Swap Stories

Jacksonville, NC (Camp Lejeune) - September 30, 2009
Lost my dog to a backyard theft, lost trust in a person who was suppost to be my best freind, moved to a different state then the rest of family, hubs is deploying soon...But I keep my head up and keep the good vibes flowing. The good outwieghs the bad. I'm alive, got people whom I love and they me love back. My cup is always half full(or overflowing).
- Dallas Shepherd

Shenandoah Valley VA. - September 25, 2009
I have had a wild ride this past 18 months ...Death of my Mother, Lost all "Trust" in someone I love and changed jobs , But I now think about the things I do have..."Life" and feel very content ! Treat people good and it will come back! God Bless you guys and keep on LIVIN!
- Robert Godlove

South America - September 20, 2009
Hello everyone!! Getting ready to head out on an adventure into the jungles of Guyana to visit the WAI WAI tribe! Taking some JKL gear with me and planning on taking some good photos so stand by!! Hope to see yall soon in three weeks my brothers and sista's! Just Keep LIVIN'
- "Dusty"

Florida - September 18, 2009
I live by the just keep livin' lifestyle. right now, it's becoming really hard, though! for the past 8 weeks and one day, my beloved Mom and I have been going through her medical ordeal. In July and August, she fell 8 times. She's had 2 mini strokes, a bad case of encephalitis, a badly broken shoulder, (that needed surgery to replace the shoulder joint). Daily, it's a struggle just to make it through the day. I don't know what to do!
- Lisa Holley

North Carolina, East Coast - September 17, 2009
J.K. Livin' to me means relax, enjoy life, you've only got one, live it to the fullest. Don't worry about the unneccessary things in life. Just Live. Life is good...Just keep livin'
- Dylan Gib.

Aptos, CA - October 3, 2009
OK so I am a Varsity Aptos Cheerleader, and I helped put posters up around the area to promote the Monte Fireworks foundation at Seacliff Beach. Cyrus Baragosh who I can't thank enough for everything he did for us, got me and four other friends backstage. Matthew McConaughey was there and i was talking to him and all of a sudden one of my friends had the hat of one of the guys that was there and then she asked Matthew for his hat and he said but you already have that hat. So i asked him how i could get his hat and he said that i had to trade him. So then i said at first I'll give you my favorite lip gloss, and he said but i dont ware lip gloss so then i looked at my right wrist which has all of my friendship bracelets and saw the pink and black one. The one bracelet that when i put it on everything that seemed to be going badly started shaping up and turning around and everything would go according to plan and it was my good luck bracelet. So i took it off and said here you can have this and he said ok lets see if it fits and he put it on his right wrist and gave me the beanie he was wearing. OMG Matthew thank you so much for supporting the schools and the Monte Foundation it means the world to me and im sure to everyone else. and Melissa and Really Doe and Mishka (Teddy Bear in Russian [what i call my best friend Artem Chelovechkov]) omg the experience of you giving me your hat i walked out of backstage and couldnt breath omg. i cant thank you enough. please keep that bracelet because it means the world to me and i know its pink and girly but please keep it on. oh and thank you for shaking my hand.
- Rhiannon Marie Spritzer

Santa Cruz Monte Fireworks - October 3, 2009
I was at the Monte Fireworks and Matthew McConaughey was there with his girlfriend. When he was walking down to leave my friend and I approached him and I asked him if we could swap hats. He traded me his grey j.k. livin hat for my hat!!
- Sarah Banks

Monroe, LA - October 20, 2009
I'm sorry to say that I had never even heard of JK Livin until a few months ago. My son has a connective tissue disease - he's 15 years old and recently had open heart surgery. We've known about his condition since he was 4, and he's had his fair share of challenges. One of those challenges has been ME! I've hovered over him, protected him and sheltered him - partially out of fear. That's what "mom" does, right? Well, I'm realizing now that he needs support and encouragement, as well as a healthy dose of fun and laughter. A few months back, I relocated to LA and found out that my high school sweet heart was still in the area, and we began to talk. What I didn't know was that he was born with the same disorder that my son has...we hadn't talked in 22 years. He told me about this website, and gave my son a JK Living bracelet - he never takes it off. I guess what I want for readers to know is this......life happens, every day and all around us. We intersect with people for a reason, and when someone offers you a little bit of encouragement for your day, like the people here at JK Livin, or like my friend has done - take it, run with it, hold onto it tightly. We may not know what tomorrow looks like, but I say today is looking pretty bright - so I think I'll JUST KEEP LIVIN'.
- Johnna Metz

