Podcasts about Muay Thai

In Episode 226 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down exactly what beginners should focus on in their first year of Muay Thai — and just as importantly, what they should stop worrying about.Most students quit not because Muay Thai is too hard, but because they're focusing on the wrong priorities. In this episode, Jonathan lays out a clear framework to help new students stay consistent, build real fundamentals, and avoid the overwhelm that causes early burnout.This episode covers:Why consistency beats intensity in your first yearThe correct order of learningWhy fundamentals matter more than looking sharpHow listening, learning, and being coachable accelerate progressWhat to ignoreThe real goal of year oneWhy students who stay past the first year almost always win long-termWhether you're brand new to Muay Thai or a coach working with beginners, this episode is a practical guide to staying in the art long enough for it to work.If you want to make real progress in Muay Thai, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters — and let go of what doesn't.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

Send us a textChoose Self-Care or Choose ResentmentMost resentment isn't caused by other people.It's caused by what you've been neglecting in yourself.In this Lifestyle of Fitness Office Hours, Michael Caulo breaks down why self-care isn't selfish—and how neglecting it quietly turns into burnout, resentment, and emotional dysregulation.This isn't motivational fluff. It's behavioral science, physiology, and real-world application.Check out the Lifestyle of Fitness blog post for the full breakdown!

Luke Richmond has lived many lives: outback kid, infantry soldier, addict, inmate, endurance adventurer, author, and world-record holder. In this episode, Luke unpacks the moments that shaped his life, from growing up in remote Australia enduing relentless bullying, to joining the army at 17, and spiralling into an addiction that left him locked up in a foreign jail. And how hitting rock bottom became his turning point. Luke shares with Ant how the brutal discipline of Muay Thai training helped helped him rebuild his identity and fuel a passion for extreme adventure. From climbing the some of the highest peaks in violent snowstorms to record-breaking ocean crossings, Luke reveals what endurance has taught him about fear, failure, and staying alive. Luke also explains the philosophy behind his book Five Years to Live, and why adventure isn’t about ego, it's about staying human. LINKS Follow Luke on Instagram Grab Luke's books including 'Five Years To Live' here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Easton Muay Thai Program Director Sean Madden joins Eliot to explain why Muay Thai programs in America need clear structure and progression. They discuss how Easton built a ranking and ascension model that improves safety, retention, and class quality while preserving the integrity of the art. A must-listen for any school owner running a striking program.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In Episode 225 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu explains why Muay Thai isn't supposed to feel fun, exciting, or motivating every single day — and why that discomfort is exactly what makes it such a powerful practice.Most people quit Muay Thai when training stops feeling “fun.” They assume something is wrong, that they're failing, or that they're not cut out for it. In reality, that moment is where real progress begins.This episode breaks down:Why motivation fades and discipline takes overThe difference between fun and fulfillment in Muay Thai trainingWhy awareness grows faster than skill — and why that feels frustratingThe phases where most students quit (3–4 months and around 2 years)How Muay Thai builds self-trust, resilience, and composure under pressureWhy repetition matters more than hype or excitementHow long-term training changes you on and off the matsJonathan shares stories from nearly two decades of training, coaching, and officiating to show why Muay Thai isn't an entertainment product — it's a practice that sharpens you, humbles you, and builds discipline over time.If training feels hard, boring, or uncomfortable right now, this episode explains why that's not failure — it's growth.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

In this episode of the Cory Cast, we welcome back a very special guest: Chris Smith. As the second guest to ever appear on the show, Chris returns for a deep dive into how his life has transformed since our first conversation.Back in our initial interview, Chris was navigating the world as a dedicated martial artist and coach without the responsibilities of a family. Today, he joins us as a husband and a father, bringing a brand-new perspective on what it means to lead a balanced life. We explore his enduring passion for Muay Thai and the technical evolution of his martial arts journey, alongside the mental shift required to move from the center of the ring to coaching and cornering fighters in the heat of battle.The heart of this conversation focuses on the ultimate transition from a solo, "martial arts-centric" lifestyle to building a family. Chris shares how he successfully manages the intensity of the gym while staying present for his wife and son, and how the discipline, patience, and resilience learned on the mats have become his greatest tools in fatherhood. Whether you are a combat sports enthusiast, a coach, or a parent trying to balance your own passions with family life, Chris's journey offers incredible insights into growth, maturity, and finding your "why."Follow Chris on Instagram: @ghostx315------Find this episode on YouTube by searching for "Cory Cast"-----Don't forget to follow, rate, and subscribe!----Instagram: @Frothy_Lawson | Twitter: @FrothyLawson---Thank you to this episode's sponsors:Thur13en

Send us a textIn this episode of Lifestyle of Fitness Office Hours, Coach Mike Caulo builds on the One Word framework by exploring identity-based habits and sustainability. Learn how concepts from Atomic Habits and The High 5 Habit reinforce self-trust, consistency, and long-term change — even when motivation fades, and life gets busy.

Gabriel Rojo de la Vega es atleta, emprendedor y speaker que ha construido una carrera basada en la disciplina, los hábitos y el propósito. Su camino comienza en las fuerzas básicas del Club América, pasando después por equipos como San Luis, Rayo Vallecano B en España y Partick Thistle en Escocia. Tras más de 15 años dedicado al fútbol, decide retirarse, regresar a México y fundar El T3mplo, un centro de alto rendimiento físico con enfoque en cuerpo, mente y espíritu, que hoy se ha convertido en un referente de transformación integral con múltiples ubicaciones. Ademas, fue Campeón Panamericano de Muay Thai en 2018, y ha lanzado proyectos como R3 Raw Protein y el programa de desarrollo personal Tu Pot3ncial, donde fusiona su experiencia deportiva con herramientas de transformación y rituales para ayudarte a explotar tu potencial. Gabriel es esposo, papá, conferencista y una voz poderosa que nos enseña la importancia de los hábitos, la motivación y la gratitud como pilares para lograr nuestros objetivos.

Today's topics0:00 — Intro01:19 — Ranger School ruck failure07:33 — How to earn strong peer ratings during Team Week15:54 — How to deal with ADHD22:36 — Bodyweight vs run/ruck performance25:40 — Deadlift swaps in JG3 (hex bar vs RDLs)29:24 — Sleep prep vs selection reality35:04 — Naps, sleep debt, and recovery33:38 — Ruck Run Lift + odd-object carries40:59 — Muay Thai during selection prep48:25 — Five-mile PRs & endurance benchmarks49:25 — Sugar intake during training---Questions? Look for bi-weekly Q&A on my stories. I'll answer your questions on IG and here on the podcast.---New Selection Prep Program: Ruck | Run | Lift New Hybrid Program: Jacked Gazelle 3.0Ebook: SOF Selection Recovery & Nutrition Guide---TrainHeroic Team Subscription: T-850 Rebuilt (try a week for free!)---PDF programs2 & 5 Mile Run Program - run improvement program w/ strength workKickstart- beginner/garage gym friendlyTime Crunch- Workouts for those short on timeHypertrophy- intermediate/advancedJacked Gazelle- Hybrid athleteJacked Gazelle 2.0 - Hybrid athleteSFAS Prep- Special forces train-upRuck | Run | Lift - Selection Prep—Spoken Supplements: Code terminator_trainingCwench supplements: Code terminator_training---Let's connect:Newsletter Sign UpIG: terminator_trainingYoutube: Terminator Training Methodwebsite: terminatortraining.comSubstack

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In Episode 224 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu makes a statement that will stop most listeners in their tracks: “I'm quitting the podcast.”After six years, hundreds of episodes, and tens of thousands of listeners, Jonathan pulls back the curtain on a question most creators, gym owners, and long-term builders eventually face — when the math stops making sense, why keep going?This episode isn't clickbait. It's an honest reflection on:Why quitting felt logical after years of consistent workThe hidden costs of podcasting, production, and opportunity lossThe parallels between almost quitting Muay Thai early on and almost quitting the podcast nowWhy most people quit after they've put in real effort, not at the beginningSunk cost fallacy, patience gaps, and the danger of invisible progressWhat it actually takes to build something cultural, not viralThe difference between passive listeners and an active communityJonathan explains why this moment feels familiar, what Muay Thai taught him about staying past the “reasonable quitting point,” and why this episode isn't about walking away — but about deciding what the podcast becomes next.This is a raw conversation about staying when applause is quiet, building something that matters, and why real projects don't survive on attention alone — they survive on alignment and support.If this podcast has ever helped you, entertained you, or given you perspective on Muay Thai, leadership, or long-term commitment, this episode explains why now is the moment that matters most.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

In this inspiring episode of Inside The Wolf's Den, Shawn and Joni Wolfswinkel sit down with one of Albuquerque's top real estate forces, Chris Tanner. A war veteran, devoted husband and father, and premier broker, Chris brings a rare blend of service, leadership, and market mastery to the mic. As the 2025 President of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR), he now leads a thriving network of 4,500+ REALTORS® and he does so with the discipline and clarity honed from two decades of Air Force service and a relentless commitment to excellence. We dive into Chris Tanner's extraordinary journey: a University of New Mexico alum with a rich trove of experience, from a 20-year Air Force career culminating as a First Sergeant, to deployment in Iraq, to becoming one of the nation's top 1% real estate producers. In 2024 he closed 55 families, totaling $22 million in sales, and in 2025 he began shaping the future of Albuquerque real estate through RPAC leadership, MRP, C2EX, and NMAR directorship. In this episode you'll hear how Chris weaves together military service, education, and real estate into a single mission. The pivotal moment that steered him toward real estate after a storied Air Force career. His priorities as GAAR President and how he translates military leadership into industry wide impact. From competitive tennis and Muay Thai to mountain biking and marksmanship, Chris's life outside work reflects the same drive and integrity he brings to clients every day. Tune in for candid insights, practical advice, and a portrait of leadership in real estate that's shaping Albuquerque's market for years to come. Veteren Realtor Link: https://www.veteranrealtor.com YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/d6umT32idWg

This episode is my annual Muay Thai business review — looking back at 2025 and outlining where I'm heading in 2026.  I've been doing this as a written blog for years, but this is the first time I'm breaking it down fully on the podcast. This show sits at the intersection of: Muay Thai, Business, Media And building real careers in combat sports In this episode, I cover: Why I left Fairtex after 7 years What I learned working with top promotions and fighters Building a personal media brand in Muay Thai Writing Muay Thai: The Complete Insider's Guide to Training, Fighting & Business What content actually works (and what doesn't) My goals for 2026: newsletter, consulting, LLC, partnerships

Send us a textInstead of setting dozens of goals this year, try choosing one word. In this episode, Coach Mike Caulo breaks down the One Word framework and explains why he chose Devotion as his guiding word. Learn how identity-based focus, habit formation, and consistency outperform traditional New Year's resolutions — and how to apply your own word to health, work, and daily life.

