Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior

Reclaiming Independence   What if the thing holding you back isn’t the possibility of falling, but the fear of what happens if you do? As amputees, we talk a lot about mobility, prosthetics, and recovery. But there is one challenge that often doesn't get enough attention: the fear of falling. In this week's episode of BAWarrior Podcast, I share my own experiences as an above-knee amputee and explore how fear can quietly limit our lives if we allow it to take control. The truth is, for many of us, the fear of falling isn't really about the fall itself. It's about everything we think might happen afterward. We worry about losing confidence, losing independence, or proving our fears right. We wonder what other people will think if we stumble. We question whether we're strong enough to keep going.     I've been an amputee for more than seven years, and I have fallen while learning new skills, while using my running blade, and while pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Even today, there are moments when fear tries to creep in and convince me to play it safe. But I've learned something important: the more we avoid challenges because we're afraid of falling, the smaller our world becomes. Fear doesn't just stop us from taking a step. It can stop us from living.     Throughout this episode, I share how I learned to trust my prosthesis, build confidence through repetition, and move beyond the fear that so many new amputees experience. I discuss the importance of physical therapy, consistent practice, and creating safe opportunities to challenge yourself little by little. Confidence isn't built overnight. It comes from showing up every day, taking one more step, and proving to yourself that you can do hard things. One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that the best parts of life often exist on the other side of fear. Whether it was learning to run, trying adaptive sports, surfing for the first time, or simply trusting my body again after amputation, every meaningful milestone required me to face uncertainty and keep moving forward anyway.     If you're struggling with fear—whether it's fear of falling, fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear of the unknown—I want you to know you're not alone. Every amputee faces these challenges in some form. The key is not waiting until fear disappears. The key is taking action despite it.     This week's Warrior Challenge is simple: What fear is holding you back right now? Identify it. Acknowledge it. Then take one small step toward facing it this week. Remember, courage isn't the absence of fear. It's moving forward in spite of it. You are stronger than you realize. Don't stop before you give yourself the chance to prove it. Keep moving forward, warriors.   And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,  

Join the Movement for Above Knee Amputees       What if joining the movement means becoming part of the future of amputee care? In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Jake and Hiva, two PhD students from the University of Michigan, who are working on research that could help shape the future of prosthetic technology for above-knee amputees. This conversation was personal for me because I know what it feels like to step into the unknown for the sake of healing, hope, and future possibilities. Last year, I chose to take part in an experimental surgical procedure, and I know the questions, fears, and emotions that come with making that kind of decision. It is not easy to say yes to something new, especially when it involves your body, your mobility, and your future. Jake and Hiva are currently working with RPNI, which stands for Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface. In simple terms, this procedure helps give nerves a new place to grow by wrapping them in small muscle grafts. These “muscle burritos,” as Jake described them, may help researchers better understand movement intention and even explore how a person could one day control a powered prosthetic knee or ankle more naturally.     What excites me most is that this research is not only about technology. It is about trust. It is about sensation. It is about helping amputees feel more connected to the ground beneath them and the prosthesis they rely on every day. As amputees, we know the physical work it takes to walk again, but many people do not see the mental load that comes with every single step. Research like this could help reduce that disconnect and move us closer to more natural, confident movement.           This study is currently looking for above-knee amputees who are comfortable using their prosthesis, able to navigate daily life without a wheelchair, and willing to be part of something bigger. Travel, lodging, and food are covered for participants who qualify. The study does involve surgery, so it is not a decision to take lightly, but it may be an opportunity for someone who is already dealing with nerve pain, neuromas, or who feels called to help move the prosthetic field forward. Research does not move forward without us. Every advancement we see in prosthetics today happened because someone before us said yes.   So here is my call to action: Join the Movement. Do not just listen to the conversation; become part of the change. Visit WarriorGround to learn how you can get involved, support amputee research, become an ambassador for Limbs for Humanity, connect with Stride Robotics, or explore opportunities like this University of Michigan study. You can also email Jake at: jkanetis@umich.edu or email Hiva at: razavih@umich.edu Let's rise up, warriors. Our stories, our bodies, and our willingness to step forward can help build a better future for amputees to come.   And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,       Click the link below to see the flyer for the University of Michigan study: LL RPNI Flyer (1) 2

What I Wish Every New Amputee Knew   Seven years ago, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: to amputate my leg. Looking back now, I can honestly say that journey has taught me more about life, resilience, and myself than I ever could have imagined. In this episode, I share seven of the biggest lessons I've learned through seven years of living as an above-knee amputee. These lessons aren't just about limb loss, they're about navigating life's unexpected challenges, embracing change, and discovering strength you didn't know you had. One of the first things I learned is that life is incredibly uncertain. None of us know what tomorrow holds. I certainly never imagined that a martial arts injury would eventually lead to amputation. Yet even in the uncertainty, I've learned that life is still beautiful and worth embracing. Every day we wake up with breath in our lungs is an opportunity to live fully, regardless of our circumstances.     I also talk about change and why fighting it often creates more suffering than the change itself. As amputees, change becomes a constant companion. New sockets, new challenges, new routines, and new versions of ourselves. While change can be uncomfortable, it can also open doors to experiences, relationships, and opportunities we never would have discovered otherwise. Another lesson that stands out is realizing just how strong we really are. Not physically, although that comes too, but mentally and emotionally. Strength isn't built on easy days. It's forged through setbacks, disappointments, pain, and the choice to keep moving forward anyway. Like a diamond formed under pressure, adversity has a way of shaping us into something stronger than we thought possible.     I also share why learning to appreciate the good days matters so much. Living with limb loss means navigating physical challenges, phantom pain, socket issues, and countless ups and downs. The difficult days teach us to cherish the ordinary ones. They remind us not to take comfort, mobility, or peace for granted. Perhaps one of the most important lessons is this: don't do it alone. Finding community has been one of the greatest gifts of my journey. Whether through my Amped Women chats, fellow amputees, or supportive friends and family, connection matters. We were never meant to carry life's challenges by ourselves.     Finally, I talk about friendships, mindset, and embracing the roller coaster that is amputee life. The road isn't always easy, but it can still be meaningful, beautiful, and full of purpose. My hope is that whether you're a new amputee, a caregiver, or simply facing a challenge of your own, you'll walk away encouraged. Life may not look the way we planned, but that doesn't mean it can't be extraordinary. Mindset matters. Give yourself grace. Find your people. And remember—you are stronger than you think.     What's one lesson your journey has taught you? Whether you're an amputee, caregiver, or someone navigating a challenge of your own, I'd love to hear from you. Share your biggest lesson in the comments, reply to this post, or connect with me through Warrior Ground. And if you're walking the limb loss journey, don't do it alone. Join our community and discover the power of connecting with people who truly understand. Join the Warrior Ground community and stay connected → HERE   And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Rewriting Your Mindset After Loss       What happens when something you spent years building disappears in a single moment? In this deeply personal episode of BAWarrior Podcast, I open up about the emotional aftermath of being massively hacked on social media and losing access to over twenty years of connection, community, memories, and support systems I had built through Facebook. What started as frustration and heartbreak became something much bigger: a reflection on faith, identity, resilience, and what it truly means to keep moving forward when life knocks you down. As amputees and warriors, we know what it feels like to sit in the middle of the “why.” Why the injury? Why the pain? Why the setbacks? Why does it feel like we keep fighting battles no one else can see? This episode parallels those same emotions with the unexpected grief of loss and change, reminding us that struggle comes in many forms. I share honestly about the anger, sadness, anxiety, and feeling of being stuck over the last few weeks, and how I slowly realized that if I truly believe everything happens for a reason, then I must believe this difficult moment can also lead to something greater. At the center of this episode is a phrase I carry with me every day: Even If.   My “No Matter What” reminder   Those two words are literally written on my prosthetic socket as a reminder that even if things don't go as planned… even if life feels unfair… even if we are hurting… we are still capable of rising above it. This conversation is about choosing faith over fear. Choosing peace over panic. Choosing to rebuild instead of giving up. I talk about how Warrior Ground was born from this exact mindset, creating a space where people can come together through podcasting, advocacy, community chats, equine therapy, connection, education, and support. A place where nobody has to walk their journey alone.   You are never alone on this journey! Reach out, find your tribe, connect with community!   If you are struggling right now: physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually then this episode is for you. You are not abandoned. You are not forgotten. And your story is not over. Sometimes the hardest moments are refining us into something stronger than we ever imagined. Even if life knocks you down… Even if you can't see the purpose yet… Even if the road feels heavy… You will rise again. Because warriors do. Listen in for a heartfelt reminder that hope still exists, healing is still possible, and there is strength waiting for you on the other side of the struggle. Have a beautiful week and as always… Be healthy, Be happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,  

Join the Warrior Effect-Get Involved Today   What if one story had the power to help someone walk again? After seven powerful weeks of interviews during Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, this episode of BAWarrior podcast becomes more than a reflection-it becomes a movement. In this heartfelt finale to the “Survivors to Warriors” series, I take listeners back through the incredible stories shared throughout the past seven weeks. These were not just interviews about limb loss. They were deeply personal conversations about fear, trauma, cancer, grief, PTSD, faith, family, resilience, and the decision to keep moving forward when life changes forever. From children facing amputation at a young age to young adults rebuilding their confidence and independence, every guest brought honesty and courage to the table. While each story was unique, one thing tied them all together: resilience. Warriors are not born-they are built through impossible moments, painful setbacks, and the daily choice to rise again. As an above-knee amputee myself, I share openly about how some days I feel strong and empowered, while other days limb loss completely knocks me down. That reality is something many amputees understand deeply. But what inspired me most about these guests was watching people so young choose courage, faith, and perseverance despite everything they had faced. This episode introduces what I call The Warrior Effect-the ripple effect created when one person's story, kindness, or support helps change someone else's life. When someone shares their story, another person feels less alone. When someone donates to organizations like Limbs For Humanity, another person gains the opportunity to walk again. When companies like Stride Robotics innovate and create more affordable, lightweight prosthetic technology, they help restore independence, dignity, and hope to amputees around the world. Co-Founder, Randy West, of Limbs For Humanity with one of their youngest patients     Co-Founder and CEO, Revanth Damerla, Stride Robotics   Throughout this episode, I discuss why mobility is about far more than simply walking. Mobility impacts emotional health, confidence, mental well-being, freedom, and quality of life. I share the mission behind Limbs For Humanity and their efforts to provide prosthetic care and mobility to underserved communities globally. I also highlight the groundbreaking work Stride Robotics is doing to create lightweight, waterproof powered prosthetics designed with real amputees and real-world accessibility in mind. But this episode is not meant to simply inspire listeners for a moment before moving on. It is a call to action.     The time to act is now! I challenge listeners to become part of the movement by supporting the limb loss community in whatever way they can. Whether that means volunteering, fundraising, donating, becoming an ambassador, spreading awareness, investing in adaptive innovation, or simply listening and learning-everyone has a role to play. I also introduce the new ambassador program for Limbs For Humanity, encouraging listeners across all fifty states to help spread awareness and become part of something bigger than themselves. This movement is not about competition between nonprofits or organizations. It is about collaboration, compassion, and filling the gaps for communities that are underserved and often forgotten. *Become an Ambassador for Limbs For Humanity here *Find ways to help bring nobility to those without access here *Or check out how to become a part of the innovative side with Stride Robotics here This powerful finale reminds listeners that healing and resilience grow stronger when people come together. The “Survivors to Warriors” series may be ending, but the mission is only beginning. The Warrior Effect is real-and now it's your turn to become part of it. Have a beautifully, blessed week and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Stride Robotics Lightweight Power Knee Redefining Movement     This episode wrapped up Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month in a powerful way by looking toward the future of mobility, technology, and what it truly means to help people live again after limb loss. After a month full of stories about trauma, cancer, amputation, grief, fear, faith, and resilience, I wanted to end this series by asking a bigger question: once someone survives, how do we help them truly reclaim their life? That is why I invited Revanth, cofounder and CEO of Stride Robotics, onto the BAWarrior podcast. Stride Robotics is working to redefine mobility through lightweight powered prosthetic technology designed to restore strength, endurance, and freedom for amputees. I also have the honor of serving as an advisor for their company, helping give feedback from the lived experience of an above-knee amputee.   In this conversation, Revanth shared his journey from robotics and engineering into the prosthetic world. What stood out to me most was his honesty. He admitted that, early on, he was focused on building something impressive. But through conversations with amputees and prosthetists, he realized that innovation only matters if it solves a real human problem. That shift — from building something cool to building something truly useful — is where the heart of this conversation lived. We talked about the communication gap between engineers, prosthetists, and amputees. All three groups are speaking from different perspectives, and yet all three must work together if prosthetic technology is going to improve real lives. As an amputee, I know firsthand that we do not always describe things in technical terms. We describe how something feels. We talk about trust, effort, fear, exhaustion, balance, and whether a device allows us to live the way we want to live. One of the most powerful parts of this episode was our conversation around “mental load.” True mobility is not just about walking. It is about not having to think through every single step. It is being able to hike and look at the view instead of staring at the ground. It is walking into a room without calculating every movement. It is trusting your body and your prosthesis enough to live fully. Revanth explained how Stride Robotics is working on a powered knee that is lighter, quieter, more affordable, and more functional than many powered options currently available. Their goal is to reduce strain on the hips, back, shoulders, and intact limb while helping amputees move with more confidence and less compensating. We talked about battery life, USB-C charging, fall prevention, waterproof possibilities, loaner programs, clinician support, and even future data feedback that could help prosthetists better understand how their patients are moving in real life. But what I loved most was that this was never just a conversation about a device. It was about dignity. It was about access. It was about making sure technology does not only serve the few who can afford it, but eventually reaches amputees around the world who are desperate for mobility, independence, and hope. This episode is also a call to action. Whether you are an amputee, prosthetist, engineer, student, investor, donor, or simply someone who cares, there is a place for you in this movement. Stride Robotics needs feedback, connection, research, support, and people willing to help move innovation forward. Limb loss awareness cannot end with awareness. It has to move us into action. My hope is that this episode inspires you to get involved, ask better questions, support meaningful change, and become a beacon of hope for those still fighting to reclaim their mobility and their life.   Join the Movement. Bring dignity, independence, and mobility to all. Today, that’s YOUR Call to Action, your charge from this month of story telling. Be a part of the change, today! You can reach out to us: Angie: BAWarrior360@gmail.com Revanth: LinkedIn Stride Robotics: LinkedIn Stride Robotics: Website Thank you for watching, sharing, and subscribing. Let’s change lives, TOGETHER! See you next week, and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,  

Limbs For Humanity: Restoring Hope One Leg at a Time     In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Be a Warrior Podcast, I sit down with two men who have not only walked alongside me in my own journey as prosthetists, but who have also chosen to step far beyond the walls of their profession to answer a much bigger calling. Randy and David, co-founders of Limbs for Humanity, join me to share the heart, mission, and real-world impact of bringing prosthetic care to those who would otherwise never have access to it. After spending the past month highlighting the deeply personal stories of survivors rising into warriors through limb loss, this conversation takes us one step further. Because what happens when someone has the strength, the will, and the fight… but no access to care? What happens when survival isn't enough because the resources simply aren't there?     That's where Limbs for Humanity steps in. Randy and David open up about how their work as everyday practitioners exposed a growing and heartbreaking gap—even here in the United States. Patients with jobs, families, and insurance still found themselves unable to afford prosthetics due to overwhelming deductibles and lack of coverage. What began as quiet, pro bono care quickly revealed a much larger need—one that couldn't be ignored.     That need didn't stop at our borders. A single message about an underserved clinic in Rocky Point, Mexico sparked what would become a life-changing mission. Within months, they packed up their car and headed south, unsure of what to expect. What they found was staggering: hundreds of amputees with little to no access to prosthetic care. But what impacted them most wasn't just the need—it was the people. Their resilience. Their gratitude. Their spirit.     We talk about the stark differences between limb loss in the U.S. and in underserved countries—where something as treatable as an infection can lead to amputation. Where young parents in their twenties and thirties lose limbs and, with them, their ability to provide for their families. And yet, even in the face of that, their strength is undeniable. Through heartfelt stories—like young children receiving their first prosthetic and running, playing, and simply being kids again—you begin to understand that this work goes far beyond mobility. It restores dignity. Independence. Purpose.           But it's not without its challenges. The greatest barrier? Resources. Not time. Not skill. But the tangible components—knees, feet, liners—that make each prosthetic possible. Even with reduced costs and donated materials, the need far outweighs what they can currently provide. And that's where this episode becomes more than a conversation—it becomes a call to action. There are so many ways to get involved. From donating funds or unused prosthetic parts, to volunteering time, offering professional skills like grant writing, or simply spreading awareness. One of the most exciting calls to action introduced in this episode is the push for ambassadors in all 50 states—individuals willing to be the voice of this mission in their own communities. Because here's the truth: you don't have to change the whole world to make an impact. You just have to be willing to help change one life. This episode is a reminder that being a warrior isn't just about overcoming your own battles—it's about reaching back and lifting someone else up. And together, we have the power to do just that.   Join the journey! Check out their website HERE and ways you can get involved! Want to find out how to become an ambassador? Check it out on my Warrior Ground website, HERE!   Become a part of something bigger, and join the movement! Have a blessed week, and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,  

Faith Fueled Resilience: Abri Bentley’s Story   There are moments in life when everything slows down just enough for you to hear what truly matters. This episode was one of those moments for me. As I sat across from Abri, I wasn't just interviewing a guest-I was witnessing a living, breathing testimony of what it looks like to hold onto hope when everything else tries to take it away. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That verse from Romans 12:12 felt like it wrapped itself around this entire conversation. Because if there is anyone who embodies that kind of faith in motion, it's Abri.   Abri’s first dance recital after amputation. I first met Abri years ago, just after my own amputation. I was standing in a church parking lot on crutches, when I heard someone call my name. I turned to see a young girl—no older than nine—being carried over to me, full of light, full of joy, completely unshaken by the challenges she had already faced. In that moment, she didn't just meet me… she steadied me. She spoke life into me without even realizing it. And I remember thinking, “If she can do this… I'm going to be okay.” Fast forward to today, and that same young girl-now seventeen-is still walking through more than most people will ever understand. But what struck me the most during our conversation wasn't just her strength. It was her honesty.   A young Abri battling cancer. Abri didn't sugarcoat the hard. She didn't pretend that faith erases fear or pain. She spoke openly about the anger, the confusion, the loneliness. About the moments where her faith was shaken to its core. About isolating herself because fear felt safer than being seen. And yet… she didn't stay there. That's the difference. She made a choice-again and again-to lean back into God. Not perfectly. Not without questions. But with a willingness to trust, even when nothing made sense.   Laughter and sense of humor is so helpful amidst trials. Never lose your smile! And what I see in her now is something even more powerful than the fearless little girl I first met. I see depth. I see resilience forged through pressure. I see a young woman who understands that faith isn't about having all the answers-it's about knowing where to turn when you don't. As we talked about what's ahead for her-another amputation this summer, stepping into adulthood, reclaiming her voice in her own medical journey-I couldn't help but feel in awe. Because she's choosing courage in real time. She's choosing hope in the middle of uncertainty. She's choosing to believe that something good can still come from something incredibly hard. And when I asked her what gets her through it all, her answer was simple, but profound: Jesus. Not as a distant idea. Not as a checklist. But as a constant presence. A friend. A place to bring her anger, her fear, her questions—everything. That kind of relationship… that kind of faith… it changes you. It doesn't mean the road gets easier. But it means you're never walking it alone. What Abri reminded me-and what I hope you take with you—is this: it's okay to feel the hard things. It's okay to be angry, to question, to struggle. But don't stay there. Don't build a home in that space.   Our reunion after several years of non-stop trials in Abri’s life. Life is too short to live without hope. And hope doesn't come from the world—it comes from something deeper. Something steady. Something unshakable. So if you're in a season right now where everything feels heavy… where fear is loud… where you're not sure how to take the next step… start small. Find community. Find people who remind you of who you are when you forget. Open the door-even just a crack-to something bigger than yourself. And maybe, just maybe… like Abri… you'll begin to see that even in the pressure, even in the pain, something beautiful is being formed. A warrior. Be joyful in hope. Be patient in affliction. Be faithful in prayer. -Romans 12:12 Your story isn't over. And neither is the strength inside of you. As always… Be healthy, Be happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,          

