Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Flores.
Hi Jose, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born with a neuromuscular condition called spinal muscular atrophy, so I’ve pretty much been fighting against limitations my whole life. As a kid, I walked with a limp, then used a scooter, then a wheelchair full-time. For a long time, I saw my wheelchair as a reminder of everything I couldn’t do. I battled low self-esteem, anger, and that quiet fear that my life was always going to be small.
What started to shift things for me was mindset. I got introduced to personal development, faith, and the idea that my body could be weak but my mind and my spirit could be strong. I began to ask myself different questions: “What *can* I do with what I have? How can I turn my pain into a platform?” That’s when everything changed. I went from just surviving to being intentional about growing, learning, and creating a life that felt purposeful.
From there, I started sharing my story—first with small groups, then on bigger stages, then with companies and organizations. People connected with the raw truth of it: the wheelchair, the struggles, the marriage, the fatherhood, the wins and losses, all of it. I realized my purpose was to disrupt mindsets, especially around disability, adversity, and what’s “possible.”
Today, I’m a full-time speaker, author, and mindset coach. I work with individuals, teams, and brands to help them see that limitations don’t have to be stop signs—they can be starting points. I’m still that kid in a wheelchair, but now I’m using that chair as a vehicle to inspire others to stand up in their own lives, no matter what they’re facing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road.
Living with spinal muscular atrophy means my body has been getting weaker over time, not stronger. So while a lot of people are thinking about “leveling up,” I’ve literally had to adjust to losing certain abilities—going from walking with a limp, to using a scooter, to being in a wheelchair full-time, to needing more help with basic things. That alone can mess with your mind. There were seasons of depression, frustration, and feeling like a burden. Just getting out of bed some days—physically and mentally—was a battle.
Then you add real life on top of that. Accessibility issues everywhere. Doors that aren’t wide enough. Ramps that don’t exist. Opportunities I didn’t get because people couldn’t see past the wheelchair. Financial struggles when I first stepped out into entrepreneurship. Moments where gigs fell through, campaigns didn’t happen, or we were trying to figure out how to juggle medical equipment, caregivers, travel, and still show up like a professional brand. Plus, the pressure of being a husband and a father and wanting to provide at a high level despite the limitations.
But here’s the flip side: every struggle forced me to grow. The health challenges pushed me to prioritize mindset and faith. The “no’s” and closed doors taught me how to create my own opportunities. The lack of access made me more passionate about advocacy and representation. It hasn’t been easy at all—but the hard parts are exactly what shaped my message, my resilience, and the way I show up for others today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I wear a few hats, but they all sit under one assignment: helping people think bigger than their circumstances.
I’m a motivational speaker, author, coach, and disability advocate. I specialize in mindset—specifically, helping individuals and organizations turn adversity into an advantage. A lot of my work is with companies, schools, and events where I come in to speak on leadership, resilience, inclusion, and what it really looks like to perform at a high level when life is *not* perfect.
I’m known as “The Mindset Disruptor” because I don’t just give feel-good talks—I challenge people’s excuses, beliefs, and comfort zones, but I do it with love and real-life transparency. I talk openly about living with spinal muscular atrophy, using a wheelchair full-time, being a husband and a father, running a business, traveling, falling, getting back up, and still choosing to show up. I bring that mix of inspiration, practicality, and real-life struggle that people can actually relate to.
Beyond speaking, I also:
* Mentor and coach people who want to share their story, write their book, or step into their purpose
* Partner with brands that care about accessibility, diversity, and real representation
* Create content that normalizes disability and showcases what’s possible when you refuse to quit
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single moment—it’s the fact that I didn’t give up on myself when it would’ve been easy to. I’m proud every time someone comes up to me and says, “Because of your story, I see my situation differently,” or “You made me believe I can still win with what I’ve got.”
What sets me apart is that nothing I say is theory. I don’t talk about “overcoming” from a distance—I’m living it every day. I don’t hide the hard parts, and I don’t sugarcoat the work it takes. I bring my faith, my family, my culture, my wheelchair, my scars, and my wins all to the table. People don’t just hear a message—they see the proof sitting right in front of them.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is this: you don’t get to control the cards you’re dealt, but you *do* get to control how you play your hand.
My body has gotten weaker over time. That’s a fact I can’t change. For a long time, I thought strength meant doing everything on my own, never needing help, never showing weakness. But this journey has taught me that real strength is in your mindset, your faith, and your willingness to keep showing up even when it’s hard, uncomfortable, or unfair.
I’ve learned to stop asking, “Why me?” and start asking, “What can I do with what I have, right now?” That one shift changed everything. It opened the door to opportunities, relationships, and rooms I never thought I’d be in.
I’ve also learned that:
* Asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.
* Consistency beats talent when life gets rough.
* Your story is not just about you; it’s about the people who will be set free, encouraged, or inspired because you didn’t quit.
At the end of the day, the lesson is simple but powerful: your limitation doesn’t have to be your lid. Your mindset will decide whether what you’re facing becomes your excuse or your superpower.
Pricing:
- Reading books: $20-$25
- Speaking fee: $5k-$15k
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joseinspires.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseinspires
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoseInspires/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefloresinspires/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/joseinspires
- Other: https://linktr.ee/joseinspires
Image Credits
They belong to me.
