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.
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Life to the Max Podcast
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 the traumatic experience. Yet what strikes you most isn't the tragedy itself, but Edwin's remarkable response to it.
With unwavering faith and family support, Edwin rebuilt his life while discovering new purpose. A lifelong singer who performed since his school days, he delivers a soul-stirring rendition of "My Life is in Your Hands" that reveals how deeply faith anchors his resilience. Though trained in computer science, Edwin now works in financial services with a mission to democratize financial knowledge typically reserved for the wealthy. He's also become a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, exemplifying his belief that "the best dreams are ones vast enough to include more than just you."
Edwin's philosophy—"neither God nor nature requires perfection, but they both do require growth"—offers profound wisdom for anyone facing challenges. His story reminds us that our value isn't diminished by physical limitations but enhanced by how we respond to life's unexpected turns. Join us for this chance encounter that feels divinely orchestrated, and hear Edwin's powerful message about finding purpose beyond yourself.
Like, comment, subscribe, and as always, take a breath with me as we continue exploring what it means to live life to the max.
inspirational stories 2025, overcoming adversity, Edwin's story, disability advocacy, faith and resilience, amputee motivation, life after trauma, Christian inspiration stories, survivor stories real life, finding purpose after loss, financial literacy for all, democratizing finance
#InspiringStories #EdwinsJourney #OvercomingAdversity #FaithAndResilience #DisabilityAdvocate #AmputeeStrong #PurposeDrivenLife #MyLifeIsInYourHands #FinancialLiteracyForAll #ResilienceMatters #ChristianMotivation #LiveLifeToTheMax #RealLifeTestimony #TraumaSurvivor #DisabledAndProud #EmpowerThroughFaith #Motivation2025 #DisabilityInspiration #LifeAfterAmputation #GrowthNotPerfection
What's up, guys? As you can see, we're not in the studio at home. We're actually at the Abilities Expo in Chicago, and this podcast is going to be a little different. It's going to be like a speedcast. The sound is not going to be as great because of how wide open this space is, but I hope you guys enjoy it. Please enjoy this. Life to the Max speedcast. What is up, everybody? It is Life to the Max podcast. We are live at the Invalidus Expo in Chicago, illinois. It is June 22nd 2025. And today I am here with what's your name, boss?
Speaker 2:Edwin Hill.
Speaker 1:Edwin Hill. Today I'll be with Edwin Hill, so I want to say hi to the people.
Speaker 2:Hey how y'all doing people Nice to well meet you, even if I can't see you.
Speaker 1:Well, you'll see yourself in like three weeks. So you were just explaining about how you lost both your limbs.
Speaker 2:Well, I lost my right leg. It's an above-knee amputation. I was actually on my way to my night course to earn my degree in computer science. I was at a bus stop and there was black ice on the road that no one saw or had any indication of knowing, and a car jumped the curb and hit me and the damage necessitated a transfemoral amputation. The bus, hit you. It was a car.
Speaker 1:It was a car, yeah, wow. How was a car? Yeah, wow. How long ago was this?
Speaker 2:This was in 2008. This was literally a few weeks after Obama was elected. Wow.
Speaker 1:I'm so sorry to hear that again. That's sad. What was it like waking up in the hospital without getting hurt.
Speaker 2:I wouldn't say I woke up in the hospital. I was pretty much there for all of the pain. I was able to look down and see the damage. Unfortunately, I was vigilant enough to of course give them my info so that, luckily, my family did make it in time.
Speaker 1:You know I'm a little lost for words right now. That's really upsetting. Like it's not going to happen. It's always so good to people, man. That's what I hate about it.
Speaker 2:When I look at your story and I see it happen. Yes, sometimes the most terrible things can happen to us good people, but at the same time, the Lord still has us both here for a reason. Oh, 100%.
Speaker 1:I wouldn't wish like not being alive every day. Like ever Like I love it and I love impacting people's lives. But let's like get off our grip, you know. Ever Like I love it, like, and I love impacting people's lives. But let's like get off of Grim, you know. Let's like talk about the progression of like, everything that like happened like, and how you're living today.
Speaker 2:Well, let's see, the Lord did bless me with a beautiful family, a little closer to the microphone.
Speaker 1:Sorry about that. Yeah, the Lord did bless me with a beautiful family. A little closer to the microphone, sorry about that.
Speaker 2:The Lord did bless me with a beautiful family that has been by my side since that happened. And what was life after that? Of course, mentally it took its toll, yeah, but I eventually made it to the point of having a prosthesis. At the time I even actually did a little traveling. I ended up going to Ireland to sing with my choir.
Speaker 1:What you sing.
Speaker 2:Yes, I do that's awesome, I sing too. It runs in the family. I'm somewhere between second tenor and baritone. I can do everything between pretty much.
Speaker 1:Dude, that's awesome. So like is that like one of your passions?
Speaker 2:Yes, it is. I tend to stay in a—I've been in a choir or some form of singing pretty much all throughout my life, because I went to a Catholic school back in the day. This was holy angels and every sort of year, yeah, grades kindergarten through eighth they would rent out the airy crown theater at McCormick place and, yes, each grade would actually go up on the stage and do a number, so to speak. Yeah, I remember we sang Michael Jackson Black and White when I was like in first or second grade. We sung Lean on Me back when we did a lot of stuff, but that sort of exposure definitely instilled the whole singing within me.
Speaker 1:What is your favorite song?
Speaker 2:My favorite song of all time. It's kind of hard for someone to narrow down a favorite song of all time.
Speaker 1:But let's see, let's say soul, what's soul?
Speaker 2:A song that definitely speaks to my heart is probably one that me and my brother had a favorite in common, and it was Denise Williams' Black Butterfly.
Speaker 1:Can you sing a little bit of that?
Speaker 2:Her voice is far too high. I was trying to find a song, but if you want me to sing something, I can just go to a. A go-to is Come on man.
Speaker 1:I love this. It's great.
Speaker 2:I think a go-to is definitely. My Life is in your Hands. Yeah, gospel.
Speaker 3:You don't have to worry and don't you be afraid. Joy comes in the morning. Troubles, they don't last always, for there's a friend in Jesus who will wipe your tears away. And if your heart is broken, just lift your hands and say oh, I know that I can stand, no matter what may come my way. My life is in your hands With Jesus. I can take it With him. I know I can stand, no matter what may come my way. My life is in your hands.
Speaker 1:That was beautiful man. That was beautiful. I didn't expect that man. That's beautiful. You sing way better than me.
Speaker 2:Thank you A hundred percent. And, quite frankly, I didn't expect to meet you coming into here.
Speaker 1:so what brought you out here?
Speaker 2:I see this as divine.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Divine intervention.
Speaker 1:Well, it's, it's. I think everything has been serendipity, but serendipity is like it's just thought Like it's. We were meant to be each other. You know what I mean? I've been meant to be a lot of people today. And the day before and the day before, I enjoyed talking to you, man. I just have one question how do you live your life to the max?
Speaker 2:Well, how I live my life to the max is each day you got to wake up with some form of affirmation, whether it's something spiritual, whether it's something personal, you find something. Find something that's bigger than just you. And find something that's bigger than just you, for example, what I do for a living. Even though my background was computer science, I'm currently in financial services and I use life insurance, debt solutions and retirement and industry knowledge to help those who, basically society, to help everyone, because society itself tends to look after the super wealthy and there's a set of knowledge that they have that that would would change the lives of normal people if they were actually exposed to it. I want to be a person who bridges that gap. So, with that sort of a thing and as I'm getting into being an advocate for my own disability and for others, I find something that is bigger than just me. And that's how you grow. Because, well, I'm a firm believer that neither God nor nature requires perfection. Yeah, but they both do require growth.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was beautifully said, man, and I can totally agree with you. We all need to come together and just figure it out and like not look at someone and say like. Say like, oh, like I feel bad for that person. Look at somebody, say like like how can I help that person? And it's like a vice for self with me. Like how can I help you? Like I love empowering people. That's my favorite thing in the world to do. That's why I started the podcast. I feel bad. That's why I started the podcast. I feel bad. That's why I said share your story. I don't care if it's been to anybody, you know.
Speaker 2:And now you have a lifelong friend and partner with me. I would love to come out to. What is this Hollow?
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would love to come out there, I would love to hear your full story, man, if that's, if you ever are in the neighborhood or if we make a schedule. Is there anything you would like to say to the people out there? Keep believing, keep on.
Speaker 2:Honestly, keep believing, never give up on the dreams, because life tends to throw stuff at us that, quite frankly, will make us forget our dreams. And part of believing in your dreams, part of pursuing it, is what's going to keep you going, because your dreams are bigger than just you At least they should be. The best dreams are ones that are vast enough to include more than just you.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for coming on, man, that's what I just you.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for coming on, man, that's what.
Speaker 1:I'll say Thank you so much for coming on.
Speaker 2:And thank you for having me, brother. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
Speaker 1:For everybody who enjoyed this podcast. Please like, comment and subscribe and, as always, take a breath for me. Thank you, everybody.
Speaker 2:Thank you, everybody.