Kyle Maynard's No Excuses

Kyle Maynard in an extraordinary gentleman who has been defeating odds and breaking barriers since he was born. Maynard was born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, affecting his bilateral arms and bilateral legs. But what most see as a life altering deformity, Maynard sees as a new challenge or adventure. Using the setbacks and road blocks he has come encountered, Maynard has become a famous author, athlete, and motivational speaker. Chronicling the numerous failures and triumphs he has faced throughout life in his book No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life.

The book begins by providing insight into his mother’s pregnancy, noting the difficult decisions she

and his farther faced. Although those decisions were challenging in themselves, it was not until Kyle was born that they realized how different it would be to raise a child with so many limitations. Knowing Kyle would never live a normal life his parents helped and encouraged him to find ways to complete different tasks; including purchasing the use of prosthetics which Kyle grew to hate. With Kyle’s preference not to use prosthetics his parents continued to motivate him to learn different ways to maneuver throughout life; emphasizing the world will not cater to him and his disabilities. This continued reminder and motivation from his parents and family was the push he needed to overcome many obstacles he faced, especially as he began his athletic career during his pre-teen and teenage years.
As Kyle entered sixth grade he tried out for the football team where he was allowed playing time and proved to be a valuable player on the team. Originally being his sport of choice, Kyle signed up for the sixth grade wrestling team in order to stay in shape during the off season. But as he soon learned wrestling did not come easily for him, losing all his matches his sixth grade year. Unfortunately, come seventh grade Kyle received less playing time due to the size difference between him and the other players. Realizing his football career would be short lived due to the significant size difference Kyle was looking to try another sport, with wrestling nowhere on his radar. With the push of his farther and the encouragement from his family Kyle agreed to join the seventh grade wrestling team where he had a mixture of wins and losses; and coming in second in the middle school regionals competition. A sport of mind over matter, the more wins Kyle had under his belt the more confident he became in himself. With this increasing confidence in his abilities Kyle focused on wrestling his eighth grade and high school career. Where once again he had to prove himself a valued member of the team through outwitting and outlasting his fellow opponent on the wrestling mat.
Facing the various obstacles and challenges throughout life, Kyle speaks of the support he received from his family and faith with every step. Although Kyle’s book speaks on the many challenges he has overcome, he notes these triumphs did not come without moments of defeat and despair. During these moments Kyle emphasized the impact his family, friends, and faith had in his life. Noting there were numerous times throughout his life where he felt like throwing in the towel. But each moment of defeat was soon to be overcome by a moment of triumph, leading to the basis of his book No Excuses.
As we all move throughout life, we are faced with many different obstacles and test placed before us.

At some point in life most people have allowed at least one challenge to defeat them, if not more. Then there are those people who view these challenges as simply that, a challenge. This was the theme throughout Kyle Maynard’s novel, No Excuses, I learned that it is how we go about conquering these challenges that defines us as people. Throughout his novel he notes things will not always come easily; therefore, it is up to us to dig deep and conquer our goals. By finding alternate routes and adjusting your mindset, we are able to achieve any goal we set our minds to. Because it is not the obstacle that holds us back but it is ourselves that keeps us from fulfilling our greatest

potential.
The first thing to effectively overcoming challenges is to first ensure you are investing your time in something that interest you. Without having a genuine interest in what you are doing, the task will not only seem monotonous and repetitive, but it will make the task more difficult to achieve. Simply going through the motions begins in the American school system, where students are mandated to complete a certain curriculum within a years’ time. Placing both teachers and students under pressure and scrutiny of the minimal curriculum, leaving little time to foster a child’s true interest. This same notion Maynard mentioned in his book, as the lack of the American education system in fostering the youth’s dreams and interest, but instead only focusing on preparing the youth for employment. Although he admits the curriculum does encompass lessons that need be learned, he states the purpose of school should not solely focus on a future in employment. But instead the experience youth gain from employment should be used to learn and understand the business, eventually starting their own company. In essence providing a basis for that person’s life. He then stresses the impact fostering a genuine interest one has in overcoming obstacles, by looking for other ways to overcome the challenge. This is what led to the opening of his gym “No Excuses Crossfit Gym.” Like any other gym facility Maynard’s gym focuses on building a community of athletes who learn the importance of mental strength over physical ability.
Intrigued by his novel, I conducted further research into the Kyle Maynard noting he was the first person to “crawl” to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After looking into the journey and obstacles he faced to scale this dangerous and intimidating mountain, I noticed with each stop at each rest area he had learned something different about himself or established a new outlook about the journey. But it was not until they were in the final leg of the journey in which he learned his greatest lesson about himself. It was during the last leg that he realized he had spent most of the day looking at “how far he had to go,” instead of relishing in “how far he had come.” After stating he normally views things as “the glass half empty” I realized, I too, have a similar outlook on life. It was in this moment that I realized perception has a large impact on how I maneuver throughout life, bringing the popular phrase “mind over matter” to my