In this episode: an extended and

Episode 223 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast kicks off the new year with a reality check for anyone setting Muay Thai goals in January.Every year, new students come in motivated, fired up, and ready to “go all in” — and every year, most of those goals quietly fall apart by February or March. In this episode, Jonathan Puu breaks down why New Year's Muay Thai goals fail and how to approach training in a way that actually lasts.This episode covers:Why motivation-based goals don't survive Muay Thai trainingThe difference between outcome goals and process-driven habitsHow beginners burn out by training too hard, too fastWhy consistency beats intensity every timeHow to set realistic, measurable Muay Thai goalsWhat progress actually looks like in your first year of trainingHow discipline replaces motivation once the honeymoon phase endsWhy Muay Thai isn't a 30-day challenge — it's a long-term practiceWhether you're brand new to Muay Thai, returning after time off, or recommitting in the new year, this episode gives you a framework to train smarter, stay consistent, and avoid the burnout cycle that stops most people before they ever see real progress.If Muay Thai is one of your goals this year, this is the episode you should hear first.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Nicholas deKay, Director at Athlaoch Pictures, about attending AFM for the first time, transitioning from stunt work into directing, and pitching new projects including Eat the Rich Day and a Muay Thai documentary—plus insights from his distributed film The Arc of Lilburn. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Nicholas deKay⁠, Director at Athlaoch Pictures, about attending AFM for the first time, transitioning from stunt work into directing, and pitching new projects including Eat the Rich Day and a Muay Thai documentary—plus insights from his distributed film The Arc of Lilburn. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us a textLife doesn't pause when routines break. In this episode, Coach Mike Caulo breaks down how to stay healthy, grounded, and consistent when you're sick, traveling, or off routine — using evidence-based principles that support long-term health, energy, and resilience.

Episode 222 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast is the official 2025 year-end recap, breaking down what actually mattered across the podcast, the academy, and the broader Pu'u Muay Thai ecosystem.In this episode, Jonathan Puu reflects on why long-form conversations beat viral clips, and how depth, consistency, and real-world experience shaped the podcast's global growth in 2025. With over 41,000 downloads across 60+ countries, this wasn't a highlight-reel year — it was a year of substance.Topics covered include:Why clips alone don't represent Muay Thai culture or leadershipGlobal podcast reach and listener data from the USA, Australia, Thailand, Europe, and beyondThe most impactful 2025 episodes and why they resonatedInside the Pu'u Muay Thai academy ecosystem and staff developmentThe evolution of the podcast studio and the Black Room at Teep StudiosReal conversations about gym ownership, amateur competition, and standardsTraining camps in Thailand, international collaborations, and cultural responsibilityWhy Muay Thai needs better operators, not louder influencersThis episode ties together the podcast, the gym, the staff, the students, and the global Muay Thai community — and sets the tone for what's coming in 2026.If you only listened to clips, you missed the point.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

That stigma around parents in youth sports? It's an unfortunate part of the culture, but Coach Ilya Podolskiy is taking a different approach and bringing families into the process. In this episode, you'll hear how he turns parents into allies and creates a culture where kids build resilience while still having fun. Our conversation highlights how important families are to an athlete's development, the impact sports and mentorship can have in a child's life, and what makes a truly great coach. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) Why progress is a constant driver in Ilya's life (01:40) Overcoming childhood bullying through martial arts (05:34) How he discovered hockey and became a coach (08:57) The importance of being a mentor, not just a coach (14:36) How he juggles full-time work, coaching, and family life (19:59) The Podolskiy Method: why parents need to be involved in youth sports (23:48) Two things that keep families and kids coming back to the game (26:29) Giving back through Hockey Helps 24-Hour Marathon (28:10) What brought you JOY today? (31:13) Resources: Sending your child to college will always be emotional but are you financially ready? Take the College Readiness Quiz for Parents: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/college-readiness-quiz/ Doing your taxes might not be enJOYable but being more organized can make the process less painful. Get Your Gathering Your Tax Documents Checklist: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitlin_ChecklistForGatheringYourTaxDocuments_Form_062424_v2.pdf Will you be able to enJOY the Retirement you envision? Take the Retirement Ready Quiz: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/retirement-planning-quiz/ Connect with Larry Sprung: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung Connect with Ilya Podolskiy: Sharp Skate NY Instagram: http://instagram.com/SharpSkateNY/ Ilya's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilya.podolskiy.5 Sharp Skate NY's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpskate YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepodolskiymethod-parenti9182 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilya-podolskiy-cpa-89b2b71a Website: https://thepodolskiymethod.squarespace.com/ Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1759705 About Our Guest: Ilya Podolskiy is a USA Hockey Level 5 Master Coach and Coach Developer, as well as the Lead Hockey Instructor for the New York Junior Rangers. With years of experience coaching travel youth hockey at multiple ages and levels, he has built a reputation for developing athletes and guiding families through the youth sports journey. He is also the creator and host of The Podolskiy Method Podcast, where he shares insights on parenting athletes and the role of education in sports. Beyond hockey, Ilya holds a black belt in Taekwondo, where he previously taught martial arts, blending discipline and character into his coaching approach.  In addition, Ilya wrestled in high school and collegiate levels and continued to study various Martial art disciplines like Muay Thai, KickBoxing, and Karate, amongst others. Professionally, he is a CPA and earned his Master's degree from Villanova School of Law, combining analytical precision with a passion for teaching and mentorship. Currently, Ilya is seeking new keynote speaking opportunities to share his coaching philosophy, leadership lessons, and personal experiences with broader audiences. Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site. This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Building a successful Muay Thai fight team looks very different in Thailand than it does in the United States. In this episode I sit down with Sean Madden, long-time Easton coach, Team USA IFMA coach, and veteran of both the American and Thai Muay Thai systems. Want to learn more about the sport? Check out: Muay Thai The Complete Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business: https://a.co/d/iFTOOKH

Send us a textLongevity isn't about hacks — it's about habits. In this episode, Coach Mike Caulo breaks down five evidence-based daily habits that support long-term health, energy, strength, and mental clarity for busy professionals and parents.If you found this helpful, you can shop the tools I personally use and teach at amazon.com/shop/mikecaulo.For weekly Office Hours, topic voting, coaching, retreats, and info on using HSA/FSA or health insurance, head to lifestyleoffitness.com.

Becoming a professional Muay Thai fighter isn't about talent alone. It's about planning, money, health, opponents, visas, and survival. In this episode, Matt Lucas and Jonathan Pu'u break down what it actually takes to turn pro and how most fighters mess it up.  We cover: How many fights you really need Why money matters more than skill early on USA vs Thailand costs Selling tickets & building a following Health insurance, visas, and savings Why breaking even is the real first goal This is a long-form masterclass for fighters who are serious about longevity not just chasing a "pro" label.

On this Podcast Steven hosts new guest to the show Evan Boulton. Evan is a world class Kickboxer & Muay Thai fighter who is a World Champion & International Champion fighting in 4 weight classes. He trains & coaches out of "HardWorx Fitness" in Long Beach, CA.

Easton Muay Thai Program Director Sean Madden joing Eliot to break down the class structure and ascension model that allowed Easton's striking program to grow across multiple academies. They discuss why American students need a different approach than traditional Thai training, how Kickboxing can serve as the on-ramp into Muay Thai, and why Fundamentals and Intermediate classes are essential steps that build both skill and community. If you want a Muay Thai program that's safe, scalable, and built for long-term student progression, this episode lays out the blueprint. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

coach, and the promoter behind the US Muay Thai Open, to break down how Muay Thai competition is evolving in the United States.Thiago shares behind-the-scenes insight into what it really takes to run large-scale Muay Thai tournaments, develop athletes safely, and build sustainable fight teams. The conversation covers:How the US Muay Thai Open has grown into one of the largest tournaments in the countryThe purpose and structure of D-Class and C-Class competitionWhy semi-contact still counts as real experienceDeveloping fighters, coaches, referees, and gyms through competitionThe realities of promoting Muay Thai events and selling ticketsWhy team culture, rankings, and accountability matterThe challenges facing pro Muay Thai in the U.S.How tournaments help legitimize gyms and grow the sport nationwideThis episode is a must-listen for fighters, coaches, gym owners, promoters, and anyone serious about Muay Thai in the United States.Learn more about the US Muay Thai Open at usmuaythaiopen.com and follow them on Instagram @usmuaythaiopen.Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

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Send us a textA science-backed breakdown of pre-workout supplements, energy, dopamine, and mental health. In this LOF Office Hours replay, Michael Caulo breaks down stim vs non-stim pre-workouts, creatine for brain energy, music vs caffeine, and exercise for depression. This episode focuses on supporting the nervous system, reducing burnout, and building consistency with low-friction tools. Watch the office hours replay on Amazon!

