Living UN-broken

Ankit and Amit Sharma
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This podcast, hosted by brothers Ankit and Amit Sharma, is a heartwarming and inspiring exploration of resilience, wisdom, and transformation. Amit’s life changed forever after a devastating motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. Rather than letting tragedy define him, he found enlightenment, happiness, and a profound purpose that now fuels his spiritual journey. Inspired by Amit’s strength and newfound perspective, Ankit joined forces with his brother to share these powerful lessons and work together to make the world more inclusive. This podcast delves into the intersection of spirituality, science, and societal change, featuring thought-provoking conversations with extraordinary guests. From spiritual leaders and medical researchers to politicians advocating for accessibility, Ankit and Amit bring diverse voices to the table. Together, they explore groundbreaking advancements in medicine and rehabilitation, the emotional and physical challenges of living with disabilities, and how spiritual growth can emerge from adversity. Ankit and Amit aim to inspire listeners to rethink their approach to life’s challenges, find joy in the present moment, and advocate for a world that embraces inclusivity. Through candid discussions, personal stories, and actionable insights, they illuminate how wisdom and science can unite to improve lives. Airing from Canada, the Sharma brothers infuse their show with authenticity, compassion, and hope. Their unique bond as siblings will add warmth and humor to every episode, creating a space where listeners feel like part of the family. You can also be a part of the family by joining their community HERE: (link here) Whether you’re looking for spiritual inspiration, insight into groundbreaking medical research, or hope for a more accessible future, this podcast offers something for everyone. Join Ankit and Amit as they empower individuals to overcome obstacles, find their purpose, and champion a more inclusive world for all.

Episodes

  1. Jul 26

    What if the wave that broke your neck gave you the life you were meant to live? Josh Basile on Becoming a Lawyer, Dad & Disability Advocate | Living UN-Broken

    What if the wave that broke your neck gave you the life you were meant to live? In this episode of Living UN-broken, Amit and Ankit Sharma sit down with Josh Basile — quadriplegic attorney, father of two, board member of United Spinal Association, and founder of the Determined to Heal Foundation. At 18, a wave slammed him into the ocean floor, leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He spent four weeks on a ventilator — and when he found his voice, he never stopped using it. Josh talks about being face down in the ocean unable to move, the mentors who gave him hope, following in another quadriplegic's "wheel tracks" through law school, and why he had to change Maryland law before he could get married without losing his caregiving benefits. We get into the conversations most podcasts won't have: - The "superpower of perspective" — and how paralysis unlocked it - Why the average U.S. quadriplegic gets only 4–6 hours of care per day - The marriage penalty that would have stripped his caregiving - Navigating SSI, Medicaid buy-in, and the 1619B program - Sailing to Cuba, hang gliding, and adaptive skiing with his kids - The ADA: what it got right, what's still broken - "The only person that's going to stop me is me" Whether you're living with a spinal cord injury, a caregiver, or simply someone who needs a reminder of what resilience looks like — this one's for you. ABOUT THE GUEST Josh Basile is an attorney, advocate, and founder of Determined to Heal Foundation and Spinalpedia. He's spent 20 years transforming access to care and employment for people with disabilities. Learn more: determinedtoheal.org | spinalpedia.com ABOUT LIVING UN-BROKEN Hosted by brothers Amit and Ankit Sharma — conversations on resilience, wisdom, and transformation. Website: livingunbroken.org YouTube: youtube.com/@LivingUN-broken WhatsApp community: livingunbroken.org SUPPORT THE SHOW Donate via livingunbroken.org CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open 00:12 Welcome, Josh 01:26 The wave that changed everything 04:04 Back to school — magna cum laude from law school 05:08 Finding independence through technology 07:33 "The only person stopping me is me" 08:38 Marriage, kids, and the marriage penalty 10:58 Determined to Heal & Spinalpedia 12:47 Biggest barriers for people with disabilities 15:48 The ADA — what it changed 18:55 Opportunities for disabled entrepreneurs 23:00 Sailing to Cuba and hang gliding 25:25 Adaptive skiing with his kids 27:34 The superpower of perspective 31:17 Gratitude for the injury 36:14 If you could lead the country 41:22 If you could be any animal — the eagle 42:44 Closing thoughts