Nashville, TN - October 13, 2009
On July 22, 2003 I was stricken with a terrible car accident which nearly took my life, twice; from this accident I broke my jaw in two places. One of those places was never documented and a Vanderbilt first (the hospital that put me back together). I also punctured a lung and lacerated a liver from breaking two vertebrae. I Broke my femur, right tibia, and left tibia which shot out the bottom of my shattered ankle. Another never before seen at Vandy. This accident happened the summer before my junior year of college and in the middle of a transfer from the junior college I played baseball for to a four year institution to play ball on a full scholarship. My injuries needed 23 surgeries and 11 procedures to fix including nearly a pound of metal (and yes i set the airport alarms off). After being somewhat of a star athlete to someone who hurts just to stand is hard to overcome. It is easier with friends and family to help push which has been more then needed, but after watching Surfer, Dude and seeing the j.k. livin segment at the end hit me harder then it should or was intended but is how i lived from there on out. Those words "the J's for just the K's for keep" helped me keep living and finish college with a 3.0 GPA which is nearly impossible with the medication I take for the pain nearly every day numerous times a day but no one has ever heard me complain for the simple reason what's done is done with no changing it so be happy and j.k. livin and I plan on doing that until my story is forgotten in time. j.k.livin
- Caleb Kedigh

Athens, Georgia - November 8, 2009
I work as a server in Athens, Georgia, this afternoon i was given a table with a 10 year old girl that had bone cancer...at the end of the dinner, before the family left I took my J.K Livin bracelet off and gave it too her. The look on her face and her parents faces when i put that bracelet on her was indescribable. Just Keep Livin is a motto that I proudly live by everyday. Not only am I a hugeee fan of Matthew but of his foundation and beliefs as well. Thanks for everything. Keep it Beautiful.
- Travis Carter

ATHENS,GREECE - November 5, 2009
Six years ago, i lost my father in a car accident...We were so close..My whole life has changed.I lost everything: my friends,my girlfriend,my job, and guess what the only thing i've done it was...(jkl)..Six years later, today,i'm waiting my "onelifelove" to born our baby(a girl) and everything seems wright..Isn't amazing??? A life goes a life comes...The only thing you have to do is... "Just Keep Livin" dude!!!!
- Konstantinos

Gatesville ,tx - may 9th 2009
Hi.i spent the last 2 years hating the entire world,pushing every person i knew away.And trying to drink myself to death.I had lost my job,due to stroke and other issues.then my marriage.Then the one thing i couldn't take.My daughter had no more use for me.She was the only joy i had in life.Ended up on disability .I had thought trying to end it.Then a couple days ago.I saw surfer,dude.then some music of mishka.it struck a cord in meIm changin my philosphy to j.k. livin.Thanks man.That came around when i needed something badly.i'm movin on now!
- steve brumbalow

Bothell, wa - May 9, 2009
J.K. Livin hits home with me stronger that you could imagine. I am the youngest of 3 brohters. I lost my middle brother when I was less than one and I still have memories of his amazing spirit- I lost my caring, heartfelt grandpa when I was 7- I lost my loving, fearful dad when I was 10- I lost my down to earth, got no cares in the world grandma when I was 16 and I could keep going but it might just seem repetitive. They all died naturally so I really don't have any hatred towards anyone. My point is you gotta just keep livin, and i have always held that philosophy and I always will. Life is a beautiful thing and if we all j.k.l. it will inspire so much more! Thank you for just doing what your doing!!
- Dan Good

nc - May 9, 2009
anonymously sent a jk livin wristband with an inspirational quote to a girl i used to date. hope that she is doing well and j.k. livin.
- Patrick

