MaxAbility - Jeanne Hess

This book, a layered blend of people, stories, philosophies, and raw personal experiences, takes the reader on a dizzying journey of self-discovery.

Jeanne Hess “covers all the bases,” by introducing us to a young man with dreams, a family’s grief over a deceased child, the complexities of foreign adoption, a tribute to a revered sports announcer, and her own challenges to define herself as a person apart from the key roles she has played.

Jeanne allows the reader to revisit the concepts she presented and developed in her first book, Sportuality: Finding Joy in the Games with “time-outs” or reflections at critical points throughout the book. At any of these junctures, the reader may incorporate the narrative into their own life, reflecting on the “Who are you? What are you here for?” questions that Max presented to Jeanne when they first met.

- Kim Petrucci, Community Advocate

An acclaimed and revered professor of Physical Education and Volleyball Coach at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jeanne Hess learned about the fruits of the spirit as a middle child, Catholic-Episcopalian, Girl Scout growing up through the 60’s and 70’s in the Detroit suburbs. Her educational journey includes a degree in exercise science at the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Newly retired from her 35-year career at Kalamazoo College, she is very grateful for the role of Title IX in creating many opportunities.