The mission of Absolute Motivation is to fill voids with purpose, making us realize that we are more than the sum of our parts.
James Dixon Tweet
In an inspiring journey of resilience and empowerment, James Dixon transforms personal adversity into a universal message of hope. Born with significant health challenges that led to an amputation at age 11, Dixon did not let physical limitations define his life’s path.
Instead, he found profound strength and wisdom in the stories and teachings of his grandmother, shaping him into a motivational speaker and an advocate for amputees.
In this candid interview, James Dixon shares his transformative experiences from enduring numerous surgeries to becoming a leading voice on the Absolute Motivation YouTube channel, inspiring millions to overcome their own barriers.
Join us as Dixon unveils how he turned his trials into a source of empowerment not only for himself but for audiences worldwide, encouraging us all to see beyond our limitations.
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Table of Contents
Can you share your journey from facing significant health challenges in your life to becoming a motivational speaker and advocate for amputees?
James Dixon: My journey began at three months of age when I had my first surgery. I underwent surgery every six months until I was 11. I didn’t take a step, walk, or run like other kids until my amputation at age 11. I always wanted to be like other kids, and I remember asking my grandmother if I could go out and do other things, but I was always in recovery.
Life was filled with limitations, which could be seen as the theme of the first portion of my life. However, it became a place where I could learn. My grandmother and mother were always around, and they became my friends, especially my grandmother.
I would sit and listen to her educate me on her life, gaining wisdom that books couldn’t offer. This was when school was out, and the real education began at home. My grandmother wasn’t a great reader, so she had me read to her, often the Bible, which I had to read with purpose and conviction.
This reading became a training ground for what I was born to do. As I read, I would respond and move into character, whether it was a biblical figure or a letter writer. I became an echo of all the wisdom she poured into me, not just a speaker amplifying sound. She also taught me that I wasn’t crippled; I just had kryptonite to overcome.
She instilled in me the conviction that I was not limited by others’ perceptions but by my own beliefs, and she had faith in me until I learned to believe in myself. Her passing felt like a debt I owed, and it became my mission to share her philosophies with others.
This led me to make videos and engage with people, preventing them from taking their lives and inspiring them to live without limitations. Whether I was speaking to amputees at the VA hospital or making videos just for them, it was about crafting my message for an audience that could really hear it.
What inspired you to start the Absolute Motivation YouTube channel, and what mission does it aim to fulfill?
James Dixon: Absolute Motivation was a collaboration between myself, a guy named Navid, and an editor named Azeem. It’s important to recognize that no one achieves anything alone. The channel was launched in 2014, starting with my first post where I bravely revealed my amputation.
I titled this inaugural post ‘Absolute Motivation,’ a name that Navid would later envision for the channel itself, setting our destiny in motion. The mission of Absolute Motivation is to fill voids with purpose, making us realize that we are more than the sum of our parts.
Our videos range from personal stories like mine to more general motivational content, which has allowed the channel to reach a wider audience.
One of our biggest hits was a speech called “Put Me in the Game, Coach,” which I delivered in the parking lot of my high school. It resonated because of its authenticity and the personal stake I had in the message.
We mix education with entertainment, and that’s why our channel has grown. We show mountains when I mention mountaintops, valleys when I talk about lows, making the content visually engaging and emotionally resonant.
The authenticity and personal touch in our videos are what draw people in and keep them watching.
How have your high-energy speaking engagements impacted audiences at Fortune 500 companies and professional sports organizations? Could you also talk about your work with companies?
James Dixon: It starts with empowerment. When you can lift a man from suicidal thoughts, you realize you can reach people on any level. There’s a universal chord that plays in everyone’s instrument—sincerity, a sense of purpose, and passion.
When I talk to CEOs, I help them find their authentic voice. This isn’t about crafting speeches to sound robotic or dishonest, but about being vulnerable, which elevates their leadership and their gifting to another level.
When addressing sales teams that have settled for second place, I can motivate them to strive for more. I’ve experienced this drive personally, and I use it to rekindle their sense of desperation, remind them of their ‘why’, or perhaps suggest that we have the wrong people on the bus.
It’s about getting those who aren’t contributing off the bus and charging those who stay to be not just passengers, but drivers who chase greatness.
How did you come to realize that this was your calling? You’ve spoken about facing challenges and health issues from a young age. When and why did this transition into a passion for igniting others’ purposes?
James Dixon: It began in church. I came across a biblical passage about Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet. King David’s invitation to show him kindness reminded me of my own life—born with disabilities, rejected by my father who couldn’t accept having a crippled son.
This revelation wasn’t just about embracing my challenges; it was about recognizing that my calling wasn’t confined to the pulpit but extended to the entire world.
This calling was about speaking on behalf of a faith that ignites others. My realization deepened when I understood my influence wasn’t limited to religious settings but was meant to reach a broader audience, to speak to the earth with a sense of purpose and debt.
