Crashing Into Potential

We have come to the end of the line friends. EP.38 is where we stitch it all up, and boy has it been a ride. I have enjoyed making this podcast so much and I so happy you have too. In the episode, I make my way back to Australia for a quick surgery on my broken face and I fly back to the USA, landing in LA.I was in LA for a few days before meeting up with Daniel and Kieran on their return from Mexico. Once we met up, we were all set to drive over to Arizona to see what spring break was all about and no. it did NOT disappoint. A quick stop off in Las Vegas before parting way with the boys and heading back to Vancouver, Canada. Here I would go on a little road trip with my best friend (now FIANCE and mother of my back girl, Giselle) Jasmine. What a great end to 17-months of amazing travels. I don't regret one thing I did on that trip because every event is a story of its own.Click HERE for images. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

We are edging closer my friends. In episode 37 in a heartbeat, because of a stupid decision, I had to pack my bags and return to Australia. This was that point in my life where I discovered that I obviously have more than 9 lives. I during our road trip in Banff, I was involved in a trip-ending accident that could have quite easily been life-ending knowing my background. German snowboarder – 1Me – 0That's right, I face-planted into someone on Lake Louise and in a split second, my trip was over. Boom. Done. Dusted. Game, set, match!If it wasn't for my determination to finish what I started, I would forever regret my decision.Click HERE for images.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

In episode 36, come along as I read to you chapter number 23. Chapter 23 is the experiences that I had in Canada throughout my second season there. After having an absolute baller time in Europe, I dragged that high with me around the world. I was under the misconception that my social anxiety was all but gone, taken care of, but no it wasn't. NO SIR!  It was just lurking in the dark corners of my mind ready to come back out as soon as I let my guard down. Well, it didn't take long for this bad boy to come back out to play, did it?I was now there with a mate from back home and as much as I thought that would be better, it wasn't! No one's fault but mine, so I had to accept it for what it was. All in all the winter wasn't too bad and I can tell you that I did enjoy myself a lot.Halfway through the season, we left on a road trip that had us crossing the USA all the way to the west coast.  Click HERE for images.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In Episode 35 I finish off my time in Europe on a massive high. After the stress of chapter 21 in Germany, I could really let my hair down andf just go wherever the wind took me. I had certain places to be at certain times but in the middle of all that, I could do what I pleased. I went on to visit and revisit 10 countries. This part of my trip was definitely the biggest growth period I experienced. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I got to experience and all the incredible people that I met. I recommend that you follow my jourmney below while looking at all of the images. EnjoyClick HERE for images.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

In EP.34 - Chapter 34, I make my way from Greece to Berlin, Germany, with a sailing trip around Croatia on the way. This was the turning point of my whole recovery as my mindset and perception of my own abilities did a backflip. With a brain injury, sometimes, the simplest of tasks become challenging and now I was on my way to Germany to get a working holiday visa... ON MY OWN. This was going to be a challenge!Day 1: I was chilled out and all relaxed because it was going to be “easy”. It wasn't! I spent the day wasting time and paid the consequences. Day 2: No one from the foreign registration office understood what I was trying to get. I didn't even know so I spent the day running around in circles chasing butterflies in my brain.Day 3: The office was closed so I relaxed... if you could call it that.Day 4: D-day! My last opportunity to get what I came for. After running all around Berlin, here there and everywhere and back, I made it. I walked out of the office a free man. I finally got what I had come for. Literally in the last 30 minutes! The last time I felt this kind of relief was when I finished a 3 minute speech in grade 2 about my pet rabbit minty! From this moment on my perception of my capabilities had changed forever.Click HERE for photos.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Episode 33 is about the connection I made with Jasmine. After meeting Jas, I traveled to the western end of the long island of Crete to a little town called Chania (Pronounced Hania). The most magnificent place I‘ve been to in the world. The sun and the situation made this an absolute dream to be in. After we parted ways I left for the south for a few days before we met back up on another island called Naxos before we traveled to Paros to finish our trip. 3 weeks in total and this put me in the most relaxed state I'd been in for months.Click HERE for photos.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

