This week’s guest is such an inspiration. Maxwell Ivey teaches us all about the power in doing hard things, even while you’re scared. The key, Max says, is staying flexible and adaptable!
Losing Vision
At the young age of 12, Maxwell Ivey began to go blind. However, as the son of carnival owners, he wasn't about to let the loss of sight stop him from continuing to live a full life. While his vision loss slowly progressed over the next ten years of his life, Maxwell continued to focus his energy on whatever lied ahead.
Staying Flexible
While learning to function without relying on his vision, Max learned the power found remaining flexible. Essentially, he was forced to adapt. However, instead of fighting it, he discovered this skill to be life-changing on many fronts.
This focus on flexibility permeated every aspect of Max’s life. Not only did he physically adapt to new ways of moving through his day, but he also learned to stay flexible in his work. After exiting the carnival business, Max created a website to sell surplus amusement equipment. Working in the online space is difficult for most, but it’s a gigantic feat for someone who is blind!
This work eventually led him to where he is today as a blogger, author, and podcaster.
Lessons Learned
Max’s story teaches us invaluable lessons about excuses, inspiration, and adaptability. There are so many people in this world who have no excuse and simply don’t show up. We’ve all had times in our lives where we let the excuses, the what-ifs, and the fear get in our way. Max, however, has quite a legitimate excuse but chooses not to use it. He serves as an inspiration to all of us that we truly can do hard things. We can make anything happen if we simply learn to stay flexible and do the work.
More About Maxwell:
About Maxwell's Books:
His first book, Leading You Out Of The Darkness Into The Light: A Blind Man's Inspirational Guide To Success, focuses on his journey from failed carnival owner to broker. It contains 11 exercises to encourage personal reflection, goal-setting, and staying flexible with everything that life throws at you.
Max’s second book, It's Not The Cookie, It's The Bag: An Easy-To-Follow Guide To Weight Loss Success, explains his preparation and process for gastric surgery. The books focuses on the changes that he made and some of the lessons that Max hopes will help other people who are trying to get healthy and stay that way.
His third book, The Blind Blogger’s NYC Adventures (+ How You Can Make Your Dreams Come True), tells Max’s story of heading off on a solo trip to New York City. He shares the lessons he learned and the keys to success used throughout his journey.
Connect with Max
We encourage you to learn more about Max through his website and blog. You should also check out his podcast, The What’s Your Excuse? Show.