I owe it to those who believed in me—the nurse who envisioned me running when my mother doubted, and figures like Mike Singletary who saw potential in me.
This isn’t just about proving something to myself but about paying forward the love and belief others have invested in me.
And looking forward, what are your goals for the next five years, both personally and professionally?
James Dixon: I focus on the now. The idea of a fiveyear plan doesn’t suit the pace at which I operate. Goals I thought would take a decade have been achieved in months.
My aim is to amplify voices, to create more household names through my channel. Just recently, I realized I’ve sold more books than some very renowned figures, a testament to the power of showing one’s true self. My goal isn’t about personal milestones but about setting others ablaze with passion and purpose.
I want to see a network of speakers around the globe, each unique but connected through the family tree we’re building together.
It’s not just about what James wants; it’s about the impact we can collectively achieve, about igniting and sharing that fire with the world.
You aim to use your platform, ‘Absolute Motivation,’ to elevate those who have overcome significant challenges but lack visibility. Can you elaborate on how this initiative helps amplify their voices, and why you believe this collective effort is crucial for creating a lasting impact?
James Dixon: A man’s name may die after maybe two generations, but momentum can become a movement. That’s why it’s not called the James Dixon channel—it’s Absolute Motivation. It doesn’t have to be tied to my lifetime. I couldn’t carry this burden alone, just as Martin Luther King couldn’t carry his dream alone.
It takes all of us. This mission needs to be bigger than any one man. The only name that has ever lasted through time is Jesus; the rest of us come and go. But our mission, our ministry, our momentum can become a movement that lasts.
That’s why I strive to pass it on, to amplify the voices of great minds who hold crucial information but lack the platform.
How do you maintain your well-being with such a busy schedule, especially considering your physical challenges?
James Dixon: The gym is my sanctuary. It keeps me from going back to the wheelchair and is where I get my emotional release.
There are nights when my mind races with thoughts and I find myself writing down unique ideas that come to me—these are the moments when my speeches are born. Physical fitness is crucial not only for my health but also for maintaining mental and spiritual balance.
Though ‘balance’ might be the wrong word for me—it’s more like a teeter-totter. God is on one side, holding me up. I may be out of balance in many ways because I’m so focused on purpose, but this focus draws the right people into my life to help channel that purpose.
Can you share some names of notable individuals you’ve worked with due to your influence and success?
James Dixon: I’ve had the privilege to interact with Super Bowl champions, current and retired NBA athletes, politicians, vice presidents, and even been nominated for a presidential lifetime award.
My work has allowed me to travel globally, meet world leaders, heads of studios, and I’ve even been invited to the Vatican.
It’s amazing to see how far-reaching encouragement and overcoming adversity can be.
That’s incredible. Is there anyone you haven’t met yet but would love to?
James Dixon: Honestly, the only one I long to see again is my grandmother, to hear her say, “Well done.” I’ve met my heroes and been influenced by many great minds. Now, I see everyone as equals; we’re all just humans.
I don’t get star-struck. I’ve found that when you treat celebrities and influential figures as regular people, you can create genuine connections. It’s not about who they are but about the mutual respect and understanding you share.
What are some common myths about amputees that you aim to correct?
James Dixon: Most people think that life is over when you lose a limb, as if it’s a personalized funeral. But what you face, faces you. You’ve survived every one of your bad days up to now, including the incidents that led to your limb loss.
People should not feel sorry for someone because they lost a limb; feel sorry for those who lost their purpose.
Don’t pity the person in the wheelchair— they have a story, they’re an underdog who’s winning. It’s about seeing the potential and passion in everyone, regardless of their physical condition.
With three daughters, how do you instill in them the resilience to not let setbacks define them?
James Dixon: I teach them that whatever happens does not define who they are or who they will become. It’s like witnessing a car wreck; you note it, but you keep moving towards your destination.
If you focus too much on the wreckage, you might end up in the ditch yourself.
And through your journey, have you found mentors or friends who have helped you navigate from the factory floor to building people?
James Dixon: Definitely. Meeting people like Greg Reid and Jeff Hoffman changed my life. Greg sent me his book, Three Feet From Gold, and from there, our friendship blossomed.
He, along with others, has not only praised me but has genuinely invested in our relationship. They taught me that the transmission from dealing with objects to dealing with humans is fundamentally different.
It seems like these relationships have been transformative for you. How do you maintain these connections?
James Dixon: These aren’t just casual comments; these are deep, invested relationships.
I’m fortunate that now there isn’t a person I can’t call who won’t respond within a reasonable time.
This network of support is crucial for anyone looking to make a significant impact.
What are your final thoughts on the state of the world and the role of authenticity?
James Dixon: We live in times of increasing division and confusion, where both older and newer generations question their legacy and future.
In this context, authenticity becomes a rare and appealing quality. It’s like diamonds; if everyone had them, they’d lose their value.
Authenticity stands out because it’s rare and genuine, much like walking around with a cool piece of coal that catches everyone’s eye.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank James Dixon for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.