Beyond the Scars: Life Is Defined by Who You Are, Not Your Circumstances

When bad things happen, how will you respond?

You don’t see it coming. Whether it is a bad diagnosis, a failed relationship, an accident, an injustice—your life changes in an instant. Let’s face it: life can be hard, even cruel. Life happens to each of us.

When faced with a challenge, a setback, or failure, how you respond can make all the difference in your future.

You can’t always dictate the events that happen to you. But you can change the results, one decision at a time. Let this inspiring story of tragedy and triumph give you the courage, the hope, even the faith, to believe that when your life doesn’t turn out quite like you planned, it can still be good—even AMAZING!

Matt Manzari was a professional wakeskater by the age of 15. He was making a name for himself and leaving his mark in the watersports industry. But his world and his career came to an abrupt halt through a devastating accident, and he had to start over. Years later, 12,000 volts of electricity shot through his body, literally cooking him alive. A young husband and father, Matt again had to discover a new life for himself and his family. Today, Matt speaks to audiences around the world and lives in Central Florida with his wife Bobbye Jean and their three sons.