John Kippen – What Makes you Different is your Superpower

John Kippen is an entrepreneur, professional magician, speaker, resilience and empowerment coach and published author. John was dealt a bad blow in 2002 when he was diagnosed with a large benign brain tumor. Its removal, although successful, left him with permanent facial paralysis which stopped his forward momentum forcing him into hiding for more than 12 years. As John hit bottom, he rediscovered his childhood love for performing magic and storytelling . Now filled with passion and hope , he discovered that his facial difference had become his greatest superpower. This new mindset gave John the strength to live life with joy and become a sought after resilience and empowerment coach who uses the lessons and methodologies he learned overcoming his adversity to inspire and assist his clients to get out of their own way and live their best lives. His two mottos are “ Being Different is your Superpower!” and “Feed your Heart with your Art” John Kippen Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary John's Journey Through Health Challenges John shared his personal story, beginning with his childhood in Los Angeles and his education at a private school where he became involved in theater. He described his early career in computer consulting, which he started in the 1980s after setting up a computer lab at Cal State University, Northridge. John then explained how his health issues began in 2002 with hearing problems, specifically difficulty hearing men's voices, followed by dizziness a month later, leading him to undergo an MRI despite his claustrophobia. Brain Tumor Discovery Experience John shared his experience of discovering a brain tumor through medical imaging in 2002. After getting X-rays at a hospital and taking them to an ENT specialist, he was referred to the House Ear Clinic where a surgeon diagnosed a 4.5 centimeter acoustic neuroma brain tumor that was killing him. John emphasized the importance of having someone present during medical consultations to help remember details and ask questions, as he found himself struggling to recall important information after the shock of the diagnosis. Brain Surgery and Recovery Journey John shared his experience undergoing brain surgery, describing the pre-surgery preparation and the challenging recovery process. He recalled being confronted by his anesthesiologist about insurance coverage just before the procedure, and waking up to find his face paralyzed, which affected his mother's reaction to his condition. John also mentioned developing a spinal fluid leak that required a second surgery after returning home. Embracing Difference Through Curiosity John shared his personal experience of hiding for 12 years after brain surgery, during which he isolated himself from social activities and work. He described a pivotal moment at a restaurant when a young boy asked about his face, which inspired John to reflect on how children's natural curiosity and lack of judgment differ from adults' reactions. John used this experience as the basis for his TED Talk about treating people who are different with respect and compassion. Transforming Challenges into Magic Performances John shared his journey of using his personal story of brain surgery and facial paralysis to enhance his magic performances. He explained how he transformed his condition into a storytelling asset by incorporating it into his act and sharing personal experiences with audiences. John also described how his story resonated with others facing medical challenges, including a specific instance where his performance inspired a man named Ron to fight his cancer diagnosis. John's Magical Trebek Encounter John shared his experience writing a book titled "Playing the Hand You Are Dealt" and offered listeners a PDF version if they listen to the end of the show. He recounted performing magic for Alex Trebek at Trebek's 75th birthday party,