As you know… we’re wildly blessed to hear from big dreamers around the world.

Here’s Kim Toogood’s big dream… in her own words:

My BIG DREAM is to become a weight-loss and life-skills Coach.

I want to help people discover the “ME” that has been hidden inside-of them by layers of fat or fear, doubt, abuse, confidence and esteem issues.
After 10 years of an extremely abusive marriage and having 3 children to care for I decided I had better “FIND ME” for them. I ended the marriage and rediscovered myself. I went back to school, built a career teaching at a local college and lost 180 lbs. I have had the weight off for 3 years. I have inspired and motivated friends and family to do the same.
Today I am healthy, happy and active with my children.  I am also engaged to an amazing man. Together we have 6 children. He encourages me everyday to “STRETCH” and reach for my dreams.

He suffers from a disease (ankylosing spondilitis or AS) that together we have figured out how to manage his pain though an eating plan we created and exercise. He has also lost 37lbs in the last year. He fully supports my passion for building people up…while taking them down a few sizes!!

Kim Toogood – 2013

Three Types of people that I think will be impacted by my BIG DREAM are:
1. Women (and men) that are in need of “finding themselves under the fat”


2. People with health issues that could be helped by reducing their weight.


3. People with confidence and self esteem issues

_______________

We’re excited for Kim… AND the we’re excited for the people she’s going to help!

She just shot us an update that things are already cooking with gas and new doors of opportunity are already opening for her!

Kim Toogood – 2013

If you have ideas, suggestions or an encouraging word… make sure to leave a comment for Kim.  I’m sure she’d love to hear from you!

Also… Kim let us know that she’s started a new blog: www.starchfreebelite.com.

Or you can check in with her directly at kim.toogood@yahoo.ca.

That’s it for now…

Keep dreaming BIG and helping others to do the same,

Mitch

Aubrie Wright is from Topeka, Kansas.  Her big dream started at 18 when she went on a missions trip to Juárez, Mexico.  She’s still working out the specifics… but she just feels called to help this city in need.

Check out her powerful and evolving big dream… in her own words:

When I was eighteen I had the opportunity to go to Juárez, México to build a home for a family in need. The ministry I worked with is called Casas por Cristo (Houses because of

Aubrie with a friend from Juárez, México

Christ). Little do many people know, most of the people in this city live in extreme poverty, surviving in homes made of cardboard and pieces of box springs and old mattresses. Because temperatures soar to above 110 and drop to below 0, people are in desperate need of adequate housing.

(more…)

Here’s a sample of some our favorite video interviews from over these years of dreaming big.

These aren’t in any particular order. Just watch ‘em and be inspired by people who are willing to dream BIG and talk about it!

Plus… I want to extend a special thanks to our film production volunteers over the years who have helped to make this possible!  Click here to find out more about them!

(more…)

We’re gearing up for the BIG Dream Gathering in Topeka on Tuesday, September 6th!

So… we’re featuring some big dreamers from the area to let you know about some of the big dreams that are already getting stirred up!  Today’s featured big dreamers are small but mighty!

Inventor & Big Dreamer - Christopher Bush

Christopher and JaqSon Bush are brothers with some BIG dreams!

I’ll let Christopher tell you about their big dream… in his own words:

Me and My Brother’s Dream:

Our Dream and goal is for me (Christopher) to continue to work on developing an invention of my own or to invent something to enhance products and all other material to be better.

JaqSon my brother will use his gift of drawing and illustrate what I am visioning.  We will continue to work together in the present for our goals and dreams will come to life in the future.

Today we are still hoping to carry out our dream of developing a toothbrush and we also want to enhance the use of the toothbrush.

Artist & BIG Dreamer JaqSon Bush

We have spoken with some different groups and were referred to consultant in Kansas City, KS.  After explaining our idea we were invited to come discuss our idea and meet with a team.  Due to timing/ and scheduling we were not able to attend the meeting.

WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE:

What me and my brother do is read, research and watch T.V. to identify things we can invent/ or enhance.  We have several ideas, but our biggest today is the tooth brush.