A Daughter and Mother’s Story of Resilience   This week on BAWarrior Podcast, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Bridget and her mom, Jamie, during Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and I can honestly say this conversation will stay with me for a long time. Bridget is only fourteen, but the strength, maturity, and perspective she carries are far beyond her years. From the moment we started talking, I could feel that this episode was going to be something special.       I first wanted people to meet Bridget for who she is today, not just through the lens of her diagnosis or her limb loss. She described herself as funny, athletic, and someone who tries to be outgoing, and I loved that. What stood out most to me was how clearly she wants the world to see that amputees are not limited. She wants people to understand that having limb loss does not mean your life becomes small. In her mind, amputees can still go after anything they want, and I think that message alone is powerful.   Bridget found her passion and purpose with volleyball. She made her high school volleyball team!   As we moved into her story, her mom Jamie helped fill in some of the earliest pieces. Bridget was only six years old when a soccer injury led to swelling in her leg, which quickly turned into tests, X-rays, an MRI, a biopsy, and the devastating news that no parent ever wants to hear: cancer. Jamie shared how ironic and heartbreaking it was that their family had already been deeply involved in raising money for St. Jude before ever realizing their own daughter would become a patient there. Within days, their whole world changed, and they moved to Memphis where Bridget underwent chemotherapy, a below-knee amputation, and months of treatment. Listening to Jamie speak as a mother hit me deeply. She talked about the helplessness of watching your child suffer and not being able to take that pain away. As a mom, I felt every word of that. She described the trauma of treatment, the fear, the exhaustion, and the emotional weight of having to stay strong in the middle of the battle. And yet through all of it, Bridget kept moving forward.   Bridget’s strength was apparent almost immediately! She’s a fighter!   What amazed me most was that cancer and amputation were not the end of Bridget's hardships. After treatment, she endured broken femurs, osteoporosis, growth plate complications, more surgeries, and more recovery. But even with all of that, she never seemed to settle into a mindset of defeat. Instead, she kept looking for the light. She kept believing there would be something better ahead. For Bridget, that turning point came through sports. When she was able to get back into athletics, especially volleyball, it gave her life, purpose, and joy again. You could hear it in her voice. Sports helped her step out of survival mode and back into being a kid, an athlete, and a competitor. That part of her identity mattered, and it became a huge part of her healing. One of my favorite moments in this episode was hearing about her determination on and off the court. She made her high school volleyball team, and even after her prosthetic blade cracked, she still found a way to keep going. Duct tape and all, she showed up. That story alone says so much about who she is. She is tough, gritty, and absolutely unwilling to let obstacles define her. We also talked about her dream of making the U.S. Paralympic volleyball team, and I have no doubt she is on a beautiful path toward something incredible. She spoke about how meaningful it is to be in a space where her disability feels normalized, where she is not looked at as different, but as fully belonging. That really stayed with me.   USA Paralympic dreaming   What Bridget shared at the end was simple, but powerful: it gets better. Maybe not overnight, maybe not quickly, but there is always something better ahead. That kind of wisdom from someone so young is exactly why this month's Survivors to Warriors series matters so much. This episode reminded me that warriors do not always look loud or dramatic. Sometimes they look like a fourteen-year-old girl with quiet strength, relentless hope, and the courage to keep going. Bridget is absolutely one of them.   Make sure to join us on YouTube, HERE , or your favorite streaming platform for Bridget’s story and for several more Limb Loss Awareness month interviews of Survivors to Warriors. Like, Share, Subscribe today!!!   Have a beautifully, blessed week and remember what a warrior you are! And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Finding Joy in Chronic Pain   What happens when the warrior you planned to interview is not quite ready to speak, but her story still needs to be heard? Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is pivot, honor the moment, and make space for healing. This week's episode was deeply special to me because it was a beautiful reminder that not every story unfolds the way we expect it to. I had planned to sit down with Abri, a young woman who has inspired me for years, but life asked us to pivot. Instead, I had the privilege of talking with her mom, Nikkole, and together we shared the story of a young woman whose life has been marked by unimaginable hardship, extraordinary courage, and unwavering faith.   A young Abri, when they discovered Ewing’s Sarcoma.   Even during the early struggles, humor was her super power.   I first met Abri years ago, shortly after my own amputation. I was still on crutches, still trying to process what my future might look like, when this little girl came over to meet me in a church parking lot. She was only around nine years old at the time, and yet she was the one encouraging me. She told me I was going to be okay. I have never forgotten that moment. Even then, I knew there was something incredibly special about her.   Shortly after my amputation, Abri made her post-amputation debut with her dance troupe, I went to be inspired… and I was!   In this conversation, Nikkole opened up about who Abri was before cancer ever entered their lives. She was fearless, fiery, adventurous, and full of life. She was the kind of child who made her mom nervous because she was always climbing, running, exploring, and living boldly. Then came the devastating diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma at just seven years old. What followed was every parent's nightmare: hospital stays, chemotherapy, surgeries, uncertainty, and heartbreak.   What struck me most in talking with Nikkole was not only Abri's strength, but the strength it took for her family to keep going. As moms, we so often go into survival mode for everyone else. Nikkole shared what it was like trying to hold her family together while watching her daughter suffer. She talked honestly about the crying in private, the fear, the exhaustion, and the isolation that can come when you are trying to be strong for everybody in the room.   A teenager at heart, doing teenager things, despite being more experienced in things no teenager should have to be experienced in.   Abri's story did not stop with surviving cancer. She endured a failed limb salvage, chose amputation in order to get back to living, and returned to dance with the kind of determination that leaves you speechless. But even after all of that, the battles kept coming. Chronic pain, sepsis, ongoing medical trauma, and the emotional toll of living in a body that has endured so much have all continued to shape her journey.   And yet, through it all, Abri continues to shine. Her faith is powerful. Her spirit is undeniable. She is still in survival mode in many ways, and that deserves our respect. Some stories are not easy to tell while you are still living them. Some wounds are still tender. This episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, strength does not always look loud, and having a voice sometimes means knowing when you are not ready to use it yet.   Sharing her talents with guitar playing and song writing, using worship music to tell her story and to connect with God.   What I hope listeners take from this episode is simple: do not give up. Your story is not over. You are more than what has happened to you. Abri is not just a cancer survivor. She is a warrior, a young woman of deep faith, and a light that is touching lives whether she realizes it or not. When she is ready, I know she will tell her story in her own words. Until then, this episode is about honoring her journey, her family, and the sacred space healing requires. Make sure to Like, Share and Subscribe so you have access to all of my episodes and especially so you don’y miss out when Abri is ready to tell her story.   Keep moving forward, Warriors. Your story is not over, it is just beginning! And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Kainoa Spenser’s Road to Recovery Week 2: Survivors to Warriors   April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and this episode of BAWarrior Podcast is one that will stay with me for a long time. In this powerful and deeply emotional conversation, I sat down with Kainoa Spenser, someone whose story reflects the very heart of what it means to move from surviving to truly living as a warrior. Kainoa and I first connected while I was facing my own amputation journey, so having him on the podcast felt especially meaningful. What makes his story so extraordinary is not just the severity of what he endured, but the way he speaks about it with honesty, humility, faith, and wisdom beyond his years. Kainoa is a quadruple amputee, having lost both legs and most of his fingers after a devastating and sudden illness in 2017 while he was away at college.   Meeting Kainoa for the first time at PT!   Before everything changed, Kainoa was a young man full of curiosity, ambition, and heart. He was studying international affairs, deeply involved in school, active in sports, passionate about history and philosophy, and rooted in the values of family and community. Those Hawaiian values of ohana—that no one gets left behind or forgotten-were already woven into who he was long before tragedy struck. And in many ways, those same values became part of what carried him through the darkest season of his life. During our conversation, Kainoa shared the terrifying progression of his illness, from feeling sick during finals week to being misdiagnosed, flown home in critical condition, and rushed into emergency care where his health rapidly deteriorated. A strep infection had entered his bloodstream and lungs, leading to septic shock and necrotizing fasciitis. He spent weeks in a medically induced coma, and when he woke up, his life had changed forever. Some of the amputation decisions were made while he was unconscious, leaving his parents to make impossible choices. Other decisions, including the loss of his fingers, required his own consent in the middle of unimaginable pain and confusion. What impacted me most was not only the heartbreak of his story, but the courage with which he spoke about the mental and emotional battle that followed. Kainoa was honest about the grief, the fear, the thoughts of being a burden, and the moments where he wondered if the weight of it all might break him. He spoke about missing the things many people take for granted-interlocking fingers with someone you love, standing in the shower, feeling sand beneath your feet. Those losses are real, and he did not try to minimize them. But what also came through so clearly was this: healing does not happen in isolation. Kainoa's story is a powerful reminder that community matters. Family matters. Faith matters. The right people around you can become the bridge that carries you from despair to hope. Through meeting other amputees, witnessing independence modeled before him, leaning into his faith, and receiving overwhelming support from loved ones and community, he slowly began to shift. He began to see that this was not the end of his story. Today, Kainoa is thriving. He finished his education, worked in high-level public service roles, became a homeowner, regained independence, and is now continuing his education at Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is living proof that resilience is built in layers, in waves, and through the willingness to keep turning the page. This episode is a reminder that even in our deepest pain, there is purpose. Even in the valley, there is light ahead. Kainoa's journey is not just about limb loss. It is about faith, perspective, gratitude, community, and discovering that life can still be beautiful, meaningful, and impactful after everything changes. Make sure to Like, Share and Subscribe so you catch more inspiring stories, like Kainoa’s in the coming weeks. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,  

Life Behind the Numbers of Amputees and Limb Difference     April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and this year on the podcast, I'm doing something that means so much to me. Instead of focusing only on my own story, I'm opening the door for other amputees to share theirs. That has become a tradition for me over the last five seasons, and this year I'm building the entire month around one powerful theme: Survivors to Warriors. I truly cannot wait for you to hear these interviews, because the young adults I have coming on embody courage, resilience, grit, and hope in a way that will leave you inspired. Their stories are raw, real, and deeply moving, and I'm honored to call each of them my friend. As I prepared for this month, I wanted to begin with something eye-opening: the statistics. Because the truth is, before I became an amputee seven years ago, I hardly ever noticed amputees around me. Maybe once in a while I'd see someone, but it felt rare. Now, just like when you buy a certain car and suddenly see it everywhere, I notice amputees much more often. Even so, the numbers tell me I should be seeing even more. And that is what really stopped me in my tracks. Worldwide, someone loses a limb every thirty seconds. There are tens of millions of people around the world living with limb loss, and what absolutely breaks my heart is that up to ninety percent of them do not have access to prosthetic care. Ninety percent. That number is staggering. And it hits close to home for me because I know what it feels like to have the hope of mobility threatened. Amputee Coalition Statistics used on American Endovascular & Amputation Prevention site, April 25, 2022   Before my elective amputation, I was told everything would be covered. I did my homework because I knew prosthetics were expensive, and I needed the reassurance that if I moved forward with surgery, I would have access to the leg I needed. Then, about a month after surgery, we filed the insurance paperwork and I was denied. I can tell you without hesitation that those four weeks were some of the hardest weeks of my life. In the grand scheme of seven years, it may look like a blink. But in the moment, it felt like everything. I had dreams, goals, and visions of what life could be after amputation, and suddenly an insurance company was telling me no. So I fought. Every single weekday, I called. I kept climbing the ladder, talking to the next person and then the next. I refused to sit back and wait for someone else to decide my future. That season demanded every ounce of emotional and mental strength I had. I had to advocate for myself when I was exhausted, scared, and uncertain. And when I think about the reality that so many people around the world never get that access at all, it is heartbreaking.   Amputee Coalition Statistics used on American Endovascular & Amputation Prevention site, April 25, 2022   The leading causes of limb loss are also telling. Vascular disease, including diabetes, makes up the largest percentage. Trauma is close behind, including accidents and injuries. Then comes cancer, though at a much smaller percentage. My own amputation came after years of surgeries following a karate injury, and eventually I made the deeply personal decision to amputate. Elective amputation is not an easy road, and whether amputation happens in an instant or after years of medical struggle, both journeys carry their own kind of trauma. That's the part people do not always see. Yes, limb loss is physical. It is visible. But the emotional and mental toll can be just as life-altering. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, fear, isolation, and loss of confidence are very real parts of this journey for so many amputees. People may see someone walking on a prosthesis and assume they are doing fine, but they do not always see the inner battle. They do not see the fear of falling, the anxiety of being watched, the struggle to trust your body again, or the grief of trying to figure out who you are now.   Amputee Coalition Statistics used on American Endovascular & Amputation Prevention site, April 25, 2022   Physiopedia: The 5 Stages of Grief and Loss; Axelrod, J. September 26, 2018, https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/   Prime Care, Blog by Eddie Zepeda. Published, January 20, 2025   And then there is phantom pain, something many amputees know all too well. Phantom pain and sensations can range from mild to absolutely overwhelming. It can feel like burning, stabbing, cramping, stinging, or relentless discomfort that comes out of nowhere and hits like a truck. It is one more reminder that the amputee journey is layered, complicated, and often invisible to the outside world. That is exactly why this month matters so much to me. I want these interviews to shine a light on the real lives behind the statistics. I want you to hear from young adults who have endured the unimaginable and are now learning how to rise, rebuild, and become warriors. Their stories deserve to be heard, and I know they will inspire anyone who listens. So as we step into Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, I hope you'll join me. Like, share, subscribe, and most of all, listen. These stories matter. These lives matter. And together, we can bring more awareness, more compassion, and more hope to a community that deserves to be seen. And as always, Be healthy, Be happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,

The Canvas of Courage   What if the very thing you've been trying to hide… is actually the most beautiful part of your story? This week on the BAWarrior Podcast, I found myself sitting in reflection after a weekend of rest, sunshine, and quiet moments here in Arizona. As spring starts to show up and life begins to feel a little lighter, I couldn't help but think about something deeper, the parts of ourselves we often try to cover up. The broken pieces. The scars. The moments we wish never happened. The Beauty in the Cracks And I asked myself, and now I'm asking you, what if that brokenness isn't something to fix or hide… but something to honor? As an above-knee amputee, my brokenness is visible. It's physical. But what people don't always see is the emotional journey that comes with it. The uncertainty, the identity shifts, the moments of feeling completely lost. Even though my amputation was a choice after years of surgeries, I still didn't know what the outcome of my life would look like. I didn't know who I would become on the other side of that decision. It felt like my life had been rerouted-like I was on one track, moving forward with a plan, and suddenly everything shifted. A new direction. A new identity. A new path I didn't ask for. But here's what I've come to realize: that “mess”… that disruption… that brokenness… it became my canvas. This week at church, I heard a phrase that stopped me in my tracks: the mess becomes the masterpiece. And I felt that deeply. Because there have been so many moments over the past seven years where I felt like an absolute mess. Not put together. Not polished. Not “figured out.” But what if we're not supposed to be? What if the process; the struggle, the rebuilding, the redefining, is actually where the beauty is created? So often, society tells us to fix what's broken. Heal quickly. Move on. Or if we can't fix it, hide it. Cover it up so no one sees. But I want to challenge that. Because those scars, those cracks, they tell a story. They show where you've been, what you've survived, and who you've become.   Honoring my scars, not hiding them   And I don't see mine as something to hide anymore. Every scar on my body represents a battle I fought and didn't quit. Every challenge I've faced has shaped me into who I am today. I am still here. Still moving. Still growing. And that, to me, is something to be proud of. Next month, as we move into Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, I'll be sharing more stories, because I believe so strongly in the power of storytelling. Every single person in this community has a story. And while they may look similar on the surface, the strength, the resilience, the warrior spirit behind each one is completely unique. That's why I named this podcast BAWarrior. Because I truly believe that's what we are. But being a warrior doesn't mean life is easy. It means we fight. Daily. Sometimes hourly. We rise, even when the waves crash over us and try to pull us under. We find a way forward, even when it feels impossible. And every one of those battles… every one of those cracks… becomes part of the masterpiece. There's a beautiful form of art, Kintsugi- a Japanese art that repairs broken pieces of pottery with gold! It symbolizes resilience, embracing imperfections, and the beauty of a repaired life. The cracks aren't hidden. They're highlighted. Honored. And in the end, the piece becomes even more beautiful because of where it was broken.     That's us. We are not less because of what we've been through. We are more. So if you're sitting here today feeling like a mess—good. That means something is being created. That means you're in the middle of the process. And masterpieces take time. They aren't rushed. They're layered. Built stroke by stroke, day by day. And here's something I've learned along the way—when we take the focus off ourselves and begin lifting others up, something shifts. There's healing in that. There's purpose in that. When you help someone else rise, you rise too.     So this week, I want to give you something practical. Name your cracks. What is your brokenness? Write it down. Then ask yourself—what meaning have I been giving this? And how can I rewrite that meaning? And then—use it. Use your story to help someone else feel less alone. Share it. Speak it. Own it. Because when you do, you're not just healing yourself—you're becoming a light for someone else who might be struggling in silence. Stop covering your cracks. Start honoring them. Stand a little taller in your story. Smile when people look your way. Let curiosity open doors for connection. You are not something to hide—you are someone who has overcome. And if you're a woman walking this amputee journey and you're looking for a place to grow, to be seen, and to be supported, I invite you to join our Amped Women virtual chats on Wednesdays. You don't have to do this alone. Because here's the truth—I am still in the mess. Every day isn't perfect. Every day isn't easy. But I'm choosing to honor it. I'm choosing to trust that something beautiful is being created. And I want that for you too. You are not broken. You are becoming. You are a warrior. And your masterpiece is still being written. So chin up, rise up, warriors… And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!! Much love,    

