In this compelling interview, Jillian Comstock sits down with John Grimes, the inspiring host of the podcast “Destiny Is Debatable.” John shares his incredible journey from being a typical college student to becoming a beacon of hope and resilience after surviving bacterial meningitis.
Key Highlights:
- Discover how John Grimes empowers individuals to build their lives into what they want through his podcast, “Destiny Is Debatable.”
- Hear the moving story of John’s battle with bacterial meningitis and how he turned his challenges into opportunities.
- Learn about the trials and triumphs John faced as he adapted to life with significant vision loss.
- Be inspired by John’s message that limitations are not excuses to do less but reasons to achieve more.
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Transcript:
Jillian Comstock:
Hi everyone. Thank you for joining us today. My name is Jill, and welcome to My Hero 360. Here at My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. Their voices can serve as a catalyst for change, encouraging others to find their own strength and pursue their passions. Today, we are showcasing John Grimes’ story. John, thank you so much for being here today and allowing our team at My Hero 360 to share your story. We’ve briefly met before. Let me just say, your story is so inspiring and so compelling, and I’m just so excited to be able to interview you and get that story out there.
John Grimes:
Thanks, Jill. I’m glad to be here and spread awareness.
Jillian Comstock:
Thank you. Before we begin, I want to give you the opportunity to introduce yourself and provide a little background so our audience can get to know you a little better.
John Grimes:
As you said, my name is John Grimes. I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and among many things in life, I’m a podcaster. My podcast is called Destiny Is Debatable, and really it’s more of a movement. As one of the lucky ones, I am a survivor of bacterial meningitis, and I’m trying to spread awareness about meningitis and things that happen after and life after, and basically empowering people to build their lives into what they want.
Jillian Comstock:
Wonderful. Let’s jump right in. At 19 years old, you briefly just mentioned this, but your life changed forever. Could you share the details of what transpired during this pivotal movement?
John Grimes:
In 1998, I was a sophomore at Texas Tech University. As a typical student, a teenager, I felt like I was 10 feet tall and bulletproof, and I was an active member of a fraternity. Life seemed to be following an ordered path until February 13; I woke up in the hospital. Miraculously, 8 days prior, my fraternity brother had found me unconscious on the floor in my bedroom. Now, I’m probably not the only guy that’s got a story about being found on the floor by a fraternity brother during their college days, but rather than the result of a memorable college night, my experience was due to a nasty bout with bacterial meningitis.
Waking up was a gift. My parents holding vigil at my bedside had been told that I likely would not. As I swam back to an uneasy consciousness, it was pretty quickly clear that emerging from the coma was the least of my challenges. Because the first thing I see is darkness, I’m disoriented by the darkness. I can hear a constant stream of nurses, doctors, therapists coming and going, beeping and pulsing machines, but I can’t see. There’s a tube in my nose. I’ve lost control of my muscles. Speaking is out of the question, can’t form a smile, not that I had cause to smile, really anyway, at that point. I was disoriented, confused, exhausted. I didn’t know where I was, how I got there, or how long I was going to be there.
But eventually, the darkness dissipates a little, and my so-called vision is actually a little more disorienting than the darkness. I quickly discovered that I’m totally sightless in my right eye, and I have about 23/00 vision in my left eye. For reference, 20/20 is normal vision, perfect vision, 20/80 is poor vision, 23/00 is like looking through binoculars backwards. Laying in that hotel or laying in that hospital bed rather, everything seemed far away except for my problem, which was very close.
Jillian Comstock:
That’s a beautiful way of saying that. Your podcast, Destiny Is Debatable, has transformed what some might consider a tragedy into a positive and impactful movement. Could you share more about the mission of your podcast, and how did you empower yourself to initiate and create such a meaningful project?
John Grimes:
Well, the mission of Destiny Is Debatable and the purpose of the mission or the movement we’re trying to create is to empower people to build their lives into what they want. It was born out of the desire for me to do just the same in my own life and find meaning and purpose just for myself. Once I started to understand that, which admittedly took me way too long to get to that point, but once I started to understand the concept of that, it’s very contagious. I’m happy to say that we’re full steam ahead on that now, and I’m just trying to bring as many people along with me as I can.
Jillian Comstock:
That’s so exciting. Since launching your podcast, I’m just curious, what has been the most rewarding experience?
