Imagine being diagnosed with a disorder at a very young age, having doctors write you off, and learning that your parents were advised to put you in a facility and to move on with their lives. This is essentially what today’s guest, Matt Marcinek, went through. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 9 months of age, neurologists suggested that his parents admit him to a care facility because he might not be able to walk, talk, or perform daily tasks on his own. His parents chose a different path. Matt has not only proven the neurologists wrong by overcoming many of their doubts, but in the process has become an elite coach and fierce competitor. He is a brown belt in judo and, since the time of this recording, has earned his brown belt in jiu jitsu. In addition to competing, he is the owner of Marcinek Peak Performance Systems and specializes in teaching jiu jitsu to 4-6 year olds. On top of that, he has a master’s degree in psychology and educational counseling. Today’s episode is all about how you can turn strife & struggle into strategy. Matt shares how he was able to own his situation, gain perspective, and use that to build advantages throughout his life. He gets very tactical on how you can do the same. Matt and I also discuss: How to start and approach difficult conversations Overcoming obstacles without complaining Why creativity makes you a better coach Dealing with imposter phenomenon, anger, and vulnerability Connect with Matt: Website: https://www.mattmarcinek.com/ Instagram: @marcinek_peakperformance If you believe in the message of today’s episode and are wanting to learn even more tactical communication skills, our Apprenticeship Communication Workshops are back on! These are 2-day workshops of 10-15 people that are 100% focused on the development of interpersonal skills and preparing for life’s biggest moments. We accomplish this via situational role playing, video breakdowns, peer evaluations, and small group discussions. You will not be sitting and listening to powerpoint presentations! We get you in the trenches and create a safe place to fail. Learn more about the Apprenticeship Communication Workshop here: https://artofcoaching.com/apprenticeship/ Apply to host your own event here: https://artofcoaching.com/host-a-live-aoc-apprenticeship/