“The Name on the Bottom of My Foot”     Do you feel like you belong? That's the question I want to start with today. Because if you're an amputee, or walking alongside someone who is, you've probably felt that quiet, unsettling shift… that moment where life no longer feels like it fits the way it used to. Welcome back to BAWarrior Podcast, a space for resilience, healing, and living life amplified exactly as you are. I'm your host, Angie Heuser, and I'm walking this journey right alongside you as an above-knee amputee. This past week, I did something playful… but it turned into something deeply meaningful. I was outside, barefoot in the Arizona warmth, and I had my prosthetic off because I was using my running blade. And for whatever reason, I grabbed a marker and wrote the name “Andy” on the bottom of my prosthetic foot. If you're a Toy Story fan, you already know the reference. Andy writes his name on the bottom of Woody's boot, and later Buzz's foot, as a symbol of belonging. It means those toys have a place. They matter. They are part of something bigger.     And as soon as I wrote it… it hit me. Isn't that exactly what we're all searching for after limb loss? Because here's the truth, amputation doesn't just change your body. It changes your identity. It changes how you see yourself, how you move through the world, and how the world sometimes responds to you. For me, seven years ago when I chose to amputate, it felt like I was on a train that suddenly switched tracks without warning. I wasn't going where I thought I would anymore. And the first real question became: Who am I now? Because I didn't feel like I belonged in my old life the same way. Yes, I was still a wife, a mom, an athlete, but I also stood out in ways I never had before. From wearing gym shoes everywhere because of my prosthetic limitations, to navigating how people perceived me, to questioning where I fit socially… it shook my confidence and my identity. And what I've learned through talking to so many amputees is this: The surgery isn't the hardest part. Learning to walk again isn't even the hardest part. The hardest part… is figuring out where you belong now. That's the piece no one really prepares you for. And that's where this idea of Andy's name became so powerful to me.     Because in Toy Story, those toys aren't afraid of being broken, they're afraid of being forgotten. Of not having a place. Of not belonging anymore. And isn't that what we feel sometimes too? But here's the shift. Here's where the warrior mindset comes in. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” I started asking, “What can I do with this?” That mindset changed everything. I began to see this journey not as an ending, but as a reinvention. I set goals. I pushed myself. I proved, to myself first, that I was still capable of living a full, meaningful life. And in that process, something bigger started to unfold. This podcast was born. Then the women's amputee chat group. Then stepping into research, working with incredible teams at MIT and Harvard, participating in studies, surgeries, and innovations to help move our community forward.   My Community, My friends who always have my back!   I found purpose. And I realized something important: Belonging doesn't come from going back to who you were. It comes from building who you are now. Our adversity creates our strength. Our identity evolves. Our scars tell our stories. And our community creates our belonging. That's why community matters so deeply. Because sometimes, you won't find belonging in the same places you used to. And that's okay. We outgrow spaces. People come and go. Life shifts. But there is a place for you. Your new “toy box,” if you will. A place where people understand you. Support you. See you, not in spite of your journey, but because of it. That's why I created the women's chats. Because I saw how many women were struggling with identity, friendships, relationships, confidence… all of it. And they needed a space where they could just be real. Because you don't have to do this alone.     So here's what I want you to do this week, your call to action. I want you to mark yourself. Not necessarily with a tattoo—but with something meaningful. A word. A symbol. Your name. A reminder. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day—your mirror, your prosthetic, your journal, your car. Something that tells you: I belong. I have purpose. I matter. For me, it was “Andy.” It made me smile. It brought me back to special, warm memories with my kids. It gave me a sense of lightness and meaning all at once. But yours can be whatever speaks to you. Because on the hard days, and they will come, you need something to ground you. Something to remind you that even though life looks different… You are still part of this story. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are not without purpose. You are evolving. You are growing. You are becoming. So find your new community. Find your purpose. And most importantly… Mark yourself in a way that reminds you—you still belong. You are warriors. You are strong. And I am so proud of how far you've come—and where you're going. Until next time… Be healthy, Be happy, Be YOU!!! Much Love,    

Advocating For Yourself is Self-Respect, Not Entitlement What if the life you want is waiting on the other side of one powerful decision, the decision to advocate for yourself? In this episode of the Be a Warrior Podcast, I dive into something that took me years to truly understand and learn how to practice: speaking up for myself. Advocating for yourself sounds simple, but in reality, it can be incredibly difficult especially when you're navigating the medical world, recovering from trauma, or learning to live life in a completely new way after an amputation. If you've been following along with my recent episodes, you know that my word of the year is “trust.” Trusting the process. Trusting the journey. Trusting that even when things feel uncertain or uncomfortable, there is still growth happening beneath the surface. I've placed the word trust all around my home-on my bathroom mirror, near my bed, and in my office, so I see it every single day. It's a reminder that the goals I'm working toward aren't short-term. They're marathon goals that require patience and faith in the process. But this week, I realized something important. Trust and advocacy go hand in hand. As an above-knee amputee, my journey through the medical world has been long and complicated. Before my amputation, I went through years of knee surgeries and saw nearly ten different doctors over a five-year period. In those early years, I did what many of us do, I trusted everything my doctors told me. I assumed they knew best, and I rarely questioned the direction we were taking. Now, to be clear, those doctors truly did their best. My complications were due to hyperscarring and my body's unique response to surgery, not a lack of effort from the medical team. But what I didn't realize early on was that trusting the professionals didn't mean I shouldn't also trust myself. Learning to advocate for myself took time. It came through experience, frustration, trial and error, and eventually learning to listen to my own body. Because here's the truth: you know your body better than anyone else. Doctors understand the body in general, but they don't live in your body. They don't feel your pain, your discomfort, your limitations, or your goals. That insight only comes from you. This lesson becomes incredibly important when you're an amputee. One of the most important relationships in an amputee's life is the one you have with your prosthetist. Your prosthetic leg isn't just equipment, it's the tool that allows you to move through the world. And one thing every amputee learns sooner or later is this: if the socket isn't right, nothing else matters. You can have the most advanced knee or ankle technology available, but if the socket doesn't fit properly, your mobility will suffer. Your comfort will suffer. Your ability to live your life fully will suffer. That's why clear communication and persistence are so important. Advocating means taking an active role in improving your life by clearly communicating your needs, your goals, and your concerns. It means explaining where pain occurs, when it happens, and how it affects your movement. Sometimes your prosthetist has to troubleshoot based on what you tell them because they can only observe from the outside. Every amputee is different. Even two people with the same level of amputation will have completely different experiences. Our bodies, our pain tolerance, our lifestyles, and our goals all vary. So if something isn't working, we can't be afraid to say it.   My Team of professionals over the years. Take time to talk with them, communicate clearly, don’t settle. My PT’s who helped me prepare for amputation. My Prosthetist who has my back always and knows what I want to accomplish in life.   My plastic surgeon who performed a TMR a year post amputation because the pain was too much!   Sometimes we hesitate because we feel like the professional already tried their best. We don't want to seem difficult or demanding. But when we settle instead of speaking up, we often end up limiting our own lives. The goal isn't to take your prosthetic leg off halfway through the day because it hurts too much. The goal is to put it on in the morning and live your life fully until the evening. Advocating for yourself isn't just about medical care, though. It also applies to the relationships and environments you allow in your life. I often tell my kids that friends come into our lives for seasons and reasons. Some friendships last forever, while others naturally fade as we grow and change. Advocating for yourself means recognizing when a relationship is supportive and when it might be holding you back. That doesn't mean you abandon people carelessly. Healthy relationships require balance-a give and take. But it's also okay to acknowledge when something no longer aligns with who you are becoming. During this episode, I share a quote from a book called “The Rise of Me” by Kristina Macura that really resonated with me. One line in particular stood out: “There's power in saying, this isn't enough for me.” That statement doesn't come from entitlement. It comes from self-respect. You are allowed to grow. You are allowed to raise your standards. You are allowed to take up space in your own life. Settling doesn't make you loyal, it often just makes you smaller than you were meant to be. At the same time, advocacy also requires self-reflection. We have to ask ourselves if we're giving as much as we're asking for. Are we supporting the people who support us? Are we maintaining balance in our relationships? Growth isn't about burning bridges. It's about recognizing when it's time to move forward while still honoring the people who walked part of the journey with you. Life as an amputee, and honestly life in general, is rarely comfortable. But growth happens when we challenge ourselves. Whether it's skiing down a run that scares you, trying something new, or speaking up in a room where you once stayed quiet, progress comes from stepping outside of what feels safe. So wherever you are in your journey right now, I want you to remember this: Knowing you deserve the best isn't entitlement, it's self-respect. You are valuable. You are capable. And you are stronger than you think. Advocate for yourself. Raise your standards. Build the team and the life that helps you thrive. Because the life you're dreaming about isn't impossible, it simply requires the courage to believe you're worth it. Have an amazing week ahead, And as always, warriors, Be healthy! Be happy! And most importantly, be YOU!!!!   Much love,  

      What if the very thing holding you back isn't your body… but your fear? In this week's episode of Be a Warrior Podcast, I'm coming to you in real time  in the middle of something new, uncomfortable, and humbling. If you've been following along, you know last week I talked about life lessons from the ski slopes and how we have to stop looking down at our feet and start looking ahead at what's coming. That lesson didn't end on the mountain. It followed me straight into this week. As an above-knee amputee, I've learned that one of our earliest survival habits is looking down. When you first get your prosthesis, you watch it constantly. You can't feel your foot, so you visually confirm it's there. Every step is deliberate. Every movement is monitored. Adaptive skiing taught me the same lesson when I ski with one leg, my instinct is to look down at my ski to make sure it's under me. But when you look down, you miss what's coming at you. Hazards. Forks in the road. The bigger picture. And that's not just skiing. That's life. This week, I'm leaning into something I do every year  choosing a word that will guide me. My word for 2026 is trust. And wouldn't you know it? I was immediately handed an opportunity to live it. A prosthetics company from France, Hopper, reached out and asked me to try their running blade. Now, if you know me, you know I've used a running blade before. I even completed a 10K during my first year as an amputee adding socks mid-race as my limb volume shrank, hoping my leg would stay on. That race required grit. It required strength. But above all, it required trust. This new blade, however, is different. It required a different knee a microprocessor knee I've never used before. For six years I trusted my Ottobock C-Leg. Last September, I transitioned to the Össur Navi knee because it's waterproof  I can snorkel with it, travel with it, take it into the ocean. I love how it responds. I trust it. And now? I'm back at square one. New knee. New blade. New mechanics. New fear. New Blade- Trust the Process   Hopper Running Blade Standing between parallel bars in an office, with people watching and cameras recording, I felt that old instinct creep back in. Tight muscles. Hesitation. Looking down. Wanting to be good immediately. Wanting to “perform.” Wanting to prove. But trust doesn't grow in 30 minutes under fluorescent lights. So I brought the blade home. And here I am walking in it around my house. Stepping outside. Trying to “run,” which currently looks more like a gallop from a newborn deer. It's awkward. It's humbling. It's vulnerable. And it's exactly where growth happens. Here's what I've realized: when we don't trust, fear takes over. And fear tightens us up. We don't relax into movement. We don't open up. We don't visualize success we visualize what could go wrong. What if I fall? What if I break my wrist? What if I embarrass myself in public? I've fallen before. On sidewalks. In front of cars that didn't even stop to check on me. I've tripped on hikes. I've fallen skiing. And every single time, I learned something. Failure is feedback. On my last ski trip, I intentionally chose the harder side of the slope. Why? Because I realized if I wasn't falling, I probably wasn't pushing. I did fall exhausted from aggressive turns my muscles weren't prepared for. And that fall told me exactly what I needed to strengthen. If we never risk failure, we never gather information. And that applies far beyond prosthetics or skiing. It applies to relationships. To careers. To faith. To stepping into something new. Trust requires us to first identify what we're afraid of. For me, I had to name it: I'm afraid of falling. I'm afraid of being embarrassed. I'm afraid of injury that could set me back. Once I name the fear, I can address it. Once I address it, I can begin building trust.     That's my call to action for you this week. First: choose a word. A guiding word for your year. Maybe it's trust. Maybe it's courage. Maybe it's surrender. Maybe it's strength. But choose something intentional. Second: identify where fear is showing up in your life. Where are you tightening up? Where are you looking down instead of forward? If you're a new amputee and you're exhausted from thinking through every step — I see you. I remember the mental drain of early prosthetic use. I remember wondering if I'd ever be able to carry laundry without watching my foot. And now? I do it without thinking. But it took time. It took repetition. It took falling. It took lifting my chin. If you're not wearing your prosthesis because you don't trust it, the only way through is through. Wear it. Practice in your home. Slow your gait. Gradually lift your eyes forward. You will build that trust, one step at a time. And if your struggle isn't physical — if it's relational, emotional, spiritual — the principle is the same. Face the fear. Name it. Then take one small step toward trust. This week, I'm in the middle of it with you. Learning a new knee. Learning a new blade. Learning to open up again after five years of not truly running. I don't know yet how it will end. But I know this: I won't build trust by standing still. There is a warrior within you. And warriors don't avoid fear they walk straight into it with their chin lifted and their eyes forward. So let's do this together. Choose your word. Face your fear. Trust the process. And until next time, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Facing Fears, Letting Go,  and Breathing   What if the thing you're most afraid of… is the exact mountain you were meant to ski? Welcome back to Be a Warrior. I'm Angie Heuser — above knee amputee, equine therapy lover, skier, and someone who refuses to live life from the sidelines. And if you've been following me the past several weeks, you know we've been diving deep into the energy of the Year of the Fire Horse — a year of movement, momentum, fearless expansion, courage, and decisive action. But before the fire horse came the snake. And I can't stop thinking about that metaphor. The Year of the Snake ended February 16th — a year of shedding. And if you've ever seen a snakeskin left behind, you know it's both fascinating and a little unsettling. Snakes don't just slip out of their skin like changing clothes. They rub up against rough surfaces. They press into discomfort. Sometimes it takes extra effort around the face or certain tight spots to fully shed what no longer fits. It's not gentle. And neither is growth. When I think about amputee life — about losing a limb, whether by trauma, illness, or in my case, elective amputation after years of surgeries — there is so much shedding. Shedding fear of the unknown. Shedding anger. Shedding grief. Shedding the identity we once had. And it doesn't happen smoothly. It happens against the rough edges of life. But once the shedding is done? The new skin is ready to grow. And that's where the Fire Horse comes in. This year only happens every sixty years — the Horse combined with the element of Fire. It's bold. It's fast. It rewards courage. It exposes comfort. It does not tolerate stagnation. And if you've built your life around playing small, it's going to make you very uncomfortable. Which brings me to the ski slopes. If you follow me online, you saw we were just in Park City. I've been skiing since I was seventeen — long before amputation. But I'll tell you something honestly: there isn't a single day I clip into my ski that I don't feel fear. Even now. Especially now. Three months after my amputation in 2018, I got back on the slopes. I had already missed five years of skiing due to surgeries. I had told my husband if I didn't ski that April, I might never do it again. So I did it scared. I did it sick to my stomach. I did it unsure. And here's what skiing has taught me — lessons that mirror life perfectly. First: the person in front of you has the right of way. On the mountain, it's your responsibility to avoid the skier ahead of you. What's behind you? That's their responsibility. Isn't that life? If I constantly look behind me — at my past, my trauma, my failures — I lose balance. Literally. With one leg, if I look back, I fall. And metaphorically? Same thing. If I live looking backward, I miss the beauty and the hazards in front of me. That doesn't mean I ignore the past. I learn from it. I listen. I stay aware. But I don't let it dictate my line down the mountain. Second: you will face forks in the slope. Left might be safe. Right might be steep. Green or black diamond. Easy or challenging. Comfort or growth. The Fire Horse energy says choose courage. Choose the line that stretches you. And I had that moment on this trip — two blue runs splitting off, one steeper than the other. I heard myself say, “Just go.” So I did. I picked up speed. I carved hard. I pushed myself. And eventually, my leg gave out and I ended up on my butt. Not a dramatic crash — more of a tired surrender.   Take five and reassess your path every now and then   But here's the thing: I was proud of that fall. Because if I'm not falling occasionally, I'm not pushing hard enough. Growth requires risk. Risk requires vulnerability. And vulnerability sometimes ends with snow in your face. Warriors aren't built in comfort. They're built in the steep sections. Third: breathe. One of the biggest lessons my ski instructors taught me after amputation was breathing rhythm. As I carve down the mountain, I exhale into the turn and inhale as I rise. The mountain becomes a rhythm — breathe in, breathe out. When I hold my breath, I tense up. When I tense up, I rely too much on my upper body. When I breathe, I find flow. How often in life do we grit our teeth and forget to breathe? When we breathe through discomfort, we release tension. We think clearly. We stay grounded. Whether you're walking in a prosthetic, stepping into a hard conversation, or heading into an interview — breathe.     Finally: visualize the run. I watched Olympic skiers at the top of the mountain, eyes closed, moving their bodies as they mentally rehearsed every turn. They had already succeeded in their minds before pushing off. That's not luck. That's preparation. If you only visualize falling, you'll hesitate. If you only picture failure, you'll create it. But if you visualize walking confidently in your prosthesis… if you visualize that difficult conversation going well… if you see yourself succeeding — you are building neural pathways toward that outcome. Will you still fall sometimes? Yes. But falling isn't failure. It's feedback. The Fire Horse doesn't reward perfection. It rewards courage. It rewards action. It rewards getting uncomfortable. I came home from those mountains thinking about all of you. About the warriors who are afraid to let that bold part of themselves out because it might mean discomfort. It might mean risk. It might mean exposing the places you've been playing small. But that's where grit is forged. That's where character is polished. That's where life gets amplified.     So here's my call to action: Do the thing that scares you this week. Maybe in baby steps. Maybe messy. Maybe imperfect. But do it. If you fall, smile. Ask yourself what you just learned. Visualize the next attempt. Breathe. Adjust your line. And go again. Stop waiting for the perfect mood, the perfect date, the perfect version of yourself. The mountain is here. YOUR mountain! Embrace it, charge forward! The Fire Horse energy is here. And you, warrior, are more capable than you think. Have a be-YOU-tiful week ahead and as always, Be healthy. Be happy. Be YOU!!!   Much love, What’s your “mountain”?