The biggest thing we have in place is our parents!  Their knowledge and encouragement help to keep us focused and driven.

WHAT WE STILL NEED:

The big challenge for us now is finding a Intellectual Properties Attorney to do the research to see if there are current invention/and financial support, etc. to get the research done on our toothbrush design.

Okay… seriously. How cool is that?

What encouragement… ideas… or suggestions do you have for these young… up and coming… big dreamers?

Click comments and let them know?

• Let them know you believe in them! Let ‘em know that you can’t wait to use their tooth brush.
• If there is a website or a resource they should know about… spill the beans on that too!
• And heck… if you’re an an IP Attorney with a little extra time… and a heart to help… let ‘em know!

I can tell you that we can’t wait to see this dream on the wall in Topeka on September 6th.. and more importantly… we can’t wait to hear the future success stories coming from these inspiring young big dreamers!

Keep dreaming BIG and helping others to do the same,

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• BIG Dream Gathering – Topeka, Kansas – September 6th (bigdreamgathering.com)
• Michelle has faced incredible adversity but she is still dreaming BIG! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• A little person with a BIG dream… in her own words! (bigdreamgathering.com)

Image by Falcon Motorcycles via Flickr

Shawn Feddern has a big dream… and here it is in his own words:

“While listening to the radio this morning, I heard Mitch Matthews talk about Big Dream Gathering.

I was very encouraged to know such a group existed and to know that I could share my big dream with others and hopefully recieve and give encouragement to others.

My biggest dream is to use my love of motorcycling to help others see the love of Christ in themselves.  While some of the minor goals to get to this overall goal are a bit selfish in my opinion that is the biggest overall goal of my big dream.  Idealistically i would love to become a builder of bikes and have products that demonstrate love and craftsmanship and beauty through design for the common buyer.
Since my biggest goal is to use my love of motorcycling to help others see the love of Christ, I have started my own blog in order to try to be a witness to others.   It seems easy for some people to say Christ this and Christ that, but I try to do it in a way that Christ is revealed in a non threatening way.

For my selfish dream, I am trying to save up money so that I can learn how to build bikes through a course in Minnesota or Illinios called Chopper College, I may have the name wrong, but I wrote a bit about it in one of my blogs.   I’d also maybe like to take some classes in motorcycle or engine maintanence so I would know how to repair whatever it is i wish to build or make, as I have also toyed with the idea of having my own repairshop/ or buisness.

The biggest thing I need for this dream to become a reality is encouragement.  I know my dream will take time and money, and of course God’s help along the way.  When I try to look at the big picture it’s easy to become frightened.  Depending on who you share things with, it’s easy to become discouraged due to their own understanding and faith.  While this is good in some ways, it’s also very easy to think oh I can never reach my big dream, so why even bother.

In closing, I’d just like to thank you for being an encouragement to me and others in sharing and trying to live their big dreams out.  I’m sure you’ve seen all kinds of dreams, and it has been interesting to read the dreams of others on your website.  I have included a link to my blog so that you can see that as well.  http://onewildridescfedd.blogspot.com/

What do you say?

Do you have some ideas… some connections or some much needed encouragement for Shawn?

Click on comments and let him know!

Kate Phanmaha is working on one of her BIG dreams.  Better said… she’s cooking up something BIG!

She talked with us about it at a recent BIG Dream Gathering… and we wanted to give her a little boost by featuring her today. So check out her dream… in her own words:

What do you think?

Could you help Kate cook something up?  Could you offer her a little encouragement?  Could you offer her some insights or a connection?  Heck, could you offer her a favorite recipe?  I’m sure she take it as she moves towards this big dream!

Just click comments and let her know.

By the way, thanks for dreaming BIG with us all month!  The response has been amazing!  So we have more dreams to feature and we’ll be doing that over the coming weeks in July!  So keep an eye out as we continue to dream BIG into July!