Longview, Texas - May 9, 2009
O.K., so me and my best friend are Huge Fans, or as we like to refer to ourselves....MMM fans (Mega Matthew McConaughey Fans). I like to tell everyone that I once had lunch with Matthew. Just a little white lie, you see I was at my favorite Mexican resturant in Longview (Posados), when I heard a very familar voice.Yep it was him and about 10 to 15 other prople sitting at a huge table. I thought it was awesome how he was there in the middle of everything. I mean some celebs might have requested a table hidden away ffrom everyone, but not him. So I got to spend my entire lunch observing the best view in town!! The only problem was I am a strict believer in the fact that celebs should be left alone. So I didn't dare interupt his meal. However, the image of him leaving is burnt in my mind forever!! As he exited, there is a half wall on the patio....he placed hisright hand on the wall and jumped oveer it with a huge smile on his face....when he looked up, we made eye contact and then...... HE WINKED AT ME!!!!!! Even though this was over 12 years ago I remember every detail like it was yesterday. And to this day, every time I eat there, (which to my husbands dismay is alot,) Cant help but to give that wall alittle rub and think back to that day!! BTW.....I have collected 4 J.K.Livin shirts so far!! P.s. Hey Matt when ya coming back home for a visit? I'll buy you lunch!! LOL
- Mendy Butler

Chicago IL - May 5, 2009
Loved jk livin even before the website and all my friends as well , started a facebook group jk livin thought no one knew about it but people from all over the world started joinin Just Keep Livin
- Ryan

Spokane,WA - May 4, 2009
Yo! MM, Yesterday I ran my first 12K In 1:24:57! You were my inspiration since we are only a couple months apart in age I wanted to get back into the shape I was before. Anyway, thanks for the great positive attitude you convey to us all and Ill be running Bloomsday again when I turn 40 with the goal of finishing in under an hour! P.S. I wore one of the recently purchased J.K.Livin bracelets during the run!
- Jake the Snake

Austin - Texas - May 31, 2009
post "dazed and confused" 10 year reunion screening...swapped a dude my jkl t shirt (button down, nametag gas station style) for his "family named bike shop"
- Matthew McConaughey

Canada - May 29, 2009
18 months ago I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - I was 8 weeks pregnant. When I heard about J.k it really hit me. Nothing like brain surgery to get you to mellow out and enjoy like with a new frame of mind. Less than a year ago I found out I was misdiagnosed - no brain surgery. I was lucky but for months I lived with the fact that any minute I could drop dead on the spot (the stats suck for bursting brain aneurysms) Someone asked me what was the best day ever and I told them, "Getting married was terrific, having children is amazing but learning you get to grow old with them that is the best day ever." We have 3 beautiful kids and a fabulous life because we just keep on livin'.
- Michelle Coli

DePere,WI - May 23, 2009
Mine is not an unusual story-just a humble coming to appreciation of life. After a lifetime of self sabatoge,wasted time and fractured relationships, a moment of clarity and Grace brought me to my knees and the wonderful gifts of recovery.My mother was losing her struggle with cancer (and eventually returned to the loving arms of the Creator),my dad endured several cardiac surgeries, newly relocated to be present for our family I was in search of a job, trying to single parent two young daughters and everything seemed chaotic and uncertain. Thankfully a wonderful network developed and we helped each other through mutual challenges with the idea of "just keep putting one foot in front of the other-do the next right thing-do what's right in front of you".In other words, Just keep livin! This IS a simple philosophy-a lifestyle of staying in the moment-not looking too far out, but keep moving forward. I have a sense of Faith, peace,hope and gratitude that comes from within.Knowing all's right with the world when I put forth my best effort,living my best life. Today things are infinitely more beautiful and sacred than I ever could have dreamed. What a gift. Thanks to JKLivin for the beautiful tribute and incredible work your foundation does with our precious youth. Just keep doin what you do! You rock!
- Lori Cuene