In honor of National Burn Awareness Week, Rachel and Amber sit down with burn survivor Shaun Free to talk about survival, healing, and the powerful growth that can come after trauma. Shaun shares the story of the propane explosion that changed his life, his long road through recovery, and how he reframed PTSD into what he calls post-traumatic growth. 💪 From building a propane forge and crafting knives as part of his healing, to returning to teach motorcycle safety classes just weeks after leaving the hospital, Shaun opens up about finding purpose again through creativity, service, and community. He also reflects on the mental side of recovery, his experience as a counselor at Camp Eyabsut, and what it was like to tattoo over grafted skin. With honesty, humor, and heart, Shaun’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t just about surviving—it’s about discovering who you can become on the other side. 💛 #BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #NBAW #Ameriburn ⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors! Meet Our Guest On March 13, 2018, Shaun Free survived a devastating industrial propane explosion. The 3,000-gallon delivery truck he was working beneath leaked 300 gallons of liquid propane, forming a thick, knee-high cloud that blanketed the ground. As Shaun tried to shut the main valve, something ignited the pool of gas he was lying in. In a blinding flash, his life changed forever. He crawled out from under the truck while on fire and saw widespread destruction—along with a life-saving snowbank Shaun ran to, using it to extinguish the flames. He was airlifted from Montana to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Shaun sustained burns over 46% of his body, required multiple surgeries, coded, and experienced a near-death event. He remained intubated for 10 days while battling double pneumonia, MRSA in a burn graft on his left leg, and numerous other complications that kept him in the Burn ICU for weeks. This experience revealed who he was and what he was capable of overcoming. Shaun learned how to make the most of a terrible situation, how to look beyond the chaos, and how to focus on anything that could help improve his circumstances. He now shares his journey—along with the experiences, successes, and failures that shaped his recovery—in the hope of guiding and inspiring others. Links Follow Shaun on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @ManonfiremotoLearn more about Camp Eyabsut: https://www.campeyabsut.org Watch our Girls with Grafts episode with Grace Flott: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQfyUTqTZ-k Learn more about National Burn Awareness Week: https://www.ameriburn.org/prevention/national-burn-awareness-week Learn more about Jocko Willink: https://jocko.com/ Listen to “Turtles All the Way Down” by Sturgill Simpson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWx6csgGkg4 Visit Dan Plexman’s website: https://www.danplexman.com/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.
