Born with One Hand, Built for Purpose: Tony Memmel on Resilience, Faith, and Mindset

In weakness there is purpose and in purpose there is strength.In this deeply moving and highly conversational episode of Quick Before You Forget, I am joined by singer-songwriter Tony Memmel, a keynote speaker and musician born with one hand who taught himself to play guitar professionally using a custom cast made from Gorilla Tape.Together, we explore resilience, faith, mindset, music as healing, and what it means to keep showing up even when life feels uncertain.Tony shares:the single conversation that changed his mother’s perspective (and Tony's life) foreverhow music became both therapy and missionwhy what we consume shapes who we becomethe importance of protecting your peacehow faith carried Tony through difficult seasonswhat resilience actually looks like in everyday lifethe story behind performing alongside Jelly Roll and Brandon LakeThis episode is for anyone feeling discouraged, lost, uncertain, or in need of a reminder that your story still, and forever and always, matters. Because sometimes the very thing you thought would hold you back becomes the thing that helps set other people free.Meaningful Moments00:00 — The powerful question that shaped Tony’s life01:00 — Being born with one hand and his parents’ fears04:00 — The mindset shift that changed everything05:30 — Discovering music and learning guitar08:45 — Saving up for his first guitar11:00 — Music as healing and emotional transformation13:00 — Turning pain into purpose14:30 — Protecting your peace and intentional consumption18:00 — Self-limiting beliefs and the “yellow brick road”22:00 — Why connection changes everything24:00 — Gratitude, family, and mission-driven living26:30 — Fatherhood and resilience29:00 — Advice to his younger self33:00 — Stories that remind us why encouragement matters36:00 — Ty shares her healing journey and health struggles40:00 — What people misunderstand about inspiration42:00 — Tony’s “song of survival” during the pandemic45:00 — What Tony would tell the world right now48:00 — Singing with Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake51:00 — Legacy, family, and what matters most54:00 — Final reflections and encouragementConnect with Tony Memmel on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonymemmel/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonymemmel/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tonymemmelTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UC5QcaLeJOiloN-f7qimiv1ABook Tony to speak: https://www.tonymemmel.com/speakingCoach Doc and Ty discuss complimenting strangers in Episode one of Quick Before You Forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLtCdC9oQ8g&t=10s