Double Vision After Stroke: What Jorden's Story Teaches Us About Brainstem Stroke Recovery Double vision after stroke is one of those symptoms no one imagines they'll ever face—until the day they wake up and the world has split in two. For many stroke survivors, it's confusing, frightening, and completely disorienting. And when it happens as part of a brainstem stroke, like it did for 45-year-old attorney Jorden Ryan, it can mark the beginning of a long and unpredictable recovery journey. In this article, we walk through Jorden's powerful story, how double vision after stroke showed up in his life, and what other survivors can learn from the way he navigated setback after setback. If you’re living with vision changes or recovering from a brainstem stroke, this piece is for you. The Morning Everything Changed Jorden went to bed preparing for a big day at work. By morning, nothing made sense. When he opened his eyes, the room looked doubled—two phones, two walls, two versions of everything. He felt drunk, dizzy, and disconnected from his own body. Double vision after stroke often appears suddenly, without warning. In Jorden's case, it was the first sign that a clot had formed near an aneurysm in his brainstem. As he tried to read his phone, he realised he couldn't. As he tried to stand, he collapsed. And as nausea took over, his vision became just one of many things slipping away. He didn't know it then, but this was the beginning of a brainstem stroke recovery journey that would test every part of who he was. When the Body Quits and the World Keeps Moving Even when paramedics arrived, the situation remained confusing. “You're too young for a stroke,” they told him. But the double vision, vomiting, and collapsing legs said otherwise. By the time he reached the hospital, he was drifting in and out of consciousness. Inside the MRI, everything changed again—his left side stopped working completely. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He couldn't swallow. His ability to control anything was gone. For many survivors, this is where the fear sets in—not only the fear of dying, but the fear of living this way forever. Understanding Double Vision After Stroke Double vision happens when the eyes no longer work together. After a stroke—especially a brainstem stroke—the nerves that control eye alignment can be affected. Survivors often describe it the way Jorden did: blurry, overlapping images difficulty reading nausea when focusing a sense of being “detached” from reality exhaustion from trying to make sense of their surroundings In Jorden's case, double vision wasn't the only issue, but it shaped everything that came after. It influenced his balance, his confidence, and even whether he felt safe leaving his home. Three Weeks Missing: The Silent Part of Recovery Jorden spent nearly three weeks in a coma-like state. Days blurred together. Friends visited. Family gathered. He remembers fragments, but not the whole chapter. When he finally became more aware, nothing worked the way it used to—not his speech, not his swallow, not his limbs, and certainly not his vision. This is something many survivors aren't prepared for: Stroke recovery often begins long before you're fully conscious. Starting Over: The Fight to Stand Again Inpatient rehab became Jorden's new world. It was full of firsts, none of them easy. The first time he tried to sit up. The first time he attempted to transfer out of bed. The first swallow test. The first attempt to speak. Everything required more energy than he had. And yet, small wins mattered: “When my affected hand moved for the first time, I felt human again.” Double vision made everything more complicated, especially balance and spatial awareness. Even brushing his teeth triggered trauma because of early choking experiences in hospital. Still, he kept going. Life Doesn't Pause for Stroke Recovery Just like so many survivors say, the world didn't stop for Jorden to recover. On the very day he left inpatient rehab, his close friend—who had also lived with paralysis—died by suicide. Not long after, his dog passed away too. It felt unfair. Cruel. Like everything was happening at once. But even in that darkness, Jorden found a way to keep moving. Not fast. Not perfectly. Just forward. Learning to Walk Again With Vision Working Against Him Double vision after stroke made walking terrifying. Every step felt unpredictable. Every movement demanded complete attention. He used a slackline as a walking rail. He held onto countertops, walls, chairs—anything that would keep him upright. He practised daily, even when the exhaustion was overwhelming. This is something survivors often underestimate: Vision problems drain energy faster than physical limitations. Your brain is constantly trying to make sense of visual chaos. Of course you get tired faster. Of course progress feels slow. But slow progress is still progress. Humour as a Survival Tool Many survivors rely on humour to keep themselves grounded. For Jorden, it showed up in moments like these: His leg falling off the footrest of a wheelchair and being dragged without him realising. Gym sessions where he pushed through fatigue—even after peeing his pants slightly. Laughing at situations that would've once embarrassed him. Humour didn't erase the trauma, but it gave him permission to keep going. “Now it's me versus me. Every step I take is a win, even if no one sees it.” What Jorden Wants Every Survivor to Know Recovery doesn't end after 12 months. Double vision after stroke can improve—even years later. Brainstem stroke recovery isn't linear. You're allowed to grieve what you lost and still fight for what's ahead. The simplest achievements matter. Hope is not naïve—it's a strategy. His story is proof that even when everything falls apart, life can still move forward. If You're Living With Double Vision After Stroke You are not alone. Your progress might feel invisible. Your days might feel slow and frustrating. But your brain is still rewiring, still adapting, still learning. And you don't have to navigate that alone either. Take the Next Step in Your Recovery If you want guidance, support, and practical tools for rebuilding life after stroke, you're invited to explore the resources below: Read Bill's Book: The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened Join the Patreon: Recovery After Stroke This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or recovery plan. Jorden Ryan: Living With Double Vision After Stroke & Finding a Way Forward He woke up seeing double, and everything changed. Jorden's journey through double vision after stroke shows how recovery can begin in the darkest moments. Jorden’s Facebook Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Double Vision After Stroke 03:15 The Day Everything Changed 10:26 When the Diagnosis Finally Made Sense 16:32 Surviving a Second Stroke 21:47 What Recovery Really Feels Like 32:16 The Emotional Toll No One Talks About 44:57 The First Swim After Stroke 54:08 Finding Light in the Darkest Moments 59:28 Living with PTSD After Stroke 01:15:01 Being Told “You'll Never…” by Doctors 01:26:40 Finding Meaning After Stroke Transcript: Introduction to Jorden Ryan’s Double Vision After Stroke Bill Gasiamis (00:01) Welcome again to the Recovery After Stroke podcast. I’m Bill Gasiamis. And if you’re listening right now, chances are stroke recovery feels confusing and isolating. I get that. I’ve been there. Leaving the hospital, feeling lost, desperate for clarity and unsure of what comes next. That’s why this podcast exists. Recovery After Stroke gives you real stories and expert insights that help guide your recovery so you can feel more confident, informed. and in control of your progress. And so you never have to feel alone or uncertain again. Today you’ll hear from Jordan Ryan, a 45 year old attorney who woke up one morning and nothing worked anymore. His story is raw, honest, and filled with moments that every stroke survivor will recognize. Fear, frustration, identity loss, and the courage to begin again. But I won’t spoil the episode. I’ll let you hear it from him. Jordan Ryan, welcome to the podcast. Jorden Ryan (00:58) Thank you, Bill. Happy to be here. Bill Gasiamis (01:01) Great to have you here. So if I recall correctly, your stroke was in March, 2024. So not that long ago. What was life like before that? Jorden Ryan (01:10) Life, I would say, was pretty normal. I didn’t have any symptoms or anything and I was a attorney. I walked to work every day about two miles and everything was going well. So right up until the night that I went to sleep, I had no symptoms at all. Bill Gasiamis (01:26) What kind of person were you then? Your routine, for example, and your relationships, where were they at? What kind of life did you lead? Jorden Ryan (01:34) I was awesome, right? No, just kidding. Yeah, they were good. Like I had a lot of friends and work colleagues and they did a lot. Like I was mostly a social person and went out a lot. So not home that much. I mean, I made a lot of friends in my loft, like down the halls were a lot of friends, but I lived by myself. Bill Gasiamis (01:55) ⁓ Well, if you thought you were awesome, I’m going to go with that. I got no problem with you thinking you are awesome. What about your health? Did you have a sense of your health? You know, we often talk about how we felt and what we were like and how energetic we were. Did you have a sense of where your health was at now in hindsight? Jorden Ryan (02:17) No, I did not. Actually, ⁓ I had a deviated septum from somebody hitting me in the face a while back from me trying to stop a fight. And so it took three surgeries to finally get it correct. Like they had to take a piece of my rib and some of my ear to straighten out my nose. But anyways, I say all that because it made me gain a lot of weight and I guess have sleep apnea. I didn’t know that, but you know, the girl I was dating at the time told me. So anyways, I got it fixed. And I had just seen a person to help me lose weight, the doctor and everybody. so I thought my health was good. And I had probably maybe a year and a half ago, I got into a jet ski, just knocked on conscious when I hit the water. So they did a cat scan and I didn’t know, but I thought that when they did that, I was fine. I was healthy. I didn’t know it would take an MRI to know that stuff. So I felt. totally fine until the event. The Day Everything Changed Bill Gasiamis (03:17) So after the nose surgery, things started to improve with regards to your weight and your sleeping. Yeah. Jorden Ryan (03:22) I don’t know that, like, I tried to get a CPAP machine before my surgery and yes, I was starting to work out more but I was still a little bit tired I guess but I mean nothing like, un-normal like, really bad or anything like that. Bill Gasiamis (03:38) Yeah, I do hear that sleep apnea is kind of that strange kind of a thing that people don’t realize they have until somebody diagnoses it and says to them, this is why you feel so drained, so tired all the time. And then they get it resolved in one way or another and things improve, especially with a, sometimes with a CPAP machine. So, ⁓ but then you’ll fit an active and you were pretty well. So take us back to that moment of that first stroke or what? What was it like? What happened? Jorden Ryan (04:08) So when I had ZPAP like to get a diagnosis or whatever they sent something in the mail and you just put it on your finger it was not as comprehensive as an actual sleep study and they said well that will be fine anyway so I got the machine it was very hard for me to sleep with so it would keep me up it did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do so anyways that night I went to bed I had a big day the next day work call international call and I was gonna be the only one on the call, only attorney on the call. And so I woke up, I could not sleep, which was kind of normal with the CPAP machine. So I watched a movie and then went to sleep maybe an hour before it was time to wake up. And I went to bed and my alarm went off and I got up and I felt like really strange. I saw double, basically like I felt like I’d been drinking all night or something. Then, ⁓ I called into work and said, I’m sorry I cannot help you. Like, I was looking at my cell phone, which I do all the time, and I couldn’t read it or anything like that. being, you know, kind of naive, I think I took a quick shower, like, rinse some cold water on me, thinking maybe that would fix it. No, that’s ridiculous, but I thought it would, and when it got worse, that’s when I called on my one. Bill Gasiamis (05:35) Yeah, how long did they take to arrive? Do you feel Jorden Ryan (05:38) Mmm, I felt like forever, but I think it was pretty short. I lived in the city So the ambulance was right down the street. So I think like maybe 15 minutes or something like that Bill Gasiamis (05:49) Were you able to let them in? Jorden Ryan (05:52) I was, I, you know, the dispatch 911 person said to make sure I unlocked the door first. I thought I was having a stroke, but I fell down on my knees and laid against my bed and it was very difficult to go open the door to let them in. So yes, I was able to unlock the door and I did that. And I just started throwing up like more than I’ve ever vomited before in my life. Like something was really wrong. my leg went out. I didn’t know that it like couldn’t move at all. I just fell backwards and it was kidney due to throwing up. So then they came and I was still able to stand and talk and I felt, I mean, other than throwing up and double vision, I felt fine. So they told me that I was probably too young to have a stroke and that maybe it was just ready to go. So I was thinking that, okay, well I’ll just go to the hospital and you know, get checked out and I’ll come home early. But it seemed to get worse as things were going. I pulled myself up onto the gurney the EMTs had and I remember thinking like I’ve got to go to the hospital now and they were like being nice and getting my stuff and my phone and whatever else and if I threw up they were getting the trash can and I remember thinking I didn’t care if all of my stuff was stolen. I need to go to the hospital now. So we definitely got up there. When I was kind of in and out of consciousness by that time and I got to the hospital and they checked me out like an actual MRI. And when I was inside of it is when my left side of my body completely quit working. So I didn’t know what was going on. I mean, I had no clue. So I pulled myself out of the MRI. And some people get claustrophobic or whatever, but this was a square machine and because I felt sick already and half my body quit working while I was in there, it really put fear in me to get out. Bill Gasiamis (07:59) ⁓ So you had the right to the hospital, they saw you rather rapidly before they got you into the MRI? Jorden Ryan (08:10) The EMTs did see me pretty quick. They did not think I had a stroke, so it wasn’t as maybe punctual as possible. they were still… I mean, the fire department, I think, was maybe a quarter of a mile from my house. So they got there pretty fast. Bill Gasiamis (08:27) Yeah, okay. So when you got to hospital, what was that like? What happened then? Jorden Ryan (08:33) Yeah, by the time I got to the hospital, I was barely able to be coherent at all. Like someone would say, hey, Jordan, I would bring me to for a second, like, what is your phone number? And I could answer, but then I would be out again. when they were taking me to the MRI, they kind of with me. And this was the first time that I was frightened for my life. I think that one of the nurses was like, I can’t believe they’re going to waste the time to do