Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rey Grandoit. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Yes, I am happy as a creative however my motive is to make a change in the world and soon realize that change must happen in me first. As time progresses and everything around us is changing the deep question I ask myself is it worth it? We all have a purpose here on earth and I know mines and the journey seems to be cumbersome. It seems a lifetime of my work is heard or seen in snapshot, for example I can give a 20 minutes, 40 minutes , or 1 hour talk and it took me a lifetime of experiences, failures, successes and heartbreak to give any keynote in a robust life giving way. Now, this is what I call a journey that I am beginning to learn to accept like eating a lemon.
My God given gift is to inspire and help people, students. However as an artist, creator we have to eat and get paid. The intent doesn’t come with a bill and it should not because imagine someone drowning and you jump in the water and save them. A month later they get a bill for a $1,000,000 dollars from you. They may say to themselves, “it may have been better off I drown because I cant afford this and have no way to pay? At least the average person may say or feel? Ultimately, we, I can never be paid what I am worth because I am priceless. I know when I am paid, I am paid a fee in essence for my time and I am ok with that now.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Despite being paralyzed in his legs, Rey’s story, transparency, and never-quit attitude inspires young and adult students to keep going and keep growing despite life’s adversities.
Through his motivational speeches, Rey Grandoit helps educators ease the burden of having to be the sole motivator in the classroom in addition to the heavy demands of teaching.
As a result of having to deal with the litany of student mental, emotional and behavioral issues, teachers have a tough time managing their classrooms, getting through lessons and keeping students motivated and engaged. They wish they could have students who were coming to class motivated and ready to learn. This would create an amazing learning environment that both students and teachers would thrive in.
Rey is like the Hype Man at a Hip Hop concert. You need him to help you raise the energy of your students for the school term ahead. Teachers feel responsible for not being able to motivate students to change, try harder or move past their challenges in life. When student morale is low or they’re on verge of dropping out, I want to raise their self confidence so that they keep going and complete their course of study
Motivating students is a big burden when educators alone are left to carry it. Rey’s not asking you to lay down that burden. He’s simply here to lighten your load.
When a school wants to raise awareness around disability and inclusion, I want to share the real life stories of persons with disabilities so that students become more sensitive to issues affecting persons with disabilities and they better understand how they can support them.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Despite being paralyzed in his legs, Rey’s motivational talks, his transparency, humility and never-quit attitude inspires young and adult students to keep going and keep growing despite life’s adversities.
Because Rey faced a life altering illness at 14, underwent several hospitalizations and continues to display remarkable strength despite being paralyzed in the legs and living in constant pain, he is a person who students will respect and relate to.
His transparency, life mission and never quit attitude inspires students to want to push past adversity and makes them more aware of their opportunities and blessings so they don’t take them for granted.
Rey encourages students to value school more than they do right now.
He opens them up to new ways of looking at adversity, emotional pain and even leadership and control.
He raises their confidence and belief in themselves so they feel more capable and willing to try harder in the classroom.
He uses his stories, wit and life experiences to reach and move students in ways that teachers can’t
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Been doing a lot of rock climbing, cycling, and going to the gym, extremely rewarding. However at the same time, it is punishing. And it hurts. And it is painful and most of the time I do not want to do it. The reality is I had a wonderful experience rock climbing my third time. I did a challenging climb. And I felt like I was on a cliffhanger. And a lot goes with rock climbing. It is like you must have a plan of where you are going to put your hands. And for me, it is really a whole bunch of pull-ups.
At contrasting times, it is quite a bit of a challenge because I am not using my legs because I am paralyzed as a perfect example to put it, I exert lots of energy with every move. And energy sometimes could be referred to as money. So, say if I make a move, let us say $0.25. It is $0.25 energy. Then I make another move. Let us say it is 50% energy, like a jab. And let us say I make it 75% energy. Let us just say that is a hook. 100% energy would be like an upper cut. And so, for me most of my moves are pull-ups, and I would say it is about $0.50 worth of energy every time. Man takes a lot of energy to keep giving $0.50, energy. Boom, Boom, Boom every single time!
I am exerting a lot of energy with every move. The mental fortitude is at an all-time high. It is like going through a boulder, a mountain, every single move. I am exhausted. It’s like a gut check. I am challenging myself and I get punched in the gut. You think you can do this? You really think you can do this? And then I cannot look down just talking to myself. Keep your head up, keep your head up. Doing all this being paralyzed, rock climbing! Ultimately two decades and six years being paralyzed from the waist down has taught me I can do anything just differently. I leave you with this “The finish line is where I begin” – Rey Grandoit
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ownyourinspiration.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownyourinspiration/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ownyourinspiration12
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reygrandoit/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OwnYourInspiration
- Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ray-grand
Image Credits
-Melanie Grandoit -Gillan Sharp