March is National Reading Month, and it's the perfect time to share an inspiring story of resilience and faith. JT Mestdagh, author of No Bad Days: Turning Your Biggest Challenges into Your Greatest Opportunities, has overcome incredible challenges-from being born with VACTERL syndrome and undergoing numerous surgeries to living with severe dyslexia. Through determination, faith, and the right support, he has not only overcome these obstacles but gone on to become a published author, athlete, and advocate, encouraging others to believe that no challenge is too great to overcome.
Q: For readers who may be discovering you for the first time, who is JT Mestdagh, and what experiences have most shaped the person you are today?
I am an author, speaker and President of the JT Mestdagh Foundation. My life mission is to encourage others to get through their hard days. My medical challenges early on in life have had a profound impact on my life, having 16 operations before I was 16-years-old and spending 250 days in the hospital. Along with my challenge with dyslexia, I have also looked at these as an opportunity to learn and grow from.
Q: You were born with VACTERL syndrome and endured hundreds of days spent in the hospital early in life. Looking back now, how did those early challenges shape your outlook on life and the message behind your book No Bad Days?
Being born with these challenges allowed me to see the positives in life from a very early age. I was blessed by the good Lord with a positive outlook and a family who encouraged me and supported through all of the hard days. As I say in, No Bad Days, you have to find your tribe; individuals who will be there for you in the times of challenge and celebration.
Q: Severe dyslexia can discourage many people from reading or writing, yet you've become a four-time published author. What role did programs like Tattum Reading play in helping you overcome those obstacles and discover your voice as a writer?
After trying many different reading programs and feeling discouraged, I was blessed to come across Steve Tattum and the Tattum Reading Program. This program starts with a very encouraging process that allows the student to feel motivated to read and write with confidence.
Q: Faith is a theme that often emerges in stories of perseverance. How has your faith influenced the way you approach adversity and the message you want readers to take from your journey?
Faith has been the driving factor for my success. Starting with my parents, faith and prayer kept them strong through all of the hard days. My faith has kept me going through all of the adversity and shown me the encouragement to preserve.
Q: From summiting Mount Kilimanjaro to racing through the Grand Canyon and competing in endurance events, you've embraced some remarkable adventures. What lessons about perseverance and mindset did those experiences teach you?
The reason I have taken on these great adventures is because I love challenging myself to the furthest and I am blessed to be able to accomplish them. I am able to preserve through these experiences because I know there are patients we are supporting through the Foundation who are unable to do something like this at this time, but we hope it encourages them to fight through their hard days.
Q: Through the JT Mestdagh Foundation, you've helped raise more than $1.2 million to support literacy programs and children's charities. Why has promoting literacy become such an important part of your mission?
The reason I started the Foundation was because I understand the challenges that many are going through with reading and writing and want to be a guiding light for those in need. I was told that I would never be able to read and write and now I am a four-time author that knows there is hope for those who struggle with literacy.
To purchase the book click HERE.
