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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 ...
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What if the secret to extraordinary barbecue lies in the heart of Mississippi? Join us for a savory conversation with Duke Seward, the culinary virtuoso behind Duke's Blues N BBQ. From cherished family recipes to the essence of Southern hospitality, Duke takes us on a flavorful voyage that starts in Greenville, Mississippi, and leads to his celebra…
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They say life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, but for Luis Mesa, it's all about embracing the sizzle of the moment. On our latest adventure through soundwaves, we've roped in the master griller himself to share his culinary journey – from igniting passions with a single Weber Grill to char-broiling his way onto Daytime Chicago.…
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They say nostalgia is a seductive liar, but when Max reconnected with his high school comrade Nick Johnson, the only fibs were the ones that made the stories even funnier. From the mischief in Mr. Butcher's auto class to the shenanigans in the neighborhood, we shared a hearty laugh reliving the moments that solidify lifelong friendships. As the tal…
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Ross returns to "Life to the Max Podcast" for a second time, sharing his harrowing survival story of betrayal and attempted murder by a supposed "friend." Despite enduring three devastating shotgun blasts to his arm, chest, and HEAD, Ross fought valiantly for his life. Join us as Ross vividly recounts his near-death experience at the age of 17. In …
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When life knocks you down, it's not the fall that defines you, but how you choose to get back up. Maximilian Gross, lovingly known as the Quad Father, joins us to share a powerful saga of service, sacrifice, and the unrelenting will to survive. His pre-Army days, and the life-altering accident – each moment is a puzzle piece in the portrait of a ma…
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Stranded under a bridge for six days during the holidays, Matt Reum's extraordinary survival experience tested the limits of human endurance and ingenuity. Imagine being crushed and trapped in your vehicle: under a bridge, out of sight, in the cold, and with no food for six days. Matt has a remarkable narrative of survival, adaptation, and resilien…
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Strap in for a roller-coaster of emotions with Destiny, as we recount surviving a childhood illness that led to a coma and accidental paralysis! During such unexpected difficult moments, we paint a mental picture for the listeners on how terrifying it can be while paralyzed. While shedding light on how the support from family and friends is the abs…
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introduce you to Trey, a quadriplegic whose zest for life is as contagious as his expertise in navigating the gaming world with the aid of a QuadStick. His story isn't just about technology; it's about human connections, the bond with caregivers, and the shared moments that transcend physical limitations. Embark on a journey through the peaks and v…
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Air Force Veteran, Curtis Grant Kmiecek, SMSgt, a fellow spinal cord injury survivor, shares with us his story during a terrifying skydiving mishap. With resilience that's nothing short of awe-inspiring, our latest episode takes you through the harrowing yet uplifting saga of Curtis's journey—from his accident to his remarkable recovery. His tale i…
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*Disclaimer: Max is extremely baked throughout this episode.* Nonetheless, this episode serves up an unfiltered look into the soul-stirring process of turning personal turmoil into powerful art. With our guest "Leeuhm" by our side, we go on a rollercoaster ride through the twists and turns of crafting his first album "I Time Bomb" born from the ash…
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After contacting a technician to service our fridge, we met Ethan! Ethan fixed our refrigerator, and we had to invite him on the show! Listen to Ethan discuss how he unexpectedly found himself diving into a new hobby of riding bulls! Ethan accepts opportunities that are handed to him, whether its new jobs fixing luxury appliances, new adrenaline fi…
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In this captivating episode, Scud blows smoke in the air and delves into the significance of family and moral values that have shaped his artistic identity. He offers a glimpse into his personal story, emphasizing how it all started from being a part of a church choir. From being a business man, to dealing with the challenges of being an artist, Sc…
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Dive even further into the world of music and fame with Jack Murfee, a young musician on the cusp of professional success. We explore his fears and struggles, the relentless determination required to succeed, and the tricky navigation of fame. Also, don't miss out on our freestyle session! This episode is an open door into the world of music, fame,…
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Join us on this thrilling episode of skateboarding across the world, and working in a dispensary with professional Skater, Omar Sandoval. Omar's riveting tale takes us from the streets of Elgin, Illinois, to skate scenes around the world, hitting ramps, grinding rails, and leaving haters in the dust. Omar takes us on a ride outside the US, sharing …
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Did you ever wonder what it takes to survive a war? Experiences that leave scars, yet foster unbreakable friendships, and tales of bravery that can't be forgotten. Join us in our recent conversation with Vietnam War veteran Ted Biever, as he walks us through the gripping chapters of his life in the military. From the stringent discipline of boot ca…
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Leo bravely recounts his harrowing encounter with violence, getting shot four times in the backseat of a car, on his way home from a party, an incident that left him paralyzed. As we move through this raw and unfiltered story, you'll hear Leo candidly discuss the aftermath of his shooting and the life-changing paralysis it caused. From confronting …
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Brace yourselves, dear listeners, as we journey through the extraordinary life of Denny, fondly known as the Empanada Man! This episode promises an exhilarating ride, weaving through the streets of Puerto Rico, pulsating with vibrant nightlife and Denny's infamous empanadas! From jokes of paying child support, to starting his food business in the s…
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Join us on a trip down memory lane! For our 50th episode, we're reliving some of the memorable moments and guests that have shaped our podcast journey. This milestone episode isn’t just about reflecting on our past, but it's also packed with excitement for our future. Prepare to be thrilled as we spill the beans about the second season of Life to t…
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Can you imagine turning a personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for countless others? That's exactly what John O'Connor son did when he was left paralyzed after a debilitating accident. Together, they founded the Rehabilitation Center and the "Next Steps" organization, dedicating their lives to helping those in similar circumstances, and even pion…
