In a move that has left many in disbelief, Reed Waller Jr., now 29, announced the revival of MaximizeMe — the self-help organization long associated with his late parents and multiple unsolved disappearances — in what he describes as an effort to "fulfill the vision they left behind."
The announcement, made through a sparse social media post and a hastily launched website, has already raised concern among local authorities and mental health experts, who caution the public to stay far away from the group's upcoming retreat, scheduled for May outside Phoenix, Arizona.
MaximizeMe's new online presence is, frankly, disturbing. Interested parties are encouraged to read the group's new About page, where the mission statement veers between incoherent spiritual jargon and troubling references to "selective elevation" and "total identity surrender." If it sounds alarming, that's because it is.
A brief investigation by this paper found that the new MaximizeMe seems even less structured than its predecessor. The "Leadership Team" appears to consist of Waller Jr. alone, and the only listed retreat activities involve "Ground Embracement" ceremonies, "Nutritional Humbling" fasts, and "Radiance Sessions" that have no clear explanation.
Despite the group's attempt to position itself as a "second wave of personal excellence," those familiar with the history of MaximizeMe strongly urge readers to exercise extreme caution. Survivors of the original retreats, several of whom spoke to the Herald under condition of anonymity, described lasting psychological trauma from their experiences — and expressed deep concern for anyone drawn into the new iteration.