This week on Full Frame: Profiles in Transcendence

Full Frame

Overcoming life’s challenges is part of the shared human experience.

But some people have not only overcome what seem like insurmountable challenges, they’ve turned those obstacles into a source of inspiration for all of us.

We speak with those who can offer us all lessons on living life beyond limits. That’s this week on Full Frame: profiles in transcendence.

Wes Moore: A Life Well Lived

Wes Moore

Wes Moore, youth advocate, entrepreneur, U.S. military veteran, television personality and author discusses a life lived in service to others.

Wes Moore is a youth advocate, entrepreneur, U.S. military veteran, television personality and author.

His first book, “The Other Wes Moore”, was a New York Times best seller. It told the true story of two kids from Baltimore who shared the same name. They may have had the same name and lived in the same city, but that’s where the similarities ended. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is a convicted murderer serving a life sentence in prison. Moore examines why, with so much in common, they ended up taking such different paths in life.

Moore’s latest book, “The Work”, profiles modern day change-makers who have transcended daunting obstacles to find their own purpose and created a better world.

Mike Walter sits down with Wes Moore in our Washington, DC studios to find out why he thinks a life lived in service to others is truly a life well-lived.

Follow Wes on Twitter: @WesMoore

Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham: Extreme Wheelchair Athlete

Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham

Extreme wheelchair Athlete Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham speaks about encouraging others to look past their limitations and pursue their dreams.

Born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect of the spinal cord, Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham has no use of his legs and has never been able to walk. Instead, he does something even better: he can fly.

At 23, he’s a pioneer in the burgeoning sport of WMX—or Wheelchair Moto Cross – and is among the world’s first Extreme Wheelchair Athletes.

Back in 2006, “Wheelz” – as he’s affectionately called by friends and competitors alike – landed the first wheelchair back flip and has since pushed himself and his aerodynamic chair to do more.

Aaron is adamant that he rides “on” his wheelchair versus “in” it and says it’s because of his wheelchair, not in spite of it, that he’s been able to travel the world and realize his dreams.

He speaks with Mike Walter, in our Los Angeles studio, about his hope to encourage others to look past their limitations and to pursue their dreams in their own unique way.

Follow Aaron on Twitter: @AaronFotheringham

Nicholas “Nick” Vujicic: Lives Life Without Limits

Nick Vijicic

Born without arms and legs, Nicholas “Nick” Vujicic discusses his passion for life.

Originally from Melbourne Australia, Nicholas “Nick” Vujicic was born without arms and legs. There was never a medical explanation. But, he refused to allow his physical condition to limit his life.

As a child, Nick not only struggled physically, but also mentally and emotionally. He fought depression and loneliness and questioned why he was different than other kids. He wondered whether his life had any purpose. At the age of 17, he discovered that purpose: motivational speaking.

Today, Nick is a sought-after motivational speaker who has addressed more than five million people in roughly 60 countries on six continents, sometimes in stadiums filled to capacity. He speaks at schools, congregations and corporations and wows all of his audiences with his rapier wit and boundless energy.

He’s written several books, starred in an awarding-winning short film, and has even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for giving 1,749 hugs in just an hour.

Mike Walter sits down with Nick Vujicic to discuss his passion for life and how he hopes to spread that passion to others.

Follow Nick on Twitter: @NickVujicic

Alfredo Barsuglia: Secret Desert Pool Artist

The Social Pool

The Social Pool is the brainchild of Austrian artist Alfredo Barsuglia located in a secret spot deep in the heart of California’s Mojave Desert.

How do you define art? Most art works end up in galleries, the lobbies of grand buildings, or public places like a town square or city park for everyone to see.

The Social Pool is not that type of art installation. Far from it!

It’s the brainchild of Austrian artist Alfredo Barsuglia. The Social Pool is an actual swimming pool – complete with a solar-powered filtration system.

But to Alfredo, part of the art is…well, the art of finding it. You see, the Social Pool is in a secret location deep in the heart of California’s Mojave Desert. Visitors should expect hours of desert driving then a final trek on foot.

Alfredo says that the process of getting there – and all of the hours of personal reflection that the journey affords – is as much a part of experiencing the art as the opportunity to enjoy a real-life oasis in the middle of the desert.

On this week’s Close Up, Full Frame’s cameras set out with two volunteers, Trina Albus and Drew Baldwin, on their quest, to see if the end truly justifies the means?

Tune into Full Frame on CCTV America at 7:00 pm ET on September 12, 2015.