In EP.32 I make my way to the Greek Islands, better known as paradise. Before I go there, I was lucky enough to have a few days relaxing with Kelly and her family in a suburb of Athens called Irakleio. This was where Kelly and her family lived, and I was welcomed there with both arms wide. It made my time in Athens, amazing. Here's a photo of Kelly, Mary and myself one night they took me out on the town.  I stayed there for a couple of days before I left, which was good because Kelly was able to help me put together a plan of attack. I then managed to miss my ferry to my first Island, Ios, which really made my adventure stressful. With another group that also missed the ferry, I lead the way to the other side of the country to catch another one. That was my start to what was about to be an amazing 5 weeks. I wasn't aware of how much fun I was about to have! My first stop was Ios where I spent 5 days, having TOO MUCH fun until my world came crashing down. With my lifeline (my iPhone) drowned, it was time to make a move to sort it out. Onto to Santorini then Crete. Both islands were amazing, and I am very grateful that I was able to be there. Click HERE for photos. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this episode, we go through the shortest chapter of the book (so far). Chapter 18 is literally one event, for one night… that's it! I fly from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Athens, Greece and come up against some trouble. This was the first encounter I have with the European authorities that had me kicked off a bus in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere, in a country that is going through a lot of financial turmoil. I sat back and looked at my surroundings and fell in love with the adventure I'd been longing for. When I finally made it to the city of Athens, I then had to find my way to the hostel I'd had booked for me. A few questions and I was on my way. I finally made it to my next checkpoint and was able to relax. The whole time with a grin from ear to ear… THIS IS TRAVELING! Click HERE to see images. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

EP.30 is the reading of chapter 17 of my book, Crashing Into Potential: Living with my injured brain. The chapter is called, FREEDOM AT LAST. After getting off a tour around Scandinavia and Russia, I stuck around in Berlin for a week and just hung out. This week is exactly what I imagined traveling around the world would be like. This was the moment I realised that I didn't like to be confined and restricted by a tour and that I liked the freedom while traveling to do what I wasn't when I want. I met up with a girl from the tour I did around Turkey and Egypt and we had arranged to travel to a few places together. One place was Krakow Poland, to visit Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp. The most grueling, horrific, haunting concentrating camp of them all. What went on behind those walls has changed the course of history. Even though I knew this and could see it with my own two eyes, the disconnect was still there and I didn't get as much out of it as one would hope. I took some pretty good photos instead to make up for it.Click HERE to see photos. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In EP.29, I got my first real taste of Europe solo. I spent 5-6 days in Prague, Czech Republic, and this was the first time traveling on my own when I had no plans. This was both a blessing and a curse because my planning skills at this point were still falling behind the 8-ball. I probably spent 2 days more than I needed as these were my “fluffing around” days. Luckily, I had the time or else I would have missed some great opportunities to see some amazing sites. Instead, I got out of the city on 2 occasions to see a cute little town down south called Český Krumlov and a church made of 40,000 human bones. Quite a sight!After my time in Prague, I initiated, planned and executed my journey to my next checkpoint… all on my own. How proud I felt to be able to do this was incredible. Berlin here we come!Click HERE to see my time in Prague. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In EP.28 it's time to move from the land of winter fun and onto the next leg of my trip around the world. Europe here I come!! I soon realised that I was still living with a brain injury and all the difficulties I have are still there, but now I'm going to have to take these on alone. From the moment I fly into Turkey, I realised I should have done more research into my trip when I nearly had a meltdown regarding visas. Not knowing the ins and outs of the travel game yet, I found out that it was an easy fix. I continued my trip through Turkey, which would take me to Gallipoli to pay my respects to the fallen soldiers of WWI, and to many sites that were thousands of years old. After Turkey, I flew across the Ocean to Africa and straight into the heart of Egypt. After more old structures we sailed down the Nile on a Felucca stopping at places along the way to experience the Egyptian way of life, finishing the tour at Luxor to see The Valley of the Kings and other old Temples I knew nothing about.Just as I started the Turkey trip, I finished it with a stressful situation too. The good news is that I lived to tell the tale. Click HERE for photos of my trip.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In EP.27, it's a wrap. The season is ending and it's time to move on. Before we do, there was still a bunch of fun to have in the spring. This was Spring skiing at its finest and I was enjoying every second of it. Yes, my social anxiety was playing tricks on me all the time, but I really had nothing to worry about. With the help of ASSP, I was able to beat some demons that were trying to hunt me down. To top off the season, I got invited on a road trip that really put the cherry on top. Through the Canadian Rockies to Jasper, then onto Banff, this trip was amazing. Snap, snap, snap. That was my camera taking photos of the jaw-dropping scenery that surrounded me. As you can see, this place was pretty cool, and I needed to pinch myself just to make sure I wasn't sound asleep in my hospital bed in Melbourne!What better way to send off Canada than at the Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler. This was the place to be and I was there. I was so grateful that I could be a part of it.Click HERE to see pictures and videos of my final few months in Canada.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

In EP.26 I take you on another little side adventure to my main adventure, which turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. Because of reasons I don't completely understand myself, I needed to get out of Canada by plane and find another location to set up camp. Well, this camp was set up in Japan and boy am I glad I chose that place! Being winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Japan's north island was covered in snow. If you know anything about anything to do with anything in the snow, you'll know that Japan is the pinocle of powder. Along with this powder-filled expedition came a few troubles along the way. As you'll learn, opening your mouth and connecting with people in a kind and friendly manner is always best done on a train on the northern island of Japan. I believe luck is in the eye of the beholder, and you create your OWN luck. After I made a wrong move in a country far, far from home, I managed to be saved by a family that also wanted to see me succeed. I also learnt that opening my mouth to people in the bar, and talking as though I know what's what, can sometimes take me down a rabbit hole I can't get out of. I found myself following people to a summit that you can only hike to and dropping in on face that scared the living daylights out of me. Not to mention it could have been the end of me. Well, it's all in a day's work and I'm still here to talk about it… so was it really that bad? Probably not.Follow me and I'll show you how it's done.Click HERE  to see pictures of me and from me, in JapanLet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

In EP.25 we learn what happens when things don't go right… we call mum. Mum was my safety net that I so desperately needed to break away from, but when things start to heat up, so do I. This little side trip from Canada to Hawaii didn't get off to a great start but as you'll learn, I made it in the end.In this chapter, my relationship with my father came to a boiling point. It was hard to see his son do what he was doing and not be worried, after all, it was only a few years prior that he was, literally, wiping his 23-year-old sons' ass with a handful of shit tickets. Every event that happens in our lives forms the building blocks for our future and makes us who we as. Some people find change a hard concept to grasp and when you're tackling your own demons inside your own head, it's hard to get past that. The good news is that in this chapter, I make it and come out the other side having learnt from it.CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF HAWAIILet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In EP.24 I take you through the process of getting myself over to another country on the other side of the world. This might be a standard drill for a seasoned traveler, but with a fresh set of eyes to this world, a naïve outlook and a brain injury, I was shaking in my boots. Rightly so, I had a whole backpack full of fears! This was it. The beginning of the biggest adventure of my life. I was about to embark on an adventure that would change the course of my life. The first stop was Canada where I met and stayed with friends of friends of friends of people that wanted to see me succeed.I soon found out that this wasn't the quick fix like I imagined but with the help of people at ASSP, the Hostel family and my friends Carly and Jen, my first white Christmas turned out to be a good one.CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOSLet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this week's episode I share with the audience an interesting concept I've discovered, which is called The Pygmalion Effect. The research was first conducted in the 1960s and has been proven to lift the standards of the people that we are teaching, or coaching or instructing to do a certain thing. Robert Rosenthal led a team in studying the effects that a teacher has on their disciples. To start they gave 2 groups of students, 2 groups of rats, and had them teach the rats how to get through a maze. They told group A that they were given “MAZE BRIGHT RATS” and group B that they were given “MAZE DULL” rats. Well, it turns out that the rats that performed the best in the maze were the ones that had been selected as the advantaged one. Because the rats were selected at random, it all came down to the faith that the teacher had in them.Robert then rationalized that this would be the same in the classroom. They took this experiment into an elementary school and did the same thing. They tested the students at the start of the year and told the teachers that a select few were predicted to be academic bloomers. When they came back a year later, the students that had been selected (at random) as the “academic bloomers”, had proven to once again be the ones that had bloomed.The reason for this came down to 4 factors:1.     The Climate Factor – The warmth of the teacher towards the academic bloomer2.     The Input Factor – The amount of input the teachers put in with these students3.     The response Factor – The space the teacher gave the bloomers to respond 4.     The Feedback Factor – The amount of well-constructed feedback that was givenThere have been skeptics over the years that have said that there were too many variables to the data, but time and time again this concept has been proven. In 2009 a workplace study of The Pygmalion Effect found that employees responded favorably to their boss's expectations. This idea can be taken into the classroom, workplace, your team that you're coaching, or your parenting style if need be. You can use this anytime you are teaching anyone to do anything. Click HERE to see a video interview with Robert RosenthalLet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

This week is all about where we place the control in our lives. The location of this control is called Locus of Control, and we all fall somewhere between an Internal Locus of Control and an External Locus of Control. People with an Internal Locus of Control feel that they are in control of their own destiny and people with an External Locus of Control feel they aren't.Neither one of these are right or wrong, they're just personality traits that are really good to be aware of. They both have pros and cons to them so once you know what they are, you can pick and choose how you want to live your life. Pros for people with an Internal Locus of Control:-        They take responsibility for the things that happen in their lives-        They are hardworking because they know that THEY have the power to influence the result-        They know that they can take action to improve their situation-        They learn from their mistakes because they take responsibility for them-        They are more successful Cons for people with an Internal Locus of Control:-        They are straight to the point and sometimes very hard to work with-        They have a strong mindset, either consciously or subconsciously, that it's their way or the highway-        They find it hard to delegate because they generally want control of whatever it is that needs to be done Pros for people with an External Locus of Control:-        They are great team players and at praising everyone in the team for doing such a great job-        They are great at letting go of things that don't work out for themCons for people with an External Locus of Control:-        They tend to blame external factors for things that happen to them-        They don't like to take responsibility for things that go right or wrong-        They often feel powerless and helpless to change the outcome-        They play down their successes and put it all down too luck rather than their hard work-        They give up earlier because as soon as something goes wrong, they feel it's out of their control to change the outcome and fix it-        They feel like they are the victim because everything is happening TO them not FOR them As I said, there is no right or wrong way to this personality trait and it is something that you can adapt into your life however you see fit. To change this trait though can take a lot of work and you really need to be consciously aware of how you use your self-talk. This trait has most likely been with you from a very young age. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this episode I am sharing with you some of first the things that normally get sacrificed when we're trying to make it to the top. Unfortunately, in life, making it to the top sometimes comes at a cost and it's up to us to decide what it is that we are willing to put to the sidelines to make it up there.#1 – The first thing that can be cut is our sleep. This is a bit misleading, I know, but I am not talking about getting less sleep. I'm just talking about honing in on our bedtime and getting up earlier. If you were to go to bed and get up 2 hours earlier each day, you will get an extra 520 hours a year to achieve your goals. This is because, and let's face it, you probably are not doing anything super productive at 11pm are you?#2 – The second thing that may get introduced to the chopping block is our relationships. If you are away from your family a lot because of the journey that you're on, make it your mission to make, when you are at home, to be present. It's sometimes hard to switch off when our lives get so hectic, but this is one thing that is very important to be mindful of.#3 – The next thing to watch out for is our health. We need to be conscious that this is something that can fall by the wayside quite easily when we buried in whatever it is that we're trying to accomplish. 4 things I mention in this podcast that we should be mindful of to keep our health on point are:1.     Exercise2.     Sleep3.     Health4.     Free Time#4 – The last thing we talk about in this week's episode, that may have to be cut out, is those sports and those hobbies that we do for fun. When we're trying to make it to the top, I think it's fine to sacrifice a bit of short-term enjoyment for some long-term fun. Ultimately, the choice is all yours. Sometimes it can just take a little bit of planning to get to where we want to be.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au 

The scientific term for being ‘in the zone' is called flow so in this week's episode we're talking about getting into this state of flow and what it's going to mean for our achievement levels. We perform at the ultimate level when we are in this state.To get into this state, we need to be doing something or trying to achieve something that is equal part challenging to equal part doable. Anxiety: We need anxiety in our lives in order to be prepared for the challenges that we may face in life, but too much anxiety leads to stress and when brain releases too much of the stress hormone, this is when we are very prone to panic attacks.Relaxation: Too much relaxation will cause us to become uninterested and lazy. This in itself is ok, but too much of it and it can be a hard hole to climb out of. If you don't watch out, it can be a very slippery slope. For full show description click HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

This week we're talking about the things I've learned about building my self-esteem. Tip #1: Love yourselfTip #2: Focus on what you can change and except all that you can'tTip #3: Stop comparing yourself to othersTip #4: Hone your craftFor full show description click HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

This week we're exploring purpose and what it means to have purpose in our lives. Purpose is the fuel that keeps the engine running through life and as soon as we give it up, we no longer have the energy to keep moving forward. In this episode, I do my best to explain to you, why it is that you need to find a purpose in your own life, and I give you some tips on things that I've learnt about finding my purpose. My purpose in life is to inspire people to achieve more. Tip #1: The first tip I have for you is to just go out there and try thingsTip #2: Listen to other's suggestionsTip #3: Do a strengths assessment. To have a strengths assessment done, visit: https://www.viacharacter.org/Account/RegisterTip #4: Live up to your values. For full show description click HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this episode we're talking about gratitude and why you need to be grateful for everything you have in your life Whatever goes up my come down. Simply put, every bad situation in this world has a good side to it, we might not be able to see it just yet.The gratitude that you feel has so many great benefits. In this podcast, learn how I can manage to be grateful through all the ups and down of my life.

In this episode I share with you my morning routine and what it is that gets me out of bed at 5:00am every morning. The biggest advantage of getting out of bed early is that it gives me more time to achieve my goals. I don't think I could stand it if I had to take up my ‘wind down' time by doing something other than… winding down. ‘Wind down' time is the time I relax and enjoy. Sometimes it's just me time, used to evaluate my day and keep check on how life is going so completing my day at 5:00pm mean that's it. No more!If you want a bit of extra reading about this topic, have a look at the book, ‘Eat That Frog' by Brian Tracy. That's about getting up and knocking off those things we don't want to do, first. That's what is meant by eating that frog.  Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

This episode is all about cultivating an optimistic mindset. Throughout the podcast I make reference to a book by Martin Seligman, Learned Optimism. The 3 P's that are used to explain our successes and our failures in life. How we explain these to ourselves will determine whether we have an optimistic mindset in certain situations or a pessimistic mindset.  The pessimist will explain things in their own head very differently to an optimist and when it comes to failures, they say and act very helpless in situations. Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this podcast today we're talking about personal development. The four reasons I am sharing today are: 1.   Self-awareness2.   Self-confidence3.  Motivation4. Career prospectsDip your toes in a give it a crack, what do you have to lose?Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Learning a second language can do many things for our lives, but in this podcast I only share five. They are:Learning another language will mean that you can communicate in a foreign country with the localsLearning a second language can help us view the world from another perspectiveLearning a second language will help you open your mindLearning a second language will improve our memoriesLearning a second language makes you smarterFor the full set of show notes, click HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this episode, we're talking about the benefits of learning another language other than your native tongue. The 5 benefits we cover are:1. Communication 2. World Views3. Open mindedness4. Better memory5. IT MAKES US SMARTERThis is something I never took an interest in because it was too hard. Now... EVERYTHING I do is hard so it now doesn't seem too out of reach if I put my mind to it.Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

This episode is all about staying happy. As we are right in the crux of COVID-19 right now, this is a super important message to spread. We all could do with some happiness pills. I can't legally give you medication to make you happier, but what I can do is share with you some things you can do right away to improve your happiness each day. The following are some useful links to check out. Happy Brain Chemicals: D.O.S.E - VideoFor a full list of websites head over to www.scottbharris.com.au/podcastLet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this short chapter I am talking about my new career path of professionally speaking. In the book I write about how it all started out when I was in rehab, and my ambitions to inspired people. Click HERE to read the article that was written in The Age newspaper after my first ever presentation to the teachers at Eltham College.Episode page HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this week's episode I cover my time in depression One major contributing factor in overcoming this was the purpose I developedMental illness is one of the worst invisible illnesses that one can go through Please don't feel defeated if you don't get the answer you were hoping for. Knock on enough doors and someone will answer with open arms and have all the right answers. Here is a list of websites to do your own research and to find the help you need:HeadspaceBeyond BlueLifelineBlack Dog InstituteFacts SheetFor more pictures and video's check it all out HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

After 3 long grueling years, I left the place that served me so well. These were the guys that helped me grow from a drunken toddler to a reasonably polite adult. Those years at Epworth were the hardest thing I have ever been through, but to walk out those doors, never look back and fly all on my own, using my very own tools they gave me, was a crazy good feeling. I would compare it to the feeling of finishing high school. For years and years ate school, most people's lives follow the same weekly routine and when it's all done and dusted, everything is new again. Starting the next chapter in life. That's all life is really, a series of chapters until we finish the book. Well, this was one of my chapters. A rather short one in the whole scheme of things, and when I look back, the time flew by really. But while I was living it, minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year... it felt like an eternity. Here's a couple of videos of me running on an oval near my house, in physiotherapy with Sean.Me runningMe also runningFor more pictures and video's check it all out HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Modern medicine has saved my life. I literally owe my life to the magic of today's medical magicians. The surgeons that have worked on my body have done an incredible job in making the cogs all turn together. Well… the cogs don't exactly turn ‘together', but they do at least turn and that's thanks to these guys. They've also made those cogs look ok at the same time. By reconstructing my face, one would say they actually did me a favor haha! All jokes aside, I am really grateful for the years these people spend at school gaining the skills to do such things.In this chapter you get to meet my reconstructive surgeon, Scott Ferris. I have known Scott for over 11 years now and he has so far performed 6 operations on my arm. With 3 severed nerves in my right arm, I lost a lot of functions. Following the operations, I can now do some of life's simplest tasks. Learning to tie your shoelaces at the age of 25 is another hard pill to swallow! All of the things that I've relearnt as an adult, help me live a ‘normal… ish' life. In my last operation, Scott made a video for me. Follow this video to watch Scott trigger a nerve in my arm. This is pretty cool.Video in theatreThis chapter also introduces you to Mel. I have known Mel for just as long as Scott and she is more than my therapist, I would call her my friend… she has been through a lot with me, through the ups and down. Through all of my achievements and all of my failures, Mel has been there to lend me advice and some laughs… all while making my arm work again. These days I don't work with Mel one on one, but I know that she is always just a phone call away.For more pictures and video's check it all out HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In this chapter I get selected to participate in a study done by Assoc. Prof. Gavin Williams, at Melbourne University on the gate pattern of people following an Acquired Brain Injury. Here's a video of me walking in the lab:Gatelab AssessmentMy physiotherapist, Genevieve, was there to accompany me to make sure I didn't go ass up. We also meet Rochelle in this chapter too. She ran Running Group. Rochelle was my longest running therapist (no pun intended). We spent hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, year after year working on my goal to get back to running. She did an amazing job. She even got me back on a bike as you can see here:Just like riding a bike!There were other major players in my recovery also, including my longest running physiotherapist Tiana. T was with me for my entire outpatient journey for 2 and a half years. Also Genevieve. How could we forget Gen? Gen was the one who go me back up on my feet!  Another person we meet is my mate Damo. Our friendship has formed out of a commonality. The commonality we have so our brain injuries. Check out a few pictures below of the deck we built together.For more pictures and video's check it all out HERELet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