Moving from Recovery Mode into Momentum Mode Year of the Fire Horse Part 5     There are seasons in life where we heal… and then there are seasons where we're called to move again. For a while, I was healing. After my revision surgery and AMI procedure, my world slowed down whether I wanted it to or not. New sockets, new pain, scar tissue, relearning movement — it felt like starting over all over again. And just when I began to feel ready to push forward, life filled in the space. Holidays, responsibilities, travel, hosting, caring for others. Suddenly months had passed and I realized something important: I wasn't stuck because I couldn't move forward. I was stuck because I had gotten comfortable waiting. This episode is about that moment of realization — the moment you understand that healing can quietly turn into hesitation if you're not careful. We've just stepped into the Year of the Fire Horse, and whether you follow that calendar or not, the symbolism matters. Fire brings energy, intensity, and transformation. The horse represents movement, courage, and momentum. Together, they create a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to stop sitting on the sidelines of your own life. But before we can run forward, we have to shed what we've been carrying.     I talked about the Year of the Snake — the year we're leaving — and how snakes shed their skin. They don't gently outgrow it. They press themselves against rough surfaces to pull it off. Friction is required for renewal. And honestly… that's us. Hard seasons, setbacks, medical struggles, emotional weight — those moments aren't proof life is against us. They're often the very process that removes the old version of us so a new one can exist. The mistake we make is trying to keep the old skin. We analyze it, revisit it, and sometimes build our identity around it instead of leaving it behind. This year asks something different of us. It asks us to stop waiting for perfect conditions. As amputees especially, waiting becomes normal. We wait for appointments, healing, prosthetics, pain to calm down, energy to return. Waiting becomes a lifestyle. But at some point, waiting stops protecting us and starts limiting us.     So this episode is a challenge: Stop saying “when things get better.” Start asking “what can I do today?” Because growth does not happen inside comfort. Comfort leads to stagnation. Stagnation leads to false alignment — a place where we convince ourselves we're okay staying where we are, even when our heart knows we're meant for more. I see it in myself. I've been certified in equine therapy for months, yet I hesitated to begin. Not because I couldn't… but because of the “what ifs.” What if I fail? What if I'm not ready? What if timing isn't right? But authenticity matters more than preparedness. You grow by doing — not by waiting until fear disappears. The Fire Horse energy is bold. It rewards decisive action, courage, and honesty with yourself. It exposes the places we hide in comfort and invites us to lead our lives instead of postponing them. That doesn't mean ignoring hard days. It means refusing to let them define every day. If you're not ready for a big challenge, start smaller. Stop micromanaging everything wrong and start noticing what's right. Write down blessings. Shift focus. Open your awareness to the parts of life still moving forward around you. Because we are more than our bodies. More than our pain. More than our setbacks. The warrior mindset isn't pretending life isn't hard — it's deciding hardship won't be the end of your story. This episode is your reminder: You don't need a new year, a Monday, or perfect timing. You need a decision. Grab the reins. Move forward. Start now. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,   My blessings and the people who keep me going! ♥      

Year of the Fire Horse Part 4 Embrace Courage and Move Forward       There comes a moment when life asks you a hard question: Are you ready to stop waiting and start leading your own life? Not tomorrow. Not when things feel easier. But now—right where you are, exactly as you are. That's the space this episode lives in. And as we stand on the edge of the Year of the Fire Horse, that question feels louder, bolder, and impossible to ignore. As we move closer to February 17th, the official start of the Year of the Fire Horse, I wanted to pause, breathe, and prepare—for myself and for you. Because this year carries a rare combination of energy and power that only comes once every sixty years. And if we're ready for it, it can change everything. I'll be honest: I don't typically follow the Chinese calendar. I'm a Christian, and my faith anchors me. But if you put a horse anywhere near my path, I pay attention. Horses transformed my life after amputation, which is why I pursued my equine therapy certification. I believe deeply in their power—movement, intuition, strength—and I believe this year invites us to embody those same qualities. This isn't about superstition. It's about preparation, intention, and courage. Ole Ben, loves quiet time! Me and my girl, Sakari. She is my Soul Horse!   This episode is part of a series designed to help you step into this new year with clarity and confidence. Over the past few weeks, we've talked about movement, momentum, fearless expansion, and the shift from waiting to leading. Because waiting—especially as an amputee—can quietly become a habit. We tell ourselves we'll start when the pain eases, when our body feels better, when life calms down. And while rest is sometimes necessary, waiting can also keep us stuck.   Quiet Energy…   …And silliness!   I speak from experience. I've been an amputee for seven years now, and this is season six of the podcast. That first year after my amputation, I set goals and attacked them with everything I had. I was done letting life pass me by. I learned quickly that growth doesn't happen by sitting back—it happens by stepping forward, even when it's uncomfortable. This week, we dive into three essential pillars: courage, authenticity, and decisive action. Because dreams without plans stay dreams. Saying “I want to walk better” or “I want to feel stronger” means nothing if we don't define what that looks like. Decisive action requires clarity. It requires writing things down. Being specific. Holding ourselves accountable.   Finding the determination and taking action despite how you feel is courageous!   For me, that clarity began before my amputation. I created a vision board months before surgery—photos of my family, Bible verses, meaningful quotes, and images of the life I wanted to return to. Skiing. Movement. Strength. That board sat next to my bed for four months, reminding me daily that I am more than my body. That I am more than what was being taken from me. And that belief carried me forward.   My Vision Board But belief alone isn't enough. Action matters. And action, as an amputee, is complicated. Learning to walk again isn't just physical—it's emotional, mental, and exhausting. Trusting a prosthetic leg takes time. Wearing it can feel heavy, claustrophobic, painful. Some days, seven years later, I still struggle. And I share that because authenticity matters. This journey isn't linear, and pretending otherwise helps no one. One of the tools that helped me most was creating “carrots”—clear motivators that pulled me forward. For me, that came in the form of virtual races. Not because I needed to run, but because I needed a reason to move. Walking, rowing, swimming, chair yoga—movement in any form counts. Since my amputation, I've completed over twenty virtual challenges, some as long as 175 miles. Not to compete with anyone else—but to be better than I was yesterday.   SOME of my virtual races- all completed AFTER amputation! My motivation!   That's the heart of this episode. You are not competing with anyone but yourself. Comparison steals joy. Progress—no matter how small—builds momentum. Some days, progress looks like wearing your leg for two hours instead of none. Some days, it looks like standing instead of sitting. Some days, it looks like crying and still choosing not to quit. Courage doesn't mean fear disappears. I'm scared sometimes—scared to fall, scared to trust my body, scared to push too far. But courage is choosing to move anyway. Authenticity is honoring the hard days without surrendering to them. And decisive action is committing to your life, even when it's uncomfortable.       I close this episode with a call to action that's simple—but powerful. Find a quiet place this week. No distractions. No to-do lists. Breathe. And picture your life twelve months from now. How does your body feel? How do you move? What are you proud of? Then write it down—and work backward to create small steps toward your goals. That's how transformation happens. The Year of the Fire Horse is not a year to sit back. It's a year to lead, to grow, to fall and rise again. And you don't have to do it alone. No matter where you are in your journey—new amputee, seasoned warrior, or someone simply struggling with life—I'm here. Let's walk this together.   If you are interested in joining me, virtually, on this Year of the Fire Horse challenge you can sign up here Use the discount code JOLLY and receive 30% off your registration!   Women, I have a private group to motivate each other on Facebook. Find me and inquire on how to join!   I look forward to supporting one another this year! Have a beautiful week ahead, And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love, You are braver than you know!

Using the Energy of the Fire Horse-Part 3     What if the thing holding you back isn't your circumstances… but your waiting? That's the question I'm asking myself—and you—in this episode of Be a Warrior. As I move into my seventh year as an above-knee amputee and step into 2026, I feel a shift happening. A deep, unmistakable pull to stop waiting for life to feel easier, cleaner, or more predictable—and instead start leading, exactly where I am. This episode is part three of my five-part series inspired by the Year of the Fire Horse, and if you've missed the first two, I highly recommend going back and listening. This series is building intentionally, because growth doesn't happen in isolation—it happens in layers. In the first episode, I talked about movement, momentum, and fearless expansion. Not fearless in the absence of fear, but fearless in the willingness to move through it. As amputees—and honestly, as humans—we live with a lot of fear. Fear of pain. Fear of falling. Fear of how our bodies will feel tomorrow. Fear of what people see when they look at us. Expansion doesn't mean fear disappears. It means we don't let it decide our future. Last week, we explored the bold, passionate energy of the Fire Horse and how powerful energy can work for us—or against us. Energy doesn't discriminate. If you're prepared, it can propel you forward faster than you imagined. If you're unprepared, it can feel overwhelming and destabilizing. This year is not subtle. It's loud. It's demanding. And it's asking us to participate instead of sit on the sidelines. Which brings me to this week's focus: leading instead of waiting. If you're not an amputee, let me pull back the curtain for a moment. Amputee life—especially in the early years—is dominated by waiting. Waiting for wounds to heal. Waiting for insurance approvals. Waiting for appointments. Waiting for test sockets. Waiting for remakes. Waiting for your limb to shrink, change, adjust, stabilize. Waiting for your body to feel like it belongs to you again. There can be more time spent waiting than actually living, and that kind of waiting is exhausting. I've watched so many people—myself included—get stuck in that space. Not because we're weak, but because the system trains us to wait. And at some point, that waiting becomes a habit. We tell ourselves, Once this socket fits better… once I heal… once this next thing happens… then I'll start living. This year is calling us out on that. The Year of the Fire Horse is designed for people who are ready to lead instead of wait. And leadership doesn't mean having all the answers. It means choosing not to put your life on hold. You can lead from a wheelchair. You can lead while healing. You can lead while waiting on insurance or surgery or the next prosthetic adjustment. Leading means asking yourself: What can I do today, with what I have, where I am? Because sitting and waiting doesn't just pause your life—it quietly erodes your confidence, your joy, and your sense of purpose. I know that when I wait too long, I stop meeting people. I stop moving my body. I stop feeling good about myself. I start complaining. And that's not the life I want—and I don't believe it's the life you want either. The Fire Horse only comes around once every 60 years. When the energy of fire and horse combine, it's powerful, fast, and transformative. But everything I've read says the positive outcomes come from preparation. From intention. From deciding ahead of time that when the energy hits, you're ready to ride instead of getting knocked over. For me, that preparation has meant getting quiet, introspective, and honest about what I want my next 12 months to look like. How I want to lead myself. How I want to show up for my family. How I want to live—not someday, but now. And that's why I'm inviting you into action.     On February 17th, the Fire Horse energy officially begins, and I'm hosting a Year of the Fire Horse Virtual Challenge for women. It's a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon—done virtually, at your pace, in your way. This isn't about speed or perfection. It's about momentum. Accountability. Community. About proving to yourself that you can start before everything feels perfect. To Join the Virtual Challenge click HERE Get 30% of when you use the discount code: JOLLY   Waiting doesn't have to be your full-time job. This episode is a call to stop postponing your life. To stop telling yourself you'll start when conditions improve. To recognize that leadership begins the moment you decide to move—even if that movement is small, messy, and imperfect. You don't need permission to live fully. You don't need your circumstances to cooperate. You just need to decide that waiting no longer gets to run the show. This is your year to lead. Not tomorrow. Not when it's easier. Today. I'll be right here, walking it with you. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much Love,          

Using Your Momentum to Accomplish Great Things (part 2)     Today I invite you into a deeper conversation about movement, momentum, and what I believe is a powerful energetic shift ahead of us: the Year of the Fire Horse. As an above-knee amputee, a lifelong horse girl, and someone who has learned to rebuild life step by step, this theme resonates with me on every level. The Fire Horse represents bold energy, passion, speed, and expansion—but only if we're willing to meet it with intention and preparation.     Last week, I challenged you to focus on movement. Not perfection. Not comparison. Just movement—forward motion, wherever you are in your journey. Because movement creates momentum, and momentum opens the door to growth. That growth is what I call fearless expansion. And let me be very clear: fearless expansion doesn't mean the absence of fear. Fear is always present, especially as an amputee. Every literal step forward requires trust—trust in my prosthesis, trust in my body, and trust in myself. Early on, I couldn't even imagine carrying laundry with my vision blocked, let alone trusting my leg to land where it needed to. That confidence didn't come overnight. It came from doing the thing scared, over and over again, until fear loosened its grip.   This ⇑ leads to this ⇓ And that’s why setting goals and staying focused on them matters.     I want to remind you that this journey is never linear. Prosthetic life is full of pauses, setbacks, socket changes, surgeries, and seasons of limbo. There are times when pushing harder simply isn't possible—and that doesn't mean you've failed. It means you're human. I've taken years off from pushing my pace, not because I was lazy, but because my body wasn't ready. And that's okay. We are not competing with anyone else—especially not the curated versions of people we see online. The only comparison that matters is who you were yesterday. This brings me to the next layer of the Fire Horse energy: boldness, speed, and passion. This is the kind of energy that's impossible to ignore. It can fuel incredible growth—or become overwhelming if we aren't grounded. That's why preparation matters. Before my amputation, I did something that changed everything: I set goals before surgery. Month by month. Not because I knew how things would turn out, but because I didn't want fear to be my focus. I wanted my eyes on the horizon.   These virtual races kept me focused and helped me get stronger. These medals tell my story, one I am proud of.   Those goals didn't start big. My first win was simply getting out of the house alone. That one decision led me to adaptive sports, sled hockey, skiing, virtual races, surfing, and eventually completing a 10K with a running blade. None of it happened by accident. Every step required intention, planning, and a willingness to try—even when I wasn't sure I'd succeed. Virtual races, in particular, saved me. They gave me accountability and something to work toward when motivation was low. I wouldn't even open the medals until I earned them. On good socket days, I pushed myself. On bad days, I rested. But I kept showing up. And every time I finished something I once thought was impossible, I felt alive again. Capable. Limitless. That's the power of momentum. It builds confidence. And confidence changes everything. As we approach the Year of the Fire Horse, I want you to pause and ask yourself: What do I truly want to accomplish in the next twelve months? Not what feels “realistic.” Not what others expect of you. What lives in your heart? What lights you up? This energy can either propel you forward or spiral into negativity if you're unprepared. The difference is mindset and planning.     This week's call to action builds on last week's. Keep moving—but now, zoom out. Create a one-year vision. Look at your calendar. Are there trips coming up? Experiences you've avoided because of fear, injury, or amputation? Hiking, traveling, trying a new sport, or simply walking confidently in your neighborhood—none of these happen overnight. They require preparation, strength building, and patience. And that preparation starts now. I've never jumped blindly into anything. When I returned to skiing, I sought adaptive instruction. I practiced balance, core strength, and walking long before I hit the slopes. Every year, I have to rebuild again. That's life. The work never truly ends—but neither does the growth. Amputation is not the end of life. It's a beginning. A reinvention. And the truth is, anything goes. If you try something and it doesn't work, so what? You tried. You learn. You pivot. You try again. I never surfed before my amputation—and now it's something I love. You don't know what's waiting for you on the other side of fear. This year carries powerful energy. If you open yourself up to it with intention, incredible things can happen. Dream big. Make a plan. Start today—not Monday, not when it feels right. It will never feel perfect. But action creates clarity, and clarity creates momentum. The warrior within you is ready. This is the year to let them out. Use the fire. Harness the momentum. And gallop forward into the life you want—one brave step at a time. Have a beautifully, blessed week and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!   Much love,      

The Year of The Fire Horse Part 1     As I sat down to share this episode, we are in that weird blur between the holidays and the start of the new year—January 21st to be exact. Somehow we're saying goodbye to January already and I'm still not sure how time is moving this fast. To be honest, I am a little under the weather today. A trip back home to Chicago gifted me more than nostalgia—sniffles and congestion that love to linger. But if there's anything amputee life has taught me, it's how to show up anyway. Healing isn't always linear, progress isn't always pretty, and sometimes the real strength is simply being here. If you've been with me for a while, you already know how excited I am about 2026. This is the Year of the Horse, and I have unapologetically embraced it. Horses are my heart—right alongside my pups—and spending time with them is healing in motion. I was out loving on them earlier that morning, enjoying Arizona sunshine that feels a little too warm for January. (I'm still waiting for winter to show up so I can actually appreciate the desert heat again.) But weather aside, the symbolism of the horse couldn't align more powerfully with the season I'm in—and the season many of you are in. What makes this year even more rare is that it isn't just the Year of the Horse. It is the Year of the Fire Horse, a cycle that doesn't come around often in the Chinese calendar. Fire brings imagery of energy, power, movement, and drive—big, explosive energy that demands expansion. When I learned that, I immediately knew I wanted to infuse that symbolism into our lives this year, especially within the amputee community. Now, if you're not an amputee, don't tune out. The beauty of this journey is that the lessons apply to anyone navigating hardship—whether your challenges are physical, medical, emotional, relational, or even professional. Struggle doesn't discriminate. But neither does growth. I've never been a fan of New Year's resolutions. January feels messy—physically, mentally, and emotionally. We're recovering from holidays, reorganizing homes, resetting routines, trying to remember what vegetables look like, and wrestling with motivation that hasn't thawed out yet. I spent those early weeks decluttering my body from holiday eating and drinking, refreshing my home, and re-establishing rhythms that support who I want to be—not just who I've been. For me, that looks like eating cleaner, scheduling movement, and taking care of my mind, my leg, my family, and my horses. I'm not a rigid scheduler by nature, but with so many things I love doing, I can't always choose—and then nothing gets done. So sometimes structure serves us. While reading about the Year of the Fire Horse, five symbolic themes showed up. I decided I'm going to break them down over several episodes and explore how they can shape our growth. Unless something major happens in my own life (because I always speak from personal experience first), we're riding that theme for a bit. The first Fire Horse theme? Movement, Momentum, and Fearless Expansion. Three words. Three mountains. Three invitations. Let's start with movement. If you're an amputee and you're unhappy with where you're at—maybe you're watching others do things you wish you could do—the number one thing I'll tell you is this: do not compare yourself to anyone else. Amputee life is not one size fits all. Body types, limb levels, insurance coverage, prosthetic technology, pain tolerance, terrain, weather, confidence—all of it changes the picture. Someone in snowy Minnesota isn't out hiking in January. Someone in Arizona isn't out walking at 115°F. Our seasons look different literally and figuratively. And that's okay. But movement matters. In fact, movement is everything. Movement is how we reclaim our bodies. Movement is how we rebuild trust. Movement is how we protect our mental health. Movement is how we remind ourselves we're alive. Prosthetics don't move us—we move us. Insurance coverage doesn't give us grit—we give us grit. And movement isn't pain-free, effortless, or pretty in the beginning. It's awkward. It's exhausting. It's uncomfortable. And some days it just feels unfair. But movement is life, and life demands movement. Even if you're not on a prosthetic yet, wheelchairs, crutches, walkers—pushing yourself counts. Motion burns energy, heals the mind, and keeps you connected to your body and your environment. And with movement comes momentum. Momentum isn't about speed—it's about direction. It's about choosing to walk to the end of the driveway today, past the neighbor's house tomorrow, and maybe around the block next week. Those baby steps are not insignificant. They are data. They are discipline. They are the quiet stacking of strength. I still remember thinking I could walk a mile as soon as I got cleared for my prosthetic. I didn't make it past three houses. I was disappointed at first, but then I realized something important: I had found my baseline. You cannot grow if you don't know where you're starting from. Momentum begins with honesty. Momentum is also how you build trust with your prosthesis—trust up a curb, down a hill, over uneven terrain, and through the hundred tiny adjustments your body makes to learn this new dance. Prosthesis + confidence is earned, not given. And it starts one step at a time. Then comes the third theme: fearless expansion.     Let me be very clear—fearless does not mean the absence of fear. It means facing fear. Every amputee I've ever met battles fear. Fear of falling. Fear of looking foolish. Fear of pain. Fear of malfunction. Fear of being judged. Fear of being stared at. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of being trapped in this new reality forever. Fearless expansion is courage in motion. It's putting on your leg even when you don't feel like it. It's going out in public before your gait feels steady. It's learning how to trust a piece of machinery that now represents a part of your body. It's standing back up every time you fall—literally or metaphorically. And here's the truth: what you do now determines what your future looks like. I'm not worried about being 80 yet—but I know how I move my body today will directly affect that version of me.     I'm wired for action. Consuming content without integration doesn't create change. So here's your call to action: If you're not moving, start. Not a marathon. Not a hike. Not a PR. Just movement. Ask yourself: What do I want my future to look like? Where do I want expansion? What scares me—and am I willing to face it? Maybe your goal is more steps. Maybe it's longer prosthetic wear time. Maybe it's a grocery run. Maybe it's cooking a meal standing up. Maybe it's just putting the leg on today. Compete only with yesterday's version of you. If you get stronger, braver, and more resilient by even 1%—you're winning. And if you need accountability, reach out. DM me. Join me. I'm launching a virtual challenge soon—Year of the Horse themed, of course—and I want you on my team. Because momentum is easier when you're not doing it alone. So get moving. Build momentum. Expand fearlessly. Face the fire horse energy and ride it into the life you deserve. Get moving, Warriors!   And as always— be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much Love,    

