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David Brook’s Inspiring Journey of Overcoming a Cerebellar Hemorrhage
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David Brooks’ journey after a cerebellar hemorrhage shows how perseverance and targeted therapy can lead to incredible recovery. Learn how he regained his strength and balance.
The post David Brook’s Inspiring Journey of Overcoming a Cerebellar Hemorrhage appeared first on Recovery After Stroke.
301 episoade
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Content provided by Recovery After Stroke. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Recovery After Stroke or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ro.player.fm/legal.
David Brooks’ journey after a cerebellar hemorrhage shows how perseverance and targeted therapy can lead to incredible recovery. Learn how he regained his strength and balance.
The post David Brook’s Inspiring Journey of Overcoming a Cerebellar Hemorrhage appeared first on Recovery After Stroke.
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1 Surviving Two Strokes: Adam Jackson’s Inspiring Adaptive Sports Journey 1:07:58
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Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutTypes of Stroke: Understanding the Differences and Adam Jackson’s Journey Introduction: What Are the Types of Stroke? A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and causing damage. It is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions each year. However, not all strokes are the same. Understanding the types of stroke , their causes, and their impact on survivors can help individuals seek the right treatment and rehabilitation strategies. In this article, we will explore: The three main types of stroke Common symptoms and risk factors Diagnosis and treatment options Adam Jackson’s inspiring story of stroke recovery and adaptive sports Prevention tips and lifestyle changes Encouragement and resources for stroke survivors and caregivers The Three Main Types of Stroke Strokes are categorized into three main types, each requiring different treatment approaches and rehabilitation strategies. 1. Ischemic Stroke An ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for about 87% of all strokes . It occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery, cutting off oxygen to the brain. Subtypes of ischemic stroke: Thrombotic Stroke: Caused by a clot forming in an artery supplying the brain. Embolic Stroke: Caused by a clot that forms elsewhere in the body (often the heart) and travels to the brain. Treatment: Doctors may administer a clot-busting drug (tPA) or perform a mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot. 2. Hemorrhagic Stroke A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding. This can be caused by high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Subtypes of hemorrhagic stroke: Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Bleeding occurs directly into brain tissue. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and thin tissues covering it. Treatment: Surgery may be needed to relieve pressure, and medications help control bleeding and lower blood pressure. 3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – The “Mini-Stroke” A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, typically lasting a few minutes to hours without causing permanent damage. TIAs are often warning signs of a future ischemic stroke. Treatment: Lifestyle changes, medications, and monitoring are essential to prevent a full stroke. Symptoms and Risk Factors of Stroke Common Stroke Symptoms (Remember F.A.S.T.) Face drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb. Arm weakness: Difficulty raising one or both arms. Speech difficulty: Slurred speech or trouble speaking. Time to call 911: Seek emergency care immediately. Risk Factors for Stroke Controllable Factors: High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and physical inactivity. Uncontrollable Factors: Age, family history, genetics, and prior strokes or TIAs. Diagnosis and Treatment of Stroke Doctors use various tools to diagnose and assess stroke severity , including: CT Scan or MRI: To detect bleeding or blockages in the brain. Carotid Ultrasound: To assess blood flow in the neck arteries. Echocardiogram: To check for heart-related causes of embolic strokes. Treatment Approaches: For ischemic stroke: tPA (clot-busting drug), mechanical thrombectomy, blood thinners. For hemorrhagic stroke: Blood pressure management, surgery (if needed), rehabilitation. For TIAs: Preventive medications, lifestyle changes, close monitoring. Adam Jackson’s Stroke Journey and Adaptive Sports Recovery A Veteran’s Unexpected Stroke Experience Adam Jackson, an Australian Army veteran, experienced his first stroke in 2010 while deployed in Afghanistan . His symptoms included leg weakness and temporary paralysis, but his condition went undiagnosed. Overcoming Challenges Through Adaptive Sports Adam’s recovery was challenging, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown , which restricted hospital visits from family and friends. Despite this, he remained determined to rebuild his strength. His breakthrough came when he discovered adaptive sports , including: Indoor rowing Swimming Sitting volleyball Nordic skiing Adam now competes in Invictus Games and Warrior Games , proving that stroke recovery is about pushing limits, finding new passions, and staying resilient. Stroke Prevention: Reducing the Risk Preventing stroke is possible through lifestyle changes and medical management. Top Stroke Prevention Tips: Monitor Blood Pressure: Keep it under control. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Focus on whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins. Stay Active: Exercise regularly. Quit Smoking: Smoking increases stroke risk significantly. Manage Stress: Meditation and relaxation techniques can help. Regular Check-ups: Detect and manage risk factors early. Encouragement and Resources for Stroke Survivors Recovering from a stroke is a journey, and you are not alone . Whether you’re facing ischemic stroke recovery , adaptive sports after stroke , or looking for mental health after stroke support, there are resources available: Support Groups: Join local or online stroke survivor communities. Rehabilitation Centers: Work with physical therapists for ongoing improvement. Books & Podcasts: Learn from stroke recovery stories, like The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened . Adaptive Sports Programs: Engage in activities that help regain strength and confidence. Surviving Two Strokes: Adam Jackson’s Inspiring Adaptive Sports Journey Types of stroke impact recovery in unique ways. Adam Jackson shares how adaptive sports helped him reclaim his strength after two strokes. Adam’s Instagram Highlights: 00:00 Updates and Gratitude 01:48 Introduction to Adam Jackson 03:58 Adam’s First Stroke in 2010 08:06 Adam’s Second Stroke in 2020 12:52 Recovery and Deficits 17:13 Adam’s Career and Military Service 24:19 Transition to Adaptive Sports 31:35 Challenges and Motivation 42:32 Advice for Stroke Survivors 51:46 The Mental and Physical Benefits of Training 1:02:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Transcript: Updates and Gratitude Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Recovery After Stroke Podcast. Before we dive into today’s inspiring conversation, I wanted to share some exciting updates and express my gratitude to this incredible community. First off, a massive thank you to all my amazing Patreon supporters, your contributions are truly making a difference by helping cover the costs of producing this podcast. Because of your support, not only is this show accessible to you, but it’s also available for other stroke survivors who may not be in a position to contribute financially. Bill Gasiamis 0:40 Your generosity ensures that this resource continues to reach those who need it the most another simple but powerful way to support the podcast is by listening to the ads without skipping them. It may not seem like much, but just letting the ads play helps keep this podcast going, allowing me to bring you valuable content week after week. Speaking of growth, we’re now at 49 five-star reviews on Spotify, and the YouTube channel is on track to surpass 5000 subscribers in the next 30 days. Bill Gasiamis 1:15 More and more stroke survivors and caregivers are finding this content, leaving comments and engaging in meaningful conversations, I couldn’t be more grateful for this growing community. A huge thank you goes out to those who have read and reviewed my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened . Every review and message inspires me to keep sharing these conversations. If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, you can find it on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Introduction to Adam Jackson Bill Gasiamis 1:48 And if you’re looking for additional guidance, remember about the narrated video lessons at recoveryafterstroke.com/learn , these lessons created by a stroke survivor for stroke survivors are designed to help you take actionable steps toward reclaiming your life after stroke. Now, let’s talk about today’s episode. I’m thrilled to be joined by Adam Jackson, an Australian Army veteran and stroke survivor whose story is nothing short of incredible. Adam experienced two strokes 10 years apart, the first of which went undiagnosed while he was deployed in Afghanistan. Bill Gasiamis 2:29 When his second stroke hit in 2020 he faced complete paralysis on his right side, but rather than let it define him, Adam took on his biggest challenge yet, rebuilding his life through adaptive sports. Adam’s journey is one of perseverance, mindset shifts and finding purpose through movement and competition. In this episode, we’ll explore how he transitioned from recovery to competing in the Invictus Games, what adaptive sports have meant for his rehabilitation and how he continues to push his limits. Let’s get started. Adam Jackson, welcome to the podcast. Adam Jackson 3:09 Thank you, Bill. Bill Gasiamis 3:12 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you man. Adam Jackson 3:13 Okay, so in 2020 I had a massive, so I woke up to about 5am in the morning, and we were obviously, my wife was asleep. I said ‘Do you want to go to the gym, or can I go? And she’s like ‘You go. Like, okay, cool. I’m downstairs, started doing some laundry, and then I just sort of was on the ground. Like ‘What am I doing here? Unless looked up the washing machine must have had a fall or something that I just didn’t need to grab the washing machine, pull myself up, go to the couch, couldn’t do it. Was missing my right arm. I was like ‘Where’s my right arm? Adam’s First Stroke in 2010 Adam Jackson 3:58 Like, looking around, couldn’t see it didn’t want to wake my wife up against I started thinking about calling out to the girl my because I got two daughters. They’re both 11 and 13 now. But then my wife heard me mumble something, so she came down, saw me, said ‘You’re having a stroke. A mum with something again, she called the ambulance, took a while to get there, then I got transferred to hospital on the Sunshine Coast. Adam Jackson 4:34 They did some scans and stuff, and then they sent me to Brisbane, to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, and that’s where I spent my first week after my stroke. So I had a left side MCA, and I was completely paralyzed MRI, MCA. Bill Gasiamis 5:00 What’s an MCA? Adam Jackson 5:02 Good question, a something cerebral. Bill Gasiamis 5:12 Let me check since I asked you left side. MC, cerebral, left middle cerebral artery is the artery that was impacted perhaps. Adam Jackson 5:30 Yes, that’s it, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 5:32 And you had an ischemic stroke? Adam Jackson 5:35 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 5:37 Alright, left middle cerebral artery. I’ve got no idea where that’s located. It’s probably somewhere in the brain, right? Adam Jackson 5:45 That’s alright. It didn’t so that was another may 2020 Yeah. Bill Gasiamis 5:52 That was in 2020 but you had a stroke in 2010? Adam Jackson 5:56 Yes, they didn’t know it was a stroke back then. So I’m a veteran of the Australian Army. So I was in Afghanistan at the time, in 2010 again, really, so I woke up we’re in a room like four people. Car was getting changed to go call my wife Kate, stood up my right side leg felt funny. You know how you get pins and needles when you sit on your leg too long, or that sort of thing, it felt like that. I was like, that’s weird, and then I just lost complete feeling in my right leg. I was like ‘That’s not good. Adam Jackson 6:45 Then my left leg started going and I was like, because we were in bunk beds, and there wasn’t anyone on the top bunk, but I was holding onto the bunk. And then my left leg did the same thing, and then I collapsed on the floor, and I remember feeling like my legs underneath twitching, and I had to, like, grab them and throw them out. And I didn’t have pants on that at that stage. So I was sitting there going, I’m gonna have to call someone to come and put my pants off and take me to the hospital, and but the feeling came back. I was like ‘Oh, that was weird. Adam Jackson 7:25 Got dressed, went downstairs, spoke to my wife on the phone, started to get ahead from there, said ‘You know, I’m going to get back to my room. And just got worse from there, so that was thrown up, went back to bed, and then I couldn’t get out of bed, so I’d call someone to help, and they helped me into the car, took me to the roll three hospital at canter airfield. They did somehow, like heaps of scans and stuff, and I was pretty much out for that day, they couldn’t find out what was wrong. So they couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. Adam’s Second Stroke in 2020 Adam Jackson 8:07 They thought it was meningitis or some thought so autos. But then they just, you know, I went back spent, I think, not one night on the hospital, and then went back to my room, where I spent like, five days just recovering slowly. Again, it’s that fatigue, and then a lot of stroke survivors talk about that fatigue, but that stroke was like that for weeks and weeks where I just fatigued. Couldn’t do my normal stuff, but I was fine. Adam Jackson 8:44 Didn’t investigate it the first stroke. So it was a tiny stroke, so when the big stroke happened in 2020 the doctors just like, Has anything happened like this before? And we talked about that, and then they got the scans back, and they can see the old in fact, where the injury, old injury was, and then this injury was, like, basically around that. So, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 9:10 So what do they reckon the causes two ischemic strokes 10 years apart? Is there an underlying cause? Adam Jackson 9:18 Yes, it. I had a PSO, and you can ask me what that stands for. Bill Gasiamis 9:25 Patent Foramen Ovale. Adam Jackson 9:27 That’s it. Bill Gasiamis 9:28 It’s a hole in the heart. Adam Jackson 9:30 Yes. So I had one of those, and they that’s from skirts, that’s what they say caused it, probably, as you know, one and I think three people have one or pretty common, but obviously a lot of people, it doesn’t cause strokes in everyone. But after two, they’re like ‘Okay, we go close that hole up. Bill Gasiamis 9:52 Let’s take a quick pause here before we dive back into Adam’s inspiring story and his journey through adaptive sports. I want to take him. Moment to express my gratitude to my Patreon supporters, your contributions keep this podcast going, ensuring that it remains accessible, not just for you, but for other stroke survivors who may not be in a position to provide financial support. If you’d like to be a part of this and help sustain the podcast, you could check out my Patreon, at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Bill Gasiamis 10:27 Okay, so the first time they did work out that perhaps it was the PFO or they didn’t investigate it. Adam Jackson 10:36 So my first stroke, they didn’t actually know it was a stroke until my second massive stroke. Bill Gasiamis 10:44 Yeah, wow. So how do you recover from a stroke when you have no idea you had a stroke 10 years earlier? Adam Jackson 10:52 It’s lucky, I suppose that it wasn’t a big stroke. I mean, the doctor said because they did the scans so early on that sometimes it doesn’t show up until later on the injury. So that’s why they didn’t pick it up. And I mean, I was in Afghanistan at the time, so you know, as good as the medical and you know, the doctors and stuff over there are fantastic. Adam Jackson 11:23 I mean, it’s not a proper hospital by anything, but they still had scanners and stuff, and like, obviously, what my injury was, or my stroke, wasn’t anything compared to the other soldiers and stuff, but they suffer. So, yeah, just different injuries that. Bill Gasiamis 11:52 So this one in 2020 we’re talking about almost lockdown. Were you in lockdown? What was the situation there with the medical situation? Because that’s when March 2020, was when I know Melbourne locked down like nothing else you’re in Brisbane. So what was that like? Adam Jackson 12:16 Took a couple of weeks. It was okay when I was in Brisbane, but when I went back to sun and coast, I think it was like, was like one or two weeks later, probably a week later that they started locking down the hospital. So my kids couldn’t come up to the ward, because I went into the stroke ward for, I think, one or two days, and then I got transferred to the rehabilitation ward, and they locked it down, so it was only like my wife that could come and visit me. So they limited numbers of people that come up and see me. Recovery and Deficits Adam Jackson 12:52 Which sucked when you’re trying to recover from such a massive stroke. And having that support at the start was absolutely important for recovering, because the kids could come watch me do my physio, you know, try to get the movement back in my right side, and then just cut that out, was devastating. Bill Gasiamis 13:19 So right now, what are your deficits? Adam Jackson 13:23 I’ve still got deficit in my leg, my right hand is non-functional. And then I’ve still got deficits on my riders, but as well. So like my ankle joint, my hip, knee, sort of, I sort of explain it that, like my bigger muscles turned on pretty quickly, because I was fit before my stroke, they could come back pretty quickly, and you could switch them on. But the little muscles, you know, in the hand, there’s, like, so many intricate muscles that need to work and to actually make that connection is just, it’s hard. Bill Gasiamis 14:03 So, yeah, does that mean you’re able to walk? Adam Jackson 14:06 Yep, I can walk and I can run. Yeah, took me three months from not being able to walk to being sort of running again, and that’s when they kicked me out of the hospital because they’re like ‘You can, you don’t need to be in rehab for it. I was like ‘Okay. Bill Gasiamis 14:25 Yeah, well, you don’t need to be in rehab to learn how to walk again or run, but you probably need to be in rehab to use your arms. Adam Jackson 14:34 So I pretty much before I left hospital, either organized OT, so Effie Simpson, she’s amazing, and I still see it. So, you know, four years later, I still do physio, I still do OT, I still do Rehab per se, or, you know, to maintain that muscle mass and maintain that movement. I’m still doing stuff, it just never ends, and if you stop, it’s now, obviously you get backwards. Bill Gasiamis 15:13 So who did you mention I missed that? Adam Jackson 15:19 Effie Simpson. Bill Gasiamis 15:22 Amazing, okay. So you see Effie, that’s why we’re connected. That makes sense now, that’s it. Adam Jackson 15:29 Yeah. Bill Gasiamis 15:30 Okay, so with your deficits, are there any cognitive deficits, any other challenges that you deal with on a daily basis that are not related to the physical part. Adam Jackson 15:43 So I still have word funding difficulties, spelling difficulties, my mind will just go blank, like, how do you spell “There”? Or, you know, just common words. Bill Gasiamis 15:59 Which “There”?, though, because I get stuck on “There” all the time. And where I get stuck on “WHERE” as well. Where. Where are they? All the wares I don’t know which one to use, never. Adam Jackson 16:07 Yeah, I teach my girls as for the bear, where you going? Something like you’re going there, I say “Here, There, every where.” Then you know how to spell, but sometimes it works. Bill Gasiamis 16:29 ERE and their, it’s their ball, THEIR, and they are, They, THEY. I know all of that, but in a sentence, sometimes, it just doesn’t, it just doesn’t flow. Like, can’t just slot it in the right one, and especially with the wares, you know, where, we’re and where, and that’s been for me, a challenge, like since almost day one. And it’s such a it’s not a real struggle, but it’s such a really weird thing to be aware of and notice and not be able to just get it right. Adam’s Career and Military Service Bill Gasiamis 17:13 And I always have to get a pen out and write them all down and see them all and then go again. And if I’m not using a computer which will auto correct, it’s just fascinating that it keeps happening. So your what kind of work? What were you doing in 2020? Were you still in the armed forces? Adam Jackson 17:39 So I was actually a reservist at that time. So I did 12 years full time, and then 3 years part time reserved time. So I was actually my full time job was, I was a fly in – fly out electronics technician, working for BA time and again. Luckily, I wasn’t at work, because I probably would have died. Adam Jackson 18:07 So you don’t quite contact because you’re on 12 hour shifts. If it’s your 12 hour off, don’t really see anyone except, you know, breakfast, dinner or lunch. And it’s a small camp, so there’s only like 20 people on on site. So again, you’ve got to count the blessings when this happens, when you have a medical professional for a wife. Bill Gasiamis 18:35 That helps a loss. Adam Jackson 18:37 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 18:38 How many years were you in the army? Adam Jackson 18:40 12, it’s peak 15 in total. Bill Gasiamis 18:45 How old were you when you joined? Adam Jackson 18:49 25 I joined later. Bill Gasiamis 18:53 Yeah, that’s alright. 25 so you’re in there for 12 years. And then when you’re in the army. How many places did you deploy to? Had you been to? Adam Jackson 19:05 I’ve been to Afghanistan twice, which, again, actually really enjoyed it being in the Army. I was a Navy and legs technician, so I used to work on the Chinook helicopters. And to be there, you know, this is Kandahar Airfield is massive, like 30,000 people on site. There’s like six messes, there’s shops you can go shop at, there’s the PXS. It’s just, you know, it’s like a little mini city. Adam Jackson 19:38 And then for like, an aviation person, see all the allies, helicopters, aircraft, jets. It’s just it was awesome. Good experience, you know. And people at home don’t like the war, or didn’t at the time. Bill Gasiamis 20:06 It wasn’t a popular war. Adam Jackson 20:08 No, not at all. But I explained it to someone one time and said “No, if you were an engineer, would you were like to work on models for the rest of your life?” And they’re like “No.” I said “See, why do you want, like a defense force member to just stay at home and do exercises, as opposed to going overseas and helping people and doing their job for real?” Because it’s not like the Australian Defense Force is not about the wars, it’s about helping people, you know, doing the humanitarian aid. Adam Jackson 20:42 When there’s psych what do they call that? Tsunamis, you know, fires, floods, cyclones. That’s what we’re there for, and that’s what we want to do now. We wanted to get to the poison for those things, to help people. It’s not about so I suppose, because we’re like, because I was in the defense force, you have a different perspective of what we actually do. Bill Gasiamis 21:14 I suppose the purpose of joining the defense force is to deploy. That’s the whole point. Adam Jackson 21:20 Exactly, yep. Bill Gasiamis 21:22 Being a reservist is maybe a different thing. Perhaps trains you to a certain extent, but the whole purpose is to be a reservist. It’s not to be exactly deployed, right? So you’re deployed and you your role meant that you didn’t specifically see any the theater of Wolf on the front line or anything like that. You didn’t see that part of it? Adam Jackson 21:49 Not really. I’m like, we still got it. So the Taliban used to send, like, 105 mill rockets. So they had, like a timer. So they set it, build it like a dirt mound, and then just sort of roughly payment. And then they set a timer, like an egg timer or something, so it set off that they wouldn’t be anywhere near where that came from. You get rockets daily landing on base. One hit one of the three concrete accommodation blocks. Adam Jackson 22:33 One of the rockets hit the one next to us completely destroyed the room, but he was out having a smoke at the time. So, yeah, it’s just you, and you hear a lot of stories about people who weren’t in the room when at the time. Bill Gasiamis 22:51 And reason I was asking about your career and where you work was kind of to try and understand, like, what you’re made of and and how you applied your training, and the things that you went through, the tough times being deployed, getting ready to deploy, all that kind of stuff. How do you apply that to your stroke recovery? Is there a transfer of skills into stroke recovery? Do you use what you’ve learned in the army to get you through those hard times of stroke? Adam Jackson 23:34 Yes, so I was always a positive person before I joined the Army, and I think mostly that positivity helped me not recover but get through those hard times. But in the Defense Force, they teach you just to keep going like you can’t stop because there’s someone depending on especially with the helicopters, if we don’t fix our helicopter, that could mean that someone needs a like a medical evacuation, can’t get back, or the troops on the front line can’t get picked up when they need to say “It’s very important to just do your job, do it well.” Transition to Adaptive Sports Adam Jackson 24:19 Doesn’t matter what you’re going through, you got to think about the other people as well that are depending on you to do your job. I think that sort of transfers into my recoveries, that just instead of other people depending on, or people that I don’t know depending on me, it’s my family that you know, I have to that depend on me, and I depend on them to get better, to put to live, so that I’m there for my family and they’re there for me. Adam Jackson 24:53 So instead of, that’s my inspiration, I suppose you could say, is to get better with my family. You know, they were there from the start, they’re still here now. So, you know, supporting me in whatever I want to do in my recovery, as you know, recovering at the stop. Bill Gasiamis 25:17 Yeah, you were a reservist in 2020, but were you also working? Did you have a job? Were you full time employed? Adam Jackson 25:28 Yeah, so I was working the fly-in – fly-out as an electronic section. Bill Gasiamis 25:35 Yes, fly in – fly out. So what kind of travel arrangements did that entail? So how long would you fly out for? Adam Jackson 25:46 I was away for 15 days, and then I was back 13 and two of those 15 were travel days. So it’s basically 13 days off, 13 days at home, and then two travel days in between. So, pretty good roster. I mean, is awesome to have, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 26:06 Pretty good roster. When you’re flying out, how far are you flying out? Where are you going? Adam Jackson 26:14 I was went from Brisbane to Longreach and then from Longreach with a two hour drive to the radar site. Bill Gasiamis 26:20 So, and since then, have you been able to get back to some kind of work at all? Adam Jackson 26:30 Not really, no. So I’m retired now, and I think my job or transferred to my sport now, so and my is not my passion, but because my rehab, you know, I wanted to get better, sort of blended into the sport path. So, like at the start of the year, I was selected to do by Invictus Australia, to go over to America and do the Warrior Games in June, which is awesome experience, because that’s for the winded, wounded, sick engine soldiers. So and could be current serving or former serving members. Adam Jackson 27:14 And then again, I got selected to go to Invictus in Canada, in Vancouver in February next year. So again, I’m training for that, but before that, it was just training to get better. So to have a goal now is amazing, you know, because I think you need those goals yourself, and it doesn’t matter what how big that goal is, but have that goal to aim towards, because otherwise people lose interest in what they’re doing in their rehab. Bill Gasiamis 27:50 So what sport are you participating in? Adam Jackson 27:55 At Invictus? I’m doing indoor rowing, swimming, sitting volleyball and Nordic skiing. Bill Gasiamis 28:05 Is that enough or what? Adam Jackson 28:07 Well, they worry, I had five sports. Bill Gasiamis 28:11 Yeah, are you training and participating in those sports all day, every day, every week. Adam Jackson 28:19 Indoor rowing, yes, swimming, I like train in. I’m actually in Melbourne at the moment, so just yesterday, did the High Rocks race. So anyone know what High Rocks is? It’s like a fitness race, it’s awesome. And someone suggested it to me last year, to my wife, because she’s pretty really hit as well. And they suggested, it hurt, and I looked at them, went “Nah, that’s like crazy.” But I looked into it because a lot of sports have the adaptive categories. So I looked into it because their motto is “It’s a race for everybody.” Adam Jackson 29:13 So I was like, okay, and I sent a message and said “Do you do adaptive?” We do it’s in a draft edition, but we do have divisions for adapted athletes, so my wife and I did the Brisbane one in August, which is amazing, but again, it didn’t really count for anything. So I’ve been trying to push to get it included. And this is the first Melbourne yesterday had their first official adaptive divisions in the High Rocks race, in the men’s and open men’s and women. So the women are running racing today. It’s just it’s good to have that there, I standard that goal. Bill Gasiamis 30:01 What does High Rocks involve? Though, it sounds weird, strange, yes. Adam Jackson 30:08 So basically, there’s eight one kilometer runs in between, you have different stations. So 1 kilometer run, One 1000 meter skier, 1 kilometer run, you know, and you just keep going through the station. So there’s slight push, sled, pull, indoor rowing, lunges, hell bell farmers carries, burpees, door jumps, you know. So this hits your activities and beauty, the beauty of it is, as they say, everyone can do it, where everybody can do it, and you can train, you know, it’s not like a Spartan or tough mudder. Adam Jackson 30:50 Where you have to actually go and you get muddy and dirty and you hurt yourself. We can’t really train for that. Whereas High Rocks, you know what the standards are, you know what you need to do, and most gyms you can do it at, and it’s the staff have been absolutely amazing. I can’t speak highly enough of Matt Buck, which is the Australian head he’s been super supportive of the addition divisions to try and get it through, because now we have an opportunity to go to the world championships as adapt with athletes, which is, it’s insane, but it’s good to have that. Challenges and Motivation Adam Jackson 31:35 You know, that goal of and again, it’s trying to get other people into the sport. But you know, people that go, I can’t do that like I did 12 months ago, to get them into the sport and go, You know what? This is actually fun, and have that again, a goal to train towards. It’s good. Bill Gasiamis 31:57 You’re training for competitions now, when you were fit and well before the stroke? Adam Jackson 32:04 Yep. Bill Gasiamis 32:05 Were you doing that level of training? Were you trying to accomplish those types of goals? Adam Jackson 32:12 I was training, probably not quite as hard as I am now, because I had to show a full time job and then the kids, but like, when I was home, I’ve always I’ve always been fit, I’ve always gone to the gym. I’ve always played, I was playing that ball before him at a high level. But again, life just pops in the way and just takes over. So I’ve always loved sport, and I’ve always loved being competitive, and this is just, you know, helped, I suppose you could say. Bill Gasiamis 32:51 You’re in the adaptive divisions or similar, you would have met a lot of people in similar situations. You because of maybe a stroke or a different condition. What’s it like meeting other people that are going through something similar can relate to you? Adam Jackson 33:10 So I’ll just refer back to my like my Invictus team, for example. You got people in wheelchairs, you got people, you know, with mental health problems and a lot. There’s a lot of stories out there that you look into, there’s cancer people with cancer and terminal illnesses, you just you know, you’re in awe of them as much as they’re on awe of you for their strength and their resilience to to keep pushing through, even though they know that they have a finite amount of time left on this earth, especially for the terminal cancer patients, you know. Adam Jackson 33:57 But they’re still one of the my teammates, Doug Griffiths, he just did the kind of Marathon in Hawaii, like, that’s amazing, you know, to do that, yeah, it’s very inspirational, and you get all that. You get more energy from them being in that group of people. You know, there’s special people and to be included into that group is yes, I’m very grateful for that and for that opportunity. Bill Gasiamis 34:36 Yeah, it sounds like that helps you with the tough days. I imagine there’s a lot of hard days in not only the training aspect of it, but also dealing with what stroke has caused and created. Is it something that you’re managing well, that you handle thing? How are you dealing with all those types of things? Adam Jackson 35:06 Yep, mostly I handle it well. I still have my good days, my bad days, a lot of that. Because, I suppose being a adapted athlete now, like again, you look at the other people and go, you know, am I worthy? I suppose you could say and but then you just go, well, that’s why you got to give it your like yesterday in my race, like I had a carpet burn on my knee, my elbow, like I was wrecked. Adam Jackson 35:44 But you don’t like you just don’t give up because a it teaches, you know your kids, those values of you know you might be hurt, but you’re not broken. Yeah, I think one of the Doug Griffiths mottos is, you know “Beaten but never broken.” So that’s, it’s a good motto to have. Bill Gasiamis 36:15 So part of the thing that inspires you to keep going is the kids to be a good example for the kids. Adam Jackson 36:22 Yeah, and from, you know, to just push through that pain. And that, or not, you know, might not be pain. It might be the emotional barrier holding you back from trying something or to do something and just you, and you’re only here for a short amount of time. And life always throws you curveballs, but you gotta just get through it. Bill Gasiamis 36:54 Is the pain that you experienced now after stroke, different from, say, the pain before stroke, when you were going to the gym, pumping iron, running, doing whatever. I know that kind of pain as well. It’s a, I hate this pain, but at the end, it’s really good pain, you know, like it’s okay going to the gym. Now for me, I’ve actually stopped going to the gym probably the last four months, because every time I was going, I was causing not an injury, but I was causing something to occur where my muscles weren’t recovering. Bill Gasiamis 37:33 I was just aggravating things and making it tighter and tenser, more tone, more painful, more annoying, and the fun of going to the gym like went away, because I was never coming, I was never recovering and going back recovered. What’s it like for you to experience this version of your body, going to the gym, training, and all that kind of stuff, compared to the previous version? Adam Jackson 38:01 It’s a lot harder, obviously. Again, as you said, like your muscles, especially on your affected side, your muscles tighten and the tone just kicks in, and there’s no way of actually stopping that at that time. Like you can stretch, but it doesn’t, you can’t stretch properly. So you know that pain is there all the time. I find acupuncture works wonders to release that tension and that time. Adam Jackson 38:34 And I suppose that again has helped me know, keeping up with my allied health professionals and those appointments to, actually, and FE is the same, you know, dry needling my right arm to, you know, release some of that attention. But again, it’s either don’t do anything, and then all those gains sort of slip away. Because if I don’t move my right arm or use my right arm, it just it’ll be it just wasted away. So I have to go to the gym to give us something like to move it, and to do those sorts of things. And my leg, I suppose it’s the same. Hope I don’t do it, sort of, yes, yeah, I need to do it. Bill Gasiamis 39:28 You need to do it regardless. You gotta push through the pain, even though it’s harder than before. Adam Jackson 39:34 Yeah, definitely, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 39:37 That’s maybe what I want to hear, what I wanted to hear you say, so that, like I know what I’ve gotta do, and maybe other people that are listening understand as well that it’s harder, but it’s probably more important than it’s ever been. Adam Jackson 39:58 Exactly, and I think, with the pain like, obviously, I’m probably an extreme version of spending two or three hours at the gym five or six days a week. You don’t need to do that to get, you know, to keep that I’m doing that for my fitness and for my athletic endeavors, whereas most people, you don’t need to do that. You just need to move that up, or you just don’t need to go to those extremes. Bill Gasiamis 40:35 You just gotta get moving. You gotta get the you gotta get the muscle activated. There’s no way I’m doing three hours of gym a day, mate, no chance. It doesn’t matter how much spare time I have. I was very happy to go in. And this is the good thing about what you just said. It’s true, I was very happy to go in when my body was responding the way that I wanted it to, maybe for 30 minutes, 45 minutes every second day. Yep, and that was it. Because what that meant that I got to see people and meet people who I haven’t seen for two or three days. Bill Gasiamis 41:12 You know, we get to talk a little bit about what you get up to, kind of stuff, a little bit of trash, a little bit of sport update about your team, and then push some weights around, you know, get the blood pumping, get the endorphins running, get all of the neuro transmitters happening and then feel a little bit exhausted, and then go back and recover. And it was part, it was a good part of a routine that created, yes, only good things, yes, and even when I was going and I wasn’t recovering well. Bill Gasiamis 41:48 And I had some problems with my muscles and that it was still it, even then it was still good to go the community aspect of it and all that stuff was still worth it, but at some point it gets to the stage of “Okay, if I’m going to, and this is the other real important point I want to make, if you’re going to be injuring yourself going to the gym, you just need to find a way to go without injuring yourself and without making the deficits impossible.” And then just find a way I decreased my weight so my the guy who set up my sessions. Advice for Stroke Survivors Bill Gasiamis 42:32 My Monday and my Wednesday sessions, what I was going to do. My program initially had me kind of lifting more and more weights and getting heavier and heavier, and I’m like, I don’t need to lift lift heavier weights. I just need to lift weights just so that I can keep the bone strength, so I can keep the muscles growing, the blood flowing, all that kind of stuff, so I can create new neurons. It’s a very different reason why I was going to the gym now, exactly as opposed to when I had previously been to the gym. Bill Gasiamis 43:06 So I still encourage people to go, and even though it might be hard and difficult, just find the just find yourself doing the exercises that are easy for you to do that you can resist some decent amount of weight, yeah, and the ones that are a little harder, just decrease the weight and get somebody to support you or assist you with those particular sets or reps. Yeah, it’s so important, but you’ve taken it to the next level. I mean, this is, why did you just go to the gym? Why didn’t you just go and train and run and not worry about competing? Adam Jackson 43:50 Well, I did for the first four years, pretty much. And I remember, like the people that are worried about going to the gym at the start, I did not want to go to the gym because of my death deficits. You know, you always worry about people looking at you funny or wondering what’s wrong with you, and have those conversations. And a lot of people, I was the same, you know, don’t want to have those conversations with white strangers going I had a stroke. This arm doesn’t work. I’m trying to, you just, you want to be left alone, and I suppose that’s the main reason why. Adam Jackson 44:26 For those four years, I just was doing it for myself and my family to get better. And it was my wife who suggested applying for Invictus. I suppose that’s was the catalyst to push me to compete, to go harder than I have before, to try and see what, see what I can do. See what this body can do, 44 now, trying to represent Australia in a sport at the Paralympics or in the World Cups, or whatever it is, but trying to achieve something that I would never have thought I could achieve. I might not get that, but that’s fine, because now you’ll have that goal, and you just gotta keep trying. Bill Gasiamis 45:17 Just to achieve great things if you don’t get there. So, aim for the stars, no problem. You’ll get somewhere pretty high up, man, it’ll be fantastic. So with your leg, do you use an AFO? Adam Jackson 45:34 No. Bill Gasiamis 45:35 Okay, so no AFO. Now you still look pretty fit, right? You look pretty fit, your arm doesn’t respond or isn’t working at the moment, is that right? Adam Jackson 45:46 No, it works. It’s just my hand. Bill Gasiamis 45:49 It’s just your hand. Adam Jackson 45:50 Like, yeah, totally, from my knee elbow down, it’s sort of weaker, but he’s my elbow up. Bill Gasiamis 46:00 Still got some decent muscle tone there. How do you use your hand? How do you support it to go through the exercise? Exercise regime? Adam Jackson 46:11 I have an active hand. Do you know what that is? Bill Gasiamis 46:16 No. Adam Jackson 46:18 My wife will grab it for you. So it basically helps me hold on to stuff. It’s an absolute, well, it’s a game changer. So that’s looks weird at the moment, but basically it goes over again and then all Bell code, you just drop it on your wrist, and then goes around and around to hold on to a bar or whatever it is. See, you don’t really need your grip strings to go to the gym, usually does it for you. Bill Gasiamis 46:55 Strap, tightens your fingers around the bar, and then, as you pull it down and velcro it. It just holds your hand in the right position and supports it. Adam Jackson 47:04 Yep, it’s good. It’s like I said, it’s been invaluable. Because if I didn’t have that, this wouldn’t be possible, because it just depend on my strength. Then has a lot of stroke survivors, don’t concentrate on that hand, it just releases. It’s stupid. You know, rehab where you gotta hold on to something and walk like you drop it, because you keep concentrating on walking or doing something else, and your hand is open. Bill Gasiamis 47:35 So know all about that, right? So, yeah, I was climbing a scaffold at work, in May. And the reason we had the scaffold there was for safety purposes to make sure that we reached the heights of the particular building we were painting, without anyone falling off a ladder and getting injured. So I’m climbing up the from the ground, I’m climbing up the ladder to get to the first stage of the scaffolding where the platform was, and as I was climbing up, my left hand it just literally let go, and I hadn’t quite put my right hand on the next rung yet, and my left hand let go. Bill Gasiamis 48:19 And I fell backwards, and I smashed my back on a horizontal bar, metal bar of the scaffold and then fell another meter down to the ground and hit the ground with my back, injured my ribs, bruised my back, and all that kind of stuff. Couldn’t sleep properly for about three weeks, I was getting massages once a week, trying to release it and get it going and it’s just exactly what you just said, happened it for no reason. Just let go because I wasn’t paying attention to or focusing or looking up, or, you know, thinking about the next getting on the on the scaffold platform. Bill Gasiamis 49:04 It just let go, and it was scary. And the thing about that is, at the gym, it never happened at the gym. When I was at the gym, it never, yeah, let go. But I always had that weakness, the left side weakness, so if I was doing free weights, I for the first I went to the gym for about 18 months, and the first six months I completely avoided freeway, so just use the machines. And then my chiropractor said “Maybe you should use free weights, decrease the weight, so that you can reactivate the arm and the bicep and the tricep.” Bill Gasiamis 49:41 So, that it’s doing the exercise without assistance, so that you can train it, to rehabilitate it. And it’s like “Yeah, but I’m afraid I’ll drop it.” And he said “Well, then just you do lighter weights and then that’ll be fine.” And it was actually fine. But my left side would save the reps. So if the repetitions were 12 or 15, you know, my right side would get there and it’d be no sweat, and be like “Yeah, okay, we can at that weight.” Bill Gasiamis 50:16 We can do more than 12 or 15, but my left side would be going at 10 and be going, man, you’ve had enough. You know that’s enough. Stop, and the last two would be burning. What do you feel like when you do your exercises? What is your right side feel like? Adam Jackson 50:34 So again, I’ve, from the start, have always trained both sides equal for that exact reason. You don’t want a massive, massive arm and of the tiny little arm. So I’ve always trained anything. It’s not the same. Obviously, I get some pull or some twists, like chest area. It’s pretty good now, like I said, because I’ve been training four years now, like all that pull-down I couldn’t do at the start. Now I can, looks normal. Adam Jackson 51:15 A lot of people who saw me training at the gym, apart from my active end on, like and they wouldn’t know that you know to have a stroke, they’re just because it looks pretty much normal. But again, that’s taken a lot of effort time to get to that point. And again, I train with lower weights on my right side so that they’re both, they use them. The Mental and Physical Benefits of Training Bill Gasiamis 51:46 And for you previously, going to the gym, previously, I know it’s for fitness and to keep in shape and all that kind of stuff, but it was, was it also about like pushing yourself to see how hard you can go. And now is it more just about the training, part of it, literally just keeping yourself fit and healthy? Like has it shifted the purpose, the reason you go to the gym because you’ve gone for a long time? Adam Jackson 52:13 Yeah, I think the purpose hasn’t changed. Because I love the gym, I love the community, but it’s, it’s about doing something for yourself that you love, you know, I can jump on a bike, or I can jump on the indoor row or whatever. I don’t know. It’s just, I find peace in the gym being by myself. I don’t really train with anyone like I’ve got like personal trainer that I train with. But apart from that, at the gym, it’s just me. And again, it’s the alone time to be with your thoughts. But for me, it’s just that not, I wouldn’t say relaxing, because it’s not relaxing, but you de-stress. Adam Jackson 53:05 You get rid of that anxiety that those troubling thoughts that you might have, or whatever it is, but you just put that to side, to the side, and all you’re thinking about is the training that you’re doing. So me to have that focus. Yes, my goal has changed, but the reason I go to the gym hasn’t. Bill Gasiamis 53:30 So it sounds like you get mental clarity or some kind of mental support there. By that, I mean like you get out of your head, because you have to be. Adam Jackson 53:42 Yep, exactly, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 53:45 Tell me, Adam, what’s the hardest thing about stroke for you, though. Adam Jackson 53:54 Probably not being who I was before. But then I suppose that’s a good thing. I again, like I said, I’ve always been a positive person. So, like my stroke happened on my right side of the affected, but I’m a left handed, so, I always try and find the positives in the negative. So, yeah, it’s hard. Bill Gasiamis 54:25 Yeah, what has stroke taught you? Adam Jackson 54:31 That you’re stronger than you think you are, that you know there’s other people out there that have the worst than you. I suppose it’s like for me, like I said, you know you’re stronger than you think you are, and you know you will get through this. I think the hardest thing for me at the hospital was, and because a lot of older people have strokes. Well, it affects every age. Adam Jackson 55:09 But in the rehab or there’s a lot of older people when they’re going through the same rehab I was going through, and for them, it’s, you know, it’s nearly impossible. And that’s for me, it was heartbreaking to see because again, they’re really lovely people. You talk to them on a daily basis, and they’re struggling a lot harder than you are. But again, it comes back to everyone’s going through a different journey. Adam Jackson 55:41 And the only thing that you can help is by supporting them, whether that’s through just talking to them or sitting there listening to what they say, and they’re just being there for people like that. Because I hate this is going to sound ridiculous, but I hate that you’ve got it, let’s go, let’s go, like, I hate the support or cheer squad sort of attitude, but again, it has its purpose, especially in like, competitive environment. But again, I’m just sort of focused on what I’m doing to sort of just drown that out, but it’s good to have that Family Support backing you up all the time. Bill Gasiamis 56:42 The cheer squad type of stuff. Like, what bugs you about that? Why is that an issue? Adam Jackson 56:51 I think it’s just when you know, like when it’s just me and say, my wife or something, she’s, I mean, she’s my absolute number one supporter, but I actually don’t know what it is. I’d love to ask her what she thinks about it, but I just, I don’t know, because I think I’ve done it for so long on my own. I had basically on my own cheer squad. Bill Gasiamis 57:20 So maybe you don’t like being given praise or something. Adam Jackson 57:27 Yeah, something like that, yeah. I as you could probably tell, like, I don’t need that praise now, I’d rather like inspire someone else with my journey. Now it’s not about me, it’s about inspiring my kids to do better, or, you know, other people that don’t think that they can achieve these things you might achieve, like I might not achieve the Paralympics, but I’m going to give it a red hot go, and it’s about the journey. It’s about just seeing where you can go and pushing yourself to where you took further than you think you can go. Bill Gasiamis 58:10 Fair enough. There’s a ton of people listening that are stroke survivors, maybe considered going to the gym, maybe they have been afraid of going to the gym, who knows what. But what do you want to say to say to people who are listening, who are not quite where you’re at with the whole exercise fitness, the importance of that like, what do you want to just let people know? Adam Jackson 58:37 Well, I started walking my girls to school. That’s where I started this journey after I left hospital was, you know, because we lived okay, like a one kilometer from school. So walking to the school every day, picking them up every day, that’s how I started this. And just like you said at the start, like just getting out and about, getting that, the fresh air, the sunlight, the rain, whatever it is. Again, it’s a story, and it’s a journey, that’s where I started, and then I just increased my strength, my stamina, what I could do wasn’t easy. Adam Jackson 59:23 Like I said at the start, I couldn’t do a like, a lap, like a lot of the exercises at the gym, because my right side was so weak, and I had to build my shoulder back up because it wasted away while I was in hospital. It’s taken me a long time to get back to this where I am now. And that sounds like a long time, but you just take it one step at a time, like I said, I started off walking, and then I started trying to run, going back to the gym, which I didn’t really want to do, but if you go into the gym, they should have that community there. Adam Jackson 1:00:03 And again, like I know at home, there’s a lot of adaptive athletes out there, or adaptive gyms, where they’re super supportive and they know how to help stroke survivors, if you’ve got a deficit. They know how to help that, I know there’s a lot of Prospect gyms that do the same, just to give you that community of like people that are like you. It may not be a stroke survivor, there might be, paraplegics or quadriplegics, but whatever it is, there’s these communities out there. Adam Jackson 1:00:40 You just got to find one that suits you and welcomes you and where you’re happy to train where you’re happy to just push, not push yourself, but just to get out there and get out of your own or converse with people, to have that community to sort of bring you out of your shell and and to know that you’re not this broken person. You’re actually a beautiful person that you know has to live like that’s what it’s about. Your life is there for living, not for hiding away in some dark corner and whatever that is for you, not, obviously, not everyone wants to be an elite athlete. Adam Jackson 1:01:37 It might be to do a 5k run with their kids, or whatever it is, but, you know, you’ve just got to have that goal. Well, doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get to that goal as well. Like, it might be walk 500 meters and then walk a K or whatever it is, lift a 10 kilo dumbbell, whatever it is, you know, you have those goals and work up to work, doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get there, you can, it’s good. Conclusion and Final Thoughts Bill Gasiamis 1:02:12 Yeah. I like that, start small, walking the kids around, taking them to school, that’s it, tore than enough, perfect, and then from there, it seems like from there, you know, your level of difficulty increased just because your fitness increased, just because your ability increased, and that’s the way forward is like just increasing the level of difficulty really small incremental steps so that. Adam Jackson 1:02:41 Yeah, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:42 You can get there easily and not injure yourself and not fail and have just maybe you’ll have some minor setbacks, but no massive blowouts or no massive failures. Adam Jackson 1:02:53 Exactly, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:55 Mate, I really appreciate you reaching out and connecting, and I’m glad that we met through Effie. She’s an amazing person, and I love the attitude that she applies to rehabilitation and stroke recovery. I think thinking a little next level is great. I’m going to have links to her organization in the show notes, just in case somebody wants to go there and check it out. She’s in Australia, so most of the listeners and people watching are not going to be able to benefit from Effie, but the organization that she helped, co found, is really amazing. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:40 I wish you well man, thank you so much for sharing your story. Congratulations on your journey so far, and best of luck with all of your sports, events and yeah, man, hopefully you get some medals. Adam Jackson 1:04:03 Cool. Thank you very much. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:05 That brings us to the end of this incredible episode with Adam Jackson. His journey from surviving two strokes, one while serving in Afghanistan and the other 10 years later to becoming an adaptive sports competitor is a powerful reminder that recovery is a continuous process, and it’s never too late to push your limits. Before we wrap up, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my Patreon supporters, your contributions help keep this podcast running, ensuring that stroke survivors worldwide have access to these resources. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:39 If you’d like to support the podcast and help make it accessible to others. You can find out more at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . And remember, even if you’re not in a position to contribute financially, simply listening to the ads without skipping them is a great way to help every little bit, makes a difference and keeps this podcast going strong. Your engagement on YouTube, Spotify and iTunes is also hugely appreciated. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:08 If today’s episode inspired you, please consider leaving a five-star rating on Spotify or iTunes or giving it a like and a comment on YouTube. Your support helps others find this podcast and join the growing community. Make sure to keep up with Adam’s progress journey and follow his progress in adaptive sports, and remember to explore the resources available at recoveryafterstroke.com , for more insights and support. Thank you again for tuning in, and I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:05:42 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog, podcast or video material controlled this website or content is created and produced for informational purposes only, and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:06:12 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. 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We are careful with links we provide, however, third-party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post Surviving Two Strokes: Adam Jackson’s Inspiring Adaptive Sports Journey appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 One Month After Ischemic Stroke: A Survivor’s Guide to Recovery and Resilience 1:09:24
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Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutOne month after ischemic stroke: Tony’s journey reveals real recovery challenges, inspiring rehab tips, and key support for true healing progress! Facebook Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast On Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements 01:13 Tony Barfield’s Stroke Experience 03:42 Hospitalization and Early Recovery 05:11 Post-Stroke Health and Lifestyle Changes 08:01 Daily Life and Physical Challenges 19:38 Family Support and Coping 29:48 Breaking Habits: Overcoming a Soda Addiction 36:57 Finding Healing Through Conversation 48:04 Spreading Awareness & The Role of Faith in Recovery 52:06 Future Outlook and Goals 1:06:29 Closing Remarks and Gratitude Transcript: Introduction and Acknowledgements Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone, before we dive into today’s wonderful conversation, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a part of this amazing community. Whether you’re sharing the podcast, leaving reviews or simply tuning in each week, Your support makes all the difference. Together, we’re creating a space where stroke survivors and caregivers can feel seen, heard and inspired. If you’ve received tremendous value from these episodes and would like to support the show, please consider visiting patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Bill Gasiamis 0:35 Your generosity helps cover the ongoing costs of recording, hosting and editing and all other production expenses, ensuring we can keep sharing these important conversations. A huge thank you goes to all my supporters. Your support means the world to me and helps ensure that I can continue producing episodes that empower stroke survivors everywhere. I also wanted to address something important, if you’re not in a position to support the podcast financially, simply listening on Spotify or watching the ads on YouTube without skipping them is a huge help. Tony Barfield’s One Month After Ischemic Stroke Experience Bill Gasiamis 1:13 These ads are essential in offsetting some of the production costs and keep these resources alive for stroke survivors and their families and remembering The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It’s a beacon for hope and practical guidance for many available on Amazon and at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Today, I’m thrilled to welcome my guest, Tony Barfield, who experienced an ischemic stroke just a month ago. Tony’s journey through early recovery is both inspiring and insightful. Bill Gasiamis 1:51 Let’s jump in and listen to his powerful story. Tony Barfield, welcome to the podcast. Tony Barfield 1:58 Thank you, thank you. Bill Gasiamis 2:00 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Tony Barfield 2:03 Well, mine was recent, you know, January 9. I came home from work. It really wasn’t any symptoms, I really thought I had a stomach ache. When I got home, my stomach was kind of bothering me, and I told my wife to get me something, you know, from I thought my stomach was upset because that’s why I feeling kind of nauseated, because I ate something that maybe I shouldn’t ate earlier in the day. So that’s why I thought it came was kind of spicy. Tony Barfield 2:29 So that’s why I thought it was it came from, so it’s about, I guess, about seven o’clock when I know that I was laying down on the couch, and I noticed, you know, with my hands on my on my chest, but I knows on my left hand, it kind of slid off my stomach, and I couldn’t control it, you know. So, like I tried to stop it from sliding, and then it just went limp on me. So I kind of propped myself over that nose or left arm. Couldn’t move it at all, lift it up or anything. So I kind of called for my wife. She came in and she seen and I asked her, I said ‘Hey, am I having a stroke? Tony Barfield 3:05 Because my speech was real slurred, and she looked at my face, as you could see, the left side was kind of droopy. So she called 911, and they came within, man, maybe 20 minutes. So they rushed me to the hospital. You know, me not really knowing what the stroke was all about. I kind of heard them and as they got me on the gurney and rolled me through the hospital, they kept saying ‘Stroke four, stroke four. Which I didn’t know what that was, but when I finally later that, they said ‘You know, you have four hours for the Minister of what they call a clot buster. Hospitalization and Early Recovery Bill Gasiamis 3:42 TPA, yeah. Tony Barfield 3:44 So it was within that four-hour time frame. So, you know, they administer that, and then I found a little, you know, I was able to lift my hand at some point. So I stood, I stayed in the hospital about three days because I still had weakness in my left arm where I could mov, it would come and go. It would just come and go, come and go, and then they had to pretty much learn how to walk again. For somebody, my leg was kind of weak as well. They wouldn’t let me go until I was able to at least walk and keep my balance. Bill Gasiamis 4:18 How long did you spend in the hospital? Tony Barfield 4:20 Three days. Bill Gasiamis 4:21 Three days is that’s the whole lot, and then you went to rehab. Tony Barfield 4:25 Then I went to rehab from that right which I’m still in rehab right now. Bill Gasiamis 4:29 I finished physical therapy. How long were you in inpatient rehab? Tony Barfield 4:37 A month, the whole month of February, the whole month of January after I got out the hospital. So right now I’m doing speech therapy and occupational therapy right now for my left hand and for my left face, is still kind of weak, and my speech is still kind of noticing like I’m talking for more on my right side of my face, more so in the middle of my face. So this is fresh. It was real, it’s brand new. Yes, brand new. So I’m still going through the therapy and a lot that I have learned, so a lot of things that I had to change from for one thing. One Month After Ischemic Stroke Health and Lifestyle Changes Tony Barfield 5:11 I don’t know if anybody else has experienced this, but, like my taste buds, like certain foods and smells, if I smell it and it smells funny, I don’t want the things that I used to like to eat, like McDonald’s. So that’s a total turn-off now. So I don’t even want to if I smell it and it smells bad, for some reason, I don’t know why exactly, I don’t even want to eat it. So I just thankful that I guess that’s more so possible. So now I’m eating more, more things that vegetables, lot more fruits now, saying, including the medication. Bill Gasiamis 5:48 So, how would you say your health was up until now? So you’re 59 years old, and how’s things been up until now? Tony Barfield 5:57 Health wise? Well, I mean, far as my diet is improved. I lost 10 pounds. You know, when I went to before the stroke, I was like, 193 and my pressure was always up. But I wasn’t monitoring it. I wasn’t paying attention to it, my blood pressure was high and my cholesterol was high as well. Tony Barfield 6:19 So I wasn’t really paying attention to that. So now, my pressure right now is is normal, and I lost 10 pounds, which the doctor said, that’s pretty good, I’m saying, so imma kind of continue on that trend to kind of maybe lose another five pounds, I guess. I don’t know, because the foods I used to eat, I don’t like them no more. Bill Gasiamis 6:36 That was one month ago. So you lost 10 pounds in a month, and he’s currently February, near the end of February, what date are we, whether 19th or 20th of February, and you had your strike in January. Tony Barfield 6:52 January 9, correct, right. Cuz I was because the fools was really turning me off. The things I used to like, it was really turning me off, so I kind of had cut back. I eat more salads and smoothies. Bill Gasiamis 7:05 Now, any other medical issues up until now? Did you have any other conditions that you had to deal with or manage? Tony Barfield 7:13 No, not up until now? No, like I said, prior to the stroke, my blood pressure was high, and I knew that, but I wasn’t taking anything. No medication, I was given medication, I just didn’t take it. Bill Gasiamis 7:27 Okay, do they think that the stroke was caused by the high blood pressure? What are they saying? Tony Barfield 7:33 Where cholesterol, cholesterol is high too. Bill Gasiamis 7:37 Do they know, was there a blockage in one of your arteries, or was there something new. Tony Barfield 7:43 Blockage? Yes, that they seen when they did the scan, they did the brain scan. Bill Gasiamis 7:50 And then are you expecting any further treatment beyond medication to deal with that? Or they’re not doing any further up. Daily Life and Physical Challenges Tony Barfield 8:00 Well, other than the therapy, what I’m going through and I guess over time, if I continue, you know, saying doing the right things for my body and not eating all the crap that I used to eat, he thinking it’s getting better. So this is more so time now. Prayerfully, I’m expecting to go back to work next month, but I still got the weakness in my left arm, so they say that’s the longest, the arm normally takes a little longer to kind of recover. Bill Gasiamis 8:32 And how you feeling like with your sleep and fatigue? Are you getting tired during the day? Do you need to rest more often. Tony Barfield 8:40 Rest more often. I do get tired, you know, saying, and I just the day was the first time I drove, actually. So that was pretty good, but it was a little scary, because it felt like the first time I ever drove, driven before. That had anything do the stroke, but yeah, did feel a little weird. So I just took my time, and the doctor said it was okay to kind of gradually start driving, little bit. Bill Gasiamis 9:03 What kind of work do you do? Tony Barfield 9:04 I work for a private school here in Georgia, Notre Dame Academy. I work for private school, and I’m a Facility Manager. So I do a Friday that I do a lot of walking, you know, a lot of handyman stuff, like, you know, repairs, you have a lot of physical stuff. So I’m gonna see if I could gradually get back into that. If my body allows me to without any difficulties. I still want to kind of be safe at the same time. Bill Gasiamis 9:31 Ladders, etc. Tony Barfield 9:32 Yeah, ladder, exactly, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 9:35 Well, I have a property maintenance business. I don’t know how much you know about me, but we do painting and repairs and all that kind of stuff. And since the stroke, the main thing with me is weakness on my left side, and my huge issue is Ladder Safety and right I’m very conscious of safety, and we make sure that we all always do the right things and people have the right tools to do their job, etc. Bill Gasiamis 9:59 Because I don’t want anyone getting injured at work. So this one particular job, literally seven or eight months ago. We had a scaffold on site to make it safe so that we can actually access the high part of this particular building without risk. Bill Gasiamis 10:17 Let’s take a quick pause here to reflect on Tony’s journey so far, his experience one month after ischemic stroke, reminds us that recovery is both a physical and emotional process filled with both setbacks and triumphs. Stories like Tony’s are why I started this podcast to connect, inspire and offer hope to stroke survivors and their families. Bill Gasiamis 10:39 If you’re finding value in our conversation, I’d greatly appreciate your support on Patreon. Your contributions help cover essential costs like recording, hosting and editing so we can continue bringing these stories to life. Even the smallest amounts go a long way. Now, Let’s get back to Tony’s story and learn more about his journey towards healing. Bill Gasiamis 11:01 But I was climbing up the scaffold, the first ladder to go to the first deck of the scaffold, and my left hand just let go of the of the ladder, and wow, I fell backwards onto a metal bar and then onto a timber deck below, and I injured my back, not dramatically, but enough to make it sore for about two weeks. And that all of that happened because my left hand just decided it wasn’t going to hold on and let go, and it does that sometimes I drop things. Bill Gasiamis 11:40 Sometimes, but that particular day was at the end of the day, and I was going up to do just one last little touch up, and I didn’t make it, I fell down, I spilled the paint everywhere. It was a big disaster, but it could have been worse, because I could have got injured far more than I did. Tony Barfield 12:02 So you still experiencing weakness in your left hand? Bill Gasiamis 12:04 You wouldn’t be able to tell if you saw me, it feels really It looks normal. It kind of behaves more normal, but it feels numb, and it has tingling and all that kind of stuff. When I’m tired, the tingling and all those sensations are worse, and then it plays up a little more when I’m tired. So, you know, being the end of the day, it kind of like, just let go. I don’t know, can’t explain it. Bill Gasiamis 12:32 And thankfully, I was only on the third rung of the ladder, so I had done only three rungs and I wasn’t any higher than that. So it was scary, though, and it’s a real big concern of mine, like, it’s on my mind all the time, and I minimize the amount of time I spend climbing and on ladders and all that type of thing. Tony Barfield 12:56 Yeah, that’s what I’m kind of expecting. But I’m just hoping I can kind of maybe heal enough to be able to do that. But I’m anticipating to look forward to that, but I just got to see how it is. Because, you know, it’s kind of nerve wrecking, even like I said when I was driving, it’s kind of nerve wracking a little bit, you know, saying having a look to my left and the cars coming by and trying to anticipate what’s going on and to be safe at the same time. So it’s a little nerve wracking. But, I guess that’d that go, you know, over time over. Bill Gasiamis 13:31 It settles, you adjust and you get used to it. Did you have any vision problems or anything like that? Tony Barfield 13:36 No vision problems at all. No, not at all. Just the left arm and the left my face, that’s the only thing. Bill Gasiamis 13:45 The left arm is able to grab the steering wheel of the car quite well or not. Tony Barfield 13:50 No, I do more so driving with my right hand, the left hand, it’s just rest on the steering wheel. But far as control it nice, I don’t trust it to kind of take control of the steel we’re not on trusted because it’s still weak. Bill Gasiamis 14:05 Are you left handed or right handed? Tony Barfield 14:08 Right handed. Bill Gasiamis 14:09 Okay, that’s all right. Tony Barfield 14:11 So good thing, and I do the same thing, like you do our whole thing. I don’t grow so many dishes at home with glasses trying to hold it from my left hand, and it slip out my hand. I think I got it just lifting, I’m here, so you gotta do the same thing. Well, I have done the same thing, yes. Bill Gasiamis 14:30 How’s the family treating it? How are they managing to deal with the fact that you’ve had a stroke, you’re you said your wife was the person who worked out that you were unwell, arranged for 911 to be called the ambulance, etc. How are they managing the whole situation? Tony Barfield 14:48 Well, she’s been my number one support system, making sure that, I get no take my medication, take me to my appointments. And she’d been the number one supporter. So one for her, I really wouldn’t know what I would do as far as making sure I’m doing the right thing and eating the right stuff. She don’t, she asked me what I want to eat and stuff like that. So I kind of tell her, you know, make sure bring back a salad or something like that or a smoothie or something like that. Tony Barfield 15:17 So she’s kind of on, been on point with that. And the kids, they’ve been great too. They helped me, I had difficulty in the first climbing up because I got two story house, so it’s been kind of difficult to go up the stairs. So they kind of make sure that if somebody’s behind me while I’m walking up the stairs, and that, so I won’t fall. Bill Gasiamis 15:36 To go into your bedroom, is that where your bedroom is? Tony Barfield 15:39 Right, it’s upstairs, correct. That’s been a little bit, it’s gotten better. Going up is a lot easier than coming down for me. You don’t cause the gravity pulling, make sure, I’m kind of safe that way. Bill Gasiamis 15:56 So your leg, is it also a little bit untrustworthy at the moment. Do you have to give it time to get a little better? Tony Barfield 16:07 Yes, and I got to really think about, like, lifting it and even taking steps. I got to think, really think about it, especially kind of, you know, like, say, doing the stairs and but walking is pretty good. Getting in and out of the car is a little tough. That’s tough with my legs, but it’s not as bad as my arm. Bill Gasiamis 16:25 Yeah, coming down the stairs would be, does your knee hold on? Does it buckle little so I had challenges with my knee just collapsing. And then a little bit weird, doing that down the stairs is not a good thing at all. So it really was holding on, etc. So your nails also collapses. Tony Barfield 16:50 Yeah, collapses, right then, and I don’t know, for some reason right there in the hip joint seemed like a little funny too. So I don’t know what’s that all about, but it’s right there in the hip joint. In my left leg is really bending to get up, you know, bend down and get up. Here’s a little difficult as well. Bill Gasiamis 17:11 Are your physical therapists aware of those little challenges that you have with your knee and your hip? Tony Barfield 17:15 Yes, I had a cane at first. My wife bought me a cane at first, but the physical therapy said it the cane is like slowing you down that might cause more problems, because you depending on the cane. So they made me get rid of it, more dependent on the cane. Bill Gasiamis 17:35 So, you it’s not that dangerous for you to give up the cane. So it felt like it was probably a good move. Tony Barfield 17:44 Right, more good move was versus a hindrance. To me, they thought about trip over the cane or something like that. So they said ‘No, just get ready for causing winning problem. Bill Gasiamis 17:56 You know, so and if you’re holding the cane or you’re holding it with your affected hand? Tony Barfield 18:01 Normal right hand. Bill Gasiamis 18:04 Okay, so you’re holding it with your right hand, which is not affected, and you’re using that to overcompensate on your right hand so that you’re not putting a lot of pressure on your left side of your body, but then that’s decreasing the movement and the rehabilitation and its ability to do the work and recover. Tony Barfield 18:30 Right exactly, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 18:35 For other people watching and listening, I would say that’s a great thing to work towards if you have a cane, or if you have one of those four point canes, like those, right? Whatever they’re called, I think it’s great to work towards not needing that. If you can get rehabilitated and gain the strength back in your legs and in your hips and in your knee, it’s a fantastic thing. Bill Gasiamis 19:00 Don’t just give it up for no reason. But it sounds like you guys kind of weren’t prescribed the cane. The cane was something that you guys just bought thinking that it was going to be helpful, and your physical therapist kind of thought maybe it’s going to be getting in the way. Tony Barfield 19:18 Right, correct. My wife just bought it because she seen how I was kind of unstable, a little bit. She thought that would help me kind of much to stability. But I took it to physical therapy, and they kind of watched me walk with it and without it like no it might do more damage, far as hurting myself with the cane. Family Support and Coping After Ischemic Stroke Tony Barfield 19:38 Because I guess they thought I was maybe strong enough to do without it, you know, because I put a physical guy. So I gotta force myself to do stuff that, that my body don’t want to do. So, yeah, seeing that it wasn’t right to have a guy that needed so I haven’t used it since then. Bill Gasiamis 19:57 So, it’s really lovely to have you on the podcast. And I’ve just recently started asking people this question, why? Why are you on the podcast? You’ve had a stroke a month ago. You’re in the middle of rehabilitation. What made you feel the need to reach out and share your story, which I truly appreciate, by the way. Tony Barfield 20:20 Well, I think, when I first seen I don’t know, I was just researching strokes on internet, youtube, and then I just happened to run across yours. I was like ‘Wow, very informative. So I said ‘Well, for me, people my age, I’ll be 60 next month, I think there’s an awareness that people need to know about these things, especially the health risk with the strokes, and, you know, as far as dieting, know what to eat, and exercising, and your blood pressure levels and stuff like cholesterol levels, so I think it’s just more of awareness. Tony Barfield 20:52 I want to kind of get the word just some something similar to what you’re doing, get the word spread out about it. Because, I think because, you know, prior to this, and you and my dad, my dad had a stroke, but I didn’t really pay no attention. I didn’t really like educate myself with it, and know how important it was. I severe it could have been, and luckily, he survived, survived into upper point of death. Tony Barfield 21:14 But I didn’t really never researched it. So when it hit me, I was like ‘Wow, you know, I didn’t. Never thought I would have a stroke. But now it make other people, to make other people wherever. I think it’s important, I think it’s something that I need to do as well. You know, saying to make people aware of the possibility of strokes. Bill Gasiamis 21:31 How old was your dad when he had a stroke? Tony Barfield 21:34 My dad was in his 80s when he had the first one that he was with us, but he was in a in the hospital when he had it, and he had, like, multiple strokes, before he passed away, but I seen what he had, kind of broke him down, and I seen what it did to him, as far as him not being able to do certain things after the stroke, but I still with me. I never took it seriously