attention.
Although there have been times throughout life that I have reminded me of or referenced this phrase, I have never thought to use it on a daily basis. But by truly contemplating the power of the brain, I have realized that I can create my own reality by determining what I can and cannot do. By limiting the negative thoughts and beliefs I have placed in front of myself, and by challenging the doubts of others I will be able to push forward and achieve the things I desire. But not only is the combination of my thoughts and desire important, but it in order to achieve my goals I will need to act to make these dreams come to fruition. Through the use of will power and perseverance, I like Kyle Maynard, will be able to achieve my goals. But not only will I be able to use the teachings of Kyle in my personal life, but I will be able to use his teaching within the nursing profession.
In the unpredictable field of medicine there are numerous days in which one may feel defeated or stifled by a patient’s illness or the suggested treatment plan. The differing members of the treatment team may or may not agree with plan of action, or the patient may be refusing crucial medical treatment. These are all instances in which nurses may feel as if they have come to a stalemate with those in opposition. But these are the moments in the nursing field in which the teachings of Kyle Maynard can be used within my personal practice.
In nursing school we all learned the importance of advocating for the patient. This personalizes the patient’s care plan, allows the patient’s voice to be heard, and ensures the patient is not at risk. Unfortunately advocating for the patient is easier said than done, at times. In a perfect world when a nurse voices their concerns to someone else on the medical team, their input would be as highly regarded as others. But there are those occasions when a nurses concerns are simply brushed aside. These challenging moments can occur when reporting concerns to other members on the interdisciplinary team, who may not see the importance or urgency of the issue at hand. This can greatly alter the care the patient receives. With this in mind it is up to the nurse to remain persistent in their stance and mandate the appropriate care or a re-evaluation of the patient’s condition. Through persistence we are able to surpass what was once a temporary obstacle in the patient’s care, and provide the appropriate treatment for them.
Another group in which Kyle Maynard’s novel, No Excuses, can be used is with the patient population. The teachings of his book can be used for those with acute illnesses, and also those with chronic illnesses. In regards to the patients with an acute illness; secondary to things such as a motor vehicle accidents, burns, or gunshot wounds; Kyle Maynard’s life story can be a source of motivation. For anyone to have a sudden loss of their functioning and faculties can be devastating, and undoubtedly affect that persons psyche. But once the patient begins to go through the five stages of grief, they can begin to look at their life in a new fashion. As the nurse it is our responsibility to ensure the patient does not settle to remain in the condition they are in. Instead we are here to push the patient to find different ways of accomplishing task, and to even challenge them to try things they may consider impossible. With continued motivation and effort, we as the nurses can play the same role Kyle’s parents and family played in his life. Essentially being the strong support system he needed to gain confidence in himself, his abilities, and his strength.
Not only can Kyle’s book help those with acute illnesses, but it can help those with chronic illnesses. Some of which include uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, hypertension, alcoholism, and drug addiction. These are some examples of preventable and manageable diseases with the use of proper education, a change in lifestyle, and continued monitoring by the patient and a licensed medical professional. As I have listened to numerous patients with these poorly controlled illnesses, I have noted they all have an excuse as to why they have been admitted for their disease. Some excuses come from a place of denial, others from an area of ignorance, and others from a place of financial restraint. But all of these excuses can be addressed and settled, with the help of medical professionals and the commitment of the patient to the plan of care. Although this is easier said than done, it first provides the nurse with the challenge to connect with the patient on a sincere and compassionate level. Followed by the patient’s active efforts to change their life for the better. By replacing each excuse with a plan, the nurse and patient will be able to steadily change that person’s lifestyle for the better.
As we all know life is a series of challenges that we can either let define us, or we can define them. Therefore it is up to each individual to adopt the proper mindset to conquer the goals and obstacles placed in our path to achieve whatever goal it is we are striving for. With the use of a support system, a plan, and an undying will to be successful we are all capable of being achieving anything we set our minds to. Which was made clear and evident after reading Kyle Maynard’s, No Excuses. Kyle has become a motivation and inspiration to many.