A musician from Williamsburg is using his recent battle with Lyme disease to inspire others to break through adversity and follow their dreams.

Musician Jesse Ruben’s life changed drastically in a matter of weeks when the once marathoner became suddenly lethargic and sickly.

He quit playing music altogether, but finally after multiple appointments with different doctors, he says he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can attack the heart and nervous system if left untreated. 

“It’s devastating because you're just, you're not yourself, and I had to put my whole life on hold,” says Ruben.

Ruben turned his heartache into a hit single that, now has millions of streams online. 

Using his success, he helped start a program for students called The We Can Project.

He goes from school to school to share the message that no obstacle is too big to overcome. 

“If I write a song or I talk about my experience and that gets someone to the doctor, and they can have their life back that’s me paying it forward you know,” says Ruben.

Ruben says through the programs he’s gotten even more back in return, including several notes from students that say he has inspired them.

Ruben says the students have also inspired him to keep on making music.