In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Maria Chapman, a ghostwriter and founder of Journey 2 Success, a nonprofit supporting disabled entrepreneurs. Maria shares her powerful journey from teaching to medical retirement due to a neuromuscular condition, highlighting the barriers she faced — from workplace discrimination to denied Social Security benefits — and how she turned those struggles into a mission to empower others. She dives into practical steps for inclusive entrepreneurship, the importance of mindset, and the critical role of rest in balancing a career with disability. Maria’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and advocacy.

Key Takeaways:

Inclusion Defined — It’s not about equality, but equity — creating spaces where everyone can achieve what makes them feel whole.

Entrepreneurial Empowerment — People with disabilities thrive when they create businesses that align with their strengths and non-negotiables.

Mindset Shift — Acknowledge the hard reality, then decide to move forward anyway — the “work before the work.”

Rest to Work — You don’t earn rest; you rest to be able to work effectively.

Listen First — People with disabilities know what they need — listening is the first step to real inclusion.

Maria’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is providing a space where everyone can achieve what it is that makes them feel whole.

Maria’s Bio:

Maria F. Chapman is the founder of Connected Ghostwriting, LLC. and founder and director of Journey 2 Success Inc. Maria is a writer, entrepreneur, and coach who leverages over a decade of coaching experience to help entrepreneurs and thought leaders articulate their ideas and expand their impact through powerful content. With expertise across topics like mental health, education, and business strategy, Maria’s work goes beyond writing—she helps others find success by aligning their work with their values. A disability advocate, outdoor enthusiast, and parent of five, Maria’s journey from a career in elementary education to successful business owner inspires her clients to turn their passions into a living.

Connect with Maria:

Website: https://connectedghostwriting.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariafchapman14/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectedghostwritingllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.orourke05/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-chapman-07a548174/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 36

No - 49

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