Friendships Versus Hardships   The hard truths of handling your friendships (and relationships, for that matter), and going through amputation is definitely a hot topic in our community. And quite frankly, if you are going through ANY hardship you might feel a sense of pull back or even a good friend vanish into thin air as if they were just a figment of your imagination. Becoming an amputee is a lonely gig. You deal with a lot of emotions, phantom pains and unnatural feelings that cannot be explained to someone who hasn’t gone through the lose of a limb, the fitting and feels of a socket and metal leg, not to mention the night time when pains take over and the dark and quietness of the night are suffocating, etc, etc, etc. Now, add to this the frustrations you feel when the surgery is all done, you’ve healed and life goes on….. for everyone else around you! Yet here you are still stuck with the pains, sensations, feeling vulnerable, questioning your future and your independence, doubting yourself, hating the way you look and feel, being angry and sad all in the same breathe, but your closest friends just can’t listen to it all anymore, they’ve moved on, but you haven’t. Well, it’s time to check yourself. Are you consumed with all the things you’re feeling or spending hours upon hours in a negative place, struggling to get out? Have you tried to see yourself as more than an amputee or the victim of this scenario? I don’t blame you, we all have those days but you cannot live there! It’s unhealthy and that negative energy that will ruin you and your relationships. It’s time to find your space and that means seeing the positive, finding the beauty where you are at. Finding your purpose and allowing that to fuel you won’t only do you good it’ll draw others to you, like a beacon on a darkened hilltop.     This does not mean that you shouldn’t validate your pain or your feelings, but it does mean find a balance. I don’t talk about the pain I go through because talking about it gives it power and I won’t have that. It doesn’t serve me or make me feel better so I push it aside. However somedays it is all I can do not to spend a day in tears because I cannot escape my pain, and those days I let me family and close friends know what I’m going through so they aren’t smacked with my emotions and possible anger. There are two sides to this fine line we walk, and our relationships, if important and valuable to us, must be a constant give and take. We cannot expect those who love us to sit and listen to all of our negativity while we change nothing or try to help ourselves. And remember, everyone has hardships. Are you caring about those who you love like you expect them to care about you? We must be willing to reciprocate that compassion. Even as amputees, when we are having a great day that’s a perfect time for us to support someone who isn’t. We must learn to fill each other up, not just take and deplete our relationships to they are dried out and a dark void. Relationships die, and people leave when they no longer feel seen, heard, or cared about. On the flip side, friends come into our lives for seasons, reasons, or lifetimes. There are some people that just are not cut out to deal with someone else’s plight, or have low tolerance for negative chatter, they may need more attention than you can give while dealing with your amputation or they are threatened by you situation. Whatever it is, it may not be on you.     The two sides: Side 1: As an amputee who feels like everyone is leaving you. Are you speaking more negatives than positives? Are you monopolizing every conversation with talk about your “predicament”? Is the only thing on your mind your ampuatation and nothing else seems to matter? Then you need to flip the switch and start speaking positivity into your life and into your family and friends’ lives. Your amputation does NOT define you, it does NOT limit you, only you can do that. Are your relationships important? Then find a balance. I’m not saying you should never talk about your problem or your struggles but remember that there is more to you and life than your amputation. Find the positive of being an amputee even if you need to force a bad joke. I always tell my family when my handicap sign saves us from awful walk to an event, “Thank Goodness, my lack of a leg saved us again! You’re welcome!” We laugh and truly enjoy the perks, and I’m happy it hs afforded us some great seats at sporting events. *Perk! Side 2: The friend or family member of an amputee What they are going through is hard and we are told that we may grieve the lose of our limb like we grieve when someone dies. Remember that healing from an amputation is only the beginning of our journey and everyday is so very different. The first 2 years is screwy, hard, emotional, and leaves us feeling lone in a crowded room. Allow your friend or family member talk about it and grieve and cry and scream. BUTTTTTT,  don’t let them live there. Remind them of what they have and that there is more to life. Be honest with them too. If you care about them and love them let them know when they are plunging into a dark place before it’s too late. Tell them you need to be heard, loved, and seen. There are two sides to this new journey and no one should go it alone, just make sure you are finding a balance, for your sake and your loved ones. You are truly amazing. You’ve come this far, it’s time to fight the good fight and find your purpose and start living your best life! Rise up, Dear Warriors, Rise UP!!!!! You are more than your body, you are a soul, a light for a dark world, you are love! Have a beautiful week and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,        

The Year of the Fire Horse and the Power of Becoming Welcome to Season Six of the Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior (BA Warrior) Podcast—a milestone that still takes my breath away. If you had told me years ago that I would be hosting a podcast, let alone entering its sixth season, I would have laughed. It was never a dream I set out to chase. And yet, here we are. Proof that life doesn't always unfold according to our plans—but often according to something far greater. If you're new here, I want to personally welcome you. And if you've been walking this road with me for years, please know how deeply grateful I am. Your messages, your comments, your shared stories, and your willingness to show up week after week are the reason this podcast exists. Be a Warrior is not something I do alone—it's something we build together. This podcast is rooted in amputee life. I am an above-knee amputee and have been for seven years. Everything I share comes from lived experience—the victories, the mistakes, the frustrations, the growth, and the moments that test every ounce of resilience. My hope has always been that by sharing my journey honestly, someone else might feel less alone in theirs. A New Season, A New Energy Season Six begins with a theme that feels deeply personal to me: the Year of the Horse—specifically, the Fire Horse. This year carries amplified energy, movement, instinct, and transformation. It also aligns beautifully with where I am in life right now. I recently completed my equine therapy certification, which allows me to bring the healing power of horses to others in a deeper, more intentional way. Horses have long been part of my life, but this year marks a turning point—where passion, purpose, and service come together. My goal for 2026 is to help expand access to equine therapy for overall well-being, especially for people navigating trauma, change, or physical loss. But before we talk about where we're going, let me tell you how this year actually started—because it wasn't graceful. A Rough Start and an Important Lesson My husband and I took a short getaway to Sedona, Arizona—a place that feels like a deep breath for the soul. We live in the desert, but a quick drive north brings cooler air, pine trees, red rocks, and a sense of escape. It was meant to be a simple, restorative weekend. In typical fashion, I packed last minute. I grabbed my makeup, hair products, clothes—and we were out the door. What I didn't grab? Two things no above-knee amputee should ever forget: My prosthetic charging cord The bag I use to pull my leg into my socket My bag to put my socket on….that I forgot. I realized the charging cord was missing first. Panic set in—until I checked my prosthetic's battery level. Eighty-two percent. I could manage one day. Then came the second realization. No bag. For those unfamiliar, I am a skin-fit amputee, meaning I don't use liners or traditional suction. My leg requires a specific bag to pull the skin properly into the socket. Without it, my prosthesis does not go on. No shortcuts. No substitutes—at least, not easily. I didn't sleep that night. I ran through every possible outcome: crutching around town, canceling plans, going home early. I was frustrated—not just because I forgot something critical, but because I knew better. Ironically, the reason I forgot was also a sign of progress. I had become so comfortable in my body, so confident in my mobility, that I wasn't thinking about “what ifs” anymore. My prosthesis had become as normal to me as legs are to two-legged people. Comfort is a gift—but complacency can be costly. Adaptation Is a Warrior Skill The next morning, I went into full problem-solving mode. I asked myself: What do I have? What can I use? Garbage bags wouldn't work—they'd tear. A standard pillowcase was too thick. Then I spotted a silk pillowcase. Thin. Slippery. Flexible. It wasn't perfect—but it worked. I was able to walk around town that day. I didn't hike, knowing my limits. When I got home later, I had blisters and raw skin—but I was mobile. I adapted. And that's what amputee life often requires: creativity, patience, resilience, and the willingness to meet challenges head-on. The Unpredictability of Phantom Pain Just days later, I was reminded again how unpredictable this journey can be. Despite having minimal phantom pain since my nerve revision surgery, I was suddenly hit with intense, stabbing sensations in a foot that no longer exists. The pain came in waves—sharp, jolting, and relentless. It lasted for hours and woke me from sleep. There was no obvious trigger. No overexertion. No trauma. Through experience, I've learned that phantom pain doesn't need permission. It arrives when it wants—and leaves when it's ready. What got me through wasn't panic. It was instinct. I ran through my mental checklist: Socket fit? Fine. Injury? No. Stress? Manageable. Weather? Stable. Hydration? Questionable. I drank water—lots of it. And the pain faded. Whether coincidence or correlation, I logged it as wisdom for the future. Always adapting! The Fire Horse Mentality The horse symbolizes freedom, movement, instinct, truth, nervous system wisdom, and connection over control—all things that resonate deeply with amputee life. Freedom didn't come to me through saving my leg. It came when I let it go. Movement returned not through endless surgeries, but through acceptance, adaptation, and the right prosthetic support. Instinct tells me when to rest, when to push, and when to trust that pain will pass. Truth asks me to acknowledge that this life is hard—but still meaningful. Horses understand nervous system regulation instinctively. As amputees, learning to regulate our own nervous systems is critical—not just for physical comfort, but emotional health. And perhaps most importantly: connection over control. Trying to control everything—our bodies, our recovery, our outcomes—often creates more suffering. Connection, whether to our prosthetist, our body, our community, or our faith, is what carries us forward. Stop Comparing. Start Living. One of the most destructive habits amputees fall into is comparison. Just because someone else is doing something you aren't doesn't mean you're failing. Different bodies. Different trauma. Different prosthetics. Different lives. You are not behind. You are not weak. You are not less than. Compare yourself only to who you were yesterday. A Call to Rise Season Six is about listening, connecting, trusting, and becoming. It's about letting go of the reins just enough to allow life—and faith—to lead. You are a warrior. Not because of what you've lost—but because of how you keep showing up. This year is a fresh page. A new chapter. Write it with courage. Live it with intention. And remember—you don't have to do it alone. Welcome to Season Six. Let's ride forward together. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!! Much love, Rise up, Warriors!!!

Be A Warrior: Closing Season Five, Trusting What Comes Next As I sit down to record this episode, it honestly feels surreal. This is the final episode of 2025 and the close of Season Five of Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior. Five years. 210 episodes in all! When I say that out loud, it stops me in my tracks a little. What started as a quiet nudge on my heart has grown into something that now feels woven into my life, my healing, and my purpose. My 2025 year in review If you've been with me on this journey for a while, thank you. Truly. You are part of this family. And if you're new here, welcome. I hope you'll stick around—because Season Six starts next week, and I can hardly believe I get to say that. When I launched this podcast, I didn't have a master plan. I wasn't chasing perfection, production polish, or algorithms. I was chasing meaning. My prayer from the very beginning was simple: If this reaches one person—if it brings hope, peace, or strength to someone in the middle of chaos—then it's worth it. This podcast exists because of my faith, my lived experience, and the road that brought me here—one that forever changed on December 19th, 2018. That was the day I chose an elective above-knee amputation after five years of failed surgeries following a taekwondo accident. Five years of fighting my own body. Five years of pain, loss, and unanswered questions. My TaeKwonDo time, pre-amputation If you've never heard my full amputation story, I shared it back in Season One. And honestly, as I step into Season Six, I may revisit it again—because time gives perspective, and perspective gives depth. My first full year as an amputee was 2019, and I set goals like my life depended on it. And in many ways, it did. I hit every single one. I skied again. I surfed. I water skied. I hiked. I rode horses. I proved to myself, my doctors, my family—and maybe the world—that I wasn't disabled. I was differently abled. But once I checked every box, something unexpected happened. I felt empty. That emptiness wasn't failure—it was calling. I realized I wasn't meant to keep all of that hard-earned wisdom to myself. I wasn't meant to just do life again. I was meant to share it. That's where this podcast was born. I'll be honest—I don't love listening to myself talk. I don't script these episodes. I don't cut out the pauses or clean up the edges. There's an intro, there's an outro, and everything in between is real. I show up as a mom, a wife, an amputee, a human still figuring it out. This podcast is raw on purpose—because life is raw. As this year closes, we're also shifting seasons symbolically. If you follow the Chinese calendar, we're leaving the Year of the Snake and entering the Year of the Horse. And if you know me at all, you know how much that resonates. Horses have become central to my healing and my heart. As a little girl growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I dreamed of horses, but access and finances made it unrealistic. Life had other plans. It wasn't until after I lost my leg that horses came back into my life in a powerful way. I reached out to a friend who worked with rescue horses, and something clicked—deeply and instantly. That connection led me to become certified in horse training, advanced training, and most recently equine therapy. Horses taught me regulation, presence, trust, and stillness in ways nothing else ever had—especially after trauma. Now, I work with people who are searching for grounding, healing, and reconnection to their bodies, especially after limb loss. The Year of the Horse represents freedom, movement, soul searching, and wellness. And honestly, I can't think of a better theme for what's ahead. I don't know exactly what this year will bring—but I know I'm ready to meet it. If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I think the phrase itself sets us up to fail. Words carry power. When we label something as temporary or flimsy, our minds treat it that way. By February, resolutions fade, gyms empty out, and people convince themselves they'll “start again later.” So instead, I believe in fresh starts. Turning a page. New perspective. And one of my favorite end-of-year rituals is choosing a word—or a short phrase—to guide the year ahead. Not a checklist. A compass. Last year, my words were ‘Be Present’. And those words carried me through one of the most challenging years of my life. In May, I traveled to Boston to see if I qualified for an experimental procedure and revision surgery. In June, I had surgery. July through September were filled with healing, setbacks, crutches, fittings, and learning my body all over again. Through it all, I stayed present. I documented the journey. I let myself feel it. And when the holidays arrived—busy, beautiful, chaotic—I stayed present there too. I soaked up baking, gift-making, family moments, and even the exhaustion. I welcomed January's slower rhythm with gratitude instead of guilt. This year, my word found me quietly—in church, listening to our pastor speak. My word for the coming year is ‘Trust”. That word is heavy in the best way. Trusting the process. Trusting the people around me. Trusting my body as it continues to change. Trusting God's timing—even when it doesn't match my own. I like control. I like schedules. I like certainty. And trust requires letting go. It's a trust fall—stepping back and believing you'll be caught. My prosthetic journey is still unfolding. My leg continues to change. A new socket is likely coming soon. Nothing feels finished or neat right now—and that's okay. This year, I'm choosing to stop forcing outcomes and start allowing space. If something is meant to be, it will unfold. And if it isn't, that doesn't mean it was a failure. Sometimes closed doors are protection. Sometimes the blessing only makes sense in hindsight. So here's my invitation to you. As we sit in this quiet space between years, I want you to choose a word or phrase of your own. Something that speaks to where you are—not where you think you should be. Be honest. Reflect. Meditate on it. Ask yourself where you struggled this year and where you want to grow—not from shame, but from curiosity. Write your word down. Put it somewhere visible. Make it your screensaver. Stick it on your mirror. Tell someone you trust. Accountability matters. Growth requires reflection—and sometimes reminders. And remember this: you are not meant to be at the same place as everyone else. We rise and fall at different times so we can lift each other when it's needed. Start with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. Life is too short for your own inner voice to be your harshest critic. You are already enough. Growth is not about fixing yourself—it's about expanding into who you already are. As I close this chapter, I want to thank you for being here. For listening. For trusting me with your time and your heart. If this podcast gave you even one moment of hope or clarity this year, then it has done its job. Season Six is coming. New challenges are coming. A virtual race is on the horizon. And the Year of the Horse is inviting us forward—with strength, freedom, and trust. Until next year—keep showing up, keep listening to your heart, and trust the process. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,

Knowing Your Limits: When to Hold and When to Push Onward I'm recording this episode from a place that looks very different than my usual setup. We're away on a family getaway that was supposed to be a snowy ski vacation, but when I look outside, all I see are brown mountains and sunshine. Not exactly the winter wonderland we imagined. Still, we're here, together, enjoying the time, and as the year winds down and the holidays rush in, I felt like this was the perfect moment to pause and share something that's been sitting heavy—and meaningful—on my heart. As you know, I tend to share lessons I'm actively learning myself, and this week's lesson came straight from the ski slopes. I ski as an amputee. I ski on one leg, using outriggers, and while it looks empowering and inspiring in photos and videos, the truth is that it is anything but easy. Every single time I clip in, no matter how long I've been doing this, I still get butterflies. I still hope my body will hold up. I still pray for the best outcome and for enough strength to get me down the mountain safely. I've always been someone who pushes hard. When I lost my leg in December of 2018, I got my first prosthetic in late March and barely had time to adjust before we were headed on a family ski trip in April. I had planned to sit on the sidelines, but I told my husband early on that I wanted to try skiing as an amputee. That trip was my first time learning to ski as a three-tracker—one ski on my sound leg and two outriggers with tiny skis on the ends. It was intense. It demanded everything from my good leg, my core, my upper body, and my mental focus. Fast forward to now, and while I have more experience, I also have more wisdom. Yesterday, I went out for my first run of this trip, and it was a long one. I chose a blue run instead of the easier option, and I pushed myself hard. I made it down without falling, and I was proud of that—but my body was absolutely fried. My quad, calf, foot arch, hands, and shoulders were screaming. My grip on the outriggers was barely there, and I knew that if I went again, fatigue could turn into injury. The old version of me—five or six years ago—would have pushed through anyway. I would have ignored the warning signs and kept going. But yesterday, something different happened. I looked at my husband and said, “I'm done. I want to end on a high note.” And that was enough. Self-preservation won, and for the first time in a long time, I listened to my body without guilt. That decision mattered more than I realized in the moment. Because what I'm learning—and what I want you to hear—is that your best in this moment doesn't have to be your best ever. Your best is enough when it honors where you are right now. Strength isn't always pushing harder. Sometimes strength is knowing when to stop. As amputees, our bodies are constantly negotiating limits. When you rely on one good leg, you have to be mindful of how far you push before fatigue compromises safety. Yesterday, my head wanted more, but my body was very clear: this was enough. And instead of feeling defeated, I chose to feel proud. What you don't see in highlight videos is the pain, the fear, the intense focus it takes to stay upright and in control. You don't see the internal battle between wanting to prove yourself and needing to protect yourself. And that's something I think so many of us struggle with—especially when we compare ourselves to others or even to past versions of ourselves. This year, I'm not the same person I was last spring when I was in great shape, hitting the gym, and doing one-legged squats. I had revision surgery this summer. I've been learning a new socket, adapting to a new prosthetic, and giving my body time to heal. That meant less time training and more time resting. And while rest came at the cost of muscle mass and endurance, it also gave me other gifts—healing, reflection, time at home, time with my animals, and space to process everything my body has been through. We are not static beings. Even with the same injury, we are different depending on the season of life we're in. And during the holidays especially, it's easy to beat yourself up for not doing “enough.” But the truth is, everyone's circumstances are different. Some of you can't get to the gym. Some of you are waiting on a fitting, a surgery, or relief from pain. Some days, just breathing is the win—and that is okay. I know amputees who avoid connecting with others because they feel like they're falling short. My message to you is this: do what you can with what you have, where you are. Comparison steals joy and progress. The valley you're in right now does not dictate the rest of your life. If you're disappointed in yourself because you know you can do more and you're choosing not to, then have that honest conversation with yourself and start shifting your mindset. Change the internal dialogue. Set goals. Dream again. But if you're in a season of healing, pain, or waiting, give yourself grace. This moment is not permanent. Yesterday, I skied one run—and that one run was enough. I walked away proud, safe, and encouraged instead of broken down and discouraged. Tomorrow, I'll go out again with confidence and clarity. And when spring comes, I know exactly what I need to do to be stronger. Being an amputee is hard. Some days are brutal. But you are not failing because you rest, and you are not weak because you pause. Be proud of where you are. Be proud of your scars. Know that you are doing the best you can with the situation you've been given—and that is enough. This season will pass. Keep moving forward. Keep honoring your body. And remember, the warrior within you doesn't disappear when you slow down—it grows wiser. I hope you have a beautiful holiday season. And I'll be back again soon before this year comes to a close. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,

Finding Purpose and Joy In This Season     We're deep into December, and the Christmas spirit is everywhere—homes decorated with lights, the smell of cookies, gatherings, endless lists of to-dos. This time of year is magical, but it's also overwhelming. We often rush from task to task, trying to make everything perfect, and before we know it, Christmas comes and goes in a blur. Every year, I remind myself: Be present. Really be in the moment. And yet, like so many of us, I still catch myself speeding through the season, missing the beauty right in front of me. Last week, I shared about Limbs for Humanity, an incredible organization heading to Rocky Point Medical Clinic with 53 prosthetics—most of them above-knee—for 49 people, including a few bilateral amputees. They work tirelessly and always need help, whether through donations, volunteering, or supplying prosthetic parts. I encourage anyone listening to learn more, especially during this season of giving, because providing someone the gift of mobility is life-changing—not just for them, but for everyone around them.   Some recepients of the generosity of Limbs For Humanity   But today's episode shifts from giving in a material way to giving with your presence. And this message hit me hard after hosting my annual Christmas cookie exchange. Every year I throw two big gatherings—one for Halloween, which I love, and one for the holidays with my cookie exchange. This year my home was filled with gorgeous faces, familiar laughter, new friends I hadn't seen in years, women who traveled across town because they wanted to be part of something meaningful and joyful. I spent days creating handmade crafts—because I love creating in bulk and making unique gifts for people—but what filled my soul wasn't the crafts, or the cookies, or the decorations. It was the simple act of seeing people show up.   Friends and the Power of Connections Making gifts brings me joy and keeps me active and positive on harder days       There's something incredibly powerful about people choosing to be present, especially during one of the busiest months of the year. And that's when it clicked for me: as much as we talk about being present during the holidays, it's the very thing we often lose our grip on the fastest. Being present doesn't erase the pain, struggles, or discomfort—especially for amputees. As amputees, we know there's rarely a day when something in our body isn't weird, uncomfortable, painful, or frustrating. Phantom pain hits out of nowhere. The socket might feel too tight, too loose, too heavy, too something. Sometimes sitting on the couch at night feels uncomfortable. Sometimes the good leg takes a beating and we're reminded of how much pressure it carries. Pain is real, and it can take center stage quickly. But being present doesn't mean focusing on the pain of the moment—it means choosing what part of the moment gets your attention. Yes, we can distract ourselves. I do it all the time: I hit the gym, work on crafts, visit my horses, pour myself into hobbies, or push through discomfort because I refuse to let it control me. But there's a difference between distraction and presence. Distraction removes us from the moment; presence anchors us in it. Presence says: Yes, I hurt—but I'm still here. Yes, this is hard—but there is beauty in this moment too.       And this is where so many amputees get stuck. We become hyper-aware of how we feel… constantly. How does this feel now? What about now? Is this getting worse? Is this going to ruin the day? We begin measuring moments by levels of pain rather than levels of joy. And that traps us in waiting mode—waiting for a better moment instead of living the one we're in. But the present is a gift—that's why it's called the present. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We are not even guaranteed the next hour. What we do have is right now.