to kind of get in depth and know what a stroke really was. Because I never, you know, stroke, see, when I first had mine, I got, I was so scared. Tony Barfield 22:11 Because I thought that mean brain surgery, you know, I was so afraid of that. I said ‘I don’t want, nobody, know, cutting on my head, you know, cutting going to my brain. That’s what I was thinking, the first thing I think ‘I said, I’m brain surgery. I thought it was, but not knowing that there’s different types of strokes and you can even have stroke in your sleep. I didn’t even know that. So I had to, kind of learn these certain see certain things. I think everybody needs to know this. Bill Gasiamis 22:42 So if your dad was 80, how old were you when your dad had his stroke? Tony Barfield 22:46 I might have been on 50, I’m 59 I might have been 57. Bill Gasiamis 22:53 so it was a few years ago. Tony Barfield 22:55 Just a few years ago. Yes, he just passed two years ago. He passed away two years ago, and he and he suffered multiple ones. Bill Gasiamis 23:07 And he was living with you guys before then. Tony Barfield 23:10 He was living with us, yeah, he was living with kind of his caretakers at the time, where my wife was, she was doing more caretaker than I was. Bill Gasiamis 23:18 Yeah, wow. So that’s interesting, that he had a stroke, even then, you’re still not familiar 100% aware of what a stroke is, even though you’re caring for him and he’s around you guys all the time, and now you’re in the similar situation, and it’s a little more, you have more a deeper understanding on what your dad went through as well. Tony Barfield 23:45 Absolutely. So I’m just, I’m just thankful, I know several people that had strokes where they didn’t live, but still, even with that, I didn’t even know, really what it was, how severe it was or could be. So I’m kind of, I’m really thankful that even when I go to rehab, I see so many patients there that has strokes, and they’re a lot worse condition than I am. Yeah, you know, saying I was going to shape it. So I’m kind of thankful that, me not having to complain do too much complaining about what I’m going through. Tony Barfield 24:14 Because people have been far greater worse shape than I am that has strokes, so that was a little bit more severe. So I’m really thankful that mine is I’m going through what I’m going through, and that way I can kind of spread the word and tell people what it’s all about, especially from a health standpoint, I think that’s important as well. Bill Gasiamis 24:40 Your stroke, it’s the first sort of major health issue that you’ve experienced, knowing that your dad passed away soon after. Did you think about the possibility that you might lose this battle, or you might not be here? Or did you have any of those thoughts that come into your mind. Tony Barfield 25:02 Well, when it first happened, I did, like I said ‘I thought it was automatically mean brain surgery. So, yeah, it was fearful then. But then when time kind of progressed, I learned, I kind of did some research on stroke, different types of strokes, and since my ischemic stroke, I knew that was a blood clot, so which on you don’t kind of damage your brain a little bit. I know it’s gonna take some time, but yeah, in the beginning, when it happened, I did, I was very fearful. Bill Gasiamis 25:34 How do you deal with it now? How do you deal with knowing that you are vulnerable? You did have a stroke, and, you know, things go wrong sometimes in our health, and we get injured by life. How do you deal with that now? How do you think about it? Tony Barfield 25:54 Well, my thing is, now, so now, so it’s almost it was like a wake up call for me, because I was eating a lot of bad foods. One taking my medication. I’m saying I used to drink though I was just slammed down those Red Bulls two or three a day. So I that’s cold turkey. So now it’s since, it’s up to me now, now I know far as what I need to put in my body exercise, take my medication and just move on from there. Because I’ve heard, I read that, you have a stroke, you can have another one. Tony Barfield 26:27 My doctor say the same thing, say ‘Well, you know, you can’t, you can’t have another stroke if you don’t do these things, put these things in places. So I got, I’m kind of cautious now. So I said ‘I’m kind of thankful, I really, it’s a blessing in disguise for me to not know what not to do moving forward. So it’s a kind of blessing in disguise. Bill Gasiamis 26:45 For did you know how long? How long were you drinking Red Bulls for? Tony Barfield 26:52 Man, about least five years. Bill Gasiamis 26:57 Did you know that maybe you shouldn’t be drinking them, or that you should avoid them, or that they’re not good for you. Did you think about that? Did you have any idea about that type of thing? Tony Barfield 27:09 Yes and no. But I think the sugar had me so addicted, that’s what I’m thinking. Sugar happens and they taste good to me. Sugar, caffeine, and I’m thinking it was giving me energy. Wasn’t really, I just kind of got addicted to it. So I was slammed one in the morning, one for lunch, and one in the afternoon, thinking, I’m getting this energy, and they just really, they taste good, but now, I always have a taste for it. Now, which I’m thankful to that. Bill Gasiamis 27:40 They took sodas and rebranded them and called them energy drinks, you know. And that’s exactly such a shit move, like, it’s such a terrible move that they did that, and now all you have to do is think about ‘Oh, I’m, yeah, I’m lacking energy, well the only place to get energy is to go get it in a can of Red Bull. Let’s crack one of those open and drink one of those. And if the energy hasn’t really come back yet, well, just have another one that’s like, right. It’s terrible. Bill Gasiamis 28:08 I mean, it’s an unbelievable thing that I think has happened is they’ve found a way to step away from sodas, because this started to be a lot of talk and a lot of research in the 90s about sodas and how they’re not good for you because they have too much sugar, all that kind of stuff. And then we heard about diet sodas and all that type of thing to try and make sodas seem better and so on. And then this was the master move of rebranding sodas as something else so that they can be consumed and people don’t associate them to the same troubles that that soda has. Bill Gasiamis 28:49 But three Red Bulls a day for five years, let’s say you did that on average, there were three a day for five years. That’s a lot of caffeine. There’s a lot of potential for heart problems, for brain problems, for arrhythmias in your heart, and it’s just not water, it’s not water, it’s not hydrating you, it’s not offering you anything really, that is nutritional at all. Tony Barfield 29:13 Absolutely, it’s just a mind thing. I thought it was getting something out of it, but I really wasn’t. Yeah, you know, because of my thing, and I think that’s the sugar that does that, the caffeine that does that, makes people want, want to buy more, but,I don’t even have a taste even it even so with tea, like sweet tea, I try more, like after stroke, and It just has a horrible taste of me now, so I don’t even want it now versus just without sugar. Breaking Habits: Overcoming a Soda Addiction After Ischemic Stroke Bill Gasiamis 29:48 Before my stroke, 13 years ago, I went to somebody’s house, my brother’s house, or a family friend, or anybody who knew me, if I went to the house and they knew I was coming, they would have coke in the fridge because I drank coke. And not only that, they knew I had trained everybody that when I’m drinking Coke, I have to drink it in a glass that is full of ice. So when I pour it in there, it’s the entire glass is ice, and then there’s just a little bit of coke so that I can then pour, pour it in again, and it’s ice cold. Bill Gasiamis 30:25 You know, they knew I had trained people to that extent where they knew that when I went to your house, you served me coke in a glass full of ice, and not Pepsi, not Diet Coke, none of that stuff. I wouldn’t drink it, and that was me. I was addicted to coke. I used to drink maybe two or three cans a day as well, not all the time, but especially at work. At work, we drank a lot, I drank a lot of it, and that was the same thing. I was just doing it because I wasn’t even thinking about it. Bill Gasiamis 30:55 I was 37 and I had done it for as long as I was, you know, from a teenager when I had to my own pocket money, and I could go buy my own sodas and all that kind of stuff, and mom and dad weren’t in control. That’s, you know, I’ve been doing it for 20 years before I realized that it’s probably not the right thing to do. Tony Barfield 31:16 Well, you don’t no more, right? Bill Gasiamis 31:18 No more, after my stroke, I didn’t drink alcohol for five years solid, and I didn’t drink a soda for more than that, and then maybe recently, maybe all up in the last 13 years, maybe I’ve had one can of soda combined, and that’s just because there was nothing else. Or, I don’t know why, you know, just thought I’d have a try of it, and it was terrible, and I didn’t enjoy it. Yeah, so, and it doesn’t make me feel well when I have when I drink something that’s very sweet. It impacts my my left side real bad. It makes it more numb, more fatigued, more sensitive, and it’s not worth it,. Tony Barfield 32:06 No, absolutely, yeah, it’s not. Bill Gasiamis 32:08 So, yeah, that’s the thing about, you know, just doing things having habits, and not being mindful of what you’re doing and what you’re putting in your body and what impact it’s having, that’s the crazy thing. Alcohol should be off the table as well from now on. Tony Barfield 32:26 But I never drunk, so that was, I guess it was a plus, but I don’t rank at all. Bill Gasiamis 32:34 That was a huge plus. So yes, and did you ever smoke? Tony Barfield 32:39 Don’t, never smoke. Bill Gasiamis 32:40 Yeah, so then, what’s the future look like for you? I very rarely get to interview people who are so early on in their stroke journey. So what are you feeling? What are you thinking about? What the future holds? How are you going to move forward? Tony Barfield 32:59 Well, I’m hoping, if there’s such things as 100% recovery, I’m hoping that takes place and get back to my old self, but just be more conscious, like I said, of my blood pressure, my cholesterol levels, you know, exercising more, doing things like that, moving forward so and like I said, just educating people, spreading the word with individuals, for to know what not to do, health wise. Tony Barfield 33:32 So I know it’d probably be a journey. I don’t know how long have you been since you had your stroke? But I couldn’t even tell when I first seen your video. I couldn’t even tell know that you had a stroke. I couldn’t even tell it off. Bill Gasiamis 33:45 That’s one of the difficulties with my situation, is that when people see me, they don’t know that I’ve had a stroke, they don’t know that I’ve had brain surgery, they don’t know that I had to learn how to walk again. They don’t know what my left side feels like. Actually, I never want them to know, but it’s a little bit invisible. My deficits are all invisible, so I have to manage some situations sometimes, and I have to just, kindly, just let people know that I’m not up for something, or I’m not capable of something, or this is not for me. Bill Gasiamis 34:20 And oftentimes it’s just sort of saying ‘Yeah, I’m not interested in that. And if they persist with trying to convince me to do something that I’m not up to doing, then I’ll have to, you know how to stroke. And I had brain surgery, so I’m a little bit sensitive to certain things, and I can’t do it. So I tried to avoid the conversation, if I can, but if necessary, then I just inform people of the situation and why I might look okay, but I’m different than you. I have some different issues that you can’t see. So that usually works, and that usually gets people sort of settling down, right? Bill Gasiamis 35:00 The other thing about about my situation is that the damage that was done in my head was permanent after the brain surgery. So in order to remove the faulty blood vessel that was in my head that burst, they actually physically had to damage my brain. They had to remove a blood vessel, and that negatively impacted my brain. Not only that, they had to go in from behind my ear, and they had to go in four centimeters, which is around two inches from my ear, into the center of my brain, where near the cerebellum. Bill Gasiamis 35:36 So they’re going to get past a lot of brain matter to get there, and it’s possible to interfere with a lot of the brain as you’re going through. So when I woke up that the deficits that I had were permanent and they’re not going to change. So my journey of recovery, I feel like I’m fully recovered, but I have the scars, they have invisible scars, as well as the scar on the back of my head, the invisible scars of the brain surgery, and that’s the only way I can describe it, to people who have never had a stroke, is like, you know, some people have sports injury. Bill Gasiamis 36:15 And they’ve damaged their knee or their ankle or their elbow or something, or their shoulder, and they are perfectly healthy and going about business, but they’ve always got a knee injury, or they’ve always got the shoulder injury, and it always lets them know that ‘Hey, I’m still here, and this thing hasn’t really healed. So that’s kind of me, that’s the sort of situation that I’m in, and also that does impact my mental health in a way, where I wake up some mornings and I often feel like ‘Oh man, like this thing is still here. 13 years later, my leg is still feeling like this. Finding Healing Through Conversation After Ischemic Stroke Bill Gasiamis 36:57 I’m still getting out of bed and it’s weird and all this kind of stuff, right? So I’ve still got to, I’ve still got to kind of bring myself around, from feeling sorry for myself, from feeling bad about it, and trying to just come back to focusing on my blessings to have some gratitude on all the things that went well and then the podcast actually helps me with this journey as well, because I get to talk about it once an episode with all my amazing guests, you know, for 340 episodes now. Bill Gasiamis 37:33 So it’s like, I’m not, I haven’t fully recovered, but I’m well and I’m healthy, I’m appreciative, and I’m going about life. Do you know what I mean right? When people ask me, though ‘How’s your health? I know they’re being polite, so I don’t have the whole conversation with them. I just say ‘I’m good, I’m actually doing well, thank you. Tony Barfield 37:59 So, for you, the podcast is almost like therapy. Bill Gasiamis 38:02 Indeed, it is. It really is, yep. And I was in therapy. So for people who don’t know about me, who are just finding the podcast and just learning about me, I was in therapy for probably about 10, years before my stroke and talk therapy, it was me just chatting to a counselor every so often to download, to get things off my mind, to help me understand myself, my world, my situation, all that kind of thing. So I had a real good habit of talking and expressing and getting things off my chest and out of my head, and then after stroke. Bill Gasiamis 38:44 Well, I just continued that, because it was so useful and helpful, I continued that. And I still go to therapy, not as often, and I don’t need it as often, but sometimes I have, you know, we have a bad run in family. Something goes wrong, you know, somebody gets comes unwell, and as much as I support my wife, and she supports me, sometimes I need support from a neutral member that’s not part of the family, that can guide me, advise me, or even ask, even say, like ‘Maybe it’s you, Bill, Maybe you’re the problem. Bill Gasiamis 39:21 Maybe you haven’t worked out that this drama that is is occurring is because of you. And it’s like ‘Oh, okay, that’s why I go. The talk therapy is amazing, the podcast supplements that for me. So when I interview people, and I they share their story like you, and I help you reach other people and create awareness. That’s exactly why I started my podcast. I wanted to do that, but I didn’t want to do it alone. I wanted a team of people to do it with me, and that’s what you guys are. You’re part of my team, and we express that and we make a difference. Bill Gasiamis 39:57 Because I’ve had podcasts I’ve interviewed people about their stroke and then they’ve explained their symptoms. And I had a lady once who sent me a message to say that she researched the symptoms, right? She researched a pain in the neck, blah, blah, blah, some kind of weird search, and it showed her a YouTube video of somebody who I interviewed who had the same symptoms, and that lady was experiencing a they called it a vertebral artery dissection, so she had some damage inside her blood vessel, and that was causing a clot, and that was causing a stroke. Bill Gasiamis 40:36 Before she had the stroke, she found the podcast episode, she went to the hospital and told them, I’m having a stroke. You guys need to check my neck. Immediately they did, and they avoided the whole thing. Tony Barfield 40:52 Wow, amazing. Bill Gasiamis 40:54 That’s amazing. So it’s brilliant, this whole thing is brilliant. The the journey for me, I can’t see it ending this whole recovery and talking about it and putting information out there. I don’t think it’s something that I’m going to stop doing anytime soon. Whenever I’m not doing it, I’m always thinking, it’s been a while, you know, I should have had an episode out by now. I should have recorded something by now. So that’s kind of my journey. And being a month in, I try to and also coach stroke survivors. Bill Gasiamis 41:25 So I try to explain to them what to be patient if you can have develop patience that is such an important skill, because what that does is that takes your mind away from all the things you can’t control, and allows you to come back and just deal with the things you can control, like your food intake. Perfect example, you know that is, it doesn’t cost you extra. You don’t have to go anywhere to do it. You just have to be mindful of what goes in your mouth. And if it’s not healing you, it might be harming you, and that’s kind of how you have to think about it. Bill Gasiamis 42:02 So if people can be patient during stroke recovery, I know I’m simplifying it, and it’s not my intention to simplify, but if people can be patient, then recovery happens better. And when somebody has had a stroke and they’ve had it a month ago or six weeks ago, I tried to describe it as it’s like you just walked into the coffee table and you just hit your toe. That’s how early on in the recovery you are, like you just did it, and now you’re in ‘Oh man, this thing has to stop hurting for a while. Then it has to stop throbbing, and then you have to check it and see if it’s broken. Bill Gasiamis 42:46 And then you have to help her rehabilitate it, and then three weeks later, you’re putting your shoe on and it’s a bit tighter, and you’re going ‘Oh my God, that’s the toe that I smashed on the coffee table couple of weeks ago. So that’s how I try to bring people into understanding what stroke is. It’s definitely a journey, it’s not a broken bone. You don’t heal from stroke in six weeks, and then you put your shoe on, and you’re you’re in business, your brain takes a lot longer to heal, and it needs you to stop getting in the way of healing it. Bill Gasiamis 43:19 Because some people don’t realize that by eating, continuing to drink sodas, continuing to drink alcohol after a stroke, continuing to eat at McDonald’s, for example, you’re delaying the recovery of that brain, and you’re extending the healing time that it’s going to take, and you’re impacting it negatively. And you need to also get out of your own way from your brain’s recovery and not be the person who’s making the recovery worse. Tony Barfield 43:49 That makes a lot of sense, but I don’t think you should never stop. I think you need to continue, you know, spreading the word, educating people on what was going on, because it’s more I don’t think strokes are going to stop. Bill Gasiamis 44:08 Indeed, they’re not. Tony Barfield 44:09 Right, they’re not going to stop. Bill Gasiamis 44:10 So, I put out this weird thing a couple of months ago. I said it like for the first time, I think we’re going to record 1000 of these podcasts, and I’m at 340 and it’s taken me from 2000 and about 15 to now. It’s taken me 10 years to get to 340 so really, wow, I’ve got a long way to go, right? Tony Barfield 44:37 So do people contact you every day. I mean, how does that happen? Bill Gasiamis 44:43 Almost every day now, yeah. Tony Barfield 44:45 Nice, nice. Bill Gasiamis 44:46 At the beginning, I was reaching out to people on social media and just saying ‘Hey, I’ve had a stroke. I know you’ve had a stroke. You’re talking about it on your social media. Would you mind sharing it on the podcast? And they would come on, and they would join me. And it was a lot of work to find people, because I had to do the research and find them. And then I created a contact page, the same one that you filled out. Bill Gasiamis 45:09 And I said ‘What am I just start talking about, inviting people onto the podcast during the show and tell them to go to my contact page, let them fill it out, and then they’ll find it. So what’s good about it is the website is now gaining what’s the word? Google is sort of deciding that it’s worth showing to a lot of people, and that’s where I’m finding my new viewers and new listeners. People are doing a first Google search, my show comes up the first time and bang, they’re all over it ‘Okay, oh my God, there’s 340 episodes. Bill Gasiamis 45:44 Let me start listening, and then it’s ‘Oh, he wants us to reach out and be on the podcast. Let me send him an email. And there’s only one thing to qualify for my podcast that you need. Unfortunately, you only need to have had a stroke and you’ve had a stroke, qualify, and it’s a terrible way to qualify for something, but that’s the only prerequisite. Tony Barfield 46:08 Well, I didn’t, you know. I didn’t think I thought you just had so many people waiting to get in, I didn’t think, you know, responding so fast. I like, wow, yeah, and we, I was gonna be chosen. Bill Gasiamis 46:18 And I do sometimes there’s 10, 12, 13 podcasts. Booked in because you have that booking calendar. I have a couple of slots. I have two slots on a Saturday, and sometimes I have two slots on a Friday and what I do is I allow people to just go and pick the one that suits them, going forward about six weeks into my calendar, so my calendar has got bookings for the next six weeks and I’m always talking to somebody, and that is just, that’s how many there are. Bill Gasiamis 46:53 So there may be, there may not be 12 episodes booked, but there’s probably, there’s probably about eight or nine booked, so it’s cool, man, like it’s so good, and it’s, as you can see, it’s very simple to do. Most people will get the notifications in the email inbox that it’s confirmed. Here’s the link to the YouTube to the Zoom video, and I mean, it’s straightforward, I try and make it as easy as possible so that a stroke survivor who’s challenged, you know, doesn’t have to overthink things and and worry about it too much. Bill Gasiamis 47:37 I’ve had people on the podcast who can’t speak Tony, like, can’t speak it because I have aphasia still. So everyone is welcome. You don’t have to sound and be perfect or anything like that. You’re welcome at any time, and we’ll work it out. We’ve got technology to work it out if we have to, you know? So, yeah, I love it, and I’m just so grateful that people like you just reach out and say ‘Let’s have a conversation. Spreading Awareness & The Role of Faith in Recovery After Ischemic Stroke Bill Gasiamis 48:07 It’s the thing that I was missing, you know, when I was going through it at the beginning, it’s like ‘Man, why is there nothing for stroke? And there’s so much for cancer and heart and all this stuff. It’s like, we need something for stroke. That’s the whole reason it exists. Tony Barfield 48:21 Absolutely, yeah, I think it’s a great way to get, you know, spread the word, like I said. So I’m thankful that I did get chosen and kind of helped spread the word as well. So, yeah, because I still a lot of people with, like, friends of mine, they don’t know. I mean, my church family knows, they know, school where I work at they know. But, you know, I got a big social media viewer, they don’t know. But I’m after this I’m gonna, if you allow me to put this podcast on my social media page. Bill Gasiamis 48:57 Yeah, right, when it’s live, for sure. Yeah, I’ll share some images that you can use and the links and all that kind of stuff. And, yeah, you can share that and let people know. So tell me about your faith and how, what kind of a role that’s played in in this whole journey. Tony Barfield 49:16 Well, I definitely believe in God. I believe God has kind of blessed me to get to this point like, when the stroke force happened. I was saying ‘You know, I was like, telling God, asking God, well, why me? You know what? You know, why? I gotta go through this. But now, over time, a little tear, I said, ‘Well, God probably doing this for me to spread the word to make other people will. So I can be a testimony to other people and how I overcame this, and what to do and what not to do. Tony Barfield 49:50 So I think, like I said, it’s a blessing in disguise. I really believe that the blessing of the sky. So I really believe God, you know, I know he works everything out on his own time, you know, I just truly believe that he has something else for me to do that maybe I didn’t want to do, I was going to different ways, but this is the path that I need to go now in my life, you know. So I said it’s a blessing. It’s definitely a blessing in disguise for me to experience the answers of being a survivor as well, because it could have been other way around. Tony Barfield 49:51 Like I said, I know some people who had strokes or anything and they passed away, so I’m here for a reason. You’re here for a reason, and we connected for a reason. So I think it all was going to work out. So I definitely believe God has a hand in all of this, I truly believe that. So, just for me, to do the right thing from this point on. Bill Gasiamis 50:48 And were you a regular at church on a Sunday? Is that Sunday that you did regularly? Tony Barfield 50:53 Absolutely, yeah, actually, I’m a deacon in my church. Yeah, I’m a deacon. So, I’m a faithful member, and I haven’t been consistent stroke, because it’s a little tough for me to get up, can’t drive and stuff like that, so a little tough for me to and I read for my pastor, say I was one of the one that read for my pastor. So I haven’t done that in a while, but I’m gonna try to gradually get back into that, since my strength is a little better, because after stroke, I got so tired doing little nothing. Tony Barfield 51:27 So now that my strength is a little bit imma, kind of gradually go back into my role and attend a little bit more, because I enjoy going to church. I really do enjoy going to church and being around the members. So I just believe, like I said, this is the way God has opened my eyes on certain things and allow me to be a testimony to somebody else who may be going through and maybe knowing not what to do. So I’m all, I’m always going to say as a it’s a blessing in disguise. Bill Gasiamis 51:56 Man, that’ll be a good day the first day you get back to church. Tony Barfield 51:59 Yeah, absolutely, real good, so that I can celebrate with her myself. Future Outlook and Goals After Ischemic Stroke Bill Gasiamis 52:06 Yes, and with work, how are you talking to your employer about your time off and then how you’re going to transition back? What that is that discussion like? Tony Barfield 52:21 Well, I had, actually, I had that discussion last week, and from my primary doctor, because he going to try to allow me to go back and just gradually, and I do have a good Michael, say, a co worker, but he’s like my sidekick that has been covering for me since I’ve been going, and that’s really been doing a good job. And I just want to give a shout out to him. His name is Wes Tillerson, so he been doing a great job. So Imma, try to get back next month. Tony Barfield 52:49 And just gradually, gradually go in there to see how things, see how things go, and if, and physically if I’m able to continue to do the same thing that I’ve been doing, and I’m just going to see how that goes. And they, I mean, they give me the time they told me to come back, you know, when I’m able. So that’s a blessing too, because they, they could’ve, fired me because I haven’t been there, but it, they give me the time to recover, and they understand. So I appreciate the school as well and the staff allowing me to take my time to come back. Bill Gasiamis 53:23 Yeah, and is your medical insurance part of your employment at the school? Tony Barfield 53:29 Yes, it has been helping out, be able to take it incur some of the costs. And it’s not, it has been 100% out of my pocket. So the insurance been covering a lot of it, and still is so. And it was exactly thinking about after, you know, on my vacation time and everything, if that would have wore it out then I had short term disability that would have kicked in, but that would only cover like 80% of my pay. Tony Barfield 53:59 So, I mean, so far so good. I still believe to pay my bills and keep everything for my wife, she doesn’t work, so I still need to keep everything, keep all the lights on, food on the table. That’s been a blessing of will. Bill Gasiamis 54:14 Yeah, it’s interesting, isn’t it? Like stroke really decreases your ability to be productive and get back to work and do the things that you need to do for your family, for you know, to cover your obligations, to meet your payments for whatever you’re doing. Like, it’s just a it’s just such a difficult thing, like, it just takes space in all these places, and it makes it really difficult for for people to manage that, and I know that then people also, at the worst time, they get medical bills, you know. Bill Gasiamis 54:47 Then they have to deal with medical bills, but they’re dealing with them at the same time that they can’t work. And it’s like, it’s a catch 22 you can’t go one way. You can’t go the other. It’s really difficult. Alright, so it sounds like everything’s kind of working out really well for you right now. Things are sort of in the really good place, and you’ve got everything you need to move forward and continue healing, right? Tony Barfield 55:16 I mean, I’m not up under any type of pressure as far as going back and returning back to work. So that’s a good thing. And it is told me ‘Hey, whenever you’re ready to come back, come back, and everything can still be here waiting for you. So they want me to come back. No strong and I guess not 100% but being able to kind of perform some of the duties, whatever, like I was before the stroke. Tony Barfield 55:37 So they haven’t, they have a pressure man at all. So that’s one thing that I appreciate the school for, for being that understanding and praying for me as well. So, yeah, so it’s just good. I’m in a good place right now. Bill Gasiamis 55:52 And the kids, are they still living with you guys? Tony Barfield 55:57 Yes, I got my son, who’s 15, and I have a grandson that’s 13, that’s living with me. He’s the one they kind of help out as well. Boys gonna be boys, you know, they still kind of get on my nerve a little bit, yeah, that kind of, I kind of explained to him. I don’t need all the stress and all the fighting and wrestling in the house. So they’re teenagers, so they’re gonna do that, but, yeah, they’ve been a great help as well. Bill Gasiamis 56:25 So your grandson is 13 and your son is 15, right? Tony Barfield 56:30 My youngest son is 15 years, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 56:32 So your grandson is wrestling with his uncle? Tony Barfield 56:37 Exactly, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 56:38 And the misbehaving your and your son as an uncle should be more responsible. Tony Barfield 56:44 He should be right. He’s right in with the Father, he’s right there with just hardly, kind of keep them to they’re so competitive. Yeah, both of them play basketball, so they’re so competitive amongst each other. So there’s always something going on in the house and I can hear all the noise downstairs that’s going on upstairs. Bill Gasiamis 57:04 Yeah, if I was a 15 year old uncle of a 13 year old, I’d be pulling prank on them all. Tony Barfield 57:12 And he does, he lets him know. Who’s the oldest, but the 13 year old, he’s a little tough for two so he was tough. He was a tough kid, so he don’t try to get away with the stuff. But yes, it’s kind of funny at the same time. Bill Gasiamis 57:26 Yeah, it’s hilarious. My kids were the first time, were 11 and and 15 when I had the first stroke, and then all through the whole second and third lead and brain surgery and learning how to walk in, they were still teenagers the whole time. And man, it was hard, because when I was really unwell and had fatigue and needed calm and quiet, because noise made my brain hurt and and fighting made me exhausted and all that kind of stuff, they just wouldn’t. Bill Gasiamis 58:00 They just wouldn’t. I couldn’t get them to calm down. And I know you’re teenagers and they’re just being teenagers, but you really need to stop doing what you’re doing, because I can’t cope. I’m at my wit’s end. Tony Barfield 58:13 I understand, I get. Bill Gasiamis 58:19 Yeah, you have to give them a little bit of grace, because they are going through that phase in their life, and they’re just doing what every teenager would do, but that’s still hard, really hard. Tony Barfield 58:30 It is hard so that part they don’t understand, because they just think ‘Oh, that’s just there, do what we do. Yes, they don’t understand that part. And I hate to raise my voice to get my point and call, because it wheels me out, same time. So I just tell him say ‘Man, y’all got to understand that noise is driving me crazy. Yeah, you know. But these teenagers, so I expect that. So I’d like you said I had to have another grace with him. Bill Gasiamis 58:58 And that’s that part where, when you don’t look like you’ve had a stroke, trying to convince a teenager that when you’ve actually had is really serious, and it’s really difficult to deal with. It’s even harder, I mean, it’s impossible. You look fine and you’re just grumpy. You’re just yelling, right? Whatever. Tony Barfield 59:18 Yeah, Mr. Bad guy, right. And my wife, she just don’t, you know, she don’t hear what I hear, because she like the noise is even louder, versus before the stroke, yeah, so just to look things they do, is just, I get annoyed by it, but they don’t realize what they’re doing, but they just don’t being, being bored. So, yeah, I kind of cope with it at the same time. Bill Gasiamis 59:41 It’s interesting that you said the noises are loud, they’re more irritating, aren’t they? They’re the same noises, but they’re more irritating. Tony Barfield 59:47 They live more irritated. Yeah, any little thing kind of irritates me not look far as noise wise. So that why I don’t try to raise my voice as much, because that even irritates me. It was kind of exhausting to even do that. I kind of had to say ‘Okay, well, then we kind of block it out some kind of way. But yeah. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:06 This is the part where expanding ourselves, like us, learning and growing and doing things differently is really important, because you can’t go at the teenagers the way that you used to. That’s what I stopped doing, is I stopped going at them the way I used to, as well to so that helped improve the situation for me a little bit, I wasn’t irritating myself further than they had already irritated me. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:33 And then I was trying to develop new ways to communicate, talking, explaining over and over, you know, to try and get them to shift their behavior without me doing it the old way, because the old way didn’t work anyway, and it wasn’t working now, right? Tony Barfield 1:00:50 Right, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:51 ‘Okay, we need a new way. What is that? Is there one right? Tony Barfield 1:00:56 And me, you know, growing up with my father, my dad is, ex military guy, so he’s got no zero nonsense, you know, since I gotta use that approach that that’s how I grew up. But I don’t, I just, I give up with that one. So I’m trying to do a lot more explaining to him, versus the whole Old School. I’m old school anyway, so that, you know, with your new kids today, that don’t work. Tony Barfield 1:01:23 Yeah, it doesn’t work. But, I try to be a little bit more patient with them so I can kind of have a better understanding within myself, I won’t wear myself out by doing, you know, doing all that. So, yeah, I had to be a little bit more patient with them. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:37 You have to step up, even though you’re the one that’s going through recovery, you have to step up as well. Tony Barfield 1:01:45 Yeah, exactly, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:47 Tell me about what do you think has been the hardest thing about stroke for you so far? Do you think? Tony Barfield 1:01:55 Well, I think trying to get back to the norm and like I said, I was always kind of busy and active. So now I see myself as not being that now. So that’s that’s kind of a little difficult challenge for me, because I was always the one that’s doing things and moving and stuff and getting things done. So now I’m at a limitation now, because any little thing we was a little worse in the beginning. I just get so tired, so easy, you know, I don’t know, just trying to overthink things, or whatever it is. Tony Barfield 1:02:25 But just the exhaust, being exhausted, a lot more that’s a little more I had to get used to, and I try to do things, but I just wear myself out. Even from taking a shower, simple shower that I get exhausted from doing that, you know, just really exhausted, taking a shower, and I had to come out of the shower and kind of stretch across the bed a little bit, just kind of, kind of recuperate from that. Tony Barfield 1:02:50 So, that’s, that’s been a little challenge. So I guess over time, I’m hoping, I’m praying, over time, that’ll get better, and it has gotten better. So I’m just thinking that’ll get better over time. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:01 It will, yeah, it’ll continue to improve. What has stroke taught you? What have been the lessons that you’ve taken out of this at the moment? Tony Barfield 1:03:12 Well, like I said, the main thing is health, my diet, my blood pressure, what I eat. That has taught me, that has taught me that because I wasn’t doing it. Bill, I’m serious. I mean, I would eat junk food, like I said, I had high blood pressure. I know I had high blood pressure and I was on medication, but I never take it. I never took it because it made me a little nauseous at the time. It made me sick a little bit, so I wouldn’t take it, but my pressure was always 190 over 90. Tony Barfield 1:03:47 Something always, you know. So now it’s made me more aware of my blood pressure, and I check it every day, least two or three times a day. Make sure it’s normal. I make sure I take my medication, I make sure I’m eating the right stuff, putting the right stuff in my mouth and drinking the right things. I drink more water than I have it, I think I have ever done in my life now. So those things are kind of taught me some things, and there’s certain foods that I used to eat, I just don’t want them no more, which I like I said, I think that’s a blessing. Tony Barfield 1:04:19 So that’s what it has taught me and just being aware of my body, just overall, being aware of my body and recognize certain things that it’s doing, you know, saying so that’s kind of taught me what to recognize certain things within myself. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:34 Yeah, that’s good, since you joined us specifically to spread awareness and to reach other people. What is something that you’d like to let people know about, like, what kind of like? Is there some wisdom that has downloaded from somewhere that you’d like to pass on let people know about this whole situation? Tony Barfield 1:05:01 Well, absolutely, I think everyone should be considered a diet. I think that’s the major thing with any health condition, is your diet, and what are you eating what are you drinking, exercise. I think that’s important, and this ‘Listen to your body. Just listen to it now, even though, at the time I was having a stroke, I didn’t, I don’t know, I wasn’t aware of any symptoms, but prior to that, I knew with some things that I should have done that I wasn’t doing. So now that has heightened my awareness now on what to do and what not to do. Tony Barfield 1:05:37 So I think I would spread that message across the board, as far as just listen to your body and just make sure you’re taking care of your body. Because we only got one life. We only have one life, and we only got one body. We need to take care of it, you know. And if we even go by with this, even spiritually this, you know, this body is a temple, and we need to make sure we’re taking care of the temple. So that’s important, that what I would spread to anyone that’s listening. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:06 Yes, beautiful Tony, I really appreciate you reaching out so early on in your recovery and making it about other people. I hope this interview and the podcast continues to help you. Thank you so much for joining me. Tony Barfield 1:06:23 And thank you, and I appreciate what you’re doing and continue to do and I support you any way that you need me to help you. Closing Remarks and Gratitude Bill Gasiamis 1:06:29 Well, that brings us to the end of another episode with Tony Barfield, from his experience one month after ischemic stroke to his ongoing recovery journey. Tony’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. If today’s conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a comment, liking and subscribing, whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favorite podcast platform, a five-star rating or a review helps others discover this community of support. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:03 Remember to check out my book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened, available on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book, and if you’d like to support the podcast directly, please visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Your support helps cover the ongoing costs of recording, hosting, editing and much more, ensuring that we can keep sharing these valuable stories. Thank you for being here and listening and making this podcast a part of your recovery journey. I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:07:38 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. 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1 How I Overcame Stroke, Cancer & MND – Clive Branson’s Powerful Story 1:17:35
1:17:35 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:17:35
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutNavigating Stroke Recovery, MND, and Prostate Cancer: Finding Strength in Adversity Facing Multiple Diagnoses: A Test of Resilience Receiving a diagnosis of stroke, motor neuron disease (MND), or prostate cancer is life-changing on its own. But what happens when someone faces all three? It’s a reality that demands incredible strength, resilience, and adaptability . Many stroke survivors focus on regaining mobility, speech, and independence, only to find themselves navigating further health challenges down the road. A diagnosis of MND or prostate cancer after stroke can feel overwhelming, making the road to recovery seem even steeper. However, through determination, support, and a shift in mindset , it is possible to find meaning, hope, and quality of life despite these hurdles. The Overlapping Challenges of Stroke, MND, and Cancer Each condition comes with its own set of challenges, but when combined, they create a unique and complex journey: Stroke Recovery A stroke can affect mobility, cognition, speech, and energy levels , requiring a tailored rehabilitation approach. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy play a crucial role in regaining function and independence. Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Unlike stroke, MND is a progressive neurological condition that weakens muscles over time. While there is no cure, management strategies such as physiotherapy, adaptive equipment, and speech devices can help improve quality of life. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer treatments—including radiation, surgery, and hormone therapy —can lead to fatigue, urinary incontinence, and emotional strain . Combined with stroke and MND, maintaining strength and energy levels becomes even more challenging. Managing Life with Stroke, MND, and Cancer 1. Mindset and Mental Resilience A growth mindset is essential when facing multiple health challenges. It’s normal to experience frustration, fear, or grief, but shifting focus toward small victories can make all the difference. Journaling, meditation, and counseling can provide emotional support and clarity. 2. Rehabilitation and Adaptation Even after stroke recovery, those with MND may find themselves needing additional mobility aids . Finding new ways to stay active, like adaptive exercises, hydrotherapy, and assisted walking devices , can help maintain strength and mobility for as long as possible. 3. Managing Energy and Fatigue Fatigue is a common issue across all three conditions. Strategies like: Prioritizing rest and pacing daily activities Eating a nutrient-rich diet that supports energy levels Engaging in light movement or stretching 4. Building a Strong Support System Navigating these diagnoses alone can feel overwhelming. Community support, online groups, and family involvement can offer much-needed encouragement. Many survivors find purpose and motivation through volunteering or mentoring others . 5. Advocating for Your Health With multiple conditions, medical care can become complex. It’s important to: Keep a detailed record of symptoms and medications Ask doctors about treatment interactions and alternative therapies Consider clinical trials and emerging treatments for MND or cancer Hope, Strength, and a New Perspective Facing stroke, MND, and prostate cancer is undeniably tough, but it is possible to redefine what life after these diagnoses looks like . Many survivors discover unexpected strength, new passions, and deeper appreciation for life . You are not alone in this journey. Whether through rehabilitation, community support, or personal resilience , there is always a way forward. Share Your Story If you or a loved one is navigating life after stroke, MND, or prostate cancer, I’d love to hear from you! Share your experience in the comments or connect with our community for support. Get More Support If you found this helpful, check out my book, The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened , available on Amazon or recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Stroke, Cancer & MND: How Clive Branson Found Strength in Adversity From stroke to cancer to MND, Clive Branson’s journey proves that resilience and mindset can redefine recovery. Watch his inspiring story now. Clive Branson’s Website Instagram LinkedIn Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements 01:50 Clive Branson’s Introduction 03:39 Initial Stroke Experience and Deficits 08:18 Impact of Subsequent Health Challenges 13:51 Volunteering and Mental Health Advocacy 23:33 The Power of Support in Recovery 36:37 Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment 45:30 Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Prostate Cancer Awareness 54:05 Mental Health and Personal Growth 57:58 Resilience, Connection, and Reinvention 1:13:16 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Transcript: Introduction and Acknowledgements Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Welcome everyone before we dive into today’s powerful conversation, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a part of this amazing community. Whether you’re sharing the podcast, leaving reviews or simply tuning in each week, your support makes all the difference. Together, we’re creating a space where stroke survivors, caregivers and allies can feel seen, heard and inspired. Since 2015 I’ve been covering the cost of producing the recovery after stroke podcast to ensure that stroke survivors, caregivers and their loved ones have access to free, valuable resources. Bill Gasiamis 0:39 If you’ve received tremendous value from these episodes and would like to support the show you can do so at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke, your generosity helps me continue to bring you these important conversations. A huge thank you to my most recent Patreon supporters, Ted, Rick, Deanne, Pat Bryce and Alessandro. Your support means the world to me and helps ensure that I can keep producing these episodes that support stroke survivors everywhere. I also want to take a moment to address something important. Bill Gasiamis 1:15 If you’re not in a position to support the podcast financially, simply listening to the ads without skipping them is also a huge help. These ads are essential in offsetting some of the production costs, and just by letting them play, you’re contributing to keeping these resources alive for stroke survivors and their families. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who listens, supports and engages with the podcast in any capacity. And remember my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. Introduction – Clive Branson Bill Gasiamis 1:50 It’s been a valuable resource for many stroke survivors and their families, offering practical guidance and hope during difficult times. You can find it on Amazon by searching my name, Bill Gasiamis, or by heading to recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Now let’s get into today’s episode. My guest Clive Branson has faced an incredible journey, not just surviving a stroke, but also overcoming immense physical and mental health challenges, including a motor neurons disease diagnosis and prostate cancer. Bill Gasiamis 2:27 In this conversation, Clive shares how he navigated the darkest moments, found resilience and now dedicates his life to inspiring and supporting others. This is an episode filled with wisdom, perspective and hope let’s jump in. Clive Branson, welcome to the podcast. Clive Branson 2:45 Thank you, Bill. Thank you very much for asking me, and it’s nice to meet you. Bill Gasiamis 2:51 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Clive Branson 2:54 Okay, well, where to start really, I was 37 years old, I’m married. I’ve been married for a million years to a wonderful lady that I’ve known since we were 12 or 13 years old, and we’ve been married for nearly 30 years now, but we’ve got four boys, so it’s a busy house. Now, I’ve been in the Royal Air Force, and then I did nearly 20 years with the Ministry of Defense, and I was probably classed as Mr. Ordinary, really. However, I did have a brain hemorrhage when I was born, but sort of fully recovered from that. Clive Branson – Initial Stroke Experience and Deficits Clive Branson 3:39 But I’ve always had migraine headaches, quite badly, to be honest. So that’s a little bit of relevant background. So I’m 37 I’m at home, and I’m lying on the couch because I’ve had a headache, which is no surprise to anybody. My wife, my brother-in-law and one of my boys was at home, so I wake up, no any sort of extra pain or distress, and my brother in law says to me ‘Oh, you’re back in the room, then Clive, you’re back with us. And what I replied back was complete gobbledygook, and it didn’t really register with me. I was probably just waking up. Clive Branson 4:24 Certainly registered with him, say that again, and it was exactly the same. So again, no pain or distress, just the realization that I could not connect my brain with my mouth. So I did a bit of a bloke thing, and I just thought, I’ll stand up and shake it off, get some fresh air. Perhaps only made a few paces, and I collapsed. So I had a seizure. I’ve never had seizures before, obviously far more scary for the. Was that were there than me, because at this point I was sort of out of it. And yeah, I was sort of blue lighted in. They obviously didn’t know what was wrong with me. Clive Branson 5:10 It was actually the first responders that came before the ambulance, and they got the oxygen in, etc. Told my wife not to be on her own, that there was, they started the scans and stuff, and my brain had started to swell. Then they discovered that there was a clot and it had gone up to the artery. And thankfully, Bill, somebody was up there, up there was looking over me because as they were prepping me for surgery and other things. Thankfully, the clock dissolved and it passed. So I had possibly a week in hospital, and I was unsteady on my feet. Clive Branson 5:54 And I either but a few stops and gaps in my conversations and my speech and but it was definitely Bill, it was definitely one of those moments really, you know, I was in hospital with an awful lot of poorly people who definitely weren’t going home, whole, if at all, and I just wanted my life back, you know, at any cost, it was a massive realization that I knew how lucky I’d been and and so I mean, I’m 54 now. My medical history between now and then is unbelievable. But yeah, that was the start of of a challenging time Bill, to be honest. Bill Gasiamis 6:41 I hear you, so it was in 2007 is that right? Clive Branson 6:46 That’s right. Bill Gasiamis 6:48 It’s been a while, right? And what are your deficits? Do you have any deficits? Clive Branson 6:54 Well, I think about this a lot Bill, my memory was definitely affected. I’m not pretending I had a photographic memory or anything like that, but I think my short term memory really struggled. And also, if I’m talking to somebody, particularly in a professional capacity, and there’s a quite a lot of information thrown at me in one go. It might be a formula they’re trying to explain to me, particularly if it involves numbers, I’ll catch the first bit. And I have what they want me to understand, but I can’t then process that. Clive Branson 7:37 And that hasn’t changed from then to now. If anything, it’s probably got a bit worse, but that might just be because I’m getting old now, but yeah that and fatigue, I think fatigue was something that it was obviously worse for the first few weeks and getting home, but I don’t think my battery life has been anything like, you know, I’ve been in the RAF, as I said, I’ve done a bit of sort of novice box, I was relatively fit, and, as I say, really sort of active family life. But yeah, my battery life definitely didn’t recover. Impact of Subsequent Health Challenges For Clive Branson Bill Gasiamis 8:18 You know, before, the reason I asked you those questions because I was going to kind of, you know, I like to play the devil’s advocate. You don’t look like someone who had a stroke. You don’t sound like someone who had a stroke. You’re saying a stroke story. It happened in 2007 you were 37 and my question was going to be, why? Even now, why such a long time after the stroke, did you feel the need that you need to get on a podcast and share your story, like, why? Clive Branson 8:53 Because of what’s happened to me since, and because of my various medical challenges, both physical and mental. I’ve reflected on my life in general. I’ve reflected on my own mortality, and it’s very apparent to me that that stroke was the trigger for my whole body, changing, my whole capacity for certain things changing. And I mean, I can’t pretend that there’s any kind of link between my motor neurone disease and certainly my prostate cancer. Clive Branson 9:40 But in terms of my ability to fight back from certain situations, I’ve had to almost understand my body a lot more and be in tune with my body a lot more. And that started in 2007 not when I had the last five years of my life. Bill Gasiamis 10:05 Let’s take a quick pause here before we continue with Clive Branson’s incredible journey. I wanted to share a little bit about how you can support the podcast. If this podcast has added value to your life, I’d love your support on Patreon by becoming a patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke, you’ll help me continue to create these conversations while joining a community dedicated to stroke recovery, resilience and growth. Another simple way to support the podcast is by listening to the ads without skipping them. Bill Gasiamis 10:37 These ads help cover the production costs, and just by letting them play, you’re helping keep this resources free for stroke survivors and their families. If a Patreon membership is impossible for you right now, this is a great way to contribute and ensure that I can keep bringing you these valuable conversations. And if you haven’t already, check out my book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It’s available on Amazon and recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Bill Gasiamis 10:37 And it’s packed with insights, practical guidance and motivation for your recovery journey. Now let’s get back to Clive Branson and hear more about how he’s navigating life after stroke. MND and prostate cancer and why he believes resilience and perspective are key to overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Bill Gasiamis 11:28 I hear, okay, I was going to ask you about the current medical conditions that you’re dealing with as well. So prostate cancer was that first was the MND diagnosed first. Clive Branson 11:42 The MND was first Bill. There was a perfect storm for me, to be honest, 2018 andobviously, this is a stroke recovery podcast, so I don’t want to sort of take up too much time with this, but there was a perfect storm, and that involved, I lost both my parents completely different sort of one Parkinson’s, one COVID, but I got the diagnosis for slowly progressive Motor Neurone Disease. Then I discovered that I’d got what was, stage two prostate cancer, and it is currently stage three, and then I had a mental health health breakdown. Clive Branson 12:24 I ended up in psychiatric hospital, and then I started to rebuild myself, and that’s because I’ve got a support network, I’ve got family that it’s just not everybody’s got that Bill, have they? And in my rebuilding, when I found my confidence again, and when I found my new identity, and the identity crisis was a challenge. My whole picture, from this, from the stroke on, is something that I got me thinking. I thought, I’ve got a real story to tell that might just help others. And it’s not because it’s a ‘Where is me tale. It’s because I’ve learned so much. Clive Branson 12:28 I’ve learned good things. I’ve learned things that help, that things that people told me that were completely incorrect. There was all sorts of conspiracy theories as to why I’d had a stroke, but ultimately they discovered that it was because I’ve got a hole in my heart, got to 37 and knew nothing about it. I’m sure you’ll understand this, but it transpires that you can have a defect in your heart from birth, two, three mil hole, and you’ll never know anything about it, but I don’t do anything by half. So mine was 12 mil. That’s how the clot had got through. Volunteering and Mental Health Advocacy Clive Branson 13:51 So I had heart surgery to close that. So, I’m summing up this really Bill to try and explain that. It was definitely the stroke everything else up to today that I now use to say to people ‘Hey, there’s two things here, one, you’re an awful lot stronger than you ever could imagine you were, and you can build on that. By the way, your the resilience you discover is not, that’s not it, you can build on that you can definitely overcome adversity, you really can, and you can adopt a positive mindset and you can maintain it. So that’s what I do. Clive Branson 14:30 I volunteer up and down the country and for the prison service. On a voluntary basis, I speak to prisons, I speak to staff, to actively demonstrate these things that I’m articulating to you, and it’s a two way street Bill, because it’s so rewarding personally for me. Whenever I come back from one of these talks, I feel buoyed by the whole experience. So, that’s where I’m at today, and that’s how I view it. Bill Gasiamis 15:02 I like the way you view it. So let’s unpack that a little bit, you talked about you hit rock bottom, it sounds like when you got to that stage where you needed treatment for your mental health. Was it inevitable, looking back, that you were always going to get there, and then when you got there, did you know that you were in a good place to come out of rock bottom? Bill Gasiamis 15:31 Because I describe rock bottom as the place to start from, like it’s a new beginning, is the way I describe it. And I’m not saying that everyone’s journey to rock bottom is pleasant, or like mine, or anything like that, but it’s definitely if you flip what you see it as if you can’t get lower than where you are, then there’s only way, one way to go. Clive Branson 15:59 Yeah, Bill, honestly, you’re speaking my language. We hear so much about the downside of trauma, but we don’t hear enough about the growth from trauma, and growth in terms of personal development and confidence and all these wonderful things can, without any shadow of a doubt, come from trauma, and that definitely was the case for me, and things that I’ve read and listened to and heard about your good self, I think that’s exactly the same as well. To answer your original part of the question, Bill. Clive Branson 16:36 If you’d have said to any of my friends or colleagues, certainly, when in my professional career with the MOD, do you think Clive would be a candidate to have his mental health compromise that I said ‘You must be joking, Clive, you know, red hair, big mouth. You know, we’re the one we go to for problems, not a chance. Clive Branson 16:54 But again, I can demonstrate that we’re not far away from having our mental health compromise, because life’s not easy, is it? None of us get an easy ride. So no, I and nobody around me would have ever thought that I would hit those levels and have the breakdown that I had. Bill Gasiamis 17:17 Post traumatic growth. That’s the term, right? I didn’t know there was a word for the term when I was going through my periods of growth, and it’s post traumatic. Growth is not something that you potentially chase after. Not everyone knows that they’re going after it, they’re just doing it, and they’re not knowing, and there’s certain steps. My book is a book about post traumatic growth. Bill Gasiamis 17:43 It’s 10 steps to get to the stage where you can say stroke was the best thing that happened to you, not from a medical perspective, from a personal development and growth perspective, because it gets you to a place where you don’t recognize yourself. Your identity is gone, everything you knew to be true is being questioned, your mortality is being questioned. You’re coming to terms with so many things. And of course, we’re not equipped to handle so much stuff, so in such a short amount of time, if we’ve never been there before, you don’t know how to navigate it, right? Bill Gasiamis 18:22 So it’s like, well, everything shuts down. You go into a depression or a mental health state that you don’t recognize, that seems terrible at the time, because it’s terrible, however, it kind of has that opportunity, creates an opportunity for a reset to occur. And that’s the thing about that’s the thing about mental health issues that I kind of want to bring attention to, is that when you’re at rock bottom, if you’ve heard this before, you’ve reached rock bottom, yeah, then what I’m saying is it’s not the last destination. Bill Gasiamis 19:02 It’s just a stop along the way to wherever you’re heading, right? And the mindset part that you mentioned, the a growth mindset, instead of a fixed mindset, it’s again, it’s a growth mindset is about, not actually forever feeling like you’re growing. It’s like a North Star, it’s having it in your priority. I’m going to do things that help me grow. Volunteering is a key criteria to help you grow. Volunteering is key. People don’t realize how important it is. Bill Gasiamis 19:42 And then what happens is, as you have this growth mindset as your North Star, you’ll find days where it’s like stuff it I’m not doing this anymore. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m not going to try anymore. You switch backwards to a negative mindset. The key there is to stay there for a short amount of time, just enough. It’s like that pity party that people talk about is just enough time have your pity party and then move on, and then just sort of start moving forward. What I love about volunteering is you’re making you’re doing it. Bill Gasiamis 20:19 You’re doing something that’s not about you. You’re doing it about so you stop thinking about yourself, A, B, you get rewarded for making other people smile, feel better about themselves, have a conversation with you, etc. You’re you’ve changed your mindset from a it changes your mindset from a negative mindset to a growth mindset immediately, because you have to find a way to get out of the house. You have to find a way to get to the destination, to have the energy to talk to present, to do whatever it is that you’re going to do. Bill Gasiamis 20:54 And then you’ve gotta find a way back. And then you gotta find a way to do it all over again in your worst time, in the time where you’re struggling, where everything’s terrible, and all of a sudden, when you’re doing that, and you’re in a space where there’s other people that need your support and need your help, what happens is you forget about all of your ailments and all of your dramas that you’re going through at the time. It’s just a wonderful thing that you can do for people. I think the reward back is far greater than the energy that you put out, that you have to. Clive Branson 21:33 No question Bill, no question. I mean, you know, I’m fortunate enough to be on sort of some rosters, some speaker Bureau rosters. So I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to provide for my family properly by doing that. And I work in the corporate world, and I’m growing that however I approached the prison service in this country, and it took me a while to do it, to get to the right person. It was LinkedIn, actually, that helped me, where one of the governors, you know, he realized he got a new stalker, and he said, I better respond to this guy. Clive Branson 22:12 And he said ‘Look, come in, come to the prison and meet me. And, long story short, I said ‘Look, there’s no catch here, I’m not looking for anything at all, but I will come and I’m not learning from lines from textbooks. I’m not doing death by PowerPoint. I will share my story with brutal honesty, with it, with an injection of humor, but it will resonate, and I think that it can do some good, and it went from there. And you just get recommended from one prison to another, and you’re absolutely right in what you say. And as I say, I should have said to me 10 years ago. Clive Branson 22:53 The benefits of volunteering. I made all the usual excuses not haven’t got time, you know this, to do something for someone or for a group of people, when there’s absolutely nothing in it for you. But then when you can get in your car and think, I’ve really done a good thing there. I know that sounds corny, but goodness me, it is a wonderful, wonderful thing, it really is. And yeah, and when you were talking there, Bill about the realization and the drive to do this and to get your direction back, I can remember when that happened to me. The Power of Support in the Recovery of Clive Branson Clive Branson 23:33 Because one of the biggest problems I had in terms of the mental challenges was because I’d completely lost perspective, you know, totally lost perspective, which I firmly believe that is one of our superpowers. I mean, it just is. I’d lost that, but it was my wife, and she was sitting across the table in the psychiatric hospital. I’ve been in there a couple of weeks. I was in there for 10 weeks in total, but I just recognized a Bill on this day, properly recognized her. And thought, wow, hang on a minute, that’s fake. Clive Branson 24:08 You know, that’s the lady I’ve known since I was 12, and so she’s here amongst the noise, visiting a husband in the psychiatric hospital, but then she’s gotta go back in the car, go home, act really normal, and do all the mundane things, pay the bills, see to the children, etc, and then she’s got to get back in the car and visit me tomorrow with a smile on her face. And we’re a team. Now she needs me, and I definitely need her. Clive Branson 24:39 And that’s the day perspective came back, and I just very, very, you know, just very slowly started to think, I need to sort of think about things. I need to consider where I am, and I need to build myself and get stronger. And that’s where it started. That’s where I got that’s where the growth, and certainly from a mental health point of view came from, it was wonderful. Bill Gasiamis 25:06 Yeah, it reminds me of my journey after brain surgery. Same thing, you know, my father in law passed away just in November last year. Clive Branson 25:17 Sorry to hear that. Bill Gasiamis 25:18 Yeah, thank you. And 10 years ago to the same month his wife passed away, and that was during the same week that I got diagnosed with the third bleed, and was told that was sorry a week after I got diagnosed with the third bleed and I was told that I need brain surgery, so now my wife’s preparing a funeral with her sisters and her father to bury her mum. Bill Gasiamis 25:45 And a week after that, I’m going into surgery for my brain, and then I’m in hospital for a month. And to me, her mother passing just completely goes out of my mind because, yeah, I’ve got other things to focus on and to worry about, right? Preoccupied, and I’m in hospital for a month and a bit, and she is doing all of the stuff you just described. She’s putting on a brave face coming to me going home, and probably, you know, doing the family stuff and putting on a brave face for them. Bill Gasiamis 26:22 And probably not much time is spent on reflecting on her mother’s passing and what that means to her and how that’s impacted her family and all that type of stuff. It’s just life doesn’t end because you had a stroke, you have MND, you have prostate cancer? You had a heart attack, you had a hole in your heart. It doesn’t end. Everything continues, and you can’t just capitulate. You can’t just fall in a heap. I suppose you can do it for a short amount of time, while you’re resetting and you’re trying to wonder, which is the road I need to take out. Bill Gasiamis 26:59 But it’s gotta be a short time now that might be days or months or weeks. It doesn’t matter, as long as over the span of your lifetime. It’s just a small window where you fell in a heap and you thought everything was, well, everything was sort of useless or helpless, or, I’m not sure what the word is and that’s what I find people who are sharing their stories on podcasts like this have done that. They’ve we all have similar steps that we’ve taken to get to that point. Bill Gasiamis 27:32 And then sharing the stories also seems to be a bit of a a key ingredient to the next phase of your development and your growth. And I’ve had a lot of stroke survivors who will come on the podcast 5, 10, 20 years after the stroke, it’s still profoundly, unbelievably. Unbelievable to me that somebody still has to share a stroke story after 20 years like, it makes sense to me. Bill Gasiamis 28:12 But it’s also really bizarre that stroke has that kind of a long lasting impact on people, and still, 20 years later, one day, jumped onto Google, did a Google search for stroke podcasts, found my podcast, and then thought ‘You know what? I think I need to jump on there and tell my story. Yeah, obviously the storytelling is part of the healing process as well. Clive Branson 28:37 It says, yeah, no, it really isn’t you know your this platform that you’ve created, Bill, and the people that you’ve had on it, and obviously your wisdom and is a real eye opener. I learn an awful lot by listening to your episodes. It’s not just because it’s an interesting listen and actually it’s educational as well, and it clearly does an awful lot a great deal for the people that share their stories, and I am now one of them. So I really do sort of congratulate you on that, but no, you’re absolutely right. Clive Branson 28:37 You know, it was without any doubt, shadow of a doubt, the first time that I ever had to sort of look at my own mortality. But I did it in such a way where I just thought ‘Wow, how lucky am I. How impossibly difficult, you know, that could have been so much worse for both me and my loved ones, and here I am. So it was definitely the start of it all, but touching on a little bit of what you said there, I believe, and sometimes, for some people, this is a little bit contentious, but I believe positivity is a choice Bill. Ultimately, we get a lot of advice. Clive Branson 29:56 We get a lot of help. We listen to people like you, ultimately, the key to keeping that period of depression or feeling low to a minimum like you said, is because you have to accept it, you have to own it, and you have to make the decision ‘Okay, well, I can stay here and I can see what’s next, or what can I actually do to find myself again and find something completely different? If that mean, we all pivot in life. Clive Branson 30:31 Sometimes we have to, and sometimes we want to, and there’s nothing wrong with that, and I suppose it links into the growth from trauma, but it’s definitely happened to me. No question about it. Bill Gasiamis 30:43 Positivity is being able to answer this question, either answering it well or badly. It doesn’t matter, as long as you can answer it and it’s like ‘Okay, what’s good about this situation right now? And if you’re thinking is shallow, and you’re thinking ‘Okay, I’ve just been diagnosed with a stroke. There’s nothing good about this situation right now. Well, then there’s really hard to find a positive spin out of it, right or or even what’s funny about this right now? Bill Gasiamis 31:12 If you know you’re like me and weird, you look at the funny things that happened in my medical, in my whole medical journey, and waiting for that, I was going home after my pre-surgery appointment. They do all the tests and scans, and they want to make sure that I’m ready for surgery, physically, and I had another episode. I don’t know what to describe it as, but I felt like really light headed, I was kind of out of this world. I was feeling strange sensations on my face and on my body. Bill Gasiamis 31:56 And I thought I was having another bleed like in hospital while I was there. So we went to emergency. We were waiting there, and in that time, I’m really unwell and concerned about my health, my mother in law had just been buried a week earlier. I’m going into brain surgery in a week. And there was, I’ve shared this story before there was this kid who was on the spectrum somewhere, with autism somewhere there, and had been to the was a teenager had been to the toilet and come back. Clive Branson 32:32 And was holding onto the armrest that I was holding onto. And we were kind of, you know, our hands were touching, or whatever. And his mom asked him ‘Did you wash your hands after you went to the toilet? And all of my stroke symptoms everything went away. Only thing I could do was focus on whether or not he had washed his hands. And I didn’t ask, and I didn’t respond anyway, strangely or whatever, I just got up and went to the toilet and washed my hands, and came and sat down. Clive Branson 33:06 Oh, it’s wonderful. Bill Gasiamis 33:07 Yeah, now there’s, you know, in amongst all the disaster that was my life at that moment, it really made me on reflection, it was a really funny moment. It made me completely overcome all of my stroke concerns and go and wash my hands and then come and sit back down and then resume my stroke problems. I mean, it’s weird, yeah, it’s about asking yourself that question. It’s like ‘Okay, what’s good about this right now? And that what’s good can be that I’m just, I’m in a hospital, and I’m being cared for. Bill Gasiamis 33:46 Somebody is sitting next to me in the hospital who’s a friend, or whatever, like, that’s how you develop that focus on what’s good in this really terrible moment and distract yourself from the terrible moment, because sometimes focusing on the terrible moments at the wrong time is not good. Bill Gasiamis 34:11 Because it could get your heart rate going in the wrong direction. It could get you stressed out, freaked out, and then that could make matters worse. So you want to be able to manage your condition, a little bit as much as you can. And that’s just one real quick, easy hack, that’s how you do it. Clive Branson 34:33 Absolutely, yeah. I remember when I woke up in the hospital after the stroke, and obviously my wife was there, and we had a bit of a laugh and a joke quite quickly, really, because, bless her, she was desperate to say ‘You do know who I am, don’t you? You know it’s me, don’t you? And we laugh about it now, because it’s almost like a funny theme from a scene from a film where we don’t need to worry about diplomatic here. Do you know who I am? And you know, we laughed and joked. Clive Branson 35:09 Obviously, I wished I’d have had the presence of mind to say ‘Who are you and I’d have milked it for a while, but obviously I just woken up. But yeah, these are funny little things that we talk about we reflect on and I touched on it earlier. I was aware very quickly that the guys and girls in this ward were had gotten a lot worse than I had. And that didn’t not from a gloating period. I felt grateful, I felt genuinely touched and grateful. I got on like a house on fire with the guy next to me, and we helped each other. Clive Branson 35:48 And we, you know, his wife couldn’t get in as much as my wife could. So we sort of shared visits and things, and the humanity side of it, but I was desperate to get out and get back at it. But I think in life, Bill and you know, as a family, we respect humor. I think it’s wonderful thing, we all respect it. But let’s for example, with the MND, I didn’t want to make that a taboo subject for my loved ones or my friends. No, not because I’m that twisted and weird, but because I didn’t want them to worry. Clive Branson – Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Clive Branson 36:37 I didn’t want them to tread on eggshells. I didn’t ever for them to feel that they’d said the wrong thing, and it stood us in good stead as a family, because if they want to talk about it, they can talk about it. If not, that’s great. And the prostate cancer is exactly the same. I’m only just now having treatment for that. I’m in the middle of having my external beam radiotherapy, and again, if they want to, if we had to open conversations about it, and that will continue. And I think that’s really important. Bill Gasiamis 37:13 Yeah, I’m going to pause for a moment. I’m going to go grab a tissue when I come back, just so we don’t forget, which literally be in 30 seconds. I’m going to talk about, I want to talk about your, your MND diagnosis, how you came to notice that. I think it’s important about that. And then we’ll talk about your prostate diagnosis and how you came to know about that. There’ll be men listening, and I think we should share that. Clive Branson 37:40 You go and do your thing, won’t be sick, I’m worried Bill Gasiamis 39:10 I have morning allergies and my nose, it’s all runny. Clive Branson 39:16 Yeah, I sometimes have hay fever through the through the summer. And to be honest, it’s some summers it’s not too bad, and others, it’s yet or there’s nothing worse. Bill Gasiamis 39:28 And the allergies isn’t exactly what I have. So annoying anyhow. So I want to talk about how you came to become aware that there was another issue with your health, specifically about the MND. How do you notice that there’s something not right? Clive Branson 39:53 Okay, yeah. Well, I was walking my youngest, Alfie, to school. So this is around about 2015 maybe 2016, and every now and again my ankle would just go really loose my left side, no pain at all. Just, you know, goodness me, I might go over on my ankle here, and you just think it’s nothing, a trap nerve or something, and you walk it off, but very slowly but surely, it became an issue from once a week to twice a week, just almost every other day. And I was banging my toe on things on a step or something like that. Clive Branson 40:34 So I was seeing a neurologist, Bill about my headaches, and had been for quite some time. So I’ve been to the GP about this issue, about my ankle. So he instigated all the scans on my spine, my neck and all sorts of issues to make sure that there was no mechanical problem, trapped nerve, etc, until we got to the point where he said ‘Look, Clive, you’re already seeing your neurologist. I think you should mention it to him, because in my personal opinion, I think we might be looking at a neurological issue. So I did just that. Clive Branson 41:15 And the neurologist said ‘Okay, Clive, and he needed, he did a few rudimental tests on the sort of push, pull muscle tests. But he said, I’m going to have to track the systems Clive. There’s no sort of quick, sort of answer to this. There’s nothing glaringly obvious.,I’m going to track it over a period of time, and while we do it, we’ll do well, what turned out to be every sort of test imaginable, really. And of course, what I didn’t understand or appreciate was they were eliminating all the various things that it could have been. Clive Branson 41:45 But, yeah, scans, head, brain scans, nerve study tests, blood tests, all sorts of things. So we eventually got to the point where it was probably about 18 months where that’s a long time when you know you’re waiting for an answer or a headline or a name or something. So eventually, Bill, he said ‘Okay, Mr. Branson, I’m going to refer you to an Oxford Hospital, which is about two hours away from where I live. So I said ‘Okay, why? Why Oxford? And he said ‘Well, it’s the Center of Excellence for motor neurone disease. That was the first time that had been mentioned. Clive Branson 42:26 But it did go over my head a little bit, but I did have the presence of mind to say, Okay, are you sending me there because you don’t know whether I’ve got MND, or is it because you think I have, at which point he said ‘Oh, it’s because I think you have. And you must understand that if you have there is no treatment, and I was out the door. Thankfully, the appointment for Oxford came through very quickly, certainly within 10 at the most, 14 days. Clive Branson 42:53 So they’ve got all almost two years worth of evidence in front of them by this time, and they really are sort of leaders in their field to professors, and they looked at the evidence, and they did do a few rudimental tests similar what he’d done 18 months before, but it was the evidence that made the decision. They said ‘We’re sorry to tell you you’ve got sort of slow, progressive motor neuron disease. So I go there every sort of six to eight months, they track it. Clive Branson 43:25 I now wear a splint on my left side for walking because it does the strength and the flexibility and the stability that the foot in the ankle and the calf should do. My left arms mildly weaker than my right and my core strengths, not great, but I’m doing really well, so much better than they ever imagined, to the point bill where last year I said ‘Is there any chance we can look at this diagnosis perhaps differently? Would you be prepared to repeat the tests that I had elsewhere? Would you do them here? And they agreed to do that, but it was just reaffirmed the diagnosis. Clive Branson 44:12 But so an incredibly difficult time Bill, really difficult time to sort of process it to decide, how do we communicate it without doing some big announcement. But Vic does what Vic. She did what she does, and she did, you know, she took control and she spoke to people as and when it was appropriate. And like I said before, it’s not a taboo subject, so that’s how I discovered that one. Bill Gasiamis 44:42 No, here I am again, straight into the laughter. It’s like, it’s that whole example of, like, nothing goes on hold because you had a stroke. Like, you’re not that special, that you can deal with it all on your own. Everything goes to on pause around you, and you know you’re going to have this perfect opportunity to deal with it. No shits going to get real, life’s going to continue to happen, and we it’s our responsibility to step up, gain the skills grow up beyond our 37 years and become a better version of ourselves to deal with the crap that’s coming down the pipeline. Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Prostate Cancer Awareness Bill Gasiamis 45:30 Because there’s plenty to come we and there’s no choice you have to you gotta deal with it, and you gotta expect, I love this saying, expect the best, prepare for the worst. It’s great, isn’t it? Kind of what we’ve gotta do, right? So you’re dealing with that, you’re dealing with all the aftermath of stroke, and you’re also dealing with prostate cancer, stage three. How did you first notice that? And so the men that are listening should be aware of that, especially middle aged men. Bill Gasiamis 46:10 I’m 50, anyone kind of from around the age of 40 onwards, needs to pay attention and understand the signs and potential symptoms of what prostate cancer feels like and how it impacts the body before, in the early stages. So give us a bit of an insight into that. Clive Branson 46:35 Yeah, it’s a really important message, Bill, something I feel sort of really passionate about. So, so I’m my my son introduced me to the world of podcasts because I’m a bit of a technophobe. So I was, you know, I was starting to listen to sort of music that I hadn’t listened to before, but I was listening to podcasts, and I was some of them were slightly medical, etc. But nothing too deep, but just to expand my my awareness. But the one thing that was happening all the time was. Clive Branson 47:05 When you’re approaching 50, you should probably get your PSA count checked, which thankfully, it’s not an uncomfortable physical examination in the in your GPS room anymore. It’s simply a blood test, which, it’s a bit ironic, Bill, because I am the biggest girls blouse when it comes to needles. I am woeful. But there you go. So I said to the doctor, my GP. I said ‘Look, I give blood regularly for the MND, etc. Is there anything can you? Can you add this count to the last the latest test? Which, of course, he did. So it was just a blood test. Clive Branson 47:41 But I get a call a few days later and he said ‘Clive, your PSA count is so low it’s 3.2 now I believe the acceptable normal range is anywhere between one and four or I think so. Mine was okay, really, and I had no symptoms, nothing physical to be concerned about at all. This was just me feeling responsible because I was approaching 50 at the time, so but he said ‘I’m going to refer you anyway. And I don’t know really Bill whether the MND was in the back of his mind. I don’t know, but he referred me anyway. But so I saw a wonderful, wonderful consultant. Clive Branson 48:24 And he looked at it, looked at it, and he listened, and he said ‘Clive, I would feel better if I could do an MRI scan, which he did. Went back to see him, Clive, I’d feel better if we did a biopsy test, which, again, okay, you just go with it, and then bang. He said ‘You’ve got stage two prostate cancer, so against no symptoms and and a PSA count. That wouldn’t alarm anybody. You wouldn’t relate it to it at all. So I’ve got prostate cancer, I got cancer on both sides of the prostate, but it was contained. I wanted the prostate taken out. Clive Branson 49:06 But because of the MND, because the trajectory of the MND bill is it doesn’t change. So it’s individualistic, so if you’ve got it aggressively, it stays aggressive. And the tragedy is they cannot slow it down, but conversely, if it’s slow, it doesn’t speed up. However, to have the prostate removed, it’s quite an invasive operation, and it involves quite a number of muscle groups, and the thinking was that, because of the MND, the muscle groups might not bounce back as well as is in a healthy person, so they wouldn’t do it. So, long story short. Clive Branson 49:43 We finally got to the point where the tumor’s grown. It’s showing signs of aggravating in my lymph nodes. So they said ‘Okay, let’s start hormone replacement therapy I’ve been on. That for three months, and I’ll be on that for two years, and I go for external beam radiotherapy. So it’s targeted radiotherapy, therapy beams that zap the tumor. Basically, I have to go to hospital every morning, 20 times, not Saturday and Sunday, but Monday to Friday, 20 visits. I’m only there for about an hour in total, and then the success rate is very good. Clive Branson 50:35 And after about eight weeks, after it’s finished, I’ll have a consultation with an up to date scan where it will tell me that the tumor has been thrashed and it is no longer in existence. Bill Gasiamis 50:50 Yeah, excellent. So is that procedure, that laser therapy procedure? Is that taxing? Do you then have a day of being quiet and relaxed and chilled out to get over that? How does it feel after it’s done? Clive Branson 51:08 Yeah, good question. It’s nowhere near as bad as chemotherapy, which will be the next stage, if it hasn’t been quite as successful as we’re all hoping, but I’m sure it will be. But no, it tiredness and fatigue is the biggest downside to it. That’s all really so I do feel tired when I come home, and that will slightly increase as the treatment goes through those 20 days. But considering what they’re doing and how they’re doing it, it’s a small price to pay, in my personal opinion, and just in terms of awareness. Clive Branson 51:45 There’s something else that’s available out there that, again, they wouldn’t do for me because of the MND, but it’s something that everybody should know about, and it seems that they don’t. And this treatment is called brachi therapy, and it’s a much smaller operation. It’s a one off, and they basically insert radioactive seeds into the prostate, and they kill the cancer off over a sort of 6 to 12 month period. You don’t have to have them, have them taken out, and the success rate is excellent. Clive Branson 52:19 But I didn’t know anything about this. And as I speak to people and and try and spread awareness, I come across so many times where people think, what on earth that which was my reaction? So, you know, thank you for giving me the opportunity to sort of tell people about that Bill, because it should be much. It should be out there. Bill Gasiamis 52:39 So there’s been a lot of really good sort of developments in treating prostate situations, whether it’s not cancerous or it is cancerous, and seems like they’re making really good progress in definitely making it less dramatic and traumatic for people going through it, and there’s a lot of prevention stuff that can be done. The PSA test is a blood test now, where previously was a rectal exam to your GP, and you had to somehow get over the idea that the GP would have to do a rectal exam, using a finger or whatever. Bill Gasiamis 53:27 And feeling the prostate to sort of try and work out what condition it was in. And I imagine that wouldn’t be very accurate either. It certainly wouldn’t give people an insight into whether there was cells there or early stage cells or whatever. So there’s a lot of things that men can do. So all the men that are listening, who are maybe over the age of 40 or our age or older, have never had a PSA blood test done before. All they’ve gotta do is go to the GP during the regular checkup, and go ‘Can you please check my PSA also. Mental Health and Personal Growth Bill Gasiamis 54:05 If there’s any men noticing any difference with their erectile situation or just the way things feel down there, the way that it’s operating, whether the way that urine is being passed, etc, any situations like that, just go to the GP, start the process off as early as possible, because the sooner you get onto it, the better the outcome, and the more opportunities you have to treat it. And it’s not something that has to be, taboo anymore, because it was really taboo back in the day when men weren’t as willing, I suppose, to talk about that kind of stuff. Bill Gasiamis 54:48 Or to think about that kind of stuff, or to attend to that kind of stuff, theyreally struggled to, perhaps, speak to their GP about it, and as a results, a lot of men didn’t get support, and that didn’t work out for them. So, yeah, really important now, with work and your career and all the things that you were doing, where is that? How are you keeping busy these days, other than lots of medical appointments to doctors. Clive Branson 55:26 Yeah, I am a one man drain on the National Health Service here in England. Bill, I wear that with pride, I can’t deny that, but I’m slowly being confident enough to call myself an inspirational speaker now, Bill. And as I said before, I don’t hide the fact that I want to get to the point where I can provide for my family by doing that. Clive Branson 55:54 But yeah, it’s more than that. I feel passionate about it, and I firmly believe, and the testimonials that I’ve received, they’re as positive and as humbling in equal measure, so they are landing, and it’s helping people so that, that’s my journey. Now, that’s my challenge, and I absolutely love it. Bill Gasiamis 56:22 That’s great challenge, that’s my challenge right now. I want to transition from my full time job to also speaking more often and getting paid to speak. I’ve got a bit of a idea of what I want to talk about. Want to talk about post traumatic growth. I want to let people know that it exists so that people who find themselves in a terrible situation one day might go, I remember that guy spoke about that thing at that work function, that they, or I might look into that a little bit deeper. Bill Gasiamis 56:56 And it’s more. It’s less about inspirational, because I know you use the word, but I know what you mean. It’s less about inspirational, it’s more about educational, isn’t it? It’s like, really, it’s about saying ‘Hey, if I can do it anyone can. Clive Branson 57:13 Yeah, it really is, it’s as simple as that. I mean, I don’t I never use words ‘You know, I was broken or, you know, reframing words and putting positive spin on it is not as difficult, and sometimes we’re doing it without realizing it anyway. So, yeah, there is a lot of education in there. And it’s about encouraging people, empowering them, making them realize that if I can do it, you can do it. There was nothing, and there’s still nothing special about me, but the decisions I’ve made and the passion I’ve got to make it, so that’s all I need. Clive Branson – Resilience, Connection, and Reinvention Bill Gasiamis 57:58 What kind of role did you have at the Royal Air Force, and do you think the training that you went through and the career path that you followed, do you think that has held you in good stead for tackling this type of challenge? Clive Branson 58:13 Absolutely, Bill, so I was only in the Royal Air Force for three years, and I was an armorer, I was an engineer, had a fantastic time. Absolutely, went in virtually straight from school, and yeah, best thing I ever did, but now, I spent 17 years in the Ministry of Defense within industrial relations. So I was involved with the trade unions, I was involved with senior HR from a sort of strategic level. So I could be in a one to one grievance. Clive Branson 58:48 One day, I could be speaking to 300 people the next about, some things that the management, which we’re opposing to take proposing to take office. So that’s how I cut my teeth, in terms of learning to speak to people. That’s how I developed people skills. So yeah, is the short answer, it really did. It really did teach me how to connect with people. Because connecting with people is a privilege. You know, anybody can, sort of well, nearly anybody can get in, get up in front, and just speak or speak from a prompt or something. Clive Branson 59:25 But to actually look people in the eye with with authenticity and passion and and connect with people, that is a privilege. And that’s something obviously you’re doing with your speaking, and that’s something that I’m hoping to do more of my my youngest son said to me, you’ll like this. Bill. He said ‘Dad, you need to be on Instagram. And I said, I’m 54 I don’t even know what Instagram means. And he said ‘No, no, you need to be on Instagram. So you know, this is a shameless sort of plug here, but I am on Instagram, Branson Clive. Clive Branson 1:00:01 And you know, he’ll always say to me ‘Well, how many followers have you got Dad? And you know, it’s a bit of a competition there. So I’ve probably got about 30 followers. So perhaps that’s something that your listeners can help me out with, and yes, but he all on a serious note, he also put me on YouTube. And you know I really don’t know what I’m doing with it, Bill, and I don’t know where it’ll take me, but, you know, he’s opened it for me. It’s Clive’s Inspirational Hub, or no, it’s Clive’s Inspiration Hub, and I’m going to make use of it. Clive Branson 1:00:37 And I’m going to put useful stuff up there. I hope people subscribe to that, because it is about education, it’s about awareness, it’s about sharing, and it’s about putting people at ease to think well, because sometimes the first stage is just asking somebody a question or sharing whatever it is that’s troubling you, and if they’ve got a platform to do it, which is something that you’re wonderfully providing, it’s sometimes the first step, isn’t it? Bill Gasiamis 1:01:07 Yeah, I agree with that. I found out about YouTube in 2012 when it was still emerging. But in 2012 I had no idea what to do with it, either, so I just created a channel and just did nothing with it. Well, turns out, if I had started in 2012 this journey, you know, like literally two or three years into the whole YouTube experience, my channel could have been massive by now, but I didn’t have at the age of, say, 20 something, sorry, at the age of 37 I didn’t have a platform that I thought was, well, I didn’t have a platform. I had no idea what to talk about. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:53 I was just busy doing the things I was doing, right? So I did nothing with it. And then in 2014 when I started the podcast and started putting out little bits and pieces of information and episodes again, I had no idea what I was doing, and I was just putting it out there, just so that I could have somewhere where I could store the information, that I was sharing with other people, as an easy way for for me to refer people back to it. If everyone, anyone ever asked, do you have information on this? And I could just say ‘Yeah, just fo there and there. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:31 And because I was unwell, I was only putting up podcasts whenever I felt up to it, whenever I could do it. And that meant that it was sporadic and it wasn’t a lot of episodes, and it wasn’t consistent, and all that type of stuff so very difficult for people to catch on and for Google or YouTube to actually say you guys should follow this guy, and I just did my end of year review, which I always do at the end of the calendar year to check and see like where the podcast is at right. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:06 So between 2014 when I first put out a first few videos that were not related to stroke, when I first put out my first few videos, to the beginning of last year. So the beginning of 2024 the channel had reached, it had done about 250,000 downloads. So people over that period of time had watched 250,000 times. And I thought that was fantastic, right? It’s excellent, it’s interesting. Is in the last 12 months, it has doubled, incredible. It went from 250,000 from 2014 all the way through to the beginning of 2024 and then in one year it doubled. Clive Branson 1:03:58 So it’s incredible. Well done. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:00 Yeah, it’s awesome, right? So, and that’s the thing is, I’ve got no control of that too much, because YouTube determines who’s going to get the views and all that type of thing. But what I’m finding is that people are interacting more, and they’re grateful for the stories, they’re grateful for the stroke survivors who have shared. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:20 They’re leaving comments, they’re responding, and it’s become a community of like minded individuals who are looking at growth, looking at overcoming, who are looking at getting better, who are looking at, you know, moving beyond rock bottom. And, yeah, that’s what’s really cool about it, because I never expected that I would have a community of those types of people. Why I’m saying this is because, like, you doesn’t matter if you don’t know why you’re doing it when the coin drops and you know why you’re doing it. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:52 Then you’ve already started, and you’ve overcome the technological hurdles, and you’re not so afraid of it, and then it’s just like. I’ll put that there, and if somebody wants to watch it, it’s up to them. That’s it’s the whole thing, it’s just like going into the prisons and talking. There’s was no nothing in it for me, then there is now, because now that it’s gained momentum, if I could twist that and turn that into a career or an income or something like that, then I’m serving myself and the community, yeah? Bill Gasiamis 1:05:23 And it’s no better, it wouldn’t be a better way for me to have a career to serve the stroke community. I mean, that would be awesome, right? So that’s kind of my goal. That’s how it’s transitioning for me. Clive Branson 1:05:36 Well, that you’ve cleared a long time, you’ve done some incredible work, Bill, and yeah, I mean, where if you’ve gone from 2014 on the 250,000 downloads, and all of a sudden, in the last 12 months, that’s doubled? That’s testament to the people you’re reaching. And yeah, the engagement and the awareness and the education, so long may it continue, and if we ever speak again, let’s hope it’s 5 million next time. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:04 Well, I hope so too, mate. Well, as we wrap up, I want to ask you a couple of questions that I ask stroke survivors. Clive Branson 1:06:13 Sure. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:13 And normally, the questions are, what’s the hardest thing about stroke? I always leave that last bit stroke. But for you, there’s more than stroke, there’s other things. So I’m going to change the question a little bit to ‘What’s the hardest thing about your medical situations over the last few years? What was the hardest thing that sort of stands out for you? Clive Branson 1:06:40 I think the hardest thing and this surprises people when we’re talking about MND and cancer and all the other things, the hardest and biggest challenge for me and my family has been when my mental health was compromised, and getting that mental health back to a place where I got perspective, back and I found the New Clive, the bit of the old and a bit of the new, that has been the hardest challenge. And I don’t want people to think that I’ve got it all sorted now, because we haven’t have we, that we still have to manage these things. Clive Branson 1:07:17 We still have times where we feel vulnerable and we have to remind ourselves that we’re not the only person that’s feeling vulnerable. But it took me 54, years to realize, Bill, we have to live life on life’s terms. You know, we make plans and God laughs. So I accept that now with a smile on my face, but no, the answer to your question is, it was the mental health being compromised that was, and probably remains the biggest challenge. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:47 Yeah, I love that you said that you you haven’t got it licked, like it’s still something that you have to manage, that’s exactly it, right? It’s that North Star. It’s North Star is always to bigger and better things, better mental health, better physical health, better emotional health. North Star, sometimes we’re not going to be there, and knowing that and addressing that and dealing with that and allowing yourself not to be there. That’s really important as well. Bill Gasiamis 1:08:21 Yes, slightly different question, but similar in its nature. What’s something that you’ve learned in the last period of time that’s really been profound and shifted you into this new version of yourself, you know, this new what’s the word like into the wisdom that you have gained? Clive Branson 1:08:48 Yeah, great question. Well I without doubt, look at life through a different lens now, and that touches on the growth from trauma. So I perhaps have learned not to sweat the small stuff so much. But there’s something that I hang on to almost daily, that I’ve learned, and that is that I love and I am loved. Now it’s not that long ago, Bill, I was far too big and cool to come out with a statement like that, but it’s true. I love and I am loved, and that kind of helps you not sweat the small stuff and just reminds yourself of what really matters in life. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:48 I love that. It starts with ‘I love, because to receive love, you have to love and yeah, then it’s reciprocated. It’s just impossible not to reciprocate from the other side, and, you’re a typical British bloke, and you didn’t talk about that kind of stuff until the age of probably 50, or near 50 something, because you didn’t have to. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:14 You didn’t show love with words, you showed it with, bravado and actions and things other than love, other than words, I know all about that, mate. I’m the same bloke on the other side of the planet, doing exactly the same things. Clive Branson 1:10:32 Yeah. Well, good on you. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:35 What do you want to leave the listeners with? Like, what’s, is there a message? Is there some kind of, I’m not sure what it is, you know, wisdom or something that you’d like to just impart on the people who are listening? Clive Branson 1:10:53 Well, thank you for giving the opportunity to say that. Well, apart from my Instagram and YouTube details that, on a serious note, what I would really would like to leave them is, and I say this a lot, believe in yourself. Believe in yourself, because if you do genuinely believe, and it’s not about overconfidence or arrogance, but if you truly believe in yourself, that will be recognized, and people are far more likely to back you and support you if they’ve if that’s oozing out of your pause, so trust yourself a little bit. Clive Branson 1:11:40 Learn the art of Self Compassion and believe in yourself, because, as I said before ‘You are a lot stronger than you could ever have imagined. So that would be what I would like to leave some of your wonderful listeners and people that watch it too. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:58 That’s brilliant. I will ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to link to your Instagram and your YouTube. I’ll have those links in the show notes for anyone watching and listening go to recoveryafterstroke.com/episodes, to find those links. Also, if you’re watching on the YouTube channel, the links will be in the description, you’ll be able to go there and find that stuff. Clive Branson 1:12:22 Thank you so much. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:24 Yeah, my pleasure mate, thank you so much for joining me. I really appreciate it. Clive Branson 1:12:28 Hey, listen, you’re doing wonderful things, Bill, and your story is just mind blowing. And perhaps one day I can flip this on you and I can ask you some questions about your story, because you’re a remarkable human being. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:42 Anytime mate, it will be my pleasure. Thanks again for being on the podcast. That brings us to the end of this powerful episode with Clive Branson, from surviving a stroke at 37 to navigating life with MND and prostate cancer, Clive story is a testament to resilience perspective and the strength we can find even in the face of immense challenges, his dedication to helping others through speaking and advocacy is truly inspiring and probably at the center of why he’s doing so well. Final Thoughts and Encouragement From Clive Branson Bill Gasiamis 1:13:16 If today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment, like and subscribe on YouTube, and if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, a five star rating or review would mean the world to me, your feedback helps others discover the podcast and join our incredible community, and remember to check out my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened, available on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:47 And if you’d like to support the podcast directly, you can do so at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. And remember, even if you’re not in a position to support the show financially, simply listening to the podcast and not skipping the ads, goes a long way in helping keep this podcast running, every little bit helps. Thank you for being a part of this journey, your support and engagement keeps this podcast going strong, and I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:14:19 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog podcast or video material controlled this website, or content, is created and produced for informational purposes only, and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:14:49 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is generally. And may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. Intro 1:15:13 Never delay seeking advice or disregard the advice of a medical professional, your doctor or your rehabilitation program based on our content. If you have any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition, please seek guidance from a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing a health emergency or think you might be call triple zero if in Australia or your local emergency number immediately for emergency assistance or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Intro 1:15:38 Medical information changes constantly, while we aim to provide current quality information in our content, we do not provide any guarantees and assume no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the content. If you choose to rely on any information within our content, you do so solely at your own risk. We are careful with links we provide, however, third party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there you. The post How I Overcame Stroke, Cancer & MND – Clive Branson’s Powerful Story appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 How John Wagner Overcame 3 Strokes and Rediscovered Life 1:27:43
1:27:43 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:27:43
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutRecovery from small stroke: John Wagner’s story of surviving 3 strokes, 2 Brain surgeries, and reclaiming his life will inspire your journey. Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast On Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements 02:46 John Wagner’s Introduction and Initial Stroke Experience 08:01 Causes and Diagnosis of Strokes 14:20 Medical Procedures and Recovery 26:01 Daily Life and Coping Strategies 27:36 Health and Lifestyle Changes 35:02 The Struggles and Sacrifices of Healing 44:44 Adapting to Ride: Overcoming Challenges in Recovery 56:11 Caregivers and Frustration: Navigating Stroke Recovery 59:19 Overcoming Stroke Challenges and Exploring Solutions 1:13:45 Future Outlook and Goals 1:20:09 Advice for Stroke Survivors Transcript: Recovery From Small Stroke: Introduction and Acknowledgements Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Welcome everyone before we dive into today’s extraordinary conversation, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this incredible community. Your support, whether it’s through sharing the podcast, leaving reviews or simply tuning in each week, makes such a massive difference. Together, we’re creating a space for stroke survivors, caregivers and allies, to feel seen, heard and inspired. Bill Gasiamis 0:29 Also in the most recent episodes, you may have heard me mentioned that since 2015 I’ve been personally covering all the costs of producing the Recovery After Stroke podcast to ensure stroke survivors, caregivers and their loved ones have access to free, valuable resources. Late last year, I decided to ask for help from those who feel they’ve received tremendous value from the podcast by supporting it on the Patreon page that can be found at www.patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Bill Gasiamis 1:07 I want to take a moment to express my half hour gratitude to everyone who has supported me in some way or another. Your encouragement, it truly keeps me going. A special thank you to my most recent Patreon supporters, Sean, Elizabeth, Brian and Heather, your generosity means the world to me and helps me ensure that I can continue creating episodes to support stroke survivors everywhere. I also would like to address a comment John today’s excellent guest made it near the end of the interview about his initial response to hearing or seeing ads in my episodes. Bill Gasiamis 1:46 And how he changed his thinking about ads after he realized the high value he was receiving from the interviews he was listening to. Simply put, these ads are essential to help offset some of the podcasts costs. If you’re unable to support the podcast in any other way, simply listening to the ads without skipping them goes a long way in keeping this project alive. I’m so grateful for everyone who listens, supports and engages with the podcast in any capacity. Bill Gasiamis 2:18 It means everything to me and helps me stay committed to creating episodes for the community on my way to 1000 episodes and beyond. Thank you. As always, I hope you’ll also allow me the small indulgence of reminding you about my book The Unexpected Way The Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It’s been a resource for many stroke survivors and their loved ones offering practical guidance and hope during challenging times. John Wagner’s Introduction and Initial S mall Stroke Experience Bill Gasiamis 2:46 If you haven’t already, you can grab your copy on amazon.com by searching my name, Bill Gasiamis, or by going to recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Now, I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, John Wagner. John’s story is one of resilience, determination and learning to embrace life after incredible challenges, having survived three ischemic strokes, undergone two brain surgeries and a double bypass, John’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Bill Gasiamis 3:19 He shares his insights into recovery, the importance of perseverance, and how he’s finding strength to live fully after such a life altering experience. Let’s jump in all right. John Wagner, welcome to the podcast. John Wagner 3:34 Thank you. Bill Gasiamis, nice to be here. Thank you, sir. Bill Gasiamis 3:38 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. John Wagner 3:41 Well, in 2022 which was two and a half years ago, June. I was on my way to work here in suburban Chicago, getting ready to take a business trip to Mexico, of all places. But while I was at work getting ready to leave for the airport, I was going over some data, engineering data with a co worker. One of my other co workers called me on my phone in the office and said ‘Hey, John, can you see me before you leave? I said ‘Okay. So I finished up, went into his office, and we greeted each other. How you doing, Kev? Good. How you feeling? I said ‘I feel fine, why? John Wagner 4:24 He said ‘You found like you’ve had about 10 cocktails, drinks. I said ‘Really? He said ‘Yeah, and your mouth drooping a little bit over here, and I think you’re, you’re drooling. And I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know anything about a stroke, I didn’t know what a stroke was. I didn’t never knew anybody that had a stroke, totally ignorant when it came to the subject. So but his uncle had had a stroke six months before a severe stroke. He knew the symptoms. He said ‘John, I think you’re having a stroke. So we did a couple. A test with arms, my head bad, arm drift. John Wagner 5:04 And he said ‘I wanted you to smile, and it was a little bit off. Wasn’t too bad, but he said ‘I think you’re having a stroke. I called an ambulance, and I was shocked. I said ‘Kev, I gotta go to the airport. I didn’t fight him on it, but he said ‘I think you’re having a stroke. None of these symptoms that I hear about last night I spoke at the hospital, which I do every two weeks, to stroke survivors, and we went over some of the symptoms, banging and all these painful things, I didn’t have that. So, these two EMTs showed up. They did a couple tests. John Wagner 5:45 They said ‘Yeah, think you’re having a stroke Mr. Wagner. I still didn’t understand the severity of it. They got me into an ambulance and raced me up to a hospital just on the edge of Chicago, here, fabulous hospital, and I got admitted, and they said ‘We’re not sure if you’re having a TIA or a full blown stroke. And I didn’t know what either one was, but they admitted me. They did CAT scan right away. They got me stabilized, and they said ‘Yeah, you’re having a stroke. So I was admitted to the hospital. John Wagner 6:23 The very next day in the hospital, I was speaking to a nurse practitioner who had been a treating people for strokes for 40 years, really newer stuff. We were sitting there talking, and she said ‘Are you feeling okay today? And I said ‘Yeah, I feel fine. Considering, she said ‘I gave you some medicine a couple minutes ago, a glass, and you just dropped it. You didn’t even know it. And I looked at her, I said ‘Really? She said ‘Yeah, I think you might be having another stroke. Sure enough, I had a second stroke in the hospital 12 hours after the first one. John Wagner 7:02 But I will go back to this is an important point that I was stressing last night as I spoke, and that is the amount of time that it took for them to analyze that I had a stroke, get me up to the hospital, get me stabilized, and use the medicine they were able to get rid of that clot that had agglomerated. You’re familiar with the anterior artery, two carotid arteries. John Wagner 7:32 And where the carotid arteries end are two arteries that go to your front lobes of your brain, called the anterior artery and the middle artery, and they bring oxygenated blood to the front lobes of your brain, and that was blocked, and that’s where my that’s where the clot was. It was an ischemic stroke that I had. Bill Gasiamis 7:56 So do they know the underlying cause of those clots? Causes and Diagnosis of S mall Strokes John Wagner 8:01 Funny, you said that. I asked the nurse the second day, I said ‘Another stroke? And she said ‘Yeah. I said, what can cause that? And she said ‘Oh, hot dogs drinking latent behavior. And I kind of raised my hand. I said ‘Well, I hate to say this, but I do check some of those boxes. But you know the when she showed me an x ray, she said ‘This is the clot, there’s the artery. And over years, it just slowly collapsed. She said, that happens. Yours didn’t happen in one day. John Wagner 8:43 Although I have type two diabetes and my blood pressure was high, not through the roof, but I never thought about that either. I never paid attention. I have high blood pressure, so what? I’m fine. I just went out and ran three miles. I’m okay . Bill Gasiamis 8:58 But you know, with your type two diabetes. Did a doctor ever say to you that puts you at higher risk of stroke? John Wagner 9:06 Yes. Clinic, when they diagnosed that, I was up there for something else, and they said, pretty sure you have type two diabetes. It was like speaking Russian. What are you talking about? I don’t know what it is. Can you be a little bit more descriptive. And he said ‘Well, your high blood pressure can sometimes cause a stroke. It’s like an old pipe that’s got a lot of calcium in it, eventually it breaks through. Bill Gasiamis 9:33 It also had high blood pressure. John Wagner 9:34 Yes, it was, I think it was about 140 over 75 or it was not through the roof, but it certainly wasn’t what it is today. Bill Gasiamis 9:45 So, tell me about that. Let’s go back about the diabetes. How long have you known that you’ve had diabetes? Bill Gasiamis 9:53 Okay, let’s take a quick pause to reflect on John’s incredible journey so far. Story. Is like, here’s a why I started this podcast to connect, inspire and provide hope to stroke survivors and their families. If this podcast has been a source of value for you, I’d love your support on Patreon. By becoming a patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke, you’ll not only help keep this podcast going, but also join a community of people dedicated to recovery and growth. Now let’s get back to John and hear more about how he’s not just surviving, but thriving after his strokes and surgeries. John Wagner 10:35 How long have I known? I’ve been treated for for the last year and a half, and I’m doing real well. I’ve got it under control, and changed my diet, lost weight, my A1C, my blood sugar is down dramatically. So once all this happened, I just made up my mind to do something about it. But wasn’t sure what the heck was happening. Bill Gasiamis 11:00 Is it medication dependent your type two diabetes? Do you need medications keep your blood? John Wagner 11:06 Yes, I’m taking three medications, which is not as many as some of the people I’ve talked to, but basically to control blood sugar and control blood pressure, although I’ve brought that down just by exercising, which is probably the best way. Bill Gasiamis 11:24 And how old are you, John? John Wagner 11:25 I’m going to be 73 in a month. So I had the stroke when I was 70. Bill Gasiamis 11:33 And before that, would you say that your health was pretty good? John Wagner 11:37 It was decent. I used to run cross country in high school and college. I was an athlete. I was used to running through pain and putting my body through hard work, which helped me. Actually, I’ll tell you about that later, but I just wasn’t in great shape. I let things go over the years, I could have been in much better shape. I didn’t drink a lot, didn’t smoke. And then it dawned on me, it can happen to anybody, anytime. John Wagner 12:06 So I think it caught, kind of caught up with me, though that was one of the things I went through, Bill, I got so angry at myself. You go through this and you’re angry at somebody, but you have to be mad at yourself, because nobody else got me here except me. Bill Gasiamis 12:22 What kind of work do you do? John Wagner 12:24 I’m a technical engineer for a manufacturing company. We work with automotive companies using high-precision machining. So I basically work with engineers in manufacturing plants like General Motors, big car companies around the world, and it’s an engineering type capacity, so I have to be sharp. Bill Gasiamis 12:49 I’ve never done this before in a podcast. Like, I’m going to go after you a little bit here. I want to understand, like, what’s behind your condition at the age of 73 right? So you’re an engineer, you’re a smart guy. There’s no doubt about that. You know you need to know certain things. You have that capacity to make your brain, you know, solve problems and work things out. Bill Gasiamis 13:10 What is it about the human condition, or your body, or, you know, the way that you saw yourself that let you get to that stage where you had contributed to being physically unwell, and then in high and then you got mad at yourself. Was that mad? Or was that I’m going to take responsibility now? And if it was, I’m going to take responsibility. Why wasn’t that at the top of your mind beforehand? John Wagner 13:44 To be honest, it’s because I was ignorant. I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know what I didn’t know. I just don’t have to, I had no idea a stroke was a brain attack. I didn’t know about thrombosis. I didn’t know about any of these things that I now know a lot of because I listen to presentations every two weeks before I speak to stroke survivors, and it’s very cathartic, but it’s also very it’s an eye opener all these things and a lot of this information I’ve listened to your podcasts are great. Medical Procedures and Small Strokes Recovery John Wagner 14:20 A lot of the information was not available. 2025 years ago, they told me that in the hospital, he said ‘You know, I had three strokes, so then anyway, I’ll go back real quick. After the second stroke, I was in the hospital for about a week. Week and a half I was released, and they said ‘Look, I was really scared. I said ‘Am I a walking time bomb? I’ve had two strokes. What about the third, the fourth? And they said ‘Well, it’s good question, because we’ve addressed the symptoms, but unless you address the problem, you may have another stroke, and it may be the big one. John Wagner 15:01 And I thought ‘Oh, boy, so what do I do? They said ‘Well, we have a procedure called an intracranial angioplasty. And of course, I’m thinking angioplasty in the heart, the big balloon. I said ‘Oh, I know what that is. That’s a piece of cake. She said ‘No, not, not yours, yours is a little fine wire. We’re going to go through your groin, up into your brain. That’s why I said ‘Whoa, when Aren’t there a lot of right and left hand turns from my groin to my brain? She said ‘Yeah, as a matter of fact, there are. But this is a very good procedure. We do it all the time. John Wagner 15:38 It’s got high success once you talk it over with your wife and find out if you want to do it? Because then my brain was doing flips. Bill, I could picture myself in a corner for the rest of my life. I didn’t know. We talked about met with the surgeon. He showed us what the procedure was all about and the percentages for complete recovery. So I agreed to it. So a week later, I went back to the same hospital on the surgeon ended up doing the procedure where they actually put a very small stent in my artery, in my brain to keep it from collapsing anymore. John Wagner 16:17 Well, the procedure went well. It was a regular surgery. And he said ‘No, it went good. We like what we see, you’ve come through the anesthesia. Everything looks good, I think you’re going to be all right. And well, that made me feel much better. So they said we’re going to release you, but quite frankly, we’d like you to take this blood thinner called Plavix. And again, I was totally clueless, and Glenn, my wife, was with me, because nothing was making sense after the stroke, my brain was all over. So I said ‘Okay. So he said ‘We’ve called in the pharmacy, your Medicine is waiting for you pick it up. John Wagner 16:58 So we did on the way home. I got the medicine, I brought it here, I took it one night, I took it the next night, I took it a third night, but the fourth night we went out to dinner or something. I don’t remember, I didn’t take it that night, I had a full blown stroke, in at four in the morning. It’s just completely all the blood platelets agglomerated to the stent because I didn’t take that one night, and I was kind of mad about that. I said ‘You know, couldn’t somebody have told me it’s really damn important that you don’t miss your medicine. John Wagner 17:36 Although they did tell me to take it, but I won’t do that again. So had a third stroke that I was rushed to the hospital close by here. They said ‘Look, we know what the problem is, we’ve called your surgeon to put the stent in. He’s going to meet us at another stroke facility near Chicago in an hour. And sure enough, I raced over there the ambulance, and he performed what’s called a thrombectomy, where they actually go into the same route, up into your brain, but they remove the clot, that is agglomerated onto the stent. And it went real well. John Wagner 18:15 He said ‘Looks, you look good, I’m pretty happy. I said ‘Okay, so that was like three strokes and two brain surgeries. And I thought it was crazy. It was hard to grasp. Bill Gasiamis 18:28 I’ts hard then talk to you here and have you be so with it and no, very few deficits, very few, you know, tell me about what it left. It’s left you with because physically you’re looking great mate, and that’s a good thing. That’s such a good thing, very people come out of it. John Wagner 18:54 That’s why, I want to get older and talk to you. That’s why I speak with survivors. I said ‘Look, this could have been so much worse for me. I couldn’t walk for six weeks. I was admitted into that rehab hospital after they did the thrombectomy, he said ‘Look, we’re going to admit to this hospital and we’re going to do therapy, because I could not move my legs. I was a mess, and I was used to running and and I couldn’t move my legs at all. So I was in there for about a good two, three weeks. I can’t tell the amount of times I fell down. John Wagner 19:28 I had a walker. I’d walk a couple steps, wham, fall down, I get up. I’d do it again and get up again. And now it was getting personal, I was really getting angry at myself for putting myself in this position, and my wife and I know you’ve talked about this, but you and your wife went through and all those runs you made to the hospitals, not knowing if you had a stroke. John Wagner 19:52 We left there, they did such a great job solving the problem, but we were clueless on what to do when we left. When we got home, what do we do? My wife was scared to death. I don’t know what to do, how do I care for a stroke patient, especially one that said three and can’t walk. Bill Gasiamis 20:11 She’s not a nurse, she’s had no training in stroke especially. John Wagner 20:18 And you’ve been a great connection for me, because I’m listening, I was listening to one the other day with Nicholas Schmidlkofer. Bill Gasiamis 20:26 Yeah, he’s great. John Wagner 20:26 He’s terrific. And he’s probably nearby, probably not too far from me. But some of that information I started because of you. I started doing things like taping, and I’m thinking, I don’t sleep with my mouth open. I never have a sore throat. I don’t need to do that. And I thought, I’ll give it a try. So I’ve been doing it for the last couple weeks. John Wagner 20:50 My sleep, which was never really bad, Bill, it’s wonderful. It’s relaxing. I’ll be laying in bed and I’ll open my eyes and my breathing is very easy and effortless, and it does help. So little things like that your podcast mean a lot, I guarantee you. Bill Gasiamis 21:08 Thank you. John Wagner 21:09 I used to listen to music when I’d walk around. Now I listen to the podcast, and the amount of information in there is tremendous. Bill Gasiamis 21:17 So that’s good. So then you had to learn how to walk again. John Wagner 21:24 I had in that rehab hospital once, and after about two and a half three weeks, I was able to walk with a walker, which in my mind, was okay, this is good enough. At least I can walk, and then they finally released me and said ‘We recommend that you go across the street to our outpatient rehab facility. And they explained to me, you’ll be doing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. And I said ‘Okay. And I talked to some people, I said ‘How is that? And they go ‘Well, they beat the daylights out here. John Wagner 21:58 It’s hard every day you show up for three hours and you’re you’re going from one thing to another. You say ‘You better commit to it, otherwise you’re not going to make it. So my wife brought me there every day at 8:30 in the morning, and I started out with a walker for about a month. Finally I came in one that’s, I don’t want to use the walker anymore. And they’re like ‘Oh, John, you have to we have insurance issues. We can’t have you falling down. I said ‘I don’t want to use the walker, I’ll use something else. My wife bought me a cane. John Wagner 22:30 They have this new cane called a hurry cane, it’s got three feet on anyway. I started using the cane. I go, okay, I can do this. And then finally, one day, about three weeks later, I came in and I said ‘I don’t want to use the cane, I don’t want to use anything. And they said ‘Well, you have to. So they had me do a lot of tests. I was falling down, but I knew how to get up. And I just thought, I this is not going to work. I have to be able to walk without anything. And they’re fantastic professionals, they really know their stuff, so I spent time doing outpatient therapy for about four months. John Wagner 23:08 And I was finally released, and I still couldn’t drive. They wouldn’t sign off on my driving, which was a big deal, because my wife was doing everything. So they have, they’re tied into the state drivers facility, and they said ‘If you pay X amount of dollars pass these tests, then you’ll go out with a certified driving instructor, and you have to pass that test. They don’t take your license away. John Wagner 23:39 They say, if you’re getting an accident, you could be liable if they know you had a stroke and you didn’t get cleared. So I went through that process, was glad I did, and I was driving again, and everything started to come together. Bill Gasiamis 23:54 But it was that makes complete sense, right? Because that’s negligence, and I’ve never thought about it like that before. John Wagner 24:04 I was told by one of the gals that works at the hospital. She goes ‘My friend’s an attorney, he had a stroke, I guarantee you they will find out that you had a stroke, and if you didn’t get yourself certified, you’ll be liable. And I thought ‘Oh my goodness. So they have these interesting tests, these walls of lights that flash on, and you have, you have to hit them every single one, you have to get 100% and I said to her one time, I said ‘I got 98% I got 98 out of 100 now, pat myself on the back. She said ‘That’s not going to work, John. John Wagner 24:39 I said ‘Why? that one you missed could be a kid on a bike. They kind of put it in perspective. I said ‘You’re right. So I practiced and practiced, and I finally got my license back and started driving again, and that’s when the hard work began, because it’s tough to explain to somebody that’s never been through a stroke. It’s just It’s hell. Bill Gasiamis 25:06 How draining is driving and trying to concentrate and pay attention to all the things that going on, the movement, the light, the sounds. John Wagner 25:16 All of it’s aggravating to me. My brain was in a different place, everything was aggravating, noise, you know, just and I realized, so I started out driving slow, and I’ve kind of continued that, what’s the hurry at my age, what’s the hurry? So I’m driving again. I’ve taken a couple road trips, that was another thing. I used to live at the airport, I was gone two weeks out of every month for 25 years. Once the stroke happened, it was very difficult to maneuver through an airport. I told my wife, I said ‘Not only does nobody know that I had a stroke, nobody cares that I had a stroke. Daily Life and Coping Strategies John Wagner 26:01 So you are when you’re in that mix at an airport, you are just on your own. So I finally started doing some traveling, and it’s worked out pretty well. I’m getting more and more comfortable, but you mentioned any of these side effects that I had for my stroke, only a little bit of weakness on my left side, because the stroke happened on my right side, just a little bit of weakness, which I’m now working on physically with weights and things like that. And I’m walking almost three miles every day. Considering two years ago, I couldn’t stand up, that’s having a lot better place than I thought I’d be. Bill Gasiamis 26:43 Yeah, that’s excellent. So tell me about how much weight you’ve lost. John Wagner 26:50 I’ve lost about 25 pounds. It started right after I got out of the hospital, I was taking medicine, I think was ozempic. It reduced my blood sugar, it works. It just, you just don’t want to eat. So I lost weight pretty quickly, I gained a few pounds back, but I’m still doing pretty well. So I’d say, overall, in the last two years, I’ve lost about 30 pounds, and that makes a difference. John Wagner 27:21 That makes a big difference. Everything is tied to your weight, which I never really I didn’t put that much stock in it, but now I see the big difference. Your knees, everything is all related to that. Health and Lifestyle Changes Bill Gasiamis 27:36 Because you avid listener, and you’re doing all the right things, and you’re behaving yourself, and you really want to get better. I want to recommend a couple of books to you. John Wagner 27:50 I’ve got yours, I like it. Bill Gasiamis 27:52 Thank you. I was going to throw that in, I was going to I was going to throw in a cheeky mention of my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. Well, I want to encourage you to read a book that’s called ‘Why We Get Sick. Everyone who’s listening, I want them to go and get a paper copy or an ebook copy. And I will tell you right now, I’m just checking it out. I keep forgetting. I think it’s Dr. Bickman, but I’ll double check Why We Get Sick. Bill Gasiamis 28:34 And it is by, there it is. It is by Ben Bickman, Benjamin Bickman, and it is the best book I’ve ever come across and read. I mean, if I can understand that, anyone can that explains the mechanism that creates illness in the body most of the time, and it’s all related to insulin and high blood sugar. And he talks about all of the reasons why we get sick, and then he talks about all of the things that you can do to overcome that and get better, and then because you’re looking after yourself, and you’re motivated, and you’re looking for new information. Bill Gasiamis 29:23 I may have mentioned in a few of the podcasts that you heard, but if, in case you haven’t heard it, also look at, forget the title, but look at Eat Fat, Get Thin. Now, it’s not a book about weight loss, it’s actually a book that explains the difference between eating what we now call the standard American diet, which is also the Standard Australian diet, and the standard Western diet, and shifting from that stuff that we’ve been sold since the late. The 70s, early 80s, about what supposedly was healthy and what isn’t. Bill Gasiamis 30:04 And it talks about going back to a time where nutrition didn’t involve so many carbohydrates. So another great book that just explains the metabolic side of weight gain and illness and all that kind of stuff. It’s not a book about weight loss, but when I read it, I’m talking about at the very beginning of my journey, probably 2014 somewhere there, it’s written by Dr. Mark Hyman. Bill Gasiamis 30:55 That book changed everything for me, just understanding some of the stuff that was impacting me negatively that I didn’t know was, you know, certain foods again, and as far as they’re just the best books those three. John Wagner 31:14 I appreciate that one recommendation you made. Why We Sleep by Matthew Clark. Bill Gasiamis 31:20 Yeah, it’s such a good book. John Wagner 31:23 It is never thought about it before. Bill Gasiamis 31:25 Yeah, that’s such a good book. Because what that why we sleep book does is, again, it just gives you a total, complete different perspective of what sleep is and how the brain requires it, and how it flushes the brain in the middle of the night during the sleep cycle, and it gets rid of toxins, and the and the cells shrink to create more space for the fluid to get in and wash it out, and then it, you know, and then they expand again as you wake up. I mean, it’s such an amazing. John Wagner 31:57 That’s what little coffer covered in that podcast. It was, yeah, I had to listen to it 15 times. There’s so much information, what’s he talking about here? I mean, he mentioned, what’s the word I’m looking for, when you start getting, when you when you get, it’ll come to me in a second. You get sugar causes it in your, in your bloodstream, Bill Gasiamis 32:32 Insulin? John Wagner 32:35 Pardon? Bill Gasiamis 32:36 Was it insulin, or something? John Wagner 32:39 That insulin, it was a condition caused by not, not swelling, but shame on me. John Wagner 32:48 Inflammation. John Wagner 32:50 I didn’t know what it was. Even after he explained it a couple times on the podcast, I still wasn’t grasping that you can’t be that hard. Let me listen to it again. So your podcasts are covered, they have so much information. You gotta listen to it. Bill Gasiamis 33:05 So Eat Fat, Get Thin. That book is about decreasing inflammation, it’s basically what it’s about, and then why we get sick. Actually talks about the mechanism of of inflammation. It really gives you a deep insight into the inflammatory process. And then once you under understand that, then you know what type two diabetes really is. And then once you really know what type two diabetes is, and you think about how to reduce inflammation in the body, then that’s where, in fact, get thin comes in. Bill Gasiamis 33:37 And then you’ve got all the different pieces of the puzzle, and then you can implement and since you’re an implementer, this is going to be perfect for you. If you’ve already taped up your mouth and doing that stuff, then you’re sleeping better, and that is the beginning of decreasing your negative metabolic rate. Because sleep is one of the most important things to keep people lean and keep their weight off, and people who people don’t realize that when they’re sleeping and snoring and not getting good quality breathing during the night. Bill Gasiamis 34:14 They’re actually creating a metabolic process that keeps them overweight and makes it harder to lose weight, and then when they wake up in the morning makes them crave carbohydrates like breads and cereals and all that kind of stuff, because they are lacking the energy to get the brain going and they are addicted to that cycle that they don’t know they’re addicted to. It’s just what it is, and you’re being controlled by all these other factors. Bill Gasiamis 34:40 And then you’re looking at yourself in the mirror, going, how did I get this big? And why can’t I lose weight? And it’s got nothing to do with the willpower. It’s got to do with the environment is totally against you, and your body is just responding to the environment. John Wagner 34:55 So Eet Fat, Get Thin. So you eat fat and get thin. The Small Strokes Struggle and Sacrifices of Healing Bill Gasiamis 35:02 Love it, yeah, it’s a great book. It’s one of the first books that came out that kind of started to challenge this low fat diet notion. You know, a couple of years after I got sick, I found that, I think it was around 2014 and I tell you what, it was a revelation, because it had nothing to do with stroke. It had to do with being having a healthy body to support recovery from anything, not just stroke, but also from cancer or heart disease or any other condition. It was just fantastic. John Wagner 35:43 I can’t believe what you went through. I felt guilty about all the small little stuff I had to deal with. And I started ‘Oh, my God. I told my wife said this guy thought his skin was crawling, literally, and from that, whatever the name of that medicine. Bill Gasiamis 35:59 Yeah, from Dixon method. Was a tough night. John Wagner 36:02 You had a hard time with your memory a little bit correct. Bill Gasiamis 36:06 Yeah, that was a tough night. I mean, waking up I was hallucinating and just talking to the wall. And then my wife’s wondering, what is this? What is he on about? Like, what is he doing? Who is he talking to? And I just couldn’t respond. And then when I came to one of the other symptoms was that I felt like there was bugs crawling all over my body and it was this steroid, the steroid dexamethasone. Bill Gasiamis 36:33 It was saving my brain. It was keeping the swelling down, but it was making me so unwell in every other way. But, you know, it was temporary, and it was about saving the brain at that time, it wasn’t about the other stuff. And I wasn’t sleeping. Man, I didn’t sleep for two weeks solid I’d be up. John Wagner 36:55 You had a business going, it’s unbelievable, I finally quit. I had been working in this industry for a long time, and I really didn’t have an exit strategy. My son even said to me in the hospital, don’t take this the wrong way, jab, and I’m kind of glad you had that last stroke. I said ‘What? He said ‘You were just going to keep working. He didn’t have any exit strategy at all. And I said ‘Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ve been working since I was 12. Probably that’s all I know, just keep working. Bill Gasiamis 37:24 But was that an issue, though, for you, the working? Was that the issue? Or was out? John Wagner 37:29 No, not at all. It was just, it was something I’d always done. I got used to traveling. I wasn’t really thrilled about but I was gone quite a bit, and raised two sons, two great boys, but I just thought, I’ve had three strokes. I am not going to push this anymore, I finally retired. So that’s enough of that, I’m glad I did. Bill Gasiamis 37:55 You know what’s good about retiring under those circumstances? What’s good about it is that you got time now to actually start making some changes in your lifestyle and in your health and your well being, so that you can have a really good quality of life going forward. Because stroke takes for so many people, it takes the quality of life away, you know, whether they’re in their 20s, 30s or 40s or 70s or 80s, that’s the issue with it. Bill Gasiamis 38:21 So what I like about the fact that you’re not working is that you’re going to have that time now to focus on yourself and get educated and implement strategies that are going to give you a good quality of life and avoid another stroke. John Wagner 38:33 I was having a difficult time reading. I could read the words, but I couldn’t deal with the syntax of a paragraph, I couldn’t put it together. It didn’t make sense. So I said ‘Okay, there’s got to be a logical way to get to get interested again. I got my kindle, I mean, I like to read, so I started reading the backs of cereal boxes, simple stuff. And I said ‘Okay. And then I realized at that time, when I started doing research, my brain was healing. The Neuroplasticity was a big factor, and it was creating new pathways. And I was starting reading became easy, and I told somebody else. John Wagner 39:14 It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like somebody comes into your head and knocks all those books on the floor with all that great information, everything. And you know, the information is there, but you can’t get at it. So I slowly, over time, the last few months, I’ve been reading a lot, and I love it, and it’s easy again. So now, when I read something, I absorb it, whereas before I couldn’t that’s when I said to myself, work has become pretty hard. I don’t know if I want to do this anymore. So I finally retired, and I think it’s worked out pretty well. Bill Gasiamis 39:51 Yeah, hopefully soon, though, there’ll be no cereal boxes in your house after you read Eat Fat, Get Thin. Bill Gasiamis 39:51 Exactly. What was the cereal box doing in your house anyway? We were sold a bill of goods for how many years? My goodness. Bill Gasiamis 39:51 I know, unbelievable, I understand. I have no issue with it like now. It’s just about re directing people and training them again and telling them you gotta stop doing what they’ve been telling you to do, because they’ve been deceiving you. And yes, cereal is the most terrible thing you can eat in the morning or any time of the day, but especially in the morning, it’s the worst food. John Wagner 40:28 I just read the article day before yesterday about the fact that when people get up, they get hungry, they have carbohydrates and sugar, whatever it is, bread, whatever he says ‘That’s the absolute you should be having protein, fats, the opposite, and we weren’t taught that, so, yeah, gotta figure it out. Bill Gasiamis 40:48 A little bit of steak, a little bit of egg, a little bit of bacon, some butter, and that’s it. You’re done, and just you’re set to go for, you know, another three or four hours at least, you know, until lunch time. And that’s the kind of stuff that makes people feel satiated. It changes the cycle from being that whole blood sugar high to a blood sugar low, which deceives the brain to think it doesn’t have energy to access. Bill Gasiamis 41:16 So it makes you crave another meal. So you go and have another meal in the middle of the day between, you know, breakfast and lunch, and you’re forever eating. Humans never forever ate anything. John Wagner 41:29 I’m still trying to figure out how to work in my smoothies. I love smoothies, fruit high in sugar, so I try to watch it, but with spinach or whatever, but I have a blueberry smoothie in the morning. I mean, guy said ‘No, that’s the time to do it. Your body wants fat and protein. Yeah, so I’m going to tell my wife when we’re done. Bill said ‘I have, you have to make me steak and eggs every day. Bill Gasiamis 41:54 Tell her and yeah, that would be fantastic. Well, that’s what I eat in the morning. I at least four eggs, I’ll have some bacon some days or a little bit of meat. And when I’m too lazy, I’ll just have four or five eggs, and I cook it in butter, and I just scramble it up and and then I’m done, and I’m good. John Wagner 42:19 Your appetite too. It really does. Bill Gasiamis 42:21 It fills you up, it just gives you good energy, it helps to wake the brain up. And it doesn’t get you all hyper and stimulated. It just nice and smooth and allows energy to sort of come into you, your body, into your digestive system, and then kind of nice smoothly, just fuel you. So that’s what’s good about that. John Wagner 42:42 Thank goodness. With the diabetes I’ve got some good habits that I didn’t have, portion control, eating, slower, eating, the right thing. So I just watched my A1C and when that drops, I know I’m losing weight, because they go hand in hand. So I’ve made some positive strides there, but I’m still angry that I used to run all the time, and now I don’t run. I mean, I’m still trying to do my my biking. How long I tried? Bill Gasiamis 43:15 Pardon? How long ago were you still running? John Wagner 43:19 About six or seven years ago, quite a while ago? I was always, walking and hiking, but I used to run, because we ran a lot of miles in our program, at this high school program, and college I was involved with were high level competition. We ran all the time. It was nothing to run 12 or 15 miles, and then that would that brought me into this too. I told my wife, I come in after a 10 mile run, I’d say ‘Oh, I’m tired. John Wagner 43:49 But I said, with a stroke, you deal with fatigue, it’s a whole different deal. When you have fatigue, your eyelashes are tired, your toes are tired. She said well, she didn’t understand that, but you gotta go through it to understand it. Bill Gasiamis 44:06 That’s such a great explanation, your eyelashes are tired. John Wagner 44:13 Your earlobes are tired, you’re just overwhelmed. So she’s she’s always and this is, you’ve been a big help. She said ‘You need to take a nap. I said ‘Yeah, I do. She said ‘Just sleep. And I said ‘No, I don’t need to sleep. I just need to lie down. My body needs to my body is telling me you’re either going to lie down or I’m going to fall down. You can make that choice, I get to that point where you’re just so weak, and then I lay down for 20 minutes. I feel fine. Bill Gasiamis 44:40 Yeah, are you cycling, did you say? Overcoming Small Strokes Challenges in Recovery John Wagner 44:44 Just on a Peloton, I want to take my bike out this summer. I got on the bike, went about 100 feet of my driveway, promptly fell over and crashed, I had a helmet on, but I was so disappointed. I used to go out and ride, and now I can’t do that. So balance this winter, I will get myself in biking shape, so that next summer I can be more independent, is the word I’m looking for. Bill Gasiamis 45:16 I’ve got a tip for you about that as well. So have you heard the episodes where I was falling off my bike. John Wagner 45:22 No, what’s the number of that? Bill Gasiamis 45:26 There’s a few. I mentioned it a few times, but ignoring what I just said, but I’ll tell you now anyway, you won’t need to go back to find it. So I used to ride my bike all the time. I had a, what they call a mountain bike, and just nice, comfortable ride. And I never rode on a mountain just along the suburban streets in my area, nice, wide tires, yeah, just comfy, you know. And my left leg after the brain surgery, would fatigue immediately within the first kilometer or two, and then that meant that I would have to shorten my ride or come back, etc. Bill Gasiamis 46:03 And it was not fun, because I couldn’t go out for as long as I wanted, and then when it fatigued, it would fall off the pedal, and it meant that the pedal would scrape on my shin, and then it would make a disaster of my shin, and it was no fun. So what I went and got was a stirrup just for one leg, my left leg. I figured if I put my left leg into the stirrup, then it won’t slip off when I fatigue, and that I’ll be able to get home a bit quicker and easier. Bill Gasiamis 46:38 And that’s one less thing I have to worry about. So I put a stirrup on my left foot, and every time I came to a stop, I couldn’t get my foot out of the stirrup, so it’d fall over. John Wagner 46:53 And then one time, mate, that’s the only way I would ride, cos then you can force your feet a little further, Bill Gasiamis 46:58 Yeah. So it kept falling over, and then that wasn’t solving the problem. That was creating another problem, I had a helmet on also. So anyhow, then I thought ‘Well, how am I going to resolve this? And I heard somebody on another podcast talk about an E bike, a bike with a battery, powered, assisted pedal. John Wagner 47:03 They’re very popular around here now. Bill Gasiamis 47:09 And they are amazing, because the fatigue in my left leg doesn’t happen after two kilometers. In fact, it doesn’t happen at all. And I can ride the 10 or 20 kilometers, and by the time I get back, I’m still in good shape, because the assisted pedaling takes away that initial effort that your foot has to make. And I don’t need a stirrup because it doesn’t fatigue and fall off the pedal anymore. And it’s a such a gentle cardio exercise, and you’re getting out and you’re getting that wind in your hair and all that kind of stuff. Bill Gasiamis 48:02 And then if you get fatigued and really tired, it will help you get back, because you can increase the level of support, you can go from almost none to a lot. So might be something worth considering. If getting on the bike is tiring and fatiguing, then you might want to consider an electric. John Wagner 48:27 We have a Peloton. You familiar with them? Time bike. Sometimes it takes me 10 minutes to get into the to get the pedal hooked up, because our legs are maybe a little bit out of whack. And I thought, this is the little stuff about strokes that nobody talks about that’s aggravating as heck, and it wears on you. So I’m working on that, but it’s a great bike, but I’m going to look into an E bike. That’s a great idea. Bill Gasiamis 48:54 Yeah, have a think about it. It’s those little things, you know, not being able to get your foot into the bike pedal and all that kind of stuff, you realize, like, where the nuance is in the recovery, it’s you’re walking and that looks great, and you’re talking and that looks great, and all these things you’re doing are great. But then there’s this little fine, it’s like the Formula One car, right? It’s like to get that extra second, the amount of resources and research and money that’s going to go into it is just immense, and that’s kind of where you’re at with the foot on the pedal. John Wagner 49:29 My wife used to get really angry with me because I was recovering I was walking, but then I started to get a little aggressive, and I’ve always been a hands on Tool Guy. And I said to her one day, I said ‘I want to mount this, one of these solar lights on our shed. And she said ‘Oh, can’t you have Jack across the street? Do it? I go ‘No, no, I got typical, typical guy, I got this. I got it. I took a job that normally would take me five minutes with. The lamp on in the dark. Took me three hours, I kept falling off the ladder, I kept dropping in the drill, and she finally came out. John Wagner 50:08 And then she wasn’t so happy. And him, would you please call Jack? And I said ‘No, I got this. I’ll do. Took me three hours, but I did, it got real personal up here in my head, but those are the things that just drive you crazy. Who are you going to talk to about it? Nobody, really. Yea, you gotta go through it. Bill Gasiamis 50:27 Falling off a ladder, like properly falling or just not being able to get up properly. John Wagner 50:32 Like a seven foot step ladder, literally falling off completely and and then another, with your wife on this one. I’m not proud of this. We’re we put a we built a pergola on our deck, my metal pergola, and one of the supports came the final one. I said ‘I’m going to put that up. She said ‘Be careful. I said ‘Okay, I climbed up there and I was drilling some holes, and I pushed the drill so hard it pushed me back off the ladder onto the deck, not understanding what a hemorrhagic stroke is. John Wagner 51:07 You know, well, she was outside of our home watching me on our electronic doorbell and the next thing. So I was laying in the deck. It’s almost comical. I was laying on the deck, and my phone was next to me, and my phone started buzzing, and I grabbed the phone, and there were these expletives ‘Would you please, damn it, wait till I get home. I said ‘Okay, alright, fine, so, but I won’t do that anymore. Bill Gasiamis 51:37 You have to know you’ve done so much to get better from whatever you went through, you don’t want to injure yourself, and then have to deal with that as well. John Wagner 51:45 Yes, even a broken home, anything you don’t know. Bill Gasiamis 51:48 No, you want to avoid further injuries. Mate at 73 you definitely want to avoid them and get somebody else to get on the ladder, for sure. John Wagner 51:56 Yeah, that’s true. Bill Gasiamis 51:58 And it’s not whether you can or can’t do it. It’s it’s you. It sounds like you’re not doing it safely, you’re not doing it safely at all. Maybe there’s still some part of your John. John Wagner 52:10 Are you okay? I’d lay in the deck. Yeah, I’m alright, it’s pretty silly. Bill Gasiamis 52:15 I think we might have uncovered one of the areas where your deficits still are. It’s in the safety. It’s in being able to perceive what’s safe and not safe, maybe it’s one of your deficits. John Wagner 52:27 I certainly was. I think I got a little smarter, but it certainly was. I just thought I’m going to do this because I was not used to being restricted. I’m sure anybody that’s had a stroke would feel the same way. There were times I’d be in my closet trying to put a shirt on, and I couldn’t button the button on my shirt. I was almost crying so much effort to do it, and I couldn’t do it, and I just kept trying and trying, and those are little things you don’t read about in the stroke manual. Yeah, they drive you crazy. Bill Gasiamis 53:01 But up until the stroke the first one, did you have a really good run with health? John Wagner 53:08 Well, a couple of years, it’s funny, you’re bringing up all the good stuff, like you were, you were living in our house a year before that. I was asked we were part of a Mayo Clinic Executive Health Plan. My boss kept saying ‘Go up there, it’s free, just go up there. So I went up to Minnesota, and they put you on a rack, and no orifice is safe. They look at everything. And I was getting ready to leave a couple days after, and he said ‘We live in Chicago. I said ‘Yeah, getting ready to leave, and he goes ‘I don’t think so. John Wagner 53:42 I said, why? Well, your stress test shows you got major blockage on your right and left ventricle. So he said ‘The only thing is, you have type two diabetes. Your blood sugar’s high. I would not I would do the surgery tomorrow, except I can’t do it with high blood sugar because of inflammation and all that. So he said ‘If you can lose, if you can bring your blood sugar down in 90 days, I’ll schedule you for a bypass surgery. John Wagner 54:11 And I did, and we did, and up until then, I had never been in the hospital. It was all new. So I had a bypass surgery, and I recovered from that, I did pretty well, and then this came along. Bill Gasiamis 54:25 How does that recovery compare to this current recovery? John Wagner 54:29 Piece of cake, as they say ‘Wow, you know, my ribs were sore for a few couple months, but the strokes a whole different thing. It’s so encompassing, every party being is affected, and this past summer, six months ago, I was standing in our living room talking to my wife in another room, and I just completely lost my balance. Out of the blue, I fell back and crashed onto this fan, this fan of hours, my wife came running. John Wagner 55:01 What happened? I said ‘I wish I knew I just lost my balance. So I’m still dealing with that. Did you have did you have balance issues for a long time? Or I still do. It’s aggravating ‘Yeah, I turn too fast. I have to be careful. Bill Gasiamis 55:18 I shift on my right side and keep going. My left side kind of doesn’t do its job to cause to create balance. It just kind of lets go, and my right side keeps going. So I have to find the wall or steady myself or take a double step. John Wagner 55:38 Hard to explain to somebody I had fallen down so many times it became normal. I thought ‘Well, when I got home from the hospital after my stroke, I told my wife, I said ‘I’m going to need some things, and we got chair for the shower. We safeguarded the our home, but I still, I remember standing by our stairs, you know, a large staircase, and I just lost my balance, crashed down, and I thought ‘What the heck was that, not knowing what was going on. And I thought, is this going to be like this forever? Caregivers and Frustrations John Wagner 56:11 Luckily, not, but it’s very real when it happens. I smacked my head on the floor, and I was a mess so and none of this was funny to my wife, because she had to put take care of me every time, it was rough, and she that’s one of the things I talk about with this group, is the importance of caregivers and their role in helping people that have had strokes, and it’s really critical, how around here, there is no caregiver school. When you leave the hospital with your stroke victim, you’re on your own. Bill Gasiamis 56:54 Wow, so there’s no caregiver school at all for anything, it’s ridiculous. Actually, how old were you when you had the bypass surgery? John Wagner 57:06 I was 69 or 68 it was a couple years before my stroke. Bill Gasiamis 57:13 Yeah, and as a single bypass. John Wagner 57:16 It was double bypass, a double and it really was the best thing to do, because I just have been going to a heart specialist recently. He said ‘Everything looks great. I did an EKG, you’re doing terrific. So it was a good move to have it done. Yeah, and he said ‘You would have, you certainly would have run into problems. Bill Gasiamis 57:40 So when you have so much good health, until what the appearance of good health? Because you’re not healthy a year before your double bypass surgery, you know definitely not right? When you have such good health for, say, 65 years, and you’ve never had a thing to consider or think about then, it makes sense that when you get to, you know, five years down the track and now you’re dealing with stroke, it makes sense that you’re going to feel frustrated by things like, I can’t do up my button because you’ve been able to do it up for 69 years or 70 years. Bill Gasiamis 58:19 And now all of a sudden, it’s not working. It takes a little bit of time to wrap your head around that and come to terms with the fact that something has changed, you’ve been injured. There’s an injury you have to heal from, recover from, whatever the words are, and you are physically changed. You’re different than what you were so and then the identity of but I’ve always done this. Why can’t I do it now? Like that conversation, did that happen in your head? Is that kind of how it goes? John Wagner 58:48 Yes, I’m still dealing with the hassle of the effects of type two diabetes, which I never really gave second thought. Nurse said you’re going to get some kind of neuropathy. I said ‘Oh, well, now I realize it’s really an inconvenience, dropping things and stuff like that. You made a great point, though, on one of your podcasts, and I wanted to bring it up. You basically said, I lost my train of thought. Overcoming Small Strokes Challenges and Exploring Solutions John Wagner 59:19 That’s what happens and that never, when you run into issues like that, you had to do one of two things, either deal with it or just curl up in a shell. I got mad at myself and said ‘No, I’m going to do something about this. I don’t know what I can do, but I’m going to do something. Bill Gasiamis 59:46 So have you heard about Alpha Lipoic Acid? John Wagner 59:51 No. Bill Gasiamis 59:52 Okay, so Alpha Lipoic Acid is something that is meant to help with neuropathy, and it supports. John Wagner 59:59 Can you spell that? Bill Gasiamis 1:00:00 Yeah, Alpha, A, L, P, H, A, dash, L, I, P, O, I, C, Lipoic Acid. John Wagner 1:00:15 I’m interested in that. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:16 It’s a supplement, and it supposed to support, neurons and the extremities and all that kind of stuff. So there’s a lot of research about it. So this stuff I don’t just make up, right? There is a lot of research about it, and studies you can find. So if somebody’s curious about what Alpha Lipoic Acid does. It helps people with neuropathy, settle it down in some cases. And when I’ve Googled it, the first thing that’s come up like it says the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid, and it’s just a little tablet, like any other supplement. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:57 It may help lower blood sugar levels. It may help with weight loss and benefits other weight loss medications. It helps the liver, it can help the skin and ALA. May help with pain, burning, itching, tingling and numbness in arms and legs. So whether you have peripheral neuropathy that is caused by type two diabetes or a stroke. It may assist to settle that down and take the edge off it, improve it a little bit. John Wagner 1:01:34 That’s good to know right now. It’s an inconvenience, but it’s certainly not getting better. So I look down the road and try to find out where I’m going to be. I gotta do something, I know what I was going to say to you. I once my brain started getting back, started healing. I could tell it was healing, little things that I couldn’t do before. I would have an issue lifting something or or just grabbing something. And also one day I could do it, and I said ‘My brain’s healing. John Wagner 1:02:03 I could pick up on that, or somebody was saying something to me, and I absorbed it, and I said ‘I wouldn’t have absorbed that two months ago. And I’m just really glad that it your brain will heal, and you just have to appreciate it and realize that this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and take a long time. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:28 Are you a glass half full kind of guy normally? John Wagner 1:02:31 Always have been. That’s why I went through depression, never been depressed. I’m not a depressed person, and I couldn’t get off underneath it. It was, it was terrible. And I took it out of my wife a number of times, snapping at her, and she not knowing what the hell was going on. But it just overtakes you. You just, I’d be watching something, and it affects you. I mean, I told her, I said ‘I just laughed all the way through the movie platoon and cried through Caddyshack says something is something not right. John Wagner 1:03:08 So I started doing more and more research. Once my brain started getting back, I could do research, and I some of the things you’ve talked about, gratitude, things like that. They’re actually not just mental your body produces. I know the one of the best podcasts that you had was the ability of the talking about the three brains, the gut brain and the heart brain. And I thought ‘Who would have thought? Gut health. We I’ve always heard gut health is important, but now I’m starting to really think about it. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:46 Taking your gut is your second brain. There’s been books written about that topic, probably since the 90s now, and it has the same type of structure. It, although the shapes are different, microscopically, it has the same type of structure as the brain. It has neurons, it’s where your serotonin is created and generated. You know, dopamine, all those kind of neurotransmitters that you hear about that are important from the for the brain actually occur in the gut, and the brain accesses those reserves and uses them. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:24 They’re not created specifically in the brain. And when the gut is inflamed, your brain is inflamed. It’s just they’re connected, they’re both. Those things are connected, but then also your heart is probably inflamed. So it’s not a single system. The system is all one. John Wagner 1:04:45 Yes, another one, the heart and brain. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:48 And it’s really good, and it’s really important, because the the gut has memory, the gut has a language, so does the heart. The heart has language, you know, emotive language is all heart language. The heart also has neurons, it also has the same kind of brain structures as the brain the lot. It’s all very similar, they’re all very connected. They are, they all speak with each other through the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system, and you can’t have a healthy brain if you don’t have a healthy gut, it’s impossible. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:25 So people have type two diabetes and inflammation, definitely don’t have a healthy gut. And if you heal the gut, and you make it about just giving your gut the optimum kind of resources and environment to work in, then everything else just comes on board. Later it’s gut is number one, because that’s where all your food goes in, and then once it’s healed, everything else starts healing. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:51 It’s a very simple process, but hard to shift your your thinking from old thinking to new thinking, where you know old thinking was a calorie is a calorie. It doesn’t matter what form it comes in, but it certainly does like a sugar calorie is a completely different calorie to a butter calorie. John Wagner 1:06:13 Any recommendations you may have on gut health, any book that encompasses those three brains, I find that really fascinating. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:21 Well, those two books will help with that, but also the other one is the book by Doctor David Perlmutter: Grain Brain. Doctor David Perlmutter so it sounds like it’s a book about the brain, which it is, but it is about what goes into your gut and how changing again your diet will improve your brain health. So this just so much now, and these weren’t around in so in such numbers, these weren’t around when I first went through this in 2012 they started to proliferate after that. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:10 And it there was this massive shift away from the old traditional, you know, food pyramid, where grains were the most food you ate, and all that kind of stuff, and everything has come along with it. And the guys who wrote this book are neurologists. The people who I’ve mentioned are experts in their field, which meant that they were dealing with people who had what they call type three diabetes, which is Dementia and Alzheimer’s, and then they were having no success supporting people and helping people, and what they found was changing their diet really improved that. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:51 And most recently, okay, I’m going to have the links to all of this stuff that I spoke about today in the show notes. Most recently, and I’ve heard a lot of these types of podcasts from these type people, but I listened to one that’s fresh in my mind, so I’ll mention it now there’s a you might actually enjoy this, because there’s a podcast called The Diary Of A CEO, and The guy’s name is Steven Bartlett, and he is a, I think he’s from the United Kingdom. I think he lived in England, I think. Bill Gasiamis 1:08:30 And he’s a really successful entrepreneur, but he has the most amazing podcast, and his most recent episode, he interviewed a lady called Dr. Georgia Ade, and they were talking about, she’s a psychiatrist, a Harvard trained psychiatrist specializing in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. So most of the interventions that she does to help people with conditions like well, like bipolar, like schizophrenia, like all these things in involve a massive shift of diet. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:20 What people consume for food, and they talk about the keto diet as being the most beneficial diet to the brain and changing the brain chemistry and supporting a really healthy brain, and therefore positively impacting mood and other things that go along with it, amongst other things, she’s not talking about diet is not the only thing that fixes these things, but what she talks about is the diet is definitely a massive it’s like a massive cog in the wheel that it has a massive positive impact. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:00 In people’s well, being, physical, mental, emotional, the lot, right? And she was just a breath of fresh air to listen to her explain the interventions that she recommends. And she’s a researcher as well, so this stuff doesn’t it’s now being proven. It’s now being shown, scientifically that is helpful, as well as people sharing their stories and saying, I did this, and I did that. I met a guy many, many years ago, probably around 2014 and 15 and 16 when I was on my early recovery journey, who had bipolar for many, many years. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:46 And it was causing havoc in his life, because when he was manic, he would have a whole bunch of things that he did that he shouldn’t have done. And when he was depressed, you know, he would, he would go the other way, and he would really struggle with all the things that he was doing, and he went on a keto diet and told me that his bipolar had settled down so much. And this lady Dr. Georgia Ade. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:16 Talks about that kind of stuff as well how diet has now become a massive intervention into being able to support people that previously psychiatrists couldn’t really help because medication doesn’t really ever, she said, doesn’t really ever solve the problem. It just kind of helps to alleviate symptoms or minimize symptoms or manage symptoms. So what I’m saying here is this is a big spiel on people really needing to pay attention to what they’re consuming and how they’re going about their recovery. John Wagner 1:11:59 That’s so true. You know, you made a good point on one of your podcasts recently about the fact that it’s very cathartic what you’re doing. You’re able to talk with people that are dealing with a lot of the same issues you had. And I feel the same way. I say, I can’t talk to my wife every time I want to talk about something she’s had it. It’s enough, well, there’s gotta be somebody I could talk to about it. That’s why I like to go and speak to these people that are dealing with all these challenges. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:30 I’m the same, and your wife is just like one of those, and my wife too, just like one of those people in the airport that they they can’t see you’ve had a stroke on the outside and that don’t care you’ve had a stroke. John Wagner 1:12:44 That’s it, it’s so true. And another thing is, I tell these people when you come into your house after you’ve been released, you’re the only person in that house that had a stroke. When you’re in the Support Facility, you got all these people around you and all these good vibrations. And then when you come into your house, guess what? It’s you and the four walls. You better figure out how you’re going to deal with it. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:13 And that’s been my journey, there’s nothing better also, in a way of going home and everyone just expecting you to just get on with business, you know. And there’s also a bit of motivation behind this, okay, I’ve gotta pull my socks up, like, I’ve gotta actually be a part of this family. I’ve gotta pull my, you know, pull my weight, get my chores done or whatever, like you have to, and that’s kind of, it’s tough love, but it’s necessary as well. Future Outlook and Goals John Wagner 1:13:45 Well, one other point, I will say, and then I won’t quote you anymore, and that you made a very strong point, and that is when sometimes you’re going through I didn’t. I have a very large family, I have 10 brothers and sisters, so we have a lot of people in our family, extended family. When I came home, I didn’t receive the support I thought I would, and then it finally dawned on money, nobody knows what I went through, they have no clue. So yeah, they’d send me a text or how’s it going, but no specifics. John Wagner 1:14:20 Because we didn’t know anybody that ever had a stroke. So you made a point, and that is, sometimes it’s better that way, then you find a way to pull up your pants and do it, and tough love, you’re right, yeah. Otherwise, you’re waiting for people to do this, waiting for people to do that. I just finally said I’m doing it myself. And he little angry about it, but then you have to get over it. Bill Gasiamis 1:14:50 What was the hardest thing about stroke for you, do you think? John Wagner 1:14:53 Well, physically, I’ll tell you one thing I thought about this the other day. It set me back three years mentally. It zapped my confidence, I used to give speeches in front of engineering groups. I was very glib, I could come up with information, you see, now I sometimes I had to wait a minute go digging for that word, and all of a sudden that was gone. And not that it won’t come back, but your everything changes so quickly, and just a few hours in the hospital, you realize ‘This isn’t the half of it. John Wagner 1:15:33 And I can’t do the things I wanted to do. Then you also made a good point, and that is, maybe if you can’t get back to where you were. Don’t take it so hard, because where you were got you where you are. And I thought that’s brilliant, you have to make changes. Not happy about it, but I I’m doing more than I thought I would two years ago. I couldn’t walk, and I’m walking three miles a day. And to me, that’s progress. Bill Gasiamis 1:16:02 So, that’s good. What’s what has stroke taught you? John Wagner 1:16:10 Well, it’s basically taking care of my body. I mean, my whole package, my whole my ID, everything, mentally, physically, really, at take I took it for granted before, and never had any issues, and was always traveling, going places, and never gave a second thought. And now you realize it’s we’re pretty fragile. So for the next few years that the good Lord has planned, I’m going to try to do my part. You ever come to Chicago? Bill Gasiamis 1:16:47 I’ve never been to Chicago. I have been to New York in 2013 and LA and Hawaii, but never made to Chicago. John Wagner 1:16:55 Some kind of concert or a meeting you have to go to. Bill Gasiamis 1:17:01 Let me know when the next strike conference is in Chicago, and I might come up there, but it has to be warm, John. John Wagner 1:17:10 Yeah, I get that. I get it in the fall months here are just gorgeous. August, September, October, they’re beautiful. But I was just thinking ‘No, I’ve never really wanted to even look and find out about stroke conferences, but now I do more and more research on little things, and before I didn’t, that’s the one thing I would say about a stroke, it’s a double whammy. You’re incapacitated, and the information you really want you can’t get because your brain’s not cooperating, and then the more you get it together, it’s like, okay. John Wagner 1:17:47 That’s when I started listening to your podcast. At first, I was like ‘I don’t want to hear this, I don’t want to hear this well as a commercial. I don’t want to hear that. Now, it’s like, Bring it on, I want to hear everything. And I’m so glad that you took it upon yourself to do it, because aren’t too many people out there doing that. Bill Gasiamis 1:18:07 I was aware of the same issues that I needed information I couldn’t get it, and I couldn’t understand it when I did get it. And then, as things started to improve, things started to settle down, and my rehabilitation started to really take hold, and I noticed the benefits of all the work I was doing. I thought ‘Okay, now that I can, I’m going to do something about it. Reading is not my best tool. I don’t enjoy it, but I enjoy getting information from a book, but it’s really difficult for me to read. Bill Gasiamis 1:18:07 How do you like to get your information? What’s your preferred way? Bill Gasiamis 1:18:43 Podcasts and audio books, definitely, and they’re great. But I have read, I have a bunch of books that I read. If the topic really interests me, then it’s okay, like, I’ll push through and I’ll get it done. So it has to really interest me, and all those topics really interest me. Now you can tell, right? So I’m not lacking the information, and I know where to go to get it. What’s great about creators these days authors is they’re on a bunch of interviews, so you can go and listen to them on YouTube or wherever. Bill Gasiamis 1:19:18 And that’s so if I’m in Chicago, see, I’ve avoided Chicago, you know why? Because I’ve watched too many mob movies. And as far as I’m concerned, Chicago is just a big mob city, and you don’t see anybody other than the mobsters, you know? So I want to avoid them. John Wagner 1:19:41 It’s an awesome city, yeah, but like any other big city, there are areas where you probably still break from, you know, but it’s a great city, and it’s one of the world destinations as far as conferences and things like that. So it’s always very bustly and lot going on, but you gotta steak dinner if you ever make it here if you want. Advice for Stroke Survivors Bill Gasiamis 1:20:08 Yeah, awesome. Thank you. So final question before we wrap up is, what’s a little bit of wisdom you’d like to impart on your fellow stroke survivors who are listening? John Wagner 1:20:23 Be ready for a long, drawn out recovery, it’s just the way it is. I tell people when I’m talking, look, you’re going to have good days and you’re going to have days that are crappy. That’s just the way it is, don’t worry about it. Embrace the wins, is what I say, you’re going to have little wins and little losses. It’s just part of life, and instead of getting mad, just cut fate, move on. So when good things happen, tell your caregiver about it ‘Hey, look what happened to me, so they can see that their work is helping you. John Wagner 1:21:00 And I didn’t realize it was going to be I’m here. I am two years into my recovery, and sometimes I feel like it’s just a few weeks, but you only have one other option, right bill, sit and cry or get up and do it, so that that’s the that’s the best thing I could tell anybody, you’re going to get through it. You’re going to it’s going to take a while, but you will get through it because I did, and I didn’t think I was going to walk anymore. But I don’t like to get too preachy, but I tell these groups, look, I don’t want to tell you so much about what happened to me, blah, blah, blah. John Wagner 1:21:37 I want to tell you what you’re going to find out when you walk out the door, because that information is not out there. I mean, there was no place to go to say ‘Well, I’ve had a couple strokes. Can you tell me what I’m I’m going to find? And you have to kind of figure it out and research it like you’ve done. And hopefully your your wife doesn’t leave you and run off somewhere. Bill Gasiamis 1:22:02 Well, maybe hopefully for her, she does, she might benefit greatly, I don’t know. Well, we would only find out then, but look John, thank you so much for reaching out being on the podcast. I really appreciate it. John Wagner 1:22:20 This is terrific talking to you, and keep those podcasts coming, because they’re really well done, tons of information, and I really appreciate it. If I can never do anything for you across the ocean, just send me an email. And again, I know you get out and about once in a while, but if you ever get near Chicago, I’ve got a gun, don’t you worry, and I know where all the good spots are Bill Gasiamis 1:22:47 Fabulous. John Wagner 1:22:48 Anyway, thank you for your time. I really appreciate it. Bill Gasiamis 1:22:51 That brings us to the end of this inspiring episode with John Wagner, from his remarkable resilience after three strokes, two brain surgeries, to his journey of taking control of his health and living life to the fullest. John’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. If today’s conversation resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to youtube if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, a five star rating or review would be amazing. Bill Gasiamis 1:23:24 It helps others discover the podcast and join our grand community. Remember to check out my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It’s available on Amazon by searching my name, Bill Gasiamis, or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book, and if you’d like to support me or the podcast directly, head to patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Thank you for being here, for making this podcast a part of your recovery journey. I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:23:57 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog, podcast or video material controlled this website or content is created and produced for information or purposes only, and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:24:27 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. 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We are careful with links we provide, however, third party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post How John Wagner Overcame 3 Strokes and Rediscovered Life appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 From Steroid Abuse to Stroke Survival: Jonathan’s Redemption Story 1:15:44
1:15:44 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:15:44
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutThe Hidden Dangers of Anabolic Steroid Abuse and Stroke Introduction The pursuit of peak physical fitness can sometimes lead individuals down a dangerous path. While anabolic steroids are often marketed as a shortcut to strength and muscle gain, their misuse can have catastrophic consequences. One of the most serious risks associated with anabolic steroid abuse is stroke—a life-threatening condition that can result in lasting disabilities or even death. This article explores the connection between anabolic steroids and stroke, weaving in Jonathan’s story as a cautionary tale to highlight the severe health risks involved. Understanding Anabolic Steroids and Their Effects Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are synthetic substances designed to mimic the effects of testosterone. They are used medically to treat conditions such as delayed puberty or muscle loss caused by diseases. However, when abused for athletic or cosmetic purposes, these substances can lead to a range of harmful effects, including increased blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, and heart problems—all of which elevate the risk of stroke. Jonathan’s Story: A Sobering Reality Jonathan, a fitness enthusiast and family man, began using anabolic steroids in his 40s to achieve his ideal physique. Like many others, he was drawn to the promise of quick muscle gains and a chiseled appearance. However, the allure of anabolic steroids masked the silent damage being done to his body. Jonathan’s choice to stay on extended cycles—ignoring the recommended break periods—led to dangerously high blood pressure. Despite experiencing warning signs, Jonathan continued using steroids. Eventually, this led to a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel in his brain. Doctors gave him a grim prognosis: 77% of people with similar strokes do not survive, and the majority of survivors face severe disabilities. Against the odds, Jonathan survived, but the stroke left him with mobility challenges, slurred speech, and a new understanding of the risks he had taken. The Connection Between Steroid Abuse and Stroke Steroid abuse can increase the likelihood of stroke through several mechanisms: Elevated Blood Pressure : Steroids can cause hypertension, which puts excessive strain on blood vessels, increasing the risk of rupture or blockage. Thickened Blood : Steroids can promote the production of red blood cells, leading to thicker blood that is more prone to clotting—a primary cause of ischemic strokes. Cholesterol Imbalances : Steroids often lower HDL (“good” cholesterol) and increase LDL (“bad” cholesterol), contributing to atherosclerosis and narrowing of the arteries. Heart Enlargement : Prolonged steroid use can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy (heart muscle thickening), which disrupts normal blood flow and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Jonathan’s experience highlights how steroid abuse can turn a seemingly healthy individual into someone grappling with life-threatening conditions. Steroid Abuse Risk Factors Certain behaviors and conditions can exacerbate the risks associated with steroid abuse: Extended Use Without Breaks : Continuous cycles of steroids, as in Jonathan’s case, leave little time for the body to recover. Stacking Substances : Combining multiple types of steroids amplifies their negative effects. Ignoring Warning Signs : Symptoms such as high blood pressure, severe headaches, or vision changes should never be ignored. Pre-Existing Conditions : Those with a history of cardiovascular or neurological issues are at even greater risk when abusing steroids. Lessons from Jonathan’s Recovery Jonathan’s journey post-stroke has been one of resilience, learning, and transformation. With the support of his wife and family, he has embraced a healthier, drug-free lifestyle and has become an advocate for raising awareness about the dangers of steroid abuse. His story serves as a powerful reminder that while fitness goals are important, they should never come at the cost of your health or future. A Final Thought The risks of anabolic steroid abuse extend far beyond the gym. The pressure to achieve a certain physical ideal can lead to decisions with irreversible consequences. Stroke is a devastating outcome that no amount of muscle gain can justify. For those considering steroids, Jonathan’s story is a sobering example of the potential dangers. Always prioritize long-term health over short-term results. Cited Resources American Stroke Association: stroke.org National Institute on Drug Abuse: drugabuse.gov Stroke Foundation (Australia): strokefoundation.org.au Steroid Abuse and Stroke: Jonathan’s Inspiring Road to Recovery Jonathan’s story of overcoming a stroke caused by steroid abuse inspires hope, resilience, and recovery insights for stroke survivors everywhere. Instagram Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast Through Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Jonathan and Brittany’s Introduction and Initial Situation 04:10 Hospital Experience and Initial Diagnosis 18:46 Family Strength: Brittany’s Support and Jonathan’s Journey 20:40 The Cause of the Stroke: Anabolic Steroids 31:08 Fluffy but Loved: A 16-Year Journey of Humor and Affection 40:25 Healing, Hope, and Progress: A Journey After Stroke 49:24 Shifting Focus: From Gym Junkie to Mentor and Role Model 1:00:39 The Stroke’s Impact: Jonathan’s Transformation and Future Vision 1:02:39 Advice and Insights for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers 1:08:41 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Transcript: Introduction – Steroid Abuse and Stroke Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Welcome everyone. I’m so glad you’re here, whether this is your first time tuning in, or you’ve been with me for a while, your support means the world. By sharing the podcast, leaving reviews or just listening week after week, you’re helping to create a thriving community for stroke survivors and caregivers, a space where we can all feel seen, heard and supported. Since 2015 I’ve been dedicated to bringing you free, valuable resources through this podcast, and your support makes it possible. Bill Gasiamis 0:33 If you found value in these episodes, I’d love for you to consider supporting the show on Patreon, at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Your contribution helps keep this podcast alive and accessible for stroke survivors around the world. I’d also like to take a moment to remind you about my book ‘The unexpected way that a stroke became the best thing that happened’. It has been a guide and a source of hope for many stroke survivors and their loved ones, offering practical insights and inspiration for navigating recovery. Bill Gasiamis 1:08 If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find it on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . So what did we speak about in today’s episode? Well, Jonathan and Brittany joined me to share their extraordinary journey of resilience, recovery and transformation after Jonathan survived a hemorrhagic stroke caused by anabolic steroid overuse. Jonathan opens up about the day his life changed forever, from the subtle signs Brittany noticed to his grim diagnosis at the hospital. Bill Gasiamis 1:45 We explore the impact of anabolic steroids on his health and how they led to dangerously high blood pressure and the devastating brain bleed that followed. Jonathan also reflects on his emotional recovery battling anxiety and depression and the lessons he learned about prioritizing health over esthetics. Brittany offers powerful insights into her role as caregiver, from navigating the challenges of supporting Jonathan through recovery to balancing the needs of their six children. Bill Gasiamis 2:20 Together, they share how humor, family, support and resilience help them find light in the darkest moments. This conversation also dives into Jonathan’s mission to raise awareness about the dangers of steroid overuse and inspire others to make healthier choices if you’re a stroke survivor, caregiver or someone interested in the intersection of fitness and health, this episode will leave you inspired and motivated. Let’s dive in. Bill Gasiamis 2:51 Jonathan and Brittany, welcome to the podcast. Jonathan 2:55 Thank you. Glad to be here. Bill Gasiamis 2:58 Take two guys, we tried this last week, didn’t work. I’m glad to have you back here today. Jonathan, let’s start with you. Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Jonathan 3:09 Yeah, man, so what happened to me? It was August, 20, 2024 about roughly 15, almost 16 weeks ago, I got up about 4am like I normally do. I normally get up, have some coffee, scroll through my phone, then I crawl back into bed with my wife, Brittany. We snuggle until about 5am and then she gets up and normally gets in the shower. I typically head to the gym. That’s our morning routine every day of the week. Jonathan 3:41 This particular morning, she went to the bathroom before she got in the shower, she looked in the bedroom and saw that I had not gotten up yet. So she kind of come over to me and said, “Hey, you’re not going to the gym? Hey.” And I started mumbling, really funny, really weird. And I tried to get up, but I couldn’t quite get up, so she helped me up, but I was stumbling. Really couldn’t walk, didn’t have any balance. She knew something was wrong. Hospital Experience and Initial Diagnosis Jonathan 4:10 Right then she took me in the living room, sat me down, she got the kids ready, got them off to school, and I still was acting funny, still couldn’t walk, so she rushed me to the ER. After getting to the ER, the doctor there immediately said, I think he’s having a stroke. I need to do a CAT scan. So they scan my brain. He immediately came out and told Brittany, it’s not looking good. He looks like his brain is bleeding pretty bad. We’re going to have to transport him up an hour north to this Chattanooga CHI Memorial Hospital. Jonathan 4:47 That’s where they have a good neurological team, and they can try to save his life. So they transported me up there. From there, I don’t remember anything. I really don’t remember anything of that morning. They transported me up to CHI Hospital in Chattanooga. For three full days I was unconscious. On the fourth day, I regained consciousness, but barely. But the doctor was in the hospital room, and he told me that I was a miracle. 77% of people with the left thalamus brain bleed like I had -I’d lost so much blood- die, they basically pass away. Jonathan 5:33 The other 23% are severely disabled. I’m lucky that I’m alive, and I’m going to have a tough road to recovery. At that time, he was telling me that I could not walk. I had no movement or function out of my right arm. My face was fine. I looked normal in my face. I just was very tired, unconscious. My speech was slurring still, and I could not walk, and I could not really use my right arm. And that’s when my wife came up to get me now, and we went home. Jonathan 6:07 They tried to get me to stay at the hospital for recovery, but the hospital being an hour away and us having six children in school, I couldn’t stay up there, and she wouldn’t be able to stay with me. So we decided. I have a gym here at home, and I decided to do recovery and therapy on my own here at home. So that’s kind of the story of the stroke happened and how we got here. Bill Gasiamis 6:33 Brittany, in the morning at 5 o’clock. It’s pretty normal for somebody not to want to get out of bed. What was it for you that made you go back and check up on him and make sure he was okay? Because nobody I know wants to get out of bed at five in the morning. Brittany 6:52 Well, he has, like, a military routine, so him not being at the gym is like, it don’t happen. Yeah, I just knew, like, was wrong, you know. And then he started mumbling. I’m like, you know, it was very weird, and you don’t think, ‘Oh, well, he’s having a stroke. It’s not like ‘Oh, bless. Brittany 7:20 I mean, the right side of my face is paralyzed or anything like that, like you, you know, you kind of have a little knowledge on people who have strokes. And it wasn’t just like all one right side is like you couldn’t walk at all, and it’s just so I didn’t know what to think. To be honest with you. Bill Gasiamis 7:39 Same reward seemed more dramatic than something that you could kind of let him take a rest about. Brittany 7:47 Yeah, no, something’s definitely wrong. I mean, he rarely even get sick. Jonathan 7:56 What was so devastating was when the doctor told her that she needs to get prepared for the worst, because most people don’t come out of this. That was the most devastating part, because upon getting to the ER, she just thought I was having an allergic reaction or something. She had no clue that it was a stroke, more or less a brain bleed so bad. Bill Gasiamis 8:25 What’s it like, Brittany? Like you’ve never heard that before said about your husband, these doctors, are they being are they giving you any hope? Are they saying there’s a, like, a small chance anything? Or they’re just telling you worst case scenario? Brittany 8:42 I guess it was more just like worst case scenario, the hot like I said, the hospital here is not equipped at all, so they’re just by telling you when things like ‘Oh well, we got to hurry and transport them as quickly as possible. Not getting to talk to the doctor right away in the Ted Nuza Hospital, and then finally, talking to him, he’s like ‘Well, there’s so much pressure on the brain. And you know, it’s one of those things where they can’t just say ‘Oh yeah, he’ll be fine, or anything like that. Because he’s so bad. Bill Gasiamis 9:21 They really don’t know, time they’re hoping for the best. Brittany 9:28 Yeah, they’re pretty much. You just have to monitor them and, you know, do another CT scan and then do an MRI and see if there’s, like if the bleeding has stopped. But we can’t do that for such and such amount of hours, and so it’s like, you just have to wait and live in fear and pray, and you know. Bill Gasiamis 9:51 What about the children at that time? How do you tell them what’s happening? What did you go through there? Let’s take a quick pause. Here to reflect on Jonathan and Brittany’s remarkable story so far, their journey shows the resilience it takes to face life after a stroke, the power of family support and the courage to overcome immense challenges. If this podcast has brought value to your recovery or inspired you in any way, I’d love your support on Patreon, at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Bill Gasiamis 10:25 Becoming a Patreon not only helps sustain the podcast, but also allows you to be a part of a community dedicated to growth and healing. If you’re looking for additional resources, remember to check out my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It has been described as super helpful, and one reader said bill comes off so positive, his book and podcast will leave you hooked, whether you’re just starting your recovery or further along. Bill Gasiamis 10:55 The book is available on Amazon and at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Now let’s get back to Jonathan and Brittany’s story and hear more about how they’re navigating recovery with strength and determination. Brittany 11:11 Well, when they came home from school, I told my boys that I didn’t really explain to them the whole stroke thing, because I felt like they would not quite get it. I just had to, kind of like he’s in the hospital, you know, and just lightly say everything’s going to be okay. I can’t just go and tell them ‘Well, I don’t know what’s going to happen, you know. Brittany 11:38 And then I told my girls, since they’re older, what had happened, and trying to explain to them to see if they were even knowledgeable at you know, to some circumstance they they’ve heard, you know what a stroke is, but not knowing the details of we don’t know what’s going to happen. Jonathan 11:57 And again, we have six kids. We have our three girls are oldest, but one’s almost 15, one’s 13 and one’s 11. Our boys, we have twin boys, they’re 9 years old, and we have a little boy who’s six. Bill Gasiamis 12:11 And the 15 year old’s very capable of, kind of taking over the family for a small amount of time getting the kids organized and getting it right. ‘Okay, that’s really good. So then you’re in hospital, and this is all surreal to me, because this short amount of time for you to be on the podcast since your injury, and you’re scared and all that kind of stuff is unheard of. And to be speaking to me the way that you’re speaking to me in the capacity that you have, is really fabulous. Bill Gasiamis 12:51 Let me just make sure that what I’m trying to do is like, express how profoundly joyful it is to see somebody who’s been through what you’ve been through to be on my podcast already and in your condition. So tell me about first it’s we’re at that stage of so much pressure. We don’t know what it’s going to have, what’s going to happen. We don’t know if he’s going to get through it, and then how many days to get to the other side where. Actually, I think he’s going to be okay. How many days did it take to get to there? Jonathan 13:26 It was, I think on day four, I just all of a sudden woke up. I hadn’t been conscious the whole time, but on day four I woke up. The doctor happened to be in my room. He was the only one there and a nurse, and he looked at me and said, ‘Welcome back, son. He’s the older gentleman, and he looked at me and said ‘You’re a miracle, because we weren’t sure if we were going to get you back. He and that’s when he told me the statistics, 77% of people pass away. Jonathan 13:58 The other 23% normally either never walk again, or they’re severely disabled. And at the time, that scared me, but I was able to talk a little bit. I was able to understand, but still really fuzzy. But he told me, he said ‘The bleeding is stopped, the pressure is going down, we’re going to keep you here for a couple of weeks for rehab. And that’s when I called my wife. She came up there, and we basically told him ‘We can’t stay I’ll go home and do rehab. Just need the rest and and that’s when we went home, and being home the story is even more amazing. Bill Gasiamis 14:41 We’ll talk about that in a minute. But what deficits were you left with? What did you have to deal with to recover from? Jonathan 14:49 I couldn’t really walk, I had to use a wheelchair first. My legs just would not really move. Now I could stand up, but they were weak taking steps, really hard. My right arm really didn’t have any strength, I could move it, but it didn’t have any strength, any grip strength. My left arm seemed like nothing had happened, and then, of course, my eyesight was a little messed up. Things were blurry, I felt lightheaded, and my speech was really, really slurred. Bill Gasiamis 15:20 Okay, and you discharged yourself from hospital because it was too far, and you came home with all of those conditions. Jonathan 15:29 Yes, sir. Bill Gasiamis 15:31 Brittany, what was it like having that guy, this version of your guy back home? Brittany 15:39 It definitely was different. But, I mean, we made it through, you know, I told him, granted, I had to keep reminding him, like every five minutes, because he would forget stuff and I’d have to repeat it. That is going to be alright, I’m going to take care of you no matter what. I pushed him around the wheelchair until he moved to the walker, I helped him with everything. Jonathan 16:02 Bill, I don’t want to make a joke of this, but this, we had some hilarious times too. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen that movie, 51st dates. It’s with Drew Barrymore. Well, in that movie, there’s a guy that had a traumatic brain injury, and every 10 seconds he would lose his memory and forget. And so I would walk around and say ‘Hi, I’m Tom, and then seconds later, I’d say ‘Hi, I’m Tom. So we had a little fun with it too. Bill Gasiamis 16:34 Sounds like you had some fun with it. Brittany would have been thinking ‘Oh my gosh, has he actually forgotten who he is? Does he think is Tom, yeah, I know that movie. It’s good to observe and sort of to turn things into, to kind of create a little a little bit of light laughter about the situation, because it’s pretty serious. And if you’re going to be serious the whole time, I mean, it’s going to be really stressful. I know there’s some stroke survivors who don’t believe there’s anything funny about stroke, but man. Bill Gasiamis 17:06 I reckon there’s tons of stuff funny about stroke. I had some moments where I was in the most sort of serious state before my surgery in 2014 and my I was in the hospital getting preparation, getting prepared for surgery, and they do all the pre tests and all that kind of stuff. And my blade had settled down just enough so that I could get to surgery. They checked us out, and then when we were doing that, when I was doing that final examination, and they sent me home. Bill Gasiamis 17:41 It was probably about three hours worth of tests or different tests to know what they’re dealing with for surgery. When they sent me home, I started having a dizzy spell, and I started noticing all this weird stuff happening, like I was out of my out of my head, out of my brain. I don’t know what it was. It was like, really surreal kind of experience, and we go and admit, I go back from I leave the area where I was getting all the tests done, different part of the hospital, and I go to emergency. Bill Gasiamis 18:12 And I say I was here for tests for surgery in a week, blah, blah, blah, and now I’m having an episode. I think this thing might be bleeding again, because it bled three times, and I’m not feeling well. And they initially said ‘Okay, well, you look all right, can you go and sit down on the chair, just in emergency with your wife, and then we’ll get somebody out to come and help you. I said ‘Fine. I went and sat down, and then there was this kid sitting next to me. He must have been on the autistic spectrum or something, right? Family Strength: Brittany’s Support and Steroid Abuse and Stroke Journey Bill Gasiamis 18:46 And he was sitting next to me, and I was holding onto the the armrests of the chair, and he was too. And every once in a while, he kind of rubbed his hand on my hand, not accidentally, kind of thing, you know, we just touched hands. And then a little while later, I heard his mom say something to the tune of ‘You were in the toilet, yeah. And he goes ‘Yes. And then she said to him ‘Did you wash your hands? And in that moment, all of my stroke symptoms went away, and the only thing I could think of was I have got to get up and go and wash my hands. Bill Gasiamis 19:27 And I said to my wife ‘You need to sit here, wait for me. I’m going to go to the toilet and wash my hands. And all the drug symptoms, all the stuff that I was experiencing, all the blurriness just vanished, immediately vanished. I went to the toilet, I washed my hands, and I came and sat down, and then I just kept my hands on my lap, so we wouldn’t interact in that way with this young kid again. So I feel like, if you look for it, there are moments where you can make light of the situation. Bill Gasiamis 20:01 Because I think it’s really helpful. So now the this stroke story is going to take a little bit of a turn, because we know what happened to you, we know how you got home, we know what you’re like now. But why did this happen? That’s the big question here, because it’s a very different why to why most other people have strokes. So you hear about strokes, that’s that about 80, depending on who you hear it from 80 to 90% of strokes are preventable, and that is a really staggering number. Anabolic Steroid Abuse and Stroke Bill Gasiamis 20:40 This means that of the millions of people who have strokes, most of the strokes are unnecessary. It’s lifestyle factors that causes it right? And you hear about the regular lifestyle factors, smoking, drinking excessively, being overweight, not checking blood pressure, diabetes, you name it. We’ve heard them all. We know the ones that they are, but your situation was different. So tell me about what caused your stroke. Jonathan 21:10 Well, really quickly. I want to give it some context. It started when I was younger. I was with chubby, you know, little fat kid. I grew up with body dysmorphia if you know what that is. And so as I got older, right around 40 years old, I had a friend that lived in Arizona, and he turned me on to steroids. So I started doing steroids about six or seven years ago, I started off with mild steroids like testosterone and some SARM selective androgen receptor modules, very mild stuff and they did good building muscle. Jonathan 21:55 But they didn’t give me that lean, cut up look that I wanted. I wanted to be super muscular, I wanted to look like Superman. So the past like three years, I started trying harder steroids than multiple stories and stacking stories. They call it stacking when you use multiple compounds. Testosterone has but I started using things like wind straw that helps dry you up, make you look dry and cut, I started using things like trend alone, which builds muscle, builds strength, but also makes you look extremely muscular. Jonathan 22:28 Every piece of food you put in you, I don’t care if it’s a donut, it’s going to your muscle cells, it’s making you muscular. The thing about these steroids are you still gotta put in the work, you still gotta lift the weights, you just heal. And it happens a lot faster when you gotta you still gotta eat enough protein and work out. So what I had done is I made the big mistake of I did a cycle about a year ago, a little over a year ago, of trembolone and Anabar and wind straw with the testosterone, and I never came off. Jonathan 23:03 You’re supposed to cycle it 12 weeks and then take 12 weeks off. If I would have done that, I probably would have been okay. But this time I cycled on and never came off. I started to look so good, so muscular, so cut up that I just couldn’t imagine coming off of it in my body. Because when you do come off, you do fluff up. I call it fluff up a little bit, gain a little bit of body fat, but you don’t, you don’t lose a lot. But I didn’t want that anymore. I stayed on it, and that’s what led to my blood pressure shooting up sky high. Jonathan 23:39 I ignored it, and it kept shooting up just two or three weeks before this happened. Bill, he had me in the ER because my blood pressure was too high, and they gave me medicine. Got my blood pressure down. I went on home, and I still injected the steroids the next day. And so I asked for this, it was my fault. But yeah, the steroids took me out, it caused that artery to rupture in my vein due to high blood pressure. Bill Gasiamis 24:08 Yeah, okay, so, Brittany, what’s it like experiencing that, knowing that this was preventable, that it should never have happened, and then watching it happen. Now, I understand that there’s some other stuff going on. This relationship is, you know, full of many different experiences and things and wife issues and husband issues and kid issues. Like, I totally get that, and I don’t want to cause, create any kind of conversation that is uncomfortable for you guys. Bill Gasiamis 24:42 But I am curious, since on the podcast, you’re all willingly here, what’s it like being the wife of a person who has body dysmorphia? Let’s acknowledge that, and then B also takes this path to try and improve his physique I suppose. Brittany 25:04 I don’t know, I have a little bit of body dysmorphia, but I would never touch anything. But it’s I would say that I was definitely not knowledgeable about steroids. I’ve never researched anything, looked anything into anything. It’s not something that like, you know, you hear some people take steroids and they’re just mean, it was nothing like that. So I’m like ‘Well, you know, but having high blood pressure and ignoring it. Jonathan 25:38 The real, only side effect I got from the steroids were high blood pressure. I never got mean, I never got angry, I never got violent, destructive. It didn’t do those things to me, like you hear sometimes. It made me pretty normal. Now, it did raise my libidos through the roof, which, you know, that’s one of the side effects, and it generally made me pretty calm. It wasn’t bad like that. Bill Gasiamis 26:07 When it raises the libido, you don’t necessarily see that as a negative either. Jonathan 26:13 No, but it well, it can be negative like, yeah, trim alone raises your libido to where you can’t stop thinking about it. So 10, 15, times a minute, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 26:30 Okay, so impacts the way you think, not only the way your body. Jonathan 26:34 Oh yes. Bill Gasiamis 26:34 But also the way you think about it. Jonathan 26:38 Yep, absolutely. Bill Gasiamis 26:40 Okay, and that was really interesting. What Brittany said, like, you didn’t know much about steroids, and he and the only thing we generally hear about is, you know, they’ve got roid rage. We hear that every so often, and that’s about the only thing I know about steroids. And you didn’t see any real major changes, and you thought ‘Well, seems to be going, okay, friends, getting the result. Yeah, just kidding. Jonathan 27:11 I was result-driven. I got the results. Quickly she saw that, she saw how happy it made me. And I didn’t let her know all the dangers. I just told her ‘Hey, this is something I’m taking. Don’t worry about it, it’ll be okay. And then, you know, I just kept on going. Bill Gasiamis 27:32 And when you look back now, did it actually make you happy, or was it not real happiness? It was just like a smoke screen of what you thought happiness, where you thought happiness came from. Jonathan 27:46 That’s right, it was more like a smoke screen. It was something I’d wanted my whole life, so I’d started to obtain it. And so that did make me happy, but it was more of a smoke screen because I knew that once I stopped taking it, I was going to lose some of what I gained. Bill Gasiamis 28:03 That’s the hook, that’s the whole thing. How often were you training? Jonathan 28:11 Every day, six, sometimes seven days a week? Bill Gasiamis 28:14 Hence, why? How many? Jonathan 28:21 Sometimes multiple hours a day. Bill Gasiamis 28:25 How much are you eating? Jonathan 28:28 Man, probably anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day when I was in my bulking phase to put on size, but I cut it back to about 3000 when I was trying to lean up and cut up. Bill Gasiamis 28:42 And the bulking time is that part of that cycle where you are trying to put muscle on so that the muscle gets a larger. And then the cutting time is it time where you’re going and doing any kind of shows, or is it just summer? When is it? When do you kind of go into the cutting phase? Jonathan 29:09 So bulking is just like you said, you’re trying to put on more muscle mass, but when you put on muscle mass, you have to eat a lot more. So you are going to get a little bit fluffy, put on a little bit of body fat. The cutting phase is more trying to get that dry look, lose all the water you’re retaining, lose all the body fat you’re retaining. Just kind of look like a Greek god. You just you’re chiseled everywhere. Bill Gasiamis 29:33 Yeah, that’s such a fake thing. That’s such a temporary time, isn’t it? To be like that. How long can you sustain looking like that? Jonathan 29:46 Well, if you’re taking the drugs, you can sustain for good if you’re on them, but if you’re off, you’ll lose most of that muscle mass, and you’ll definitely start to lose that dry look, probably within a month. Bill Gasiamis 30:02 So when you’re looking great, you’re looking in the mirror, you’re loving it when you’re bulking up. Are you okay with the way that you look when you’re bulking up, or are you totally hating it? Jonathan 30:14 I’m okay with it, not totally happy with it, but okay, because I know that I’m I’m gonna put on size that I’m gonna rip up, and I’m gonna look bigger and more cut. Now, one of the other things that you get is a lot of strength. You’re talking about average guy, five foot eight, I weigh 185 pounds. Now, when I’m doing those steroids, I’m benching 500 pounds. I can’t do that now. I’m not on anything now, so I can’t do that now. Bill Gasiamis 30:46 So what about wear and tear joints, on your joints and all that, because of the steroids, are they healing quicker? There isn’t so much wear and tear. What happens there? Jonathan 30:55 When you’re on the steroids, you don’t feel any pain. It’s like it’s not there, non existent. But now that I’m off of steroids, I have shoulder pain. I have joint pain. Yeah, it’s pretty common. Fluffy but Loved: A 16-Year Journey of Humor and Affection Bill Gasiamis 31:06 So, Brittany, you’re with a guy who for whatever reason, we’ll try and see if we can unpack the reason in a little bit, for whatever reason, looks after his body and looks great. Have you ever seen him in the time that you’ve known him, the time that he’s been a dad and all that kind of stuff, to not look great, to think ‘Oh, this guy doesn’t look good. Brittany 31:36 I think he’s always looked great. Jonathan 31:39 But pretty fluffy so. Bill Gasiamis 31:43 Compared to who like in your eyes or like in. Jonathan 31:50 Well, you know, yes, in her eyes too. She knew I was chubby, so we’ve been together 16 years. I’d say the first eight to 10 years. I was a little fluffy, I was a little overweight and but she still love me. Bill Gasiamis 32:06 That’s what I’m getting at, right? Didn’t seem to be an issue, but for you, was it always an underlying issue? Jonathan 32:15 Yes, yes. Bill Gasiamis 32:17 Okay, Friday, so I’m just trying to get the psychology of the whole thing. You know, the thing that makes you make a decision, it’s like a drug. It becomes, it is a drug, I know steroids are. But we’re talking about the drug of the look, not the steroid, per se, the look and how you want to perceive yourself or other people to perceive is it about other people, how they perceive you, or is it about you? Jonathan 32:45 All I want other people to look at me and say ‘Wow, look at that guy. And I also want to think of that myself. But like I said, all this comes from body dysmorphia and there’s a long history of it. In my life, I was raised up with no father, my mother was a heroin addict. My mother died of a heroin overdose when I was 14. I found her dead. Jonathan 33:09 My entire life, I never had anybody telling me they love me. No parents to raise me. I had a deep, deep and dark childhood, and so that helped create the body dysmorphia I needed people to love me. I needed them to love what they saw that would help me love what I saw. And that was the reason for the body dysmorphia. Bill Gasiamis 33:32 Brittany, is this the same guy that you knew just a few weeks ago talking this wisdom, literally a few weeks ago, was it? Yeah, that kind of stuff from coming then, yeah, he’s changed heaps. It sounds like the old you wasn’t considering any of these things. It sounds like you’ve changed heaps in that time. Is that right, Brittany? Bill Gasiamis 34:09 That’s a great turnaround. I mean, I’m trying to emphasize that for the purpose of how quickly things can change, how quickly your mind can kind of fall into line and give you, give you information and wisdom that you didn’t have before. So how are you how do you see yourself different? How have you sort of noticed that transition? Jonathan 34:30 Well, one thing is doing the steroids. Most of what I gained from doing the steroids has not gone away. I’m still in good shape, just not as muscular, not as strong, but the perspective I’ve gained is I’m almost 50 years old. I got a loving wife. I’ve been with her for so long, and I have six children with her, and they’re all, I’m all they got, and I have to provide for them and take care of them. Jonathan 35:01 And the thought of not being here and them struggling without me scares me, and so I’ve made it a mission of mine to stay healthy, to eat right, to not do any nicotine, not I’ve even cut back where I don’t even drink caffeinated coffee. I drink decaf. I’m gonna change this. I feel like this is the second half of my life, and now’s the time to do it right. Bill Gasiamis 35:26 Yeah, you know, with all the dramas of your life, being a young kid of 14, discovering what you discovered, being without your Dad, did you have any support during that time from any other extended family, from counseling services. Did you go? Did you have any support whatsoever? Jonathan 35:47 No, my mother sent me to counseling services to get medication that I was supposed to take for issues I had as a child. But the medication was not for me. My mother would take them and sell them and then shoot them up, you know, do dope with them. So I didn’t really have a support system. Bill Gasiamis 36:09 So has it been what’s life like been after you became an adult? Have you been able to transition into work properly at the beginning of this sort of after you’re 18 and all that kind of stuff. How did you kind of move out of that teenage phase where you’re meant to be unruly, crazy, not listening to anyone, when you have your parents around, but you had to do without your parents. So what was that transition like for you into adulthood? Jonathan 36:40 I’ll let you know a little secret. I don’t tell many people, but since we’re here, I’ll tell you, it took it was a hard road at 17 years old, when my mother died, I found out that somebody shot her up with too much dope and robbed her. Well, I ran into that person when I was 17 years old and almost killed him. I went to prison for 10 years. I didn’t get out till I was 26 years old, and that’s when I made the transition I was I told myself ‘I’m too young for this, I can’t be a criminal. Jonathan 37:16 I don’t want to go down the same path my mother went down. And I changed my, I turned my life around. Started studying information technology, studying computers, and then I got my first job, doing help desk, and I worked my way up to now. I work for a software company, and I’m a senior director of digital transformation now. So it was a long, hard road. I had to start from the bottom, but everything about me was about ‘Hey, I’m not supposed to be here. I’m going to prove them I am supposed to be here. Jonathan 37:51 And I met my wife early in that journey, and she supported everything I did. We had to move, we moved from Virginia to California to New York to Texas to Florida twice. I mean, we’ve moved around a lot, and she’s been pregnant most of that time, but she still supported me, because I could not stay in the environment that I grew up in. I had to get away and start over new. Bill Gasiamis 38:20 Yeah. Now that is intense, you to be commended. It sounds like though your dramatic moments in your life are really important for you to turn the next page and create this next chapter. You know different version of yourself, and you seem to really learn from your mistakes, based on what you’ve already described about what happened to you only a few months ago and also many years ago. Bill Gasiamis 38:55 So Brittany, from your perspective, where are things at now? What other things that you need to pay attention to and support for, like, what’s left with regards to the stroke that needs to needs the continued support. Brittany 39:16 Just life. Jonathan 39:19 Yeah, one, a couple of you know, I make a joke of the stroke and the recovery, but early on, it’s been almost 16 weeks. So when I say early on, it was more like I was four weeks after the stroke, I started to experience a lot of anxiety and a lot of depression came with it too, and I’ve never had anxiety or depression ever in my life, really, that I can remember. But all of a sudden I start worrying about everything, what I’m eating, am I going to have another stroke? Jonathan 39:52 You know, so much worry, and that turned to depression. Some days I’d wake up and I feel like there’s the in total despair, like, what is there left to live for? And this beautiful woman right here pulled me out of it every single time she made sure that I knew ‘Hey, you’re loved, you can’t go anywhere, you’re going to be okay. And that was the most important thing I needed. Then I don’t have any real anxiety anymore depression, but that was one of the toughest things I experienced since recovering from the strength. Healing, Hope, and Progress: A Journey After Steroid Abuse and Stroke Bill Gasiamis 40:25 So, I am honestly, like, I’m in a bit of situation where I’ve never been before. Things seem to have progressed really well, very short amount of time where, what are the doctors saying about this blood vessel now, about the bleed, about your blood pressure. Where is all of that? Jonathan 40:46 Well, from what the doctor said, they did more CAT scans. They’ve done more checks since the stroke, and they said ‘Everything looks good. There’s no blockages, there’s no plaque buildup because I’ve been paying a lot of attention to cholesterol, and I’ve gotten scanned from head to toe, just looking, are there any plaque filled up, anything narrow blood vessels and nothing, everything looks good. So everything within my brain looks good, everything through my body. Jonathan 41:14 The blood pressure was running really high at first. It’s now stabilized, not because of lifestyle. I’m eating right, drinking right, doing all the right things. It was mainly because I was anxious. I had a lot of anxiety, and so that was shooting my blood pressure up. Now I’m on blood pressure medicine, but it’s stabilized. Now I’m not I don’t have as much anxiety or anything like that. So right now, I feel like I’m as healthy as I’ve ever been. Brittany 41:42 And that lesson, and God came with more recovery. It’s like ‘Oh, today I wake up and I feel clear. And, you know, my sight is good, the lights aren’t bothering me. It’s like that progress and like ‘Oh, I am getting better. I’m not going to have another stroke. And, you know, and then it’s like, and she’s there to reassure getting better and better every day. Bill Gasiamis 42:08 So as the as things improve, as the risk perhaps decreases, as everything starts to stabilize, then the mind can be eased, and then with a little bit of support and a little bit of encouragement, then those thoughts can go away. Then that makes sense that anxiety is kind of around when you’re unwell. Completely makes sense that it’s part of that illness. And many stroke survivors comment about exactly the same thing will happen on the stroke. Bill Gasiamis 42:40 And kind of put themselves in a situation where they’re overthinking all the things which is very normal and and that’s good. That means that you’re able to be around for your family and for your wife and for everybody that needs you and loves you, and where, where are you at with the body dysmorphia, part of the whole journey? How do you think about that? Jonathan 43:07 Now, I honestly do not even think about it. The thing is, Bill, I started going back to the gym, and I have a gym at home, and now I’ve gotten my weight back up to around 185 I’m still about 20-25, pounds lighter. But as I look in the mirror and I’m lifting weights, the same veins still pop out, the same muscle, and I’m like ‘Wow, I still got it. I don’t need body muscle. I look good, and I’m no drugs, no stimulants, no anything. I’m just going to do it all natural. Bill Gasiamis 43:42 That’s it perfectly, that’s good, that keeps you healthy, that keeps your muscle mass, that keeps you strong, that does all the amazing things that being physically active always. Did you know? Jonathan 43:54 Did you know what else? I want to talk to people. I’ve decided that I want to get out there and start to speak, to tell people what happened to me, the dangers of using steroids, the dangers of using some of these supplements, let them know my story and what I went through, and hopefully help somebody else one day. Bill Gasiamis 44:19 I think that’s really important, lot of stroke survivors do that. They want to reach out and make sure people know about the risks of whatever it was that they were doing that caused their preventable stroke. For example, I’ve interviewed a couple of guys who’ve had damage to their carotid artery as a result, I think it was the karate artery as a result of jiu jitsu choking. So they’re in Ju-Jitsu, they’re training, you know, they’re practicing, and they’re competing. Bill Gasiamis 44:51 So in the compete, in the competitions, either the opponent is trying to choke them out, because it’s a quick way to get a tap out. So, in training, they’re practicing choking people out. I mean, I can’t think of anything more stupid, to be honest, than practicing to choke people out. Now, the couple of guys that I interviewed had some damage to the back of their necks. And as a result of that, they had a stroke. Bill Gasiamis 45:23 And as a result of that, you know, they went through a lot of the dramas that we’ve always already spoken about on this podcast episode and many others before this. And they wanted to reach out and make sure that they told people of the dangers of Ju-Jitsu, that part of it specifically where there’s a lot of blunt force trauma, there’s impact to the arteries, and people don’t realize how sensitive they are, and what they were experiencing was dissections. Bill Gasiamis 45:52 So the inside of the artery was just tearing off a little bit, and it was creating a little flap. Now there’s nothing wrong with the artery. It’s not going to break and bleed or anything like that further. But that little tear inside that creates the flap inside the blood vessel changes the blood flow and causes clots. That was that’s the only thing it does. Sometimes it heals by itself, it goes back and it goes back to position. Other times it needs to be clipped. But the guys reach out. We need to tell people about this thing. Bill Gasiamis 46:22 Because nobody talks about the injuries that are associated to the brain after Ju-Jitsu. So that’s common, and I really like the fact that you reached out for that reason and also prepared to tell me about things that a lot of people wouldn’t be prepared to tell somebody on a podcast that goes worldwide, you know, now, with regards to the steroids, are there any withdrawal symptoms? Do you notice anything other than how much you can lift, etc? Do you notice the body kind of needing to reset? Jonathan 46:59 The body kinda reset it. First, my strength went down really low. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the stroke or was it just because I came off the steroids, but my strength went really low, so I’ve had to reset and build that back up. Now it’s come comes back pretty quick, it’s called muscle memory. It came back pretty quick. I’m still not as strong, I probably will never be as strong as I used to be, because I’m going to be clean now. Jonathan 47:26 But there is a part two, coming off steroids that’s mental as well before, prior to the stroke and I was on the heavy steroids every day and working out every day, and my wife can attest to this. I lived and breathed body building. I lived and breathed lifting weights. I looked in the mirror constantly. It’s all I thought about, it’s all I did. And man, you know that part of my life’s gone now. It’s different. Jonathan 47:57 So there wasn’t a tad bit of depression at first, not doing that anymore, not having anything like my goal was to be super strong, super big, super muscular. Now that’s not my goal anymore. So I had to refine myself. I had to find new goals, new hopes, new things to do with my time and because sitting around just makes you depressed. Jonathan 48:21 So now I’ve put my focus into let’s go out and help other people. You know, I can stay in shape going to the gym. I’m almost 50 years old, I don’t need to be big and, you know, bodybuilder anymore. Let’s go out and help people. Bill Gasiamis 48:39 Yeah, would you say there’s a little bit of OCD in that level of trying to build weight obsessive compulsive disorder? Is it? Because it seems like it’s an OCD kind of pursuit in that, oh my gosh, you know that that muscle is not popping the way it needs to the one that no one else has ever seen. Brittany, it was, was he? Look at my back. Tell me what it looks like all the time. Brittany 49:11 Yes, take a picture of my back. Let me see I’m like, it looks good. Jonathan 49:17 Yeah, even when it looked good, I could find issues with it. So, yeah, it’s definitely OCD a part of it. Shifting Focus: From Gym Junkie to Mentor and Role Model Bill Gasiamis 49:24 So that I and then the transition I can imagine is very different. You were focusing on nothing but your body the gym. You were a gym junkie, basically, yeah, and what are you focusing on now? Where are your thoughts now? Who are they on now? Jonathan 49:42 Well, I work in technology. I’m focusing now on growing my knowledge in technology, again, because it’s a never ending learning thing you have to do in technology. I’m focusing on helping my company. I’m at a director level. I can be a President, Vice President, one day I have the wits about me, and now I’m focusing my time on I want to help people. I want to put the news the message. Not only want to do I want to help people that are thinking about or doing steroids, the dangers. Jonathan 50:17 I want to help people, coaching them, mentoring them in real life. There are a lot of kids out here that have went through what I went through, not having parents, having a deceased parent, living on the streets, being poverty stricken. Well, I come from all of that. I’ve seen nothing but violence, drugs, sexual abuse, things like that as a kid. And there’s gotta be kids out there that I can reach and help get through that. Jonathan 50:41 There’s adults that’s that are hooked on drugs, that are they’re doing having substance abuse issues that need somebody like me to to mentor them and coach them along. And that’s where I really my passions there. I want to help these people. Bill Gasiamis 50:57 Seems like you’re a good guy, generally speaking, and I haven’t known you for much so, like, it just seems that way. So I’m gonna, I’m very comfortable saying it. Brittany seems like an amazing, supportive person as well. 6 kids, it says a lot about you guys. I can’t, I could barely deal with 2 kids when I was a dad. So to land 6. So my hat goes off to you guys for that. That’s an amazing accomplishment. And one of the things that I’m very conscious of is this the example that I’m setting for my kids. Bill Gasiamis 51:33 Because they’re boys. They were teenagers when I was going through my illness, like the real serious part of it. And I kind of felt like, how do I want the example to be about how I’m going to go through the recovery? And, you know, because I could go through it really badly, I could be really annoying and terrible and make it all about me, and, you know, not take other people into consideration. And of course, when I had a stroke, it’s not just me that has it. Bill Gasiamis 52:06 Everyone goes through it, the whole family, extended family, etc, when you were going to the gym and doing the weights, if your kids had come to you and said ‘Hey, I’m going to go to the gym and start shooting up steroids. Would that have been okay with you? Would you have? Brittany 52:26 No. Bill Gasiamis 52:27 No, Brittany immediately. I didn’t even finish the sentence, and Jonathan, though as well. But that’s the thing about it is, is that the dysmorphia part of it sort of stops you from seeing that thing that you wouldn’t let your kids do. That’s not okay for them, it was still okay for you. Jonathan 52:47 Yeah. I mean, I knew the dangers of steroids, but I kept doing them because of my own issues. Now, for my children, they did. They went to the gym with me, they worked out with me, they always asked to go with me and I took them, but there was never any speaking of steroid use or supplement using. They’d see me make my morning shake, but that’s about it. Bill Gasiamis 53:10 Yeah, and did they learn later that this is the reason why I ended up in hospital? Have they learned that yet? Jonathan 53:18 No, they don’t know anything about steroids, and I’m going to try to keep it from them as long as I can, when one day when they can understand, I’ll let them know, but that is a long time from now, I just let them know I had a stroke, and I’m still training and still working hard. Now I get excited about my milestones, and when I make accomplishments, I’ll let them know about that. And my little boys, 9 years old, they come up to me and say ‘Ain’t no stroke going to keep you down. So that’s great, that’s a feel good moment. Bill Gasiamis 53:50 Yeah, what happens if they stumble on this podcast interview? And for some reason, your teenage kids, which they probably never will, but decide to actually listen to it and go, beginning to end. Jonathan 54:04 Well, my girls, are the only ones as teenagers now, and I’ll let them know really quick that do steroids if you want, you’ll be looking like a guy. Bill Gasiamis 54:16 No, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about if they come across this interview and hear what their dad did. Jonathan 54:24 Yeah, to be honest with you, they’d probably be a little upset with me that I put myself in that kind of danger. But you know, we’re a tight family, like I said, it’s me and her and the kids, that’s all we got. We have no other family, and we’re tight knit, so they realize that ‘Hey, we might make mistakes, but we’re going to move forward. We’re going to move forward. Bill Gasiamis 54:51 Yeah, everyone makes mistakes. The thing about mistakes sometimes is, you know, they end real bad, there was no intention to, right. And that’s the thing about steroids, I know there’s a lot of stories about people who have really made themselves unwell or not made it through some kind of a medical complication as a result of of that. Bill Gasiamis 55:17 And it’s such a good thing to have you here to share that story, to learn your lesson, to look at new ways to I say, I suppose, give energy to that part of you that needs to give energy some it sounds like you’ve got an excessive amount of energy. If you just focus on the wrong thing, it might go there. But if you focus on the right thing and it goes there, then amazing things can happen, like have already happened, right? Bill Gasiamis 55:44 Some of those amazing things include your wife, your family, your kids, clearly, a lot of that energy at the right time was put in the direction of something amazing, and that proof is in the pudding, the outcome is great. And then that you stray off a little bit, and you don’t realize that you’ve strayed off, and you’ve just gone down that little direction that you thought that’s not a big deal. Bill Gasiamis 56:07 You’re going to start down there. But you know that, you know taking a one degree shift off course at the beginning of the journey doesn’t seem so bad, but 10 years down the track, that one degree you know has gone so far off course, you’ve got no idea how you even got there. Jonathan 56:24 Yeah, Bill, I’m one of those people. My personality is, if I’m going to do it, I’m all in. So if I’m going to do something, I’m all in and passionate about it. So I was that way about steroids at one time. Now that I know that I will never do it again. The opposite. I’m completely passionate about not doing it, making sure that I stay clean and do it naturally. Bill Gasiamis 56:51 I like the sound of that, and that probably ends up becoming passionate about advocacy, about being against steroids and not doing steroids and training naturally, because you can influence a lot of people going into that potential path before they get there, or even if they’ve just entered, you could potentially help get them out. Bill Gasiamis 57:15 Because, you know, the underlying reason that it’s happening for a lot of people, it could be body dysmorphia. Do you think that’s a big thing in the gym? Is Body Dysmorphia a huge thing in the gym that people aren’t speaking about? Jonathan 57:29 Yes, I think it’s huge. I think a lot of people have body dysmorphia. They don’t talk about it. But here, in the past 10 years or so, the epide, I call it an epidemic of steroid use, because you got kids now, 16, 1718, that young doing steroids, not because they’re fat, not because they’re underweight or don’t have the potential. Actually at that age, they had the highest potential. Their testosterone levels are so high at that age, that they could build that muscle without drugs. But they want it all, and they want it now. Jonathan 58:07 And there is an epidemic going on of using, I call it peds, performance enhancing drugs. And they’re using everything out here now, everything, and it’s given them a lot of danger. Not only that, I have a stroke and have those health complications from using steroids, it also made my heart thick, the lining of my heart thick. I had heart problems at first, and I had to take medication to get my heart back right at a normal level, and they said that it would be congestive heart failure if I didn’t stop. Jonathan 58:46 And they said they’re glad I stopped. They give me medication now my heart is strengthened back and came back, and it’s doing well now. But steroids not only have dangers with blood pressure and brain and arteries, you have serious, serious complications with your heart. Brittany 59:04 And you really don’t know what you’re injecting into yourself, who you’re getting it from. You can’t trust people, companies. You could be just injecting poison into yourself. Yep, very true. Bill Gasiamis 59:18 Yeah. And these kids, if they’re starting off that young, they’re interfering with their reproduction. They must be interfering with all sorts of things. Jonathan 59:29 Yes, by doing testosterone. And see when you’re doing steroids, testosterone is always the base. You have to have a test, because most of the steroids, the regular ones, it’s the pressure testosterone. So when you start doing testosterone, guess what it does? It cuts off your ability to make your own natural testosterone. So no more babies can’t make babies anymore. You’re shooting, they call it shooting blanks, and you can’t make and then even if you come off of the testosterone, it is extreme. Jonathan 1:00:00 Only difficult to ever produce your on your own anymore. So you might not ever be able to have kids. You might shut your testosterone forever. And if you take too much testosterone, it can have an adverse effect. It can cause gynomasia, which is guys form breast tissue and also it can make you retain a lot of water, which can drive your blood pressure up. It can do a lot of things. So steroids are just they have a lot of complications, and most of these kids out here now are taking them and don’t even know what they’re doing to themselves. The Stroke’s Impact: Jonathan’s Transformation and Future Vision Bill Gasiamis 1:00:39 Yeah, yeah. Well, man, I’m glad you reached out and Tom your story, I’ll be happy to share it and let people know the risks and then, and then, I hope that, hopefully that becomes that sort of foundation for you to take this to the next level and spread the message more in whatever way that you choose to do. So, as we’re coming to the end of the episode, I want to ask you three questions that I ask stroke survivors. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:11 Brittany can answer these as well, because I’ll ask them, and she can answer from the perspective of a caregiver. But for you, first, Jonathan, what’s the hardest thing about stroke so far? Jonathan 1:01:28 So far, the hardest thing has been the depression and the anxiety and wondering, What am I going to do next? Am I going to survive this? Is it going to happen again? Bill Gasiamis 1:01:44 Yeah. And Brittany, what about you? What has been the hardest thing for you to go through while your husband was unwell? Brittany 1:01:53 I would say just the unknown at first and then having to like, suppress my own anxiety, till I do the things to help his anxiety and depression. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:09 So you got to kind of put yourself on pause for right now, stay in the holding pattern, get him over the line, and then get back to yourself, I imagine, at some stage, and sort of start supporting yourself again? Yeah, so this is a big question for you, Jonathan, because it seems like you’ve already spoken about these things, but what have you learned about your stroke or not about your stroke? What has stroke taught you? Advice and Insights for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Jonathan 1:02:39 Yeah, it’s taught me one why I had the stroke, and why did I do those things to begin with, I was a normal, healthy, male, beautiful family wanted to do those things. So it’s taught me to look for other ways to, I don’t know, do things with my time, to care more about myself, put my family above myself, you know, my body dysmorphia. And I’ve learned a lot of scientific information on what a stroke was, how it happens, the different kinds and ways to keep myself healthier, what to prevent. And that’s one of the key things I’ve learned. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:22 What has this time taught you? Brittany. Brittany 1:03:32 Having more empathy for you just never know what somebody’s going through. I mean, you really don’t. You can look totally normal and it can be going through a worse situation. You just never know. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:49 And that’s a interesting thing about people who have strokes with deficits that aren’t visible. For example, if their hand is not injured, or the leg is not injured, if they’re walking, they have what they call invisible deficits, right? And it’s me and my left side hurts and it feels different. My balance is, you know, but you see me in the street, you wouldn’t have a clue. And it’s really hard trying to convince somebody you’re having a really bad day when you look great as like. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:19 The words don’t match the appearance, and it’s like, oh my god, this is so hard, so hard to to convince anybody of anything. But I appreciate what you’re saying. So this is also an interesting question. You could probably talk on this for an hour, which you already have, but I’m going to ask it again anyway, there are other stroke survivors and other people that are listening to this podcast, and they’re trying to get a tip or some advice or some wisdom or whatever they’re trying to gain from it. Right? Bill Gasiamis 1:04:57 What do you? Jonathan? Want to tell the. Stroke Survivors about their journey, and perhaps some other people who may be listening because they’re they’re in the gym, and they found out about you, and now they’re listening to this podcast. What’s the message for the stroke survivors, and what’s the message for people who are not structure wise. Jonathan 1:05:23 Really four different words, resiliency, perseverance, strength and family. You gotta be resilient. You can’t stop. You gotta go. You gotta grind. You gotta keep working as hard as you can and not stop. It’s all about repetition and staying staying with it, and keep working hard, perseverance, knowing in your heart that you’re going to persevere and make it through this. You’re going to do whatever it takes, and you’re going to get through it strength. Jonathan 1:05:55 The strength to get up every day, to face the world with your limitations, with your injuries, anything that’s going on, knowing that you can do it and you’re going to make it passive and being strong. Don’t lay down for anybody. Just keep moving forward. And then family. Look for your family. Look for the people that love you the most, to support you. Stay around them. Jonathan 1:06:17 They’re going to help you get through the rough moments, the anxiety, the depression, things like that. I had my family. This is the only family I’ve got. And if it weren’t for her, I don’t know if I could have made it through so family is so important. That’s what I would tell each and every survivor out there before. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:34 I ask Brittany. Something came up while you were saying that, that’s awesome. What you’ve said those four words, um, was steroids, a short route to something that you could have done that was harder to do. Do you know how you kind of mentioned you put the hard work in, etc. Were you trying to take a short path to that, or were you also doing the hard work and then trying to just take another path? What was that like? Jonathan 1:07:05 Well, again, doing steroids, it helps you get there quicker, but you still gotta put in the hard work. You still gotta lift heavy and all these things, but yes, definitely trying to get there quicker. I didn’t start till I was 40 plus years old, and I was like, Well, I’m behind as it is, so let me get a little help to move ahead faster. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:26 Okay, so that was part of the motivator, okay, yeah. And Brittany, from a caregivers perspective, a wife’s perspective, what, I don’t know, what, what? What would you like to kind of leave for people to consider after what you’ve been through. Brittany 1:07:50 Never give up. There’s always a better day ahead. Don’t, yeah, don’t take the hard road. Don’t take the quick and easy thing. Jonathan 1:08:03 As a caregiver. What would you tell other caregivers? Yeah, how should they be? How should they treat the situation? Because bill a lot of a lot, a lot of times, I see people in stroke groups where their caregiver laughs at them or makes fun of them or doesn’t quite the invisible injuries like you were talking about. They don’t quite see them, so they’re like, Oh, you’re not in pain. Get up. You look fine. Well, you know, you gotta have somebody really understanding and loving to help you through those times. Brittany 1:08:32 Well, that’s just sad, because I don’t know who would say those things to their loved ones or even a stranger, but, yeah. Steroid Abuse and Stroke: Final Thoughts and Encouragement Bill Gasiamis 1:08:41 Ignorant people often not willingly ignorant, just people like I was before true, just ignorant of other people’s experiences, because I was too wrapped up in my own experience. And then I spent some time in a wheelchair, and I realized, oh, people in a wheelchair aren’t just sitting down. There’s a lot more going on. And yeah, I had no idea. And then when I found myself in one and had all the limitations of somebody who’s in a wheelchair, it was like, oh, man, I was an idiot. I had no idea what I was doing. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:19 So that’s, that’s that’s the kind of people that do it, people that are just don’t know any better. It’s great that you’re more aware and you’re more empathetic. It’s probably a female thing as well. Can females tend to be a little more empathetic? I feel at least that’s my experience from the research that I’ve done with all the dumb mates and blokes that I know, but it’s been lovely to chat to you guys. Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing the story. I really appreciate it. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:50 I wish you well in your health, your recovery and Brittany. I wish you some time so that you can start looking after the things that you need to you. Get back onto looking after so you guys can be healthy and well for your children, because there’s no point everybody. There’s still. One of the things that I try to sort of impart on a family who’s going through this is, you know, sometimes the relatives and the family, they kind of all suffer their own version of deterioration or breakdown after a caregiver. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:28 Because they’re a caregiver after their loved one has a stroke, we can’t have 356, people in the family sick at the same time. Let’s look after ourselves so that we can be able to be well, to support that person who’s going through that, but also to not make things even more complicated and even harder. As you know, that’s kind of how I see it. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:53 Caregivers forget to take care of themselves. They put everything that’s about self care on hold, and then they just put it all into other people. And that’s I wish for you. You’re probably already doing it, but I wish for you that you have some time for yourself. Brittany 1:11:10 We’re equal. We kind of, we take care of each other regardless. Jonathan 1:11:16 Yeah, even with my stroke, I’m, I’m always looking after her, making sure she’s okay. Because, you know, I’ve been the sole provider for this family for a long time, and I’ve been the protector the persons there, and even when I was in a wheelchair. I mean, hard to give that up. When you provide them, you take care of your family. I don’t care if I’m in a wheelchair, I’m gonna do something. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:39 Yeah. I get it. I really appreciate you both. Thank you so much for being on the podcast. Yep, thank you, Bill. That brings us to the end of this episode with Jonathan and Brittany. Jonathan’s journey of recovery after a stroke and Brittany’s unwavering support as his wife and caregiver remind us of the power of resilience, love and determination in the face of life altering challenges. If today’s conversation resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:12 Please Like, Comment and Subscribe on YouTube, and if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, a five star rating or review would mean so much. It helps others discover the podcast and join our supportive community. Remember to check out my book The unexpected way that a stroke became the best thing that happened. Some readers have called it a must read and shared how it has helped them stay positive through their recovery. It’s available on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Bill Gasiamis 1:12:53 And if you’d like to support the podcast directly, Visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Thank you for being here and making this podcast a part of your recovery journey. I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:13:11 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. 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However, third party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post From Steroid Abuse to Stroke Survival: Jonathan’s Redemption Story appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 Brooke Parsons: Transforming Stroke Recovery Through Resilience and Advocacy 1:41:24
1:41:24 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:41:24
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutIntroduction Brooke Parsons is more than a stroke survivor—she is a beacon of hope and resilience for the global stroke survivor community. Experiencing a major stroke at just 13 years old, Brooke’s journey over the past 30+ years has transformed her into an advocate, educator, and leader in stroke recovery. As a Stroke Foundation Ambassador and a lived experience consultant, Brooke has dedicated her life to reshaping stroke rehabilitation and advocating for better outcomes for all survivors. A Stroke at 13: Brooke’s Life-Changing Experience At the tender age of 13, Brooke’s life changed in an instant when she suffered a major stroke. The impact was profound—her parents found her unresponsive, unable to walk, talk, or care for herself. Despite the initial misdiagnosis of a migraine, Brooke’s family persisted in seeking answers, eventually leading to a diagnosis of a significant stroke affecting a large portion of her brain. Her recovery journey was arduous and complex, involving six weeks in a hospital, learning to navigate life with new physical and emotional challenges. Yet, Brooke’s story is not one of defeat but of perseverance and triumph. Deficits and Strengths: Living with the Effects of Stroke Brooke lives with long-term deficits, including mobility challenges requiring a wheelchair, occasional speech difficulties, and fatigue. Despite these hurdles, she has embraced her “new Brooke” identity—a version of herself that she describes as fierce, stubborn, and resilient. Brooke’s ability to adapt and find purpose has been instrumental in not only her recovery but in inspiring others. Advocacy and Leadership: Brooke’s Role in Stroke Research As a Stroke Foundation Ambassador and a lived experience consultant, Brooke has become a vital voice in the stroke survivor community. She has been involved in numerous groundbreaking research projects, including the AVERT trial, which explored early rehabilitation interventions. Brooke’s input ensures that stroke survivors’ perspectives are considered in the development of treatments, hospital practices, and support systems. Her advocacy extends to co-designing projects like the Young Stroke Service, which addresses the unique needs of younger stroke survivors, such as returning to work, maintaining social connections, and navigating life milestones after a stroke. The Importance of Community and Peer Support Brooke emphasizes the power of community in recovery. By sharing her story and mentoring others, she creates a ripple effect of empowerment among stroke survivors. Whether speaking at conferences, collaborating with researchers, or supporting fellow survivors, Brooke embodies the importance of connection and shared understanding in overcoming life’s challenges. Philosophy of Resilience: “Drop the T” One of Brooke’s most inspiring messages to stroke survivors is her philosophy of resilience: “Drop the T.” Instead of saying “I can’t,” Brooke encourages survivors to say “I can.” This mindset shift has empowered her to tackle challenges head-on, whether it’s participating in daring activities like the CN Tower Edge Walk in Toronto or representing stroke survivors on an international stage. Brooke’s Vision for the Future Brooke is committed to ensuring that stroke survivors are not just heard but valued in shaping the future of stroke care. She advocates for meaningful involvement of survivors in research, grant applications, and policy-making, emphasizing that lived experience is as crucial as clinical expertise. A Legacy of Advocacy and Support As Brooke looks ahead, she remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of stroke survivors, researchers, and advocates. Her focus on succession planning ensures that her impactful work will continue to benefit the stroke community for years to come. Conclusion Brooke Parsons is a shining example of what it means to turn adversity into opportunity. Her journey from a 13-year-old stroke survivor to a global advocate and consultant is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and purpose. Through her work, Brooke is not only shaping the future of stroke recovery but also inspiring countless others to believe that life after stroke can be meaningful, fulfilling, and extraordinary. Call to Action: If you’re a stroke survivor or caregiver seeking inspiration, support, or community, follow Brooke Parsons’s journey and learn how you too can turn challenges into opportunities. Connect with the Stroke Foundation or explore the resources available to help you on your path to recovery. Brooke Parsons: Inspiring Stroke Recovery Through Advocacy and Resilience Brooke Parsons, a stroke survivor inspires with her journey of recovery and advocacy, showing how resilience can shape life after a stroke. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction – Brooke Parsons 03:51 Brooke’s Early Life and Stroke Experience 12:11 Impact of Stroke on Brooke’s Life and Family 20:26 Challenges and Adaptations Post-Stroke 29:29 Inspired by Mentorship 38:04 Celebrating Milestones and Navigating Fatigue 47:42 Understanding and Addressing Oversights 57:16 Empowering Stroke Survivors 1:08:47 Shaping the Future 1:18:27 From Survivor to Mentor: Evolving Journey Post-Stroke 1:24:02 Embracing Change: The Transformation After Stroke 1:30:52 From ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I Can 1:34:34 Resilience and Advocacy Transcript: Introduction – Brooke Parsons Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Welcome everyone before we dive into today’s extraordinary conversation, I want to thank you for being part of this incredible community. Your support, whether it’s sharing the podcast, leaving reviews or simply tuning in, makes a huge difference. Together, we’re creating a space where stroke survivors and caregivers feel seen, heard and inspired. Since 2015 I’ve been personally covering all the costs of producing the recovery after stroke podcast to ensure stroke survivors and their loved ones have access to free valuable resources. Bill Gasiamis 0:37 Last year, I asked for help from those who feel they’ve received tremendous value from the podcast by supporting it on Patreon, at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Your support helps keep this podcast alive, and I’m grateful for everyone who listens and engages and contributes in any way they can, as always, I’d love to remind you about my book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened , is a resource for offering practical guidance and hope for stroke survivors and their families. Bill Gasiamis 1:16 If you haven’t already, you can grab your copy on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Now, I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Brooke Parsons. Brooke is a stroke survivor, a Stroke Foundation ambassador and a lived experience consultant who has spent more than three decades advocating for stroke survivors and shaping the future of stroke research, she shares her inspiring story of resilience the challenges of living with deficit, and her work to ensure stroke survivors have a voice in the recovery journey. Let’s jump in. Bill Gasiamis 1:58 Brooke Parsons, welcome to the podcast. Brooke Parsons 2:01 Hi Bill. How are you? Bill Gasiamis 2:04 I’m really well. I am excited to have you on my show. We’ve met a couple of times in person. Brooke Parsons 2:10 Haven’t we? We’ve been social butterflies. Bill Gasiamis 2:15 We have, and more so lately than ever, because I have always known about you, but we just never cross crossed paths. Brooke Parsons 2:25 Is that a good thing that you’ve always known about me? Bill Gasiamis 2:28 Yeah, because I’ve never heard anything terrible, always nice, lovely things and and it’s all correct. And then when I met you, you know, when they say, don’t meet your heroes and all that kind of stuff, when I met you, I was like, I hope she doesn’t let me down and disappoint me, and you didn’t. Brooke Parsons 2:47 We were just sitting on the couches having a bit of quiet time, having a bit of a yarn. Bill Gasiamis 2:53 Yeah, that was at the conference that we were both at Smart Strokes. Brooke Parsons 3:01 That’s right, it was on the Gold Coast. Bill Gasiamis 3:03 On the Gold Coast, and I had a little bit of time to do a presentation. I did about a 15 minute presentation, and you did a few presentations, if I remember correctly. Brooke Parsons 3:13 I did one presentation. Bill Gasiamis 3:15 One, yeah, what was your presentation? Brooke Parsons 3:19 On my presentation was about the young stroke service, which is who I’m employed at the Flory Institute. So it’s a project that I’m working on, and I’m one of many. There’s a huge team involved. And I was very fortunate to say that I was going to smart strokes. So I was happy to present on behalf of everyone. Bill Gasiamis 3:45 Yeah, what is Smart Stroke? What is the Young Stroke Service about? Brooke Parsons – Early Life and Stroke Experience Brooke Parsons 3:51 So, the Young Stroke Service is about meeting the needs of people who have strokes when they’re younger. So you would understand yourself bill that your needs and wants when you had your stroke may not have been met immediately, because our needs and wants as young people having strokes are much different to society that are generally met in the hospital when they have strokes. So as a young person, it was about, how do I get back to work? How do I reconnect with my friends and keep those connections going, how do I be a fulfilling auntie? Brooke Parsons 4:46 How do I do all those things? Get a house or rent or I was very much at the very beginning of my life, and we’ve got an amazing medical system here. But when you’re discharged from hospital, that’s it, right? You’re out in the big, wide world by yourself. And although, over the years, I’ve been very fortunate to meet so so many, who have helped guide me, I’ve learned a massive lot as well. So it’s about addressing the needs and the wants of young stroke survivors in today’s world, we are between Victoria and South Australia at the moment. And it’s currently going well, I think. Bill Gasiamis 5:46 So you definitely were a young stroke survivor, if I remember correctly. You had your stroke at around 13. So tell me about that part of the process. What happened? What do you remember? How did it evolve? Not evolve? How did you kind of go through those early days of stroke with your family and yourself? Brooke Parsons 6:14 That’s a really good question, Bill, because I guess you know, I’ve got a lifetime now as a stroke survivor, 31 years, almost 32 years as a stroke survivor. So I’ve lived more than half of my life as a stroke survivor, that as a kid, I was very studious. That probably doesn’t surprise you, but I would always do my school work. I never missed school, I didn’t like missing school. I was always the eighth grade student, and then bang, I had my stroke. I was home alone, talking on the telephone to a friend about going to the local shops the next day to perv on boys, as girls do at 13. Brooke Parsons 7:05 And my life changed. My parents came home and found me on the ground surrounded by shattered glass, and they had to pick me up off the floor. At the time, my dad was a butcher, so he was used to dead weight, thankfully. He picked me up, I was 50 kilos at the time. He picked me up and he put me on my bed, and from there, my parents decided to take me to the local hospital, where I was given a migraine tablet, and my parents were told to actually take me home, and that if I had a good sleep, I’d be okay, but I couldn’t walk, couldn’t go to the toilet, couldn’t do anything. Brooke Parsons 8:02 And as a 13 year old, you’re also going through the 13 year old changes, hormonal changes, etc. So my parents stood their ground and said ‘No, we’re not taking her home because she can’t walk, this isn’t our daughter. I could barely string a sentence in any word that I was blubbering out. It was a blubber they weren’t clearly concise words. So I was then taken to a hospital on the outskirts of Melbourne, where I had a CT scan. My parents remained vigil beside my bed for that night, and neurologist came in at round 2am in the morning. Brooke Parsons 8:54 Said I’d suffered a major stroke affecting a size of a 20 cent piece, my brain being completely dead and surrounding areas damaged, and that if I survived the night, I’d be transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Now that became home to me for six weeks. I was in there as an inpatient. I was then out for weekend leave for a few weeks in a row to make sure mum and dad could cope with me being at home. Because I think it’s important to remember Bill that, yes, my life changed, but so did bears, so did my younger brothers. Brooke Parsons 9:42 Because, you know, before they went out, the day of my stroke, I was a pain in the bum. I’m not putting any disclaimer on that, because I’m probably still a pain in the bum, but you know, I was this, a grade student that everyone just idolized and looked up to, never did anything wrong. So then to come home in a wheelchair, unable to really talk, while not articulate my words like I used to needing my mum to help feed me, barre me, do everything for me. Bill Gasiamis 10:30 It was a change of life for all of us. Let me take a quick pause to reflect on Brooke’s incredible journey so far, her story of resilience, advocacy and community building is why I started this podcast to connect, inspire and provide hope for stroke survivors and their families. If this podcast has been a source of value for you, I’d love your support on Patreon, by becoming a patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Bill Gasiamis 11:00 You’ll not only help keep this podcast going, but also join a growing community of people dedicated to recovery growth and making a difference in the stroke survivor space. Now let’s get back to Brooke and hear more about her remarkable journey. Brooke Parsons 11:18 And then you got another layer on top of that, where you had my school community, so I’d grown up like we generally do with our friends at school, and then one day, I was stuck in a hospital bed, and all my friends at school found out that I was paralyzed, and they didn’t know what was going to happen. And then when I did come back, there was this whole adjustment around, you know, how do we treat her? She’s now got, we were just kids, okay, so she’s got plastic legs on her legs. What do we do? Do we give her extra time? Do we not play with her? Do we invite her out anymore? Impact of Stroke on Life and Family of Brooke Parsons Brooke Parsons 12:11 So there was, I think there’s several levels of complexity to that, but above it all, and this is what I always try to remember to say, this is that I was 13. At 13, you’re still a baby. So in the big world, if your parents say ‘Go and brush your teeth, you go and brush your teeth. You don’t question it. You do it, because that’s what your parents have told you to do. I was very much that person. If I needed to go to the bathroom, I would say ‘Mum, I need your help. I need to go to the bathroom. If I wasn’t feeling well ‘Mum, I don’t feel well. Brooke Parsons 13:01 If I was at school, it was all about open communication with the teachers on how they could assist me and what they could do to very much make my life regular, to make it normal, because I still wanted to be that BROOKE I was before the stroke, I still wanted to be that Brooke that would get a grades, that Brooke that would be in the music band, the Brooke that everyone loved to hate. Didn’t understand why that had to change, but it did, and I think, if anything, I’ve gone from strength to strength. Bill Gasiamis 13:49 Now, we’re going to talk about that. I definitely think you have, but you know, navigating that experience at any time in your life’s hard, navigating it as a 13 year old, like it’s even harder. Your the thing about it is, like you mentioned, the thing that really stood out, which is that your life changed, but everyone else’s life changed in your family as well. That is a really important point, because I said, you know, I probably wrote about it in my book as well. I probably said, you know, the day my life changed. And every time I speak to a stroke survivor, it’s always the day my life changed. Bill Gasiamis 14:36 You know, they it was kind of the line in the sand moment from this before that line, it was like this. After that line, it’s like that. But very few of us, it’s not that we don’t acknowledge the people who have supported us, helped us all that stuff. It’s that they’re not front of mind. They’re not front and center, remote, because we’re going through our own experience, and we’re thinking about like how our life has become harder and more difficult, but our family and our caregivers are going through it with us together, and they have to pause everything. Bill Gasiamis 15:14 Their identity changes, and their work situation has to change, and their entertainment part of their life has to change, and the way that they occupy themselves and the hobbies they have and the people they hang out with and all that, it is a complete it’s a disruption of everybody’s life, yours, theirs and separately and as individuals, but also as a collective. Brooke Parsons 15:41 Absolutely and if you think about it, Bill, I just said then about my school friends and my school teachers and the school community. For yourself, it might have been the work community that you belong to, like you may be the stroke survivor, but the effects of your stroke go way beyond you, yeah, and they go way beyond me. And I can even say almost 32 years on that my stroke still affects people today. Bill Gasiamis 16:16 Yeah, okay, how I get it? But tell me how. Brooke Parsons 16:21 When I’m fatigued, they may find it harder to understand me because my speech is still troubled at times. We all say we change as people when we have strokes, and I guess I’m a bit of a a tough nut, like, there’s not much that shakes me, but when I’m shaken, I’m shaken to the core. So if I’m having a bad day, and I’ve let things build up and up and up, and then I just sit there and cry, whoever’s around me is affected by that, and that at times, has been work colleagues, unfortunately, and they’ve just had to, you know, go, okay, well, that’s you today, goodbye. Brooke Parsons 17:14 We’ll try again another day, or, I mean, I was just on the phone to a friend who didn’t wish me a happy birthday three weeks ago, and that was the first time in the entirety of not knowing her that she hasn’t done that she didn’t even register until the last five minutes, and I went ‘Well, look, we can all be a little selfish. Brooke Parsons 17:44 And I was trying to relay it back to her situation, but I said ‘You didn’t even wish me a happy birthday like and then is that me being selfish because it’s Christmas and we’re all under the pump to get everything done, or was that me being a friend and really just laying it out on the table to a friend who didn’t want to hear it? It’s a little bit. It’s a double edged sword, I think. Bill Gasiamis 18:17 Are you any different from any other person on the planet, honestly, because I get what you’re saying, because it’s partly your stroke affects you and the other people around you every single day. But quote, unquote, normal people, they and like, have their meltdowns in a different variety or? Brooke Parsons 18:41 Absolutely, think about it. Everybody has a crappy day at work, everybody has disagreements with friends or family. Everybody in today’s day and age is looking for extensions on bills and all sorts of things. So I am no different. The difference between me and some others is that I carry the burden of the stroke. Yeah, okay, and that is obvious because I’m in a wheelchair. Bill Gasiamis 19:17 That’s unique, right? In one way, maybe in a community where you hang out and there’s not a lot of survivors, because we both hang out in communities where there aren’t survivors of stroke, and then we hang out in communities where there are tons of them, but when you’re in a community where there’s not a whole bunch of other stroke survivors or people with disabilities or any challenges like that, it’s kind of like of the way I feel it is people who are not directly impacted by a medical situation touch wood. Bill Gasiamis 19:54 Because they’re healthy and well and nothing’s gone wrong with them. It’s, you know, they’re ignorant, and not willfully ignorant, but they’re ignorant. And then it’s like, how do you know? Is it our job every time to educate people or not? Is it? I don’t think so. Brooke Parsons 20:13 It shouldn’t be our job. But I’m sure you’ve found over the years, Bill, just as much as I have, that it ends up being our job. Challenges and Adaptations Post-Stroke For Brooke Parsons Bill Gasiamis 20:26 Some people deserve it. Some people deserve it in a way where, if you can nicely, kind of bring them back into reality about something, then I think it’s really necessary. Some situations, I’ve found myself being tempted to say something and then about my situation where, because I don’t look like I’ve had a stroke, the assumptions about me are huge, you know, and it’s like, maybe it’s not the right time to tell you in this particular forum what I’m what it’s like to be me, what I’m feeling, what I’m going through. Bill Gasiamis 21:03 What my left side feels like, and maybe you’re not being mean spirited or anything, and I don’t need to really correct you or pull you up or anything. But then at the right time, it’s just a little bit of information. I feel like it’s better to give people information about me so that they have an awareness, even though they don’t relate and can’t understand but it’s more about supporting them to understand me better. Bill Gasiamis 21:30 I think it’s like that, that I prefer to do that where I’m supporting you, so that we can interact in a way that’s not hard for both of us and and awkward for you, because I don’t feel awkward or anything, but you might take it like that if I give you a bit of a hard truth that you wouldn’t expect. Brooke Parsons 21:54 You know, Bill, I think one of the big words you said right at the very beginning of that was “Assumptions”, people make assumptions all the time about everything and anything I’m sure it’s all in our makeup, right in our genetics. I found in the very early days, I would go and speak at Rotary groups, and I would sit in rooms, and I would just tell my story. I was the girl with the damn it doll, the doll that was lifeless limbs, and, you know, the fight that I had on my hands and I would look around the room as I was speaking, and no matter what I thought of my speech. Brooke Parsons 22:41 There would be these men crying, and I could never understand why, right? Because what happened to me happened to me, not them. But I think what I’ve learnt over the years is that, yes, it’s taken a lot of education on my behalf to give out. But how much better are those people for knowing that education you’ve had a helping hand in that everyone we know has had a helping hand in that which has had a roll on effect, because assumptions can be horrible things. Brooke Parsons 23:26 Assumptions, you know, I could have made my mind up about you before I’d even met you, you know, but thankfully that one day, I saw you sitting there alone, and I just said ‘Are you okay? And then that sparked a conversation. That’s all it needs. Bill Gasiamis 23:48 Yeah, I agree. And it’s like, and same here. You know, I had heard about you. I’d seen some of your stuff on socials and what have you. I knew that you were involved with the flurry. I didn’t know what capacity or what you were doing. A friend of mine told me that he met you because he works at the flurry, and he was just, he was there because his role is to scan people’s brains when they come in for diagnosis or for different research projects or whatever. And he’s in the thick of it, with survivors of loss of neurological conditions all the time, and recently for him, just a little while after. Bill Gasiamis 24:39 He started working at the flurry, and he’s been in hospitals his whole life like he was in a senior position at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in the Radiography department, amongst other hospitals that he’s worked at. And just after he joined the flurry, his daughter. Had a brain hemorrhage, and she was 17, and he was in near my hospital bed, next to my hospital bed when I went through it, you know, in 2012 and he’s the one that guided my recovery via the introduction to the person who would eventually become my brain surgeon, and all those things. Bill Gasiamis 25:32 Cris was in awe of the role, I suppose that stroke survivors, not Brooke Parsons, yet he wasn’t like that were playing in the bringing light to this condition, awareness to this condition, breaking those assumptions down, and explaining things in a way that non stroke survivors would understand. And he was talking about how you guys met, that you guys spoke your presentation, what the project was about, and even me at that time, previously, when I say previous, me, pre-stroke me, would have made a decision about you, and because I wasn’t In the frame of mind. Bill Gasiamis 26:21 Because I was actually very similar to what I am now, but I was a little bit kind of like, what’s the word like, front when somebody saw me, I was glass half full kind of guy, but in private, I was glass half empty kind of guy. So I had this kind of Jekyll and Hyde thing that I used to do. I used to present really well in front of people and then make assumption and then and then not do the same thing for myself in the background. Brooke Parsons 26:52 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 26:54 So when I met people who, when I spoke with people who had done different things in certain areas of what I where I couldn’t picture myself or hang out. Bill Gasiamis 27:06 I was threatened to buy them, or I was whatsoever, like I would put them on a pedestal, and then I couldn’t interact with them, because then I would think that they were better than me, and I like so many weird things that came out of these interactions, which were so false, right? And the stroke, what the stroke has taught me, and the podcast has taught me, is that all the things that I tell myself about me and other people are all rubbish. And unless you have the opportunity to sit and speak to somebody and get to know them about what they are like. Bill Gasiamis 27:41 Imagine being negatively impacted by somebody I haven’t met because they’re talking on a stage about a topic that’s dear and near to them. Because I don’t have the skills to do that yet, and I think that, and I’ve put them on a pedestal, and I think I’m not good enough yet. I mean, seriously, that just bring myself back down to earth, settle down, calm down, take a breath and just go and say hello and meet this person and formulate your own actual thoughts about this person, and from an interaction, not from far you know, this afar thing. Bill Gasiamis 28:20 Social media, this afar, thing that we do is terrible, and I’ve found that the podcast has helped me just have no thoughts about people, bring them on and then go for it. I don’t know anything about anything, and I’m just going to, we’re going to discover about each other in the moment. Brooke Parsons 28:42 You know, Bill, I think that. I think people are afraid these days to make friends, and I think that’s exactly what you’re describing there. You know, not making an assumption about anyone being willing to sit down and have a bit of a chat with them, find out what you can and work with what you’ve got, whether that’s becoming great mates or colleagues or, you know, the person you might see once a year or once every few years. It doesn’t matter, but there’s some sort of workable relationship there. Brooke Parsons – Inspired by Mentorship Brooke Parsons 29:29 I’ll never forget 21 years ago when Julie Bernhard rang me and introduced who she was, and that’s how I actually got into the flurry and into research. Up until that point, I was just one of these little people that went around and said ‘Hi, I’m Brooke, I had a stroke. I heard Julie B’s voice on the phone, and at the end of it, I just went, yeah, I’m going to give this a go. And I’m going to give this a go because she sounds like she’s a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. And she was one of those people like I was talking about right at the very beginning. Brooke Parsons 30:18 Who said to me, who’s your adult neurologist? If you’ve left the children’s now, where are you going? And I went, do I need someone? But it’s people like Julie B and Vincent and people way smarter than I could ever be including your friend, Chris, because I know exactly who you’re talking about, that I admire, that I look up to. I’ve been so fortunate to be guided by I asked for their opinions, and I remain open in in the feedback that I get from their opinions. But as a person, if you ask me to go outside and speak to a stranger, I’d have no idea on how to do that. Bill Gasiamis 31:16 Yeah, I think where we’re getting at is is that this particular moment in time, with regards to stroke recovery, is bringing stroke survivors into the research field and treating us as equals, that’s where we’re at. We’re starting there equals in that what we’ve got to offer from our perspective, and what the researchers or the doctors have to offer from their perspective are actually both very useful things, and they need to be combined where previously it was, that was the part of my assumption about who these people were and what they did, was that they’re going to tell me what to do. Bill Gasiamis 32:00 And I’m going to have to go along with it, whether I like it or not, no. And that kind of does, that’s the part that doesn’t work for me. And I always had that while they’re in a white coat, I know what that means for them, you know? Or do you know what I mean? So it was like that kind of assumption that I was making is I thought x of certain people, and then I thought that they had assumptions about me, and it was just too messy in my head and to break down those. Bill Gasiamis 32:27 Those my ignorance by embedding myself into a podcast and then into the community by meeting tons and tons of stroke survivors, doctors, researchers and all that kind of stuff. What I realized is that I think we’re moving to that phase where there’s equality in what, in how we’re seen by the research and the doctors who work on solutions for stroke survivors, whether they are physical therapy solutions or neurological solutions or emotional issues. Brooke Parsons 33:06 Med solution, I think that Bill that you know, you talk about, maybe the professors being up here and us down here, that’s it. Anyone years ago, I was very much like that, yeah, so I’d speak if I was spoken to as we’re now, you can’t shut me up, right? Because Julie professor, Julie Bernhard, Julie be to me, yeah, he’s taught me over the years that my voice is actually really powerful, and that if I don’t agree in something that the professors are saying, I need to tell them now. Otherwise it could change research. It could change the way things are done. Guidelines are done, policies are made. Brooke Parsons 34:03 It could change the way stroke survivors are treated in hospital, and maybe not for the better, but because people like you and I have been through it, we can say, well, actually, that didn’t work. Or have you thought about it from this perspective? And that helps fill the gap that what the researchers don’t see from day to day in a hospital room or in a hospital or even in a home setting that we see because we as stroke survivors don’t get the opportunity to take our stroke off and have a holiday from it. Okay, that’s the sad reality of it. Brooke Parsons 34:47 It’s with us. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 356, days a year. For the researchers, they may be researchers 9:00 to 5:00 I know they do accept, allow us, but let’s say 9:00 to 5:00, they get to go home to their families and have a life outside of research. So I think for me, that equality is coming to an equal because if I don’t speak up, or if I don’t speak up, on behalf of those who can no longer speak up. Unfortunately, then our messages and our words are never going to get across. Bill Gasiamis 35:32 Yeah, nothing will change and and not only the people who can’t speak up, the people who don’t know what to say when they’re faced with the situation, I feel like what we’re doing, you and I right now, is what we’re doing is we’re encouraging all the stroke survivors listening to get involved and to speak up and to be part of research and to be a part of whatever the Medical kind of world needs from stroke survivors. Bill Gasiamis 36:02 Whether you’re presenting, whether you’re speaking, whether you’re involved in research, what we’re saying, I think, to everybody listening and watching, is we need to get involved. We need to make ourselves heard and our issues known so that people can start knowing that there’s more work to be done. Brooke Parsons 36:27 There’s more work to be done, but also from a funding perspective, and I don’t mean to bring up dollar value, but at the end of the day, researchers need funding to do research, and often to get funding. Now, more than not, you need to have a consumer involved in your steering committee or on your board of your research, and that needs to be shown in the grant application. And I think if we can get consumers involved even before grants are written. So I know I was consulted about the Young Stroke Service before it was even written up as a grant application. Brooke Parsons 37:13 And then I was asked to check the grant application before it was submitted. And then I was one of the first handful to find out we were lucky enough to get the grant to run the project at every step of the way I’ve been consulted and that, to me, has been real, true co design that’s being having a consumer involved in every twist and turn of the project. I think, you know, I’ve been around a long time now, sadly. Bill Gasiamis 37:56 Not sadly. Brooke Parsons 37:57 I don’t know, the gray hairs is starting to show. Bill Gasiamis 38:00 I just turned 50. I’m excited about that. Are you serious? Celebrating Milestones and Navigating Fatigue Brooke Parsons 38:04 Absolutely, good on you. What a milestone, right? The other week, I turned 45 and it’s like I woke up excited, but then my day just got on with meetings and all the normal things, but then I made a cake. So when I went into work two days later, I had a cake to share with the researchers and the colleagues there, who are my friends, my work buddies, I call them. And you know, that was nice. That’s what I needed, because we can talk about all of this, and I’m very surprised it hasn’t come up yet. Brooke Parsons 38:52 And I’m not sure how you find it, but I find as the year goes on, full steam, beginning of the year, my puffing Billy ready to go right? And then as the year gets on and on and on and on, I start to slow down because I’m fatigued. So as a stroke survivor who’s been around for a very long time, there’s new stroke survivors coming through the ranks to do what I started 21 years ago, and to do what I’m doing today in different projects, etc. And you’re right, it’s about breaking down those those those equality walls, to realize that it’s you’re just as valuable. Brooke Parsons 39:47 And your input is just as equally as important as what the researchers who use but at the same time, you need to remember, and when I say you Bill, I mean all stroke survivors and researchers need to remember at times we can all get fatigued, and that when a stroke survivor gets fatigued, it may show in different ways. And then I guess I would be asking that members of the team around that stroke survivor would pick up the slack for that stroke survivor at the time of their fatigue. Bill Gasiamis 40:23 That’s fair. So are you full time employed in this role? Brooke Parsons 40:38 No. Bill Gasiamis 40:39 How many hours a week do you do? Brooke Parsons 40:42 Too many? I am okay, so I probably do about 5 to 10 on the books, but there’s a lot I do off the books. Bill Gasiamis 40:58 No doubt, and how many years have you been doing this type of work for, or have you had this role, I suppose. Speaker 1 41:10 So, with a monetary reward of being paid probably the last two and a half years for that, for 21 years, I’ve always been volunteering of some way, shape or form. Bill Gasiamis 41:28 Wow, such a long time you would be the most prolific volunteer ever. I mean, you’re I’m saying that now being a little bit funny as well, but realistically, if you think about it, the amount of impact that all your work has had for 21 years, you know, and evolving with somebody who was very young, you know, very, very young when they had a stroke, and then bringing you along for the journey for 21 years mean that you got to influence people and explain to people what it’s like as a 13 year old, as a 23 year old, as a 33 year old, and so I like, Do you know what I mean? Bill Gasiamis 42:13 And move through the whole life cycle that you’ve had since very young, that’s really going to that’s going to be very insightful, and it’s going to make Wow. It’s going to make what you can offer researchers so much more man rich in information and experience and all that kind of stuff. Does that make sense? Brooke Parsons 42:41 Like it does make sense, but I think we’ve all got a lifetime that we can explain. So where you were pre-stroke, to what happened with your stroke, to straight after your stroke, to the next little bit, to meeting others who have had strokes and how that’s made you feel, etcetera, will be different to my journey of the last 30 something years. Bill Gasiamis 43:09 Yeah, but your journey has been, your focus has always been about making and improving the lives of stroke survivors. Brooke Parsons 43:18 It has, yes. Bill Gasiamis 43:20 Yeah, and mine, and I’m not saying that it should have been. What I’m saying is your version, only because you had a stroke of 13, no other reason. You know, you’ve put a lot of time and effort into improving the lives of stroke survivors, which includes you, but that’s alright. That’s the whole purpose. You need to be your own advocate, and while you’re advocating for yourself, other people benefit, and that’s awesome. Brooke Parsons 43:49 I think Bill there that you You’re right, but I think I do what I do not only because I love it, but because, unfortunately, stroke is an illness that we’re not going to be able to stop. We want to be able to stop it, but we can’t. So if I can have an impact on research now, that’s going to help someone who has a stroke in the future, I’ve done my job. That’s what it’s about. It’s not about going our strokes exist, and now they don’t. I want to be able to do that, but we can’t. So if it’s about just making life a little easier for somebody who has had a stroke, then all the better. Brooke Parsons 44:48 Like, if we think back to the day that you and I met, and you just need a quiet time and poor Bill, you get me come up. Are you okay? You didn’t need to be open to a talk, you didn’t. You could have just said ‘Oh, bugger off. I want some time to be by myself. I would have had to have respected that, but I was concerned, because you were by yourself. Bill Gasiamis 45:17 And I look really pooped, didn’t know you did. Brooke Parsons 45:22 Although in Adelaide, I thought you looked more pooper. Bill Gasiamis 45:26 Yeah, I think you’re right. Brooke Parsons 45:28 Yes, so when looking back at that first conversation that you and I had, what did you take away from that talk? Bill Gasiamis 45:40 Look, I just felt like you were, like you knew me more than anyone else, so you tuned in. You exactly knew where I was at. You didn’t even have to actually ask me. You knew and my quiet time was, I think, in that foyer when there was no one in there, it’s really nice and quiet, it’s large, it’s got good light and that and the sensory overload that I was experiencing when I was in the rooms where there was presentations happening and one after the other, after the other. So we’re talking about fluorescent lighting, lots of light coming through the windows as well. Bill Gasiamis 46:21 Which we were right were right there details on the on the board, on the screen, where the presentations were happening, the sound from the microphone system and the PA system. And it was like, I am just nothing sinking in anyway. So it doesn’t matter who was presenting or what they was saying. I was like ‘I can’t be in here. I’ve gotta be elsewhere. I’ve gotta give my time, my brain, time to settle down, because we’ve got another half a day to get through, and the next day to get through. And I get energized emotionally and mentally being there, but I get drained physically. Brooke Parsons 47:03 So completely agree. Bill Gasiamis 47:05 I’ve got to play that game, right? So when you came over and we had that chat, firstly, I wanted to meet you. I was hanging out to meet you because Chris told me about you earlier, and I knew about you from before Chris told me about you. But also I knew you were going to be there and you, you were going to be presenting in some capacity, and that was my goal, was to get there and meet more stroke survivors. So I met you, I met Adrian O’Malley eight. I bumped into booth again, Brenda booth again, and a bunch of other people, right? And I thought, excellent. Understanding and Addressing Oversights Bill Gasiamis 47:42 This exactly what I want. And not only do I want to meet people just for the sake of meeting people, but meeting people who get me, who I don’t have to explain stuff to, is just such a like it’s such a relief to just be in a space where people just totally get union have to say anything, and that helps, because when I’m with my family and friends who’ve known me my whole life, and even though they know that I had a stroke or two or three in 2012 to 2014, they still default to my regular how they knew me. How they knew me before stroke, and they treat me like that. Bill Gasiamis 48:24 And I’ve gotta always kind of massage them into like, I’m having a bad day bill, or I’m not up to this kind of, you know, whatever Bill. And I’ve gotta keep telling them and reminding them, by the way I had a stroke once, you know, and I don’t mean to do it and be nasty anything. I just gotta keep reminding them that I am having one of the things that happens to people without a stroke, and it hasn’t gone away yet, and it’s been 14 years, or 10 years, or whatever. It’s been 12 years. Bill Gasiamis 48:58 So when I’m in a space where people get me, it’s strange that it happened to be I had to go through stroke for people to really get me, but I love it. I love it even though I’m wrecked, even though I’m tired, even though it’s just, I don’t know, it’s easier, but, and you know where I was disappointed, I’ve got to say, right? So you know, when we went to Adelaide for the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference, we’re in a whole place where everyone is there for stroke. They’ve traveled from all over the world, and talk about not getting us right. Bill Gasiamis 49:36 There was a lady who did a presentation at the very opening of the event, and she had a stroke, and she had deficits. I’m pretty sure it was left side deficits. She wasn’t able to walk. Brooke Parsons 49:55 Right. Bill Gasiamis 49:57 Was it her left? Brooke Parsons 49:54 Right. Bill Gasiamis 49:55 Right? She had deficits. She couldn’t walk, she couldn’t move her arm, etc. And she was meant to get on a stage, and they brought and she’s with her caregivers, etc, comes to the stage, to the edge of the stage, and there’s no ramp, I know, push her wheelchair up the stage to get her to the podium where she could stand, and it’s like, are you guys serious? Bill Gasiamis 50:27 We are at a Stroke Conference. Everyone is talking about how they’re going to help stroke survivors overcome all these things and improve outcomes, and, you know, have better results in hospital and all that kind of stuff. And the one thing where should have not even been a thing. Brooke Parsons 50:49 That shouldn’t have even been a consideration. Bill Gasiamis 50:51 Yeah, there should have just been a ramp there, part of the stage, yeah, and there was no, no one there. So I so that gave me that, that view of what it’s still possible, what it’s still like, even in the stroke medical world, and when and I felt like I wasn’t understood in that room, even though it wasn’t me or about me, like I felt you still don’t get me. You guys don’t get me, you spent 30 years doing this stuff, your professors, and nobody thought about a ramp for stroke survivor. Bill Gasiamis 51:30 What do you mean? Whereas, when I was in the room with at the smart strokes conference, I felt like you guys got me, everyone got me. You know, you definitely did, but just generally, that was a way better, like it was a way better experience, there was ramps everywhere, it was accessible. Brooke Parsons 51:54 Just interesting. Feel that there was more peer support at Smart Strokes. Bill Gasiamis 52:01 Yeah, the intimacy of that event may have been what enabled that. So I get it, and there was a lot less international flavor there, so I totally get that, and it was a very well organized event. It was a great event. The presentations were awesome, and so they were at Asia Pacific Stroke Conference. But I just feel like I don’t know if it was the organizers or the people who run the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference, but it’s very telling when the most important thing is overlooked access. Brooke Parsons 52:45 For a stroke survivor, this brings me to accessibility. We’ve all had accessibility issues in one way, shape or form or another, you bring up a very good point. Was it the organizing committee at Asia Pacific strokes conference that overlooked around to you and I, it’s just natural. It’s what should be there, but did anybody in that organizing committee have had a stroke, none. Bill Gasiamis 53:29 That says a lot. I agree. Brooke Parsons 53:31 Therefore, it brings us back to our original point that humans need to be involved in every single aspect, agreed, not just from a uni giving their input, not just from an institution giving their input, not just from an organizing committee, but from every angle, consumers are so needed and wanted. Bill Gasiamis 54:02 Yep, I totally agree, absolutely. I mean, that’s the only thing that could possibly explain why they missed such an obvious thing. It’s like the elephant in the room. How can you not see it, honestly, but at the same time, maybe that’s there’ll be a learning from that, surely, because I think people would have told them, what are you guys doing? How come you didn’t have a ramp there? Brooke Parsons 54:25 Did you give feedback? Bill Gasiamis 54:28 Not about that issue, no. Brooke Parsons 54:30 Okay. Bill Gasiamis 54:31 Yeah, but I imagine that others would have surely. Brooke Parsons 54:36 Yes, I’m hoping so. Bill Gasiamis 54:41 So that’s interesting. I thought that others would, and I thought maybe I don’t need to, but I feel like now I should have, even though others might have made a point of that, I feel like I should have made a point of that just nicely in an email saying ‘Hey guys. Brooke Parsons 54:59 Important to us. Bill Gasiamis 55:01 Yeah. Brooke Parsons 55:01 It’s important to you, you need to voice it. She could all live by the rulings of, someone else will mention that, or someone else will give feedback. But what if nobody does because someone else is thinking ‘Oh, Bill will give that feedback. Bill will do that. He was really upset about that when I saw him. I’m sure he’ll give that feedback, but you are thinking someone else was going to give that feedback. So no matter how many times these people hear it, they need to hear it. Bill Gasiamis 55:34 Yeah. I agree. I suppose the more people saying it, the more it’ll sink in absolutely. Brooke Parsons 55:44 Yeah, we’ve all been in those shoes where we wouldn’t have given ramps a second thought. Bill Gasiamis 55:50 Oh yeah, I definitely was that quiet. Brooke Parsons 55:55 Moved into an SDA, a Specialist Disability Accommodation, and yeah, the doorways are wider, and it’s very much catered to my needs. As I think I’ve picked up two things so far in four months that ain’t right with the place. But my point that is, I’ve gone from renting a one bedroom apartment to this 1.5 bedroom SDA apartment, the bathrooms bigger, so I’m able to get my wheelchair in, wheelchair out. I’m able to shower comfortably here, all these things I wouldn’t have thought of just as I didn’t think of when I first wanted to move out of home. Brooke Parsons 56:46 But until you’re faced with those challenges, you just think ‘Oh, someone else will deal with that, but someone else’s issue that’s not mine. So we’re all my point is we’re all made to be like that, but if we can just remember, have that little voice in our heads going, but my voice is just as important. And if I thought that in the conference, I need to relay that. Brooke Parsons Empowering Stroke Survivors Bill Gasiamis 57:16 Yeah, that’s the point of the conference, to bring stroke ideas, information together, right? Brooke Parsons 57:21 Absolutely, and consumers are more and more playing a role. So a couple of years ago, you would never have seen the the level that we saw at Smart Strokes of consumer involvement. Bill Gasiamis 57:38 You’re literally talking about a couple of years ago. Brooke Parsons 57:41 Actually, two years ago, yeah, you might have had one stroke survivor. Might have opened up the conference, and that was about it. Now this year, what did we see? Bill Gasiamis 57:53 Yeah, they were front and center in every part of the conference, stroke survivors, every part of the conference. Brooke Parsons 58:00 Absolutely, yep. Bill Gasiamis 58:03 And Saran opened up quite a number of those main morning presentations. It was great, actually, absolutely, Brooke Parsons 58:16 So I know last year I gave like, a three page letter feedback of all the things they could have done better for Smart Strokes, most of it was taken on board. This year my pet peeve was about the accommodation, but we won’t even go there. So I haven’t really provided feedback per se, but I am sure if I was that stroke survivor who had to get up on stage, maybe I’d be a little different, because it would have impacted me directly. Bill Gasiamis 59:04 Yeah, I had to move so Asia Pacific, Stroke Conference. I had to move from the hotel room I was at that was suggested as the place to go for affordable accommodation near the venue where smart, where the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference was, and I think the organizers didn’t actually go and check out the accommodation that they recommended. Bill Gasiamis 59:35 And let’s just say it was old, which is not relevant at all, because that doesn’t bother me in one bit, if something is old, but it wasn’t clean, and there was a lot of dust and debris in the air vents, and you could see places where furniture had been moved, and there was like a thick layer of dust that had a main vacuum. Brooke Parsons 59:57 I wonder if we were talking about the same place. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:01 We may have, we won’t mention the name, and then, as a result, I had to relocate and move because I was so unwell with my sinuses. And I made a note to the organizers and said ‘Hey, guys like you made a suggestion, and it seems like it’s been a while since you’ve gone and inspected that property that you’re suggesting to us to go and see, to go and stay at because the standards are not good enough, these are all the things that I’ve experienced, these are the photos to prove what I’m saying. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:43 Like the dust was caked onto the air vents, yes, and I’d like to let you know that you need to do more in inspecting a place when you recommend it. So that was received well, and then I changed accommodation. The hotel wasn’t very supportive, but the organizers were a little bit upset, horrified that it would event would have that that thing would have happened. So I suppose, like I spoke out about that, because I know that a lot of other people were may have been impacted by that. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:24 And it’s just that I’m still defining my role in how, what kind of role I’m playing in the community, in stroke survivors community, very powerful one. Well, I hope so, with the role, as in, like I have been, I have been a little bit not distant, but I have taken purposely a slow approach forward and, you know, stayed in the background because I didn’t know whether it’s an old, this is old Bill again, you know, going, I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to talk to people like this, who are in these positions, who have these types of qualifications, and, you know, tell them what I think. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:15 You know. So it was, I’m kind of about getting over that, and I don’t need to tell people what I think from I know everything perspective, it’s just from a you guys are missing the obvious thing, like the ramp at a Stroke Conference. You know, I’m feeling more and more comfortable about being in that position, and I think I owe my listeners and my guests the responsibility of taking what I’m learning from them. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:44 When they offer me an hour of their time to listen to an episode, I think I owe them a responsibility to sort of take it to the next level and go ‘Hey guys, this is what I’m hearing from 330 stroke survivors that I’ve interviewed. This is what you need to be aware of. Brooke Parsons 1:03:03 Yes, but I think Bill, you already do an incredible job. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:10 Yeah? Brooke Parsons 1:03:10 What you do? So, Bill, can take a hike for a little bit. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:15 Yeah. Brooke Parsons 1:03:18 The only bit of advice I would give if I’m allowed to give you advice is, choose what you want to make a difference in. And by that, if you want to talk about ramps and stages and conference centers, you might be thinking more along the architect side of things, accessibility side of things, that if it was a peer support thing, you might go. Brooke Parsons 1:03:52 I might just put you in contact with Adrian O’Malley and Brenda Booth, or The Flooring Institute, or whoever that would specialize in that, and then you could proactively do the whole conference stage sort of thing. I’m only using that as an example. What I would tell you is that you can’t do it all. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:18 No, no, none of us can do it all right? That’s very important. Brooke Parsons 1:04:22 Because if we don’t look after ourselves, we’re unable to look after each other. And at the end of the day, as a peer support group, who do understand each other, we need to be able to look after ourselves. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:39 I appreciate that. You know why? Because I haven’t actually really thought about what where I want to play most at that’s so that’s a really good point that you made there, and this might encourage me to sort of think about where that might be, whether, like you said, whether it’s accessibility, whether it’s something else. That’s the first time I’ve actually heard it like that. And why? Perhaps I felt like I can’t really comment about all these other things because I haven’t picked it as my hobby horse. Brooke Parsons 1:05:13 Maybe and look, we’re all here to help and to guide you and to listen and to pose questions that probably mean nothing to you, but to get you thinking about what you would like, where you feel that you can make the biggest difference. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:38 Yeah, that would be good to know that. Oh, my God, I think about that. Brooke Parsons 1:05:47 Ring. You can always email. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:51 Thank you. So what can you talk about some of the work studies, research that you’re involved in currently? Can you give us a bit of a idea? Brooke Parsons 1:06:03 Absolutely. So obviously, I started out 21 years ago as the consumer representative for the avert trial, which is a very early rehab trial. It was an international trial run out of the flurry under the direction of Professor Julie Bernhard. At the time, she said ‘Can you give me three years of your life? And at the 15 year mark, we presented the results of that trial. So there’s no time frame on research. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned, is that you know, if you’re going to do something, you do it properly. From that, I’m now the consumer consultant for the avert dose trial. Brooke Parsons 1:06:54 So we’ve learned that you can get a stroke survivor up out of bed, but we’re trying to get the exact dose right, because it wasn’t necessarily correct in a vert. I was also the consumer consultant for pesto, which was a drug inserted into a person’s spine to break the paralysis cycle. I was a part of the novel project. Novel is an architect project, actually, and that had me hook, line and sinker. That was if we had an unlimited budget, how would we build a hospital? What would it look like for stroke survivors? Brooke Parsons 1:07:48 And I had Rosie from the Jetsons, for those that aren’t too young to remember the Jetsons on TV, and they had Rosie, the robot that would clean up after them, etc. And we would have lighted walls. So if I put into the keypad on a wall that I had to go to physio, the walls would light up all the way to the physio room, etc. So that was really cool, because you could think outside the square as to what you wanted to do. Brooke Parsons 1:08:23 I’m now involved in the Young Stroke Service, which we briefly touched on at the beginning, and there could be something coming up, but I’m under wraps at the moment someone stay tuned. Shaping the Future Bill Gasiamis 1:08:47 Alright, okay. Well, I think I know part of the, some of the stuff that you’re working on not going to mention it. That’s alright, and I understand why you might keep things under wraps, It’s important to do that. So what does it look like for you going forward in the next five years and 10 years in this space, do you still see yourself hanging out, playing, supporting, being involved? Brooke Parsons 1:09:21 There’ll always be a spot for me. It’ll just be however big or however little I’ll want it to be, the way I’m looking at 2025, it’s going to be a massive year. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:37 Okay, for research and stroke survivors for what specifically me, for you. Brooke Parsons 1:09:44 For me in the research world. But let’s keep in mind that whilst I know where I’m heading, personally in the research world, I’m always thinking that, if I wasn’t around, would my role still go on? Who would do my role? Who’s coming up through the ranks? How do I want my role left from me for the next person to take over. So there’s always that going on in the background. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:31 I like that. I like that you’re thinking about that because then we don’t want any of this to stop. Brooke Parsons 1:10:40 No, because it’s much bigger than you and I, right? And life is fleeting, that’s the truth of it. So I mean, stroke research was always around before I started, but the consumer voice wasn’t as powerful as it is today, and I’ve had a real helping hand in making it powerful. So what can I do to ensure that that powerful voice of the consumer stays alive well and truly beyond my days when I decide, right, it’s time to retire, I’ve had enough need to go and sit on the Whitsundays. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:31 Yeah, I like that. You’re thinking of that. What do we call that? Not it’s like, what’s the succession plan? Brooke Parsons 1:11:42 Absolutely, yeah, we definitely need that everything we do, in research, there needs to be an outcome, but there needs to be a plan beyond that. So if we want consumer voices to be sustainable, beyond me, beyond you, what needs to be put in place for those for that to still happen, and it is happening. It’s happening with grants. Now you can’t get a grant without consumer involvement. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:27 So, it seems like has there been a policy change or some kind of a change in the way that these organizations do research that kind of embeds that or cements that in? If this doesn’t happen, then nothing happens. Brooke Parsons 1:12:41 It’s starting to but I still think there’s an element of a way to go. So a researcher may approach someone and say, will you be on our board? And they the stroke survivor can say yes, but then often penciling in the monetary awards of having that stroke survivor on the board is forgotten about. So you’ve got the element of having the stroke survivor committed. Yep, you’ve got them. But then it’s making sure the grant reflects the consumer’s involvement. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:26 So it’s not just about ticking the box. No, you spoke to a stroke survivor. Technically, they’re on the board, but then that’s about it. Brooke Parsons 1:13:35 Yeah, because if we think 20 years ago, it was very rarely heard of that a stroke survivor was on a board. Now that’s just expected you have a stroke survivor on your board. Okay, it’s taken us a while to get there, but we’re getting there if it’s written into grants, the monetary reward side of it all, then in the next 10 to 15 years time, that’ll just be ordinary. And therefore, why wouldn’t it be sustainable? Bill Gasiamis 1:14:20 All the up and coming Brooks will just fall into the program as per normal, as part of the normal running of a grant process of a research program. And then there won’t be that whole like the battle. It’s for lack of a better word, the lack of the like the Battle of the stroke survivors, being heard, being included, being part of the program where that’s just expected. It’s standard every time there’s a grant provided or people asking for money. Your research is happening is just okay, stroke survivor involvement number one starts there and then going forward from everything else. Bill Gasiamis 1:15:10 That’s such a great way to position research, especially it’s a great thing for other people helping survivors of other conditions to also imagine if we could kind of put that broadly into, you know, cancer. Cancer survivors are involved at day one day dot. Heart patients, they dot this patient, you know, that patient always that they dot, that’d be great. Brooke Parsons 1:15:43 I think so, and the other thing to remember is that writing a grant or being in research takes a team. There’s no I in team, and that motivates me every day to get up and do what I’m doing, because it really does take a team, a team of exceptional humans, whether they are strict survivors, family carers, researchers and their Families and everyone needs a little bit of someone, and that’s where that peer support and that common understanding comes in. Bill Gasiamis 1:16:31 Yeah, it’s that party I’ve got a part in my book that’s all about community. It’s like, find your community and get involved so that you can feel understood, heard, that you can feel like I’m playing a role, playing a part. You have purpose, meaning. Tell me a little bit about that for you, like the purpose and the meaning side of it does. Have you ever had that thing in your mind, like, you know, what’s my purpose in life? Have you done that? How have you? Because for me, I had a purposeful and meaningful life before stroke. It was all about my kids. Bill Gasiamis 1:17:08 It was all about raising them and all that kind of stuff, and then they let you down when they turn 18, because they don’t need you anymore, and that your purpose, you have to redo it, I suppose, revisit it, and work out how you’re going to go forward. And one of the big things in my recovery was when I discovered the purpose was to help other stroke survivors, when I kind of stumbled on that and then I did the podcast and began that, then the meaning came after. Bill Gasiamis 1:17:43 But at the beginning, the helping came from just attending the Stroke Foundation, Smart Stroke, Safe stroke speakers, course, that I did to learn how to present for them. And then we did a lot of awareness raising campaigns and all that kind of stuff to different community groups, corporations, a whole bunch of places. And it gave me, you kind of turned this horrible thing that happened to me into, man, I could actually turn this into something helpful, meaningful, purposeful and supportive of other people. From Survivor to Mentor: Evolving Journey Post-Stroke Bill Gasiamis 1:18:27 That’s not so I’m not going to decrease the amount of time that I’m going to be feeling sorry for myself. You know about what happened to me? Because it’s about other people now, right? Yeah. So what about you? Where are you with that type of thing. Brooke Parsons 1:18:45 Pre-stroke, I wanted to be a music teacher. So that was pre-stroke. I knew at the age of 13 what I wanted to be when I grew up, and then at the age of 18, when I was looking at uni subjects and uni choices and courses and what I was doing in BCE and where I wanted to go after school, I really had no idea, because I knew I couldn’t become that music teacher I’d so desperately hung on to throughout the first five years post stroke, that was good. Brooke Parsons 1:19:26 Mind you, hanging on to that idea for five years post stroke, in those very early initial days, gave me a purpose to keep going, to get up, to try again. Get up after every fall, and now I’m going to be okay from that, I would say luck’s been involved, because I was asked by the Children’s Hospital to be a chapter in a novel written by Neil Mitchell. Who was a3 AW radio presenter, and then somebody at the Stroke Foundation read that chapter and said ‘We’ve gotta get her as an ambassador. And then the CEO at the time, Erin Layla, nominated me to be on Julie B’s project. Brooke Parsons 1:20:22 And so it’s sort of gone around and around in a circle. Now you may have noticed Queensland in Adelaide, I often take a back seat. And by that, I mean I’ll sit there and I’ll be amongst everyone. But if you said to me ‘Oh, Brooke, I don’t agree with that, or I do agree with that, and for these reasons, I’d say ‘Bill, please, say it, they’re really good points, because you’ve told me, right? You might just need that little bit of a push. For me, it’s about mentoring and bringing everyone else up through the ranks. Now, to do what I do. Bill Gasiamis 1:21:09 I love that. That’s so great. So it’s kind of evolved, and it still involves your original participation, helping other people, be they researchers. As a result of helping researchers, you help stroke survivors, that’s all still there, and now it’s about mentoring other stroke survivors to sort of step in and play a role. I love that. Brooke Parsons 1:21:30 Yeah, so I think I’ve always been giving. I think there’s always been an element of leadership there. I’m one of these people that always seems to know what’s going on, even when I don’t want to know what’s going on, like around places and things and all of that’s well and good. I’ll always have a little bit of a burning desire in me, I guess, to be a leader in one way, shape or form. And many would probably say I am a leader in what I do. Bill Gasiamis 1:22:07 Yeah, there’s definitely a leadership quality there that is seems to come natural to you. Brooke Parsons 1:22:17 I think, yes, yeah. But my purpose isn’t so much about me or doing what I do to fix me, because the cold truth is that’s never going to happen. But a deformed arm, that’s the way that’s going to be, got deformed legs. Sadly, that’s the way they’re going to be. But those that know me, those that have relationships in whatever form, with me, that’s because they know Brooke, the Brooke who lights up her room when she enters. Brooke Parsons 1:22:58 The Brooke who has a sparkle in her eye every time she smiles, and the Brooke who will give her absolute most even on her worst day, just to get through the day. That’s why I do what I do. I think that’s what gives me purpose, and it keeps me going. Bill Gasiamis 1:23:28 Yeah, that’s good to have something to keep everybody going. Anybody going? I as we come to the end of the episode and wrap up, I ask stroke survivors these three questions at the end of my episode, which I’ll ask you. But usually the stroke survivors who I ask are very new to stroke. When I’m saying very new. It didn’t happen 30 years ago. It happened say, you know, two months ago, six months ago, a year ago, they’re still in that very early sort of part of their journey. Embracing Change: The Transformation After Stroke Bill Gasiamis 1:24:02 And the first question goes, what is the hardest thing about stroke for you? So I’ll be very interested in in that perspective from somebody who’s been living with stroke the majority of her life. Brooke Parsons 1:24:20 Do the hardest thing for me was accepting the fact I lost old Brooke. However, I gained a Brooke who is fierce, who is stubborn, who can be a loud mouth and still have most of the qualities that she had beforehand. So what I’m describing to you is, I can still be a pain in the bum. Bill Gasiamis 1:24:48 So, you can be old Brooke. And then there’s this new version as well that’s also still emerged and taken the old Brooke with her. Brooke Parsons 1:25:05 Absolutely, I think, you know, I could say I’m the old Brooke, but I’d be denying myself the fact that I’m in a chair now, and that I’ve had a stroke and that I’ve got limbs as much as I want them to work, don’t work. So that’s what I mean by old Brooke had limbs. Used to run around on a Saturday morning in a netball skirt and play goal shooter and then come home and study for six hours. New Brooke can’t do that, and that’s okay, but new Brooke is just as powerful as the old Brooke was. She’s just had to find those qualities that make her equally, if not, better. Bill Gasiamis 1:25:56 More powerful. I love that. So then the next question goes, what has stroke taught you? Brooke Parsons 1:26:10 What has stroke taught me? That’s a really good question. I this is going to sound weird, but we are all human, so therefore we all have the right to have good days and bad days for people like yourself, Bill and for like myself, despite being in a chair, our stroke is the burden that we carry every single day. So for example, I might say to you ‘Hey, let’s catch up and do lunch. And you’d say ‘Yeah, I’m just going to make a salad sandwich. I don’t know. I’m just making this up, by the way, the way you make a salad sandwich would be completely different to me. Brooke Parsons 1:27:14 Ringing the support workers downstairs going ‘Hey, can you come up and make Bill and I solid sandwiches. Although it’s done differently because our abilities are different, we’re still people, and we have every right to express how we’re feeling and our opinions and be accepted and loved just as much as the next person. Does that make sense at all? Bill Gasiamis 1:27:51 It does. Do you feel that society, this is such a general question, and it probably deserves a general answer and nothing specific. But do you feel that society still overlooks the needs of people that are different because of, say, their appearance, their disability? Does that still happen? Do you get a sense that I think overlooked, etc happens. Brooke Parsons 1:28:24 I don’t know if it’s overlooked. I think we as individuals, though, need to find an acceptance that’s okay for us to go. This was the old me, this is the new me, and I’m still equally as important, and I’m still okay. Bill Gasiamis 1:28:47 So it’s a personal thing to develop. Brooke Parsons 1:28:50 I think so because, you know, it would be fair for me to say, people see me in a wheelchair, and they must go ‘Oh, poor bro, she, you know, she’s in a chair, her life must be so terribly hard. But did they see me get up and speak in Queensland? No, have they seen the process of me being in a novel? Absolutely not, but a person who’s been in a novel will completely understand the process of being in a novel. So I just accept how you do things may be different to how I do things. Yes, we’ve both had strokes, but they’re like our invisible friend that just tag along for the journey. Bill Gasiamis 1:29:46 It’s about how you turn up, isn’t it? It’s about how we turn up to a place, and how we put ourselves out there, and the vibe that we’re giving off, as to how people are going to interact with us and classic example I always go back to this guy is Stephen Hawking, yes, in all of his challenges and disabilities and inabilities and all that stuff, he was still when he turned up, he paid attention. You need to listen to what he had to say about the particular topic that he was talking about. And it did make it made no difference. Bill Gasiamis 1:30:20 He was the expert in his field, no matter what his condition was like, looked like, you know, nothing. So that’s, I think, where you’re getting it is like, it’s how we turn up, regardless of what we’ve been through or what we’re going through, absolutely. I like it. And then the last question is, and we may have already kind of gone over it a little bit, it’s like, what I don’t like the word advice particularly, but it’s like, what would you tell other stroke survivors? Brooke Parsons – From ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I Can Bill Gasiamis 1:30:52 Usually, they’re going through it early on, they just started their journey. Some of them might be, you know, a few years in, they’re still grappling with all of the changes, the differences can What do you tell them? What do you tell other strokes survivors who are listening? Brooke Parsons 1:31:08 Yeah. Look, I think this is a really powerful question, because if I recall back those early days, and I’m sure we all can, in one way, shape or form, we hear the word can’t a lot. So the first thing I say to stroke survivors is, well, let’s drop the T and it’s I can. And if you can, you will find a way to do it. And an example of that is in 2023 I went to the World Stroke Congress in Toronto, where I spoke, and I said to two of my colleagues who happen to be physios, let’s go and climb the CN Tower, and let’s do the sky edge walk. Brooke Parsons 1:32:07 Now these two physios clearly thought that I wouldn’t have thought of any dare devil activity, and that would be all safe because Brooke’s mentioned it. So they went ‘Yeah, yeah, no worries. So I paid for the three of us to do it. When we got there, they went ‘Holy Lord whose idea was this again? And I go ‘Oh, very happily. And then we got out onto the sky edge walk, and one of them hung over the edge and went ‘Yeah, I’m free, this is lovely. Another one would barely put a toe over the edge. But then it came to me. Brooke Parsons 1:32:56 Here I am in the wheelchair, and I’m hanging over the edge, well and truly going, I’m free. This is wonderful. I don’t want to get down from here. That would have been very easy for me to turn around and go, no, I’m not doing that. But I didn’t, because who knows if I’ll get back to Canada. Hopefully I will, but it was something, then that evening, I sent the little clip to Julie B said ‘The only thing missing was you. And then it became the talk of the conference. Everybody knew that there was a girl in a wheelchair who did the CN tower climb. Bill Gasiamis 1:33:47 Yeah. Brooke Parsons 1:33:49 And that would be so easy to just sit back and go, I would like to have done that, but I’m in a chair. Bill Gasiamis 1:33:56 I can’t there’s, I suppose, what you’re getting through is, there has to be, like, a willingness to participate in life. And it’s pretty obvious that when you do like, big things can come of it. I mean, you represented stroke survivors at a conference in Canada from Australia. That’s huge, and that’s possible, right? That’s, I’m not saying that the goal should be to be a stroke survivor who specs on a on a international stage, maybe, but it doesn’t have to be that. But that’s what I get from what you just said. Resilience and Advocacy Bill Gasiamis 1:34:00 So by participating in life and doing the scary things, one of them is, you know, looking over the edge of a massive drop, it kind of is a similar thing, to participate and then end up on a stage, which is a big thing in another country, doing a presentation. I see why you’ve achieved so much. It’s because of that willingness to do scare you well, maybe calculated, risky thing, but scary nonetheless. Brooke Parsons 1:35:06 Yeah, I think it’s about dropping the T and believing you can when you can, believe you can anything is possible, because you’re willing to go to all lengths to make it, in itself is anybody can choose to if they want. Bill Gasiamis 1:35:31 On that note, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast. I really enjoyed our chat, and it’s great to connect with you again, since we connected in the conferences, which always happens in very small bursts, because everyone’s rushing everywhere, and no one really has time, so much time. So it’s been lovely. Thank you. Brooke Parsons 1:35:54 Thank you, Bill. Thank you so much, and I’m always around. Bill Gasiamis 1:35:59 Well, that brings us to the end of this inspiring episode with Brooke from surviving a stroke at just 13 years old to becoming a fierce advocate and lived experience consultant, Brooke’s story is a testament to resilience, advocacy and the power of community. Her work is shaping the future of stroke recovery for survivors everywhere. If today’s conversation resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Please like, comment and subscribe on YouTube, if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, leaving a five star rating or review would be amazing. Bill Gasiamis 1:36:38 It helps others discover the podcast and join the growing community. Remember to check out my book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened , available on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book , and if you’d like to support the podcast directly, please visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstoke . Thank you for being here and listening and making this podcast part of your recovery journey. I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:37:08 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog, podcast or video material controlled this website or content is created and produced for information or purposes only and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:37:38 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. 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However, third party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post Brooke Parsons: Transforming Stroke Recovery Through Resilience and Advocacy appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 You Can’t Change the Past: How Mike Kent Turned a Hemorrhagic Stroke into Growth 1:14:53
1:14:53 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:14:53
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutAcceptance: Hemorrhagic Stroke Journey and Path to Recovery Life often takes unexpected turns, leaving us grappling with challenges we never anticipated. For those who have experienced a hemorrhagic stroke, the journey to recovery can feel overwhelming and uncertain. One of the most crucial yet challenging steps in this journey is acceptance . Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it’s about acknowledging where you are, finding peace with what has happened, and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead. The Reality of a Hemorrhagic Stroke A hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in the brain, is a life-altering event that can bring physical, emotional, and psychological hurdles. Survivors often face paralysis, speech difficulties, memory challenges, and other long-term effects. But beyond the physical recovery, there’s a deeper, often less-discussed journey: learning to accept the “new normal” after stroke. The sudden nature of a stroke can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. You might wrestle with questions like, “Why did this happen to me?” or “Will life ever feel normal again?” While these thoughts are natural, the key to moving forward lies in reframing the narrative and shifting focus from what’s lost to what remains. What Acceptance Truly Means Acceptance is not about resigning yourself to a life of limitation. Instead, it’s about recognizing the present moment for what it is. It’s about letting go of regrets about the past and instead channeling your energy into what you can control now. For many stroke survivors, the inability to undo past decisions—such as elective surgeries or lifestyle choices—can weigh heavily. But as difficult as it may seem, accepting that the past cannot be changed is the first step toward reclaiming your power. By focusing on what can be done today, survivors can begin to rebuild their lives. Steps Toward Acceptance Acknowledge Your Feelings It’s okay to feel anger, sadness, or frustration. Give yourself permission to process these emotions, but don’t let them define you. Journaling, therapy, or talking with a trusted friend can help release these feelings. Focus on the Present The present is the only moment we truly have. Take small, actionable steps toward recovery, whether that’s attending therapy sessions, practicing mindfulness, or simply celebrating small victories like tying a shoelace or walking a few extra steps. Redefine Your Identity A stroke may change what you can do physically, but it doesn’t change who you are at your core. Embrace the parts of yourself that remain strong and resilient, and allow this new chapter to help you grow. Seek Support Connecting with others who understand your journey can be incredibly empowering. Whether it’s joining a support group, working with a recovery coach, or engaging with online communities, surrounding yourself with people who “get it” can make the road feel less lonely. Finding Strength in the Journey Every stroke survivor’s journey is unique, but one common thread is the incredible strength it takes to move forward. Acceptance doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process that unfolds gradually. The key is to take it one day at a time, focusing on progress over perfection. As Mike Kent, a hemorrhagic stroke survivor, shared in a recent episode of the Recovery After Stroke Podcast : “I’ve learned to realize you don’t need to answer the question of ‘why.’ You just need to move on from it, resource yourself, and bounce forward.” Motivational Takeaway While the past cannot be changed, the future is still unwritten. Accepting your circumstances is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. It’s an opportunity to find strength you didn’t know you had, to rebuild, and to inspire others through your courage. If you’re on this journey or supporting someone who is, remember that every small step forward counts. Your story is a testament to resilience and the power of the human spirit. Resources for Your Recovery Explore my book : The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened , available on Amazon or directly from recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Join the community : Connect with others and access resources by supporting the podcast on Patreon. Acceptance is a journey, but it’s also a destination where hope, growth, and possibility await. Keep moving forward—you are not alone. Acceptance: Mike Kent’s Hemorrhagic Stroke Journey and Path to Recovery You can’t change the past, but Mike Kent’s hemorrhagic stroke recovery shows how to embrace growth and resilience to transform the future. Facebook Instagram Empowering Disability Highlights: 00:00 Mike Kent’s Introduction and Initial Injury 03:59 Waking Up and Realizing the Impact 11:53 Dealing With Acceptance 18:17 The Beauty Of Enlightenment 28:17 Accepting Love In The Form Of Help 38:40 The Path Towards Post-Traumatic Growth 40:17 What Is Post-Traumatic Growth? 53:33 Being Your Own Critic 1:00:16 Becoming A Recovery Coach 1:06:02 The Hardest Thing About The Stroke 1:09:47 What I’ve Learnt From The Stroke 1:12:09 Advice From A Stroke Survivor Transcript: Mike Kent’s Introduction and Initial Injury Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone. Today we have an incredible guest, Mike Kent joining us, whose story is nothing short of remarkable. He went from experiencing a life-altering hemorrhagic stroke caused by a routine medical procedure to transforming his life and becoming a source of inspiration for others. His journey is a testament to resilience, the power of acceptance and the incredible strength of the human spirit. You won’t want to miss the lessons Mike shares about embracing the present moment and turning adversity into a platform for growth. Bill Gasiamis 0:39 Before we dive in. I want to remind you about my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It is available on Amazon or directly from my website, at recoveryafterstroke.com/book , if you’re looking for practical tips and inspirational stories to guide your recovery or support a loved one, this book is for you. Now, let’s jump into this incredible conversation with Mike Kent. Bill Gasiamis 1:10 Mike Kent, welcome to the podcast. Mike Kent 1:14 Thank you, Bill. Lovely to be here. Thank you very much. Bill Gasiamis 1:17 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Mike Kent 1:18 Well, what happened to me? Well, let’s go back five years to May or maybe April 2019 and I was coming back from Boston, I just managed to land my dream job working in customer success, which is a kind of a new field for technology companies. And I was coming back from interviews, and had successfully finished the interviews there and got off of the job, came back for a routine operation in France, which is where I live. And there I went into the hospital, and the number two neurosurgeon in France, as is the norm, gave the task to a stage which is a trainee. Mike Kent 2:19 And that’s totally normal, and the trainee like they’re looking for cartilage to put in my nose, just at the top of thing. And it was a cosmetic operation. It wasn’t even necessary, and they drilled into put me in under, into sleep mode, and drilled into my head, got the cartilage and came out and sold it all up, unbeknownst to everyone, that trainee had actually drilled too far and had drilled into my brain and had caused a hemorrhagic bleed that no one was aware of in my head. And so I went into the what they call is the wake up room after the post operation, and I didn’t wake up. Mike Kent 3:09 I just carried on sleeping, and the night duty doctor then decided to think it’s very odd that Mr. Kent’s not awake. He should be awake now, at least, should be moving, and he’s not moving at all. And so they put me into an artificial coma, and it checked into with a scan what was happening in my head, and they realized that I was bleeding, bleeding into my through my brain, and I had one and a half hours to go so that sorry, I just, it’s quite emotional to recount that kind of story. I didn’t realize that, and, yeah, it’s like I was one and a half hours from touching the other side. Waking Up and Realizing the Impact Mike Kent 3:59 So that doctor was absolute is worth his weight in gold, because he immediately put me into that artificial coma. And when you’re in an artificial coma I’m told you’re not, kind of like, forced to wake up. You wake up when you can, which normally is like a few hours or one or two, three days later. I woke up eight weeks later. And when I woke up, I was looking around, and I saw very blurred, I remember seeing my twin brother, and I kinda said ‘What’s my twin brother doing in France? You know, he shouldn’t be. He lives in LA. Mike Kent 4:42 And what’s my mother doing here? She lives in England, you know. So it’s all bizarre. So then I just rolled over, and I fell out of the bed because I couldn’t move the whole of my right side. And it was then that I realized that, the whole of my right side was hemiplegic, which is, it’s a stroke, it’s just able to move the right side. And I started bursting into tears. It’s a hugely emotive and soul destroying and then gradually, kind of, like, dawned on me that I had come from landing my dream job, like, literally two hours ago, right in my time, right, and now I was in a hospital. Mike Kent 5:38 And I couldn’t get up off the floor. So what the hell is going on here? And I’m a marketeer, I’m somebody who has always been interested in making the best possible thing that I can for whatever product is, whatever product that I’m marketing, right, whether it’s drinks or whether it’s liquid soap or whatever. So we’re always aiming for perfection, we’re always aiming for that golden nugget, and we didn’t to be actually sitting or lying on the floor and crying and not understanding what the hell is going on. Mike Kent 6:26 Is my whole world is just collapsing right in front of me, and from then, I got lifted up by the nurses on top. I won’t go into all that, but the rest of that story is that I actually was so depressed that I went into a depression, and I even tried to end my life. But the one thing that saved me was that I want to know what it would be like when I was not here, and I would never know if I was not here. Mike Kent 7:03 So that was, I was kind of like going at it round of my head ‘Well, Mike, you do this, you know. So I decided not to go ahead with it. I got given a book called The Awakening by Jeff Thomas, and that was from my brother. And that’s where it all just started to resonate with me in that I live now in the present moment. Everything I do is in the present moment and that is what saved me, really, and that’s where I am now. Bill Gasiamis 7:38 It’s quite a contrast, one minute you’re fully involved in your life and going about business, dream job, all of that kind of stuff. Next minute you wake up and you’re gone, everything that you thought was the way that things were is not like that anymore. And now people people struggle to, you know, kind of have this idea of old age for some people. And it’s just some people describe as like a steady decline, and then over a long period of time, and then you get to 80 or 90, and, you know, some people are fitting well and a little bit less capable, perhaps. Bill Gasiamis 8:25 And you know that coordination has gone a little bit or things are different, they’ve changed, but there’s this time difference that you’ve had to be able to grapple with the slow change and the things that you don’t do anymore. You can’t do anymore have type been removed from your abilities, right? So you kind of have this big adjustment period and that you can have your conversations with people about it, you can joke about it. Bill Gasiamis 8:56 Can laugh but it can get annoyed about it, you can get counseling for it. You can do all these things, then a stroke is not like that. It doesn’t give you the time to deal with anything that it leaves you with when you wake up. And it’s impossible for anyone to be able to just grapple with that immediately and be okay with it. Mike Kent 9:20 Yep, absolutely. The difference, the thing is that a stroke it’s not something it’s not in a moment. A stroke is, It’s a journey. It’s a long road of whatever you want to make it right, and it’s how you actually deal with the hardship, trauma, the difficulty, whatever word you would like to use, it is really up to you and your ability to actually you. We only have one life, whatever you want to believe that we are conscious of one life. So I want to make the best. I’ve always have wanted to make the best of my life. Mike Kent 10:11 And I think being a twin and 20 minutes makes a hell of a difference for me. I’m the older one, but we are naturally competitive, right, but not competitive, as in, you know, really fighting and stuff. We’re just really driven, and so when you’re presented with a situation that you cannot understand and you cannot even begin to fathom or realize what on earth is going on. Mike Kent 10:42 You ask yourself questions over and over again, and there’ll come a time when you actually want to get those answers, and you’ll start making an answer because you are just continuing saying ‘I don’t accept this, I don’t accept what I am, this is not fair, okay, I am not a victim. Bill Gasiamis 11:01 Just jumping in with a quick message. I hope you’re enjoying this conversation with Mike Kent as much as I am. If this podcast has been helpful to your recovery journey, I’d like to invite you to support the show on Patreon. Since the very beginning, I’ve been covering all the costs of producing this podcast myself and your support can help me continue to bring these valuable stories and resources to you and others in the stroke recovery community. Bill Gasiamis 11:31 By becoming a Patreon supporter, you’ll be joining a community that’s passionate about stroke recovery and helping others feel less alone. Visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke to learn more. Every bit counts, and your support makes a real difference. Now let’s get back to Mike’s inspiring story. Dealing With Acceptance Mike Kent 11:53 I am Mike, right. I am unique, we are all unique. We’re given whatever cards we’re given and dealt with, and we deal with them as best as we possibly can, these cards I’ve been dealt. I have to accept that I am like this, I am this way, but I don’t want to be a victim. I will do something about it, and so I always say to people that I actually want to concentrate on is what I have and not what I don’t have, yeah, and that’s what has been, has inspired me all along. And I’ve got this kind of get up and go attitude. Mike Kent 12:35 I think that I’ve always seen the glasses half full, and kind of been a positive kind of guy. Luckily, I think that, you know, the US has ordained all this for me, and that there is a reason why all of this happened, and I’m now actually a recovery coach to people who are in difficulties, whether they are differently abled different, or whether they are disabled, or whether even when they are able bodied, but they are suffering from depression or suffering from whatever disorder or illness that they have. Mike Kent 13:19 I’m just so I’ve got so much confidence right to share and give and help people, that it’s a super wonderful journey that I’m on now, and that’s okay. It wasn’t okay five years ago, but it’s okay, because I’m meeting people that I’ve I would never have met in my life before, and, yeah, I’d actually even think that they’re on a different side of the street. I would actually walk on a different path to these people. Does that make sense? Bill Gasiamis 13:59 Well, you were an asshole. Were you? Mike Kent 14:01 Completely, completely, yeah. And I don’t know why I might say that, because it’s just a different lifestyle. I was arrogant. I was cocky and stuff, you know, now I’m just humble and just want to serve and just want to get I don’t give back because I don’t like the idea of back, that means going backwards. I don’t want to go backwards, I go forward, so I bounce forward and just doing it, do as whatever I can, as well as I can. Bill Gasiamis 14:32 I love your truth, the truth. And I suppose we’re not all we, perhaps we act like ourselves, but we’re not all assholes. Deep down. It’s just that this circumstances make you kind of steer away from your true essence, and then something has to happen so that you can come back to your true essence. That’s how I feel, because I was not the coolest guy. Mike Kent 15:01 Were you an asshole then? Bill Gasiamis 15:02 I was, a little bit. Earlier on in my life, I was terrible at school, I was a pain in the ass to everybody. And then later on, I kind of took that into my adult life, and one on one, we’d have a good time. We’d get along, you know, but I used to have it. I used to, like, if somebody, I thought, if I felt somebody wronged me, that person just never heard the end of it. They were just, it was a vendetta that I had to make sure that I sit, I saw out to the end. And it wasn’t, you know, it wasn’t stalking or illegal stuff. Bill Gasiamis 15:45 It was just I would be rude and I would be blunt and I’d be short, and I wouldn’t give all the time a day I’m obnoxious, and I would just make their life difficult because I thought that they deserved it, which is actually completely, totally wrong, because I never spent one moment going. I wonder what’s happening in that person’s life today, for that person to behave the way that they did to me that I don’t know that I should give them a break about, and that was my turning point, right? And I share this story a lot. Bill Gasiamis 16:19 When I saw people in a wheelchair, I just imagined they were sitting down. As bizarre as that sounds, I never connected it to trauma, illness, injury, any of that stuff. And then when I spent like, four or five weeks in a wheelchair because I couldn’t walk, I’m like ‘What an idiot you are, how could you have thought that this is an easy gig? Just sitting in a chair, pushing yourself around is an easy gig. Oh, my God, I’m dealing with all this stuff I can’t walk and all this stuff that the emotional storm, and it’s like ‘Well, you needed to be like this Bill. Bill Gasiamis 16:59 So that you can become a more compassionate person because you acted compassionately, or you pretended you were you, you were compassionate, but you never acted compassionately when it mattered. Mike Kent 17:14 I remember going to the rehab place, and I was in an ambulance, and there were these three guys who were all in wheelchairs just outside the front door, all smoking away. And I come in on a stretch, and I’m going, like, the first of all, I’m going, Why the hell are they smoking? But God’s sake, don’t smoke. You’re in a hospital thing, and you’re ruining your health, you’re doing all this stuff, it’s like God’s sake. Mike Kent 17:47 And remember that even to this day. And that was their release. That was their only way that they could actually get to be with themselves without the have the trauma of the of realizing they actually were handicapped or disabled or in a difficult situation. Bill Gasiamis 18:12 And they were doing that the day before they were in hospital, as if they’re going to stop today. The Beauty Of Enlightenment Mike Kent 18:17 Exactly, yeah. And you never think about that, you never think, you know, I think about my story when I was, you know, from Boston to the hospital, etc, you know, I never think about before. Anyway, what was that guy doing in the wheelchair the day before, right? He got in a wheelchair. What was his life like? Never occurred to me, just like you never, but I don’t think it does to many people actually. I think the the beauty of all this, is that our ability to actually reflect and take that on board makes us a bigger, better, stronger person. Mike Kent 18:58 Right to be able to serve, to be able to to help others and and spread the word the people that where I live in Paris, has been recently the Olympics. And I went to see the Paralympics, and I went, I was in the swimming arena, and that was when the Brazilian guy who has no arms and very short legs. So basically quadriplegic and has nothing there. He won the gold medal. He beat a guy who had two arms and two legs into silver. I mean, it’s nuts, right? And he swims like it. And then turns on his back, and it’s like, it’s incredible. Mike Kent 19:46 And then when he gets out of the pool, he is turning around and he’s clapping the eighth person, the eighth where he’s not clapping, but he’s going like this. He’s clapping the eighth person, encouraging, because they are all there to not to show off or to show how good they are, whatever. They’re just participants, that’s it. It’s incredible, and then the way, and they all go round and parading their medals, and it’s that three medalists all together. It’s not one, and then the next one, and then the next one, it’s a huge difference compared to the actual Olympics. Mike Kent 19:49 Which is the epitome of individual pursuit. And then exactly the whole psychology is to outwit, outperform your competitor. Mike Kent 20:44 Yes, yeah. And there it was and then the other. The other thing I noticed was that the crowd were so in tune with the athletes or with the swimmers, that there was such unity between the crowd and the and the swimmers and harmony. And that was just it, since she was just thinking about it, the beauty of it all, you know, and it makes it made a very, very incredible experience. And as really, it’s profoundly, taken me and helped me on my journey. Bill Gasiamis 21:27 Yeah, sometimes you go to a marathon. And let me just qualify this, when I say, go to a marathon, you turn up, you don’t race, because I don’t do marathons. And I never, I never, would. And then there’s, you know, there’s the event which everyone starts off in, and then there’s the event that other people do five kilometers or 10 kilometers, and they might have a physical disability or a mental impairment or whatever, no matter what. And then you just, and then it’s just like the marathons, it’s not even about the marathon. Bill Gasiamis 21:33 It’s about actually doing all the things that you had to do to get to the marathon. Mike Kent 22:07 Yeah, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 22:08 Overcome the injury, get out of hospital, rehabilitate yourself, perhaps train, learn to walk. You know, whatever it is, it’s all about that stuff. The marathon is just like, I feel like it’s just the icing on the cake. A friend of mine, friend of mine who’s able bodied, ran 100 kilometers about three weeks ago, two weeks ago, I was there with him. I was supporting him at every checkpoint, food, clothes, whatever he needed, a little bit of chat, little bit of motivation. Bill Gasiamis 22:44 And we spoke about it yesterday, nearly two weeks later, and he just hasn’t, still been able to grasp the enormity of what he did. He hasn’t been able to comprehend it and for him, he’s able bodied, but the fact that he did 100 kilometers in 16 hours is still something that he had to find, you know, reach into places he’s never reached before, to be able to actually get over the line and do it. And I think he hasn’t been able to get his head around that it actually wasn’t the run, it was all the stuff that he’s done before the run in his 49 years, to get to the starting line and go. Bill Gasiamis 23:33 I’m going and then to go, I’m going to go to the end. It’s a big achievement, but what got him there is the even bigger achievement in my mind, because I can’t even contemplate being at the start line of one of those events that I’m running. Yeah, I’ve got to get I’m not even there. I haven’t even done that journey yet, and I’m never going to do it. I’m not going to run 100 kilometers, because I don’t think I’ve got what it takes to do the work that gets you to the start line, because there’s a lot of work. Bill Gasiamis 24:07 He trained for months and months and months. And it’s like, that’s kind of how I see this whole these guys that get to the Paralympics or become gold medalists in a para-sport or whatever. And it’s like ‘Man, forget the knighthood, so to speak, the knighting. It’s everything else that we don’t see, that’s the amazing part. Mike Kent 24:32 They interviewed one of the swimmers, because every night on French TV they brought in the the medalists and the people of the day, and it was so well done. And these people just were so proud of what they would what they’d achieved. And you get them and said ‘Okay, so that’s your that’s the highlight of your career, right? So, what to get there, you know, what other major highlights Have you had? And the guy says ‘Well, actually, you know, to get here was, there’s a lot of ups and downs actually. Mike Kent 25:11 Well, mostly downs actually, in actual fact, it was all downs, you know, we, we don’t see any of that we don’t see that, that had to get up at four o’clock in the morning and goes do it every single day, and on top of that, they are bringing all of their baggage, should we say, of who they are and their disability with them, and then fighting that, and then on top of that, fighting to try and just get to a race and or to a performance level that they’re being been asked to get to, and that’s not even getting into the Olympics, that’s just qualifying for them. Mike Kent 25:57 You know, it’s fundamental. It really and that’s, I think the people that I have met, and you probably met a lot more than I have, but there’s a lot of guts and driven and determination and grit In disability, and frankly, there’s a lot of positivity. A lot of people who have gone not just the extra mile, but the extra life, sort of 10 miles or whatever, and really, really just going for it. And when they look back, they realize what they have actually achieved is phenomenal. Bill Gasiamis 26:39 Yeah, and that’s what I want to really emphasize here. The key point is that we’re talking about people reaching the Olympics, competing a massive achievement, winning massive achievement. But somebody else’s Olympics might be going back to work. Yes, and that’s the thing, right? It might be driving, it might be becoming going home, getting a job, exactly, yeah, just going home. It could be anything like that. Bill Gasiamis 27:08 So what I’m trying to say is, like, Mike and I, we see you, we don’t expect you to be gold medalists or run 100 kilometers or go to an Olympics. What we’re talking about is what’s possible. But also, you know, somebody else’s Olympics might not look like attending France. Mike Kent 27:28 Yeah and they’re all there. All their Olympics are their own personal journeys and their own personal endeavors within their own way of living, and that’s absolutely brilliant in itself, inspiring in itself. Totally get that. Bill Gasiamis 27:50 I see a lot of people get a lot of satisfaction, and have been able to tie their shoelaces again, even with one arm, learning how to do that. Or I see a lot of people getting, you know, really moved by being able to comb the hair of their daughter, you know, stuff like that. That journey to be able to get there, to do that might have taken them years. And it’s like, never give up. Keep going. Acceptance Of Love In The Form Of Help Mike Kent 28:17 It’s a very interesting point that because my son and my daughter, have accepted how I am because I’m stubborn, so I like to do things myself only because I don’t want to have handouts kind of thing, right? But I’ve learned to actually accept help now, and that it’s important to match. And people, it’s not that they’re not doing it because they are what, because they are sorry for you. They’re doing it out of love, right? They want to help you, right? And that’s a big mindset change that I had to go through. Mike Kent 28:17 And now, you know, you talk about the tying of the shoelaces. Yeah, I can’t tie my shoelaces, and so I get my son to tie them, and then I just slip the shoes. I just slip on and off, you know, each time. And that’s okay, that’s we call it a win, win. He doesn’t get to do it. He doesn’t need to do it all the time. I don’t need to do it all the time, but he’s done it. He’s helped me with what tiny shoelace, but I’m doing it every day because I can slip the shoes on and off. But it’s little things, and it is always little things. Bill Gasiamis 29:36 That’s right, it’s a compromise that you had to make, that you had to be okay with receiving help, which is a massive journey in itself. Mike Kent 29:46 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 29:47 How could that be a thing that we can’t do? How can that even be a thing that we can’t accept? I don’t get that at all. It’s so weird. Mike Kent 29:57 I wonder why it. Cultural or what it is, but for me, I have completely changed. I really, really have completely changed maybe that I’m a much better person for it, but that still doesn’t take away that the the first three years, I was stubborn, but now I think maybe it’s age, maybe it’s just I’m loving the world now in a different way, and loving the world. You know, I actually walk a little bit slower to get to wherever I want to get to, but I get to see the world, I get to see the leaves. Mike Kent 30:45 I get to see the leaves and the color we’re in autumn or fall, and we get to see the different colors of the leaves. And I get to actually experience that because I’m walking slower, and therefore I’m not rushing to the next place. And then you start realizing ‘Okay, I love what I’m seeing, this is really good. So therefore I’m just walking around with a smile. You know, they call me Mr. Bonjour, which is Mr. Hello. I just keep saying hello to everyone. Mike Kent 31:12 But that’s because I give everyone the time of day. And so if my son comes to me and says ‘Papa, you need to do your shoelace up. Okay, can you help me please, you know? Because it’s all part of the spirit of just enjoying the moment that that I’m in, which is the life I’m in. Bill Gasiamis 31:32 Yeah, I find, I do that does make sense. A lot of people would resonate with that. I find the similar things where I could go, you know, and just spend time now, having been to Paris and and understanding of the cafe culture there, and what you do when you go to a cafe, you just sit and you just observe and you watch them. I bring that, I go there, and I bring that back to Australia and Melbourne, where I go. And there’s a beautiful place that I love in in our central business district, our city, and I’ll just sit there for sometimes three, four hours with my wife, other times on my own. Bill Gasiamis 32:07 And I’ll just do that, I’ll just observe people, and then people will come and they’ll do their thing. And often people who are looking for some spare change, or for whatever is, will come up, and they’re really interesting conversations, which I never had before with people like that. And it’s like they’re going to get a few coins, because I always go into the central businesses with coins in my pocket, whatever’s lying around the house, just so that I can have something to hand out when they approach. And sometimes there’s a big bunch of them, sometimes there’s a small amount. Bill Gasiamis 32:40 And these guys are struggling even more to get a little bit of money these days, because everyone taps their cards or their phone to pay for things, so they don’t carry as much cash as they used to. So we have converse, I have conversations with these people that I never would have had before that are just enlightening, and forget about the drama and the trauma that’s got them on the street, that’s making them ask for money like you have a conversation with somebody, you just get a completely different perspective and you get the sense of positivity. Bill Gasiamis 33:19 And even in that person’s situation, they still are looking to connect with people, to say thank you, to say ‘Yep, all I’ve got to do is get another 10, 15, $20 and I’ll be able to get a room tonight. And there, they have a goal, they have an outcome. They have something they need to achieve., they’re grateful when they achieve it. They share the same experiences and feelings as us. And there were people that I would have just walked past before. Sure, in a lot of European cities, and even in Australia, there are people who are scamming the system and are doing that. Bill Gasiamis 33:57 Because they know that people will give, and then that they get to take people’s money, and they’re not in that situation, but some people just are in that situation, you can tell, right? And that’s the thing for me, being able to just sit still in one place and just have observed people, and have people come to me and people walk past me, is it just a completely different thing that I never did before. It’s kind of under the banner of people watching, but it’s more. There’s more depth to it than just people watching. Mike Kent 34:31 Yeah, I can agree more, and I take that one step further. It’s like I go swimming every day, and on Tuesdays, there is the disabled people come and swim. And we can only swim from 12 to 2pm, adults, right? And then the disabled people are there from 12:30 to 1:30 and only on in one lane. And I just happen to be in that lane, yeah. And I’m swimming with like, you know, one arm and one half leg, something and, I can swim quite, I can do a kilometer quite easily. Mike Kent 34:57 And then they are all these disabled people there, and I’m encouraging them when I’m there on the end, come on, you go. Got like five strokes to go. You know, one and don’t give up. Don’t go up and like and the smiles of joy and happiness. These guys are actual these men and women are actually experiencing that somebody else is actually encouraging them, other than the meta Nagel, which is the the life card person from the top. Mike Kent 35:44 Who’s actually in the pool and there, and he’s got a problem as well, but we don’t know what it is, but he’s got nice smile, and he just helping and encouraging us is it’s a wonderful kind of unity and ambience and atmosphere to be in. Bill Gasiamis 36:03 Such difference in life, such a small thing, massive positive things. Mike Kent 36:08 And I happened, and I’m going to meet them on next Monday, actually, in talk with a guy. And, you know, little things happen after them, and just be an inspiration, talk to them, and, you know, hang with them and I think that’s so rewarding, and that’s certainly something I would never do before the accident, but now there’s so much pleasure to be got from seeing their smiles. Mike Kent 36:36 And I would say it’s smiling from the inside out, yeah, where they can actually just resonate with you and have that kind of like sunshine that’s just emanating out of them, just by being with you or hearing you, and just them actually understanding that somebody else is in a similar situation and gets it, and that’s so important. Bill Gasiamis 37:08 Isn’t it ridiculous how much life we were missing before? Mike Kent 37:12 Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable. I am here for a reason, I didn’t go to the side because it wasn’t my time. And all of what has happened to me has happened to me for a reason, and so that I can now, I’ve found my passion now and that’s great, but I had to go through all of this to get there, and that’s still hard to stomach. I still hard to to swallow, to be honest. But because I live in the present moment, because of the the accident, and my memory is not quite as good as it was, I’m almost like stuck in Groundhog Day, right? Every day. Mike Kent 38:06 But that’s okay, because that means I’m just living so much in the present. I can’t change the past is what it is, and the future is going to be based on what I’m going to be doing now. And that’s okay with me, and if I need to know it, I will. I’m serendipity happens to me quite a lot, and so I work out where I need to be and what I need to do, just because that’s what happens and that’s that’s okay. The Path Towards Acceptance And Post-Traumatic Growth Bill Gasiamis 38:40 It was traumatic what you went through? Yeah? I mean, definitely traumatic. and see, you’re describing the steps towards post traumatic growth like it’s this concept completely people talk about that was given a term or was given the name post traumatic growth in the late 90s by two researchers. I forget their first names, but Tedeschi and Calhoun, they’re American researchers, and probably not American surnames, but they lived and grew in America, and they came up with the steps, and I was experiencing post traumatic growth through my journey. Bill Gasiamis 39:22 You know, I’m 12 years out now, but through my journey, and not having a word for it, a label for I couldn’t describe to people all the things that we’re discussing now that I had done, achieved, learnt as a result of this stroke, the windows of opportunity, the doors that opened, the podcast, the book, and I didn’t know, I didn’t have this term, right? And then I wrote my book. Bill Gasiamis 39:24 My books all about post-traumatic growth, but I didn’t talk about post-traumatic growth in the book because I hadn’t discovered the work by Tedeschi and Calhoun yet to say ‘Yeah, exactly what I’m talking about guys, because these are the steps, and that’s what I wrote about. And I’ve got the steps on the screen here. Now I’m going to read them to you. Tell me if these resonate right? So you’ve had the trauma, the adversity, and then there’s been an emotional struggle and distress. What Is Post-Traumatic Growth? Bill Gasiamis 40:17 You’ve had the cognitive processing and the reflection time you’ve seemed to have gained acceptance and integration of the whole situation. You definitely have new meaning and perspective in this space. You’ve you’ve seen growth and transformation, and within that growth, there is appreciation for life. There’s a deeper relating to others. There’s realization of more personal inner strength. There’s discovery of new paths and opportunities, new possibilities. And there’s spiritual change, a deeper connection to spiritual spirituality, or a shift in religious beliefs? Mike Kent 41:04 Absolutely, 100% Yeah, it’s and it’s funny, because we’re not adhering to a script. We’re not adhering to a kind of a dogma. This is natural, it’s just happening as you just said, you know. Bill Gasiamis 41:25 But you’ve taken some positive steps right to that it leads to. So there’s some things that you do that other people do that lead to this. Mike Kent 41:38 Yeah, I mean, I have a Facebook group that started with one person, and it’s called impairing disability, but I had such a hard time accepting that I help disabled people right, because I didn’t consider myself disabled. I used to call them disadvantaged or uncertain people, something like that. I can’t remember what it was, I couldn’t use the word this disability till someone said ‘Mike, it’s not about you, it’s about them. What language do they use about themselves? Bingo, of course, it’s disabled because, you know, with and then I change it to disabled than it do differently abled. Mike Kent 42:43 Right? And I thought, then it just be, it’s okay. They say we, I actually help disabled and able bodied people. Now it’s everybody. Isn’t that because, it’s people, exactly just people, right? Because we’re all individuals. We’re all we’re all unique, we’re all different in one way or another, and yet, we all have we’ve got strengths and weaknesses, because that’s part of the human kind of a being that we actually are. We can’t have just good parts without the bad parts, although we would never call them good parts, you know. Bill Gasiamis 43:25 People are injured human being and people are all traumatized. They’re all got some injuries., they’re all got some wounds. Some of them are not visible, right? There’s a lot of invisible disabilities. Mine are all invisible, all the stuff that I live with nobody sees. It’s the pain and the muscles, it’s the left side numbness and all that kind of stuff. And there’s the assumption that you’re, you’re all good now, you know, and it’s like, I’m all good, but I’m still physically, I’m feeling these things, you know. Bill Gasiamis 43:55 At the moment, I’m having a few months of, like, really difficulty with my left hand and my left leg and the way that it all feels, but the level of annoyance that it’s causing, and the suffering and the pain has increased a little bit, but it doesn’t look that way to anybody else. Nobody else can see that. So I can’t describe it, I can’t bring people on board to understand, I can’t do any of that. And that’s people, most of us are going through something that they can’t describe or, you know, know how to explain, or bring you on board with. Bill Gasiamis 44:38 So in the end, it’s like, okay. When I coach people for stroke recovery, there’s some clients that I help on a monthly basis, their caregivers, the people who care for them, are just as traumatized and injured and wounded as the person that they care for. Mike Kent 45:00 Actually caring for, thank you. Bill Gasiamis 44:38 And sometimes they’re both on that call, and other times it’s just a caregiver, and other times it’s just strokes survival. I mean, it’s just about people. In the end, that’s all it is. Bill Gasiamis 45:14 I use the word stroke to resonate with certain group of people because I get them and they get me. So that’s the only reason why I’ve narrowed it to stroke survivors, you know, really. Mike Kent 45:27 It’s the label that I wrote a post about this, but label that the society gives us, because I actually don’t believe that we are all disabled. It’s a society that gives us that label, why? Because they don’t make the handrail on the left hand side going up the stairs, if I can’t hold on to it, they don’t make, they don’t make lifts wide enough to feel will best to fit wheelchairs in because and so ‘Oh, it’s a disabled access or disabled entry? No, I totally disagree with that. So it’s now just about understanding that you mentioned invisible disabilities 80 there was an article that came out in France. Mike Kent 46:16 I think 80% of all disabilities are invisible. And that’s amazing. 80% that means, and you if you actually put that out to the world, you know, that means, like 8 out of 10 people are carrying something, stuff, right, that nobody can actually see. And even if it’s not that number, it just makes you think of the enormity, right? And as you said earlier, that everybody, everyone is carrying their own set of ailments or difficulties and but we don’t get to see them. Bill Gasiamis 46:59 Was ignorance bliss. Mike Kent 47:02 It’s a good question, really good. What is naivety? Is naivety bliss, right? I don’t know which one it, but I think we are better, knowing this, I’m certainly better. I’m not doing I don’t I do on do question it if I would have this level of interest if I hadn’t have had the accident. I have to assume that might not be the case. But I can be just as much as you can be a voice in my little little circle, and that can then emanate, and if we can just have people be able to understand 1% 5% more than they did yesterday, that’s a result, right? Mike Kent 48:02 Because then that would then cascade across everywhere, and then the world we’re better place we’ve got. We’re never going to go from 0 to 100 in a day. We it doesn’t work like that, we put one foot forward each time, and it’s the best foot forward at that particular time, and we can only do the best we can so and I believe, really, that it’s about progress, not perfectionism. That’s what I’ve thought about now. Bill Gasiamis 48:33 Fair enough, you’re never perfect anyway. There’s no such thing as perfect. Mike Kent 48:39 There isn’t. Bill Gasiamis 48:40 Yeah, but there could always be an improvement in anything, and people who try to accomplish perfection really suffer. Mike Kent 48:52 Don’t they? Are you thinking of anyone or people in particular? Bill Gasiamis 49:00 Yeah, I do. I do think of somebody. I mentioned the person, but I’m thinking of somebody in some areas that perfectionism has in later life has become apparent to be an issue for that person, and they’ve been able to understand what, how it gets in the way of, and it’s usually in the space of in academia, like in an academic space. Mike Kent 49:29 That’s interesting, you said in later life. Bill Gasiamis 49:31 So younger, they had the same tendencies. And it was always when trying to deliver something that was going to be reviewed by somebody else critically. And perhaps the reason for the perfection was that they wanted to avoid the discomfort of being told that. That’s not good enough, or you haven’t done enough work, and the confrontation that that might create, and that person is not somebody who particularly enjoys confrontation, so avoids confrontation, not that I enjoy it, but I don’t mind a little bit of confrontation in that. Bill Gasiamis 49:33 So that’s just to give you a bit of an idea of the difference what I mean by that. So then in later life, as that person sort of just matured more and more and done more study and realized that sometimes in academia, the perfectionism like for the last sentence on a document or an article or whatever that could take three hours, and that much effort in that last line was not going to be the outcome wasn’t going to be a better last line, and it wasn’t going to make the difference to the entire document and that at some stage you have to just write the line and hand it in. Mike Kent 51:10 It’s so true, but you can I was in marketing, like fast moving consumer goods or consumer product marketing, whatever, but grocery brands and the amount of time that we would spend on refining a sentence, it’s like, what? Just get it out there, put messy action out there. You know, just no one’s going to notice it. It’s like, they’ll just take the whole message, right? They won’t pick each and every word out, and they all that’s not you shouldn’t put ‘a, you should put ‘an instead of a ‘the, you know, whatever. Bill Gasiamis 51:53 Yeah, the posts that I’ve seen, the most commented on, like in social media, are ones where there is an error in the spelling, and it might be completely and totally obvious, and I think that’s the point of it. So in so people might miss the actual idea of whatever the post is on about on that particular but they pick up on the error, and then they they feel the need to comment about you made a spelling mistake, and then that post has way more traction than necessary. But because of that spelling mistake, people get caught up and worked up over it, and it’s just interesting. Bill Gasiamis 52:38 And it’s your, I imagine your team would have developed the campaign to have a goal, you would have structured. It would have had all of those things already embedded. So it’s like robust. It’s a really good campaign. The last line is not going to make or break it, and “A” or “The” probably does the same thing anyway, and no one reads, whether it’s an “A” or “The”, or swaps them around, or does any of that work. Mike Kent 52:38 Because you only need to be you need to have 70% comprehension of what you are actually reading or viewing to actually get an A gist of the message. And then at that time, you’re forming the idea in your head anyway of what it is which is actually different to what is actually being said anyway. So never going to get it, you know, it’s a it just doesn’t make it’s a waste of time. Being Your Own Critic Bill Gasiamis 53:34 I have a painting company, and we’ve been painting people’s homes and buildings and commercial property and all that kind of stuff for many years, for about 20 years, and at the beginning there was, it was me, and I needed to make sure that everything was done perfectly, so that there was no no complaints by the customer. So I would spot thing is that nobody would notice or spot that weren’t even errors or imperfections that I would then ‘Okay, I’ll touch that up. I’ll go touch that up. I’ll do that, and then I would hand it over. And in fact, it would be a great outcome. Bill Gasiamis 54:14 The client would say ‘That’s fantastic. But then I met somebody who said to me, like ‘Only you, only you would notice that nobody else would notice that. That’s like a perfect wall, only you’re noticing that. But it’s not something that somebody else pick. And it’s like ‘Oh, okay, so how do we handle how do I handle the end of the job then? So the idea was, tell the customer to go around and critique your work a day or two before you finish, so you’ve done the majority of the work, and a day or two before you finish. Bill Gasiamis 54:46 You give them the permission to go and totally critique it, even the obvious things that we haven’t finished yet, put them on the list. They very rarely come back with a list, because our work is really good anyway, and the things that I know, that I see, they don’t see, or they don’t care if they see it, right? So they didn’t even come up with a list. They barely come up with a list. They might have two or three things, the obvious things are always on there, yep. And then there’ll be other little bits and pieces that are on there that I knew were there that I was going to touch up or do. Bill Gasiamis 55:29 But they pick those things. And then the things that I don’t know about, that sorry, that they don’t know about, that I know is not in their expectation to be done or is not necessary, or is not part of the job, or whatever. So it changed my mind completely. Is when I give the other person the opportunity to look at my work and criticize it or not, they don’t really feel the need to, and it’s, it’s a it’s a really good pass. Bill Gasiamis 55:59 So we kind of apply this principle about 90%, achieving 90% sort of doing it to 90% of our ability instead of 100% is good enough because it’s beyond what most customers expect. Anyway, it’s such a strange thing when we’ve got and then if customers said ‘Oh, by the way, I did pick up on this or that, well then it’s cool. ‘Oh, great, now I can do it and actually meet your expectation further. Mike Kent 56:33 It’s like, I don’t know if it is Google’s tagline or was Google’s tagline, but good enough is good enough. Totally abide by that. Bill Gasiamis 56:46 So important for people to like grasp that concept personally that you know now that you’ve got energy to conserve, and you don’t want to be using up your energy on things that are not supporting your recovery and helping you have a really great day, or getting to your exercise or to your gym session, or to your counseling session, or whatever like, yeah, it’s really important to not waste time and effort and energy into things that are only going to make you go backwards. Mike Kent 57:18 I agree, I was just having a conversation with somebody just yesterday, and they were saying to me, I’m having a really bad day. And I said, but you’re not, are you really? It’s never, ever a bad day. It’s a bad moment in a day, right? I have 17 different emotions every day, and on the of those 17, one or two are not very good, right? But they’re never, it’s never the whole day, right? So we need to stop, like, actually saying those things, because we’re convincing ourselves that we actually are having a really bad day, and then you’re just, like, layering on the different elements. Mike Kent 57:54 And they all and, no, just stop, you know, just understand it’s bad moment and you come out of that moment. It’s like, I say that you can always you have a down. I never say ups and downs. I say downs and ups, you know, I want to end on and up. I don’t want to end up on a down. But it’s silly little things like that, you know, that make the difference, and it resonates with people. They actually understand that ‘Oh, okay, I haven’t thought about now. They’re just thinking that, ‘Okay I don’t have a bad day, or I want to end on an up. Mike Kent 58:27 And I do want to, actually, whenever there is a darkness, there’s always a light follows that. I don’t know how long it’ll be, or my three day, 3 minutes, 3 hours, 3 days, whatever, but it will be light, yeah, and it’s about trying to have people to understand that there is beauty all around us and to actually perceive it, live it, breathe it, and recognize it. Mike Kent 58:59 I think that’s is important, and I can do this, or we can do this because we’ve changed ourselves, you know, and we’ve seen that the difference between where we were and where we are and how we got to where we were, how we are. So, that’s motivational, that’s inspiring for me to be able to actually recognize that and help other people to to recognize that. Bill Gasiamis 59:32 I like what you’re saying, because what you’re talking is your new default setting, that’s where you go most of the time. Mike Kent 59:39 Exactly, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 59:40 It’s not where you always are, but it’s where you default to all the time. And that’s a really good thing, like to be able to default to that version of yourself instead of the angry, depressed, emotional, whatever, which is, you know, we’re there we go there, we deal with that. We go through that, we get through that down, we go to the up, and we get through that darkness and we go to the light like the whole thing. Mike Kent 1:00:08 Yeah, totally agree with that. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:12 Have you in the last five years been able to get back to work? Becoming A Recovery Coach Mike Kent 1:00:15 No. Now I’m a recovery coach to help these people overcome anxiety and reclaim their lives so and I joined the I got trained in the Jay Shetty school, and then I’m now on another program, and it’s high impact coaching, and it’s phenomenal, really is phenomenal. And it’s all about being present or honest or being there for the other person, 100% for the other person. Yeah, it’s not about me. It never was, never will be. You were always there for the other person, what? However they are showing up, whatever they say, and it’s like you. Mike Kent 1:01:11 I was a consultant beforehand, and before I was always, whatever is your problem ‘Okay, I’ll go away and I write it up, and here is the document, here is the CD, whatever. Here is the drive, and they put it in the third draw, if they don’t implement it, and it’s forgotten about, so this isn’t coaching. Is not all about giving people solutions. People already have the solutions in them, right? It’s about actually drawing it out and having them in their own time, understand where they are and and how they’re doing. Mike Kent 1:01:50 And all of that came from I used to work in Chile, right, which is I lived a long, long Mohammed time ago, and I flew across halfway across the world. I didn’t actually know where Chile was, and from England, and got to San Diego, and I was in a company truck going to the factory with one of the other senior brand guys, and he goes ‘You know, we don’t want you here, Mike. ‘Okay, I’m sorry. ‘No, don’t take it the wrong way, but we don’t want you here. Mike Kent 1:01:49 I’m gonna, well, I’m sorry, but I think I might be taking the wrong way, you know, as a really horrible thing to say, Oh no, no. I’m not saying you, you personally, and you what you represent, and the term of the phrase, and it was all about, they want to do things and learn how to do things in their own time. They don’t want to be given the book and told how to do it, because they don’t actually learn. Mike Kent 1:02:54 And so I learned that from a very young age, and that stayed with me, and I right now, as a coach, exactly what just you ask questions and know that the other person has the wherewithal to actually find their answers when they are ready to find them. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:11 You might have the tools, but they’ll be needing them at different stages. They’re not necessarily going to be needing them when you turn up with a tool book and go here, do this. Mike Kent 1:03:23 No, no, no, great. And you don’t say that you can do whatever you want, but you just can’t do it all at the same time. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:35 It’s no different to a book. Is it really like my book? I wrote a book. It’s has a weird title, the unexpected way that a stroke became the best thing that happened. Well, it’s it’s full of 10 steps, or 10 tools, or whatever you want to call them, and if you do all of those, that’s what people did. And all those people achieve post-traumatic growth and are doing amazing things to change their life. I’ve had these types of conversations with them as well. There’s really deep, meaningful conversations, but nobody did it in the order that I wrote the chapters in. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:10 And nobody did it in the timeline that I did it. And nobody, you know, everyone did it in their own way, and they did it in their own time, and they came to terms with the different steps. It took longer for some steps, it took a shorter amount of time for other steps. But they all, they all found their new default way of being in the light in their life, and we just happened to all come together at the same time. So they had already been on their journeys. We found each other at the same time, and then we were able to unpack that and talk about that. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:47 But I’m sure that if I bumped into one of those people, which I had done a couple of times, and said ‘Do this, they would have thought, get lost. I don’t do that, don’t tell me what to do, and I was the same. And coaching, what you’re talking about is really about holding the space for the other person. It’s just about facilitating whatever is about to unfold or needs to be discussed, or whatever’s going to happen. It’s just about literally facilitating them. And it’s not even holding the hand. Mike Kent 1:04:47 I say it’s a catalyst, you are we’re a catalyst. So we just, you know, it’s the washing machine, so you put the powder in, and you spins, and now comes a close kind of thing, though, and we’re just helping them spin faster or better or cleaner. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:47 Yeah, I love it as we come to the end of the interview, because I know it’s late where you are now, tell me about the what’s been the hardest thing about stroke for you? The Hardest Thing About The Stroke Mike Kent 1:06:02 I don’t think the question is asked in the past, is what it is, because I live with it every single day, the first point when I wake up, I have three seconds, two seconds or whatever of reality that ‘Oh well, I wake up, or new day, and then it’s that and then I get out of it five seconds later. But that is still there, it is a reminder that now I’ve managed I’ve managed it to become my mantra, to spur me on, to actually help and serve other people. But there is no denying that. You know, I say 17 emotions in a day. Mike Kent 1:07:01 You know, I still cry and I get upset in personal moments pretty much daily. But that’s okay, because I actually believe now that tears are coming out of my body. So I’m actually getting rid of the poison out of the body, and then I can actually put something better in it. Problem is I’m still in Groundhog Day, so the next day I’m still crying, but there is so much richness. But I would be, I will be, it would not be me to say that this is a perfect life. We got the perfection, if there isn’t, it’s progress. And I accept that is what I am doing and how I’m doing it. Mike Kent 1:07:55 I love what I’m doing and I love how I’m doing it. Would I like to do, be doing something else? It doesn’t matter, because that’s not what I am doing, but it doesn’t it does cross my mind, but I don’t give it the time and day or time and space to actually fester. But so I think that the worst part of it was the very beginning, when I came out of the coma, and the first two months, three months, when I was in a wheelchair and I just I didn’t, I couldn’t find myself. I didn’t know where I was, what I was doing, who was meant to be. Mike Kent 1:08:39 This was not what was supposed to happen, you know, it wasn’t even my question of fault, but I couldn’t even blame myself, you know, because it it had been done to me. Yeah, and I thought ‘Why? So many times I ask that question, or I have asked myself that question, but I’ve learned to realize you don’t need to answer it. You just need to be able to move on from it and resource yourself from it, to move forward and bounce forward and do whatever you want to do, and how you want to do it in the best possible way you can, and that, for me, it’s service. Mike Kent 1:09:26 So it gives service to others. I think that also has been difficult, because I think 10 years ago, I don’t think I would have said that, certainly not 20 years ago, but yeah, it is funny how life changes. Funny how you roll with the punches and that you actually you embrace what you what what you’re given and what you have, and deal with and do the best with it that you possibly can. And I don’t think anyone can ask any more of you than that. What I’ve Learned From The Stroke Bill Gasiamis 1:10:01 Yeah, very comprehensive answer. Thank you. What is something that stroke has taught you? Mike Kent 1:10:09 I think the first word that comes into mind is patience, and I am not a I was never patient before. I mean, you asked my mom or whatever, like my twin brother, we are always like, but now I’m less, much less, but I’m still a little bit of silver, a bit of gun COVID kind of thing. But no, I think walking slower, being patient, reflecting, being doing meditation, doing mindfulness, you know, having my morning routine, realizing that I am not able to do as much as I could do or was doing before in my life. Mike Kent 1:10:58 But I get to do what I want to do, and that’s a real difference, like the got to do and get to do. I really love that nuance, because I suddenly think, okay, I get to do, you know, this podcast, right? I was so looking forward to this, because I never been on a podcast before other one, and it’s like, it’s really exciting. And and that’s that that’s great for me, right? But it doesn’t mean that I’m going to be upset that I’m not doing 85 other things during my day. I’ve accepted that, you know, I do the best I possibly can. So I hope that answers the question. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:42 Yeah, patience. I mean, yeah, that’s a great answer, even if without the explanation. I mean, it’s a great answer, and common, very common answer that people get. What would you like to say to the people watching and listening, who are all stroke survivors and paying attention to you at the moment. Advice From A Stroke Survivor Mike Kent 1:12:09 That we are all in this together, we are a unified group of people. There is not one person in my eyes that is better or bigger, or what, bolder than anyone else. We all have our stories, and all our stories resonate with someone out there in the world, and that’s what’s important, is to get the stories out there to show others who are less abled or are not for whatever reason, or are not as far ahead in their journey as we are, that it is possible everything is figure outable, right? Mike Kent 1:12:52 It really, really is. It’s never, ever the end, I think that’s that’s so important is to have. It’s not about having hope. It’s about believing that what you have is makes you unique and makes you very, very special, right to the people who love you. And that’s enormous, I love that. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:16 I love that too. On that note, thank you so much for being on the podcast. Mike Kent 1:13:21 I know. Thank you. It’s been my pleasure, really has been you’re you’re a fabulous host and very insightful and very brilliant. Thank you very much, really enjoyed it. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:33 Well. Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of the Recovery After Stroke podcast. Mike’s story reminds us that while we can’t change the decisions or events of the past, we can find purpose and strength by focusing on the present and embracing growth. His insights about resilience, the power of mindset and helping others, are lessons we can all learn from if you found this episode helpful, I’d love for you to leave a comment, like and subscribe on YouTube. It really helps get these stories out to more people who need them. Bill Gasiamis 1:14:12 And if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, a five-star review would mean the world to me. It helps others discover the podcast and connect with our community. Remember, check out my book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened, available on Amazon or recoveryafterstroke.com/book , and if you’d like to join our Patreon community, you can find all the details at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Bill Gasiamis 1:14:42 Thanks again for being here and remember, no matter where you are on your recovery journey, you’re not alone until next time. Take care and thanks for listening. The post You Can’t Change the Past: How Mike Kent Turned a Hemorrhagic Stroke into Growth appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 How a Dog Bite Led to Bruce Young’s Remarkable Stroke Recovery Journey 1:04:45
1:04:45 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:04:45