    What if the wave that broke your neck gave you the life you were meant to live? Josh Basile on Becoming a Lawyer, Dad & Disability Advocate | Living UN-Broken

  2. Jul 25

    What if the worst year of your life was actually the beginning of your purpose? Bean Gill on Recovery, Stigma & Redefining What's Possible

    What if the worst year of your life was actually the beginning of your purpose? In this powerful conversation on Living UN-broken, brothers Amit and Ankit Sharma sit down with Bean Gill — keynote speaker, disability advocate, and co-founder of ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre in Edmonton. In 2012, at age 30, a virus attacked her spinal cord at T10–T11 and left her paralyzed from the waist down in just 10 minutes — the same year she escaped an abusive marriage, her father left the family, and her world fell apart. Bean doesn't sugarcoat any of it. She talks about the pity parties, the misdiagnosis, the South Asian stigma around disability, and the single sentence from a fellow patient — "I'd be happy if I could move an effing finger" — that changed her entire outlook. Today she's a "recovering paraplegic" who built a non-profit that uses activity-based therapies to reconnect the brain to the body and redefine what's possible for people with neurological conditions. We get into the conversations most podcasts won't have: - How a virus can leave you paralyzed in minutes — and why it can happen to anyone - The South Asian stigma around disability, shame, and being "the girl in the wheelchair" - Why gratitude and finding a great psychologist became her biggest silver linings - Inside ReYu: activity-based therapy, neuroplasticity, and real (not magic) recovery - The client who went from moving one thumb to walking, cooking, and driving again - Why hand, bowel, bladder, and sexual function often matter more than walking - At-home and online recovery — what's actually possible from anywhere - Faith, spirituality, and choosing to LIVE life instead of just exist Bean also shares how she turned adversity into advocacy, her podcast Rambling with ReYu, and why she's here to live life — not just exist. Whether you're living with a spinal cord injury, a caregiver, an entrepreneur, or simply someone who needs a reminder of what resilience really looks like — this episode will change how you think about disability, recovery, and gratitude. ABOUT THE GUEST Benveet "Bean" Gill is a keynote speaker, disability inclusion advocate, and co-founder of ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. She also co-hosts Rambling with ReYu, a podcast on neuro recovery. Learn more: reyu.ca ABOUT LIVING UN-BROKEN Hosted by brothers Amit and Ankit Sharma, Living UN-broken is a podcast of resilience, wisdom, and transformation — featuring conversations with spiritual leaders, researchers, advocates, and changemakers turning obstacles into opportunities. Website: livingunbroken.org YouTube: youtube.com/@LivingUN-broken Join our community on WhatsApp via livingunbroken.org SUPPORT THE SHOW Your support helps us create a more inclusive world and bring transformative conversations to those who need them most. Donate via livingunbroken.org CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open — "I'm here to live life" 00:53 Welcome, Bean — meet ReYu 01:51 Who Bean is and her mission 03:29 The injury story — paralyzed in 10 minutes 05:51 South Asian stigma and disability 07:27 Gratitude, misdiagnosis, and finding a psychologist 08:43 The sentence that changed everything 24:25 Building ReYu and the recovery mindset 30:46 Client number one — from one thumb to cooking again 34:13 Goals beyond walking — hand, bowel, bladder, sexual function 34:32 Online and at-home recovery 46:26 Advice to her younger self 48:32 If you could be any animal 55:25 Rambling with ReYu and resources 1:00:15 Spirituality after paralysis 1:01:41 "I'm here to live life, I'm not here to exist" 1:06:41 Closing thanks

    What if the worst year of your life was actually the beginning of your purpose? Bean Gill on Recovery, Stigma & Redefining What's Possible

  3. Apr 24

    Beyond the "5-Year Cure": Dr. Chris McBride on Spinal Cord Injury, Accessibility & Real Hope