  Helping Those in Need     December is finally here, and with it comes the beautiful chaos of the holiday season. In my house, it's full-blown hysteria—parties, travel, gifts, deadlines, and the constant juggling act that December always brings. But this particular week holds special meaning because it's Giving Tuesday, and today's episode carries a message that sits deeply in my heart: the power, privilege, and pricelessness of mobility. If you're listening for the first time, I'm an above-knee amputee. My amputation took place in December of 2018 after a five-year stretch of pain, surgeries, limited mobility, and a profound loss of the life I once lived. Back in 2013, a taekwondo injury started a domino effect of setbacks—ten surgeries with ten different surgeons, countless appointments, and a knee that eventually functioned at only a twenty-degree range of motion. I couldn't bend my leg normally, and I couldn't straighten it either. Each step felt like walking on different-length legs, which wrecked my back, my neck, and my spirit.   Me, pre-amputation in TaeKwonDo   For five and a half years, I listened to doctors tell me to slow down, ice, elevate, rest, repeat—and none of it worked. Some doctors refused to even see me because my case was too complicated. Some barely looked at me during appointments. One told me that if I amputated, I'd never walk again. I was stuck, physically and emotionally, and I spent so many days crying in the shower, wondering how my entire life had been derailed. I missed out on years of skiing with my young boys. I gained sixty pounds. I feared I might never live actively again.   Getting back to skiing with my family was life changing!   Choosing amputation was my turning point. It was choosing life over fear. And once I connected with my prosthetist team and physical therapists, that hope grew into freedom. They guided me before and after surgery, walked me through what to expect, taught me patience, and helped me understand that amputees go through years of limb changes. In fact, it took me over three years and sixteen sockets before I finally had one that fit consistently. But each step, each adjustment, each hard moment, was worth every ounce of effort.   Day 1 Post-amputation   My 1st check socket!   The first time I stood and walked on my prosthetic, everything changed for me. Mobility wasn't just movement—it was identity, joy, independence, and belonging. My life wasn't over. It was just beginning in a different form. And that brings me to why this episode matters so much. I'm on the board of Limbs for Humanity, a nonprofit founded by my two prosthetists who felt called to bring mobility to underserved communities—places with no prosthetic care and people who cannot afford the basic devices required to walk. They partner with the medical clinic in Rocky Point, Mexico, a place without any prosthetic specialists, and every time they go, 40–60 amputees show up—many who have crutched miles just to be seen. This December, they're returning to Rocky Point with 53 prosthetic legs, ready to restore mobility to 49 individuals, including bilateral amputees and several children. Most of these legs require expensive components: knees, ankles, feet—parts that often cost tens of thousands of dollars. My own prosthetic runs between $60,000 and $75,000. But these men give their time, skills, and hearts to fabricate sockets, assemble devices, fit patients, and teach them to walk again.   A special individual getting fitted for their new sockets- Bi-lateral amputee   The many parts Limbs For Humanity use and are in need of to service all of their patients     That's a lot of socket casts! These are brought home to create the sockets for each individual   Each socket takes 4–5 hours to create, and every leg is custom. And these individuals aren't seeking mobility for recreation or convenience—they want to walk s...

A Thanksgiving Message For Anyone Struggling   Thanksgiving week always makes me pause, breathe, and step back into gratitude, but this year, that feeling hit me in a much deeper way. Maybe it was the timing, maybe it was the experience itself, or maybe it was because of everything that led me here—but this past week in Vegas reminded me exactly why I chose this life, and why I continue to push myself to live amplified, even when it hurts. Our family goes to the Formula One races every year—this was our third—and while we love the energy, the cars, and the whole spectacle of it, it is absolutely not an easy environment for someone with mobility challenges. As an above-knee amputee, I've learned that accessibility can be a coin toss on a good day. Vegas during F1 weekend takes that to a whole different level. Elevators that don't work. Escalators that suddenly shut down. Crowds compressed shoulder to shoulder. Long detours around track barriers. Rain. Stairs. More stairs.     But this year came with a twist. Not only did we pack in a full day of walking, navigating the Strip, dodging people, climbing stairs, and exploring all the fanfare, but that night, after all of that, I finally checked off something that had been sitting on my bucket list for years: going to a Vegas nightclub. And I didn't just go. I went all in—heels, dancing, crowds, the whole thing. What made the night more meaningful was the backdrop of everything my body was going through. My newest socket, trimmed higher because I'd lost some femur during surgery, still hasn't fully broken in. The rubbing along my groin becomes a four-inch strip of fire by the end of the day, the kind of raw, stinging pain that makes even a shower burn. Think blister-on-your-heel level pain, except in a place you can never bandage. Add rain, cold weather, slick sidewalks, and 36,000 steps—the most I've ever walked in a single day even when I had two legs—and you can imagine how I felt by the time we walked into the club. But then the music hit. And the energy shifted. Surrounded by my husband and my kids—my favorite people—and swallowed up in the beat and the lights, I felt alive. Not amputee alive. Not “making the best of it” alive. Just fully, completely alive. In that moment, I didn't care that no one around me knew I was an amputee. I didn't care that all my weight was sinking into my good foot, making my toes tingle with pressure. I didn't care that I had a raw mark on my inner thigh or that I was balancing on heels after a marathon day of movement. I was simply living the moment I had dreamed of for years. And when I finally got home, when I finally took my leg off and felt that flood of relief wash over my whole body, I laid in bed and thought, “This… this is why I chose amputation.” I didn't take my leg off to watch life happen from the sidelines. I didn't choose this path to let pain, friction, or inconvenience dictate my happiness. I chose it to reclaim my life. And nights like that one remind me why I fought so hard to get here. But here's the part I don't ever want people to misunderstand: none of this is easy. I've had people say I make it look effortless, or that they shouldn't complain about their injuries because I “went through so much worse.” But I don't see it that way. I don't compare. I don't downplay anyone's struggle. And I definitely don't wake up immune to the hard parts of this life. What I do wake up with is a mindset that says: I chose this path, so I'm going to show up for it. That mindset is the difference between living fully and shrinking back from life. It doesn't mean there aren't setbacks. There absolutely are. I have blisters. I have raw skin. I have days where I struggle to put my leg on. I have moments where the socket fit isn't perfect. I have times where the thought of stairs makes my stomach drop. But the alternative—the idea of sitting in a hotel room,

Momentum Begins with One Step     As the holidays creep up—and let's be honest, sprint toward us—I always feel that yearly tug in a million different directions. I tell myself, This is the year I'll slow down. This is the year I'll savor the moments. And every year, without fail, I'm suddenly overscheduled, overtired, and fully submerged in the holiday hustle. Maybe you feel that too: the pull to do everything, be everything, and somehow stay balanced through it all. So today, I want to dig into something that feels especially timely: getting started. Not after the holidays, not when life slows down—because we both know it won't—not when it feels convenient or perfect, but now. Because “someday” is the biggest dream-killer we let linger in our lives. If you've followed me through the last five and a half years of this podcast, you already know I'm not a New Year's resolutions girl. I don't believe in them. The moment we attach the idea of January 1st to our goals, we create an escape hatch where quitting feels expected. And most people do quit. Not because their goals weren't worthy, but because the whole concept of a resolution is built around hype, not habit. So let's shift the mindset. Let's reclaim the idea that today is always the right day to begin.   It took a lot of practice in safe areas before I could navigate rugged, mountain terrain.   There's a quote I love by Zig Ziglar: “You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” And it hits me hard every time because I've lived that truth. I think of my husband explaining his work to our boys. Half the time I'm listening like he's speaking another language. I'm not dumb—I'm just not educated in his world. And he'd be just as lost if I handed him a halter and asked him to read a horse's body language. Greatness, skill, confidence—they aren't innate. They're built through countless clumsy, uncertain beginnings.   And yet, I'll be honest with you: I've held myself back from starting things I deeply want to do, simply because I wanted to be great before daring to begin. I didn't want to stumble. I didn't want to look foolish. I didn't want to muddle through the awkward first steps. Sound familiar? But the truth is this: we must begin before we're ready. We must risk the messy beginnings. We must accept that expertise is the reward of showing up, not the prerequisite.     And nowhere has this been more true for me than in my life as an amputee. Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” If that doesn't describe the amputee journey, I don't know what does. Where you are right now might be a hospital bed. It might be a physical therapy room. It might be your living room floor trying to figure out how to put on your first liner. You might be in the trust stage with your prosthesis—or the frustration stage. Maybe both. But wherever you are, you have something you can begin with.   Even in the hospital bed I was journaling, goal setting and reading about ways to attack my goals and letting go of the "Hurry". When I was recovering from surgery this summer, stuck in a hospital bed, I couldn't walk. I couldn't train. I couldn't be in my prosthesis. But I could start lining up appointments. I could coordinate with insurance. I could talk to my prosthetist and prepare for the moment my surgeon cleared me. I wasn't waiting for life to happen to me—I was setting the stage. And when that first prosthesis went on, and it felt like a ten-pound concrete block strapped to my body, all that preparation mattered. My muscles were weak. My endurance was gone. And I had absolutely NO idea how exhausting simply walking to the end of my block would be. But that's where starting came in. I didn't begin by walking miles. I began by walking houses. I didn't build strength through ease. I built it through effort.

Traveling The Yellow Brick Road of Amputee Life   In this episode, I want to talk about one of the biggest learning curves after limb loss — getting fitted for a prosthesis. Nobody really tells you how challenging this part can be. You think, “Okay, I'll get my prosthetic leg or arm, strap it on, and get back to life.” But if only it were that simple, right? The truth is, it's a process — one that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of communication with your prosthetist. When I first started, I honestly thought it was going to be pretty straightforward. They'd take some measurements, make the socket, I'd try it on, and off I'd go. But wow, did I learn quickly that's not how it works. Every limb is unique. Every body changes — sometimes from morning to night. So that “perfect fit” we all hope for doesn't just happen once and stay that way. It's something that evolves. And that means working with your prosthetist becomes this back-and-forth relationship. There's a lot of give and take involved. They're the experts in design and fit, but you are the expert in how it feels — and that matters just as much. Now, I'll admit — in the beginning, I had my fair share of frustration. When the socket rubbed wrong or my limb was sore, I'd get upset and think, “Why isn't this working?” It was easy to blame the prosthesis or think the prosthetist did something wrong. But with time, I started realizing there was a little user error in there too. Sometimes I wasn't putting it on right. Sometimes I didn't pay attention to small aches that turned into bigger problems. And sometimes… I just didn't know what I didn't know. That's a big part of this journey — learning to take accountability where it's due. Not in a shameful way, but in an empowering way. Once we start owning our part in the process, things really start improving. We ask more questions. We write down what we are feeling. We pay attention to pressure spots and skin changes. And most importantly, we communicate all of that clearly with our prosthetist. Change happens! Teamwork and communication are key!   Because here's the thing — they can't feel what you feel. They can't fix what they don't know about. So, if something doesn't feel right, say it. Speak up. Be honest, even if it feels awkward. That's how you get the best outcome. If you're new to being an amputee, remember this: it's okay to not have it all figured out. You're learning. This whole process — from fitting to comfort to walking confidently again — it's a marathon, not a sprint. You'll get there. Just keep showing up, keep asking questions, and keep working with your prosthetist as a team. Because at the end of the day, this isn't just about a prosthesis fitting right — it's about you finding your rhythm again, your confidence, your life. You are a warrior! It's time to unleash that warrior and gain back your independence. Have a beautiful week ahead, and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,

Enjoying Your Life RIGHT NOW   "Want to go for a drive?" This simple phrase sends my pups into a frenzy! Their excitement is overflowing and their  joy is tangible! This energy is what we should be living for each day, but when we are struggling we find ourselves consumed and can only see the problems, to the positives. I remember coming back home after losing my mom. I had spent a full month back in Illinois helping my family navigate our loss and returning to my life here in Arizona seemed surreal. My mom and I were best friends, I called her everyday, mostly just for small talk but she was a great listener in times of need. I vividly remember one day, not long after the funeral, driving in my car and thinking, "I need to call monad tell her about...." when my heart dropped and I realized for the first time that she wasn't ever going to be there again for my call. At that moment I felt the whole world must see the tears streaming down my face and hear my heart ripping in two. At the red light I looked to my left and to my right at the cars on either side of me. I knew they had to be seeing my pain, wondering what could be making me this sad, but instead I saw people in their own world, signing along to music, talking on their phone, laughing with their friends. No one saw my pain! They were living their life, and my life was at a stand still. That was the moment that I realized that no matter what I was going thro9ugh, the world kept going, the hours kept passing, the days kept moving forward. I have never felt so alone in my sorrow as I did in that split second at a red light. What I learned was that no matter what was happening in my life, the world kept turning and I was there and I had purpose. I firmly believe that each morning I wake and have breath in my lungs that I am to serve a purpose. That is the day when my thinking changed and for the better. Yes, I need to deal with my pain, but I cannot let it run my life and destroy my and my goals. Even when things had hit rock bottom for me, with my mom's passing, I had a family, healthy sons, a loving husband, my father. I may have had a bum leg, but I also had creativity, energy, drive, and passion.   My dogs, here,  just living in the present. No looking back and no worrying about tomorrow. My point: No matter what struggles we face in life, we have even more things to be grateful for. We have people in our lives worth fighting for, and we have PURPOSE! So often we forget to find joy in the simple things, especially when we feel frustrated, in pain, or fearful, but they are still their, it's just that our focus has shifted away from good and positive to negativity and al that is falling apart. This week, I want you to find your joy again. I want you to see past your pain and struggles and find the purpose joy my dogs find in an open window on a drive. Find the beauty in the little things and count your blessings!     This week our battlecry is simple: Seek the positive and blessings in your life. Find joy in the small things, don't allow negativity, pain, and fear to derail you so much that you forget to see all the good around you. This is a choice, and one we must profess everyday, lest we forget. Be strong, dear warriors, and find your purpose and passion. This valley will end, as all cycles do in life, just don't sit their waiting for the struggle to end to find happiness, you must seek it now, and when you do you will find that your situation won't feel as bleak and hope will rise up in you.   So get after it and seek the positive. Don't wait to enjoy the drive. Get out there, roll down those windows and let the wind hit your face. I bet you'll feel more alive than ever and find inspiration in your life once again. I pray you find joy in the little things this week and until next time, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,  

Navigating Life When It Falls Off The Rails   Sometimes life takes a turn you never saw coming. One moment everything feels steady, predictable, maybe even comfortable — and then suddenly, the tracks shift, and you're left wondering how to move forward. As an amputee, I've had my share of moments where life completely fell off the rails. Moments that tested not just my strength, but my heart. Let's talk about what it really feels like when life doesn't go the way you hoped, and how I've learned to keep a positive heart posture even in the middle of the mess. I'll share the honest truth — that staying positive isn't about pretending everything's fine. It's about choosing, every single day, to look for the light even when the darkness feels closer. It's about deciding to see possibility instead of limitation, hope instead of defeat. I talk about what helped me shift my mindset from frustration to faith, from “why me?” to “what now?” Because life isn't about avoiding the derailments — it's about how we respond when they happen. I've discovered that when we meet life with an open heart, even the hardest seasons can become our greatest teachers. Having a positive heart posture doesn't mean you won't have bad days. It means you show up anyway. You breathe through the pain, you give yourself grace, and you keep moving forward — even if it's just one step at a time. Through tears, laughter, and maybe a few tough lessons, I've learned that our strength isn't built when everything's going right; it's built in the moments when everything feels like it's falling apart. My hope is that this episode reminds you that no matter where you are in your journey, you can start again. You can choose to rebuild, to believe, and to live with a heart that stays open to joy, even when life doesn't go as planned. Because sometimes, when life falls off the rails, it's just leading us to a new and unexpected destination — one that's even more beautiful than before. This week I want you to end your day writing down 3 things you are grateful for. Do this every day and see if it doesn't help you shift your perspective and get you into a more positive mindset and heart posture. Who knows, this may become your new norm and a habit you carry through life! Sometimes you'll find it hard, in the midst of struggle, to see the positive but if you really search I know you can find 3 things that are positives in your life. Dig deep and search your heart. I pray you have a blessed week ahead, and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!! Much love,

Defining Success As An Amputee       What is success? Can any one person define success for the world? Of course not! As an amputee we need to remember that. Success id what you make of your life and where you'll find contentment and happiness behind what you do and accomplish. For some of us it's walking for the first time without assistance. For others it's wearing their prosthesis all day long. And yet for others, it's getting back to work, or the gym. Facing fears has become our new norm. I remember, when I first got my leg, that every time I went walking inside or outside of my house I had fear well up inside of me and I had to battle it so it didn't paralyze me and leave me stuck, immobile. It takes time. It takes courage, but remember your journey is yours. I know people see amputees walking around in the world like it's a piece of cake but the reality is we all start over and learn to walk again. Some people charge forward determined to walk again while others are fearful and apprehensive to don their new leg and trust it. It takes time. It takes practice.   This was my very first test socket, using parallel bars for support, and yes, I was scared!   So what's the difference on those who walk and those who struggle? First is mindset, the voice inside your head that is stubborn and tells you, "Yes, you can!" That's a great voice to have, a positive one. Listen to that voice. Second, those who find success not only have that positive mindset they also set goals with timelines/deadlines. They are determined to accomplish, despite fears (and yes, we have fears when trying new things, failing, picking ourselves up and trying again-that's how we learn and improve). Third, they don't compare themselves to others. They find joy in their own accomplishments as they improve each day, whatever their goals may be. What you CAN do are endless possibilities. Like the caterpillar, you need time to become that butterfly.   You can do whatever you put your mind too. However, make sure you are realistic with your goals and timelines. After amputation you may feel stuck or defeated because you had no idea how long healing would take, or how a socket would feel on your own flesh, or even how heavy it would be to manipulate because you got weak while you waited to heal.  Just because you were an amazing walker with 2 legs doesn't mean post amputation is going to be like riding a bike (by the way, post amputation biking riding is also a new challenge, like everything else). You must relearn how to walk because it IS different than before. Cut yourself some slack. Understand that fears are common and the only way to your goal will be through some of those fears. But I can promise you, facing fears to reach your goals, no matter how big or small they are, will be one of the most rewarding things you'll feel. Just don't give up. Dig deep and know you are capable. You may be needing to take baby steps to push through, but take them. You will fail and you will fall, but that is how you learn. Pick yourself back up and go at it again, and again, and again.   Hiking is my favorite activity but is exhausting. The terrain is uncertain but I worked hard to be able to get to this point.     Let's do this! Change your mindset to positive mode! Decide what you most want to achieve. WRITE IT DOWN! Set that goal and a plan on how to achieve it. If you want to wear your leg all day but aren't wearing it at all now then start by saying: Day 1 I will wear it 2 hours around the house (use assistive devices if you are concerned) but wear it! Sit in it, stand in it, mosey around your house with it on. Day 2 wear it for more time, don't take it off, even if you only wear it 10 minutes longer than yesterday you still improved! Continue on that path. Always adding more time, staying in it longer and walking where you are safe.

Let's Get Real     You've been through a lot. You had an amputation, you've healed, you've gotten fitted for your first socket. Today you go in to put it all together and walk out the door and on with your life, right? Easy Peasy! Yes! It's the most exciting, most freeing day in an amputee's life, for most people, however it doesn't end there, and it doesn't just magically take you back to "normal". Managing expectations and understanding how the journey is different for everyone will be helpful for your mental game. First off, you need to understand that sockets make or break your experience with using a prosthesis. Just because you have the best foot or microprocessor knee (MPK) doesn't mean you'll be successful or walk better. Many aspects will factor in to how you handle your prosthesis.   Your prosthetist and his/her skills at listening to you, observing you and creating a socket that is best suited for you is so very important. Also important is your volume change, healing, and pain level. Even if you have the best, most attentive prosthetist (like my guys, Randy and David at The Limb Center) who have created the most intimate socket for you, taking into account your contours and sensitivity, doesn't mean that when you get your final socket you'll be off and running. There are many aspects of those first 1-2 weeks of wearing the new socket that you will have to work through.   First, putting it on for the first time will take practice and more practice. Putting it on and off multiple times each morning wouldn't be uncommon. It is not Lego pieces that snap together perfectly, your limb will conform  and fill your new socket better over time and your inner socket will mold to your limb over time and make it easier to put it on correctly the first time each morning. Next, you will find that anything manmade isn't perfect, even a remake of your test socket into a final socket, even though the same mold is used. This means that even if your test socket is feeling like the right fit, you'll find that your final socket is a little different. It feels different, fits different, and can cause new rubs and rashes. It's crazy, but by the end of my very first day in my brand new socket it was falling off....even though I was wearing my test sockets everyday, all day, for several weeks. My volume changed! Finally, the best thing you can do is to continue to wear your socket to see what it's doing, how it's fitting, where it rubs or creates issues on your skin. My prosthetist always says 72 hours is a good gauge of how it REALLY is going to fit you. In 72 hours you can really test it and find how it functions in different situations and at different times of the day. Let's face it, our bodies change throughout the day, and from day to day. To truly be able to communicate clearly what changes need to be made to your socket you have to put it to the test and make notes of what and where you are feeling things.     It would be so nice to receive your brand new leg and be off to the races but that is not reality for amputees. So many things can change and alter our fit, from one socket to the next, and from day to day and hour to hour. All you can do is learn patience and communicate clearly to your prosthetist so they know what you are feeling and what you need. I went back to my guys two times, already, after wearing my brand new leg for 5 days. This is a process. When you know this you can avoid some of the frustrations associated with socket fitting, and avoid feeling all alone in this journey. We all have some sort of adjustment to make once we get our "final"socket. And the fact is, when you are in your first 2-3 years post-amputation as soon as you get a socket you'll have outgrown it so quickly that you'll feel like you never even had a chance to really break it in and get use to it before it's time for a new one.  

Taking Action During "Construction"     We are all a work in progress. That's life, right? We all have those moments where you feel you are working on something in your life. Your health, a career, or relationships, you name it. But what do you do in these moments? How do you continue to grow and better yourself during the construction? It all starts within you. We begin by working on ourselves. Right now, while I would rather be working out, being with my horses, and hiking, I can barely walk around my house due to having to use a test socket that is uncomfortable and rubbing me raw. And during this time, I am feeling miserable! I was trying to kick start my health since surgery but have hit moments where I need to work on patience, and heal. Now I feel so far removed from being in shape and that takes a toll on my mental game. Now that I'm in this situation I cannot get to my horses because it's too hard to walk on normal surfaces, imagine walking across uneven ground of rock, sand and dirt.     This is my time to focus on my thoughts and heart. This is a time I am put into a slow down phase and being led to work on what I can.   How do we go about working on ourselves? We start with seeing the good in the world, seeing the good in our situation and finding joy in the moment despite your circumstances. Next we can assume the best, meaning when we assume the best in a person we can control our emotions much better which leads us to less anger and frustration and more joy. Finally, we must act!       This week we must ACT! Not when we feel it or when joyfulness is in us, but rather right now! Maybe you are struggling or hurting right now. This is the time to look outside of yourself and your situation and reach out to another human, your neighbor, to spread joy and positivity. Maybe you check in on a neighbor, share a conversation and a smile. Take care of your support system around you: your spouse, family member, a friend. Let them know you care and are grateful for all they have done for you. Maybe you see someone struggling in a parking lot, getting groceries in their car. Spend time spreading love and helpfulness by giving them a hand. It doesn't take money or a lot of time, it just takes your attention and to show someone, "Hey, I see you. Thank you for all you do. Let me help you".   Whatever you do, do in love, with patience, kindness, and selflessly. When we give of ourselves, we share love, we show our humanity, and we spread goodness into the world. The world could use that right about now. Imagine if everyone looked inward and made changes on themselves. Imagine the kind of world we would live in with that kind of kindness being spread! Wouldn't that be something! So, Dear Warriors, what are you going to do while you are under construction this week? How can you make a difference in spite of your circumstances? When you focus on others you take the focus off of yourself and it allows you to get out of your own head and release what has been holding you back in your "construction time" and place it elsewhere. What you will see is that your life will be enriched and fuller. Your joy will overflow when you bring joy to others. Try it and get back to me! Let me know how it's going. I'm rooting for you, Warriors! You are strong.  You are special. You are loved! Have a blessed week ahead, and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,          

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Must Begin With a Single Step -Lao Tzu.   Traveling is exciting but can also be stressful. Packing the right clothing for the weather, the events, and what makes you feel amazing. You try to pack neatly and concisely so you can pack everything you want and need. As an amputee, things become a little more confusing and worrisome. What will you need? What MUST come with? What if this happens or that happens? All of a sudden, packing and traveling becomes almost impossible. How will you ever pack for every situation with the space you have? There are so many rules with TSA and airports. There are so many unknowns in hotels. Knowing how to navigate these specifics with travel comes with experience. You learn more, for your unique situation, as you go but we can also help each other as we gain our own understanding and experiences. Today I share my tips and tricks and my own experiences from the years of traveling, especially by plane, to help you on your own journey in hopes that you can enjoy your time more and worry less. As you travel more you will become less worried about the process and be able to focus on the trip, and enjoy making memories. You will find ways to make each trip a little more efficient and packing a little more streamlined. If you are traveling soon, by plane, give yourself plenty of time the first few trips so you don't feel rushed or miss your flight. Don't be too proud to use a wheelchair as you go through airports, and make sure you bring your basic amputee necessities. I kept a list that I accumulated as I went (things I realized I needed but never thought of or forgot in the beginning), this way I could check off the items I needed each time I packed for a trip. It eventually became unnecessary after traveling many times over the years. Traveling should be a way to unwind and enjoy life after all you've been through. When you're ready to begin travels, don't be held back by fears, just charge forward and live! It's time to experience life and move forward from your amputation. Go enjoy the world and make memories! "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." -John A. Shedd     You were built for more than sitting around and wishing for more. You were meant to experience it! Go out and enjoy these moments now and chase down those dreams!   Go out, Warriors, and explore the world. You deserve it! And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,    

Setting Goals & Thinking Positively to Live The Life of Your Dreams     Successful people know how to succeed and what it takes to succeed. So what is it? What do they know that you don't? Everyone knows that hard work pays off and that practice makes permanence. But what separates you from someone who is doing the very thing you want to do, too? Now, of course there is DNA involved in some of that, talent can be passed down from generation to generation, however, I'm talking about post amputation, and how one person adjusts to this new life better than others. What separates THOSE people? I would agree that mindset and visualization is a huge factor. I know we all come to amputation differently, and our circumstances are all totally different. Even our support system looks different from one person to the next, but those aren't what make it or break it for us. You have seen stories of people overcoming the worst odds and overcoming horrendous circumstances to find success. What is their secret sauce to breaking free? It is their grit and their determination for their situation NOT to define them, and not to inhibit them and their desires. That comes from having an intense desire to achieve, to prove people wrong, to dream despite where they are right now. They don't allow their circumstance to define their future and their life. they rise above those circumstances, DESPITE them! HOW? They have a desire and a yearning to prove the world wrong. They want to live. They want to reach their goals. They want to LIVE the life they still want. It truly comes down to the fight within and then making a plan and then executing that plan. Mindset matters! When things start to get hard what do you do? Do you buckle down and press in harder or do you cave in to the pressure? Do you write down your goals and no matter what, keep forging forward despite how today feels or do you cry "Uncle" and say it just isn't meant to be? That is the difference. Each of us will have great days, those are the days we can easily see us reaching our goals and the days that feed us happy thoughts and optimism. But, the really champions are made on the hard days! The hard days are when sickness knocks you down, or when your leg hurts too much to want to put on your socket. It's the days when a setback happens like an infection or a revision surgery and dreams get deferred. Where are you on THOSE days? Did you give up or adjust your timeline? Did you see this moment as the roadblock to giving up, or just the next challenge you are ready to hit head on? Everyone has those days, but those that want to succeed find a way to get through them. Mindset matters! Self talk matters. I believe we all have the fight within us, but our priorities are different. We all have a desire to succeed, but only some want it bad enough to keep getting up when they get knocked down. When we have our bad days, or days of struggles, that is when we choose the path. Do we want our goals and dreams bad enough to fight through the hard days, or does that just exhaust us and we raise the white flag in surrender? Same goes with how we see ourselves. When we feel great about how we look, how clothes fit, and feel good about who looks back at us in the mirror, we feel on top of the world, but the moment we have an uncomfortable feeling or a change in perspective we become harsh with ourselves and show zero grace. That's when I find negativity can destroy all we have been working towards. In the end, we all have ebbs and flows in our views of ourselves, our looks, our accomplishments at the moment. One moment we feel amazing about what we've accomplished, like walking a mile in our prosthesis, to all of a sudden feeling inferior because we allowed comparison and negativity into our minds. This is self destructive behavior, and we can all fall into it.

Healing Physically, Adapting Mentally and Emotionally   Amputation isn't just the act of amputating a limb. It isn't just surgery, heal, and walk. This is a process. It takes time, money, patience, and a whole lot of grit! Unfortunately, most patients that knowingly go into amputation surgery can't comprehend the struggles to come. For those who didn't choose or prep for amputation, they have no idea of the life that's ahead of them. For them, their emotional and mental state need to heal first, while they wait for their physical healing. They had their life torn apart by disease or war or an accident. Whichever category you fall into know that you will get through this but it takes time, and commitment. You will need to work on, what I feel are, the four major components of successfully navigating amputee life: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Financial. Physical: Obviously, you will take time to heal. You will need to learn to rebalance with less weight on one side of your body and also how to get around with crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. You need to heal your incision but also the bone, muscle, and tissue. It was told to me that true healing takes up to 12 months. Within that time you will also experience new sensations and possibly phantom pains, all of which you will learn to adapt and work through. The whole wearing of a shrinker and then being cleared for a socket is a whole other side of the physical aspect you will need to come to grips with.     Mental: As an elected amputee I had four months to prepare my mind for what was to come. I could ask questions, meet people, find peace with my decision, and set my future goals and dreams. Setting goals and daring to dream of a brighter future post-amputation is invaluable and can set you up for success. Manifesting your own destiny with a powerful and positive mindset is key! Get your mental game lined up as soon as you can.     Emotional: Being ready to face your new life and new look is extremely important. Understanding how to deal with some of the struggles and hurdles you will face is hard to prepare for ahead of time, just know that when you do face a hardship that you need to take a step back, take a deep breathe and understand that these moments will end and good times will happen again. This journey is filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, pains and peace. If you have dealt with an amputation due to someone else's negligence, like an accident you were involved in, then you may have some extra baggage to address with your emotions, anger and hate. These emotions are poison to your healing. They can create some major problems for you and ultimately stifle your level of success as an amputee. Letting go of negativity will allow for healing and growth.     Insurance/Money: My general practitioner gave me great advice ahead of my surgery, to contact my insurance company so I knew and understood my coverage and the rules of external prosthesis, but even then I got the short end of the stick (listen in to hear what happened!). Remember that prosthetics are your new 'forever', being able to afford them or having coverage for them is highly important. Be prepared for what's to come so you don't feel like you've been duped. The reality is that you may be looking to get a new one every 3 years (most prosthetics have a 3 year warranty-at least that's what I deal with as an above knee amputee with MPKs). I wished more people had some of these basic facts before their surgery, but you learn as you go, that's how my journey happened, and is still happening. Everyone's experience is different, and you need to do what you need to do to embrace your new life as an amputee. The best teacher is time and experience.         This week is simple in detail but tough to execute. Look yourself in the mirror and address what weakness you have and where you struggle the ...

Knowing Who and What To Ask About Amputation     Becoming an amputee is so surreal. Electing to have it done is a choice I never thought I would have to make. It brings about fears, anxieties, questions, and so much uncertainty. How do you know life will be better? What if I can't wear a prosthesis? Will I walk again or will I be in a wheelchair the rest of my life? How long does it take to heal from an amputation Do I get a leg right away? Is walking like riding a bike, easy once you do it again? How do I find a prosthetist? Do I need to go to PT while I'm healing or after I get a leg? So many questions, yet so many more that you may not even be thinking of. How do you know what to ask your doctor? What type of doctor is best for this surgery? Who is the most important person in your life right now, or how about in 5-10 years? Most of these questions I, myself, didn't even know that I had because I didn't know I needed to ask them. But I got lucky, or maybe it was fate. My surgeon was amazing. He sent me to the best prosthetist in town at The Limb Center. The Limb Center sent me to an amazing, caring physical therapist at Touchstone Rehabilitation. They were my team, and besides my family, they were my biggest supporters and fighters for my life, dreams, and goals.   Listen in today, and please share this episode with someone you know is going through, or about to go through, amputation. It may give them a better than fighting chance of knowing more about what is to come and allow them to find greater success as an amputee. We all have a warrior spirit within us just waiting to be called out. You need to educate yourself, and learn to fight for the life you want. Now is the time to be that warrior, so rise up, dear Warrior, and pave the path to your successes. I hope you find something that helps you, motivates you, and supports you in this episode. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Have a blessed week ahead. And as always,   Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,                  

  This has been a weekend! Everything was set up perfectly. A family getaway for a long weekend, before our youngest goes back to college, and bringing the dogs to see the ocean for the first time. I couldn't be happier! We got to Carlsbad, California Friday late afternoon and took our pups for a walk. Dinner came and we fed them as normal but around 9:00 pm my year and half old pup started acting really weird, almost drunk. She tanked quickly after that, just as my boys were arriving. I called the All night pet ER and asked a few questions and was told by the doctor on call that she could've gotten into illicit drugs around the beach! Are you kidding me?!?!? We took off for the clinic and when we arrived her heart rate was 160! They gave her a sedative and took a urine sample to test. We held her and waited. They continued to monitor her heart rate, which thankfully came back down to 70-80 bpm. This is how our family vacation started! Needless to say I was completely stressed out and afraid for our pup. we brought her home where I monitored her all night long with no sleep.... Now let's get to the pain part of this story.   Don't get wrapped up in the moment of pain. Look out and see the beauty around you and a future that will get better.   This was the first full day in my newest socket since my surgery, add in the stress from the night and Saturday was painful! Phantom pains grew and I started to get a raw mark on my thigh from the top of the socket, plus for added fun, a stomach ache. I was a hot mess! I did everything in my power to stay positive, deep breathing often and enjoying our beautiful view, but damage was done. I didn't get in the steps I had hoped I would get this weekend but I will take a small win- I wore my prosthesis everyday all day, even when I just wanted to take it off. I let my husband know the pain I was in on Sunday as our kids were packing up to leave for home. I wanted him to know why I was a bit quieter than normal but that was it. I didn't speak of it any other time, why? I won't allow pain to gain power on my life. Even on those hard days. If it's so bad that I can't walk then I focus on what I can do to have a "win" in my corner-wearing it all day. Our mind is so very powerful and when we allow pain to take over, consuming us, talking about it often and at every turn, that's not healing that's sabotaging yourself. It's ok to get quiet in those moments and allow yourself to muscle through hard times, just know that they will pass but talking about them can set you back and hold you down, downing you in the pain. It can be almost impossible to see a light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do to help yourself in the midst of pain? Do you give yourself grace knowing it's a part of life or do you get consumed by pain? What are steps you take to get your mind right when it seems impossible? Do you have a good support system to help you navigate life during these trials? Don't give up, Warrior, this too shall pass. Reach out and tell me how you are managing your setbacks. And remember, you are stronger than you think. Have a blessed week and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,          

That is the Question Amputation is a difficult road, one that can change direction quickly, even after you heal. For many amputees the surgical side of their life isn't over. Many of us end up needing a TMR surgery or even a revision, while others will have to amputate even higher! Going from a below knee to an above knee amputation is life changing because one amputation is completely different from the next. What is required of you to be able to walk again, heal again, and trust again takes its toll. So why do revisions happening? Why are they required for so many? For some people their bone density is compromised. For others, bones spurs grow causing pain, And still others, myself included, find foreign objects left in their limb that no longer serve a purpose and only cause distress for the nerves. There are so many reasons that revision is brought up in doctor offices around the world and so many amputees who find it hard to wrap their head around being opened up again.     This past summer, just 8 weeks ago, I had this very choice. I was a possible candidate for an experimental surgery that I wasn't sure the rewards were worth the risks, until we did a CT scan finding a foreign object coming out of my femur, causing the pains I have been dealing with for 6 years! But what if your story isn't so clear cut? How do you decide that revision is right for you?       Make a list of pros and cons about your revision. Compare them and talk about them with your family and the people who support you. Be open minded, not all revisions are necessary and timelines change. Allow the chips fall where they may and be attentive to what's going on around you: how have you been feeling, how's the pain, is there something specific that you really must have done (maybe you have an underlying infection-you don't want to wait on that one), maybe you've been promised a “nicer” looking residual limb. Whatever it is, weigh that in your mind and on your list, and ask, is it necessary, and if the surgery doesn't go as planned are you ready for that outcome? And finally, something I've always believed in, Mindset and Manifestation.     Make your decision then, if you're going for it, leave the “what if's” behind and start setting your goals and VISUALIZING your successes post-revision. Your brain is powerful and where you led it, it will follow! You are stronger than you know, dear Warrior!!! It's time to rise up! Have a blessed day, And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!   Much love,  

