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There is a separate, higher IRS max for employee+employer contribution (this is why many jobs can offer 401k matching), and that number is somewhere around $55k these days. But there is a loophole—when you are your own employer, i.e. self employed, you can contribute that full amount to your own 401k.

There's something that's often referred to as the "Mega Backdoor Roth" that lets you shelter an extra $37,500 per year beyond the traditional 401(k) limits.

True, but that tax sheltering is of future income, it's not pre-tax in the normal-employee case.

np-1 has it right. As a small business employing yourself, you can "profit share" much more than the $19k individual limit.