Experience Rich Rich

I shattered my neck in a traumatic mountain bike crash. Now, I have two titanium rods and sixteen screws holding my neck together and protecting my spinal cord. Recovery meant persevering through intense physical therapy but I quickly realized my mental health needed focus too. “Forever Stoked” was my life persona before the accident and I used it to get me through the physical and mental challenges of my life’s reset. It’s more than just a sticker on the walker that I pushed for 8-miles while wearing my neck brace – it was my recovery mantra. 

My traumatic mountain bike accident resulted in a twisted, mangled neck and spinal injury. Two titanium rods and sixteen screws made initial physical survival possible but it was mental health . . .  focus, intent and surrender . . . being in the moment. . . that taught me how to truly save my life. 

Fear, anxiety and stress: the FAS.  We all have it at different stages, levels and for different reasons. Now, my FAS is due to a traumatic mountain bike crash that left me with a broken neck held together by two titanium rods and sixteen screws.  Yours might be brought on by your job, family, finances, physical or mental health and even today with a pandemic and rolling lockdowns. We can manage fear, anxiety and stress and it's simply done throughout our day. I’ve spent 12 months rebuilding my body and mind after my accident and it’s provided many opportunities to face and overcome my own fear, anxiety and stress.

There are paths we’re supposed to follow or ways in which we think our life should be but what happens when there’s an unexpected event that changes our path? What do we do? This podcast is about sharing some lessons I’ve learned from my comeback after a mountain bike accident left me with a severely  broken neck.  Throughout my 14 month recovery, my friends and family were curious about my mental and physical process. There were a lot of questions and lots of learnings and reflections  that may benefit anyone struggling with a major life situation.  We only get one life. Why not work together to help write the best life story we possibly can?

Tough situations in life appear for everybody.  I’ve learned that taking the easy way out, escape-ism, may not teach, you never move forward.  5 days after my massive surgery I decided to quit all pain meds and learned so much to get my life back, through suffering. This was while dealing with mental trauma and not knowing if I’d ever walk again.  The tough road taught me and gave me so much more, even though I suffered.  There are ways to quit the pain meds and deal w/ pain. Here is how I bounced back and I'm getting the word out. 

  

I have learned that the journey brings many experiences, surprises and things we never thought of. They are like small gifts along the way.