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutA dog bite caused Bruce Young’s stroke. Learn how he turned this challenge into a story of resilience, recovery, and advocacy for stroke survivors. Strokesurvivorsadvocacygroup.ca Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast Through Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Bruce Young’s Introduction and Initial Stroke Incident 04:03 Stroke Caused By Dog Bite 08:00 Reflecting on the Stroke Anniversary and Personal Responsibility 12:03 Living Separately and Coping with Stroke Deficits 18:44 Advocacy Work and Personal Growth 24:01 Personal Reflections 31:54 Embracing Change and Future Goals 47:06 Final Thoughts and Advice for Stroke Survivors 59:40 Future Plans and Community Engagement Transcript: Bruce Young’s Introduction and Initial Dog Bite Incident Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Recovery After Stroke podcast. I am so grateful you’re here before we dive into today’s inspiring conversation, I want to take a moment to thank this amazing community. Your support means the world to me, and I’m thrilled to see how our podcast is connecting stroke survivors caregivers, and allies around the world. I also wanted to remind you about my book The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened . Bill Gasiamis 0:35 It has been helping stroke survivors and caregivers find hope and practical guidance during challenging times. If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, you can find it on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Now let’s jump into today’s episode. I’m excited to introduce Bruce Young, a stroke survivor with an incredible story. Bruce’s stroke was caused by something you’d never expect, a dog bite. Bill Gasiamis 1:05 Despite the unusual cause and the challenges he faced, Bruce has turned his experience into an opportunity to inspire others and advocate for stroke survivors across Canada. In this episode, we’ll explore Bruce’s journey his work in advocacy and how he’s rebuilding his life with resilience and determination. So let’s get started. Bill Gasiamis 1:30 Bruce Young, welcome to the podcast. Bruce Young 1:33 Thanks for having me. Bill Gasiamis 1:35 Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Bruce Young 1:37 Well, it was the beginning, actually the beginning of the school year in 2017 and it was Labor Day, Sunday. And I, in our family, had one of several dogs, and one of the sheepdog. He was a very old dog, 16 years old, and my wife and my son had said ‘You know, gotta be careful, he might snap at you. And so what happened was, it was time for supper, and I went and reached under his head and said, It’s time for supper, and he snapped at me. And interestingly enough, that’s what ended up causing my stroke, because I have a big scratch on my nose. Bruce Young 1:45 And it was about to start the school year, and I went to a doctor, and tried to get a doctor on Labor Day, Sunday. It’s not an easy task. And so he just taped it back the skin, back in place, and then when I started the school year, I was just freaking out the whole time. I couldn’t keep track of what I needed to do, and my GP was, in fact, he was suggesting, he actually gave me prescriptions so I didn’t have to teach certain classes. And I was getting a major headache, and major headache around the back of my head, and I made it through. Bruce Young 3:16 I managed to survive through most of September, and then October 21 I was walking around my bedroom, and my son said ‘Dad, you’re having a stroke, which I had no knowledge that was happening. And so the next thing I know, 911, and off I go to the hospital, and they put me in critical care. In critical care for neurology, and they didn’t quite know at that point what had caused my stroke. And strangely enough, the emergency physician who was my neuro ophthalmologist, who was the one that treat treated me and got me up there. Stroke Caused By Dog Bite Bruce Young 4:03 And at that point, for the next couple of days, they didn’t know what had caused the stroke, and then what they did is they sent a SAT sample of my blood over to The CDC. CDC is the branch of our medical system that goes and tests for COVID, etc. And they got the blood over there, and they figured out it what was causing this. The stroke was actually a canine bacteria. So I got a canine bacteria from my dog, and then when I was in the hospital, they did some searching in my heart, and they found a big lump of the cap bacteria in my heart. Bruce Young 4:57 What had been happening, apparently, is the bacteria was being sprayed onto the back of my brain, and so they figured it all out using MRIs, and they’re all set to ship me off to the to do some in to do some heart surgery, open me up and clean out the part of my heart that had that in but few hours before that, the medical staff said ‘Well, maybe you could try an antibiotic. So it was on an antibiotic for six week drip, and I didn’t have to stay in. So I went home naturally during that time, of course, I couldn’t be teaching so. Bruce Young 5:41 So then I got through with bunch of MRIs, they were able to figure out that the bacteria had been killed, but I still, because of the the results of the stroke, I wasn’t able to pull myself together to be able to teach. But believe it or not, I had nothing, no problems physically or below my neck. All of it was happening in the brain. So there are a lot of things that have stuck with me, which have prevented me from being able to do a full time job. So I had to go on leave. Bruce Young 6:30 I was actually on medical leave from teaching for two years because I’d never taken any sick days off. So I had 383 days. So I was sick for two years, and then, because of my age, I was able to finish the sick days, and then I was able to go on to being retired. Bill Gasiamis 6:59 That’s quite the journey. So the stroke deficits that you have been left with, the cognitive ones. What are they? What are you not able to do that you used to do once upon a time? Bruce Young 7:13 Well, not able to if there’s a bunch of people in a room, for example, I have trouble focusing on one or two people have, I guess, what you would call brain fog all the time. And luckily, a friend of mine, who I met, he was able to be my driver, because of the stroke, I had lost 1/3 of my vision. So the neurologist said ‘Nope, you can’t drive anymore. So that took that piece out of my hands and I guess, you know, I get anxious very easily. So if I start to flip out on you, I’ll just put a rubber mallet on my head and get me to stay in my seat. Reflecting on the Stroke Anniversary and Personal Responsibility Bill Gasiamis 8:10 Okay, great. What happened in october 21 so you’re coming into the anniversary of that. Do you reflect on the anniversary at all? Do you think that maybe you should have done things differently? Do you have any of those types of thoughts, or do you just accept that it was one of those crazy things that happened that wasn’t really your fault or anybody’s fault, and this is just something that you have to deal with. How do you compre? How do you deal with it? Or how do you work it out and hit? Bruce Young 8:45 Well, it’s interesting because my, as I had mentioned, my wife and my son had said to me ‘Don’t do that, dad, and I did. So I still hold it. I still hold myself responsible, which is very hard to accept, because through through my life, I’ve been looking back and realizing all the things that I didn’t listen to other people’s advice, and it’s made things difficult in terms of whether it’s my career or my family. So it’s taken a lot of positives away from the way I can run my life. Bill Gasiamis 9:25 Yeah, the dog, did it get startled? Or is it just because it was old and it just, do they get grumpy, what was it that the dog reacted to. Bruce Young 9:43 Well, he didn’t, you know, he was a, like we talk about humans being the old grumpy guy. So he was an old dog, and he didn’t want to be bothered to go get his supper, because he didn’t like to get up. He was pretty arthritic through etc, and so he was quite happy to just be lying down and not have to be getting up. And so he was taking offense to me wanting to him to do something. Bill Gasiamis 10:17 Let’s take a quick break here before we continue with Bruce Young’s incredible story, I want to share a little bit about how you can support this podcast. Since day one, I’ve personally covered the costs of producing these episodes to ensure that stroke survivors, caregivers and their loved ones have access to resources and stroke stories that inspire and uplift. If this podcast has added value to your life, I’d love your support on Patreon. Bill Gasiamis 10:47 By becoming a patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke , you’ll help me continue creating this content while joining a community that’s dedicated to stroke recovery and growth. And don’t forget about my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. It’s available on Amazon and at recoveryafterstroke.com/book , offering practical steps and motivational stories for your recovery journey. Now, let’s get back to Bruce Young and hear more about how he’s using his experience to support the stroke survivor community. Was he just letting you know? Living Separately and Coping with Stroke Deficits Bruce Young 11:30 Yes, exactly. And with my other two dogs, he snapped at them, and I think they moved back a little more quickly so they didn’t get a chance to to actually break the skin on their bodies, and they had a lot of fur anyway. But I think the long-term effect of all of this is that on January 2 of this year, my wife said ‘You know, we’re going to try an experiment, and I want you to go live somewhere else. And you know, when I hear you talking, for example, about your wife’s birthday, and other people talking about, you know, like Thanksgiving. Bruce Young 12:17 Here this weekend, I don’t know how much you celebrate in Australia. Bill Gasiamis 12:25 Not so much. Bruce Young 12:26 You don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Bill Gasiamis 12:28 No. Bruce Young 12:30 No? Anyway, it’s the whole thing with you get up the turkey, etc. So it’s Thanksgiving, so it’s a time to be thankful for all the things that all the things that you have, and it’s because it’s the first year of me having to be all on my own. It’s really challenging because I don’t have that Thanksgiving spirit. Bill Gasiamis 13:02 Okay, now, when you mentioned going and living on your own, are you talking about a separation? Are you talking about, what are you talking about? Bruce Young 13:13 Well, that’s exactly it. We’re not divorced at this point, but I think it’s a nice situation for my wife, because she has the house, and it’s worked out well, because I’m actually living in the condo that both that actually belongs to my wife and her sister, but it’s a condo that my mother in law was living in, and She had broke her hip, and she and my wife and her sister did not think that it was going it would be a advantageous for her to go back and live in the condo. So she’s now living in a care home, and I’m living in the condo. Bill Gasiamis 13:59 Okay, so life’s quite different to what it was in 2017. Bruce Young 14:05 Yes, very much. So yeah and but one of the things after two years. Well, in 20 June, 2019, I had a a massive seizure, and I think you suffered that as well. Did you not? Bill Gasiamis 14:29 I suffered something that may have been a seizure. I didn’t have a massive seizure, a blackout, or anything like that, but I’ve had certain events that mimic that. Tell me about yours. Bruce Young 14:39 Anyway, what I was on the phone with my wife. She was working, and we’re just chatting for a few moments, and suddenly my phone went dead, and literally, I had just collapsed in the house, and she immediately called 911, back to the hospital, and was there for four days, and it turned out that I had had a massive seizure, and the only thing I remember the time in hospital was a whole bunch of very large raspberry I guess they’re raspberries or strawberries, all on like wallpaper all around the bed the room of the hospital. Bruce Young 15:27 So I was seeing things. And then after that, I came home, and the neurologist put me on an anti seizure medication, which I’m still on, and that’s pretty well it for medication. But the as a result of me having the stroke and the seizure and because of COVID, lot of the organizations like the March of Dimes. You ever heard of March of Dimes? Bill Gasiamis 16:02 No. Bruce Young 16:04 It’s an organization that does provide services for people with disabilities, and one of them that they took on in a big way was people with stroke. And so we are having lots during that COVID time. We were having lots of, sorry, lose my words a little bit. Am I in the right position? Bill Gasiamis 16:34 You’re perfect. Bruce Young 16:36 Okay, so in that so as a result of a lot of my Zoom calls, I met people from all across Canada, and they all had the same complaint that as soon as their time in the hospital was done, they basically were out the door and they said, essentially they said ‘God love you, and in many cases, we’re not given any future, any direction as to what they could do to further their rehabilitation. Bruce Young 17:16 And when I heard the same story over and over again, I said ‘Well, maybe it’s about time stroke survivors had an organization that could speak on behalf of us, because like the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the March of Dimes, were large organizations whose function was to provide services, and they were providing services on their behalf, and not on behalf of stroke survivors. Bruce Young 17:51 And so I formed an organization which goes right across Canada called stroke survivors advocacy group of Canada, and we now regularly meet over zoom, couple of times a month, and we’ve got involved in advocating for stroke survivors, because the rules for and the protocols for stroke survivor rehabilitation are are available from the art and strokes Foundation created a a whole book about what those recommendations should be, but the hospitals and the medical system are not required to implement those. Advocacy Work and Personal Growth Bruce Young 18:43 So what we’ve been doing recently, in right now is to connect with the Minister of Health for Canada and having chats with him and his staff about what protocols are there and and get those so that they are our rules as opposed to being recommendations. So working along with that, and still building on, on getting more and more people from across the country to work with us. Bruce Young 19:20 It’s challenging to get stroke survivors, because you can’t walk into a hospital and ask ‘Well, who are your stroke survivors? There’s all the whole issue of confidentiality, which kind of puts kibosh on us being able to connect and identify the people who are stroke survivors. Bruce Young 19:20 You’re right. So you’re fairly busy doing things. You’re doing all these things, and you still have cognitive difficulties. Bruce Young 19:56 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 19:57 Is this work that you’re doing helping you with those cognitive difficulties. Is it helping you to keep going? How does it support your recovery? Bruce Young 20:09 Well, I would say it keeps me move moving forward. And because the people I’m working with are stroke survivors, I can’t simply say ‘Well, because of my stroke, I can’t, I didn’t remember to do this or that, because I get kick in the pants from other stroke survivors saying ‘Well, you can’t blame strokes or not. You’re the things that you’re forgetting to do because you’re a stroke survivor, which I think is a good way to connect stroke survivors, certainly across Canada. Bruce Young 20:47 That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to connect with you, because I’m sure there are things that are going on in Australia and certainly in other countries around the world that can support what you’re doing as well as supporting the things that we are doing in Canada. Bill Gasiamis 21:05 There may be certain things I’m not really involved in that side of recovery. I’ve provided some of my time as a volunteer for the Stroke Foundation here, done a little bit of work like that, but I haven’t really looked into the other things that go on around stroke. There’s tons of people doing that, in fact, and that’s okay. So, my whole thing is like bringing stories of stroke survivors into the public domain so that other stroke survivors finding them can feel less isolated and like somebody else knows what they’re going through and understands the situation. Bill Gasiamis 21:52 But yeah, and I think that this Stroke podcast that I’m doing here helps, perhaps encourage people from the stroke community to get up and do something about whatever’s stopping them from accessing the type of care that they need or the type of care that other people needs. And it’s good that you reached out, and it’s good that you’re doing that as well on your end, because I feel like part of what you’re doing is providing me some kind of a purpose. Bruce Young 22:29 I just met a lady ‘Well, I met her online, through one of the stroke the stroke zoom calls, and she lives on the on Vancouver Island, and she was sharing with me, she had her stroke, and she has two daughters, 57 and 58 and they only live, you know, a few blocks from where she lives. But they no longer will talk to her, because they’re saying to her ‘Well, you, you didn’t have a stroke. And just, you know, in terms of my own situation, I’m seeing that in spades with my wife basically saying you didn’t have a stroke. Bruce Young 23:13 You can’t blame your stroke for what’s going on with you. And so that’s become part of my particular commitment to the organ to stroke survivors organization is to seek out people who are put in a position where, you know, because of something that happened to them, it should not be people, non stroke survivors, who are in a position where they can say and do whatever they wish and are not held accountable for their own behavior, which is very hurtful to people like yourself and me. Personal Reflections From The Dog Bite And Stroke Recovery Bill Gasiamis 24:01 So, you don’t look like a typical stroke survivor, according to them, and they can’t comprehend how absolutely this incident has caused all of the changes in the way that you are have experienced since the hospitalization and all the other things that you went through, there’s kind of like a misunderstanding of what’s happening to you. Bruce Young 24:27 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 24:29 How would you say your personality has changed? Has it changed? What do you notice about yourself that’s different, other than the deficits, the fatigue, the the brain fog, etc. Bruce Young 24:44 You know, I don’t really notice any significant changes, because I find that, you know, through my years of teaching, I feel quite capable of teaching. If I were able, to overcome some of the issues in terms of anxiety, etc, that I face, if I were to walk into a classroom, which I know I can’t do, and it’s been pointed out to me by my wife several times, and by a psychologist I was doing some counseling with him, and I was, interestingly, he was a psychologist that set up a program for teachers to work with their anxiety as teachers. Bruce Young 25:37 And when you went through the sessions with me, he said ‘You know, I really can’t help you, because you need to see somebody who specialized in narcissism. And so that’s a big label that’s been put on me, and you know, I’m certainly pursuing online things that I can do, counseling, etc, to try to deal with that aspect of me and learning that narcissism is not something that you can recover from, same way, in many ways, stroke is not something you can fully recover from. Bill Gasiamis 26:23 I was gonna say, is narcissism a label they put on you now? Or is it a personality trait that you’ve had? Is it something that’s emerged? What do you think about that whole thing? Is there a difference between who you used to be and who you are? Or as perhaps the narcissism, if it was there, has that become more narcissistic? Bruce Young 26:48 Well, that label was put on to me a number of years before I had my stroke, and I think it’s be been amplified, and it’s given a really solid reason for my wife to say, take a hike. And it’s unfortunate because now that I’ve taken on that label, I’m trying, attempting to do something about it, but I’m not in a family or personal position to really change what has happened in terms of my family relationship. Bill Gasiamis 27:31 Okay, with the anxiety. Is the anxiety a new thing that you’re experiencing since the stroke, or is it something that you had to deal with previously as well. Bruce Young 27:41 No, I think it’s been amplified. I was always the kind of person who worried about things. I was, always my mother telling me I was a worry wart. So it’s been something that’s been with me for a long time, but it is something that that certainly is is more amplified and is sticking with me. Bill Gasiamis 28:03 And how do you track it? How do you know that you’re going into a space where anxiety is becoming an issue, and what does it manifest like, and how do you settle it down? Bruce Young 28:19 Well, quite been taking a number of mindfulness classes, and so if I start finding that I’m getting over anxious, I will lie down and do a mindfulness session with with myself. In fact, I was doing some of that before I joined you this afternoon to make sure I kept my kept myself in order. Bill Gasiamis 28:46 Yeah, you’re doing a great job of, you know, delivering your message, having a conversation with me. Everything’s fine and as a result of the things that you’ve learnt since the stroke, has it been a little bit insightful? Have you been able to kind of get a grasp on some of those long standing challenges that you’ve had your whole life, that you’re dealing with now? Is it kind of giving you a little bit of hope that these things are manageable? Bruce Young 29:22 Yeah, I think so I would say that because of the stroke, as I said, some of those things have been amplified, and I try very hard to keep them in check, but I just got a hold of a book, and I’m just going to slip away for a second here. Apparently this is a book that was that was written over 10, 15 years ago, and the title is ‘Who Moved My Cheese. And I don’t know if you’ve ever heard it was written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. I have heard it’s really, you know, I could send, I’ll send you a copy if you’d like. Bill Gasiamis 30:16 Tell me about it. Bruce Young 30:18 Anyway. It’s very interesting because it’s putting four creatures into a maze, and you’ve got two mice, and you’ve got two mini humans, and there’s a cheese, there’s cheese in the maze, and the four creatures find that lump of cheese. And then the cheese runs out. I guess we gotta go find some more cheese, and they head off somewhere, whereas the humans say ‘Well, we better find out where the cheese all went. So they intellectualized the whole thing and make it and it talk. Bruce Young 31:22 It’s talking about change, and it’s talking how humans don’t adapt well change. So for me, I think it’s a very useful book. And I found a few other other books as well, think there’s this guy, Bill Gasiamis. I think he wrote a book that has been very, very useful for me to kind of get my act together and realize that, as you said little while ago, I’ve got a mission, and so do you. Embracing Change and Future Goals After The Stroke Caused By Dog Bite Bruce Young 31:56 That’s why I’m so keen to work with you and work with other organizations, like the World Stroke Organization, etc, to have us create a concerted effort to provide the best services and care and recognition of people with stroke. Bill Gasiamis 32:20 Thanks for the plug. I’m doing my best. So humans are creatures of habit, and change is something that does throw a spanner in the works. Would you have been the type of person before stroke to avoid change as much as possible, and has the change that stroke caused thrust you into this space of having to deal with something that you previously could avoid dealing with. Bruce Young 32:55 Absolutely like I taught in a high school for, I taught 25 years. My 36 years of teaching, I taught in the same high school for a number of years, for 20 for 25 years. And during that time, there are other people in the school district who would come to me and say, ‘Well, why don’t you consider doing this, or why don’t you consider, you know, applying for this position in the district, and a lot of them were technology related, because at the time, I was the sort of the computer guru in the school, and I said ‘No, I still have things to do In this school. Bruce Young 33:41 And I think it was a primary example of me saying ‘No, no, no, I don’t want to change, I want to stay here. And what was happening around me is that there were techy people, young, techie student, teachers that were coming to the school and doing video production and doing lots of green screen and doing all kinds of interesting, innovative things. And then the final year, when I was, which I couldn’t teach, I was being asked to teach a couple of courses that were technology based, but I was being asked to teach a grade 11 course. Bruce Young 34:24 Which all the kids in the school had done the grade eight level of the course, and so they knew all this stuff, and it was a lot of programming, and I was left in a position where I couldn’t teach this stuff. And on top of my on top of my stroke symptoms, I had this kind of stuff happening to me. And I think talking about this cheese, here it is. Bruce Young 34:51 It’s really giving me a kick in the pants to say ‘You know, you set yourself up for the position you were in when you left teaching. And I think the stroke gave me a major kick in the pants to say ‘Well, you know, I should have seen this thing happening. And the stroke, in some ways, gave me an excuse not to have to change. Bill Gasiamis 35:19 Yeah, perhaps you’re good at finding thing excuses and reasons not to have to change anyway, if you’re kind of that way habituated, if you’re in a school for, you know, three decades, and you’re teaching the same thing and you’re avoiding that change, is it avoiding the change? Is it because of you’re comfortable? It’s a thing that caused anxiety, perhaps change or learning new things, or being out of your comfort zone? Why do you think that was? Bruce Young 35:59 Well, there was a course that was introduced provincially, and it was called Planning 10. And I was put into that class when, when program started, and then 10 years later, the provincial government decided they were going to change the curriculum, and they were going to introduce a similar course at the grade 11 and 12 level. And most of the stuff in the grade 10 course, I found was was at was perfect timing for kids to learn how to make a Resume, how to do interviews, and by the time they got to 11 or 12 in my school in particular. Bruce Young 36:44 The kids were all working McDonald’s and working at other places. So to introduce them to writing a resume or doing an interview, they’d already done it so, you know it, and it gave me justification to be able to say ‘Well, that was a dumb thing for them to do. And so it again, gave me that opportunity to essentially say ‘Well, I was right in the first place. Why’d you do that to me? Bruce Young 37:13 Which, of course, comes back to we were talking about the fact that I got the bite in the nose. And I had been told by someone already watch yourself. So it’s the whole thing has caused me to have a complete reflection of my life. And that’s kind of where I am right now. Bill Gasiamis 37:34 Yeah, it’s interesting how stroke does that for a lot of people, it does make them reflect on decisions, behaviors, attitudes of the past, and they somehow, seem to get an understanding that having the same approach to life after stroke just won’t work. Is that where you’re at? Do you see that being problematic if you were to continue to take the same path that it’s just not feasible to do that with what you’re dealing with now. Bruce Young 38:10 You know, nobody’s really asked me that question, but you’re absolutely right. And so every time I talk to yourself or talk to other other stroke survivors or even family members, etc. You know, the same question is being posed by them to me and saying ‘Well, maybe what you need to do is instead of having Bruce 1.0 is go to Bruce 2.0 we actually had one of the stroke survivors here. He made up a little story about going from, he’s also stroke survivor going from 1.0 to 2.0 and the way he described it is you take a piece of paper and it’s smooth and flat. Bruce Young 39:08 And then you crunch it up, and then you try to smooth it all out again. And the smooth and trying to smooth it out becomes your 2.0 and you have to understand that you can never return to the 1.0 because there are things that you can’t get all the wrinkles out of that piece of paper. And you know, each of these things has been an education for me to take a position that I need to do some things and I need to change in ways that I never thought I would have to. Bill Gasiamis 39:46 That’s a great analogy, that paper analogy, I love that because it’s the same paper. It just has a whole, a whole bunch more texture on it. Bruce Young 39:55 If you go, you know, I could send you the link, it’s on YouTube, they’ve made the little bit. He’s made a little video of it. Bill Gasiamis 40:05 Yeah, send us the answer link, and then we’ll put it on the show notes so everyone else can have a look at it, if they like. Yes, so it sounds like you’re embracing change now. Bruce Young 40:15 Yes, damn, and you know, talk to me, even when you come to visit my group in January this coming year, that you probably may notice some differences in me, and I’ll probably notice them in you, and it’ll be an opportunity for us to, you know, compare notes. And certainly you can have a lot of interaction and dialog with a lot of the stroke survivors that are in my group here. Bill Gasiamis 40:48 Yeah, so the change that you’re making now, what have you noticed that’s different about you now that you’re starting to embrace change? How have you grown from that experience? Bruce Young 41:07 I find it challenging to answer something like that, because there are a lot of things that I didn’t realize, that I still don’t recognize, that are necessary for me to change in order to be able to find more cheese. And every time I get a hold of something that’s been written about stroke, there’s always something in it that sends me to pursue different things about myself that I didn’t think I needed to be worried about changing. And I know you had an interview with, I can’t remember the name of the doctor, but the one who did the brain HQ application. Bill Gasiamis 41:59 Dr. Michael Merzenich? Bruce Young 42:01 Yeah, and I’ve been religiously doing one of those exercises every night, because I did it when I first my son actually gave me that gave me the subscription to it. Two years after my stroke, after a while being my typical self, I said ‘Well, now, now that I’ve got it, because I was going through the mall very quickly and and then I stopped the subscription, because I think I knew it all, and now I’m going back to it and realizing I didn’t know it all. Bruce Young 42:40 And, you know, taking on my conversations with you and the book that I’m reading, the books that I’ve been reading, and things that are getting me to reassess myself and my new situation is really challenging, and I didn’t realize the extent of it until I was shown the door in January. Bill Gasiamis 43:10 Yeah, what does the cheese represent to you? So I know that in the book, it talks about cheese, but what is it for you? I know it’s not cheese exactly, but it represents something. What does it represent for you? Bruce Young 43:28 It mean it for me, like the whole thing with cheese is your relationships and so forth. And I think of the cheese represents relationships for me. In other words, I may not be able to reconcile the situation with my wife, but I’ve connected with an awful lot of people, and I feel a real sense of warmth, particularly the woman I talked about, who’s two daughters, have essentially turned their back on her. Bruce Young 44:03 And it just gives me that as a result of what I’ve been put in, as in moving into another location, I think some of these things are realizing me that there’s a broader scope and perspective on people who’ve had stroke, and I just want to get that message out to my wife and to anyone else I can who will listen. Bill Gasiamis 44:38 Does the physical move that you made into a new location. Does that support your ability to change? Because that’s a big change in itself, like you’ve gone to this new location, new environment, new different people around you, or less people around you are. There’s a whole bunch of things that are different just because you’ve moved there. Does that support the change process? Bruce Young 45:09 Absolutely. I think, through my 43 years of being married, that there are many situations I can relay where people that I was working with at school or in other organizations, I would be asked to go and participate in something, and my wife would say ‘No, I’m too afraid of being in groups, so I we’re not going to go. And that’s something that happened time and time again, and I think with the separation now. I feel like I’m in a position to be able to search out those social connections that I wanted, and I’ve wanted for years, and that’s ended up being a real benefit for me. Bill Gasiamis 46:02 Seems like they’re gonna add value to your life. Just wait till they pass, is that an alarm? Bruce Young 46:16 There’s fire station right near me. Bill Gasiamis 46:19 Okay, so they’re off to a job. Where were we? Tell me, what was I talking about? Bruce Young 46:43 You were talking about how the move had as has required me to make other changes in my life, and I was indicating that some of the changes that I’m now able to do was things that I felt stifled to do when I was living in my house. Final Thoughts and Advice for Stroke Survivors Bill Gasiamis 47:06 Yeah, so you’re going back and doing things that you never got a chance to do for many, many years, and now that’s added a lot of value to your life. Bruce Young 47:17 Yes, and believe it or not, something I’ve always wanted to do was to go on a on a boat cruise. And friend of mine who, who helps, who does the driving for me, when I need to go somewhere, I walk with a walking group, and the walking group is for singles, well, it’s for people. Most of them are, you know, divorced, or they’re all basically my age. I’m in my mid 60s, and they were, most of them are in their 70s. Bruce Young 47:55 Most of these people, they’ve got a chunk of change in their back pocket, and they’ve been on cruises several times. And then six months ago, this friend of mine said ‘You know, people have been asking if I would go on a cruise. So beginning of February, I’m going on a cruise for the first time in my life. Bill Gasiamis 48:21 That’s exciting, yeah, how long? How many days? Bruce Young 48:27 It’s 14 days it’s a Caribbean cruise. So you start in Fort Lauderdale, and then you have two seven day cruises, one way goes, one cruise you go north, and the other cruise you go south. So we get to see a lot of the Caribbean by doing that. Bill Gasiamis 48:50 And do those cruises stop at certain locations for you guys to get out and have a look around. Bruce Young 48:58 Yes, they do, but have to watch my pennies, because all of these locations have their hand out. Bill Gasiamis 49:08 Indeed. Yes, that’s part of the honey trap guy, isn’t it? Isn’t it’s the whole point of it is to extract from the tourists. Bruce Young 49:18 Yeah, exactly. Bill Gasiamis 49:21 Do you have to do any special kind of preparation to put yourself on a ship for seven for 14 days in that sort of situation as a stroke survivor? Bruce Young 49:37 I’ve come to rely on my friend who drives me because he’s the one I’m sharing a cabin with. So that makes it somewhat easier for me to deal with it, and but the only thing I gotta, I’ve made sure of, is my passport is good. Good for is good until December 2025 pardon me, keep forgetting what year it is. Bill Gasiamis 50:13 So, you’re going to be supported. You’re going to have somebody with you the whole time that knows you. Bruce Young 50:17 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 50:17 Knows your situation. So you got, you got that kind of all sorted. So that person helps you with not forgetting to get back on the ship perhaps as well. Bruce Young 50:29 Yeah, it’s interesting. He’s 10 years older than I am, and, you know, it’s not like he remembers that everything all the time, but we’re going with eight people from the walking club, and some of these people have done a lot of cruising, and they all generally, you know, they are familiar with the fact that I forget things and leave things around. So I think they’ll be helpful as well. So I’m feeling quite confident that I’m going to be looked after. Bill Gasiamis 51:07 Yeah, sounds like the community of people there to make sure that you’re on the right ship at the right time. Bruce Young 51:16 Yes, right. Bill Gasiamis 51:19 So, what’s the worst thing that can happen you get on the wrong ship and you end up in another country and just another adventure to get back. Bruce Young 51:28 Exactly, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 51:32 It’s interesting to finally meet you and observe your story and hear it about the whole path, and I know we’re only touching on little bits and pieces of people’s stories every time we have a one hour interview, but it’s very insightful to hear you talk about the things that you’ve become aware of and the things that you’ve implemented, the changes that you’ve made, the habits that you’ve broken, how you’ve done things that have been out of your depth before. Bill Gasiamis 52:06 Even though you’re quite capable, you have to be that quite a capable person to teach for the best part of four decades, and then to still have these little bits and pieces that you need to work on, just goes to show that everybody’s a work in progress. Nobody works out anything yeah in their life, do they? Bruce Young 52:30 Yeah, exactly. The stroke survivor group, the first zoom call, we had to meet everybody and decide we were going to do this. They’re all sitting, in their zoom windows, and they said, and I said ‘Well, we need somebody to be in charge. And they literally in the Zoom call, pointed at me. So I’m the president of the organization, so it’s good for me, because I’ve had to look at variety different personalities, and to adapt to them and apply what they what their strengths are and do, and to put those into effect in a variety of situations. Bruce Young 53:14 Whether they’re some of them are very politically as suit, particularly the ones in Ontario. And then it’s kind of forced me into that position as well, because the we introduced in, well, it 2022, I guess it was a new federal law, and it’s called the Canada, Canada Disabilities Benefit. And the purpose of that law was to bring, it’s actually the prime minister said it was going to bring people out of out of poverty, all people with disabilities are poverty, and the person who initiated that, Bill is my MP, and she lives in North Delta. Bruce Young 54:16 She was born with a disability where she has, she does not have a full complement of rods and cones in her eyes, so she can’t see as well as everybody else. And so, you know, and she was actually in a couple of Olympics, Disability Olympics a number of years ago, and I’ve had talks with her directly. I’ve also had talks with the the provincial the provincial representative. We’re actually going into an election in two weeks, and I sat down with my local and my local MLA, they’re called minister. Bruce Young 55:06 What’s that member of legislative assembly, and I sat with him for full hour. He gave me 100% of his attention when I start, I told him the story I told you, and he was quite surprised, and he said ‘You know, I’m make sure I can help you. I can do things that are going to support stroke survivors in Canada, well, particularly in BC, because that’s his jurisdiction. Bill Gasiamis 55:39 That’s good work Bruce, definitely good work there. I hope it gets you the results, and then it gets other people the results that you’re hoping for, and I think it will. And all this type of stuff can only be positive as we get to the end of the interview. We wrapping up now, I’d love to ask you the three questions that I ask my guests, and the first one being was, What’s the hardest thing about stroke for you? Bruce Young 56:10 I think, based on my experience, it’s having the people around me who are not prepared to accept the fact that I had a stroke, and what the ramifications are of a stroke. Bill Gasiamis 56:33 That’s definitely difficult, the misunderstanding. Bruce Young 56:36 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 56:38 And not being able to convince people would be very frustrating that would. Bruce Young 56:48 Yes, yeah. Bill Gasiamis 56:51 Yeah, I know most stroke survivors go through that. They go through that to a point where they can’t iterate to somebody what it’s like to have a stroke, and why, perhaps I’m not being lazy, why fatigue is a real issue, and why I can’t make in complete sentences and all that kind of stuff. Bruce Young 57:12 I actually work with UBC, they have a stroke behavior lab, and what they’re doing is a lot of research, cognitive and physical research with stroke survivors, and I’ve done a lot of the research projects, and then I got on the bandwagon with them, and I wasn’t going to let it lie so, but every second day, I’m sending them another person I know of who is a stroke survivor that can be there, another guinea pig for them. Bruce Young 57:48 So I’m always, as you can see, I’m always looking for opportunities, things that I can do to, probably, in the long run, get people to acknowledge and recognize what I was saying before. Bill Gasiamis 58:04 What is something that stroke has taught you? Bruce Young 58:12 That you cannot change a lot of people’s opinions, And that to try to do that in a head on direction, is not something that’s going to work. And, you know, I’m thinking with the people that I’ve been working with is if I can do it as in somewhat of a roundabout way, or let people know that there is that difference between a stroke survivor and other people, and that they will, in some capacity, be able to acknowledge that there are differences. Bruce Young 58:56 And that others need to at least acknowledge that. But they may not change their opinions about stroke survivors, but at least they, I would like to see my wife say ‘Yes, you had a stroke, and yes, there are things that you have to live with, that I can’t. Bill Gasiamis 59:20 Yeah, there’s all my guests have been stroke survivors, or people that help stroke survivors, or caregivers of stroke survivors, all the people listening, the same group of people, what would you like to tell them? Future Plans and Community Engagement Bruce Young 59:40 Well, it’s been every strokes, stroke support group I’ve been in, the comment is ‘Never stop, never stop trying. And in my case, the never stop trying is meeting with you or other people around the world or talking to other people and realizing it’s not just being able to get out of a wheelchair. Bruce Young 1:00:06 It’s being able to get other people out of their wheelchair to make stroke something that we need to realize, it is a lifelong experience, it’s not something that’s going to disappear. It’s not something, as a neurologist say ‘That’s going two years from now. Well, you’ve done all you can do, that’s it, off you go. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:37 It’s a lifestyle. Bruce Young 1:00:40 Yes, it is. Bill Gasiamis 1:00:43 Yeah, I appreciate you reaching out and contacting me. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Just before we go, there was one question I wanted to ask you about the bacteria that causes stroke. Do they know the name of it? Is there a name that you recall? Bruce Young 1:01:01 No, but I could probably find out for you, if you’d like. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:05 Yeah, if it’s possible, if it’s a medical record about that and you know, it’d be just, I’m not sure, curious. I’m just curious to know what that is all about. That is such a bizarre way to have a stroke in that. Bruce Young 1:01:21 Well, it is. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:23 I’ve met some people who have had strokes for many different reasons and every version you can possibly imagine, but the dog bite, that’s definitely a first, I’ve never heard of that before. Bruce Young 1:01:34 Well, my neurologist threw up his hands and says, that doesn’t happen. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:39 Yeah, it’s just fascinating and shocking at the same time, you know. Bruce Young 1:01:46 Yes. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:48 Hey, Bruce, thanks so much for being on the podcast. Bruce Young 1:01:51 Well, you’re most welcome. Bill Gasiamis 1:01:53 Well, that brings us to the end of this inspiring episode with Bruce Young from his unexpected stroke caused by a dog bite to his journey of recovery and advocacy. Bruce’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability and the power of community. Bill Gasiamis 1:02:11 If today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment, like and subscribe on YouTube, and if you’re listening on Spotify or iTunes, a five star rating or review would mean the world to me, your feedback helps others discover the podcast and join our incredible community. Remember to check out my book ‘The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened, on Amazon or at recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Bill Gasiamis 1:02:42 And if you’d like to support the podcast directly, you can do so at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support and engagement, keep this podcast going strong. I’ll see you in the next episode. Intro 1:02:59 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog podcast or video material controlled this website or content, is created and produced for informational purposes only, and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:03:29 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. Intro 1:03:53 Never delay seeking advice or disregard the advice of a medical professional, your doctor or your rehabilitation program based on our content, if you have any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition, please seek guidance from a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing a health emergency or think you might be call triple zero if in Australia or your local emergency number immediately for emergency assistance or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Medical information changes constantly. Intro 1:04:20 While we aim to provide current quality information in our content, we do not provide any guarantees and assume no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the content. If you choose to rely on any information within our content, you do so solely at your own risk. We are careful with links we provide, however, third party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post How a Dog Bite Led to Bruce Young’s Remarkable Stroke Recovery Journey appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 2024 in Review: Stroke Recovery Milestones and What’s Next for 2025 10:07
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Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutReflecting on a remarkable year for the Recovery After Stroke Podcast : 54 new episodes, over 257,000 YouTube views, 61,000 downloads, and countless inspiring stories of resilience and recovery. Here’s to growth, hope, and connection in the year ahead! Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast Through Patreon Grab A Copy Of The Book Transcript: Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone. Happy New Year. As we begin a new year, I’m filled with immense gratitude and pride as I reflect on what we’ve achieved together through the Recovery After Stroke Podcast and community this past year has been truly remarkable, not just because of the numbers, but because of the incredible stories, connections and growth we’ve shared. Bill Gasiamis 0:27 In 2024 alone, we released 54 new episodes, bringing our total to an impressive 334 episodes. Each one of those episodes represents a story of resilience, recovery, and hope, stories that continue to inspire not just me but 1000s of people worldwide. Bill Gasiamis 0:51 On YouTube, the growth has been phenomenal. We’ve had 257,000 views this year alone, which is more than all the views from the previous 10 years combined. Lifetime, the channel has reached an incredible 522,000 views, proving just how many people are finding value in this content. Bill Gasiamis 1:17 The podcast continues to grow as well, with 61,000 downloads across all podcast platforms this year, bringing our all time total to an amazing 268,806 downloads. That’s more than a quarter of a million listens from people in 90 countries so far. A powerful reminder of how far reaching and universal the message of recovery and post traumatic growth truly is. Bill Gasiamis 1:51 Beyond the numbers. What makes this journey truly meaningful is the incredible community we’ve built together your support feedback and heartfelt messages remind me why this work matters and inspires me to keep going. This past year, we received 48 five-star reviews on Spotify, a testament to how much the podcast resonates with listeners. Bill Gasiamis 2:16 On Amazon, the book has earned six five star reviews and 338 copies of the book have now been sold helping stroke survivors and their families navigate the path to recovery and rediscovery. Your words of encouragement truly mean the world to me. One email I received just a few days ago stood out. The email goes afternoon, Bill and family. I got my book. Thank you. Bill Gasiamis 2:46 You helped me on my path of rediscovery and healing. I’ve jumped to one hurdle, and it opens up more new norm onwards and upwards. You have helped me learn about the new me. Happy New Year to you and your family. So it’s moments like these that underscore the purpose of everything I do, and it’s not just the book. Your responses on the YouTube channel have been equally heartwarming. Bill Gasiamis 3:15 One comment from a stroke survivors daughter really struck me. Thanks. You are an answer to my prayers. I was looking for a channel like this, looking for hope for my Dad. Knowing that the content is providing hope and guidance, not just to survivors, but their loved ones, is a reminder of why this work is so important. To every person who left a review, sent a message or shared their story, thank you! Bill Gasiamis 3:46 Your encouragement fuels this mission and shows that together, we are making a real impact. While every interview holds a special place in my heart, this past year, one episode stood out and sparked a lively and important conversation with the stroke recovery community. Episode 297 Etanercept for stroke recovery, Myth or Reality? With Andrew stops became the most popular episode of the year. Bill Gasiamis 4:16 It opened up discussions about alternative therapies and the possibilities that they bring to stroke recovery. Seeing the community engage so deeply in this topic was truly a highlight. Another significant milestone for me this time was setting up a Patreon page to help cover the ongoing costs of producing this podcast. Now I encourage people to ask for help, but asking for help in this way was a big personal hurdle for me. Bill Gasiamis 4:50 There was a lot of internal resistance to overcome. However, I realized that creating this space for support not only helps sustain the podcast, but. But also fosters a deeper sense of connection with those who value its content. The response has been humbling and affirming, showing me how much this podcast means to so many of you. Bill Gasiamis 5:13 These moments have been a reminder that growth comes from stepping outside of our comfort zones, whether it’s sparking conversations that matter, or learning to ask for help, each step has been a move toward ensuring the Recovery After Stroke Podcast continues to be a resource for hope, knowledge, and community. Bill Gasiamis 5:38 As this year begins, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has played a role in making the Recovery After Stroke Podcast what it is today. First of all, to all my incredible guests, thank you for sharing your stories, your insights, and your vulnerability. Each of you has brought something unique and valuable to the community, and your willingness to open up has inspired so many people around the world. Bill Gasiamis 6:07 To my listeners, your comments, kind words and engagement keep this podcast alive and thriving. Whether it’s a review, a message or simply tuning in each week, your support means everything to me, knowing that the podcast is making a difference in your lives gives me motivation to keep going. A special shout out goes to Lance Garcia David, my assistant in the Philippines, Lance is the real reason this podcast continues to run. Bill Gasiamis 6:36 Without his incredible work behind the scenes, there’s no way I’d be able to release an episode a week. From creating transcripts to uploading episodes to every channel, Lance ensures this podcast reaches you seamlessly. Producing just one episode takes at least eight hours of work, and with my limited time, neurological fatigue, concentration challenges, and difficulty initiating tasks sometimes the reality is that many interviews might never be recorded, edited, or shared without his help. Bill Gasiamis 7:11 Lance’s dedication, attention to detail, and consistency are what kept this podcast moving forward, and I’m deeply grateful for everything he does. As we look to the year ahead, I’m excited to share some of my aspirations, and goals for Recovery After Stroke and beyond. These goals are rooted in my passion for helping others navigate stroke recovery and my desire to continue growing alongside this incredible community. Bill Gasiamis 7:40 First on the list is recording the audio version of my book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened. I know many of you prefer listening, and I’m eager to bring the book to life in this format. I’m also contemplating starting work on my next book, which will explore post traumatic growth. It will be a guide for recognizing when post traumatic growth is unfolding in your life, learning how to pursue it and applying it to create meaningful change. Bill Gasiamis 8:12 While it will be relevant for all audiences, it will have a special resonance for stroke survivors. The podcast remains a central part of my vision, and I plan to continue recording episodes, working towards the ambitious goal of reaching 1000 episodes. This milestone feels bold and deeply motivating, and I think about the stories, insights, and hopes yet to be shared. Bill Gasiamis 8:40 Another important goal is to raise additional funds to spend more time on all things Recovery After Stroke. This would allow me to transition away from my current job, which is becoming increasingly difficult due to the physical demands and daily aches and pains my body now experiences. By dedicating more time to this mission, I can better serve this community and expand the reach of the podcast. Bill Gasiamis 9:06 I’d also love to connect with more stroke survivors in person next year, meeting people face to face and hearing their stories directly is always a humbling and inspiring experience, and it reminds me of the power of community in recovery. Lastly, I aim to finalize and deliver my keynote presentation on post-traumatic growth. This has been a work in progress, and I’m excited to deliver it as part of paid speaking engagements, spreading awareness about post-traumatic growth, and inspiring others to embrace its transformative potential. Bill Gasiamis 9:42 As we welcome a new year, I want to thank each of you once again for being a part of this journey, whether you’ve been here from the beginning or just joined the community. Your presence, support, and encouragement mean everything to me. Here’s to another year of growth, resilience, and recovery together. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, onwards and upwards! The post 2024 in Review: Stroke Recovery Milestones and What’s Next for 2025 appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 Navigating Life After an Embolic Stroke: Mark Vega 1:43:01
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Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutEmbolic Stroke: What You Need to Know About Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery Introduction An embolic stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Understanding what it is, why it happens, and how recovery works is crucial for anyone affected—whether as a survivor or a caregiver. This article will explore everything you need to know about embolic strokes, from causes and symptoms to treatment and recovery strategies. What Is an Embolic Stroke? An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or other debris forms elsewhere in the body—often in the heart—and travels to the brain, blocking blood flow. This type of ischemic stroke deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to die within minutes. The term “embolic” refers to the embolus, or traveling clot, which distinguishes this stroke type from others caused by clots forming directly in the brain. Common Causes of Embolic Stroke Understanding the root causes of an embolic stroke can help with prevention and management. Common causes include: Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Irregular heartbeats can lead to the formation of blood clots, which may travel to the brain. Heart Valve Disorders Conditions like endocarditis or mechanical heart valves increase the risk of clots. Carotid Artery Disease Plaque buildup in the neck arteries can dislodge and become an embolus. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Though less common, clots from the legs can travel to the brain through a condition called paradoxical embolism. Recognizing the Symptoms of an Embolic Stroke Time is critical in treating a stroke. Recognizing the signs can save lives and reduce long-term damage. Common symptoms include: Sudden Weakness or Paralysis Particularly on one side of the body. Speech Difficulties Slurred speech or inability to find words. Facial Droop One side of the face may appear uneven or drooped. Severe Headache Often described as the worst headache of their life. Vision Problems Sudden loss of vision or double vision. If you suspect an embolic stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and seek emergency medical help immediately. How Is an Embolic Stroke Diagnosed? Medical professionals use a combination of tools to diagnose an embolic stroke: CT or MRI Scans To identify blockages or damage in the brain. Echocardiogram To check the heart for clots or irregularities. Carotid Ultrasound To detect plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. Blood Tests To rule out other conditions or check for clotting disorders. Treatment for Embolic Stroke The treatment plan depends on the severity and timing of the stroke. Common treatments include: Clot-Busting Medications (tPA) Administered within a few hours to dissolve the clot. Mechanical Thrombectomy A minimally invasive procedure to physically remove the clot. Anticoagulant Therapy Long-term medications like warfarin or DOACs to prevent future clots. Surgical Intervention Rarely, surgery may be needed to address the underlying cause, such as a blocked carotid artery. Recovery After an Embolic Stroke Recovery is a highly individualized process that depends on the location and severity of the stroke. Key elements of rehabilitation include: Physical Therapy To regain mobility and strength. Speech Therapy To address communication difficulties. Occupational Therapy To relearn daily tasks and improve quality of life. Mental Health Support Coping with the emotional toll of a stroke is just as important as physical recovery. Lifestyle Changes Adopting a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly can reduce the risk of future strokes. Tips for Caregivers Caregivers play a vital role in the recovery process. Here are some ways to provide effective support: Encourage therapy participation and celebrate small wins. Help manage medications and follow-up appointments. Create a safe home environment by reducing fall risks. Seek out support groups for emotional and practical advice. Preventing an Embolic Stroke Prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risk of an embolic stroke. These include: Managing Atrial Fibrillation Regular check-ups and medication adherence are crucial. Healthy Lifestyle Choices Focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking. Monitoring Blood Pressure High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for strokes. Controlling Diabetes and Cholesterol Keeping these conditions in check can protect your blood vessels. Final Thoughts An embolic stroke can be life-altering, but with immediate treatment, proper rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes, many survivors go on to live fulfilling lives. Education and awareness are essential for both prevention and recovery. If you or someone you know has experienced an embolic stroke, know that recovery is possible, and support is available through a combination of medical care, therapy, and community resources. Embolic Stroke: What You Need to Know About Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery Mark Vega shares his inspiring journey of resilience, recovery, and hope after an embolic stroke. A must-hear story for stroke survivors! Instagram Incitelawgroup.com Strokerun.com Highlights: 00:00 Mark Vega’s Introduction and Initial Stroke Experience 04:08 Hospital Experience and Self-Discharge 12:07 Recovery and Adjustments 21:10 Training for the Los Angeles Marathon 28:44 Second Stroke and Its Impact 44:01 Ongoing Recovery and Future Goals 57:57 The Impact of Stroke on Professional Life 1:04:59 Preparation and Strategy for the 100-Kilometer Run 1:12:47 Challenges and Mental Resilience at 50 Kilometers 1:17:50 The Importance of Crewing and Support 1:19:30 Bill Gasiamis’s Experience with Tony Robbins and Fire Walking 1:25:18 Mark Vega’s Philosophy and Running Goals 1:28:46 The Role of Mindset in Recovery and Future Goals 1:30:31 Final Reflections and Encouragement 1:33:44 Advice for Stroke Survivors and Final Thoughts Transcript: Mark Vega’s Introduction and Initial Embolic Stroke Stroke Experience Bill Gasiamis 0:00 Hello everyone and welcome to another inspiring episode of the recovery after stroke podcast. Before we dive into today’s conversation, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. It’s because of this amazing community that I’m able to keep sharing stories resilience, hope and recovery. I would like to remind you also of my book The unexpected way that a stroke became the best thing that happened. It’s been empowering stroke survivors and caregivers with stories and practical steps towards growth and healing after stroke for 12 months now. Bill Gasiamis 0:40 If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, you can find it on Amazon or a recoveryafterstroke.com/book . Now let’s talk about today’s guest. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Mark Vega, an embolic stroke survivor whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Mark faced his first stroke at age 51 and went on to navigate a second, more significant stroke, all while rebuilding his life and mindset. In this episode, Mark shares his powerful story of resilience, the lessons he learned about gratitude and determination and how he turned adversity into strength. Bill Gasiamis 1:20 Let’s get started. Mark Vega, welcome to the podcast. Mark Vega 1:27 Thank you, Bill, good to Good to see you and good to be seen, I suppose. Bill Gasiamis 1:31 Indeed. Thank you, mate. Tell me a little bit about what happened to you. Mark Vega 1:40 Active professional was 51 years old. High metabolism had had it for a long time. High metabolism active, very physically active and otherwise and one day I lost my I went to instruct a new intern in my office and found myself searching for words. Thought to myself, Man, I need a whole pot of coffee. Something’s wrong here, right? I just couldn’t have come up with words, I was trying to tell an intern to just simply add photographs to a big photo shoot we’d done over the weekend. Mark Vega 2:21 And we had done to fix up some some homes at the time that we’re using, going to utilize solar power in Southern California. This is 2015 and that’s a simple enough set of instructions. You know, just take the photos and put them in the right folders, add them to the website, simple, easy, but after a few minutes of trying to describe to this young intern what I wanted him to do, I realized, okay, something’s not working here. So I asked my operations person to kind of take over. I said ‘I’ll I need a whole pot of coffee and I’ll be back. Mark Vega 2:59 And then walked out the door and uttered words that I hadn’t uttered before. That was, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to go straight to the doctor, and I’m not sure what words I use, but they understood I was leaving. So went to the doctor and have a full TED Talk version of this long story, you know, for some time, but the the version was, I went to the doctor, went to my internist right away. He didn’t know what was wrong, seemed everything would be okay, but I just missed my words, I wasn’t I took the fast test. Mark Vega 3:37 My face was fine, my eyes were fine, my speech wasn’t slurry, and I could pick up my arms and so the traditional indicators for you might be having a stroke. We didn’t see so he said ‘Well, take this baby aspirin and I’ll figure out. We’ll line up an MRI sometime later today, or something, okay, by the time I get home, by the time I get home, my my wife had done some research and said ‘You had a stroke, I’m certain of it. I’m like ‘Oh, I didn’t have a stroke, he would have told me how to stroke. Hospital Experience and Self-Discharge Mark Vega 4:08 Said ‘Nah, we’re not sure. So I go home, and I get to the house, and she calls for an ambulance to take me to the hospital. I’m sitting out on a bench out in front of the of the in my front yard, and ambulance comes around, and the paramedics come in and says, where’s the where’s the patient? And I stood up in my front yard and looked to the side and realized ‘oh, that’s me, me, me, me, me, me, me, I’m the guy, I’m the guy. So I’m talking a mile a minute, because it seemed as though if all I had to tell them was like, my wife’s in the house, I need to go take me to the hospital. Mark Vega 4:50 I think I had a stroke. But what I said was something like ‘You guys are great. In house, you know, my wife, I’m here to the go the hospital is like ‘Let’s go. So that’s what I told the paramedics. The paramedics were a little confused, you know, thinking I might have been on crack or something. I’m not sure. My wife comes out and said he had a stroke, but his doctors said he’ll get an MRI later. Just take him in. Okay, so we go in and go to the hospital and in Los Angeles, and have to wait a long time, a very long time. Mark Vega 5:36 I’m on a on a gurney, and they do a little checking, but there’s no MRI. Nothing happens until late at night 9, 10 o’clock. The doctor had previously scheduled me to have an MRI at six or so. He canceled that because now I was checked in or I was at the hospital. In the emergency room, did the MRI, but they wouldn’t tell me the results. They checked me into the hospital and said they’re going to tell me in the morning. So I in the morning, a woman, nurse comes in and says ‘Okay, well, good news and bad news. Mark Vega 6:07 The good news is doctors coming, but he can’t come till about 9:30 and I look at my watch, and it’s, I don’t know, eight in the morning. I’m like, okay, great. That’s, you know, an hour. And she said ‘No, 9:30 at night. What? I think this is insane Bill. I don’t never heard of such a thing, and all I know for sure is my words are still disappearing, like I don’t know what is happening. I feel fine, but I’m speaking in this truncated manner because I can. It’s like The Matrix when those little green numbers go right. I was imagining diction, words and addiction, I open up the pages just disappearing. Mark Vega 6:47 So that wasn’t acceptable to me. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but this seemed crazy, right? So little bit like Liam Neeson and some really cool movie. I stand up out of bed and I take off my hospital gown, and I literally rip out the EKG, rip out all the monitors, I put my clothes on, and I just storm out of the hospital. I’m on the pit floor or something, and I just walk past everybody. I’m consciously trying to make eye contact with people so somebody can tell me stop, you know, help. Mark Vega 7:17 But I’m just kind of frustrated, I leave and I take the car, I get out, I start walking down the streets on set Boulevard. So clearly I’m not exactly aware of what exactly is happening, right? But I’m walking. So I call my wife, and I said ‘I left the hospital because they don’t know what they’re doing. She’s like ‘Wait, what? Where are you? What did you do? I left the hospital. They don’t let you leave. I said ‘Well, I left, I gotta go. I think I gotta go. And she’s now ‘Call your doctor, do something, call the doctor right away. She calls the hospital. Mark Vega 7:49 Meanwhile, looks for me, and the hospital says, well, we can’t find him, but she can’t find him. What happened? Where is he? What’s the deal? So she’s super upset. Meanwhile, my Internist, I can’t even on the phone, I can’t even tell I did a message and says, if it’s an emergency, plus press one. So I look at my phone, and I hang up, and I call my wife back. I’m like, is this an emergency? Do I press one right now? And she said ‘Yeah, do that. So I call back the doctor. He gets on the phone. He’s like, go directly to Cedar Sinai. Here’s a guy I’m going to connect you with. Mark Vega 8:21 Don’t just that hospital, terrible, just go to Cedars. So I go into cedars and but I don’t go to the hospital. I go right to the doctor’s office, into the neurologist office. I bang on the door, walk in and I say ‘Hey, I’m a new guy, but I just had this thing. I just walked out of the hospital. I’m blah blah, blah, blah, blah at this point, Bill, they also know I’m a lawyer, because I must have said that I identify myself. So all we know is this, this neurologist who’s one of the leaders of the organization, of the group, right? I got this. Mark Vega 8:49 He’s got this crazy, quote, unquote patient who says he’s a quote, unquote lawyer, who says he just walked out of the hospital and he thinks he’s had a stroke. He doesn’t know this is a candid camera episode or some other kind of reality prank show. He doesn’t know for sure, but he lets me in Doctor. Hey, I’m only talking past because I’m losing my words and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know exactly if I’m losing words or not, but it feels like I’m losing my words. He’s like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, okay, okay, okay. But he doesn’t trust anything, right? Mark Vega 9:17 Well, right about on cue, bing, my wife calls my phone, so I’m able to say ‘Here, talk to her, and my the doctor’s like ‘Oh, this is bizarre. But of course, you know, we meet all kinds, don’t we? Mean all kinds. So it picks up the phone. Yes, doctor is true. He just walked out of, out of Presbyterian Hollywood, Presbyterian Hospital, and they tried to check him in last night. They’ve got results, but they won’t give him the results. So the doctor said ‘Okay, hang on. So my wife had the guy’s phone number somehow, I don’t even know how the my new neurologist calls. Mark Vega 9:51 The guy says, Hey, this is Doctor blah, blah, blah at Cedars. My patient Mark Vega is right in front of me. The guy, did you do the test? Guy says ‘Yes, my new doctor says, go to Line 46 and 47 or something like that. Read off the data. So he reads off the data. Whatever that was. I don’t understand. It didn’t matter. But it felt like this guy was finally listening, and I finally had somebody pay attention to what I was doing. Mark Vega 10:14 And I was kind of for just the first moment, I started to think maybe I don’t have to speak even as quickly as I’m speaking to you right now, Bill, because finally, maybe those words will stop disappearing. But I don’t know that for sure, but I think that’s possible, right? Bill Gasiamis 10:26 So let’s take a quick pause here before we dive back into Mark’s incredible journey and insights about embolic stroke recovery. I want to talk about how you can help support the podcast. This podcast has been a labor of love from the start, and I’ve been covering the costs myself to bring these episodes to you, but to keep it going and achieve my goal of reaching 1000 episodes, I would like your help. If these episodes have made you feel less alone or glad that you found the show. You can make a difference by helping ensure that future stroke survivors have the same experience. Bill Gasiamis 11:06 Your support on Patreon makes it possible to continue recording and sharing stories that remind stroke survivors they’re never alone on this journey. Please consider becoming a Patreon today. Every contribution helps me keep creating content that connects, educates and inspires. Visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke to learn more. Now let’s get back to Mark Vega and hear more about his experience and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Mark Vega 11:37 He gets the data, and he looks at me and my wife’s on the cell phone right in the ring. He looks at me, he says ‘Well, you definitely had a stroke, you might have had a major stroke, and I’m so glad that your doctor gave me that baby aspirin, because I can’t even tell you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. So I’m going to get you checked in real quick, and we’re going to take care of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, good. I get checked in. Ultimately, I’m there for about a week, right intensive care for a minute, and then they transfer me to the stroke Ward. Embolic Stroke Recovery and Adjustments Mark Vega 12:07 Ischemic stroke on one side of my brain. They determine it is ultimately, though, diagnosis, prognosis is embolic stroke of undetermined source, the all elusive, ESUS. Now they say Bill that maybe 3% of the people of the 1000s of have strokes every year are captured in that 3% range, right? So that means every year that’s from could be 1500 to a couple 1000 people like me, like you, like people every year, like okay, what that means is they don’t really know what caused it, they don’t know what to how to prevent it. They can’t guarantee that it won’t happen again. Mark Vega 12:44 Those things we know for sure, none of those are very self satisfying, right? We’re not very satisfied with that at all. However, I’m alive, right? And within a couple days, the words stopped disappearing. I was able to speak more deliberately. I could always speak deliberately and slower Bill, but I just was concerned. It was the matrix, I’m like, I better. Bill Gasiamis 13:08 Get the words out while you can. Mark Vega 13:11 Yeah, I get paid. I get paid to speak, and the words are important to me. And yes, I can write, write, write, but speaking is important, right? So after a few days, I sensed that the words leakage had stopped, so I didn’t have I didn’t get back things, but it just felt like the the matrix stopped right, so the the letters were no longer falling off the page. But at that time, I flipped through the encyclopedia or the dictionary, and still there were big spots of white spots on the on the dictionary, like, well, I don’t know what was there. It looks like it was I because it’s in alphabetical order. Mark Vega 13:45 In my mind, I could, well, I can imagine, imagine that some pieces, I could tell what was right before it and what was right after it. And later on, my confirmation bias, or my own research Bill let me know that, in fact, that’s kind of how the brain rewires itself. Anyway. If there is holes on the page right, we the synapses fire above and below and all around, and so all of a sudden, the neural networks kind of reconnect, right? Mark Vega 14:08 Doesn’t happen right away, and I didn’t know anything about this at the time was happening? Obviously, we all have to learn through our own lived experiences, but that seems to be what was happening. So that’s just the first one. Can I keep telling with going to my story? I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to if you’re falling asleep, you’re bored about it, I want to tell you because you’ve heard a lot of stroke stories, man. Bill Gasiamis 14:30 I had one delivered quite like this. Man, keep going. Mark Vega 14:36 Listen, I’m 51 years old. The doctor’s like, well, that’s, that’s, you’re kind of young for this kind of a stroke to happen doesn’t make sense. So it wasn’t hemorrhagic, there wasn’t some event that happened that we could identify, like blood vessel burst or something was nothing like that. And also didn’t have any kind of history of anything, and in my family that we as far as we could tell, and all the research and study that we done, right? So. Okay, well, I’m alive. I’m grateful, but I don’t know if you did the same. Mark Vega 15:08 I bet it is because I also had a business at that time and I and it’s the same business I now have today, right? Just like you still on the grind, still hustling, but when this first, when the first stroke happened all of a sudden, or not all of a sudden. But my instincts were to make my footprint small, because I still had to keep the business going and support my family and right, but I had to really, I just kind of like things. Mark Vega 15:33 I just let things get small, drink a little or intentionally did, so the number of client personnel I had it shrunk, and the number of active outreach and collaborations and side hustles and other jobs and other work things I were doing, I just kind of let them go on their own. I just couldn’t I, and there was no doctor told me to do this. Nobody in my life was saying, keep doing more Mark, and nobody was really saying you shouldn’t do anything, because you know why? Just if this is your experience, because nobody knows, nobody really knows. Mark Vega 16:07 You don’t know about stroke when they realize it’s not a heart attack and it’s just stroke, when the moment people realize it’s your brain, in my experience, anyway, they want to be supportive, they want to be helpful, but in the back of their head, they’re kind of like, if they couldn’t see you react, your reaction. I imagine all my friends going, what his brain? But they don’t say that. But your brain, oh my god, that’s so that’s so messed up. Oh god, I guess you can’t do anything for the rest of your life. Mark Vega 16:39 You know, in your head, in my head, I was like, I didn’t want my clients to have that reaction, didn’t want my family to have that reaction, didn’t want my friends and neighbors to have that reaction. So I just made my footprint small, and I had a core group of people who were family members and some important clients and people who had known me all along, and you know, their reaction initially, some of those clients, my closest clients, who are still clients today, their initial reaction was ‘Thank God at least when they now, you’re not, not going to talk as much as that. Mark Vega 17:10 That’s kind of an upside for me, they would say, right. So, we took that in stride and really kept a good smile on our faces. And I thought I had to in the process of me making my footprint small, my business small, like I didn’t want to make mistakes, right? I didn’t want to do anything that was going to mess up the business. But at the same time, it’s possible, though we did 8000 tests, it’s possible that stress and other levels might have contributed to some of this, right? Mark Vega 17:41 You never really determine exactly, but in order to prevent that, we just get rid of anything that is extraneous, right? That’s what we try to do. One thing I hadn’t done, though, and my neurologist was suggesting this, as long as the cardiologist too, I used to run when I was much younger, but I hadn’t done so for years because my knees got I’m a US Army veteran, and I hurt my knees, not in active duty, not in more time at all, but just I was, I was deployed in South Korea, and I hurt both my knees and had surgeries. Mark Vega 18:11 And so, okay, my running days might have been over, maybe, right, so, but the doctors were like ‘Mark, you should, you should start, you know, working out again, but not like with lifting weights, necessarily. Why don’t you just start walking? And I thought walking, walking, me walk, that I felt like I’d poke pencils in my eyes. No, I’m not gonna. I’m not a walker. What do you mean in a mall? I’m a young guy. I’m like, what I can’t that’s not the image I need or want, and I don’t see myself that way, right? And they laughed, and they said, okay, there. Mark Vega 18:43 Okay, hot shot, well, what do you what do you think? Am I? Well, can I? Can I run? And he’s like, Well, he’s your card, and you got I’m like, I get it. I had a cardiologist at that time, not because I had a heart attack, but because, remember, we in embolic stroke of undetermined source. We don’t really know what causes stroke, so the neurologist and cardiologist and my internist, like I had a little team now, doctors scratching their head, figuring, I don’t know, you’re kind of an anomaly there. Mark Vega 19:07 Remember the first time I saw you? You busted down my door and started talking a mile a minute, telling me you just walked out of a hospital as my neurologist, right? And he said ‘So remember that made an impression on me. So part of the energy and the vibe and exactly who you are. You’re still that guy, Mr. Vega, you’re still that guy. I’m like, well, good, good. So even if that’s the you know, first impression of you to me, doctor, neurologist, I’m okay with that. So can I run? He says, Well, you’ll go slow. You’ll figure it out. But, yeah, go slow. Mark Vega 19:37 So Bill, that’s, that’s what happened after many years, I decided to, I was going to try to run. And I thought, what better way? Because it used to run, what better way? Like, I’d never run a marathon. Like, wow, how about, how about if I run a marathon? Can I do that? He’s like, Well, of course, you can do anything you want. Okay, I’m going to try it. So this is stroke. Is June, 2015 first one by August, 2015 I’m ready to, like mobile. I ready to kind of get some real exercise, I’m ready to do something, right? I gotta do something. And I still have a small footprint. Mark Vega 20:16 From a business perspective, I don’t know if you did this, Bill. I saw some of your recovery photos when you were like, trying to get ambulatory again, I felt that the one thing I could control was my movement, my body movement. And I’ve now, since then, have come across a lot of stroke survivors that have talked to all different types of stroke survivors and many different modalities, many different levels of Ambulatory abilities, et cetera, et cetera, right? Mark Vega 20:40 And so I was really grateful, because at the time, my brain, my stroke, just impacted in such a specific element of impact that I was grateful for everything else, right? So running made sense to me, and I had run for a long time. And at the time, I’m 51 that’s not old, but it certainly wasn’t that young either, right? So I’m not going to be, I’m not going to be running races to win races, but just the idea of running in the first instance like that should be enough, right? That should be good. Training for the Los Angeles Marathon Mark Vega 21:10 So I do it. I start to train, and I see the Los Angeles marathon. 