“The height that we set the bar will ultimately determine the outcome”In this chapter I went to the next level in my recovery. I finally got into the routine of doing my daily rehab at Epworth. Chapter 4 see's me back up on my feet after a few months wheelchair bound. Here's a video of those first majestic steps I made: First steps as a free man!These were the first steps I was making towards getting my old life back... right? I didn't realize this at the time, but I was never going to get my old life back. I was never going to get to hang out with the boys at trade school, work on the tools as an electrician or experience the fun and joy and excitement and thrill and super amazing extraordinary exhilarating feeling of riding a motorbike, again! These were the first steps I was making towards MY NEW LIFE!Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In episode 4 I am starting to get my life back. At the time I really wasn't aware of how long and hard this journey was going to be for me. If you have have told me that 11 years on from this I would still be having operations and rehab to fix my broken body and mind, I would have told you to get out... GET OUT!!! AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT!!! I guess, in a way, that was a good thing because I may have seen the challenge as too great and just given up!Also, if you have have said to me I'd be speaking to a crowd full of people for a living, I would have laughed at you hard... and told you to GET OUT!!! AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT!!!My grandparents were unable to visit me at this stage because I was still in PTA and I wasn't allowed anyone in except immediate family, so mum and dad decided to make a video for them to give them an update:The UpdateLet's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

In episode 3, my family was finally able to let their hair down a bit and relax… just a little bit. I often think about this time and imagine the feeling they must have felt every day that they received some good news. Each meeting, each phone call and each conversation that was had between my family and the doctors must have been filled to the brim with anxiety, but to see me begin to wake up would have been exciting. I imagine it would have been the same feeling that you get as a kid when Santa if coming. The feeling of excitement would immense! When I got shipped off the rehab, I spent the first month in a room that became my comfort zone. I was in PTA (Post Traumatic Amnesia) for about 40 days and the following video is a video of me in that time. After my brain injury, I found it quite difficult to restrain myself when laughing. As you will see in this video, when my sister laughs, I laugh even more and it's hard to stop. This video was that was made for family up in Queensland to watch:The Famous Laughing Fit Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Episode 2 starts when I arrived at the Royal Melbourne Hospital by air. I say ‘by air' because if you're going to do anything in life, do it in style. This was the first chance I had in life to take a helicopter flight, so I thought I'd take it!In all seriousness, I had been flown because the road ambulance couldn't extract me. I was in a coma for around 15 days before they began to reduce my medication that had me in that state. Basically, this whole chapter is highlighting how my family dealt with the trauma I was going through.To keep everyone informed with my progress, dad put together an email list that kept growing worldwide. His emails were the most vital part of me reconstructing the events that took place, as well as the countless conversations I had with mum about the mentality of everyone throughout this period. You hear a lot from dad in the emails, but mum was always by my side at every heart-breaking moment, and she was doing most of the work OFF-line.Here is a video of me in a coma in The Royal Melbourne Hospital ICU. This was taken by dad when they knew I was going to be alight. Video of me in ICULet's connect Facebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Welcome to the first episode of the Crashing Into Potential Podcast. After speaking with many teachers about how they are teaching the book in their class, I had noticed that many of them are reading it to their students. This is simply because their students don't like reading. (I get it! I hated reading growing up too. In fact, before I wrote Crashing Into Potential, I had read LESS than a handful of books in my life). This may be for a number of reasons; students may be illiterate, not confident in reading or simply can't be bothered because they're too slow. I'd hate for these students to miss out on the lessons they could learn from my experience, this why I would like to read it for them.  In this episode you will hear the Preface and Chapter 1. These chapters cover PRE accident, and the accident itself.  If you like this episode and want to continue listening, please hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.   Let's connectFacebook - @TheInjuredBrainInstagram - @TheInjuredBrainTwitter - @TheInjuedBrainLinkedIn - @TheInjuredBrainEmail – scott@scottbharris.com.au

Join me on Monday the 27th of July when we finally go live. Crashing Into Potential is a podcast where I'm going to connect the 'WRITTEN' word to the 'SPOKEN' word. Coming with me and listen to my story as I try to make sense of what I've written. I am going to read my book from cover to cover and tell a few stories along the way. This podcast will go in and out of the book as I touch up on my reading skills, and in this book I will speak of my first hand the struggles of depression, anxiety and living with lasting disabilities. See you in the first episode!