Until we hit a million dreams,

Mitch

Related articles

• What’s a question you have about moving towards one of your big dreams? (mitchmatthews.com)
• Kimberly Price has a BIG dream of helping families who have been impacted by cancer! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• A little person with a BIG dream… in her own words! (bigdreamgathering.com)

Image by thaths via Flickr

Today’s featured BIG dream comes from the heart.  And although it only consists of a few words, it’s one of the most profound dreams that we’ve had submitted so far…

It’s from nine-year-old Jessica.

Here it is in her own words:

“I would like a dad.”

The things she said she has in place:

“A Mom.”

The things she said she still needs:

“A Dad.”

What would you want to say to this brave young dreamer?  Do you have some encouragement?  Do you have some words of wisdom to share? Do you have some ideas for her?

Why not click comments and let her know?

And hey… thanks for being in this together!

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• June is the month to dream BIG! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• A BIG dream to travel with family! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• A story that will blow you away and a big dream involving a knight in shining armor! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• April is living her dream… and now she’s going for more! (bigdreamgathering.com)

Today’s featured BIG dream comes from Andrew “Drew” Glenn in Reynoldsburg, Ohio!

Here it is in his own words…

Andrew "Drew" Glenn

Background: I grew up an obese child. I was put on a low-cholesterol diet at age 12 to help control my weight. I was made-fun-of all through school, beat up for being the ‘fat-kid’…etc. It was a very painful experience and one that will stick with me forever. But I am blessed to have gone through the pain…because of where God has me right now!! (always a silver lining baby! Whew!)

I want to take my story and pay-it-forward. As you know, I’ve lost over a 100lbs., completed several marathons and ultra-marathons, published a running book about my story and if I can help save one kid, I will have reached my goal!

THE BIG DREAM:

Short-term:
-To create an online environment for overweight children and kids with disabilities that harbors safe, positive and encouraging guidance to help lift them up and provide prudent advice and resources to educate and teach these little people how to manage their weight. Childhood obesity and cyber-bulling are on the rise and I want to provide a resource to guide them away from the hate and into a place they can learn and take control. Build self-esteem and loose pounds. The site will house resources such as: how to diet as a kid; safe exercises for kids; advice for parents; nutrition facts etc.

Long-term:
Build free standing workout facilities for overweight children and disabled children. An environment that they can use (free of charge) without the ‘meat-locker’ mentality. These kids can comfortably gain hands-on training, advice and a facility that harbors lifting them up rather than put them down. As kids become healthier, use them to volunteer to pay-it-forward to new kids coming into the facility. Dispatch the ‘Cupboard-Squad’ (small branded vehicles with food experts) that make house calls to help diminish the garbage in a families cupboards and teach them how to buy smart and cook healthier.

WHAT I HAVE IN PLACE:

Here is what I have thus far: I have the non-profit business model and plan put together. I have a domain name secured (www.AmazingRunners.com). I have a marketing company ready to handle all the web development and social media piece when I decide to pull the trigger. I have a published book that tells my story for credibility. I have the passion of a 6 year old on Christmas morning and a scream of a 4 year old to spread the word!!!

What I need:

Time and money!!!

How can you help?

Well… do you have a “way to go” comment for Drew?  Or maybe a “I have a dream like that too” encouragement? Or possibly a “I know someone who could help you out with that!” kind of connection?  If so, let him know by clicking comments!

Join in the convo!  We’d love to see this big dream get some help, encouragement and traction!  And I’m betting you would too!

So… chime in a let Drew know you believe in his big dream!

Oh… and really help him out by spreading this around Facebook!  You just never know who might be able to help Drew make this BIG dream happen!  It could be one of YOUR friends!

Thanks for dreaming BIG with us!

Stay tuned for more BIG dreams all this week too!

Until we hit a million dreams launched,

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• Ways to Curb Childhood Obesity Outlined in U.S. Report (nlm.nih.gov)
• Childhood Obesity Goes Beyond Food And Exercise (npr.org)
• Helping an Obese Teen Lose Weight (webmd.com)
• What is one of your crazier BIG dreams? (bigdreamgathering.com)
• Kimberly Price has a BIG dream of helping families who have been impacted by cancer! (bigdreamgathering.com)

Since we’ve declared June as THE MONTH TO DREAM BIG… we’ve been blown away by the dreams that have been submitted so far!  We’re honored to get to hear about the BIG dreams that you’re working on!