MRI on this person. He’s gonna die anyway. There are people that need them. Machine. Bill Gasiamis (09:04) Wow, they didn’t say that, did they? Jorden Ryan (09:07) Well, I was like, couldn’t talk, couldn’t move. I don’t know if they said it for real, but I think so. I believe that’s what they said. then I was like, this is not how I die. I’ve done so much crazy stuff. can’t be just cause I was going to work early in the morning. ⁓ Bill Gasiamis (09:22) Wow. So you have a sense that that’s what they said while you’re being, while you’re on the bed being moved to the MRI. Jorden Ryan (09:32) Well, I was in going to like a holding area, like a waiting area to do MRI. Yeah. And so they left me and I couldn’t move. And so it was pretty scary. Yeah. And then after the MRI, the nurse did say, you know, we need to call your family. And so I did unlock my iPhone and I remember her calling, but it’s kind of hazy in and out of that. And I think They said, need to call the family so they can say their goodbyes. I think I overheard that. And I was like, what is going on? This can’t be this serious, right? So I really do believe I did hear that though. Bill Gasiamis (10:12) Seems like they may have very quickly upgraded your condition from vertigo, which they originally said when they arrived and seems like they kind of knew that something else dramatic was happening. Jorden Ryan (10:19) Yeah When the Diagnosis Finally Made Sense That’s correct. I wish it would have been just ready to go. Right. But it was all of a sudden went from, you know, pretty good news or decent, extremely dire consequences or like something bad was going to happen. Yes. Bill Gasiamis (10:42) Yeah. How old were you in 2024? Jorden Ryan (10:46) I was 45. Bill Gasiamis (10:49) Yeah. And do you have a sense now? Do you understand what it was that caused the stroke? We’ll jump back into Jordan’s story in just a moment. But first, I wanted to pause and acknowledge something. If you’re listening to this and stroke recovery feels confusing and isolating, I want you to know you’re not imagining it. I know exactly what that feels like. That’s why I created Recovery After Stroke to bring you real stories and insights that guide your recovery and help you feel more confident, informed and in control. And if you’d like to go deeper, remember to check out my book, The Unexpected Way The Stroke Became, The Best Thing That Happened, and support the show on Patreon at patreon.com slash recovery after stroke. Jorden Ryan (11:34) Yes, I do have ⁓ an aneurysm in my, ⁓ in the brainstem. can’t, it affected the pontine area and the salabella. Like I cannot remember the nerves. Unfortunately, I’m sorry. The veins that it’s in, but it is really big and the blood being kind of, ⁓ kind of mixed around. mean, like because my vein is so wide, the clots can form just. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (12:03) Okay, so with an aneurysm, you’re at risk of it bursting, but then because of the different shape, the high pressure and the low pressure systems that occur in the aneurysm create a different blood flow. It causes the blood to turn into a clot and then perhaps get stuck there. And then when it gets big enough, it can break off or move and then it causes the clot. Jorden Ryan (12:31) Yeah, I don’t know if it breaks off and or just makes a clot and get stuck in there, but same concept, I think. Right. And so, yeah. Bill Gasiamis (12:40) Okay, so then you know that now after they did the MRI, what happened then? Did you have to ⁓ go through some kind of a procedure to sort out the clot and to remove the blockage and to fix the aneurysm? What was the situation? Jorden Ryan (12:59) Yeah, unfortunately they cannot fix aneurysm. They are just throwing as much medicine as they can, like all the tools that they have at the disposal at this time. But after they found out I had a clot, they’re just kind of like, let’s see what happens now. So that is when I went kind of again unconscious in probably about three weeks. I do not remember very much at all. Bill Gasiamis (13:26) Okay. Was that because they were, were in an induced coma to help you with it, with the healing? Jorden Ryan (13:32) I don’t think it was induced. think it was just my body went into a coma. mean, at the time I thought probably I was just very tired because I’d only slept an hour, but I mean, three weeks is a long nap. So a lot of my friends come in to visit me in the hospital, but I was like, I felt like just tired, but I didn’t feel bad. Like I was going to die or something. But so it was very strange because I felt very coherent. Like every day is just a different day. but my body like wouldn’t move like I could tell my left hand to move and it would not. So, but other than that, like, ⁓ I felt normal so to speak. Bill Gasiamis (14:13) I can see those three weeks. Did you have a sense that you had a stroke? Did that actually sort of say you’ve had a stroke? Did you understand that for the first time? Jorden Ryan (14:25) Yeah, I understood that I had a stroke, but I just didn’t understand what that meant. Like, for example, to sit up, which I would do in my whole life, I was not able to do that anymore. So during that three weeks, they would have a hoist system to move me to a couch. So I wouldn’t get bed sores, I think, you know, just precaution, but that was like a really scary, like I did not like that at all. was, which would normally be super easy. ⁓ Yes, they said I had a stroke, but I had no idea how bad it was. Bill Gasiamis (14:58) Yeah. family and friends. You had people rally around to do people have to fly. Excuse me. Do people have to fly in or come from out of town or were they all nearby? How, how did you go and see that? Jorden Ryan (15:13) I think that my sister put something on Facebook, on my Facebook. And so I had people close by and I did have people fly from a couple of different areas because at that time I think I was in ICU. So, you know, that may be the last chance I had to talk to me. So they did come say goodbye, but the hospital for so long, I mean, people got me flowers and I would think that would be as long as possible, but then those flowers would die. and people would bring plants and when those died, I mean, wow, that’s really a long time to be in the hospital, you know? And the plants died because I couldn’t water them because I’m paralyzed, so, at that time. Bill Gasiamis (15:54) Yeah, how long were you in hospital in total? Jorden Ryan (15:58) The first stroke I was probably, I got out May 17th, but that’s out of the inside rehab that what do you call inpatient rehabs? think that I was in hospital for maybe three weeks, maybe a month. Like, you know, they downgraded me from ICU for a week and then sent me to the internal rehab. Bill Gasiamis (16:23) Yeah, so the stroke was March 22 and then you got out of hospital in May. Jorden Ryan (16:29) That’s great. In mid-May, yeah. Surviving a Second Stroke Bill Gasiamis (16:32) Yeah. And you said that that was the first stroke. So was there another stroke? Jorden Ryan (16:37) Yeah, it’s crazy. So I had my first stroke and then I really tried hard like no sugar, no pop, no alcohol. I did everything I thought is best I could and even in rehab they had me bake cookies and I didn’t eat them because they had sugar in them. And then I had another stroke when I woke up to go to rehab. So that was October 7th. So it was, it started out with just my hand wouldn’t move like it should like I was regaining everything back pretty well from the first stroke. And I thought I was Superman basically. I was healing pretty fast and I was like, I beat it. This is great. And then right back to being in a bad stroke and being a wheelchair and all of that. Bill Gasiamis (17:25) So the same issue in the cerebellum near the pons again caused another clot or was it just something else that happened? Jorden Ryan (17:34) No, you’re right. It was the same thing, basically affected the same areas of my brain. So they say that your brain with spasticity can do like a detour. So now I have a detour of a detour, basically. So my brain had just rewired and was working pretty decently and then that area got damaged as well. Bill Gasiamis (17:57) Okay. And were you on blood thinners or something to help thin the blood to kind of minimize the risk of another blood clot or? Jorden Ryan (18:06) Yes, I was on the Eloquist, so I thought that that would be enough, but it was not. So now I am also on aspirin, but it’s just a small pill every day. I think that, like I said, they don’t really have a whole lot they can do. So they’re just telling me to take this medicine out for the best and maybe it will happen again and maybe it won’t, but they can’t operate on it because the risks outweigh the reward. Like there is a Good chance of death. Bill Gasiamis (18:37) Yeah, understood. How long did you spend in hospital for the second incident? Jorden Ryan (18:42) I was out, ⁓ towards the end of November. think mid and like either the second or third week in November. Bill Gasiamis (18:52) And then when you left hospital that time, you left with the deficits, which had kind of eased up or you didn’t really have before the, after the first one, is that right? Jorden Ryan (19:04) Yes, that’s right. I will, will wheeled out in wheelchair and had no use of my leg or my arm and my face was not really healed from the first stroke, but a little bit and I still had that too. I could not talk. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t drink. Like, I mean, I could, guess, but not how, yeah. So like holding glass to my face would come all over down my face and stuff. so This area right here always felt wet. Like it felt like I was in a pool, even though I wasn’t. So I couldn’t tell if I had food all over me or what have you that I would have to rely on people to tell me. I could chewing a salad is, I mean, it was really, really hard. That was kind of the, as I advanced, that was something I could do. My first stroke, I could not, you know, a steady is it. I don’t know if you know what that is for using the restroom. It’s like a basically a dolly. put you on and I had a really hard time even trying to use that. I went through a lot of swallow tests. I could not swallow my own saliva. So that was very difficult for me. ⁓ They brushed my teeth and I felt like I was gonna die. I could not breathe. Like probably for that went on for like five minutes. Like, I mean, I could breathe, sorta, but it was very difficult. Bill Gasiamis (20:29) They brushing your teeth for you and it, and it, and triggered some kind of a reaction or. Jorden Ryan (20:34) Like the yeah, the saliva that you have in your mouth that is I mean was enough for me to drown in basically I guess Yeah Bill Gasiamis (20:45) So it wasn’t the actual tooth brushing. It was the saliva that was being generated that you couldn’t. Jorden Ryan (20:50) I so. didn’t know for sure what it was, right? Like, but I’m pretty sure was alive. It was something I couldn’t manage. That’s for sure. And it just tasted like toothpaste probably because I just had done brushing my teeth. But they did give me a peg tube so I could get food and nutrition and water in me. However, the way that they installed it the first time was ⁓ caused ulcers in my… I think in my colon, so I had to go back to the ICU. Bill Gasiamis (21:24) Yeah. Such a dramatic time, right? A lot of stuff going wrong. What’s going through your head at the time? Because you went, like we said, like it was a year earlier, everything was going fine. Everything was all okay. And now you’re dealing with all this stuff. How do you, you know, what are you saying to yourself? How do you feel about what’s happening to you? What Recovery Really Feels Like Jorden Ryan (21:47) I wish that I could give you like a really good answer, but to be honest it was more like, why is this happening to me? I can’t believe this is happening. I’m too young. Like I have to take decent care of myself. I cannot believe this. I mean, when I was in the hospital, I was watching like my 600 pound life and like, I’m just saying that I was, I thought, you know, at least that healthy, but at that time I was really devastated by what was going on. Bill Gasiamis (22:16) Yeah, you would be, it makes complete sense, right? How do you go from being quote unquote normal? Everything’s just going along as it always has. And now all these hurdles that come your way that are really challenging to overcome. you probably don’t have the skillset to deal with them in such a dramatic short amount of time. Jorden Ryan (22:17) Yeah. Yeah, I think that’s right. And I think probably if it would have just been on me, maybe I could have, but I was like, I’m going to be such a huge burden to my family in my way life is going to be so bad. Like, I was just like, how is this happening? You know, I don’t smoke and like, I don’t do heavy drugs or any of that stuff. So what is going on? And then they said, well, you must drink a lot of energy drinks. And I was like, no, I don’t drink any energy drinks. So they’re like, we don’t know what’s going on then. So just that was. So for me, I really didn’t know what was going on. Bill Gasiamis (23:15) Yeah. And in hindsight, it was just random. It’s just one of those things with the aneurysm and how can you possibly, how can you possibly deal with it when you don’t know that it’s happening to you? Similar to me, like I had a brain hemorrhage three times because of a blood vessel that I was born with. I wasn’t having the best lifestyle, but I also wasn’t causing it. I also didn’t. I wasn’t able to solve it. Everything was kind of handed over to other people. It’s not, it was nothing. It was not up to me. And I had to just kind of go through it. Jorden Ryan (23:51) Very similar. was, you know, couldn’t be in charge or control anything basically, like even really simple things. I mean, I had a diaper on, I couldn’t even go to the restroom by myself. So it was just very hard. It was a lot of stuff all at once, right? Like, it wasn’t just like I a cold or something. It was very difficult. And at first, when I was there, I couldn’t talk. So people would come and visit me but and to me what’s very strange is that my voice sounded exactly the same before the stroke which it didn’t in real life I was probably like I have no idea what I sounded like but people couldn’t understand me so I would say something to them and they’re like sorry I can’t understand you but in my head I said it perfectly it sounded like me I can hear ⁓ like my slur now but I could not at first Bill Gasiamis (24:47) Yeah. Yeah. It was there somebody that you met who helped support you and guide you through those really sort of tough bits early on, like was there kind of a mentor or somebody that came out of nowhere and just helped you navigate this? Jorden Ryan (25:06) ⁓ I don’t know really like who navigated like how it happened, you know, I had a chaplain that came in there maybe a doctor would help I Didn’t have my phone or anything at the time But when I was able to do that I saw your channels and stuff and so I listened to it and probably the totality of a lot of things there wasn’t like a one person or one thing that helped me really a lot so I remember being kind of upset at you because you said it was the best thing that ever happened to you and that was it was too new for me. I was like, what do you mean? That’s not possible. And a nurse came and said, well, you have the beautiful blue eyes and that my eyes are green. So I was like, well, maybe my hair will grow back and I’ll have blue eyes. Maybe it’ll be the best thing that ever happened. But yeah, I mean, I wasn’t really mad at you. I just said the time