Today's show is another in a series of bonus episodes each featuring one of the fantastic talks given by my participants in The Big Talk Academy as a part of our Virtual Showcase. This showcase is the culmination of their hard work as they cross the finish line to becoming certified speakers.

These episodes give you a peek behind the curtain to witness the amazing Big Talks presented, and also give you exclusive access to my live feedback and direction I give to each speaker immediately following their performances.

This week's episode features Maria Johnson and her talk, Choosing Possibility Over Disability.

In 2013, Maria experienced severe vision loss in both eyes and was diagnosed with a rare condition called Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy - LHON. This diagnosis caused her to become legally blind in a matter of months. It also led her to create and launch her website and blog "Girl Gone Blind" in early 2014. She is a mom of two kids, group fitness instructor, blogger, podcaster, and speaker living in San Diego, CA.

In her touching and powerful Big Talk, Maria shares her own journey of choosing possibility over disability when she lost her sight. She walks us through how she went from the consuming devastation of her sudden disability to the sparks of strength and determination she found to make it through.

Life will blindside us all at some point. However, you always have a choice. You can let the situation crush you or you can get up and crush it.