Blog: Kyle Maynard: Doing the Impossible Kyle Maynard routinely does the impossible. He was born March 24, 1986 with a condition known as congenital amputation. This means that his arms end at the elbows and his legs near the knees. His parents, Scott and Anita, made an important decision early on to encourage their disabled son to be as independent as possible. Kyle refers to this as his pursuit of normalcy. As a result of his drive, he can type up to 50 words a minute with two elbows, eat and write without adaptations, drive a car with little modification and live in his three level townhouse in Atlanta, Georgia. This is his story. As an eleven year old, Maynard was determined to wrestle and he found a coach that gave him a chance to try. In the beginning he lost every match. But that was only the beginning because Maynard, with his iron determination and supportive parents, started winning, and in his senior year, he won 36 varsity matches. In his quest, he defeated several state place finishers and state champions. At the same age, Kyle began weight training and eventually attained the title GNC’s World’s Strongest Teen. He did this by bench-pressing 23 repetitions of 240 pounds. Then in February 2009, with the assistance of leather straps and chains attached to his arms, he successfully lifted 420 pounds. Maynard’s triumphs extend far beyond wrestling and weight lifting. He was proclaimed the 2004 ESPY Award winner – Best Athlete with a Disability – and a year later was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was selected by the U S Jaycees as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Americans. In 2008, Maynard received the Highest Recognition Award of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for his efforts as a life role model, motivational speaker and humanitarian. Then in April 2009, Kyle became the first quadruple amputee to compete as an amateur mixed martial arts fighter. His focus was on grappling and ground fighting. Yet another astounding achievement is that Kyle he is the first man ever to climb on all fours to the 19340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. His companions on this climb were two Marine veterans who struggled through their own incredible adversities to reach the peak. They have a powerful message to the veterans and all kids with disabilities, and that is that no disability is too great to be overcome. He works with wounded soldiers on adapting their fitness regimens to meet their needs with a more functional methodology. In 2008 Kyle brought life to one of his most fervent dreams. He built and opened his first fitness center, No Excuses CrossFit. His inspiring book, No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life is a New York Times bestseller. Kyle Maynard is a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur and athlete. His story puts much into perspective. When we find ourselves too tired, too unmotivated, too anything that keeps us from moving forward, just remember Kyle Maynard and make no excuses. Here is what he has to say about achieving dreams: I’ve always believed that anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless. I’ve always had this attitude about no excuses. A belief that I can go on and do what I need to do. To go on, to succeed, regardless. Have you made excuses and kept yourself from growing? If so, how? What would you like to do about it? j To contact Jean Walters, call 314 991 8439 or jean@spiritualtransformation.com She is a coach and Akashic (psychic) reader for over 30 years.