Plus… it’s been fun, inspiring and… sometimes… humbling to feature many of them here! We are honored to get to share these BIG dreams and we’ve been loving the encouragement, support and ideas that you’ve been offering through your comments here… AND on Facebook!

Now, speaking of BIG DREAMS and incredible journeys… Kimberly Price… today’s BIG dreamer… has had an amazing journey!  She and her family have walked a road that has been filled with significant challenges and scary moments.  They have faced these things together… and it has led them to an new big dream.

Kim’s story is incredibly inspiring and her heart is the size of Texas!  Plus, she’s got a big dream that you can help with!

Here it is in her own words…

Kim Price - Cancer Survivor and BIG Dreamer!

In June 2009, after 9 months of going to doctors, I was diagnosed with Stage IV non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.

As the mother of 4 young kids I set out on a journey to not only beat the cancer, but find my purpose (God’s purpose) in this world.

Although my world looks and feels much different, I wanted to be clear to those around me that “cancer” was a very small piece of who I am or ever will be,and that it is what I do with my life and my legacy that matters the most!

So…..after I was told I was in remission in June 2010, I started brainstorming and DREAMING about building a community resource center for all those that have been affected by sickness and disease.  A place where individuals and community could come together in one location to connect, find information and support one another.  It isn’t that none of this exists, it does, but it is all scattered in a million different places and hard to find. It can also be very impersonal, and I wanted to create the personal connection that so many desire.  I also wanted a place where individuals who were affected could put all of their links, contacts and information so that those that were supporting them could easily find them.

Kimberly Price with her son!

I have since connected with a group that has the same ideas, mission and of course BIG DREAM!

We are called the Airo Project.

We currently have a website, but are in the middle of a complete overhaul with a NEW bigger mission!

Our hope/DREAM is that with the help of the individuals and the community we can create a user friendly website that not only provides the pieces that are currently missing, but helps bring all that already exists together for all to access.  We also hope to create more community awareness around all those that are affected by sickness and disease and what their needs are, so that we can all become more involved ALL the time in being supportive and UPLIFTING the lives of others.

Kimberly Price with her family!

Please help us GROW and SUPPORT those that are in need!

Thanks!!
Kimberly Price

Do you you have some ideas, connections or suggestions for Kim?

Have you or your family been impacted by cancer and you want to help her out with this BIG dream?

Are you up against a similar challenge to what Kim has faced… and you’re wanting more information about the Airo Project?

Well… if so… click “COMMENTS” below and let Kim know.  I know she’d love to hear from YOU and I know she would appreciate your input!

So… yeah… just click comments and let her know that you believe in her… and you want to see this big dream happen!

Lastly, if you’ve got a big dream to share… just click here to find out how to do that.

In the meantime, keep dreaming BIG!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• Book Review “The Dream Giver” (jenowenby.wordpress.com)
• A BIG Dream for a son’s forgiveness (bigdreamgathering.com)
• The BIG Dream Gathering is going to get some help from The GO-GIVER! (bigdreamgathering.com)

Today’s featured dream comes from a little person… with a BIG dream! 

(And it comes with some original art too!)

Today's featured BIG dream!

That’s right… this little dreamer wants to “Learn to be a builder of houses!”

(They got some help from mom on the written description)

IDEAS ANYONE?

For now… our little dreamer wants to stay anonymous… but what encouragement do you have for them?

What ideas do you have for them?

What connections could you have?  (They are in the Des Moines, Iowa area)

How could this little person with a BIG dream get started?

Click comments and let them know your ideas!

And thanks for another great week of dreaming BIG together!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• A little person with a BIG dream… in her own words! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• June is the month to dream BIG! (bigdreamgathering.com)