June 6, 2025

Walking the Carpet for a Cause: Why Pretty Hurts Matters More Than You Know

I had the incredible honor of attending the premiere of Lifetime and GSK’s powerful new original movie, Pretty Hurts — and let’s just say, this time, the red-carpet experience was a little different than my first. That one involved…

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May 5, 2025

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

.:: By John B Grimes “I came for the haircut, but stayed for the conversation.” A few days ago, I got a haircut. Now, I know that doesn’t sound like blog-worthy material, but hear me out—this wasn’t just any haircut.…

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April 26, 2025

Pride Makes Excuses. Humility Makes Adjustments.

.:: By John B Grimes   It’s funny how simple phrases can carry the weight of entire life lessons. “Pride makes excuses. Humility makes adjustments.” When I first heard that, just a couple of weeks ago, it stopped me cold. No…

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April 4, 2025

The Power of Perspective

.:: By John B Grimes  "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."   Sometimes, the way we see a challenge matters more than the challenge itself. Perspective has a way of turning obstacles into opportuni…

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March 28, 2025

When the Goal Feels Too Big

.:: By John B Grimes   Have you ever stared at a goal so big it felt impossible? I’ve been there. Whether it’s rebuilding after a setback, chasing a dream, or simply getting through the day, the enormity of the task can feel paral…

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March 7, 2025

Redefining Normal

.:: By John B Grimes   "The past is a chapter; the future is unwritten. Normal isn’t behind you—it’s what you build ahead."   Life after a major change isn’t about going back to the way things were—it&rsqu…

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Feb. 28, 2025

The Strength to Ask for Help

.:: By John B Grimes   "Strength isn’t about standing alone—it’s about knowing when to reach out."   Strength doesn’t always mean doing it alone. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is ask for help. It&rsq…

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Feb. 21, 2025

Finding Strength in Frustration

.:: By John B Grimes   "Frustration is the weight room for resilience—every struggle makes you stronger."   Frustration is part of every journey. It’s uncomfortable, exhausting, and sometimes feels like it will never end. B…

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Feb. 14, 2025

One Step at a Time

.:: By John B Grimes   "The hardest part of rebuilding is starting. The best part is realizing how far you’ve come."   Rebuilding isn’t about rushing to the finish line—it’s about focusing on the step in front o…

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Jan. 31, 2025

People are powerful—don’t wait to build your connections

.:: By John B Grimes   "A strong connection can bridge any gap—don’t wait to build yours."   No one gets through life alone. At some point, we all rely on the kindness, support, or wisdom of others. For me, that realization…

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May 1, 2024

Adaptation: The Foundation Of Progress

.:: By John B Grimes “Surviving meningitis turned out to be the easy part—so easy that I'd done it in my sleep. The seemingly impossible part was living life after surviving meningitis.”   When I reflect on those words, the…

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April 5, 2024

Dallas Morning News Op-Ed

My op-ed was published in the Dallas Morning News on April 5, 2024. "I had never heard of meningitis until it changed my life forever"  :: READ HERE ::   

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April 1, 2024

April Fool's Resilience: Finding Light in the Shadows of Loss

.:: By John B Grimes   Trying to determine how often Easter falls on March 31st throughout history is challenging to say the least. The most recent occurrence, back in 2013, was etched in my memory long before yesterday. It marks a time of bo…

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March 19, 2024

Possibility Is Always A Possibility

.:: By John B Grimes "Possibility is always a possibility." This quote captures the essence of optimism and is the cornerstone of what I call the “Tremendous Mindset” that was modeled to me by my father. It emphasizes the ever-present …

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March 4, 2024

Seizing Spring's Promise: March Forth

.:: By John B Grimes   Standing at the threshold, anticipating the warmth of spring’s embrace, March 4th arrives, marking not only the imminent turn of the season but also a poignant reminder of life's impermanence and the call to actio…

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Feb. 23, 2024

5 Things I Wish Were Understood About People With Physical Limitations

.:: By John B Grimes   Following a recent interview, I've had the opportunity to reflect further on a question I was asked. With this additional time for consideration, I'd like to provide a more comprehensive response.  First of all, I…

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Feb. 15, 2024

The Last Time

.:: By John B Grimes   For me, "The Last Time" is a concept I've embraced that encompasses the bittersweet realization that, in the moment, we often don’t know when we're experiencing something for the last time. It's the quiet poignanc…

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Dec. 15, 2023

John B Grimes' Meningitis Story

.:: By John B Grimes "SURVIVAL ISN'T THE END OF THE JOURNEY, ITS JUST THE BEGINNING." MY MENINGITIS STORY As a 19-year-old sophomore at Texas Tech University, I was a typical student and like most teenagers, felt like I was 10 feet tall and bulle…

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March 10, 2023

The Book Project - Making Progress

It's been almost a year and a  half since my first post on the book project. "For quite some time it has been a dream of mine to share my story in a long-form version. There are several elements of my story that I felt were too personal to ope…

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Jan. 8, 2022

Inspiration and Advocacy

By: Jean Lloyd As a college sophomore, John Grimes (Texas Tech University, 2000) felt sick with what he thought was the flu. The next day, his Delt big brother Brad Smith (Texas Tech University, 2000) found Grimes unconscious on the floor in his ap…

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Oct. 25, 2021

The Book Project

For quite some time it has been a dream of mine to share my story in a long-form version. There are several elements of my story that I felt were too personal to openly discuss. After wrestling with those elements, I’m ready to hang it all out…

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Nov. 12, 2014

Why I'm Blind

In February 1998, as a college student, I became ill with what appeared to be the flu. About 36 hours after my symptoms began I was found unresponsive on the floor of my apartment bedroom and rushed by ambulance to the hospital. By the grace of God …

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Oct. 29, 2014

Yes, I'm Blind

Unless you know me or know of me it’s very likely that, after interacting with me, you would not pick up on the fact that I really can’t see very well, at all. I’m one of millions of people that have a visual impairment. The premis…

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