« If I had to summarize this book in one word, I would say it is primarily about otherness. » For Mathilde Boulay, the diversity of backgrounds and experiences is a wealth for society. This message is shaped by her own journey and the encounters she has made within L'Ascenseur, where she supports associations working with young people from modest backgrounds.
She wants to first instill in them a conviction: « It's worth not resigning. » Anger in the face of injustice can become a strength, she believes, as long as one can transform it into energy and put it « to the service of something, and if possible, do it collectively ».
For Mathilde Boulay, individual merit alone cannot explain success. « I am convinced that we never succeed alone. » Behind every journey, there is a family, an association, a meeting, a person who believed at the right moment. « There has always been an invisible ecosystem behind us », she reminds us.
This reflection leads her to question traditional norms of success. « For me, it's also about ensuring that everyone in society can achieve a form of dignity and personal fulfillment. That's what success is. » A definition that, according to her, could allow for a different perspective on journeys and restore a place for everyone in the collective.
