocodile clips, wire wool, and some basic tools to make it.

Out of your usual drain cleaner and don’t have enough time to run to the store? Fear not because Coca-Cola is swooping in to save the day! Reportedly, if you’re in a tight spot and need to clean those drains as soon as possible then pouring some Coke down them will help. The acidity in the soft drink will help to clean the grime off the inside of your pipes leaving them flowing smoothly like they were supposed to.

This is such a great trick and one that we wished we had known about when we were kids and were getting gum stuck everywhere. At least the silver lining is that now as adults we can help children when they ran into the same problem we did. Next time a child gets some gum stuck in his or her hair you can save the peanut butter for the sandwiches. Just whip out some Coca-Cola and use that instead.

Mythbusters is known for taking common knowledge and putting it to the test to see if certain things that we hear about, or see in movies and on television, could actually work. In this particular instance, they decided to use Coca-Cola to see if they could actually clean the chrome on their cars. What did the verdict turn out to be? Well, when combining Coke with aluminum it actually did better than the leading chrome cleaner that’s in stores!

Ever left your kids alone for just a moment only to come back and see that the little ones have turned the living room wall into their next art masterpiece? If you have and felt like screaming and pulling your hair out we’re happy to tell you that you can actually relax about this. It turns out that Coca-Cola will actually remove marker and pen stains from walls. Even the permanent ink doesn’t stand a chance against this beverage.

Posted on the website Sweet 2 Eat Baking, home chef Lisa gives fudge fans something simple and delicious that they can make at home. Combining condensed milk, white chocolate and Coca-Cola, these brownies tend to have a caramel flavor that will, according to her, melt in your mouth and give you a whole new look at Coca-Cola. It is also described as being silky smooth and melts in your mouth… anybody else starting to feel a little hungry?

While we still don’t recommend using Coca-Cola as sunscreen, that doesn’t mean we’re saying to leave it off your skin entirely. It turns out that Coca-Cola can actually be great for your skin, and using just a single spoonful will give your outer layer that silky look. Looks like this means that the next time we accidentally spill a little Coke on us during a bumpy car ride we don’t need to get so worked up about it.

Turns out that Coca-Cola is useful for a lot more things in the kitchen than just making delicious baked goods. Meat lovers out there can also use the acidity in Coke to tenderize their meat so that it just falls off the bone by the time that it’s done cooking. Apparently there are a lot of recipes out there too that use Coca-Cola as a delicious marinade. Also, it is believed that the drink works wonders when braising some pork.

We’ve all seen that grout on the floor and we can all probably agree that it’s pretty gross to have to look at. There’s always the option of using bleach to clean it, but a lot of people don’t like breathing in those very overpowering fumes. So what’s another option that we can use? Well, why not one of our favorite beverages that seems to have some kind of cleaning power? Looks like, on tile grout, Coke can really help.

There’s something about Coca-Cola that just works well with barbecue. Maybe it’s the caramel flavors mixing with the smokey meats, or maybe it’s the sweetness that can balance out some of the earthy flavors. Whatever it is, we’ve learned over the years that Coca-Cola is good for more than just drinking when you’re at a barbecue. Apparently this drink can also be used as an ingredient for when you’re making that perfect barbecue sauce for friends and family.

If your doctor recommends that you do something about your upset stomach then we recommend that you follow their advice since there’s no actual scientific evidence that backs up the claim that Coca-Cola can cure an upset stomach. That being said, many people swear by its effectiveness and claim that a little Coke can always help them. There is some evidence that Coca-Cola can help with stomach blockage though, according to researchers from the University of Athens, Greece.

So here’s something that does have some scientific evidence that backs it up. That being said, we’d always recommend going to a doctor and listening to their advice before everything else. However, in 2010 there was a study that showed that, not Coca-Cola specifically, but that the chemical caffeine which is found in Coke can actually open airways and help to relieve asthma symptoms. The chemical is similar to theophylline, which is a drug actually used to treat asthma.

