With Gratitude, Matt

Blake Haxton is a world-class athlete and winner of the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games in the sprint canoe. He graduated from Ohio State University with a finance degree in 2013 and a law degree in 2016 and now works for Diamond Hill Capital Management as a Research Analyst. Impressive achievements but even more impressive that this all occurred after contracting necrotizing fasciitis (more commonly known as the flesh-eating disease) and losing both of his legs during his senior year of high school. Blake is an inspiration to many. His personality, attitude, perseverance and kind nature draws people to him, many of which help support his long list of goals. This story is one that will give anyone perspective of what really matters in life and how to be grateful for something as simple as the presence of a friend or a family member in the room or by your side. For more about Blake including links to videos and articles detailing his journey, go to his web site, blakehaxton.com. 

Dr. Joseph Maroon’s is a world-renowned neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His biography and lists of achievement are truly remarkable as a neurosurgeon, scientist, Ironman athlete, consultant, author, and advocate on healthy living and nutrition. Yet despite all this amazing accomplishments, Dr. Maroon has often felt he was an underdog battling his smaller height and weight, coming from a small town, and losing his father at an early age. At age 41, he battled depression as his found himself too focused on his career. After reading, I Dare You by William H. Danforth, Dr. Maroon began to better balance good health, his sense of spirituality, his work and his relationships. This insightful interview details his amazing journey after age 40 and how so many have benefited from his lessons and his work. For more on Dr. Maroon, you can check out his website josephmaroon.com or one of his 5 books, his most recent being Square One: A Simple Guide to a Balanced Life .

Neal Tew is a proud father of four kids living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, his brilliance and talent has helped him create many new ventures in his life including his own financial planning firm, a new boutique marketing firm called Brandstrength, a ground breaking youth squash association, and he is now the author of a new book titled, The Gospel Life: Three Years in a Monastery. On this episode, Matt discusses Neal’s faith and his longing to explore his spirituality which led him down many interesting paths including his studies of comparative religion at Harvard and the years he spent at a Catholic Monastery detailed in the book. This discussion is fascinating and full of many wonderful observations and lessons that will spark something for anyone who listens. Information about Neal’s recent book and his efforts to promote the wisdom of the monks can be found on his website: nealtew.com. You can also learn more about Neal and his marketing business at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealtew/

In 2011, the lives of Pete, Linda, Abbey and Will Smith were forever changed when on their way to Colorado in their rental RV their were struck by a truck driver who had fallen asleep. Several family members sustained injuries that they would be able to recover from but it was Will who suffered a brain injury and was left paralyzed. The recovery has been a challenge for all of them, but has been fueled by the dedication of father Peter who stepped down as the AD from Kenyon College to spend every day caring for his son. Listen in as Peter and Will share more details about their journey and all those that have supported them along the way. Their story, while tragic, is an inspiration to how a family has made the best of situation and found a path to back to living life to it’s fullest.

Jessica Hanna has a faith that is truly inspiring. It’s this faith that has guided her and given her the strength to overcome many hurdles including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020 right after learning she was pregnant with her 4th child. While she sought out and has been working with dedicated and talented physicians, it was her decision to truly be an advocate for her own health, which included doing research, getting 2nd opinions and ultimately trusting her heart and God, that led to the successful birth of her son. She is now helping others with her story who face cancer and pregnancy as well as just providing hope and a lift to anyone who might need it. Hope for Two is a network for women pregnant with cancer she recommends along with intentional prayer. It was through intentional prayer and community support that she battled a 13cm tumor and 41 positive lymph nodes which doctors assumed to be stage 4. Miraculously, after the birth of her son, her scans for metastasis were clear. Prayer also connected her to other sources of healing that have blessed her journey. Jessica and Matt will touch on the life of the Blessed Fr Solanus Casey, the healing she personally experienced and her efforts to help him be canonized. For more information about Bl. Fr. Solanus, check out his bio here  and to pray for his cananization, go here. Lastly, for more about Jessica and her story, you can follow her on Instagram @Blessed_by_Cancer. From Sept 6-15, Jessica’s page will feature a Novena for Matt Moran. Please join us in praying for Matt over these 9 days leading up to his scans on Sept 15. We hope you enjoy this special episode with Jessica. Her story, her energy, and her desire to help others are amazing gifts! 

At the age of 9, John O’Leary was in his garage playing with matches and gasoline and accidentally created a massive explosion that burned 100% of his body. His injuries were so severe that doctors only gave him a 1% chance to live. He battled through many surgeries and years of physical therapy and did indeed survive. In 2006, his story was detailed in his parent’s book, “Overwhelming Odds,” which laid the groundwork for John embracing and sharing his story. He now travels and speaks at events all over the world inspiring people with his message of positivity, courage, and perseverance. Listen in to this terrific interview with Matt as his shares more personal details about his journey. You can also learn more about John at his website, johnolearyinspires.com or his own podcast (2 million downloads), his weekly newsletter, or his 2 books, “ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life” (#1 National Bestseller) or “IN AWE: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy.”

Monica is the mother of 2 girls, a loving wife to her husband Lance of 7 years, an accomplished photographer, and just an amazing, strong women. Those traits were always there, many passed on by her father, Dr. Bob Cleary, a guest on WGM. Dr Cleary shared his COVID19 recovery story in episode 20. Prior to her relationship with husband Lance, Monica found herself in an abusive relationship that was violent and stressful. She managed her way through this time and is now sharing her story and helping other women avoid a similar path. Listen to this courageous story from Monica about her journey, her faith, her family and the work she does now. You can also learn more about getting help if in an abusive relationship from the board she serves on at http://safeshelter.org/.

Listening to this young women talk about her challenges and hurdles, it is hard to believe she is just a senior in college. Life lessons and maturity have arrived for Danielle at an early age.  She is an inspiration in how she handled and overcame the bullying she experienced in high school as well as the 2 knee injuries she fought through that kept her off the basketball court. With her faith leading the way, Danielle’s strength has put her in a spot where she can help others with what’s she learned. Listen in to learn more about her story. You can also watch the D’Youville sports website when she hits the basketball court next fall for the 2021 season as she is on pace to become the school’s all-time assist leader. 

Todd Durkin’s energy is contagious and you will feel his presence and fire come through the airwaves in this interview. When his dream for a professional football career was cut short because of a back injury, it was his ability to motivate, educate and train others that led him to become an internationally known strength, speed and conditioning coach, personal trainer, body worker, motivational speaker, and author. He is the founder of Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA and has trained many high profile NFL, MLB, NBA and Olympic athletes. Todd has shared some of his successes on 60 Minutes, ESPN, the NFL Network and has been featured in many publications. He has also published 3 best-selling books, Get Your Mind Right, The WOW BOOK, and The IMPACT Body Plan which can found on www.Amazon.com or  at www.ToddDurkin.com.  Listen in as Matt and Todd talk in depth about athletes Todd has trained and lessons that can apply to anyone looking to get more out of their day.

Natalie Hoerner felt that there had to be a better way. She was giving so much to others but just wasn’t feeling fulfilled. Then she started journaling about her days and opening her eyes to all the things she was thankful for and noticed a change. The change was dramatic enough that she began sharing her story and the journals with others. A new path was created and Natalie became certified and licensed in Positive Psychology, the study of what makes people happy. She now leads workshops and retreats and started an online store called Gifts of Gratitude. Listen in as she shares her inspiring story with Matt and how gratitude led her to living a life with more passion and purpose. You can also learn more about Natalie and check our her Gifts of Gratitude store at https://nataliehoerner.com/