John Grimes:
Oh, it’s definitely the connection.
Jillian Comstock:
The connection.
John Grimes:
It’s definitely all the stories of hope and things that I encounter. I think hope is so important. Everybody goes through, regardless of situation, medical or just any, in life, we go through challenging times, and hope is what brings us out of those times or has the ability to nudge us, to get us moving and thinking in a more positive direction. I have met so many people that have such incredible stories. They’re really out there. I just encourage people that are in situations where they’re not sure what to do or they feel stuck is to just look. With the internet, and podcasts, and blogs, and just even in-person areas you can go, people want to talk, and there are avenues and venues to do that and to listen and to hear stories that can inspire people to build their lives into what they want.
Jillian Comstock:
I completely agree. There are so many resources out there nowadays that people can use and find that hope for themselves. If I’m not mistaken, you are also working on another project, right? Aren’t you writing a book?
John Grimes:
I am writing a book, that’s right, Jill. It’s also called Destiny Is Debatable. Turns out, I’m not much of a writer, but it’s something I’m working on. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a really, really long time, and I’m getting very close; I’m about 90% of the way there. I hope by the end of 2024 that it’ll be on a bookshelf somewhere near you.
Jillian Comstock:
That’s awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing it in real time. Circling back a little bit, obviously, having been what you’ve been through, shifting your mindset and starting a podcast to spread awareness and connect with others going through similar experiences is powerful. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with acceptance of their situation?
John Grimes:
The advice I would give them is the same advice that I carried as a mantra into my new life is if you see a chance to move forward, grab it; don’t waste time on negativity. Oftentimes, what we feel is our most critical vulnerability is what makes us great.
Jillian Comstock:
Right. Wow. Furthermore, navigating challenging situations requires resilience and adaptability. How did you navigate this challenging situation in your life when it comes to personal matters like dating, handling responsibilities like driving, or managing commitments in work and school?
John Grimes:
Yeah. Well, there was a lot of trial and error there, Jill. It was a bumpy road for sure, but at 20 years old, I thought my sight would return, but it did not, and it hit me, what’s the point of waiting around for progress that may never happen? I needed to face the world as I am, not as I was. From that point forward, I didn’t wait on things to get better; I adapted. Adaptation is the foundation of progress.
Jillian Comstock:
Your story reflects the importance of perseverance, positivity, and ultimately, strength. Not only does that show a lot about your character, but it demonstrates that challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth. My Hero, we’re all about recognizing those that have embraced life’s challenges and turned it into something powerful and hopeful for others. Can you share ways in which you have not let your own obstacles define you?
John Grimes:
I think the key is acknowledging limitations. For me, acknowledging my limitations early on was tough. It was really tough, but necessary. I’m not going to drive a race car or become a surgeon. I think being honest with myself about what I couldn’t do led me in the direction to discover what I could do. At that point, I was able to hone the abilities that I do have. But with my disabilities, although mostly invisible to everyone else, it impeded my progress and stifled my growth. I wrestled with that for a really, really long time. But I also realized that a world that can’t see my disability isn’t going to wait for me to catch up. That responsibility belongs to me and that I will never succeed until my desire to do so is greater than my disability.
Jillian Comstock:
Wow, that’s so profound. It’s clear that your determination and positivity have played a significant role in not letting obstacles define you. For my last question, what would you tell your younger self, knowing what you know now?
John Grimes:
I would say that destiny is debatable. The filter through which of your circumstances is most certainly up to you. Whether you wake up in a hospital tomorrow, a bed at the Ritz-Carlton, or your home, don’t wait to start building your life into the one you want. Waiting is like being in line at the DMV. Your future seems to be in the hands of the apathetic. Doctors with poor prognosis, bosses or employees that don’t respect you, even your own nagging self-doubt. Don’t wait,; just do the next right thing. Even if that means taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back, that’s still progress. In Texas, we even call it dancing.
Jillian Comstock:
I love that. Thank you, John, for your authenticity and vulnerability today. I am so moved by your powerful voice and your story. You are truly a hero. Here at My Hero 360, we value you and appreciate the impact you’ve made on the world. Thank you.
John Grimes:
You’re welcome, Jill. Thank you.
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Connect with John Grimes:
- Instagram: @johnbgrimes
- X/Twitter: @ambblind
About My Hero 360
At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world.
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