Maxwell Ivey's Blog, page 10
September 2, 2019
World champion paralympic athlete and fitness coach James Roberts on What’s Your Excuse?
Hello again;
This week, I’m blessed to welcome James Roberts
to the The What’s Your Excuse Show.
James is a former world champion paralympic athlete, online training and nutrition coach, and owner of James Roberts Fitness.
He also hosts The Mind Set Game Podcast.
We talked about how he managed to overcome physical challenges to become a paralympian.
He explains how it always came down to being willing to try something new.
I was impressed with how openly he shared about having to deal with a recent health setback that caused problems with anxiety.
And I’m jealous of Brittain’s health care system that provided him a wholistic team approach to treating his whole body.
He shared about how sports teaches you to solve problems by breaking them up into smaller manageable segments.
I had never understood that before.
Well, I don’t want to ruin it by telling you too much.
I’m sure that after you listen to our conversation you are going to be saying if James can do it then what’s my excuse.
The podcast is sponsored again by Chip and Pam at www.createmyvoice.com
They will optimize your website, blog, and or podcast so it can be picked up by Alexa and Google home speakers.
You then have the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands if not millions of potential new readers or listeners.
People will be able to listen to you in their cars, on their phones, while doing chores, etc.
Try it with my site.
Say Alexa open The Blind Blogger.
Or say okay Google talk to The Blind Blogger.
If you aren’t already on these smart speaker platforms, you are really missing out.
Now, on to the show.
About James
I was born with a congenital disability called femoral dysplasia and a floating hip of the left leg as well as scoliosis of the spine.
I grew up on a NATO base in theS.H.A.P.E (Casteau), Belgium but now reside back in Prestatyn, North Wales.
I’m an online training and nutrition coach by trade, but I was an elite Paralympic athlete for just over a decade.
I’ve been lucky enough over those years to have represented Great Britain at countless World Championships and 2 Paralympics Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) to just name a few.
I started out my sporting career in swimming and was part of British Swimming’s Potential Squad from 2003-05. During that time, I held the SB8 200m breaststroke and 50m breaststroke national records.
After being dropped from the GB swimming programme, I moved on to rowing in 2006. The transition happened fairly quickly as I made my first senior international competition that summer at the 2006 World Championships in Dorney Lake, Great Britain and made the final finishing 6th. 2007 World Championships Semi-Finalist, 2008 Paralympic Finalist (5th) and 2009 World Championships Finalist (5th).
I made another transition of sport, this time to sitting volleyball. From 2010 until 2012, I amassed 56 caps for Great Britain. My first international was a surprise selection to compete at the 2010 World Championships in Edmund, Oklahoma, USA. I was lucky enough that my time with the squad, to have competed for Great Britain at my only European Championships in my repertoire as well as a Continental and Intercontinental Cup. My career calumniated at the London 2012 Paralympics where the GB sitting volleyball squad lost in the quarter-final to eventual silver medallist Iran.
Website: here: fitamputee.co.uk
Subscribe to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdc...
Follow me on Instagram: https;//www.instagram.com/fitamputee
Like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jamesroberts...
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesoroberts11
Check out my podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
there is also a page dedicated to the show: https://www.facebook.com/mindsetgamep... or Stitcher http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=136909&...
August 26, 2019
Heartfelt Keepsakes creator Sandra Henry visited What’s Your Excuse?
Hello again;
I’m pleased to bring you another great interview on The What’s Your Excuse? Show.
This time my guest is my friend and graphic artist Sandra Henry.
How We Met
I was introduced to Sandra by my friend Joe Pardo after she appeared on the pilot episode of his new show The Top.
I reached out to her wanting to hear more about her story and hoping to do my part to help her grow her business by having her on my podcast.
Somehow, during our talk, we transitioned into talking about my problem creating a new logo for TheBlindBlogger and What’s Your Excuse?
Caption: Brittany Culp a blind bikini model, body builder, and fitness coach is wearing my new logo on a sport’s t-shirt.
The image is a silo whet of me in a cape in front of an image of the earth.
The words “The Blind Blogger” appear in large block letters.
And below them in smaller letters is my catch phrase “What’s Your Excuse?”
Sandra wrote me only a few minutes after that talk with the beginning of an idea that would turn into my amazing new logo.
Which made me all the more impressed with her and wanting to get her on my show.
What We Covered
She is a single mom raising two young boys who are both active in sports, so we talked about time management. I wanted to know how she found the time.
We talked about how both of us had to be prodded and pushed by close friends before believing in ourselves and starting to do the work.
She talked about overcoming fears of putting herself out there where people can see her and learn more about her incredible creations.