2016 is on Valentine’s Day. 2016 february 14. Oh, right, come on, that’s an aspirational thing. I’m in Los Angeles. Happens, I have a LA Marathon in a couple of months. I’m there, man, I’m in it. I’m going to try. I’m going to do it. So I get a coach, and I go online, and I figure out what I’m supposed to do I’m not supposed to do, and and I start. And it took a long time to get going, because at first, initially, I guess because I was monitoring my heart rate, I had to actually walk. Mark Vega 21:43 I had to walk enough so that I could start to walk faster so my heart wouldn’t go crazy, right? So I started to train and the real and really embrace the idea that we’re training. I was in the US military, in the army, and we ran road guard. I ran all kinds of exercises, but that’s a very different scenario of training that you’re training, trying to learn how to cooperate with 125 people all moving in the same direction, very different from just going out there for your own health and getting out and running. So I run, I run. I do all the programs on January 10. Mark Vega 22:17 So listen, almost a month away from the marathon bill, I feel so good. My physical footprint, my for my business hasn’t expanded, because I’m still really questioning, because it just had happened, right? I’m just grateful that I didn’t lose clients, and you know, but I just didn’t want to pretend like I knew more than I knew about these strokes, right? With very leery. Didn’t want to talk to much anybody to say this happened or that happen, and certainly, as a lawyer, I discovered this, there’s a lot of lawyers who are kind of closeted. They’re quiet about ever having a stroke. Mark Vega 22:49 Why? Because they’re lawyers. Yeah, I tell the world that their brain had some kind of anomaly, but luckily, you and I can tell them, and you’ve told the world a lot, you inspire people, y ou communicate well with them. But really, the brain is so fascinating that it’s possible to injure your brain so significantly that it takes years for that brain to start to come back, indeed. But for the vast majority of brain injuries, that’s not true. We had extra brain we just not right? So you just gotta give the time chance and time to rewire the little black skid marks, right? Mark Vega 23:22 So the for that stroke had us, you know, skid mark over my ear. If you look in the MRI like, oh, there it is. It doesn’t go away. It doesn’t get better. It doesn’t become not black. But the wiring synapses, everything just rewires around it. No problem, right? I like that. So it’s a month before the, the the LA Marathon, right? Valentine’s Day, 2016 Are you excited? I’m so excited, just reliving it. It’s so fun. A month before, I don’t know if you run it all or do training, but you run a marathon for a long distance run, right? Mark Vega 23:53 Usually about a couple of weeks, and sometimes a month before you start what’s called a taper. Now you still have to exercise with the same amount of intensity, but for a few weeks before the race, you you reduce the quantity of training. So you might run 20 miles, and then you’re going to start, then you’re going to go, you know, to 10 miles and eight miles and six miles and three miles. While you get there, though you’re still not You’re not slowing down the intensity, but the quantity of training, you slow down. Mark Vega 24:23 So a month before my 26.2 mile, first marathon ever, in the history of ever, I’m going to be running on Valentine’s Day or eight story, in my mind, I’m going to do it. I will have done it. Bill, I tackled it. I’m going to do it. A month before that, I do this long run, about 20 miles, and feeling great. Never felt so good, really, physically and mentally, just all good. And I was on a, this was a that was a long run on a Saturday, next day, on Sunday, January 11, 2016 I’m fixing myself some lunch, having a salad, somewhere on my lunch counter, kitchen counter. Mark Vega 25:03 And I reached down to pick up a mug, pick up a cup, and like this, I can do it this way, no problem. But then I reached to get this cup on the counter, and I just knocked it over, like on the floor. Luckily, there’s no water in it. Like, okay, what? I don’t even notice. I just knocked on the floor, and I bent down to pick it up and and I and I bent down to pick it up, and I I see my I see now I’m blur my background from it. I see my hands. I reach down to pick up the cup, and my hands are like this on the floor. So I kneel down on the floor, and I’m still in this moment. Mark Vega 25:39 In that moment, I’m still not realizing what I’m doing. I mean, I don’t realize that this is the things I’m actually going like this. I’m trying to get the cup, and I say to my daughter, who’s in the house, the house is filled with people. I don’t know why, but anyway, there was it was, right? He yells, my daughter, Hey, David, can you come in here? Help me? I just dropped the cup, right? But she doesn’t hear me say that, my daughter hears me say, and she she comes in the she comes in the kitchen. Mark Vega 26:11 She’s like ‘Dad, you are such a goof. And she walks out, you know, with her bone in her hand. Meanwhile, I’m on the floor. I knelt down, and the next thing I realized, Bill, I can’t stand up. So not only can, I can’t pick up the cup, but I’m kneeling on the floor. Now, at this moment, I still don’t know that anything’s happening. I just know I just doesn’t, I can’t pick up the cup, and my wife comes in the she comes sliding into the frame in the doorway, right when you’re in the kitchen, and she’s got her phone on her ear, and so she slides into frame with her phone up into her ear. Mark Vega 26:48 It’s almost like Tom Cruise when she he slides into the frame of that movie, Risky Business when he had a own brush, of a hairbrush, and like he’s going to sing like a microphone, she slides in the frame with her thing with the phone in her ear, and she runs toward me onto the floor and says, Mark, Mark, shut up, shut up. You’re gonna scare everybody. And I’m like, I just dropped the cup. What are you talking about? But I don’t say that. I say she’s like, Shut up. Don’t see any work like what she said, Mark, you had another stroke. And I’m like, you didn’t have a stroke. Mark Vega 27:30 I dropped the glass. I can’t pick up the glass, but she hears me, so she freaks out. She cups. She puts her horn over and like so violent for such a just picking up a cup I should have covers your face. She grabs under my arm. She says, come. She says to my yells to my daughter, Hey, baby, how many come in here? I gotta help your dad for a second. So she comes in, and they get under my arm, and they sit me on the sit me on the chair. And again, I’m like ‘fI just dropped a cup, and both of them hear me say, but bizarre. Mark Vega 28:09 So I put my head my hands for a second, put my hand on the table. With just a couple seconds, right, happened? Next thing I know in that, within those three seconds, I swear, paramedics are busting through my door like full gear, Fireman with full gear like in front and I’m thinking, was this a setup? Because that just happened four seconds ago. What is going on comes in through the front door. Mr. Bank, we understand you. We think you had another stroke, and understand you had a stroke six months ago. But I’m like, I didn’t have a stroke, I’m fine. I just dropped the glass. Second Stroke and Its Impact Mark Vega 28:44 And then the paramedics hear me say my explanation, and they’re like ‘Oh my god. So I’m looking at their eyeballs. I’m looking at their reaction Bill just like yours, and they’re looking at me like their their reaction is, you know, like this, they’re like, and like, in my mind, I’m like, don’t talk. What are they? What’s What do you guys? What’s going on, man, what is going on? So I go to stand up, and they’re like, they put my hand, which I just sit there, Mr. Vega, just hang on. Mark Vega 29:16 It’s like, okay. Calls and he says, Mr. Vega, against medical advice, you’re going to send me away, but you have to tell me to go away, because it’s against medical advice. I’m telling you, we need to take you to hospital, you had no stroke. I didn’t have a stroke anyway. Stand up, they can’t stop me. But this point, I stand up, and I go over to the counter and I pick up a Kleenex. I feel like I gotta blow my nose for someone I pick up, blow my nose. And when I do that, I can’t I like this, blowing my nose to your face, watching me just like I’m at I still don’t know anything’s going on. Mark Vega 29:51 I don’t even see myself. Like, blow my nose. And when that happens, I did sense, like, a little bit of clarity in my head, like ‘Oh, liike, when you go above. But you know, when you’re a flight and your ears start popping when you’re high above and a high elevation felt like that. But next thing I know, paramedics got a phone exam, Mr. Vega, we’ve got the nurse on from some cedars. she, we believe he spoke with you six months ago. So I take the phone. I’m like, this. I’m ‘That’s me. Hello, huh? He’s like ‘Mr. Vega, we think this is Joe, Joe, Joe, blah, blah, blah. Mark Vega 30:22 We I saw you six months ago. You believe you had your first stroke. So I believe we believe you’ve had another stroke. Now I’m against medical device. You can tell these paramedics go away, but Miss vague, I think you had a stroke. I think you got to come see me. So for the first time ever, Bill as I got the phone in my ear, I see the paramedic, I see my family’s concerned faces for the first time ever, I realized my hands dangling on a butt was ridiculous. Mark Vega 30:48 But I realized everything happened, and I say something like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, everybody, I’m so sorry. Thank you. Thank you. Let’s go, so for the first time I hear that language I just spoke, and I can hear that it’s messed up, but I can understand what I’m saying. And at that moment, they could understand it too. So they got me in the they got took me to cedars, went in there quickly and ending, wrapping up, ending this story. So on the other side of my brain, the stroke twice as big as the first one other side of my brain. Mark Vega 31:25 First one, there’s a skid mark about the width of my pinky. Second one’s a skid mark about the width of my thumb on the by the other ear. And same thing, ischemic stroke, embolic stroke, undetermined source. They still don’t know what it is, but I’ll tell you this bill, and we’re almost to the end of the story for now, at least the story of the stroke itself. They added another doctor for me, this time a blood guy. So now I get a whole team, like I’ve never. Had never had a team of what this is, insane. Mark Vega 31:55 Anyway, I had turned 52, so now I’m 52 and, remember, it’s, you know, it’s like a month, this would be right before the marathon. So I feel good. So I recovered that there was no word loss, and again, the artifacts were minimal. They existed, but at the time, I didn’t sense any of that, but the neurologist grabs me on the shoulder ‘So Mr. Vega, listen to me, had you not been exercising? Had you not been working and really maintaining an observation of your both your metabolism, your health, your heart, both your cardio and your steady state activities. Mark Vega 32:37 That second stroke, it would have killed you. He had his hand on your eyes ‘Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And he shakes me, Bill. He shakes me ‘No. Mr. Vega, if you had not been exercising the way you had been exercising and that second stroke hit, you would be dead. Mark Vega 33:11 First time ever in the history of ever I shut up, I could hear a pin drop, because for the first time ever, Bill, I heard him, I heard him, I heard what he said, I heard it, and I couldn’t I just I heard it. There was no doubt about it, I heard what he said, and I have to listen to it right now. I’m going to stop because this is crazy, I’ve gone been going on for too long, but I want to show you something I did start to recover, and by May of 2016 my everybody, the doctor, I’m like ‘Yeah, you can start training again. You can run again, if you like, you’re ready, we’re ready for that. Okay. Can I run a marathon? Sure. Mark Vega 33:57 When can I run a marathon? I don’t know. What do you mean? I said no, when I got a train, so I can’t, like ‘When can I can I do it in October? Like the guy, nah, that’s not October. Can I do one in November? He says ‘Yeah, I think you know about November. So at that moment, first time ever in the history of ever, I looked up at the phone, like, November marathons, and I see, oh my god, New York feels like the biggest marathon in the world. I never run a marathon yet. Why not New York? I said ‘Can I do New York? And he says ‘Okay, yeah, sure, you can do New York. Mark Vega 34:25 I’m like, Okay, I’m doing New York. So I trained and trained and trained. Was very happy to do that, and happily by November 6 to 2016 took me a long time, but I ran across that finish line. And it was nobody around, just me. But I ran across that finish line, Bill, and I sobbed. I was so satisfied, so happy, that it all came together. And nothing, it didn’t, you know, and clearly it didn’t kill me, and then I’ll just do one quick little display, if you can see that. So I went from running no matter, marathons at all, to 2016 I ran the New York City Marathon. Mark Vega 35:03 I have since run the New York City Marathon twice. I’ve run la a couple of times. I’ve also run ultra marathons, and most recently, just last weekend, I ran a trail marathon that I really, really love. So I’ve got a 50k on the schedule. First time ever I’m going to run a 50 miler, and I’d like to do 100k, so when I turn 62 I want to run 62 miles, and on my bucket list is a 100 miler. Now that is really my stroke story. Mark Vega 35:37 It’s all about the strokes, and none of this would be happening had I had each of those steps not been taken? So I, on one hand, Bill, I really apologize for taking up so much time to tell the story, but on the other, I appreciate that it feels like this platform more than any other platform in the history of platforms, right? This is the place you get to tell the stories, right? Bill Gasiamis 35:59 Absolutely, it is really important to set the scene and to hear your energy and the way you go about things, because without the whole thing comes together, it makes sort of, it paints a perfect picture of who you are, like, what, who they’re dealing with, what kind of a person they’re dealing with. When you turn up to a hospital, there’s so many familiar parts of that story to my story. You know, I go to the hospital the third time I tell them I’m having a stroke, just put me into the MRI machine. Don’t worry about all the paperwork, don’t do any of that stuff, right? Bill Gasiamis 36:36 You know, shrinking the business down and just kind of keeping it just skeleton staff just sort of ticking over a couple of important clients, helping me just cover the costs, pay a few of the bills, just keep me active, keep the brain ticking over. You know that’s familiar, being in really good health afterwards and just feeling great and then starting to exercise and riding bikes and all that kind of stuff. Bill Gasiamis 37:04 And then the next one happens. You know, the whole thing sounds familiar? That the part that I want to understand is, what kind of a guy are you with regards to your probably been, you’ve been in dangerous combat zones, I imagine, or perhaps you’ve been in dangerous combat zones, had you as a Marine? Mark Vega 37:33 No, I served the US, I mean, during the Cold War. So I was in South Korea for during the Cold War, was in early 80s, and so there was no active theater of engagements, except for Lebanon. There was a small one and Grenada. So there was no active theater of war at the time. But you woke up, you trained, you ran in PT every day, so you’re a constant state of readiness. But very different from many of my colleagues and veteran friends who have PTSD and significant PTSD. So I had the great fortune of not suffering through any PTSD with respect to separation or involvement in the military. Bill Gasiamis 38:10 Yeah. And I imagine at that age, anyway, you’re not thinking about the possibility that you’re you’re going to die. You’re thinking, you know, you’re bulletproof. Mostly at that age, I imagine, to an extent, I know what what you’re doing. Yeah, you’re participating in but you’re not expecting it to ever happen to you, but at 51 had you ever considered this thing that happened to you as a serious health issue, and that, you know, because I did it 37 the first time. Bill Gasiamis 38:37 I kind of thought I might not be around in six months. Like actually thought that, and it sunk in. You know, did you ever have that thought? Mark Vega 38:44 I love the question. But the reason it’s so good is because you’ve had multiple strokes, and I have a good friend who I will introduce one time. His brand, he is Sean Anton is his name, and his brand is the stroke hacker. Bill Gasiamis 38:44 Oh yeah. Mark Vega 38:44 And he got choked out in an MMA, accident, 19, two down, 13, I think, and so had one stroke, but it really is debilitating. His left sides all messed up, still to this day, and he practices. He’s really a good human being, he had one. So we were, we knew each other long before then, but didn’t. Then we fell out of touch, and then after I had my strokes, I realized I got back in touch with them, and realized he had a stroke. Mark Vega 39:27 So now the joke is, though, because I had two and he’s had one, so every time I see him, he’s like ‘Well, you had two, and he’s Yeah, so here’s how about this Bill, because we gotta keep it light, right? So I asked Sean that if I for some reason, if I stroke out at the third stroke, and I’m gone and you’re still alive, Sean, I want you to go up to I want you to present when I die. I want you to go up to the podium and I want you to say ‘Mark always said that no good joke starts with. Well, after my third major stroke. Mark Vega 40:00 But here you are, you’re living proof, you are a third. You have three, I can’t believe it. So I love that. I love the question, because when, at what point in our lives do we, you know, think on existential elements of our lives, right? When do we say we’ve been we’ve had enough, and are we ready to go or never want to go right? So at 51, I can proudly say, after that first stroke, that it was in my mind, it was an anomaly. I don’t know what it was. The fact that medical science couldn’t tell me what it was. It was going to happen again. I’m like ‘Well, okay, I changed everything, though. Mark Vega 40:38 I changed my my diet. I mean, I already been at high metabolism, and I’ve already done a lot of detoxing and changing diets, just for one way or another. So I’m always pretty active. Who you see right now is this guy, right? I’ve kind of always been that guy, but I took it more serious in that, well, thank God I’m alive. I would don’t want to leave. I had young kids. I don’t want obviously, I’m so grateful that I’m still here, and so I did think, man, I want to do everything I can to keep just doing things right, I don’t want to mess it up. Mark Vega 41:13 And that would include like, training running, like, you know, it’s like, formally, when you commit to a training schedule, when a with a marathon or a race or other types of athletic events too, but because I had a an event, you know, I could keep my promises to myself. And I don’t know about you, but both in business and in life, when I do that, I’m going to be I’m going to be okay, because then I can trust the training. I’ve made promises to myself, no matter what happens then out in the universe, at least I made, I kept the promises to myself. I kept showing up, I kept bringing it right? Mark Vega 41:46 So I’d have to say that was kind of my attitude during after the first one, but after, I trained for that marathon, and the other thing the blood doctor told me is, like getting there’s no way you’re running this marathon. You’re not running at all. We gotta figure this out, remember what? It killed you? No, no, Mister Vega, you would be dead. So after that conversation, I realized, that’s when I realized, Bill, okay, I’ve gotta look at this differently. I can’t I didn’t think, and I think this is the point of your question. Mark Vega 42:17 I didn’t think at any moment that I was cavalier about how things happen, or what’s going on in my life, or how I treated the stroke, I never did, but after the second one, I realized, okay, I don’t know enough about this. I don’t know what this is, and it was not very comforting my friend to have a team of doctors to tell me right? First words out of the mouth, well, we don’t, you know. We gotta learn more about this. I’m like, what you don’t know either. Like, you know, it’s enough that I don’t know. But somebody should, somebody should know, right? Mark Vega 42:54 Anyway, so that was my that was my sense of things that once after the second one happened, then everything I did in my life was seen through the filters of both of those strokes. So I have the chance like this time to give people talk to you this, tell you the story. If you tell the story of anyone, it’s fun, and I can talk about it’s interesting, but no, for me, it was the impact of having one unexpectedly training and doing everything I could to just be proud of myself that I survived one then somehow, was it something I did that brought on the second stroke. Mark Vega 43:29 And as the blood doctor was like, no, if you wouldn’t have been training, you’d be dead. That’s how big the second one was, but because you are training, you’re alive, and we’re still trying to figure that out, and I wish I could they all we did. I did so many tests. I don’t know if you did this after more strokes, after the second one, I had more doctors, and I have read more tests were run on my system than anything, because then we had data. We had data from the first stroke, exactly what protocol we were using to deal with the first stroke, including my own training and all that kind of stuff. Ongoing Recovery and Future Goals Mark Vega 44:01 But my nutrition, diet, everything. And then after the second one, like ‘Okay, now we have more data. What is going on and to this day, though. So that was 2016 January. 2016 to this day, we are many, many miles away. And after the first year and second year, by the fifth year anniversary, I told myself, Bill ‘I’m done, I don’t want to keep talking about the strokes, I’m done with it. I’m over, right, but not true. Mark Vega 44:28 And as I’ve listened to many of your guests and many of your YouTube videos and some of the podcasts, like, yeah, sometimes this, this is just one thing that happened to us in our life, just like my army service. It didn’t last for a long time with only a handful of years, but it was very real, so no need to delete it from my life resume, just like these jokes. No reason to do that, and then occasionally it’ll happen, even if I’m on a podcast or I’m on a meeting or something. Guess what? Occasionally a word will disappear. Mark Vega 44:58 Now I know. I’m older now, I’m 61 so I know everyone’s ‘Oh yeah, we all forget words. Well, don’t tell anybody. But every once in a while, one of those words is not here, and I’ll guarantee you, Bill, it’s an artifact. It is an artifact of that first stroke. I know it because I look up in my mental image of that dictionary, and so the white spots are still there. Remember, there are still there. Mark Vega 45:25 The neural network was able to rewire everything, and I’m fine and fully functional and better than ever, probably, but I’m telling you, there’s indelible marks on our brain, and we can understand and appreciate but we can’t ever fix we don’t ever you can’t get rid of it. You can work around it, right? Can’t get rid of it. Yeah, that’s a great that sound. Does that ring true for you? Some of that ring true for you? Bill Gasiamis 45:53 It sure does. Man, that’s a great answer, because so for me, the first time again, they didn’t know what caused it this. These things happen every every so often. No big deal. Go back to work, try and get to business as usual, although they tell you not to go against doctors orders. The second one was six weeks later, and then it’s like ‘Wow. Okay, this thing hasn’t gone away. It hasn’t settled down. It isn’t the worst case scenario. It isn’t the the most unlikely scenario, the one that is going to sometimes they settle down on their own. Bill Gasiamis 46:26 They stop bleeding. This one is still bleeding. Okay. Now all my cognition is gone, you know, my ability to type an email, talk, start, finish, send. This is all gone. I feel like I’m, you know, living in some kind of like a a mushroom trip. Most of the time, things are just all over the place. You know, for months, many, many. Mark Vega 46:45 How long did that last? How long was that after the second one? Bill Gasiamis 46:48 Look, it probably lasted about five or six months. Yeah, it’s just slightly different plane in and out. And sometimes I had clarity, and sometimes I was just so zoned out, like was just ridiculous. And what was difficult about it was it was happening when I was unex when I wasn’t expecting it. So it was kind of catching me off guard. And it wasn’t enjoyable to say, like a mushroom trip might be. It was, it was annoying, and it was in the way of my day, or what I was in the middle of doing, and it was like, Yeah, then this is not appropriate, right now. Bill Gasiamis 47:27 I don’t want to be in this space, and that kind of made it worse. So then the but what I was doing like you, as soon as I understood that I had an arteriovenous malformation, like a blood vessel that was not healthy or not in the best shape, etc. What I did was try to control the controllables. So for me, all I could control was what I consumed, how I went about my day, how much effort and time I put into my work so the amount of hours shrunk. Bill Gasiamis 48:05 I’ve controlled all those controllables so that by the time we were three years down the track, I hadn’t done my own words to myself, I hadn’t done anything to contribute to the Next one. Personally, if it happens again. It happens, but I haven’t done something to make it possible for the third one. Mark Vega 48:27 Exactly, okay, and three years after, and then. Bill Gasiamis 48:32 And that’s almost three years after, and then I was going to work, because by then, I had recovered enough the blood clot in my head that started about the size of a dime became the size of a golf ball, and then that started to decrease in size. And as it started to decrease in size, more and more, my brain came online with the looking after my my nutrition, no sugar, no caffeine, no gluten, no dairy, no alcohol with that, like my body was just in the best shape it had ever been, you know, for many years, for two decades. Bill Gasiamis 49:10 And then when I got to work, and I was having that third sort of those symptoms again, and I thought of, I sort of knew What was happening. I understood where I was at. I just accepted it. I just accepted it. And I drove myself to the hospital. I just was matter of fact, told them what was happening. You guys do what you got to do. And then my surgeon came in probably a few hours later to check up once she discovered that her patient was back in hospital, and she said, We’ve got to go in and take this out. But I I was prepared for it, so I said to her, yep, no worries. Bill Gasiamis 49:48 And she was a little bit taken aback by the fact that I responded so positively to the possibility of brain surgery, and she came back and checked again later, are you sure? Are we doing this? Are we going in and take. It out. I said, Whatever comes comes, we have to go in and take it out. The risks of it reoccurring and causing drama are far greater than the likelihood that it’s not going to happen again. So now that the risks are far greater, and my health is quite good, and I’ve prepared myself for three years like it’s the best time to have this surgery. Bill Gasiamis 50:22 And I remember being wheeled into surgery, and they had an intern and an aesthetist who was struggling to find a vein so they can hook me up to the anesthetic and and I was just coaching him through going now you’ll find that you’re alright, just relax. You’ll be calm. Don’t worry. No problem. I’m the best patient you’ve ever had. I’ve prepared myself for all these years to be the best patient you’ve ever had. So you guys aren’t going to do a great job. I’m going to be a great patient. Everything’s going to go fine. I had, I had done, you know, three years of meditation almost. Bill Gasiamis 51:00 I had done beforehand, I hired a hypnotherapist to come in and take me through the procedure, how my body should respond and react, tell my body what’s going to happen, give it a little bit of an insight, so that when it gets its head cut open, it doesn’t freak out and start bleeding everywhere. I had done everything. So when I turned up, I was expecting an awesome outcome. I was expecting it. Bill Gasiamis 51:29 There was no other possibility. Yeah, but good, yes. Cheekily, I had prepared for the worst. One of the mottos that I picked up, it’s some dude in the 40s or 50s. Chuck this motto out there. I think he was from the Emirates or somewhere around there, that part of the world said, expect the best, prepare for the worst. Mark Vega 51:58 Absolutely, absolutely. Bill Gasiamis 52:00 That was my motto. So I had prepared for the worst, expected the best outcome. I was trying to also coach the my loved ones, into that phase, into that zone, because they are really highly emotional Greeks. So most of the time they’re not holding their shit together. They’re losing their shit about everything. So I had to try and bring everybody with me onto this journey, so that if they’re calm, then I can be calm, and vice versa. And I woke up out of and what I loved about my surgeon was she was so matter of fact also. Bill Gasiamis 52:40 So she was just my kind of person, like, I need information just right between the eyes. I don’t give a shit what you’re telling me. Don’t make me guess. Just give it to me. And I woke up from surgery. And you know, when you have any surgery, they want you to move your bowels. They want you to go to the toilet as soon as possible. And they asked me, Have I been yet? I said, No, the nurse, who was probably half my size, and real small framed Asian lady, comes, I’ll help you go to the toilet. Well, what we didn’t know then was my left side’s not working. Bill Gasiamis 53:14 And I got out of the bed on my left side where she was, and I stepped out of the bed. This is not even 12 hours after surgery, and I fell straight to the ground, and I just collapsed in the high what, what do they call that war, that the the high care ward, or something like that bank straight on my ass, screamed, and then, and then, got back up, got back into my bed, and my surgeon came to check up on me, and she said, How’s things? Where are you at? I was groggy as hell, and my family was there, and everybody and they and they said to her, he fell out of bed. Bill Gasiamis 53:54 She freaked out, and she goes, why? And I said, I can’t feel my left side. And she just goes, Okay, Book him into rehab. That was it. That’s as much information or detail they should go. Just book him into rehab as soon as possible. Seven days later, I was in rehab, and that’s when the next part of that journey started. So not once did I get fearful of the loss of my life, or anything like that. I’d put a lot of things in place to make good all of the people who I’d wronged, you know, to have my business sorted and managed and run. Bill Gasiamis 54:35 I had made good on, you know, relationships with family, loved ones, parents, everyone had been told they they were loved and all that kind of stuff, you know, my finances were in order. The family was going to be really comfortable. There wasn’t going to be any debt or any crazy things like that that they were going to have to live with if I had to go, Yeah, you know. So it was like, Okay. We are and as now, now that I’m 50, I do contemplate, like, how long my life will be. Sometimes I do contemplate that, and I try and live from the space of like, just get get it done now. Bill Gasiamis 55:20 Whatever it is that you need to get done that thing that’s on your mind, just get it done, because tomorrow’s not promised, right? So it’s like, Just do it. It’s not a fear of tomorrow not being promised. It’s just a matter of fact thing, like, it’s true, it’s fact. We’re not going to be around forever. No one that’s right, yeah. So just go for it. Just get it done. And sometimes I even think about things like, whatever pain I’m going through or suffering, whatever it’s like I sometimes I even have these weird thoughts, like, like, in 30 years, you know, it’s all going to be over anyway, so don’t worry about it. Bill Gasiamis 55:54 Like, if you get to 80 and you pass out, like, all that is going to be over. So don’t it won’t matter anyway, so you’ll be all right. You’ll be able to resist it or put up with it for a little bit longer. Just keep going. Don’t worry about and in the last month, I’ve had a really bad left side. My deficits on the left side have been playing up, and they’ve been way more numb. My muscles have been way tighter. There’s been way more pain, and I’m forever kind of wondering what caused it. But I had, I think I had COVID About a month ago, and that’s kind of made it a lot worse. Bill Gasiamis 56:31 And that gets me down every so often, like when you when you’re flying, and you feel well, and then something comes in and throws a spanner in the works, like you kind of feel, oh, you know, like I don’t like this. Why is that happening again? You know, this whole thing and these feelings that I thought were behind me, they’re not. They’re still there. I tell that part of the story is kind of just to let people know that this guy who appears on the podcast, you know, seems to be doing great and fine and always tells a positive story and all that kind of stuff. Bill Gasiamis 57:02 Like, there’s still the roller coaster ride. It still happens, you know, this is 12 years in November. It’ll be 12 years for me since I had brain surgery. 2014, it will be 10 years since I had brain surgery, you know. And still, I live with the whole gamut of experience emotions like everything that stroke does. I still live with it and this, let it go and put it in the past. It is in the past. Bill Gasiamis 57:34 The events are in the past, but what it does to me in the future is still here, and I have to deal with it every single day. And these podcasts, for me, are part of my therapy, but that’s how right much I need them and how necessary they are, and that’s why I love listening to crazy stories for half an hour about what happened to the other person. You know, I can relate, right? The Impact of Embolic Stroke on Professional Life Mark Vega 57:57 You did, you did a great job with that, and I’m glad I said then that. You know, for me, I after five years, I was like, I just wanted it to be done, and the reality is that it’s not going to leave. It was a real thing, and it’s still there. And every once in a while, I’m great, so grateful for all this. August 5, I hurt my knee, injured my knee, I love one of my knees, and had injured them in the past many times, but it was, here’s an interesting thing. So when I hit. Bill Gasiamis 58:29 Move a little closer to your mic. Mark Vega 58:31 I’m sorry about that. When I injured the knee, I knew for a fact it was so much gratitude, because I realized bill that, okay, this has nothing to do with those strokes, yeah, and it was very, right? It was a really interesting feeling, because I hadn’t been it was a, you know, was a unique injury, and I knew that’s what it was, for sure, right? So I was kind of grateful for that. Mark Vega 58:55 So of course, rehabbed it and used discipline and all that, and but it’s really, it’s really good to it’s good, really good to accept what is and things are as they not. Those things are as they are, not as you wish them to be or as you want them to be they are. That’s it, right? So true. So embracing that kind of philosophy really helps. Bill Gasiamis 59:15 That’s awesome. As a as a lawyer, you can understand right? Also probably why some of your colleagues might not tell anybody, because if they rely on their brain to make sure that paperwork is, you know, all the all the eyes are dotted, all the T’s are crossed, and to determine what a piece of law means, or how to apply it, or the rest of it, and if they can’t, if they’re perceived as not being able to do it that’s really going to impact their their their livelihood, and perhaps, you know, their practice, etcetera. Bill Gasiamis 59:49 And it might put some doubt into people’s minds, the client’s minds, as to whether this, by this person, is capable of, you know, running my my. Business or helping me get through a case or trial or whatever. Can you sort of see that as being legitimate? Mark Vega 1:00:07 And I’m glad you asked about that, because probably a couple years after, I was curious, I wanted to find talk with other lawyers, because I thought was great, you know, podcast topic, right? I mean, like, this is a transitional period, like after the stroke, you’re still out there practicing. And I know a lot of people did what you did, what I did, like you picked the business back up, and you reconfigure it and and you’re not configuring it to make allocations for whatever deficit you might have, at least I didn’t do that’s what I was doing. Mark Vega 1:00:37 I just shut it all down until I figured out what’s going on, and then kind of open it back up. Because I wanted to open it back up again, right? But, the lawyers, and I think it’s important to do that a lawyer should be just like I think out people, lawyers who are closeted, alcoholics or addicts or abusers one thing or another, or if you’ve got any kind of addiction, a gambling addiction or whatever, or you have 15 mistresses or whatever, anything, any choices we make right, any choices we make end up impacting can impact a practice. Mark Vega 1:01:13 And even though most people aren’t choosing strokes, I think choosing to live out loud with them is much better, because if you try to start to live out loud with them, and you can’t, if you notice a deficit, if you notice it, and you’re like, you know that it’s impacting your practice, you have a duty, obligation, responsibility under the law, because you have to remain your level of competency as lawyers. So you there’s, there’s minimum continuing legal education efforts that you mustn’t and undertake throughout the globe. Mark Vega 1:01:43 Around the globe, all lawyer all lawyer organizations require a minimum amount amount of continuing legal education, right? So that’s for everybody. And when I knocked on the door the State Bar of California, for example, there was no category that was interested in this, and that the American Bar Association level, there is a top level kind of committee thinking about these things. But it’s a it’s a very alarming thing to have to invade the privacy of someone to because you can’t require someone to talk about anything, right? Just like an alcoholic lawyer or not. Mark Vega 1:02:19 You people, some people talk about it. Some people don’t, but I’m a big advocate for coming out with it, because it is what it is. And I I’ve known lawyers who came under they suffered from strokes and it took them out. I mean, it can’t. They can’t function anymore. They have a significantly less ability, mental aptitude to continue to work the way they used to, right? And so they do something else, but the challenge, I think, is to just keep talking about so that’s why I like this podcast. That’s why I like you, and that’s why I like same thing with running. Mark Vega 1:02:55 Like I run because and I love the idea of embracing people who want to run after stroke, because not everybody can, right, but a lot of people aspire to do that, even just get movement of some sort, right. But there is something to be celebrated, and your platform is a good one, and it’s growing, and thank goodness for that. But I think there’s big communities of stroke survivors who relate to not just because they’re strokes, but they’re, you know, they’re pipe bidders and they’re lawyers and they’re runners and they’re Fisher persons, and they love to bowl. Mark Vega 1:03:28 And they’re motorcycle riders and they love snakes, and there’s all kinds of other hobbies and things we do in life. And I think bringing your stroke awareness and your lived life with respect to the stroke, bringing that alongside, don’t hide it is the better approach. It is for me anyway. So I don’t work in a stroke conversation with everybody, but if I’m picking up signals, if you pick up signals from people like you know, it’s a safe conversation, and it’s a good one, and usually it is. Bill Gasiamis 1:03:59 That is, you know what? It is being acknowledged for something that somebody else might have missed. You know you can see, you know that you know the majority of disabilities on in in the western world as a result of stroke. So when you see somebody. Mark Vega 1:04:15 Really, that’s a legitimate statistic? Bill Gasiamis 1:04:18 That’s a legitimate statistic. Mark Vega 1:04:19 Majority of disabilities around the world. Bill Gasiamis 1:04:23 In the Western world. So when you see somebody who has a deficit, left side, right side, in a wheelchair, limping an arm that doesn’t work properly, you know something like that. Most the greatest cause of disability is stroke, and you know a stroke person, I know a stroke person. All we got to do is, like, walk across them in the street. You know, you know exactly who it is. And because I don’t look like I had a stroke, it’s difficult to stop somebody and go, Hey, you know how you going and all that kind of stuff. Preparation and Strategy for the 100-Kilometer Run Bill Gasiamis 1:04:59 But still, when I see people who are, you know, for example, in our central business district selling, we have a magazine that’s a not for profit organization has created this magazine. It’s called the big issue, and it’s and what happens is people who might not be able to work full time or living hard, living on the street, whatever, they have a way to make some income. So they go buy some magazines, or they sell it on the street in their corner. They get allocated a space, and, you know, they they make a little bit of revenue. Bill Gasiamis 1:05:34 And people just go buy a seven or $8 magazine, and they get and the person selling it gets half the the cost of the magazine. So when you see somebody like that, you can really tell, I can really tell who are the ones who have been injured by some kind of a neurological condition, or have had some kind of a stroke or something like that, it makes the conversation of buying the magazine, more than just I bought the magazine. You know, you can also then go to, how long have you been working like this? You know, what have you been up to? What happened to you? Bill Gasiamis 1:06:09 You know, you can start a conversation. They’re all willing to share, and what I get from people is who are challenged in some way life, some way, shape or form, because of life. What I get from them all the time is nobody ever stops to talk. Nobody ever has a conversation. Thank they. Thank you simply for just sitting there and talking to them rather than just doing the transaction. You know some people who have got a hat out and ask for money and are looking for a feed, or they’re looking for to raise some money for accommodation for one night, you know. Bill Gasiamis 1:06:44 In some shelter or something you see, and you chat to them, literally for two or three minutes. They they don’t say anything else, other than thanks for stopping and asking and talking. Man, that’s really interesting to me, that’s what they need, more than the money they’re happy for you to just sit there and have a chat, even if I didn’t buy a magazine from this guy, happy for the chat like it’s just ridiculous. Bill Gasiamis 1:07:08 How much people just need to have a chat, and that’s so easy to do. And that’s like you, I don’t talk at your pace, but I love the sound of my own voice, right? I love talking. I have no problem with it. So it’s my favorite thing to do, I’ll do it forever. You know what I want to talk about, though, because I’ve had a little bit of experience with this. What I want to talk about is, how far have you run? What’s the longest distance you’ve run so far? Mark Vega 1:07:41 The longest distance I’ve run so far, the longest distance I’ve run so far is 50k, 50 kilometers, so 32 miles and in a race. And so I’ve run a handful of marathons, and I’m doing another 50k in January, and then a 50 miler in April. And these are as aspirational goals, in a way, because each we have to listen to our body, so that’s, but anyway, that’s the answer. Mark Vega 1:08:14 That’s the answer the question. I’d love to figure out a way to get to organize some stroke survivors, and I want to call it a stroke run, even if they’re not running at all, even if they’re just dragging their stumps behind them, like getting, you know what I mean, yeah, there’s, there’s something fun and funny about that, I think. And I really, I’ve been working on that for a while. Bill Gasiamis 1:08:38 In Australia, there’s a stride for stroke. The Stroke Foundation has an event which is called stride for stroke. And you register to do 5, 10, whatever you want. And some people will ride a recumbent bike or a normal bike or whatever. Some people will run. Some people will walk it, whatever it is, and basically you nominate how far you’re going to go and how you’re going to do it, and then you get people to support you, and they raise money for the Stroke Foundation, and it’s an annual event, stride for strokes. It’s really cool. And you could, you know, do something along those lines. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:11 Now, the reason I asked you about running is because recently, a friend of mine, the guy who wrote the forward in my book, Michael Wilkinson, he comes to me, and he goes, I’m going to go and run 100 kilometers. And he goes to me, would you support me? Would you come along and support me? And I’m like, dude, of course, I’m going to come and support you. What do I need to do? He goes, I want you to be the guy who turns up bit of water, food, you know, my gear. Mark Vega 1:09:42 He wants it accrue. He wants to be a crew member. Bill Gasiamis 1:09:44 Yeah, he wants me to be a crew member. I’m like, yeah, man, sure, I can do that, no problem. How far are you kind of run? And he goes 100 kilometers, 62 mile. I’m like ‘You are insane, bro. What the hell are you doing? But yeah, I’m there for sure. Sure, no problem. So a couple of months ago, we went out to a place here in Victoria, where I live, and it’s along the coast, and we, he’s training, he’s preparing. And he says ‘But I’m never going to run 100 kilometers in preparation for this. Bill Gasiamis 1:10:19 He said his maximum he had, only he had ever run was, I think, 32 mile, 30 miles, something like that. His maximum. Yeah, because so he had done a lot, he had done a lot of running in the days leading up to it, but he had never run a distance further than about 30 Yes, yeah, 32 mile or, I think, 32 miles. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t basically had never gone anywhere near 100k and I’m like, okay, no worries. So what we how does this work? What do we do? Bill Gasiamis 1:10:48 And he said to me ‘Well, you’re gonna, we’re gonna go there the day before. I’m gonna have my kit, you know, we’ll talk through the strategy, what my expectations are, how I’m gonna where I’m gonna meet you, the timeline, when I expect to be there, all that kind of stuff. I’m like ‘Sweet, no worries. So we go there. Mark Vega 1:11:05 How many people is going to do this? You by yourself? Are there two crew members? Bill Gasiamis 1:11:08 Just me, because he couldn’t ask. Mark Vega 1:11:12 Okay, keep going. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:13 I had no idea. He couldn’t ask anyone else, because everyone else that he knows would have said, would have tried to, like, don’t do it, man, it’s too far. Mark Vega 1:11:24 They would have done that. I can’t be bothered ride or die. You’re the guy. Bill Gasiamis 1:11:27 I’m like ‘Fucking do it, don’t worry about it. And he loves that about me, that’s my attitude. And then he and then he goes. So day before, he’s taking me through that. Okay, so what time are we waking up? Is that 4:30 in the morning? Okay, 4:30 in the morning. Alright, cool, no problem. Are you going to set your alarm? He said ‘Yes, I’m going to also set my alarm for 15 minutes after your alarm, in case something goes wrong and we don’t wake up. I don’t know what. So he’s got a massive bolt, a massive container of pasta that he starts eating at about nine o’clock. Bill Gasiamis 1:12:04 And he’s going to try and carve up and all that kind of stuff. It’s ridiculous. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen, pasta with tuna and lentils like terrible, and we get good stuff ‘Oh, terrible. We get up the next morning at 4:30 and he gets his kid on, and we drive down to the first site. And basically my job is to drop him off at the first at the at the start line, and then drive to the next stop and make sure I’m there for him and support him and the rest of it. And it’s like, cool, no worries. I’m in the car and I’m driving to each location. And, you know, he’s done 10 kilometers. Challenges and Mental Resilience at 50 Kilometers Bill Gasiamis 1:12:47 Everything is looking great. It’s fantastic. He’s done 20 kilometers. You know, that’s a walk in the park for him. He’s done that heaps of times, everything’s fine. It’s morning. I’m okay. There’s 1000s of other people in this event running everywhere, and then we go 30 kilometers. He’s loving it, he’s killing it, he gets to 40 kilometers, everything’s okay. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:10 Still doesn’t look like a guy who ran 40 kilometers, as far as I’m concerned, like it looks amazing. Gets to 50 kilometers, the same, but at 50 kilometers, and I’m not saying this to do anything to you, hopefully you think differently. At 50 kilometers, he gets to the 50 kilometer mark, which is the star, and stop, and it’s the halfway mark, it’s the start line and it’s the end. Mark Vega 1:13:38 He turns around and goes back, yeah, out and back. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:41 So it’s a loop, right? Mark Vega 1:13:44 It’s a whole he keeps going and does it again. It doesn’t go it’s kind of a loop. Bill Gasiamis 1:13:48 You always end up at the same location, right? And then it’s not one massive it’s not one little loop, it’s a massive loop. So you only ever get. Mark Vega 1:13:58 No, I understand, yeah, 50 is a 50k loop. So you go around with one, and then you either keep doing it twice, or you go around and you go backwards. Bill Gasiamis 1:14:06 That’s it, and what he starts doing is seeing the people who are finishing at 50, and going, I have to do another 50. And he’s going ‘Oh, my God, they’re finishing. And he’s been running, you know, for four hours already, and then he’s thinking ‘Oh, man, this is going to be a long day. And I’m meeting the same people every time I’m at a stop, I say. Bill Gasiamis 1:14:06 You’re driving to the next stop, and so are they. Bill Gasiamis 1:14:36 Yeah, and we’re just chatting and the rest of it. And he’s getting through the run. And by about 10 o’clock at night, he’s got 12 kilometers to go, 10 or 12, something like that. 10 or 12 kilometers to go. And I’m sitting there having a conversation with one of those other crew members for this other person, yes, yes, yes. And the guy goes to me, how are you? How are you? Hey, how are you? Man, I’m going. Man, I am exhausted. I’ve been walking around trying to get this guy over the line for since 4:30 in the morning. It’s 10 o’clock at night, and I’m exhausted. Bill Gasiamis 1:15:13 Five minutes later, my mate turns up, and he’s just run 89 kilometers or something, and I’m complaining that I’m exhausted. Yeah, and I don’t know how he’s doing it. I don’t know how he’s going to do the last few kilometers. I’ve got no idea. But sure enough, the ability to put the men, to put his mental state in as in the zone of this is not a negotiable. You must complete this run. The analogy, for me, is exactly what we’ve been through with stroke. Bill Gasiamis 1:15:50 The people who are doing it hard, the people who are doing it tough, there is no you don’t have an option to stop trying, to go for recovery, to stop overcoming your ill health, to stop, you know, finding a solution for the pain to you don’t have a choice. You must continue to do that. And I know that this guy volunteered to put himself in that situation, and we didn’t. But that’s the reality of it is, is that you must continue the struggle, the the the lesson, the whatever it is that you need, you must continue to do that. Bill Gasiamis 1:16:29 When I asked him ‘Why the hell he would run 100 kilometers. He goes, was to put himself into a state of suffering. That’s what it was about. And the suffering when he was in the state of suffering, the suffering was where he was meant to be, and that attitude towards it was what made it possible for him. So when he found himself suffering at 60, 70, 80, 90, he goes ‘Well, this is exactly what you wanted. This is what you signed up for. So you’ve achieved. You’re in exactly where you want it to be. So just keep going. And he got over the line, and he was just, he was a mess. Bill Gasiamis 1:17:15 He was probably talking like a stroke survivor. After the first incident, he had no idea what he was doing in the car. He was cramping up, and everything was terrible, and he couldn’t get comfortable. And I took him to his house, his family was overseas at the time, and I took him to his house, and literally just pushed him into I didn’t push him literally into his bed, but basically I just encouraged him that last step of the way to just get into bed. He got into bed and flaked it, and that was it. He goes ‘Just close the door on the way. Close the door. My way out, and I left, and I went home. The Importance of Crewing and Support Bill Gasiamis 1:17:50 And it was seeing him. And the amount of people that did it, and we’re all above 50, the people that I saw that were running at the end were all above 50, yeah. And just to see them do that and get through and I’ve overcome whatever demons they had to overcome to get over the line. Just for me, it was like a massive it was like a massive thing for me to just witness it rather than participate in I can apply that to my recovery and to my life and to my troubles, that’s all my suffering. It’s just, I don’t know. It was profound experience for me, and I didn’t even run it. Mark Vega 1:18:28 I think you just, you should share that story with people, because people don’t know about crewing. They don’t know that thing, that it’s a thing. And the moment you do ever hear somebody who says to you, you know, I’m going to run this long race, I’m going to do 100 miles, I’m going to do it, you gotta your story would allow people to not be afraid of it and not try to talk them out of it, but instead say ‘I’m in. How can I help? Because you’re right. Like crewing is so important. Mark Vega 1:18:59 Because for the guy, the other thing that happens when you come in, because I had the opportunity to crew. A couple months ago, I got the crew for one of my coaches who was doing 100 mile race. So it was three of us, and we crewed and we went. We could only go like every I forget how many miles, but anyway, it was all night long. Was crazy, was interesting, but it was so satisfying for me, because when you guy came in and he saw you, he had this, there’s a level of expectation. And so when you just see that alone, that’s a jolt of adrenaline and endorphins. Bill Gasiamis’s Experience with Tony Robbins and Fire Walking Mark Vega 1:19:30 And you know what I mean? Because it’s another contributor to believing in your brain. It’s like ‘Yep, this is going how it’s supposed to all good, all good. And you can never really guess what the terrain and the weather and other people in your gastrointestinal tract and all that eating all those carbs, whatever that’s before, but later in the day might not be so good, whatever. So he did it. So encourage other people do it right? Because it just so cool. I’m glad you had that experience, I’m sorry. Bill Gasiamis 1:19:56 So good. One of the first people I interviewed about stroke was, decided to run a marathon with left side foot drop. And you know, you know, had a stroke in her when she was a kid, you know, like, I don’t know, 10 years old or something. Donna Campisi, I think it was very early episodes, and she decided in her 40s she was going to run a first, her first marathon, she trained for ages. She got two coaches, the rest of it, and she did it. 40 kilometers took her ages, like, six hours, seven hours, something like that, with foot drop. Bill Gasiamis 1:20:33 You know, you’re not, you know you’re not supposed to be able to do that long of a distance would drop, right? So she did it. And that’s the thing. It’s like, if the people listening here are thinking of doing something ridiculously crazy that should not be possible, that shouldn’t really find a way to get it done, it’s going to lift your spirits. Bill Gasiamis 1:20:52 It’s going to make you feel like you’ve overcome something, and change the way that you see the world like you know what it was for me years ago, before my strokes, I went and saw Tony Robbins in Melbourne, here in Australia. And it’s a four day event, and one of the things that he does at the end of the first day is he primes you to do a fire walk. Mark Vega 1:21:15 Right, walk on calls. Bill Gasiamis 1:21:16 Yeah, and I’m like ‘How the hell it’s first thing in the morning day one, and he goes for 12 or 16 hours. Tony Robbins is as energetic as you It’s like he’s crazy the guy. And he goes at the end of tonight, we’re going to walk on calls. Are you insane? I just turned up here. Like, how do you mean I’m going to work on calls? Walker, I’ve never done anything difficult in my life. I’m going to walk on Coles. What are you talking about? And sure enough, it gets you so primed, you get to the front of the line. And I’d say it’s about, it’s about five or six meters this walk on Coles, yeah? Bill Gasiamis 1:21:55 And I’m like, 15 feet, what? 2020? Feet, something like that, right? And I’m like, everyone’s in line. 1000s of people are in line to walk on calls on these fire pits. There’s a whole range of them. And I’m like ‘Okay, so I’m here. Everyone else is doing it. I’ve gotta do it. And he you go through what he taught you to say and how to breathe and all that kind of stuff. The guy next to you is priming you as well, and he’s getting getting you ready to go. Bill Gasiamis 1:22:26 And just before I step on, he goes, hang on a sec. He goes, let me go and get some more coals, and he goes and gets a wheelbarrow full of bright red coals, and he throws them on the ground, and he pats it down. And then he says ‘Okay, you can go now. Mark Vega 1:22:44 Oh my god. Bill Gasiamis 1:22:45 How is this? And I go for the walk, and sure enough, I get to the other side, and my feet have not burned, and nothing’s wrong. Nothing’s happened to me. The coals were hot. You can feel the the the the hot, the heat like radiating off the coals while you’re standing there getting ready to go, while the guy’s putting fresh coals on. And that was the thing for me, that sort of changed my mind. It’s like you’ve done something that you never expected, that you would ever do, and you’ve managed to somehow will your body over the line and make your body understand what needs not happen. Bill Gasiamis 1:23:28 You know, you you shouldn’t get burnt here. So do these things to avoid getting burnt, like play this role. You know, I don’t know, change your chemistry. Do whatever you need to do, to not get burnt while you and that’s kind of the attitude that I used when I went into surgery. It’s like, you know, meditation. It was hypnotherapy. Talk to the body, give it some instructions, give it some feedback, tell it what it needs to do, put in two and a half years of effort to get it primed and ready, the whole thing kind of, let’s just it. Bill Gasiamis 1:24:06 It shows we’re capable of a lot more than we are, you know, and that we can do this. And that’s kind of what I want for my stroke survivors who are listening to this like always, it’s be more than somebody else has ever told you you’re capable of being For God’s sake, like I wrote a book and I have a podcast for God’s sake, like, Do you know what I mean, it’s insane. Mark Vega 1:24:31 Yes, exactly. Yes, I do, I do know. I mean, there’s a there’s a over as we get older, I suppose we read and get exposed to a lot of different type of philosophies and approaches to life, but it was one of my favorite little sentiments that I pull out the runner’s speed is his own, yet even so, he is helped by being cheered on, that’s from Seneca. Is letters on ethics, one, 9.6. So I find myself as a cheerleader in so many units, in so many verticals, and I have always been that guy, always actually. So when it came to me, I found maybe I was reluctant to cheer, in a way, to cheer for myself, right? Mark Vega’s Philosophy and Running Goals Mark Vega 1:25:18 But when when faced with the strokes and after the strokes, I don’t know if you have any, there’s any version of this in you, but it’s not enough for me just to run a marathon. There’s not enough for me just to run one. It’s almost like getting tattoos. Once you have one, you end up getting a bunch, because there’s some addictive element to it, I think, right? And people have talked about that a lot. So for me, it was initially doing New York at all, just doing it at all was blew my mind that I could do it. And then I did say ‘Well, could I do it again? Mark Vega 1:25:56 And I’m never fast, so I’m never I’m not racing for somebody else. My competition is with myself and just showing up, doing the training and finishing in a way, when you run a race, when you run running races, it’s a little bit like a participation award, because you just have to finish the race and you get the medal. Oh, yeah. All you have to do is finish, you have to win. Yeah, everybody gets a medal. You have to cross the finish line, but you don’t get the medal unless you finish the race, right? Mark Vega 1:26:26 So the concept of finishing, committing to the training, doing the entire race, getting that medal, that’s very, very satisfying. But for me, there’s something about what you just said, like I in my head I wanted to do crew, or I was. I do a lot of volunteering too. So I volunteered at the 92 mile aid station in a 100 mile race last April. Now for years, I’d already done a lot of long races. I’ve done crazy stuff, I did the tough rock in Boston, which is I dressed in all of my military gear, and I had a 42 pound rucksack on my back, and I hiked a marathon like so I’d done all kinds of crazy things again. Mark Vega 1:27:10 Not because I was first, just because I wanted to do it, and I finished it, you got it right. So I was at the aid station of this 100 mile race last April, and most of the people are coming finishing, they’re all old. Well, they’re older than me, and at the time, I was 60, yeah, I think it was 60. And the guys coming across the line, there’s like, you know, there’s probably 30 people that finished the hunter, this race, this 100 mile Raven, and the guys coming across the line are all older than me, and so I’m thinking ‘Wait a minute. Mark Vega 1:27:43 So in that moment, Bill, I was like ‘Oh, wait a minute. Oh, wait a minute. I am not done yet, no way. And these guys, I don’t know what strokes had, it didn’t matter, but I knew me. I’m like, I’m coming back. I’m going to do that honorable race. So that was last April, and I committed to honorable race. And then after that, it got with my coach and the coaches, Ball Coach, like, great. That’s great, but let’s put the body in the right motion, and let’s see what happens. So literally, gotta run a 50k then a 50 miler, then after that, is a 100k That’s 62 miles. Mark Vega 1:28:14 So my goal is, I want to run the 62k right before I turn 62 so I can run the number of miles I got in my years, right? And then after that, a couple months later, is the 100 miler. And but in each instance, I’m glad you said 100k because I was trying to figure out at 50 miles, they don’t need a crew. And usually, in every race, a long distance race, they usually only let a crew come in. If it’s 100 mile race, they only let crews come in at 100k so you have to finish 62 miles before you can even have a crew come in, right? The Role of Mindset in Embolic Stroke Recovery and Future Goals Mark Vega 1:28:46 For some for some miles, for some races, for some races. So this one I did in Wisconsin, they we were able to come in, I think, at 50k so 32 miles, right? They finished first. 32 1/3 of the race. It finished and we got the crew, but it was the same thing, we would drive, and basically all the crew like you did it, just like you did, where all of us were in vans and cars, you know. So we would all show up at the parking lot, all unload our stuff, meet our runner level runner would come passes, pack our stuff up, get back in the car, and drive to the next parking lot or wherever it was, right? Mark Vega 1:29:20 That’s what you did, yeah? And you do end up meeting and talking with the crew people, the family members and supporters, right? Yeah, very satisfying, very sad. And then when some runners dropped out, I don’t know if you experienced this, yeah, but yeah, there was some runners that I was I bonded not with a runner, but with the crew, right? And so we just talking, and then their Runner was like really in bad way, and so they came in and just finished. Mark Vega 1:29:47 And so it was interesting, because you don’t get to say goodbye to those people. You just really, like, you just nod and like, you know, whatever you know, you maybe you’ll see them in the next race, right? But it’s just heartbreaking. Bill Gasiamis 1:30:01 It was such an interesting, profound experience. And like I said, for me, the thing that I’ve got that is, you know, once you’ve got one, you need to keep going. I think it’s the episodes of this podcast. Like, I’m trying to get 1000 episodes. There’s 330 nearly. You know, it’s like, that would be a good thing to get to 1000 episodes. I’m not sure if there’ll ever be anyone who does 1000 episodes of podcasts with stroke survivors. Final Reflections and Encouragement Bill Gasiamis 1:30:31 And that’s what I was lacking. You know, I was lacking access to stories, tools, information, and it’s like, that’s what I want to put out. And I get something from every interview, I learned something from everyone who I’ve interviewed. So that’s kind of my thing we are probably at that time when we need to wrap up. Mark Vega 1:30:59 And what I’d love to ask, I’m just following your lead. It’s your baby. But this is, yeah, this has been great. It’s been good. Bill Gasiamis 1:31:07 I want to ask the last three questions, which I’ve started asking. Mark Vega 1:31:12 So I’ll keep the answer short then, I got you. Bill Gasiamis 1:31:18 What was the hardest thing about stroke for you? Mark Vega 1:31:25 The hardest thing about stroke for me ended up being realizing that I there was nothing I could do after the first one. We didn’t know what to how to prevent the second one, and so we didn’t prevent the second one, but I was grateful to learn that we really have to pay attention to your body, I had to pay attention to my body. So I’m not in control of many things. Only the impressions that I make are the perceptions I have and the influences that come in. So I guard my impressions and be mindful of my opinions and judgments and how I kind of push those things out in the world. Mark Vega 1:32:00 For me, that’s all I can control. So I can’t control the body, can’t control the brain, I can’t control these things. And just as you said, you know, our intake, our nutrition, our exercise, sleep, hydration, all those things are physical things that are critically important, but we’re not in control of them. So I guess a hard thing to learn was normally was hard. It was just something I had no idea of. I didn’t know how much I had to appreciate that I’m not very much in control. Mark Vega 1:32:28 I can just keep bringing my body the right kind of nutrients and and and resources that I can bring to the table. And then be grateful every day. Be mindful and be grateful every single day. No tomorrow is promised for me or anything. Bill Gasiamis 1:32:43 Yeah, what’s something that stroke has taught you? Mark Vega 1:32:49 I guess I come I conflated those two questions so stroke taught me that there’s tomorrow’s promise to noone. I need to be right here, right now. I need to be I need to listen, to be engaged and and always be listening, realize that I’m in control of very few things. I am in control of guarding the impressions I make and the opinions and judgments that I form on related to the the opinions that I have, or the impressions of that I take up in the world. Mark Vega 1:33:22 That’s it so, not really in control of anything else. Everything else is not my business, really, It’s not. So I perfected that. I feel like I’ve taken the strokes of giving me guidance to encourage me, I suppose, on this philosophical path that has ultimately served me very, very well. Advice for Stroke Survivors and Final Thoughts Bill Gasiamis 1:33:44 Beautiful. There’s a whole bunch of stroke survivors listening, what would you like to tell them? Mark Vega 1:34:01 If you plan to build an empire, focus inward. You have that much power and control, it’s not about what is happening to you from the outside. It’s just not we have a lot of control and power within ourselves. How we think about things, we’re in charge of our own opinions, and we can guide our perceptions. And so just as Bill started by saying ‘Go in with that surgery with the right mindset, I’m going to thrive. I’m not only going to survive, I’m going to thrive. Mark Vega 1:34:37 I have the mental capability. I have the power, the stamina, that education, the love that I’ve received and that I’ve given I am ready for this moment, and I think that’s within all of us. You have the capacity to do that. And so I hope you do and I hope you remember that stroke is a badge of honor, it’s something you can thrive. With it’s like you’ve you’ve gotten a driver’s license in the past, you might have gotten XYZ degrees, you might have had this, XYZ experiences, you might have participated in the military campaigns, or you might have volunteered for this or that. Mark Vega 1:35:14 And you also had strokes, right? It’s an asset. Stroke is one of your biggest resources. We don’t pull it out all the time, but we know a lot about it, and so the greatest thing you can do is probably listen to the next stroke survivor that comes along. And you’re not going to know them from their artifacts or from their deficits, right? They might look like someone like me, sounds and talks like everything just fine, and it is, but we have to work to get there, and we certainly have to support each other. So thank you, Bill for asking that question. Mark Vega 1:35:49 Thank you for having me on the episode today too. I love the program, and I’ll tell you this, I will definitely cheer you on towards 1000 we’ll reconnect many times between today and then, because you’ve inspired me, I’m really excited about stroke run, and you gave me a great idea while we’re on the podcast about creating an organization. I want to create a stroke run and event. Mark Vega 1:36:16 But here’s the difference, I’m going to educate and try to bring people in and let them experience being a crew member. So even though it’s a 5k right, or a 10k whatever it is, you can sign up to run and not just sign up to volunteer, I want to assign you to be a member of a crew the one of the participants. Can you imagine that? How about that? Would you help me in that regard? If I put together something like that? Love that we can talk about that, right? Bill Gasiamis 1:36:46 I love that not only are you signing up to participate as a rider, runner, walker, whatever, but also you’re volunteering to crew so that a runner, walker, rider, doesn’t have to do it on their own. If they haven’t got anyone to help them. Mark Vega 1:37:04 That means that’s right, every half a mile, depending how long it is, every half a mile or one mile, when they start wheeling their way, they’re they’re dragging their foot. They are however, they’re being ambulatory to a point where they get to that half mile mark. That person’s crew is right there. It might be comprised of two people, three people, or even one person sometime. Mark Vega 1:37:26 But that’s what they need, and they are ready to replenish the water, you know, give them a new pair of socks, put a new smile on their face, switch out their hat, give them a shoulder massage, get them ready to get back on the track and get in the race. That sound good, we’re good with that. Bill Gasiamis 1:37:43 Excellent. Thank you so much. All right. Mark Vega 1:37:46 We’ll call it the stroke run. Bill Gasiamis 1:37:48 Call it the stroke run, absolutely, man. Thank you so much. There will be links to Mark’s socials and the website, the stroke run website in the show notes, thank you for joining me, man, and thanks for the conversation, I really appreciate it. Mark Vega 1:38:04 I’ve loved it, and I God bless you with your editing skills, because this has gone on a long time, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. You’re awesome, your energy is perfect. It comes right through the screen, right through the microphone. It’s calming, it’s fun. I trust it. Bill Gasiamis 1:38:22 That’s a wrap, beautiful. Oh, my God, thanks Mark. Thank you so much, man. Reach out anytime. I’m going to get this up, probably about three or four weeks from now, because there’s a few in the pipeline. And, yeah, just, that’s it, man, just, thank you so much. I really appreciate it, it’s lovely. Mark Vega 1:38:42 Excellent, man, excellent. I’ll keep in touch. This is a lot of fun. You’re giving me inspiration now, I better get the stroke run website. Really crushing it. Now we’re doing it. I’m going to, I’m going to create the run. I’m telling you do it. Bill Gasiamis 1:38:53 I’m looking forward to it. You know, I want to know, I might, I might even come and run in the first one. Mark Vega 1:38:59 Excellent, okay, or at least crew, you can crew. Bill Gasiamis 1:39:05 Yeah, I can crew. 200% I can definitely crew, whether I run or not. Mark Vega 1:39:10 But if you are one of our star athletes, wow, that would be pretty cool too. Bill Gasiamis 1:39:14 Man, you never know. I would love to consider that, yep, absolutely. Mark Vega 1:39:18 Okay, good. Alright, very well, take care, man, see you later bro. Bye, bye. Bill Gasiamis 1:39:23 That brings us to the end of this episode with Mark Vega. His story of surviving two embolic strokes and finding strength in adversity is a powerful reminder of the resilience within us all. Mark’s insights into gratitude mindset and the importance of staying active are lessons we can all carry forward in our journeys. Before we wrap up, I’d like to ask for your support in a few simple ways. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a five star review on Spotify or iTunes or like and comment on YouTube. Bill Gasiamis 1:39:57 Your feedback not only inspires me to keep going, but also helps others find the podcast and join our growing community. And if you’re ready to support the podcast further, consider joining my patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke . Together, we can continue to share stories that inspire and connect stroke survivors around the world. Thank you for tuning in today. Bill Gasiamis 1:40:23 Be sure to explore the resources available at recoveryafterstroke.com , and remember to grab your copy of the unexpected way the stroke became the best thing that happened via Amazon or recoveryafterstroke.com/book . I’ll see you in the next episode. Until then, take care and keep moving forward. Intro 1:40:45 Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience, and we do not necessarily share the same opinion, nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed all content on this website and any linked blog, podcast or video material controlled this website or content is created and produced for information or purposes only and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gasiamis. Intro 1:41:15 The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for the advice of a health professional. Intro 1:41:39 Never delay seeking advice or disregard the advice of a medical professional, your doctor or your rehabilitation program based on our content, if you have any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition, please seek guidance from a doctor or other medical professional if you are experiencing a health emergency or think you might be call triple zero if in Australia or your local emergency number immediately for emergency assistance or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Medical information changes constantly. Intro 1:42:06 While we aim to provide current quality information in our content, we do not provide any guarantees and assume no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the content. If you choose to rely on any information within our content, you do so solely at your own risk. We are careful with links we provide, however, third-party links from our website are followed at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any information you find there. The post Navigating Life After an Embolic Stroke: Mark Vega appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 Facing a Migrainous Stroke: Helen van Hooft’s Story of Resilience and Recovery 1:31:17
1:31:17 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:31:17
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutDiscover Helen van Hooft’s story of resilience after a migrainous stroke, offering hope and inspiration to stroke survivors everywhere. The post Facing a Migrainous Stroke: Helen van Hooft’s Story of Resilience and Recovery appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .
1 Molly Buccola’s Recovery from Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Story of Resilience and Purpose 1:26:26
1:26:26 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:26:26
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutStroke survivor Molly Buccola inspires others with her recovery from venous sinus thrombosis and her mission to bring connection and hope to others. The post Molly Buccola’s Recovery from Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Story of Resilience and Purpose appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .
1 Dr. Shai Efrati on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Game-Changer for Stroke Recovery 1:17:03
1:17:03 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:17:03
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutDiscover how Dr. Shai Efrati’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is revolutionizing stroke recovery and offering hope for brain regeneration. The post Dr. Shai Efrati on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Game-Changer for Stroke Recovery appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .
Stroke survivors share raw, honest reflections on how ego impacts their recovery. From letting go of past identities to embracing gratitude, they reveal the struggles and triumphs of finding balance between pride and humility. The post Managing Ego in Stroke Recovery: Lessons from Stroke Survivors appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
1 Pete Rumpel: From Stroke Survivor to Inspiration 1:13:13
1:13:13 Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like Plăcut1:13:13
Redare mai Târziu Redare mai Târziu Liste Like PlăcutBe inspired by Pete Rumpel’s holistic recovery journey after a massive stroke. Discover his approach to healing and resilience today! Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast Through Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Pete Rumpel’s Introduction and Initial Stroke Details04:06 Symptoms and Initial Reactions07:16 Hospital Experience and Initial Recovery13:00 Holistic Recovery and Emotional Impact19:42 Lifestyle Changes and Physical […] The post Pete Rumpel: From Stroke Survivor to Inspiration appeared first on Recovery After Stroke .…
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