Review: You Are Not Your Limits: Introduction by Ben Shephard

You Are Not Your Limits: Introduction by Ben Shephard by Javeno McLean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's the end of November but I'm calling it now - this is my Book of the Year for 2025.

The world is so incredibly lucky to have a man like Javeno McLean, and we could all learn so much from the way he treats everyone with unconditional respect.

This book details how the J7 Health Centre came about, as well as the stories of some of the disabled people he trains and why he is so passionate about helping them. It comes directly from the heart, and by the end you will feel like a little piece of this story is now yours to nurture.

You will read stories of pain and despair, but ultimately strength and resilience. These people will inspire you to never take for granted what you are able to do. They will motivate you, encourage you, and lift you. Their stories will make you cry but the way they react to their stories will have you grinning through the tears.

Javeno is passionate about training disabled people, and pushing them to find out what they're truly capable of. He sees them - truly sees them - as the individuals they are, not the disabled folk who are so easily dismissed or overlooked by society. This is just an inherent quality that allows him to connect to them on such a deep level, and it's clear in both his story and theirs that there is a strong love and respect between him and the people he trains.

I honestly am a bit lost for the right words to describe how profoundly this book affected me. It is inspiring, motivating, and authentic. It will force you to think differently and challenge you to put yourself in the shoes of the less abled, for a time.

If you yourself are someone who is disabled, you will read these stories and be inspired to challenge your own limits. You will find a friend here among the pages, and realise there are people out there who WILL see you, and not just your disability. I hope you can find strength and love through reading this book.

Honestly, I encourage EVERYONE to read this book. At the very least, check out the social media account @j7healthjaveno and see what he's doing for yourself.

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