The Road to Momentum: A Journey of Resilience, Perspective, and Purpose
Life has a way of shaping us, molding us through experiences, challenges, and the people we encounter along the way. For me, the roots of who I am—and the foundation of the Momentum Model Strategic Planning Approach—began in the heart of rural America, in the small town of Parkston, South Dakota.
Growing Up in the Middle of America
There’s something special about growing up in a small town. It teaches you humility, perspective, and the value of hard work. Life in rural America is about more than just wide-open spaces; it’s about community, resilience, and finding adventure in the everyday. I had the privilege of being involved in everything—Boy Scouts, band, choir, student government, basketball, football, track, and any other opportunity that came my way.
Being involved in such a variety of activities gave me a well-rounded perspective that shaped how I see the world today. When you experience life from multiple angles, you gain insights that someone who specializes in just one area doesn’t always have. I learned how to adapt, lead, follow, compete, collaborate, and innovate—all skills that became the backbone of my career and the Momentum Model.
Growing up in a big family—one of six kids—also meant learning how to share, compromise, and find the middle pathearly on. There was no room for extremes in a house that busy. If you wanted to be heard, you had to listen. If you wanted to get your fair share, you had to make sure others did too. That environment gave me a safe place to develop social skills, conflict resolution, and teamwork—all of which would later influence how I lead, strategize, and help organizations find their momentum.
Now, as a husband and father of four amazing kids—Benjamin, Samuel, Isaac, and Hannah—my wife, Molly, and I are raising our family in the middle of America, in Pierre/Fort Pierre, South Dakota. We strive to instill in our children the same values of kindness, gratitude, resilience, and dreaming big that shaped me.
A Career Built on Perspective and Momentum
My professional journey has been anything but linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. From working with multiple startups, to advising large government organizations, to leading nonprofits, I’ve had a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities that exist in organizations of all sizes.
That diverse career path gave me a unique perspective—one that helped me recognize patterns in what makes organizations succeed and what holds them back. Through these experiences, I developed the Momentum Model Strategic Planning Approach, built on three key components:
The Success Triangle – Think Big. Take Action. What Matters Most.
The “Everything Is For You” Mindset Principles – Finding opportunity and growth in every experience.
The 10P Momentum Accelerators – The key elements that drive sustained success in any organization.
Momentum isn’t about chance—it’s about intention, adaptability, and finding the right path forward.
A Battle That Galvanized My Beliefs
In 2019, I faced a battle I never saw coming.
It started with numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes. Within days, doctors diagnosed me with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)—a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nervous system. Within weeks, I was completely paralyzed, unable to blink, swallow, or even breathe on my own.
For four months, I relied on a ventilator to keep me alive. Over the next six months, I had to relearn how to do everything—blink, breathe, swallow, eat, sit, stand, and, eventually, walk again. The road to recovery took me through Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, and QLI in Omaha. Every step of the way, I was surrounded by an incredible team of medical professionals, a loving family, and an entire community that refused to let me fight alone.
Nine months after my initial diagnosis, I returned home—with no assistive devices, and a determination to regain every ounce of strength I had lost. My therapy and recovery continues, and I strive for a full recovery and to grow into the best physical, mental, and emotional person I can be every day.
That experience didn’t just change me—it galvanized my beliefs, my approach to life, and my Momentum Model. I came out of it with an even stronger understanding of resilience, purpose, and the power of momentum.
Why Momentum Matters
Life, leadership, and strategic planning are all about finding a way forward. It’s easy to feel stuck, to get lost in challenges, or to focus on obstacles instead of opportunities. But momentum is always possible.
That’s why I created Momentum Matters—to share strategies, mindsets, and real-world insights that help you and your organization move forward with clarity and confidence.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Let’s think big, take action, and focus on what truly matters—together.
Chris Maxwell CEO, Maxwell Strategies