I was born in the Chicago suburbs in a small town called Lagrange. In many ways, I was born into adversity. Doctors put both of my legs in casts when I was six months old and misdiagnosed me with MS. 

A spinal tumor was the actual issue. I underwent multiple surgeries on my left leg and spine, all before the age of ten. This left me with a permanently deformed left leg to go through life with. There was a choice I made at a very young age. 

This statement became embedded in my soul and has only gotten stronger throughout the years. I began skiing at age 5 and  became a competitive ski racer in middle school. I learned to adapt and compete in other sports, such as wrestling in high school and Division One track in college. I used my leg to become creative and find ways to adapt. I learned I had to become stronger in other areas to compensate for what I didn’t have. The amazing result was to focus on what I did have and develop it so that what wasn’t there didn’t matter. This is a mindset, and it will empower you to do whatever you want in life, regardless of your current circumstances.

I used this way of thinking to pay for college, earning a degree in business from DePaul University. I propelled myself to embark toward a career in medical device sales, becoming the youngest sales rep ever hired at Stryker Medical, earning Rookie of the Year and rep of the year in my first two years. Having spent 30 years in the business and worked for companies like Stryker, Merit Medical, and Haemonetics. I  have amassed four Sales Rep of the year honors, 13 President's Club awards, and multiple other awards in sales achievement. 

6 years ago during Covid, I felt pushed to help people by writing inspiring poems based on how to use hardship and challenge instead of getting used by it. This has become a life mission and turned into 7 books, 5 audiobooks, a children's book, and a mindset course. The goal is simple: plant seeds of inspiration, value, knowledge, and know how everywhere I go. Pass on all that has served me so well to all those seeking the same.  

Your friend and chief cheerleader in creating a life of happiness and abundance 

Matthew Lawrence Scigousky