    What if everything you've been told about a "cure" for spinal cord injury is wrong? In this powerful conversation on Living UN-broken, brothers Amit and Ankit Sharma sit down with Dr. Chris McBride — Executive Director of Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC), former Managing Director of ICORD and the Rick Hansen Institute, and one of Canada's most respected voices in the spinal cord injury sector for over 30 years. Chris doesn't sugarcoat anything. He calls out the "5-year cure" promise as irresponsible, explains why real research takes 20+ years to reach the clinic, and shares what actually changes lives for people with spinal cord injuries today: peer support, equitable policy, accessible communities, and the courage to see opportunity where others see limitation. We get into the conversations most podcasts won't have: - Why "see one spinal cord injury, you've seen one" — and why that matters for policy - How the accessible tourism industry (80 billion dollars globally) can transform entire communities - The hidden cost of disability — and how Canadian programs often DEMOTIVATE people from working - Catheter coverage, wheelchair coverage, and the health-authority bureaucracy holding people back - Why enforcement of accessibility laws is failing — and what incentives could fix it - A once-in-a-generation chance to build accessible housing during Canada's housing boom - The Sea-to-Sky / Whistler accessibility gap in a province that hosted the Paralympics - Why "if you live long enough, you will be disabled" is the most important sentence in this episode Chris also shares his own unconventional career path, his favourite motivational speaker (gold-medal Paralympian Josh Dueck), and the advice he'd give his 18-year-old self. Whether you're living with a spinal cord injury, a caregiver, an entrepreneur looking for impact, a policymaker, or simply someone who cares about building a more inclusive Canada — this episode will change how you think about disability, accessibility, and resilience. ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Chris McBride is the Executive Director of Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) and Chair of the Executive Directors Council at Spinal Cord Injury Canada. He holds a PhD in Neuroscience from UBC and has spent his career at the intersection of research, policy, and community service. Learn more: sci-bc.ca ABOUT LIVING UN-BROKEN Hosted by brothers Amit and Ankit Sharma, Living UN-broken is a podcast of resilience, wisdom, and transformation — featuring conversations with spiritual leaders, researchers, advocates, and changemakers turning obstacles into opportunities. Website: livingunbroken.org YouTube: youtube.com/@LivingUN-broken Join our community on WhatsApp via livingunbroken.org SUPPORT THE SHOW Your support helps us create a more inclusive world and bring transformative conversations to those who need them most. Donate via livingunbroken.org CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open — the irresponsible "5-year cure" 01:36 Welcome, Chris — meet SCI BC 02:28 Stumbling into spinal cord research 04:57 Why a "5-year cure" creates false hope 07:46 The biggest barriers: ignorance and attitude 09:43 Accessible tourism as an 80 billion dollar opportunity 11:46 Accessibility helps everyone 14:32 Partnership over ego — why SCI BC collaborates 18:32 Catheter coverage, wheelchair coverage, and equity 22:00 Comparing BC, Canada, and the world 27:45 Rebuilding rehab in BC and the GF Strong legacy 29:25 Where is the enforcement of accessibility laws? 33:36 Incentives over enforcement 36:21 Why the system is demotivating people with disabilities 41:57 Disability, identity, and the courage to see opportunity 46:09 Inside SCI BC's Peer Support and Information Services 50:08 The Sea-to-Sky transportation problem 53:47 If you could be any animal 57:40 Association vs. Foundation — how SCI BC works 59:29 Chris's favourite motivational speaker: Josh Dueck 01:01:11 Advice to his 18-year-old self 01:02:49 The magic of peer support — a thank you

    Beyond the "5-Year Cure": Dr. Chris McBride on Spinal Cord Injury, Accessibility & Real Hope

  4. Jan 14

    How 3D Printing is Revolutionizing Disability Tech | Living Unbroken Podcast

    What if the assistive technology that families desperately need didn't cost thousands of dollars? What if volunteers in your community could build it for under $50? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Harrison, Program Manager at Neil Squire Society's Makers Making Change, to explore how 3D printing, open-source design, and community volunteerism are revolutionizing accessibility. 🎯 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: - How a Google Innovation Award-winning device went from $1,000 to $250 - The volunteer-powered model delivering 19,000+ devices across 35 countries - Training 20,000+ students to build assistive technology - Why commercial adaptive toys cost $200 when volunteer versions cost $20 - The Holiday Hackathon: 300 volunteers, 500 devices, one day - Accessible gaming revolution and Xbox Adaptive Controller partnership - Career journey: from "What's engineering?" to changing thousands of lives - Universal design: "A fully able body is a temporary experience" - Economic reality for people with disabilities in Canada ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 2:30 What is Makers Making Change? 5:20 The LipSync Device Story 12:40 Impact by Numbers 22:30 Accessible Gaming 35:00 Universal Design Philosophy 42:00 Career Journey 54:00 Economic Reality & Poverty 67:00 Product Showcase 🔗 RESOURCES: - Download free designs: makersmakingchange.com - Neil Squire Society: neilsquire.ca - Contact: livingunbrokenorg@gmail.com #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #Disability #Engineering #3DPrinting #Innovation #UniversalDesign #Community