I could not accept those that verbiage. Bill Gasiamis (26:02) that is perfectly understandable. And it’s exactly why I chose the title, not to piss people off or make people upset while they’re recovering. In fact, I never expected that people would find it so early on in their journey. I just thought it was a story I was gonna tell and it was gonna go out there. But of course, the very first time I spoke about my book a few years ago on YouTube, the very first comment was a negative comment along the lines of, Similar to what you said. It was a bit more rude. It wasn’t so polite ⁓ And I and I was like, ⁓ no, no, no, you guys have got it wrong I don’t think I think you missed the boat. No, sorry. You missed the point the point being that It was really terrible when I was going through it for three years But when I came out the other side, there was a lot of personal growth. There was a lot of ⁓ Things that I had appreciated that I’d done that I’d learned that I’d overcome etc that became the reason why I was able to say it was the best thing that happened to me because I started a podcast, I wrote a book, I’ve spoken publicly about it, I have this platform, I’ve created a community, all these things, right? So the things that I didn’t know that I was lacking in life before the stroke, I thought my life was complete, waking up in the morning, going to work, coming home to the family, cooking dinner, paying the bills. paying the mortgage, the car lease. I thought it was all cool, all complete, but I was kind of unhappy. There was a lot that I was lacking in my life. And only because of the stroke journey, the end result of the podcast, the book and all that stuff, did I realize, ⁓ actually the… Aftermath, the things that I have grown and discovered were the best things that happened to me. And it was because of the stroke. It’s such a weird and dumb thing to say. Like I can’t even wrap my head around it, that I had to go through something so dramatic to accomplish some amazing things. I wish I would have just done it before the dramatic events. I wish there didn’t have to be one. And that being said though, I’m 13 years. post stroke, the first one, and I still live with the deficits. I still have problems sleeping on my left side because it’s numb and it’s burning and it tingles and all that kind of stuff. When I get tired, I still have balance issues when, ⁓ you know, sometimes my memory is a bit flaky because of it, but you know, a little bit, I still have deficits in my muscles and spasticity and all that kind of stuff and it hurts. I’ve accepted that part of it. how it feels in my body, but I’ve also ⁓ gone after the growth. Like I’ve really, ⁓ seriously, dramatically gone after the post-traumatic growth that comes from a serious episode. And what I hope- Jorden Ryan (29:10) explaining that in other episodes. was just my friend that I had heard and I was still like too bitter to hear that. Right. And now I kind of make sense. Like there are a of things that I didn’t appreciate as much as I should have. All the cliches, know, kind of true. Like I wake up and like that is a good day then because most of my stroke, both of my strokes came from when I was sleeping when I woke up. So kind of like Bill Gasiamis (29:21) Yeah. Jorden Ryan (29:38) Even being in the hospital, I saw more sunsets than I did in my regular life or post stroke, whatever you want to call it. I definitely get it and I can appreciate what you’re saying now, but after that time, was just more difficult. Bill Gasiamis (29:45) Yeah. I definitely come across people regularly, even though ⁓ I’ve been speaking about it for a little while, who come across the first podcast episode that I’ve done, that they’ve found in the 370 odd. And then they hear me say that again. And then there’s also, there’s sometimes a repeat of that incident where I know exactly where they’re at. Like I know exactly what’s happening. I know they don’t know that. And then what I hope that happens is say in three or four years, they can, when they go, there was that crazy guy who said stroke was the best thing that I wonder what that was about. I’m going to go get that book now and I’m going to read it. And I’m going to see if I can, you know, shift my mindset from perhaps something that’s been bugging me to something that we can grow from. And the book has got 10 steps to recovery and personal transformation. It not 10 steps to getting your perfect walk again, or making your hand work perfect again, or you know, getting rid of your deficits. It’s not that kind of book. It’s an inspiring book. We’re trying to give people some tools that they can use that doesn’t cost them any extra that will improve the quality of their health and their life. And it doesn’t matter how injured you are because of a stroke. That’s what the book helps people to do. I love challenging people. I’m not, of course, you know, I’m not intending to make people think that I promote. stroke is something that they must experience as ⁓ you know. Jorden Ryan (31:23) the ⁓ Bill Gasiamis (31:26) Yeah. ⁓ It’s not on audible. I am going to remedy that at some stage. I’m going to remedy that and I’m going to get people the ability to listen to it because ⁓ Jorden Ryan (31:46) Well, I will be your first customer, hopefully. Bill Gasiamis (31:49) Yeah, a he-man. Jorden Ryan (31:51) cannot read because my eyes are cro- like not crossed but I have double vision so they are off I cannot read so but yeah Bill Gasiamis (32:01) ⁓ After your three weeks in ICU the first time, I think you began inpatient rehab. What were those days like going through that first few motions of trying to get yourself up and about? The Emotional Toll No One Talks About Jorden Ryan (32:16) Yeah, it was very emotional, right? because you want right away, I thought just to get back to where I was. And I mean, I read some other things and I had friends of friends send me stuff and that chapter of my life is over. I mean, it was a good one, but it’s time to rewrite another one, right? Like I have to move forward. So the whole journey was really difficult. Probably took me longer than most people, but, ⁓ I was very lucky in the fact that I had a friend that had told me like, hey, you have done hard things before you were, you know, in Muay Thai, you were a attorney, you can do it again. And then in my mind, I was like, you’re not a brain doctor. What are you talking about? Leave me alone. So even though the expression was being really nice internally, that’s what I was thinking. Then I saw something like, um, it was, you know, I think it was a PT, a physical therapist who said, think that you’re gonna heal yourself in three hours a week or a day or whatever, that’s not it. Then I had another friend who told me that his sister had a stroke and she wished she would have done more during recovery. So I eventually got to the point thinking like, well, all these doctors are saying it depends, which is a fair answer, right? And I tell clients that and they hate it. But I thought that’s better than absolute no. They’re not saying and so they’ve made it to me like, well, maybe I won’t get better, but it’s not going to be from me not trying. I think another one of the people on your episodes ⁓ saying like they were always very positive and I was like, that’s not me. That’s I’m not 100 % going to be better. That just wasn’t my attitude during it. I mean, it’s good. wish I would have been, but unfortunately I wasn’t. But it kind of. Over time it’s gotten better, but at first it was very difficult for me. Bill Gasiamis (34:17) Yeah, that’s completely understandable. ⁓ You had, did you have some small wins in rehab that kind of made you shift a little bit slowly and kind of realize you’re making ground or things are, you’re overcoming things. Jorden Ryan (34:35) Yes, I did. I was very lucky in the fact that, I mean, I would just notice my therapist face like when my affected arm started to work or I did something, they didn’t say like, that’s unbelievable. But it was kind of like I was making progress faster than a lot of people. And I’m not saying I’m better. I was very lucky and I would never come to other people, but they were like, wow, that’s really amazing that you’re able to do that. So it was, it felt good. Being able, like, even just to move my finger, like, in my defective hand for the first time was huge, and then I was able to use my thumb to… I feel human again. I mean, to be honest with you, when I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t move and everything, it just felt weird, like it wasn’t me. Bill Gasiamis (35:22) Yeah, absolutely. So were there some setbacks during that time as well? Jorden Ryan (35:27) There were some setbacks. I, again, I watched one of your episodes and a gentleman told me, like I said, he had the fatigue set in later on in his journey. And so one of the things I was like, well, I’m so lucky that I don’t have that because I go to the gym pretty often. And that would be devastating to have fatigue. And then I also had fatigue. I mean, to the point where I didn’t want to move around at all. didn’t want to get out of bed hardly so there’s setbacks in the fact that like my my sister and brother-in-law luckily took me in I mean they were like ⁓ angels so to speak but they live in a big one bedroom app like one one floor house I meant to like a ranch style and just going to the bathroom was a setback because it would take forever to walk down the hall or whatever I mean it was my gate it was a walking style was Pretty hilarious there, you saw me. Bill Gasiamis (36:27) And then fatigue doing that walk also then ties you out. Jorden Ryan (36:34) Yeah, just walking to the bathroom did tire me out. So, like, to brush my teeth, I’m already scared of, like, not feeling well. Plus, walking all the way there and brushing my teeth and walking all the way back, it would be… I would really have to get my strength together to do that. Bill Gasiamis (36:53) A journey, a proper journey. Jorden Ryan (36:55) I had to do it because I didn’t want to wet myself or soil myself, but it was very difficult. mean, looking back, it’s like, wow, that stuff was so easy now. But at that time, it was not easy. was very difficult. Bill Gasiamis (37:11) Yeah. I remember being in a similar situation and I don’t have that far to go to the toilet from my couch where the lounge room is and the TV is. But I remember going to the toilet and getting back to the couch and then being completely wiped out. that’s it. I was done for hours, done for hours, just sitting there resting and then hoping to get enough energy to get back up off the couch and be okay. Um, that was very early on. That was probably a few, maybe about four five months after the second bleed, it was still very dramatic. And I couldn’t really appreciate how ⁓ I took for granted that trip before that. Like it was just, it never crosses your mind. Jorden Ryan (37:55) You wouldn’t even think about it, right? Like getting out of a car to walk to the house was very difficult for me. Or when I came back, I would just fall on my bed because I was worn out. But before that, before my stroke, I would not ever think about that kind of stuff. Yeah. In a wheelchair at first, but I walked around the house with a walker and like two laps inside the house would wear me out. That’s maybe one. Bill Gasiamis (38:11) Yeah, hell no. Jorden Ryan (38:24) Like, one hundredth of a mile is not much, or not even close to a kilometer, and that would wipe me out completely. Bill Gasiamis (38:32) Yeah. You find yourself thinking about the steps that you’re taking. Are you putting a lot of brain energy into the actual task? How your leg is moving? What was the process like for you? Jorden Ryan (38:44) Yes, my- so all the things that your body does without you thinking about were affected in me. Like blinking, I have to think about it. To move my arms at the same time, I have to think about it. So to walk was- I had to really be like, okay, which foot goes first? Left foot. Okay, now what foot goes next, right? It sounds ridiculous, but that’s really what I was like. My mind was, I had to think every time like learning to walk. I was like, what hand goes in front? with what foot? Like it was, I mean, very, very basic, like to the beginning, right? Like before elementary school, like it was, so everything I did was taxing mentally because I just had to think about stuff that you don’t normally think about, right? Like Okay, I should breathe. It wasn’t quite as bad as that, but that’s pretty close. Bill Gasiamis (39:37) Wow, So in the notes that we shared between us, you mentioned something about the first time you were taken out of hospital ⁓ to go and eat, I think. Tell me a little bit about that story. What happened then? Jorden Ryan (39:53) Sure, so I noticed, to start a little bit further back, I lost my hearing. It wasn’t when I first had my stroke, but when I was in rehab, they were actually changing my diaper. And so I would lay on each side and I noticed when I laid on the side, I could not hear them. They were telling me to roll over or something. And so I had lost my hearing completely. Then, um… When I got out of the hospital, my friends and family and whatever got together and took me out to eat and the noises were so loud that my senses were too heightened. It was confusing to me. I had a lifetime of going out to eat with friends and going to drinking or whatever. This was just a lunch and I couldn’t really handle it. It was almost too much for me. The car ride from maybe a three hour car ride, had to close my eyes because I would feel sick if they were open. it was, I realized just how different my life is gonna be, right? Bill Gasiamis (40:59) Yeah, did that make you want to avoid those types of events? Jorden Ryan (41:02) Yes, I have to push myself to do that kind of stuff because I don’t know, I think it’s easy to become depressed, right? Like, it’s easy to just be like, I will just sit here on the couch, watch TV. I don’t really watch TV, but… And even that is hard with my eyes doubled, but I mean, like, I push myself to hang out with friends or go to eat or something. But it’s very difficult. I would rather just stay home. If you just ask me, like… I mean, I’m always excited to go out with people, that’s not what I mean, but it just is easier to stay home. Bill Gasiamis (41:37) Yeah, I understand that easier to stay home. It’s a trap as well, isn’t it? It’s a, if I stay home, I don’t have to deal with all those difficulties, all those challenges. I don’t have to overcome anything. I can just have the easy way out. But then that you pay a price for that as well. That’s not, it doesn’t work like that. You have to pay the price of, well, then you don’t go out and then you’re alone again. And then you’re in your thoughts again. Then you don’t interact with people again. And It’s not the easy way out. seems that way, it’s potentially leading you down a path that you don’t want to go down. Jorden Ryan (42:11) You’re exactly right. I tell people that because I’m so lazy, I try so hard now because I don’t want to have that life like that forever, you know? So I try very hard now so I can be lazy if that makes sense. Bill Gasiamis (42:26) That makes complete sense. love it because it’s kind of like you’re lazy. Jorden Ryan (42:31) Right, exactly right. You know, because going to the bathroom, if that’s hard forever, that’s gonna be terrible. I gotta get up and walk and have to go out with people. then life is not as hard, hopefully, because you’re doing the things, right? So. Bill Gasiamis (42:47) Yeah, yeah, and you’re getting all the genuine awesome things that come from interacting with people, going