Believe it or not Joe’s TV show was her first video appearance.
And I believe this is her first podcast interview.
She encourages everyone to just take that first step and go after whatever their dreams are.
Please Support My Sponsor
Happy news, for the first time The show has a sponsor.
Chip and Pam Edwards who I met at MAPCON last year are the owners of Create My voice.
They do the work of preparing blogs and podcasts so they can be accessed via Alexa or Google on those interactive speakers that are turning up everywhere.
If you have a blog or a podcast, and you aren’t on these new platforms; you are missing the opportunity to reach millions of potential new fans, followers, and customers.
You can find out more by visiting their website at www.createmyvoice.com
And if you want to sponsor the blog, the podcast, or me and my travels, please just reach out to me through the contact form.
Enjoy The Show
Now, on to another inspiring interview with me and Sandra. By the end of the show I know you are going to be saying if Sandra can do it, then What’s My Excuse?
Connect with Sandra
Website: www.heartfeltkeepsakes4u.com
Face Book: www.facebook.com/heartfeltkeepsakes4u
Instagram: www.instagram.com/heartfeltkeepsakes4u
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/heartfeltkeepsakes4u
August 19, 2019
Michael Schwartz blind film maker was my very first guest on What’s Your Excuse?
Hello again;
I had some scheduling problems this wee, so you are getting another previously recorded interview.
This interview is the first one I ever did for the What’s Your Excuse? Show.
I recorded this with my friend and now former co-host Frederic Bye.
As you can tell it was originally recorded as part of his Creative magic Brand.
And I decided to leave the intro and outro audio in tact.
Partly because as you know I am horrible at editing.
But mainly because I don’t know if there would be a show without Fred.
He not only got me started, but he also pushed me to do the show by myself when he determined that I was ready.
Add to that an amazing guest IN Michael Schwartz.
Michael is an award-winning photo journalist who is losing his sight but not his story teller’s vision.
He is on a mission to travel the world putting a spotlight on the accomplishments of the blind and visually impaired and how these people effect the communities around them.
We talked about his recent travels and some of his plans for the future.
I asked him for one tips on how a blind person takes photos or videos.
At the time of this recording he was planning a trip to Israel and I was about to head off to New York City as one of the Amtrak Writers In Residence.
I must have learned something because I came home with over sixty great photos from my trip which you can see in my book The Blind Blogger’s New York City Adventures.
You can find it and my other books at www.theblindblogger.net/store
I’m sure you will be inspired by this episode. Not only by Michael’s story but my ability to record it by asking for help and finding it in Frederic.
By the time you have finished listening to our conversation you will be asking yourself if Michael can do it then What is My Excuse?
Michael is an award winning reporter with more than twenty years experience in television news and production.
He’s the founder of Trailhead Preductions,
a video production house that focuses on serving nonprofits, NGO’s and specialists in health and wellness.
What many people do not know is that Michael is also visually impaired.
The gradual and continuing loss of his eyesight did not stop him from pursuing his career as a visual storyteller.
And his latest documentary film, called The Palette Project,
is about Michael’s travels around the world as a visually impaired filmmaker.
He is highlighting the accomplishments an achievements of visually impaired men, women and children around the world – people who are changing perceptions, raising expectations and making a difference.
I look forward to your comments.
I’d love to hear at least one thing that you have been encouraged to do as a result of listening to me, Michael, and my other guests.
Is there something you want to do, that you could use some direct encouragement for?
Send me an email. We can talk about that goal or dream and some of the steps you could take today that would move you closer to where you want to be.
And for all my regular listeners don’t forget that by following me and sometimes encouraging me you are a part of my success.
Never doubt that I need you on this journey with me. I really couldn’t do this without you cheering me on.
Until next time thanks and take care out there, Max
August 12, 2019
Scott Mulvaney fired up to fuel your health business and lifestyle stopped by What’s Your Excuse?
Hello again;
I’m excited to be able to bring you this special interview this week.
It’s special because I have appeared on Scott’s show twice, and have been looking forward to having him on my show for a long time.
But it’s really special because of what Scott has to teach us all about how to be fueled up in all aspects of your health, business, and lifestyle.
Scott is one of those people who seem to have done it all. He almost feels like a larger than life character.
But he is very real, and you will get to meet him and learn from him over the next hour.
About him being real, Scott is going to drop a lot of knowledge and energy on you. He is also going to use a bit of colorful language.
On my show authenticity is one of the most important things I look for in a guest.
So, as long as someone’s word choices are natural I’m not going to try to sensor the guest or edit their words out.
Just wanted to get that out there.
Now, get ready to be inspired to take action Because the one thing me and Scott most definitely agree on is that it all starts with doing something today no matter how small.
