Kyle Maynard (March 24, 1986) is a speaker, author, and ESPY Award-winning mixed martial arts athlete, known for achieving all this despite being a congenital amputee.
Maynard works as a speaker for the Washington Speaker's Bureau, specializing in motivational speeches. He is the author of the memoir No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life . He has been featured on talk shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King Live.
Maynard has trained in mixed martial arts (MMA). A documentary film, A Fighting Chance, focuses on his MMA efforts. His amateur debut fight was at Auburn Fight Night at the Auburn Covered Arena in Auburn, Alabama on April 25, 2009. He lost his first mixed martial arts fight to Bryan Fry on a unanimous 30–27 judges' decision. Maynard received the ESPN Espy Award for Best Athlete With A Disability in 2004. He attended the University of Georgia, but dropped out shortly after starting his education. He has modeled for clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. Kyle Maynard is also the owner of No Excuses Crossfit gym located in Suwanee, GA.
On 15 Jan 2012, Maynard became the first quadruple amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro without assistance, by crawling all 19,340 feet.
Famous quotes containing the word maynard:
“For a parent, it’s hard to recognize the significance of your work when you’re immersed in the mundane details. Few of us, as we run the bath water or spread the peanut butter on the bread, proclaim proudly, “I’m making my contribution to the future of the planet.” But with the exception of global hunger, few jobs in the world of paychecks and promotions compare in significance to the job of parent.”
—Joyce Maynard (20th century)