  5. 07/28/2025

    BREAKING BARRIERS: Embracing Pleasure with Dr. Bottorff

    Amit and Ankit sit down with Dr.Elizabeth Bottorff, a postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in biomedical engineering who is breaking new ground at the intersection of spinal cord injury and sexual function. Together, they dive into the nuances, challenges, and surprising discoveries of neuromodulation—using electrical stimulation to improve the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries. Dr. Bottorff shares her journey from aspiring physician to passionate researcher, giving us a glimpse into how tools developed for other conditions—like bladder and bowel dysfunction—sometimes reveal unexpected benefits for sexual health. She sheds light on the current gaps in research, why so many clinical outcome measures fail to represent people with disabilities, and what it takes to create more equitable studies. We’ll also hear candid reflections on navigating stigma, securing research funding in a field often misunderstood or overlooked, and what the future holds for innovations in sexual well-being. Plus, Elizabeth opens up about her hands-on approach to study design, the importance of diversity, and the real-life impact of making research truly inclusive, comfortable, and human. Whether you’re interested in cutting-edge technology, sex and disability, or the perseverance it takes to push the boundaries of science, this episode is packed with insight, optimism, and a bit of humor. Join us for a conversation that will challenge how you think about both sex research and the people it aims to serve.

  6. 07/28/2025

    SPINNING OFF with Ankit and Amit

    In this heartfelt episode of the Living Un-Broken podcast, brothers Amit and Ankit take you behind the scenes of their own journeys—no filters, just raw honesty. From a life-changing motorcycle accident to embracing disability and redefining family dynamics, they openly share stories of anger, resilience, laughter, and growth. With humor, vulnerability, and deep empathy, they explore how tragedy can transform into remarkable empowerment. Along the way, they highlight the incredible guests and advocates who fuel the mission to make accessibility, inclusion, and mental health part of everyday conversations. Are you ready to look at adversity in a whole new light? Tune in to gain new perspectives and be inspired by stories of courage, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of joy, no matter the odds. Don’t miss an episode—follow Living Un-Broken wherever you get your podcasts, leave us a review, and join our growing community! Reach out or get involved. Let’s keep the conversation going and empower each other to live unbroken.

  • 6 Episodes

About

This podcast, hosted by brothers Ankit and Amit Sharma, is a heartwarming and inspiring exploration of resilience, wisdom, and transformation. Amit’s life changed forever after a devastating motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. Rather than letting tragedy define him, he found enlightenment, happiness, and a profound purpose that now fuels his spiritual journey. Inspired by Amit’s strength and newfound perspective, Ankit joined forces with his brother to share these powerful lessons and work together to make the world more inclusive. This podcast delves into the intersection of spirituality, science, and societal change, featuring thought-provoking conversations with extraordinary guests. From spiritual leaders and medical researchers to politicians advocating for accessibility, Ankit and Amit bring diverse voices to the table. Together, they explore groundbreaking advancements in medicine and rehabilitation, the emotional and physical challenges of living with disabilities, and how spiritual growth can emerge from adversity. Ankit and Amit aim to inspire listeners to rethink their approach to life’s challenges, find joy in the present moment, and advocate for a world that embraces inclusivity. Through candid discussions, personal stories, and actionable insights, they illuminate how wisdom and science can unite to improve lives. Airing from Canada, the Sharma brothers infuse their show with authenticity, compassion, and hope. Their unique bond as siblings will add warmth and humor to every episode, creating a space where listeners feel like part of the family. You can also be a part of the family by joining their community HERE: (link here) Whether you’re looking for spiritual inspiration, insight into groundbreaking medical research, or hope for a more accessible future, this podcast offers something for everyone. Join Ankit and Amit as they empower individuals to overcome obstacles, find their purpose, and champion a more inclusive world for all.

Information

  • Creator
    Ankit and Amit Sharma
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ankit and Amit Sharma
  • Show Website
    Living UN-broken