About Scott
He has a higher purpose to inspire you to LIVETHEFUEL! His Podcast Show serves to help “FUEL Your Health, Business, Lifestyle!”
He’s acquired 20+ years of Fired Up Success in Sales, Coaching, and Marketing, along with Epic Failures along the way.
He’s even a former USFS Hotshot Wildland Firefighter.
Scott‘s 20+ professional years includes conquering roles in sales, marketing, coaching, training, and leadership development.
He has balanced his professional business career growth while flexing 15+ years across the fitness industry too.
He is a “Scott of All Trade’s” with an adrenaline junkie passion for self-development and lifestyle transformation.
Scott has a limitless mindset for growth. Current focuses are on growing in the public speaking, social media branding, and online marketing sectors.
His conquered roles included successes with major companies including ADP Corporation, T-Mobile USA, and KGB formerly InfoNXX.
Scott embodies the limitless energy necessary for personal and professional success.
This is thanks to his years in the health and fitness coaching space.
His Lifestyle Freedoms include balancing CrossFit, Skiing, Cycling, Skydiving, and Travel.
Scott balances professional pursuits with philanthropic activities, having served as a board member(s) and investing countless volunteerism hours with multiple 501(c)(3) organizations.
Scott’s most extreme background experience stems from serving in public service as a Hotshot Wildland Firefighter with the US Forest Service as well.
He competes in all types of action and endurance sports.
Accolades include completing the Marine Corp People’s Marathon, Ragnar Del Sol Race, multiple OCR Races i.e. Tough Mudder, Spartan Races as well as GORUCK. He is an avid mountain biker competing endurance races plus multiple 100+ mile road cycling events benefiting National MS Society, American Diabetes Association and other non-profits.
Connect With Scott
Website: www.livethefuel.com
August 5, 2019
Adriana Gavazzoni award winning author of sizzling legal thrillers visits what’s your excuse?
Hello again;
As you know I have made a commitment to release a new or at least unheard episode of my podcast The What’s Your Excuse? Show every Monday Morning.
This week some problems with an online scheduling form kept me from recording the episode that I had planned.
So, I’m sharing the interview I recorded with my friend and online media client Adriana Gavazzoni about three years ago.
She has been much more than a client. Often she has encouraged me when I was feeling down, disappointed, or defeated.
And she was the first one to appreciate what I could do to the point of investing with her hard earned money.
This is what a real friend is like. And to think I met her online from thousands of miles away.
We have both made a promise that when we are standing on those Red Carpets that the other will be our plus one.
After you listen, I hope you will click the links below and purchase one of her books.
So, sit back and prepare to be inspired, encouraged, and entertained.
Adriana has a bubbly personality, a delightful accent, and some of the best takes on how to live our lives that I’ve ever run across.
About Adriana
She speaks four languages: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, she also
studies Chinese and hopes someday she will master it Her favorite
countries, no surprise, are Italy, France, and the USA.
When not practicing law
She loves to dance (Tango) and workout.
She loves to travel, loves good wine, and has been studying astrology for
fifteen years. She paints and loves to cook.
She has two poodles -Gaia and Juno -and loves all animals. She is an aunt
of four nieces who enjoy to paint and cook alongside their aunt. She lives
in Brazil and is in the process of writing her next novel.
Her Books
Simone Bennet is on a long vacation, trying to heal from the trauma she
suffered at the hands of a serial-killer kidnapper. After looking death in
the face, she tries to develop a new outlook on life—live in the moment!
Carl, the charming lawyer, is back, asking once more for Simone’s help,
this time in analyzing Lara’s journals, which were discovered by her
siblings after her death. In her own words, Lara divulges all her secrets,
and reveals a dramatic world of betrayal, passion, and the most unusual
sexual behaviors, exposing the beautiful architect’s troubled life.
The Brilliant Game
Psychiatrist Simone Bennet feels like a pawn on a chessboard—as if some invisible, master chess player is toying with her life and the lives of the people she loves and cares for.
A series of horrific events—several murders and Simone being tortured at the hands of a serial killer—culminate in the kidnapping of her daughter and have turned Simone’s life upside down.
Struggling to stay afloat in the middle of a sea of chaos, Simone continues to receive her psychiatric patients and do more work for the New York attorney, Carl, while local police, the FBI, and Edward—Simone’s boyfriend, best friend, and business partner—are working hard to locate her child.
Simone is analyzing another set of Lara’s journals, and she becomes dragged into a vortex of sex addiction, suffering, and Lara’s struggle for some kind of balance in her life, while Simone battles an inner fight against her mixed feelings for the enigmatic lawyer.
Filled with twists and turns, this final book in the Hidden Motives trilogy reveals a deranged, steamy, and disturbingly brilliant game of sex, murder, and mystery and chronicles a woman’s conflict between love and reason.
Fasten your seat belts before you embark on this roller coaster, and prepare for the most unpredictable end.
Connecting With Adriana
Website: http://www.agavazzoni.com
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/A-Gavazzoni-513404948849469
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/a_gavazzoni
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adri_gavazzoni
I am very thankful for having met Adriana back in the fall of 2016. That was when I was taking my first big adventure to New York City.
Having her support as well as her fees really saved my butt. 
August 2, 2019
Live On the inside with Richard Matthews
Hello again;
I know it’s been a while since, I wrote one of these posts, so I’ll remind you that these are posts about the podcasts, radio shows, and other interviews that I have done recently.
The name comes from the fact that I grew up in a family of carnival owners, and I can still hear the side show and free act barkers yelling live yes aline on the inside.
July 29, 2019
What’s Your Excuse? with guest Rappin Ray Charles Big Fluff
Hello again;
I’m excited to be sharing my latest interview with you.
This time my guest is the blind rapper Big Fluff Jon Leon aka the Rappin Ray Charles.
After two years of being friends, we finally sat down to record this interview.
We talk about how he managed to finish recording his first album Diary of a Fat Kid even though he lost his vision in the middle of recording it.
We talked about accessible technology, and Jon explained how now that he is with a new distribution company he doesn’t spend as much time fighting with the inaccessibility of the many online platforms where artists usually share their music such as Spotify and Sound Cloud.
About fifteen minutes into the show look for the video of Big Fluff singing Rappin Ray Charles.
I love dropping in videos like that.
Although for full disclosure this time it didn’t go as well as it usually does.
I had to ask for some editing assistance from my friend and all around tech genius Michael Babcock to get the finished product you will get to see or hear.
Better yet I got Fluff to sing his song titled Hold My Blunt near the end of the show.
I didn’t pick that song. It just happened to be one he was willing to perform live at the time.
Then he turned the tables on your favorite neighborhood blogging super hero and asked me to sing.
I did a little of The River by Garth Brooks.
It was a great interview, and I can’t wait for you to listen to it.
I know that by the end you are going to be asking yourself if The Rappin Ray Charles Big Fluff can do it then what is my excuse.
July 22, 2019
What’s Your Excuse? with guest Lorraine Reguly
Hello again;
This week, I’m bringing you a past interview that many of you probably haven’t heard yet.
It is with my friend and editor www.wordingwell.com
She is a successful author, blogger, editor, poet, artist, and speaker.
And she inspires the heck out of me.
I know that after you hear our talk, you will be asking yourself if Lorraine can do it, then what is my excuse.
Want to know how to get booked on podcasts like mine?
Sign up for my free audio course.
And if you are ready to become a radio rockstar like me, please head over to the head over to the Hire me to be your publicist page.
July 15, 2019
What’s Your Excuse with guest Super Joe Pardo
Hello again;
As I told you in last week’s post my plan is to release new episodes every Monday morning.
I want to get your week started with some information, inspiration, and motivation that will help you overcome one of those excuses that has been holding you back.
And this week we have a great guest who also happens to be a personal friend in Joe Pardo aka Super Joe.
Joe is an award winning business coach and podcast host.
He is also the best selling author of Sales Won’t Save Your Business.
He is also the host of a new TV show called The TOP where he will be helping business owners grow their businesses and reach their dreams.
In this interview I got Joe to open up about some of the personal struggles of being an entrepreneur growing a business while maintaining a healthy personal life that includes marriage to his wife Melissa and their two young children.
He is very open, honest, and authentic in this interview.
We talk about many things that other bloggers, podcasters, and entrepreneurs struggle with.
I know you are going to love hearing from Joe.
July 8, 2019
What’s Your Excuse? with guest Brittany Culp
Hello Again;
Today is a big day for me and the What’s Your Excuse? Show.
Thanks to help from my friend and fellow blind entrepreneur Michael Babcock I’m now moving towards my show being available in audio on all your favorite podcast listening apps and devices.
My first episode is a replay of an interview I recorded with blind body builder, bikini model, and fitness coach Britany Culp.
Some of you had the pleasure of seeing this on my youtube channel, or on my What’s Your Excuse? Face Book group.
We talked about how her journey started in college and how it was helped along by the active lifestyle she lives and has lived with the aid of her guide dog.
We talked about navigating gym use and exercise equipment that is often inaccessible.
She challenged me to use free weights as they never come with a touch screen that you have to program.