out, being ⁓ in public. ⁓ I know what you’re saying about the kind of the earning our lazy kind of thing, right? Because I would say to myself, ⁓ Saturday, I’m gonna go hard. Now, hard for me might’ve been just to literally go to an event and stay an hour longer than I normally would have stayed, whether it was a family event, a party or whatever. And then I’m gonna be really exhausted tomorrow. I know that tomorrow I’m gonna be really, and I’ve got nothing booked in. I’m gonna do absolutely nothing for the entire day so that I can go out and go hard tonight, whatever tonight looked like, whatever that was gonna be like. And that was where I earned my recovery, my lazy. I’m sitting on the couch and I’m watching TV or I’m reading a book or I’m not doing anything. That’s exactly how I kind of used to talk to myself about doing nothing on the following day. Jorden Ryan (43:54) That is a good way to put it, earn your laziness. Like that is exactly what I did. I did something hard or out of my comfort zone and then when I was lazy I felt better about it. If I just wanted to stay home and watch TV, I mean I would have won the lottery basically, you know, like that would be my life. But because that is not what I want to do, doing hard things and then being lazy is a good way to look at it. It would make me feel better about myself. people and everything just kinda makes it harder to be depressed. Bill Gasiamis (44:32) Yeah, agreed, 100%. I would encourage people to get out as much as they can. ⁓ Now, I’m very interested in your thoughts about this. Your first swim, I wanna know what that was like, cause I had a first swim as well. I remember my first swim after waking up from surgery, not being able to use my left side and needing to rehabilitate it. ⁓ What was it like for you to experience that? The First Swim After Stroke Jorden Ryan (44:57) Yeah, so I’ve been swimming before I can remember when I was a kid. So like being by a pool was very scary for me because I thought if I fell in, I could not like get out. And I got in the pool with a life jacket to try to walk and doing I don’t know what this stroke is called where move both arms like that. But only one would work at a time. But I’ve been doing it forever. So it was so strange to be in the pool and not both my arms work together. It was almost like I didn’t expect that that late in my recovery It was not that long but still it was strange to me probably maybe a month after I got out of the hospital so luckily my mom took me to the pool quite a bit and Pushed a wheelchair even though it’s really heavy and she is older so Bill Gasiamis (45:50) Yeah, I went to the pool for the first time during rehab. They asked me if I had anything particular I wanted to work with or a particular exercise I wanted to do. And for me going into the pool, I felt safe that I couldn’t fall over. So we kind of did aqua aerobics and my left side wasn’t working well, but in the pool you couldn’t tell that it wasn’t working well. then put on a, it just felt normal. It felt normal. It kind of. ⁓ appeared like it was working normally, but it felt strange because the water pressure on my affected side, that was different. Feeling the water pressure on my affected side for the first time was really strange. What was cool about it is they gave me a life vest, so there was no chance of falling over, drowning, dying, or anything like that in the water. And it was really a real relief because my body felt really free for the first time. And then as I got better and we started to get out and about, One particular summer we went to a ⁓ waterfall here near where I live. And in the pond at the bottom of the waterfall went for a swing. But the difference is ⁓ fresh water ⁓ is different from salt water. And I had never swum in ⁓ fresh water. Jorden Ryan (47:11) Yeah, there’s a big difference here, right? Bill Gasiamis (47:14) Wow, you’re heavier, you sink quicker. And I went for this very short distance swim and I was completely out of breath and fatigued like really rapidly and needed somebody that was with us to help me get out because I hadn’t realized how much more taxing it would be to do the swimming motions or do all those things and stay afloat. ⁓ And it was really scary because it was the first time I learned that. Jorden Ryan (47:17) Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (47:42) I am not as capable as I used to be ⁓ in the water. Jorden Ryan (47:47) Yeah, I think that brings up a good point for me is that people that try to help me tell me like, be careful. There’s a table there or something like very obvious, right? But they don’t know what I’ve been through and what I can see what I can’t. have to be ⁓ appreciative of them saying that stuff instead of annoyed. Like I usually am so yeah. I did a triathlon in the ocean and it was so much easier. I was pretty happy. I was the other way around. I’m used to swimming in fresh water and then in salmon and salt water and that was all post stroke. But I can know what you mean. There’s a huge difference. Bill Gasiamis (48:27) What’s your Yeah, you’ve done a triathlon post stroke. Jorden Ryan (48:33) No, I’m so sorry. I meant before stroke. ⁓ Yeah, I did one back when I was healthier, but it is hard for me to even raise my arm. I can kind of do it now, but so I just did water aerobics actually today. And I mean, I am the youngest person there probably by seems like 30 years, but in the worst one there, like you can definitely tell I have a stroke. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (48:59) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. What’s cool about, what’s cool is that now there’s competitions where people can go and compete ⁓ after they’ve been, like the Paralympics is a classic example, right? And all the events leading up to the Paralympics where people can go and compete, get physical, even though they have deficits. That wasn’t something that was possible decades and decades ago. It’s a fairly new thing. I love that even though people are injured and they’ve had difficult times, perhaps their limbs aren’t working correctly. Some people still decide, I know I’m gonna be a competitor still, I’m gonna be with one arm, with one leg, with whatever my, whatever I have left, I’m gonna do the most I can and compete as much as I can to be the best in my particular sport. I love that about the things that people can access today about participation in sport, even though they’re injured. Jorden Ryan (50:02) Yeah, for me, it is much different. Like I used to be a very competitive person and now it’s me against me, right? The me against the stroke or whatever. Like I don’t care that somebody can run really fast. Like, I mean, that’s good for them, but for me getting outside and even getting to the event was difficult. Now to, you know, sit in a tricycle or whatever it happens to be is just, it’s more like a golf or something like that where it’s just you against you, you know, so. It is good that they have that kind of stuff, I think. Like, I’m looking at bikes for mountain biking with three wheels and stuff, so. Bill Gasiamis (50:39) Yeah, I love what you just said you against you. It’s like you against your mindset. Jorden Ryan (50:45) I think it’s just… I don’t want to say me against the world but everything is so… ⁓ difficult I guess? Like everything is a win so if I get in a car to go to the event if I get a bike that I can ride even a tricycle like that’s win if I can finish the event well that’s a win before it was like what place that I get now that’s not important to me I mean sure I guess is this not as important as it was before. Bill Gasiamis (51:15) Yeah, your priorities have shifted. Jorden Ryan (51:18) Yeah, very much so. Like, I think that I have a lot more empathy for people that are disabled. It just clearly opened my eyes. And even though I work in the law, I am used to disability act or whatever. And I was like, these people, now I totally get it. You know, so I understand like why they should have these laws in place. So here in the States, I mean, Bill Gasiamis (51:44) Yeah. Yeah, same with us in Australia. mean, there’s lots of laws to try and protect people who have a disability of some kind, injury, whatever you want to call it, so that there’s less discrimination, so that there’s more services, so there’s more access. ⁓ It’s one of the best conversations that people have because they kind of say, well, we know that this particular service that is going to be provided is going to be provided for all the population and 93 % of the population, for example, it’s not a real number, will be able to access it beautifully. What about the other 7 % who are not gonna be able to access it? We need to think about them. We need to think about how they’re going to go about ⁓ traveling on this service or accessing this service or getting in and out of this particular office or building and all that stuff. is taken into consideration in the design and planning phase now. So you can move around Melbourne, my hometown, in a electric wheelchair or a regular push wheelchair. And you will not have to worry about getting on a train, getting on the public transport, a bus, the tram, ⁓ going down a curb, all the curbs are ⁓ angled down. So this beautiful, nice smooth path towards the road and then up again. Jorden Ryan (53:13) Yeah, that sounds very nice. I think I was just ignorant to people’s needs, I guess. And now I learned firsthand how important they are, right? So I was just like, man, that’s a lot of money to do that. But it makes sense if someone says, well, we have 99 bathrooms, but you can’t use any of them. It doesn’t do me much good, right? So to have this kind of, yeah, right. Bill Gasiamis (53:22) Yeah. Yeah, what’s the point? Finding Light in the Darkest Moments ⁓ Now, the thing about stroke is that unfortunately life doesn’t get put on hold for us to recover from it and then let us get back into life as if we were okay. And I remember going through the third bleed and then a couple of weeks later, literally two weeks later, I think, maybe about a week later, my mother-in-law passed away. And then we had to have her funeral before my brain surgery. and my wife had to deal with all of that, right? You also, you lost one of your friends soon after you got out of, I think it was at rehab. Jorden Ryan (54:19) It was the day I got out of, ⁓ like inside the hospital rehab, inpatient rehab, like he was a good friend and he also had, I think a something to do with he had a tumor on his spine or something that was removed, but it left him slightly paralyzed. Like he was, he had both arms and I remember being in the hospital being jealous of him because Such a little thing like, wow, this guy can go to the bathroom by himself. I wish I could do that, right? But unfortunately, yeah, he died by suicide the day that I got out. It was devastating and very hard. I mean, that was somebody I planned on spending a lot of time with because he lived in the same city that my sister took me in that I was going to hang out with. I mean, not just about me. It was just sad that that happened, obviously. Bill Gasiamis (55:14) Yeah, of course, man, that’s pretty sad. And also, then your dog passed away. Jorden Ryan (55:22) Yeah, so this guy, he had told me my last message with him, well almost last was, we didn’t ask for this, but we’re gonna get through it together. And then, you know, he took his life, so that made me seem like, what should I do now? Then my dog died, which was a big deal to me because, okay, now I have all this time to pet him or play or whatever, and you know, it was pretty dramatic. dick dab that, but I felt like I was in a country song. Bill Gasiamis (55:55) How did you get past it? Jorden Ryan (55:56) I don’t know, think that you you kind of learn to just roll with the punches as I say because there’s so much in life that I can’t control that I mean, just, stuff happens right? You just have to do your best and I try to tell people like, it’s very easy to be in darkness or the negativity but it is my job to open up the light, open the window or whatever, not literally the window but to see all the good things that are happening. around me. So I mean, there are so many amazing things. So I have to open that up and not stay in the darkness too long. I can’t stop from happening personally, like this part of my life, but I can get out of it. Like luckily I have those tools, so to speak. Like I can be like, okay, this is happening. This is amazing. Or my family is healthy or whatever it happens to be or just people being really nice, seeing that, right? But I did have, my hand was like clawed and I would open the door and some people were nice and be like, let me get that door for you. Well, I cannot open my hand to let go of the door. It would almost knock me over several times. So kind of funny. Bill Gasiamis (57:13) always funny opportunities like to things to laugh at in that moment. I remember being wheeled in my wheelchair when I first got out of hospital, out of the hospital ward and we were just going around the hospital grounds just to get some sun. My wife was pushing me and I couldn’t feel my left leg and it fell off the, you know, where the feet sit in the wheelchair, the footrest. It just fell off the footrest and it was getting dragged. beneath the footrest and kind of the wheel of the wheelchair and it was kind of getting dragged and I couldn’t feel it had no idea but my wife was struggling to push the wheelchair Jorden Ryan (57:54) She’s like, is wrong with this? It’s so hard. Bill Gasiamis (57:57) She was going, well, this so hard to push. And then we had to have a look around and realize the reason it was hard to push, because my foot is under the wheelchair and I have no idea that it’s there and it’s getting stuck. ⁓ We laughed about it because what else are you gonna do at that moment? It was pretty ridiculous and funny at the same time. Jorden Ryan (58:16) That is exactly right. I would say that if I had to give credit to one thing, it would probably be my odd sense of humor now, right? Like there’s so many things to laugh at that it’s hard to say, Matt. That situation you had, it could have been really devastating to you or whatever, or you can be like, that is pretty funny, right? So I had something similar happen to me. My foot came off the wheelchair, but it just stopped. I didn’t feel it. my leg, but I mean, it felt like I ran over a rock or something like, so similar, not the same, but similar to me. Like, didn’t know if my leg would ever come back, you know? So people are all different levels of their journey. Like I was not upset, but I was surprised to see people in patient rehab. They could walk so well. like, Hey, we are really struggling over here. We’re in a wheelchair. That’s not the right attitude to have, but that’s how it was, you know, Bill Gasiamis (59:12) Yeah, absolutely. Jorden Ryan (59:14) are fine, get out of here, let us sick people alone, leave us here, so. I mean, I am lucky in the fact that I’m getting a lot more back than I thought that I would, so everything from now on is icing on the cake, so to speak. Living with PTSD and Double Vision After Stroke Bill Gasiamis (59:28) Bonus for sure. I think you talked about PTSD around brushing your teeth, right? How does that show up in your daily life? Do you have moments when that kind of rears its ugly head? Jorden Ryan (59:42) Well, I just moved into a new house and the bathroom is right next to it and it’s not so bad now. But when I had to walk and it was more difficult and I had PTSD and self-diagnosed. So I don’t even know if it’s a real thing. It was very scary, right? Like it would almost like giv

