I don’t always look blind. And that can be the hardest part. After meningitis, I lost most of my sight. One eye is completely blind. The other works just enough to make things complicated. I miss facial expressions. I miss subtle cues. I w…

I was 19 when bacterial meningitis hit. One minute I was living my best life.The next, I was in a hospital bed not expected to make it.I survived… in a coma.Then I woke up and realized survival was the easy part.Because the real work started a…

I’m launching a book on February 7, 2026.That date isn’t random. It’s exactly 28 years after I arrived at the hospital and barely survived bacterial meningitis.This book is the story of what happened next. The messy rebuild. The humor. The hard trut…

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 me, a bottle of w…

.:: 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. It was my last haircut with L…

.:: 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. Not because it was some g…

.:: 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 opportunities and s…

.:: 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 paralyzing. But here’s…

.:: 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’s about redefining what “normal” means. It’s…

.:: 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’s not a weakness—it’s how we move for…

.:: 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. But if I’ve learned one…

.:: 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 of you. Sometimes, life demands we …

.:: 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 came during one of th…

.:: 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, they resonate deeply withi…

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 :: 

.:: 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 both pr…

.:: 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 potential fo…

.:: 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 action. This day…

.:: 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 think it’…

.:: 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 poignancy of life's…

.:: By John B Grimes "SURVIVAL ISN'T THE END OF THE JOURNEY—IT'S 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…

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 openly d…

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…

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 there…