Profound Awesomeness

Meet Sydney Fletcher.  She's a Type 1 diabetic who suffered a diabetic seizure in her mid-20s.   This triggered a period of anxiety, stress and insomnia.  Through restorative yoga she found peace in her life that was able to forge a new path for herself.  You can find Sydney on Instagram or at her website.

"It's time to get your affairs in order," was not what 31 year old Casey Head wanted or expected to hear from her doctor.  She had just been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, known as a children's cancer.  Four months into treatment Casey suffered a stroke and went into a short coma.  Temporarily paralyzed on her left side, Casey would have to dedicate hours of rehab work while she went through chemo.  Incredibly, she would beat cancer but it would return not once but two more times!  Follow Casey on Instagram or you can learn more about her at her website.  

A nurse entered the hospital room to get John Carey's body ready for the morgue.  In the hospital for days with kidney disease, he was presumed dead but in fact John was very much alive.  As the nurse approached him, he moved his eyes causing her to jump across the room.  Later that afternoon he walked out of the hospital and drove himself home.  This is only one of many incredible events that define John's life to date.  Hear more, from his troubled childhood, to his trek to Los Angeles where he found work as a butler, a limousine driver and as a founder of a magazine, among other things.  John is the author of three books, Dream Another Dream , Dream your World and Plant-Based Regenerative Nutrition.  You can follow John on Twitter.

Jose Pereira (Jose Angel Pereira Ruimwyck) knows what it's like to be wrongfully detained in a foreign country.  In November 2017 Jose, the then CEO of Houston-based CITGO oil company, was summoned to Caracas with members of his leadership team for what appeared to be a normal budgetary meeting.  Upon arrival they quickly found out they were  to be arrested by the government for charges of treason, espionage, embezzlement and corruption.  Held hostage for five years, Jose and his team learned how to survive and put systems in place to help them.  In October 2022, they were released in a prisoner exchange on St. Vincent's in the Caribbean and Jose is now back home in Houston leading many important hostage advocacy efforts.  Please follow him on his LinkedIn profile.  You can also learn more at Bring Our Families Home.

Driving with his cousin on a remote winding mountain road in August 2022, Stefan Venne lost control of his 1984 Volkswagon Rabbit and crashed into a tree.  Far from help and outside of cell phone reception, Stefan was trapped and out of it while his cousin left him to seek help.  The nearest town had a population of 81 people.  With great fortune, his cousin found someone - a nurse - who could help.  Eventually he and his cousin were airlifted to a nearby hospital.  Hear Stefan's story (with insights from his older brother Riley) and how he overcame the amputation of his lower left leg and is working towards a new life as an amputee.  Read more about Stefan's story at his CaringBridge page.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be clinically dead and return to life once?  How about twenty times?  Meet Fred Rutman.  He has clinically died twenty times as a result of a condition called sudden onset full heart block.  It  started back in 2009, when he was home grading papers.   Now he is a veteran of dying and coming back.  Hear his story of repeated survival and how it has affected his life.  You can follow Fred here Instagram or here LinkedIn.  He has also written an book, The Summer I Died Twenty Times: Because Lightening Does Strike The Same Spot Twice.

James Gardner isn't afraid to take on a challenge.  Dealt paralysis at a young age and a brain tumor later in life, James did not allow them to  affect his grit and determination.   He's traveled the world, he worked as a journalist and he now coaches others.  James even trained for the London Marathon before he had to stop due to the brain tumor.  He now sprints instead.  You can follow James on Instagram and get in touch with him through his website.

Doctor, coach and podcast host, Dr. Kathy Zhang has so much to offer people.  With a first hand account of the struggles and the toll of treating COVID patients in New York City in 2020, Kathy brings a wealth of experience and perspective to her clients as a coach or her patients as a doctor.  You can find her at her website or on LinkedIn, Instagram, and her podcast The Purpose Filter.

A phone call saved his life.  Drowning in anxiety and depression, Chuck Thuss almost did the unthinkable.  Driving down the road he accelerated his truck with the intention of slamming into a guardrail and ending his life.  Yet a higher power had other ideas for him and a woman who would play a major role in his recovery entered his life through phone call on the side of the road.  Hear how Chuck overcame his demons and saved his life.  He is now a coach and you can learn more about him at his site.  WARNING: this episode contains suicide ideation content, listener discretion is advised.

Thank you for tuning in!  I'm trying a new format in addition to continuing with  the interviews.  From time to time, I'll do short form solo podcasts on things that I think are relevant to Profound Awesomeness.  I think these will generally be around 5-10 minutes in length.  Let me know what you think!  You can email me at profoundawesomeness@gmail.com.

Addiction is an insidious, undiscriminating disease and Eliza Schecter knows all about it.  Her addiction started at the end of middle school and the beginning of high school.  She didn't feel right in her own skin and began to self-soothe and numb herself with alcohol before  moving to drugs.  She then used prescription drugs, getting hooked on Percocet, before using drugs such as Molly or shooting heroin.  To track Eliza's journey of sobriety and her ongoing efforts to help others as an addiction recovery coach please follow her Instagram account @_healingpathways.If you or someone you know needs help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline is 1-800-662-4357.

One night in San Francisco Lizzie Azzolino sat on a bench at a park nearby her home, looked up at the stars and felt herself completely surrender for the first time in her life.  After searching for answers to her mystery illness, she had just been diagnosed with early-stage multiple myeloma.  She told herself this was a time for trust.  She needed to trust that her body wanted to be healthy, and to get on board.  From this point on, Lizzie began to share with others - and to believe in herself - that she was healing.  What started as the most terrifying experience for Lizzie quickly became one of the best experiences of her life as she embarked on a new journey of self-discovery.  Lizzie has now never been healthier.  Hear what helped her overcome a traumatic life event as it happened and what she's learned about how you can change your reality anytime you're feeling stuck, scared or lost.  Moreover, learn about the power of the phrase, "I am..."  To get in touch with Lizzie, please visit her website or email her at  lizzie@workwithlizzie.com.

Writer, speaker and creative Frank Jackson lost both his parents at a relatively young age.  His mother died of pancreatic cancer while his father died from HLH, and at age 23 Frank became an orphan.  Frank now finds his meaning, and his ability to be in the moment, through writing and he strives to live up to the moniker Mr. Positive.  To learn more about  Frank and his book the Pearl Effect and other writing projects, visit his website here.  You can also find him on Instagram under the name frank_thefuture.

Trevor Jones has an incredible capacity to beat traumatic brain injuries ("TBIs").  He has survived not one but two TBIs.  The first happened when has was thirteen years old and he later suffered another one later in life.  Each time, he fought back and at one point was even in a position to try out for the San Diego Padres.  Hear his story and his thoughts about how to recover.  If you would like to know more, you can reach Trevor through his website or email him at trevor.jones.contact@gmail.com.

Andrea Blindt has lived through several dark periods in her life.  From a difficult relationship with her mother as a child to one day losing her twins, Andrea found ways to prevail by leaning on  love.  That's how she found herself and denied the dark periods in her life to take control.  And now she has found a way to truly love herself.  To learn more about Andrea, please feel free to visit her website.  WARNING: This episode includes suicide ideation content.  If you or a loved one need to talk, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.

Amputee Chris Prange-Morgan talks about her family, her catastrophic fall at the climbing gym and her decision to remove her right leg below the knee.  Hear how she worked her way back from her injury both physically and psychologically and offers support to those in the disability community.  Her story has been featured on The Today Show and you can get in touch with her at her website.   Stay tuned for her book coming out in April or May of 2023.

Born with hereditary peripheral neuropathy, also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Dave Oferal had an awakening.  With his early years defined by bullying, theft, alcohol abuse, arrests, and other devious behaviors, Dave woke up one day not feeling good about himself and determined to rid himself of bad habits.  So he decided to bury his head in studying psychology - he has been doing so ever since - and has developed a new appreciation for finding the truth.  To reach Dave, email info@cmtstrong.com.

Steve Lovelace has a huge heart and a strong mental fortitude.  On top of that he can also claim that he is the second known paratriathlete in history.  Before accomplishing that feat, he had to survive a death-defying accident and temporary paralysis to eventually making a remarkable recovery.  What happened to him is miraculous.  To find out more about Steve please visit Instagram, Youtube, triathlete.com and USA Triathlon Foundation. 

Sandra Jarvis has survived a lot.  From abuse to cancer to a horrific accident while riding an ATV, Sandra has found a way to survive and press on.  Listen to her story and how she finds a way to be happy and decide who she accepts in her life.  She's a coach and you can find out more and get in touch by visiting sandrajarviscoaching.com.

Meet Paul Forchione and hear his story of living with and finding ways to conquer cerebral palsy.  Hear how his "mama bear" mother wouldn't take no for an answer and helped him find a doctor who would believe in him and his ability to walk.  To learn more about Paul, please visit his website acalltoaction.coach.

During a trip to a remote part of Africa, Melinda Walker fell from a rock band onto a boulder and survived and her journey to critical care was nearly as dangerous as the fall itself.  More than just surviving, Melinda is thriving finding meaning and purpose (and even a husband!) as a result of her near catastrophic accident. 

Jen Marples is a warrior and she's on a mission.  A career-driven, Type A workaholic, Jen suffered a myriad of health issues and put important relationships on the line.  Not any longer.  She is out to help midlife women find their inner-drive and to prove to them that they're "not to f***ing old" to do what they want to do.  She has her own podcast, The Jen Marples Show, and a website where you can find out more.

Hear a story where profound awesomeness is pervasive.  Through a remarkable set of circumstances, Julie's life takes an incredible turn that is filled with love, acceptance and joy.  A chance encounter through her daughter leads her down an incredible path to discovering her biological past, and future.

Meet Mark Pruett.  A gifted natural athlete and physical trainer who recently encountered the fight of his life.  His fight against severe kidney failure is no joke and it put his body through all kinds of hell.  We're glad he's with us to tell his tale and shed a light on what it's like to lose the functionality of one's kidneys and come out the other side to talk about it.

Severe idiopathic aplastic anemia survivor Tiffany Rowe discusses her fight against this disease - and her relapse - and how that has shaped how she lives her life today.  If you would like to learn more about Tiffany, or would like to get in touch with her, please visit tiffanylorenrowe.com.

Hear incredible stories of people's journeys from close brushes with death to living with great meaning and purpose.

The host becomes the interviewee.  Hear my story and learn about my journey to Profound Awesomeness.  Thank you Amy for interviewing me and being the person that you are in my life!

Joselyn Miller's journey to discovering her profound awesomeness began one day at Disneyland.  A survivor of two life-threatening diseases, she used humor and her "charge ahead" spirit to get her through all the tests, doctor's appointments,  intense treatment, and ultimately her bone marrow transplant.  Check out her blog to learn more about Joselyn and her "buttkick" list and if you'd like to be a bone marrow donor please go to bethematch.org.

Meet Amanda Hallowell.  Learn about the BRCA2 gene and how Amanda eventually took the fight to ovarian cancer.  Hear how she deals with her own mortality and life as a cancer survivor.  For those looking for more information she suggests resources like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

What is heart failure and what are its symptoms?  Darlene Anita Scott shares her personal relationship with heart failure and what she's done to overcome it.  To learn more about Darlene, check out her site here.

Just days away from competing in a half Iron Man triathlon, Rob Balucas crashed on his road bike during a training ride falling twenty feet down a hill into trees, rocks and logs.  This crash would change his life forever.  Hear his story of recovery and how he sees and interacts with the world as a disabled athlete.  Also, hear more about Angel City Sports and what they are doing for the Paralympic community in Los Angeles.  

Heart transplant survivor shares the adventure of her heart replacement and shines a light on some lesser known issues and needs of the organ recipient community.  Hear Denise Redeker passionately talk about her approach to life and what she is doing to help the heart transplant community through her newly launched Heartfelt Help Foundation.

Ever wonder what it's like to survive a prison riot?  James LeBlanc does.  And he also knows a lot about beating addiction and finding someone new to lead his way.  Find out who he prefers to lead his way.

Roy Tuscany knows what it's like to jump 130 feet on skis and miss the landing by 30 feet.  Hear his story of recovery and how his spinal injury inspired him to start the High Fives Foundation (highfivesfoundation.org), that does so much to prevent life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they happen - getting injured outdoor athletes and enthusiasts doing what they love with their community again, outdoors.