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Send us a textIn this Cyber Monday AMA episode, Mike breaks down the biggest LOF weekend of the year — including three bestselling LOF Kindle cookbooks breaking into the Amazon Top 100 — and shares real, actionable strategies for ADHD brains, busy parents, and anyone trying to build sustainable fitness without burning out.You'll learn:Why adding healthy habits beats trying to restrict everythingHow to train as a busy dad with a baby at homeThe VO₂ max 4x4 workout protocolThe two-minute rule for ADHD activationThe dopamine sandwich method to stay consistentBig insurance updates (UHC, BCBS)The launch of weekly body doubling sessionsHow to join the 14-Day LOF App Trial and earn your LOF Band SetRetreat updates for Joshua Tr

Join hosts Smokin' Joe Coverdale and Bridget Thakrar as they interview some of Australia's best Muay Thai fighters, trainers and promotors.You can find us on Instagram here:The Female Fight ExperienceSmokin' JoeBridget ThakrarJoin hosts Smokin' Joe Coverdale and Bridget Thakrar as they interview some of Australia's best Muay Thai fighters, trainers and promotors.You can find us on Instagram here:The Female Fight ExperienceSmokin' JoeBridget Thakrar

The boys are joined by Dean Phillips of one of Swansea's biggest content creators and talk about the origins of him going to Thailand, getting roundhouse kicked by a Muay Thai fighter in a bar, Viagra gels, Lady boys and learning about “The Pattaya Trap”. Deano talks bout dealing with online hate, the dangers of being arrested in Thailand, going viral on Instagram, helping raise awareness for an orphanage in Pattaya and putting on a Mental health evening plus much much more…..@ambitioniscritcal1997 on Instagram @TheAiCPodcast on Twitter