Tired of not seeing the grass on your lawn grow up to your shoulders? Well, we can’t promise that a few splashes of Coca-Cola will do anything to change that but apparently there is evidence to suggest that Coca-Cola, mixed with a few other household items, can actually help a lawn to maintain a healthy green look. Apparently Coke mixed with dishwashing soap, ammonia, and mouthwash will soak into the roots of the grass to help them grow.

Like many of the other items we’ve mentioned on this list, if they get dirty then Coca-Cola will clean them. That of course means that next time you find a lucky penny you can always make it look sparkling new by letting it soak in Coca-Cola for a few hours and up to overnight. We’re pretty sure that we tried this little trick when we were in kindergarten, and we’re just as amazed now that it actually works.

If you’re a fan of Cherry Coke then this one is for you. Rather than overdosing cupcakes with more than a cup of sugar, these ones give a more subtle yet delicious Cherry Coke flavor by using that in combination with buttermilk, eggs, and a little extra cherry flavoring to really make them pop. Not only do they use Cherry Coke in the batter, but these bad boys also have an equally delicious Cherry Coke frosting to top it off.

There was quite a bit of commotion when British supermodel Suki Waterhouse revealed to the press that she washes her hair with Coca-Cola. Yup, apparently this successful superstar says that spending a little time scrubbing your hair with Coca-Cola will actually give it a fuller look that leaves it looking tousled as well. For those of us with curly hair, hearing that our favorite supermarket beverage will take care of it is the best news all week!

Not just capable of removing rust from metal, or making sure that bugs aren’t eating all our crops, Coca-Cola can also work as a window cleaner. That’s quite a handy thing to have around since we’re somehow almost always out of window cleaner when we need it. The secret to Coke’s successful cleaning capabilities is due to the citrus fruits inside the soft drink which are able to do things like remove smudges and streaks from all our windows.

What do we mean by energizing that big pile of compost? Does this mean that compost reacts to the delicious taste of Coca-Cola just like a person does? Well sort of. Unlike a person who generally gets more energetic from the sugar and caffeine that’s in Coca-Cola, compost will become more active due to the citric acid that’s inside the drink. This will spur the organic material and attract microorganisms that will help get your compost moving again.

Ugh, nothing worse than waking up on a cold morning, getting dressed, realizing you’re already late for work, and then running outside to discover that your windows are already frosted over. What can you do at a time like that in order to get your day started already? Well, it’s simple really, just pour a little Coca-Cola on it. This apparently jump-starts the defrosting that occurs in ice and allows you to get back on the road again.

Ugh, it’s one of our least favorite chores to do around the house but it is a must if you plan on keeping your place germ free. Cleaning the toilet may not be fun, but it’s about to get a lot easier with our favorite bottle of soft drink. Using Coca-Cola in a toilet will help to get all those stains off the inside of the toilet bowl in addition to leaving your bathroom smelling like delicious Coca-Cola.

This is probably one of the most useful ones, especially for those of us who hate scrubbing dishes after dinner when all we want to do is relax. If you haven’t figured it out by now allow us to remind you: Coca-Cola can clean basically anything. That means it can clean all the rust and leftover grease that’s remaining after you’ve just had a delicious meal. This also means you can spend less time scrubbing and more time chilling.

Not only does Coca Cola help give curly hair that look and bounce that curly-haired folks just love, but it can actually help lighten hair in general. This could be useful during those summer months when everyone is heading to the water and wants a lighter, blonder look to match the summer sun. While we can’t promise any results, in this case, many people who have tried it have sworn that it actually lightens the color of their hair.

A lot of people when reading this article will get suspicious. They’ll likely be asking themselves something along the lines of, “well apparently Coca-Cola can clean a lot of things, but won’t the sugar in the Coke itself just go attracting ants and other bugs?” It’s a fair and reasonable question, and to that, we would point you to here. According to a 2004 BBC article, farmers in India began using cheap soft drinks instead of using expensive pesticides.

Remember when Lady Gaga put a can of Diet Coke in her hair for the “Telephone” music video? She may have been doing it as an ironic fashion statement but the fact remains that if you need your hair curled in a quick minute and you’re all out of curlers, a can of Coke could always serve as a quick solution. Another great suggestion would be to put it in there as a Halloween costume. It’s definitely worth a shot.

This one is still up for debate, but like many things on this list, there are tons of people who would gladly attest to its capability. That being said, in 1993 researchers in Australia decided to put Coca-Cola to the ultimate test by pouring it on people who had been stung by a jellyfish. While they decided that vinegar is still the best option, the facts remained that Coca-Cola reduced the pain anywhere between 25 to 75 percent.

There is a rumor that Coca-Cola can actually help to remove the odor from getting sprayed with a skunk. Now, we’re not sure exactly how much Coca-Cola was poured in order to make sure that the skunk didn’t smell, but yet again we’ve got people who are sure that it helps. Either way, it’s probably better than nothing. Likely the Coca-Cola is able to wash away, not the smell, but the oil that the skunk is squirting.

Rather than sit there and struggle to loosen up those rusty bolts, we’d recommend letting them soak in Coca-Cola first before going to town on them. Apparently just using a little bit of Coca-Cola can help remove a lot of that rust, and make taking the bolt off that much easier. The trick is yet again in the small amounts of phosphoric acid which again makes us wonder if we shouldn’t reconsider what we’re putting into our bodies.

Man, how annoying is it when you’re wearing sunglasses or even just normal reading glasses, and they won’t stop fogging up or getting all streaky? It seems that no matter how many times you wipe it off with a rag they’re just getting dirty all over again. Well, it turns out that Coca-Cola might be the solution to this problem, and just rubbing them over the lenses will help you to make sure that you never miss a moment.

Of all the many things that we could spill on ourselves, milk can often be the worst. It’s hard to get out of clothing and, worse than that, unlike many other beverages it will start to smell in no time if not properly taken care of in a timely manner. But with Coca-Cola, you don’t have to worry about it so much anymore. Allowing the milk stain to soak in Coke for just a few minutes will fix it.

It turns out that there’s a lot that we share with our little green friends (and big green friends for that matter). We both like sunlight, we both enjoy a delicious glass of water, and apparently we both like the taste of Coca-Cola as well! Well, we like the taste of Coca-Cola, the plants enjoy more of the light acidity that will help fertilize the soil. Still, it’s a great feeling to think that we share so much.

We often call them porcelain, but their real name is called vitreous china. These are things that you would typically find in the bathroom, appliances like the bathroom sink, the bathtub, or even just the toilet all fall into this group. Well, it seems like there’s something in Coca-Cola that’s just great for cleaning. Rather than throw out that big bottle of Coke that’s lost its fizz, use it instead to give yourself a squeaky clean and shiny bathroom.

Ask one hundred different people about how to cure hiccups and you’ll probably get one hundred different answers that everyone swears works like a miracle. Well here’s our cure, and it’s probably the tastiest one you’re going to find anywhere. Rather than suffer those hiccups which can mess up your conversation, gargling a little bit of Coca-Cola can actually make them go away in a flash. We don’t know why this works but as long as it actually works!

Apparently a little Coca Cola poured onto some photos gives them an incredible sepia finish. This means that your more modern photos are going to look like they were taken over one hundred years ago. How cool is that? Rather than having to pay someone to touch up these photos, or go out and buy an expensive camera that’s going to give you the look you want, just a bit of Coke from the can will do the trick instead.

There are rumors that Coca-Cola is so strong that not even glue can stand up against it. We say rumors because we’ve never tried it, but supposedly if you’ve accidentally spilled some glue on something, or your kids were playing around with it, pouring a little Coca-Cola on it is going to help loosen it up and get that glue away from where it’s not supposed to be. Doesn’t matter the glue either – super glue or floor glue.