How to Thrive in a New Normal: What Can I Do With What I Have | Matt Pond | TEDxRexburg

Matt has been a performer his whole life and, after brain cancer left the right side of his body paralyzed, he has learned to play the guitar with one hand. Matt now uses his music and his experience to inspire others with the message that we all have challenges in life, but it is how we emerge from the other side that matters. Matt and his wife, Kriss, live in Ucon. They have four sons and a daughter.

Matt loves to inspire others to find what they can do to reach their full potential.
Matt Pond grew up in Ucon, Idaho the 13 th of 14 children. He attended school at Bonneville, then Ricks
College. Matt has been performing all of his life, with his family and later as a solo act.
In January of 2006, Matt began having troubling symptoms, and months later, scans revealed brain
cancer. Matt was just 35 years old and finishing up his final year of school at Boise State. That was put
on hold to battle cancer for the next four years. After radiation, eight types of chemotherapy, and
three surgeries, Matt was given a clean bill of health and is cancer-free.
During treatment, he had lost the ability to read and write and the use of his right side. Matt has
pressed forward with great determination and hope. He developed a unique method of playing his
acoustic guitar with one hand. He learned to read and write again and completed a bachelors’ degree at
BYU-Idaho in 2013.

[NichaelAngelo]

This guy is my substitute at school rn

[russellbice]

Hey Matt — so great to hear your amazing voice again and your guitar pickin’. In not many years I can imagine some of your children singing: Hey Mom and Daddy, THANKS AGAIN!
So many tender mercies in your life - and now you get to share them to inspire and lift others.
I’m honored to know and love you Matt!!

[LoganMcKee]

I can't believe someone disliked this. This was great Matt! Thanks for sharing.

[DrakeKirkham]

Amazing example of overcoming unbeatable odds. Thank you for your message of hope.

[jrtjohnson]

Now I feel guilty for not picking up my own guitar for several years. Time for some six-string therapy!

[redperil]

So inspiring! Thanks for your example, Matt!