Amputation is a tough road. If you make the decision to amputate or if your limb is taken from you by accident or disease it's a bumpy ride, right from the get go. Most people assume that once you get through the surgical part and physically heal that you are back to life as usual. that couldn't be farther from the truth. As an amputee with 6 1/2 years of experience I can tell you that once I healed and was able to get fitted with a prothesis my journey of ups and downs was just beginning. The one aspect that I am extremely grateful to my GP for pointing out to me was insurance. Even though I had my head wrapped around the idea of taking my leg, and I knew I had the grit and determination to tolerate all the limb changes that were coming, I needed to be sure that A) I knew what type of prosthesis I needed to live an active life and B) that my insurance covered it. What I fought for:             This was the beginning of the most emotional and draining 4 weeks of my life. This was a fight I wasn't prepared for, even though I thought I was. This week I take you through what I did to cover myself, (or at least thought that I was covered), what happened that spun me out of control for 4 weeks, and how I bounced back to fight for the leg I needed to live a good and healthy life. You may have to deal with this for yourself or someone you love, it's good information, and from someone who now has to fight every 3 years to get the leg she needs to be mobile and I hope that my story helps you in your fight. "No"should never be the answer when someone wants to be as mobile and healthy as they can be. We must learn how to prepare to face the insurance giants and how they work so we can be ready to stand up for ourselves and the lives we want to lead. It's no easy task but it is one worth our time and energy. Remember the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?" That became my motto that entire month I fought for my prosthesis. Are you facing this blockade in your future, or even right now? Check out how I went to battle and what you can do to prepare yourself.     Let's get prepared! First, understand your insurance plan. Look for what is covered under external prosthesis devices and what is needed to be approved, usually notation from doctor of it being "medically necessary". Second, get with your prosthetist and find out exactly what type of prosthesis you'll be getting according to what your lifestyle was, what you dream of doing, and what you will be capable of (Usually you'll take a K level test to determine your ability-my PT did this with me). Third, get the code(s) that can be tricky and denied by most insurances and start making the call to your insurance company and ask if it's covered by your insurance. I even went to the extreme of calling my insurance company multiple times over the 4 months before my surgery to hear different employees tell me that "Yes, that code is covered." Now they had it on recorded phone calls (Important to know that all calls are recorded, however, if you ask for the recordings they will tell you that your lawyer will have to file for them!!! Yes, I asked because I thought I was going to have to sue them for undo stress!). This should be a great start to getting your approval, but even though I did all of these things, I actually got a big 'ole "NO!" after my amputation... and while I had done my due diligence I hadn't planned on my insurance company changing the wording on my plan after the first of the year to NOT include the code that was previously approved. These are the unknowns you can't prepare for but must find it in yourself to fight beyond that. You need to connect with people that can help, your doctor, your prosthetist, the prosthetic company even has their own insurance coordinator, and MAKE IT PERSONAL! I made sure the calls I made to supervisors every day that month tha...

Letting Go and Leaning In   I have been an amputee for 6 1/2 years, but before that I had a taekwondo injury that took me through 5 years, 10 surgeons and 10 surgeries, plus a blood clot to decide it was time to start living again and make the biggest decision of my life. Alone in the decision, I was not. I had an amazing support system with my husband, two boys and my family back home. I had friends rallying around me and a church I belonged to. However, I was exhausted. I had put so much energy into saving my leg that I had depleted all of my positivity and resolve. How was I ever going to come terms with cutting off my leg? Today I want to share with you all my story of Faith. I feel it is time to be true to myself and honor my beliefs. I could NOT have done this without my “Secret Sauce”. I get asked a lot how I handled making this big decision and how I keep going despite the pains and trials of being one leg down. I did NOT do it alone, but it takes something more than cheerleaders in my life. No, my “secret sauce” is greater than anything else, greater than my own drive or perfectionism. I needed to find peace and purpose in my decision. If you are struggling my hope is that this brings some answers and help for you. Maybe you are curious as to where my positivity comes from or my resolve. Today I share my profound experience with my Faith that changed EVERYTHING in a moment…and I have never looked back. I hope my experience helps you and opens a door you never knocked on. Let me know. Reach out to me with your own profound experience with faith over fear, or just let me know how you struggle. I would love to help you through my own challenges. There is no need to go it alone or to feel abandoned. You have a great cheer;eager in your corner that wants you to live a great life. Trust and look up, Warriors!   I hope you all have a blessed day and as always, ‘Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be You!!   Much love,

We Need Each Other     We are creatures built to live in community. This gives us a safe place to celebrate in great times, gain support in the bad ones, and everything in between. Talking with people, sharing our journeys and stories, our ups and downs with others, plus listening to our friends and community during their moments is a beautiful symphony of give and take that allows us to feel valued and to give value to others. I feel that when I hear people struggling that the one thing they are missing is connections with others and the outside world. I notice that about me too. This past week after sutures were removed I decided I was in need of MY community,  the gym.   First day back at the gym since surgery on June 20   Despite the nerves I was feeling about walking thru the doors, missing my leg and clomping around on crutches, I felt at home and ready to push myself again. People who knew me "showed up" for me with thumbs up, smiles, and positive comments that made me feel valued and supported. I was on cloud nine and pumped to be back again! Those endorphines were ROCKIN'! How about you? Are you feeling alone and stuck? Check below for some tips:     You were meant to deal with life in a community. It doesn't have to be huge, just people who love you, support you, are real with you, and hear you. It is also. place where you can reciprocate those values through being a great listener. Remember; Give and Take. So this week, FIND YOUR COMMUNITY! Women amputees, join my virtual meet ups through Facebook Events on Zoom, every Wednesday at either 4:00 pm or 8:00 pm EDT. Pick up the phone and connect with a friend. Get back to what you love, even if you're on crutches or in a wheelchair. Time to ditch the vanity, and embrace the moment you are in right now, it won't be forever. And if it is, even more reason to embrace it NOW! This is you, time to move forward. If you like the gym, find a way to get there. If you love book clubs, join one and create a new community for yourself. Maybe you have a neighbor who would love some company, wouldn't you? It's time! Community also means you have people from whom you can ask help. I know for many of us, asking for help looks like we are conceding and are weak, but I am learning that asking for help is a sign of growth and knowing that in this moment, I can't do everything I want to be able to do. You aren't giving up or quitting, just accepting limits right now. So get out there, connect, make new friends, reach out to old ones and live your life where you are at right now! Don't wait for things to be perfect, that time will never come. Make your life what you want, start now. Rise up, dear Warriors, you are worthy!   Have a blessed week. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!   Much love,      

The AMI Procedure and Magneto Micrometry   This week I was honored to have back on my podcast, Dr Hugh Herr. Hugh is a bilateral below knee amputee and a professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT. He directs the MIT Biomechatronics Group and Co-directs the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics. Time Magazine coined Hugh the 'Leader of the Bionic Age'. He has also authored and co-authored over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and patents, chronicling the science and technology behind his many innovations. Dr. Hugh Herr is, in short, making huge contributions in the amputee community, giving amputees a hopeful future in living active and healthy lives. Today, we discuss the AMI procedure (agonist-antagonist myoneural interface) which is the surgery I just had done in Boston with Dr Matthew Carty (co-creator of this surgery with Hugh) on June 20. I was back in the MIT Media Lab over a year and a half ago, when I first met Hugh while I was a control group to test their bionic knee based on my traditional amputation. Little did I know that less than two years later I would undergo groundbreaking surgery to improve my limb and prepare my body to use the myoneural knee that is soon to be made commercial. This is exciting and unbelievable technology that brings hope and excitement to me, as an amputee, because we are going to see a huge change in our mobility based on this type of procedure plus the bionics, 3D printed sockets, and the Magneto Micrometry that is coming out of MIT!   Hugh working with a PhD student on the "bionic" knee. Photo credit. Jimmy Day/MIT Media Lab   Amputees, get excited for what is coming! Our future looks so bright and we are going to have technology on our side so we can reach our goals and dream big dreams!   Listen in as Hugh takes us through everything coming down the MIT Media Lab pipeline and how it'll work together to make us stronger, healthier, and more capable than ever before! Warriors, this is incredible and inspiring! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Hugh, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak with me and bring more visibility to our future as amputees and for all the innovations and dedication to making us more complete and more than capable than we ever thought possible. We appreciate you and all of your students and colleagues at MIT and MassGeneral.   For more information on the AMI procedure check out my June 9, 2025 episode with Dr. Matthew Carty HERE And for a more in depth conversation with Dr. Hugh Herr about his journey, you can listen HERE   If you have any questions or thoughts on these technological advancements, please reach out to me and let's have a conversation! Hope you all have a beautiful week ahead. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,  

Life after Revision Surgery for an Amputee     I must have been crazy, right? To CHOOSE to revise my amputation! To go from being uber active to starting over?!?! Golfing on Kauai   Having fun catching waves   At the beginning of this interview process, to be eligible for the AMI procedure, I was very interested in the idea of being a part of something so "cutting edge" (pun intended) and chose to continue through the several interview steps to see if I was even eligible. When it came down to having to go out to Boston for a face to face interview I knew that it was getting very real and that the decision to have it done was going to be all mine. That's when I started to second guess myself and the reason why I would want to go through that again. Decisions need to be made, but with a good, clear reason and with no doubts. I couldn't do something like that again, and have my family be put out because of it... and what if? What if I was as good as I could get? What if I feel more phantom pains? What if, this time I get an infection and start down a harder road than ever before? I will tell you that I never put those questions in my head or spoke of them before the surgery, but the reality is, those are the concerns that hide in the dark, when you are anxious, vulnerable, weak. These are the doubts that create fear, and then stop us from charging forward and achieving greatness. Needless to say, my CT scan showed something that had to be dealt with that had nothing to do with the AMI and everything to do with the pains I had been dealing with for 6 years! THAT was what made my decision one I was at peace with. Now here I am 3 weeks post-op. Starting PT the day after surgery and having those flooding pains upon walking   My biggest support and the guy who has always had my back!

Starting Over Isn't Easy   Who would choose to take a harder road, isn't life hard enough? And who would decide to start over after working hard to be high functioning? What would possess someone to put that sort of challenge in front of them? Last October I was approached by Dr. Carty's office, in Boston, if I was interested in doing a study with them. I decided to learn more and had an hour long phone interview with his assistant. This interview led to a second interview with Dr. Carty himself, which inevitably led to a final face-to-face appointment with Dr. Carty, and a decision had to be made.   Dr. Matthew Carty   Ironically, before having the initial interview I was doing just fine where I was. Yes, I had pains, but I thought they were pretty normal and unavoidable for an amputee. However, from October to January I started having more pains and some really strong break through pains, finally ending with a huge blister on the end of my residual limb. That's what led to my prosthetist making me a new socket. My thoughts were leaning more towards doing this study, which entailed reopening my original amputation and having some reconstruction done. I knew something wasn't totally right in my limb so I asked to be checked for a possible neuroma when I went in for my face-to-face appointment. If something showed up then I was ready to have the surgery, and sure enough we found something.... There was a foreign object hanging out of my femur with a bursa surrounding it!!! I was stunned and decided right there that I was going through with this surgery.   Post surgery walk with PT   It seems pretty obvious to have a surgery, but the fact is, it was a big decision. This not only affects me but also my family. It also sets me back several months and begins the process again as if I am a new amputee. That is quite the undertaking, for a second time, and I'm not getting any younger. So why? Released from the hospital-the smile says it all!   My belief is that we can learn so much about ourselves when we face adversity. We also grow so much more when we are up against hard times. Since becoming an amputee back in 2018 I have met some amazing people, found a deeper and more meaningful purpose in helping people, started this podcast and created a women's chat group. My life became richer and changed me, and I saw what I was meant to do in this life. With this mindset I couldn't help but see God's hand in this setup this time around and I truly am sitting here ready to accept the challenge, grow stronger and spiritually deeper, and accept what is to come, knowing that there is a greater plan for me than I could ever imagine. I wait excitedly for who will come into my life and how this new path will mold and change me.   Life on one leg again... this will be at least an 8 week lifestyle.   I accept this challenge with the hopes of becoming a better person and gain more experiences to help others. This is why I chose a harder path, the path that includes pain, setbacks, change and uncertainty. I believe that growth happens when we step out of our comfort zone and take chances. I believe God has a plan that is far greater than I could ever create or imagine. I choose to believe that I am a warrior, ready for the fight and ready to rise up again, stronger and even better than before. How about you? Are you ready to accept the challenge that is in front of you?   Are you in a place that you have a setback? Are you struggling to find the motivation to rise up and unleash the warrior within you? This week I want you to focus on 2 things: Your nighttime and morning rituals. If you are like me you probably check your phone before bed and also when you get up in the morning. I am going to challenge both you and I to adjust this. At night before you fall asleep look at your calendar for tomorrow.

AMI Procedure and The Future of Amputations Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital   "For 200 years there has been no real difference in amputation; it's technique and how it's done." Do you know anything in our world that hasn't evolved in 200 years? No! This was a statement that Dr. Carty stated today in our conversation and I was in disbelief. How could that be? With so many engineering marvels happening at an exorbitant rate it is only natural to turn our eyes on the other side of this coin, the surgical procedure. Prosthetics have evolved and become more advanced than ever before but our residual limbs are the same they have always been, not allowing amputees to truly reap the benefits of these technological advancements, but that is changing. Dr. Carty with the help of Dr. Hugh Herr at MIT worked together to improve the human body to be a more synergistic with the devices of today and the future. Dr. Matthew Carty-Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon   Dr. Hugh Herr-Bilateral below knee amputee, biophysicist, mechanical engineer, co-director of MIT Media Lab   The Agonist/Antagonist Myoneural Interface (AMI) procedure was born out of the ideas of two men who each had something they were searching for to improve functionality of a residual limb and to make it more compatible with the future of prosthetics. I am excited to share that I will be heading to Boston this weekend to have Dr. Carty perform this procedure on me, as a study candidate, and in hopes to improve my overall functionality. I am truly very excited for this opportunity. Join us in today's Real Talk as Dr. Carty goes deep to explain the process of creating, changing, and implementing a new medical procedures, and what exactly the AMI is and what the hopeful outcomes are of a successful surgery. I am truly honored and  appreciated the time you spent with me to record this episode in the midst of your busy schedule, Dr. Carty, and I look forward to working with you soon. See you win Boston! Enjoy this deep and impactful interview and be sure to subscribe to my Vlog channel on YouTube @OneLegis Enough-BAW to follow my journey through this amazing experience. Have an amazing week ahead, Warriors! And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,

Setbacks to Comebacks   Life is full of ups and downs and as an amputee we must realize that we will face many more challenges, past the amputation itself, years later. For one, our sound side becomes extremely important to us. Taking care of our good joints while still trying to live a full and healthy life yet protecting what we have left becomes a balancing act and can be very scaring when things go wrong. We also struggle with pain in our residual limb when our socket doesn't fit correctly or a neuroma decides to show up. My current situation is a strained lower back because I work so hard with balance and bending over to pick things off the floor, all on my sound leg which puts undo pressure and tension on my lower back on the opposite side. That is my current setback, and it is not only painful, it's frustrating! I have 2 weeks until I take off for Boston to go through extensive reconstructive surgery on my residual limb, plus a unique procedure created by MIT and my doctor. My goal 2 weeks ago was to eat well, cut our alcohol and get back to the gym daily to get in the best shape for this surgery. Literally the first week into that plan I tweaked my back! Now I am trying to be patient and waiting for the slow healing process my back is going through.   1 year after my amputation I found a neuroma in my hamstring and had to go thru another surgery! Stayed positive but at times it was hard, starting over with healing is hard!   Not being able to wear the prosthesis while healing can break you but setting goals and looking to the future helps. Stay positive!   What I have learned through all the setbacks since becoming an amputee: -This too shall pass -Stay positive -Set goals -Use this time to do what you CAN do at this moment. -Setbacks tend to be moments that are setting you up for a comeback. Be ready!   Look to the future. Dream! Stay focused on your goals and objectives!   If you are going through a setback now, don't get discouraged just keep focused on the positive and the future. It is not the end, it's just a moment for your mind and body to be prepared for something more.     This week I challenge you to be still and focus your attention to what you CAN do and positive thoughts during a setback or a rough patch. Try these steps out: -Realize that this moment won't last forever. -Use this time to stop and listen to your body and realize what it needs to heal, usually it is telling you to give it a break and let it heal. -Set goals for yourself to do once your setback fades away. -Visualize yourself being successful and accomplishing your goals. Visualize positivity! -Remember your "Why". What are you doing this all for? Yourself? Your mental health? Your family? Your job? What is it that drives you forward? Your "Why's" should be clear because they are what will help you in hard times and when you feel like you are all alone. The Why's are your motivation to keep moving forward. Of all the setbacks I have endured since becoming an amputee, one thing has been certain, the hard times end and the comebacks win! You are a warrior! Believe it! See yourself as the strong individual I know you are. Have an amazing week ahead. Get after this Call to Action and reach out to me if you have questions or want to give me an update on how you're doing. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!!   Much love,      

Dealing With Stress to Alleviate Phantom Pain   Ahhh, stress! It wouldn't be a day or a week without something triggering stress. A bid decision, a deadline, a fight with a friend, or even traffic! As amputees we also face the uphill battles of healing, socket fittings, sores and painful steps, and phantom pains. Sometimes it feels like we never get a break. It feels like the weight of the world is placed on our shoulders and we can't come up for air. What we all need to learn is that every time we feel stressed out we have, in our own power, the ability to change the outcome. We control the narrative and we control how we come out on the other side. "Mind over Matter" isn't just a cliche it is truth.     When we hold in stressors we destroy our immune system, disrupt our nervous system, and create more problems than we need to. We need to find ways to release negativity and stressors in our life. They will always be there, so instead of letting them take control and reeking havoc on your health you need to find ways to work through them and find a peace in your life. When we learn to breathe, slow down, relax, and let go of the things we cannot control, then start feeding our mind with positive and affirming words we can begin to heal ourselves and give our bodies a chance to heal. This week I challenge you.     Find time to slow down and breathe slowly and deeply through troubles and stressors you are feeling. Realize what you can control and what you cannot. If you can't control something it's time to let it go. Use animals to help you find quiet time and centering. Horses especially are extremely intuitive and can read you from a mile away. If you bring in negative energy or a lot of "baggage" they won't want to be close to you, and I don't know about you, but I go see my horses for the kisses and love they pour into me. If I come preoccupied and upset, holding onto something negative, they sense it and walk away from me. I must clear my mind and center/ground myself if I want meaningful interaction with them.   Our closeness happens when I let my fears, anxiety, and stressors melt away and I focus on being present with my girl. Words of affirmation and positivity. Speak them and repeat them as often as you need to about yourself until you have created a positive mindset. If you consistently beat yourself up over little things or become negative about your healing then this is where you need the most work. Our brain is a very powerful tool that believes what we speak into it. Speak only good and positive and watch your circumstances change for the better!     Finally, have grace upon grace for yourself. You won't be perfect and you will stumble as you go through life, we all do, the challenge is to pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and try again. You've got this and I know you can do it. As you begin to make the changes needed to reduce stressors in your life you will start to notice phantom pains not being your focal point which then makes their grip on you much less. Don't give your pain power! Deny them and don't continue to talk about them. The less time you pay attention to the pains you feel the less likely you are to be consumed and debilitated by them. You deserve better! You can do this! Be positive, breathe and focus on the positives! Watch your stress melt away and your phantom pains calm down. Wishing you a week filled with health and happy thoughts. And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!! Much love,