In this episode, I sit down with Shaylin Fuller, a Muay Thai fighter and Risely 2025 coaching graduate, to talk about what it's really like when the thing you love most starts to feel dangerous because of type 1 diabetes. After experiencing a terrifying low during training, exercise stopped feeling empowering and started feeling like a constant risk she had to manage. We talk about how that fear followed her far beyond the gym and quietly began running her life. Shaylin opens up about the moment she realized she couldn't keep choosing between her sport and her health — and how coaching helped her rebuild trust in her body. You'll hear what it took to move from 47% to 88% time in range, and why real change happened slowly, imperfectly, and in the “messy middle.” This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing isn't about control — it's about reclaiming your confidence, your freedom, and your rise.

Episode 219 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast brings you a full instructor roundtable with Kru Edward Gonzalez, Chief Instructor at Pu'u Muay Thai Ventura, and Coach Vincent “Vinnie” Chew, one of the academy's assistant instructors and front-desk leaders.In this episode, Jonathan, Kru Ed, and Vinnie dive deep into what really happens on the mats at Pu'u Muay Thai. They break down:Why promotions matter and how students earn the right to sparThe biggest beginner mistakes (and the mindsets that ruin progress)How instructors coach kids, teens, and adults differentlyThe explosion of new students and the energy shift in the academyWhat parents should never say before a competitionBehind-the-scenes coaching meetings and how the team develops studentsTips for staying calm before competition and managing Muay Thai anxietyHygiene, gear, glove size, hand wraps, and beginner FAQsHow assistant instructors balance teaching, competing, and trainingWhether you train Muay Thai, want to compete, or simply want to understand what makes Pu'u Muay Thai's culture special, this episode gives a rare look behind the scenes at what it takes to build a thriving martial arts academy.Follow the team on Instagram: • Kru Ed: @edwardgogo • Coach Vinnie: he still hasn't made it!Support the showLeave a message or text us 24/7/365!+1-805-456-3316

Send us a textA practical breakdown of depression, dopamine, tools, and 2-minute habits to rebuild momentum. This week's LOF Office Hours breakdown: • Depression's impact on brain chemistry • 2-minute dopamine resets • Supplements for mood + energy • Movement tools for low days • Creative + planning tools that help • Identity resets through martial arts • Q&A from the community 

In the third of three special episodes of Caught on the Mike, we're joined by Hunter Harrison — a welterweight talent training between Factory X Muay Thai in Colorado and Skywalker 101 Boxing Academy in Nebraska. With a 4-1 amateur record and a reputation for crisp striking and relentless drive, Hunter steps into the cage Friday, November 21, 2025, at Dynasty Combat Sports: Seasons Beatings inside Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. We talk about how splitting time between two elite gyms sharpens his game, the mindset behind bouncing back stronger after setbacks, and what this fight means as he continues his climb toward title contention. Whether you're here for raw fight stories, insight into training culture, or the mentality of a true grinder, this conversation hits all the right notes.

Send us a textThis episode unpacks why ADHD brains struggle with motivation, especially during the holidays — and how structure, movement, and friction-free tools solve it. Coach Mike covers 2-minute deposits, creatine, LOF bands, planners, grip kits, physio ball drills, and 5 years of LOF University.▶️ Full YouTube Replay:https://youtu.be/KInedrabCa8?si=JzEBUqtRhSYpoH08SEO Keywords (Buzzsprout Tags):ADHD coaching, ADHD habits, ADHD fitness, LOF University, creatine ADHD, ADHD tools, 2-minute habits, structure over motivation, motion regulates emotion.Links (Copy/Paste):Amazon Live Tools: https://www.amazon.com/live/broadcast/059b813d-9c99-4148-acf5-afe73b36ba4dAmazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikecauloLOF University FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeofafighteruniversityWeekly Topic Voting: https://www.lifestyleoffitness.com/lof-topic-requestLOF Apparel: https://lifestyleoffitness.printful.me/Shimmer Coaching: https://www.shimmer.care/coaches?_gl=1*858nki14-Day Trial: https://life-of-a-fighter.mykajabi.com/signup-055f04a7-a261-4b26-8510-22ccae4a848b

It's time to make men “dangerous” again. Father and son Matt and Maxim Smith join Glenn to break down their epic alternative to a college education. While most young people descend into debt to prepare for jobs already threatened by the rise of AI, 19-year-old Maxim has spent what would have been his college years becoming an EMT, wrangling horses in Wyoming, sailing the Falkland Islands, earning a pilot's license, learning Muay Thai in Thailand, and more as the first beta tester for “The Preparation,” an adventure designed to make young men “confident, competent, and dangerous.” In a culture that drives young men away from masculinity and toward unlimited pornography and video games, our sons can still become “Renaissance men” by bucking the system of radical leftist-dominated academia and instead becoming financially savvy men of virtue and real-world skill.   Order a copy of “The Preparation: How to Become Confident, Competent, and Dangerous” here: https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Become-Competent-Confident-Dangerous/dp/B0FLRKYCCP   GLENN'S SPONSORS:   Relief Factor: If you're living with aches and pains, see how Relief Factor, a daily drug-free supplement, could help you feel better and live better. Try the 3-week QuickStart for just $19.95 by visiting https://ReliefFactor.com.  PreBorn: Together, we can end the tragedy of abortion, one mother and baby at a time. To donate securely, dial #250 and say the keyword “baby,” or visit https://preborn.com/glenn.        Audien Hearing: The Atom X hearing aid from Audien is a beautifully designed, ready-to-go device made by audiologists who actually listened to what people want — less clutter, less confusion, less fiddling around. Visit https://AudienHearing.com and take control of your hearing today.  Chirp: Give your spine a break with the Chirp Contour. It only takes five minutes to unlock all-day relief. Visit https://gochirp.com/beck, and use code “BECK” at checkout for a 10% discount.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices