The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast

Brian Simpson
  • 5.0 (10)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The sharing of stories is often underrated in the healing journey after a heart attack—or any near-death experience. This platform exists to create a safe, supportive space for those who have experienced an “Event of the Heart” to share their stories, be seen, and continue healing. I believe we all carry medicine within our hearts, and that our stories are often the medicine someone else needs to receive. Through conversations with survivors, medical experts, healthcare providers, dietitians, and holistic practitioners, we explore how storytelling, yoga, meditation, breath-work, and mind-body practices can help reduce stress and anxiety—and ultimately support the prevention of cardiovascular dis-ease. You are not alone. Your story matters. Brian

  1. 12H AGO

    Reflections on my 10 year Heart Attack Anniversary!!

    Send a text In this episode I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on the 10-year anniversary of my “Event of the Heart.” Which was on January 17th, 2016 What I’ve come to realize is that I’m not just a Heart Attack Survivor—I’m a HEART ATTACK THRIVER. I can laugh about it now, but I also know that life is always testing us, always challenging us to see how badly we really want what we think we want. I wouldn’t change a thing. I truly believe this happened for my higher good, and I know I’m living in my purpose when I’m helping others—when I’m using my platform to raise awareness about the #1 killer of men and women worldwide. Yes—more than all cancers combined. Cardiovascular DIS-EASE, as I like to call it, is treatable. It can be prevented and even reversed. Eat better. Move your body. Exercise. Know your family history. Get tested. Know your numbers. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack—and most importantly, listen to your body. It’s always talking to us. If you have unusual pain in your shoulder, neck, or jaw—go to the emergency room immediately. Don’t wait. Time is muscle. and if you’ve had a heart attack and feel paralyzed by fear, stress, or anxiety—know that you are not alone. There is help. And you get to choose how you move forward. You get to choose whether what happened defines you—or fuels you. As I often say: You can use what happened as rocket fuel to propel you toward your best life and best self….or treat it like an anchor that holds you back. At the end of the day, it’s up to you. And you get to choose. Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented on The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. This content is not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified medical professional who is aware of your individual circumstances. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #theheartattackthriver #theheartattackthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    17 min

  2. FEB 14

    In this Episode I'm in conversation with Robert Medure who shares that despite having a very strong family history, he ignored his symptoms and suffered a massive Heart Attack

    Send a text In April of 2024, Robert who was an avid runner and cyclist started to experience significant text book heart attack symptoms.  He was 56 at the time!   Robert's father had a heart attack at the young age of 44 and all the men on his dad's side had Heart Issues, many had bypass surgeries. At 51 he noticed his run pace had been dropping despite all the training he did and he wonders if that was the start of his cardiac journey? Its an important conversation and a reminder to KNOW THE SIGNS, KNOW THE SYMPTOMS AND KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY!! Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation  #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe#listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    32 min

  3. JAN 26

    SCAD Thriver Tara Benoit shares her powerful story!!

    Send a text Tara Benoit, Author of “Torn Heart: A Journey Through Trauma, Truth and Transformation! ” shares her SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection story! Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe #listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Contact Tara: Tarabenoit.com IG: @tarabenoitofficial Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    37 min

  4. JAN 16

    6 Time Heart Attack Thriver Sean Nolan shares his incredible story and this is one you do not want to miss!!

    Send a text In this episode I’m in conversation with 6 time Heart Attack Thriver Sean Nolan Sean is formerly from South London and now calls Brazil home, living there with his wife and 3 daughters. My conversation with Sean left me in complete and udder awe on top of pulling on my heart strings!!!   It’s a story that will go down in the books as one of the most incredible interviews I’ve done to date!! I don’t want to give to much away so sit down and take a listen to Sean’s incredible story!! Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe #listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    41 min

  5. JAN 8

    John “Kipper” McQuad shares his crazy Heart Attack Story!

    Send a text In this Episode I am in conversation with John “Kipper” McQuade from Ireland, John and I share several crazy similarities with our Heart Attack stories with the main one being we are both avid lifetime cyclists.  John was 65 when on September 9th of 2025, while at a cycling charity event he began to realize that something just wasn’t right with the way he was feeling and made a very wise decision to hop into the ambulance that was taking a cyclist who had crashed to the hospital… where things quickly escalated for John! It’s a great conversation and one that made me chuckle several times while doing the final editing as John is funny guy who is “Grand”    I hope you enjoy the episode! Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe #listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    45 min

  6. JAN 2

    Reflections on the year that was, and the year that lies ahead!!

    Send a text January 1st, 2026 is upon us and in this Episode I give my thoughts on the year that was,  what worked, what didn’t what I learned about myself and what I’ve learned since this time last year. I have so much gratitude in my heart as I see my podcast slowly crawling up the podcast rankings and I am more committed to ever to bringing on exciting new guests, who are pushing the envelope on how we view our health and well being! As a former 20 year veteran of the Pharmaceutical industry (or as I like to jokingly say “a drug dealer” who promoted medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, hormone deficiencies amongst many other therapeutic areas, with my most satisfying role was working in depression because mental health is still the “Elephant in Closet!” Personal nutrition is a topic that I discussed and I am quite passionate about helping people explore moving more and more towards a more plant based “Lifestyle” as I like to refer to it! I hope you enjoy this episode and want to once again invite you to reach out if you want to be a guest,  and you want share your story.     Much Love! Brian The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe#listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    26 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    In conversation with John Tolkamp who shares how a routine checkup and the discovery of a heart murmur may have saved him from having a massive heart attack!!

    Send a text In this episode of “The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast”  I’m in conversation with John Tolkamp who I met when he was the President of Cycling Canada in Toronto.    John and I re-connected a few months ago when I saw a social media post where he shared that he was experiencing some heart issues.  Like me, John is an avid cyclist and was good friends with Kris Yip who was the focus of my last episode when I was in conversation with Kris’s sister Kim Brochu. Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe #listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    36 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    In conversation with Kim Brochu who is the founder of the Kris Yip Memorial Foundation and the Kris Yip Memorial Fondo

    Send a text In this episode I am in conversation with Kim Brochu who sadly lost her younger brother Kris who was an avid cyclist and humanitarian and was someone who loved everything related to cycling and bicycles and was a bright light to everyone who knew him!    Kris tragically died while doing something he loved and was found 19 hrs later still clipped in on his bike after suffering a massive cardiac event while riding alone in his basement doing a Zwift ride.    Kim and I discuss why riding alone on a trainer at home is dangerous, what her family learned about Kris after he passed away and how Kim is taking something so tragic and is turning it into something good by founding the Kris Yip Memorial Foundation and the Kris Yip Memorial Fondo which takes place each summer in Kris’s home town of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. It’s great conversation, and one that makes me wish I could have had the chance to get to know Kris in person as I feel we have so much in common! Podcast Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Heart Attack Thriver Podcast is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical advice. While the information provided on this Podcast relates to medical issues, and health and wellness, the information is not a substitute for medical advice from a Medical Professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #awarenessiseverything #knowthesigns #knowthesymptoms #knowyourfamilyhistory #listentoyourbody #itsnotalwaystextbooksymptoms #seekhelpimmediately #breathe#listentoyourheart #listentoyourbody #theheartattackthriver #theheartthriverpodcast Thank you for listening and please be sure to hit “SUBSCRIBE”, and “SHARE” this podcast with anyone that you feel could benefit from it. If you’d like to reach me for support or to leave a comment or feedback, please send an email to: heartattackthriver@icloud.com

    39 min
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About

The sharing of stories is often underrated in the healing journey after a heart attack—or any near-death experience. This platform exists to create a safe, supportive space for those who have experienced an “Event of the Heart” to share their stories, be seen, and continue healing. I believe we all carry medicine within our hearts, and that our stories are often the medicine someone else needs to receive. Through conversations with survivors, medical experts, healthcare providers, dietitians, and holistic practitioners, we explore how storytelling, yoga, meditation, breath-work, and mind-body practices can help reduce stress and anxiety—and ultimately support the prevention of cardiovascular dis-ease. You are not alone. Your story matters. Brian

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Simpson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast