On March 24th, 1986 a baby boy was born in Suwanee, Georgia. However he wasn’t like the other kids born that day. This baby had a condition known as congenital amputation, which, according to Wikipedia is a congenital disorder that can be caused by fibrous bands of the amnion that constrict foetal limbs to such an extent, that they fall off due to missing blood supply. The child is born without one or more limbs or without parts of limbs.

In other words, the baby was a limbless quadriplegic. No one suspected that one day this baby would become a wrestling phenom and amateur mixed martial artist.

The baby’s name was Kyle Maynard. As a boy Kyle knew no boundaries. It was as if his ailment didn’t even exist. Despite having no limbs, Kyle took up wrestling and pursued his chosen sport with reckless abandon. Before he knew it, he managed to compile a high-school record of 36-15, which is pretty good for any kid let alone a kid who doesn’t have the use of his arms. He even competed in the 2004 Georgia High School Wrestling Championships and received an ESPY Award for Best Athlete With a Disability. Who knew that one-day the boy born in that Georgia hospital would one day be sharing the stage with the world’s greatest athletes?

These days Kyle spends his time working as a motivational speaker for the Washington Speaker’s Bureau. He started working with the Bureau after graduating from the University of Georgia in 2008. He is also the author of the memoir No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life.

Early last year, Kyle began training in MMA. He wanted to show the world that he could compete against the best in the octagon. Despite protests from some local officials, Kyle was allowed to fight. He eventually lost a 30-27 judges’ decision.

Although he may have lost in the octagon, he won the hearts and minds of millions of disabled Americans. It just goes to show you that you natural athletic ability can only take you so far. In order to become a champion you need something extra….a whole lot of heart.