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Have you ever faced challenges that seemed impossible to overcome, only to find the strength to push through and come out stronger on the other side? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring car detailer, Sergio, who shares his stories of resilience and perseverance against all odds. From getting pulled over with a suspended license to being evict…
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We're joined by Marcus aka Young Merc, an up-and-coming rapper, who shares his story experiencing a terrible motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life in the blink of an eye! Throughout our conversation, Young Merc discusses his passion for perfecting his craft with music and the importance of giving your all in everything you do. While Marcus…
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Max is surprised by a special visit from his dear friend and fellow army veteran, Chuck. Although, serving different years in the military, they both served in 101st Airborne Division, and their bond runs deep. Chuck, who was previously interviewed on the show, shared his incredible story of survival after breaking his neck in "Episode 19: Decapita…
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In this episode, we welcome Tomas Dockus, a personal trainer originally from Lithuania who now resides in the United States. Tomas shares his experience growing up near the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the impact it had on his life. He also talks about the cultural differences between his home country and America, and how he's adjusted to life in…
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In this episode, we interview Mike Morrison, a successful entrepreneur and owner of an official Blackhawks bar in the suburbs called "Chubby Bullfrog Bar and Grill". Mike shares his unfortunate experience of being forced to close down the bar due to COVID-19. Although it was a crushing blow for Mike to lose his business, listen to how he explains h…
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Part two of Ross Capicchioni's interview dives into the aftermath and recovery after surviving a murder attempt. Ross explains certain things to us that he has never told anyone else before on an interview! How his family was affected, more unexplainable events, and how every unfortunate thing that happened to him during those times, has positively…
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Imagine someone you've known for years, asking you for a ride across town. After fulfilling such a good deed for this particular friend, imagine getting to that destination only to be looking down the barrel of a shotgun being held by that very same friend! Ross Capicchioni drove all the way from Michigan to join us on "Life to the Max"! Listen to …
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Megan joins us once again since her previous appearance on episode 4, "I Think I'm Gay". Self Proclaimed, Gold Star Lesbian, registered nurse, survivor of a point blank gunshot wound to her torso from her WIFE, and ultimately a wonderful friend of ours! Listen to Megan explain how she lived and how she continues to live "Life to the Max"!…
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While the Quadfather was getting a tattoo of a dragon on his shoulder, we decided to take a break and knockout a podcast episode! BillyGunz is a talented tattoo artist that learned the basics of tattooing while he was serving a sentence. Listen to his story of becoming creative and learning about yourself while being locked up. Finding entertainmen…
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Carter is a driven 19 year old hiphop artist. Performing at as many shows as he can and promoting himself as an artist every day. Listen to his story of his family winning the lottery, and losing it all in less than a year. dropping out of school, and struggling to find a place to stay, music is what pushed Carter to persevere through the obstacles…
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Meet Mario Canon. A successful actor, talented rap artist, witty entrepreneur, and ultimately a super down to earth human being. Rated top actor of Chicago in 2020, new song featuring NLE Choppa called "Praying Bad", and owner of a fitness gym he used to work hourly at. Mario explains the obstacles he's been through, and how overcoming those hardsh…
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Zavelle is a force of nature when it comes to his tumbling skills. From flipping over multiple cars, to backflipping off of rooftops, this man looks like he defies gravity when he jumps. Tumbling coach, Power tumbler, Retired cheerleader, and pro stuntman, listen to Zavelle talk about following his dream by flipping until they came true!…
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Gabby courageously tells her story of being taken advantage of while at a party. Explaining the psychological aspect of her mind blocking most of it out until a certain trigger all of a sudden brought everything back to her years later. Listen to Gabby explain how she overcame her traumatic experience, how it affected the people around her, and mos…
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Jesseca Overland joins us on Life to the Max with a traumatic story of nearly losing her life while pulling into her driveway and getting t-boned by a vehicle going over 70mph right in front of her home. While Jesseca explains her experience and her injuries, Listen to her and Max compare their very similar stories flatlining for a period of time, …
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After attending a comedy show at the Chicago Improv, I caught Larro getting off stage, and invited him on the show with Max. Larro's immediate response was "can i roast him?". I responded with a "Hell yea!". Find out how Max handled getting roasted by Larro the comedian. Larro tells his life story from growing up in poor neighborhoods, fist fightin…
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Max almost lost his life about a month ago, but you can't knock the QuadFather down that easy! After being hospitalized for a very long fifteen days, Max comes back onto "Life to the Max" stronger than ever ready to share his story on overcoming his recent obstacle. Getting reminded that the future isn't always promised, Max strongly emphasizes the…
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Antoine joins us once again since his last appearance on episode five. Antoine expresses going through a dark time in his life and how he took the necessary steps to get back on track. Topics about financial awareness and life choices, Antoine provides advice from experience when it comes to career choices and what you love to do during difficult t…
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Good morning family! Max is definitely not a morning person, but he got out of bed for this one! Chris and Everett join us on this episode to inform us on what it is like to work on the railroad. From the long hours, being away from home, and the high risk of fatalities they deal with on a daily basis. Whether its cars getting struck by the train, …
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Let's go scuba diving in the deepest darkest and coldest depths of toxic relationships. Fully explaining how surviving through trauma only builds strength and character. Devan bares her testimony enduring domestic abuse and manipulative significant others for many years. Living life o the max isn't always about the best moment in our lives, but als…
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Kris Leshaun was born into a lifestyle surrounded by hiphop and artists within the industry. Listen to this lyricist's story on how he was spitting bars ever since he was a child. While perfecting his craft through his teenage years, Kris booked a oneway flight to Cali and embarked on his musical adventure as soon as he graduated high school.…
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