Life to the Max Podcast
Welcome to 'Life to the Max Podcast,' where resilience meets inspiration!
Join us on a transformative journey through the life stories of remarkable individuals, including Quadriplegic Army Veteran Maximilian Gross. In this empowering podcast, we dive into tales of triumph, courage, and the human spirit's unwavering ability to overcome obstacles.
Our show is a celebration of diverse narratives, from awe-inspiring achievements to the darkest of traumas. 'Life to the Max' is a testament to the power of living authentically, no matter the circumstances. We believe that everyone has a unique story worth sharing, and we invite individuals from all walks of life to join us.
Discover the profound meaning of living 'Life to the Max'—a concept that resonates differently with each storyteller. It's a journey of perspective, resilience, and finding joy amidst life's challenges. Tune in to be inspired, motivated, and reminded that there's strength in every story.
Ready to redefine what it means to live life to the fullest? Share your story with us and become a part of this uplifting community. Because, at 'Life to the Max,' every story matters.
SHARE YOUR STORY!
Episodes
107 episodes
Hilary Pham's "Equibility": Adaptive Style, Real Independence
We sit down with Hilary, founder of Equability, to explore how adaptive alterations turn the clothes you already love into accessible wear that restores independence without sacrificing style. Think magnets hidden behind button plackets, Velcro...
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5:39
Injury To Impact: Brandon Fleischer On Resilience And Community
We set up at the Abilities Expo in Schaumburg for a fast, unpolished conversation with Brandon—part survivor, part builder—about what it takes to turn a life-altering crash into a life with direction. No studio polish, just honest talk about sp...
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6:11
From Diagnosis To Design: A Maker’s Journey With MS
@3dlabsjRKathleen Thomas brings a story that’s equal parts grit and ingenuity. From growing up in Indianapolis to navigating life with MS, Kathleen chan...
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5:18
"God Restored my Sanity": Flor's Faith-Filled Story
From the Abilities Expo Chicago, we sit down for a fast, unfiltered talk with Flor, a 25-year-old grocery clerk living with schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features and PTSD. She brings a clear-eyed account of losing her sense of self las...
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4:47
Rolling into Adulthood: Samantha's Collegiate Fresh Start and Fierce Independence
We’re on-site at the Abilities Expo in Schaumburg meeting Samantha, a freshly graduated 18-year-old heading to UIC who speaks with clarity about independence, dignity, and the everyday design of an accessible life. This isn’t inspiration theate...
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9:00
Living With Dwarfism, And Defining Purpose, Dream In Sports Management
Grabbed a quick seat at the Abilities Expo in Chicago to talk with Maleena, a high schooler who lives with dwarfism and aims to break into sports management. What follows is a brisk, open conversation about scouting, communication, and the smal...
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4:57
"Everyone is a Dancer" says Miss Wheelchair Ohio
The floor hums, the crowd buzzes, and we’re right in the middle of it—broadcasting from the Abilities Expo with Miss Wheelchair Ohio 2025, Alex Martinez. From the moment Alex describes thinking her win was a prank, you feel the shift from title...
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8:47
Acceptance without Surrender: Taking Life's Trials as They Come
Instagram @quadlifewithryan We sat down with Ryan Herrick from Fort Wayne and unpacked what it means to live ind...
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8:01
From Nurse to Manager: Gabby's Journey and Funny Patient Stories
This special "speedcast" episode captures a slice of life on the road as we step away from our usual format for something more spontaneous and raw.My conversation with Gabby Savino, a nursing manager at Elite (the agency that provides m...
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8:05
Therapy Beyond Limits: Inside Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies
Meet Lauren and Alex from Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies, two passionate professionals revolutionizing care for young people with disabilities. Their multidisciplinary approach spans three Illinois locations, offering everything from occupatio...
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13:28
"My Daughter Spends More Time in Hospitals Than Home" | A Mothers Resilience
This brief but impactful conversation introduces us to Tommi Sellers. Her daughter, Amanda is an artist who creates under the name "@chronically._.creative".Amanda's story is extraordinary—having spent more time in hospitals than in her...
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4:38
Life Beyond the LTV: Two Ventilator Users Share Their Journey
Chance encounters can create the most powerful connections. When the Quadfather met Sabeeh at the Abilities Expo in Schaumburg, their shared experience as ventilator users instantly created a bond that transcends the typical podcast conversatio...
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7:19
Walkers vs Wheelies: George Alfaro's 45 Years in a Wheelchair
I sat down with Jorgé Alfaro – celebrating his 56th birthday and marking 45 years since a childhood shooting left him with a T7 spinal cord injury – for a conversation that crackles with authenticity, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.The e...
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11:57
College, Creativity, and Cerebral Palsy: Mikaylah's Journey
Stepping away from our studio setting, we're bringing you a special "speedcast" from the bustling Abilities Expo in Chicago where we met Mikaylah, a remarkable young woman navigating life with dystonic cerebral palsy while pursuing her dreams.<...
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8:49
A Crash, A Quest, and Waves of Hope: Mental Health After Tragedy
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Keep-Swimming-crash-quest/dp/1956450548This raw, intimate conversation from the Abilities Expo in Chicago captures a powerful moment between two strangers who discover their parallel journeys through life-alte...
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9:55
Elijah's Baby Bucket List: Finding Joy Through Accessible Travel
Amy Tarpein's world changed forever when doctors told her that her eight-month-old son Elijah, diagnosed with an extremely rare brain malformation called Lissencephaly, wouldn't live to see his second birthday. Instead of shrinking from this de...
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11:44
Drums, Disabilities, and Divine Purpose: Victoria Djembe
Sometimes the most powerful conversations happen outside the studio. Recorded live at the Abilities Expo in Chicago, this episode introduces you to Victoria Jembe, a remarkable self-autism advocate revolutionizing opportunities for people with ...
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6:02
Combating Isolation in the Milwaukee Disabled Community
We're joined by two passionate disability inclusion coordinators from Milwaukee's Jewish Community Center who share their mission of creating meaningful opportunities for adults with disabilities. With over 150 programs annually, they're focuse...
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6:56
My Life is in God's Hands: Amputee Edwin Hill Radiates Hope
Edwin's story grabs you from the first moment—in 2008, while heading to his computer science night course, a car hit him at a bus stop, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. Unlike many similar stories, Edwin was conscious throughout th...
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11:32
Without Legs, Without Limitation: A Speedcast with Dave Stevens
Dave Stevens has defied expectations at every turn. Born without legs and immediately put up for adoption, the odds were stacked against him from day one. Yet during our chance meeting at the Chicago Abilities Expo, Dave shared how his adoptive...
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15:06
Thomas "Never Quitter": Reclaiming Freedom Through Open-Source Mobility
Thomas Daniel Queter's powerful statement sets the tone for this eye-opening conversation: "When your wheelchair breaks down, you become unseen and unheard." Recording from the Abilities Expo in Chicago, this speedcast features the founder of t...
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15:38
Military Service to Public Service: Dan McConchie, Illinois' First Paraplegic Legislator
Dan McConchie shattered expectations when he became the first paraplegic elected to the Illinois state legislature. His remarkable journey from military service to groundbreaking political advocacy unfolds in this raw, candid conversation recor...
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16:21
Kayla Godwin: The Revitalized Life of Corey Lee's Personal Assistant
From the moment of catastrophe to a life of global adventure, Kayla Godwin story captivates with raw honesty and unexpected turns. After a devastating car accident left her in a month-long coma and permanently changed her physical abilities, Ka...
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12:19
