In this powerful episode of Stephen Hawking, Dr Sarah Quinn explores the life-changing moment when a 21-year-old Stephen Hawking received his devastating ALS diagnosis in 1963. Initially given just two years to live, this pivotal moment transformed Hawking from an unfocused Cambridge graduate student into one of history's most determined scientists. We examine how the diagnosis affected his early relationship with Jane Wilde, his initial descent into depression, and the remarkable way he channelled his awareness of mortality into groundbreaking research. The episode reveals how Hawking's physical limitations paradoxically enhanced his scientific thinking, forcing him to develop innovative mental approaches to complex cosmological problems. Rather than surrendering to despair, Hawking found renewed purpose in exploring the universe's biggest questions, from black holes to the nature of time itself. This transformation from a promising but lazy student to a world-renowned physicist demonstrates the extraordinary power of human resilience and intellectual curiosity. Join us as we uncover how a devastating medical diagnosis became the catalyst for some of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century, inspiring millions and changing our understanding of both the cosmos and human potential in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.