27. Rebuilding Strength and Stamina: The Role of Breathing and Exercise in Stroke Recovery

08/25/23 • 53 min

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**Episode Highlights:**
- The transformative power of Breathwork: How improved breathing techniques aided in my stroke recovery, reduced reliance on medications, and even helped me get from nearly 500 lbs to under 300.
-The personal journey through stroke recovery: Why comparing yourself to others is futile, the need for tailored advice, and the emotional complexities involved.
-Lessons learned: The importance of specific strength training exercises in the recovery process and how small changes can have a big impact.
- How exercise, once a neglected aspect of my life, has become a focal point in my recovery
- Coping with unique challenges, frustrations, and advice during recovery
- The often overlooked but crucial role of proper breathing during physical activities
- Learning to shift from unhealthy addictions to beneficial habits.
The Power of Proper Breathing: "Because nobody really educates you on this stuff until you figure it out or until you hear it from somebody. And honestly, I probably heard it from other people, but nobody said to me, Will, listen, if you fix your breathing, you won't hate running nearly as much."
**Detailed Summary:**
In this episode, I explore the often-underestimated role of Breathwork in recovery and overall well-being. Having weighed nearly 500 pounds at the time of my stroke, I've faced unique challenges in my recovery process. Today, I share how Breathwork not only became a cornerstone of my healing journey but also helped me cut down on medications and embrace physical activity.
We also delve into stroke causes, such as genetics and lifestyle choices like heavy drinking and smoking. It's important to remember that everyone's recovery journey is unique. I share my frustrations and the insights I gained, especially regarding the invaluable role

Hey there! If you’re a stroke survivor, caregiver, or someone navigating recovery, I want to invite you to check out The Center by Survivor Science. Head over to center.survivorscience.com and join a community that understands what you're going through.

And if you’re not quite ready to join, that’s okay! You can still access free resources at survivorscience.com

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Medical Disclaimer: All content found on this channel is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided, while based on personal experiences, should not replace professional medical counsel. Always consult with your physician or another qualified health provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Always seek professional advice before starting a new exercise or therapy...

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Previous Episode

26. From Stroke to Success: Empowering Survivors in Their Journey Back to the Workplace

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Today, we're tearing down the walls on a topic that doesn’t get enough real talk: returning to work after a brain injury or stroke. Hit a solid 5-mile run today, and guess what? Round two is on the horizon. But enough about me; let's get into the meat of things.
We're diving into Round two of returning to work again, after stroke or brain injury. Talking about everything from commute dynamics, the ins and outs of remote work, and how you can make a comeback in the workplace like a champ. And stay tuned – one of our listeners dropped a killer question about striking a balance between health, work, and family.
❇️ Key topics and bullets:
- Considerations when commuting to an office job
- How working remotely as a web developer eliminates my physical commute
- The challenges I've noticed survivors face, no matter the specifics of their brain injury or stroke
- My intention to invite survivors who have returned to work to join me on the show
- My encounters with survivors who've had more intense experiences
- Being an entrepreneur and charging for my services
- Being three and a half years into my stroke recovery and still navigating through it
- My commitment to helping other survivors via this podcast and video content
- Recognizing the different perspectives and opinions among professionals
- Understanding my own strengths and areas for growth
- How my initial anger towards my company evolved into understanding
- The daunting task for stroke survivors returning to work and the scarcity of related data
- My plans to meet with other survivors in Florida to deepen my understanding
- My tendency to overthink the specifics of releasing podcast videos
- The meticulous process I undertake to ensure video and audio are perfectly synchronized
- My goal to produce enjoyable and hassle-free v

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Next Episode

28. Winning the Day in Stroke Recovery: Small Tasks, Kindness, and Taking Control

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📌 Episode Summary:

In this episode, I'm diving into the complexities of stroke recovery. From advocating for yourself in the hospital to handling setbacks and using humor as a tool, I've got you covered. We're all about taking steps towards a more empowered and fulfilling recovery.

📋 Topics Covered:

🔹 Evaluating Progress and Exploring Alternatives
- The importance of asking questions and being honest when assessing your progress
- Considering other options or methods if something isn't going your way
- The "80 20 rule" and its role in helping you reach your goals

🔹 Therapists, Solutions, and Recovery Journey
- How therapists use the best information available
- The chance of someone coming up with a groundbreaking solution
-Acknowledging that everyone's at a different stage in their recovery

🔹 Advocacy and Politeness in a Hospital Setting
- How to advocate for yourself while being respectful
-Managing your emotions with kindness and gratitude

🔹 Winning the Day and Small Victories
- Why it's crucial to "win the day" for your health
- Understanding that you don't have to crush it every single day
- How even a small achievement can make a big difference

🔹 Dealing with Challenging Situations
-Strategies for coping with challenging moments
- How to become more resilient in the face of setbacks

🔹 Taking Control of Your Recovery Journey
-How to evaluate your current situation and pinpoint areas for improvement
- Your options for maintaining control over your recovery
- What happens when no one takes control

🔹 Rare Cases, Collaboration, and Learning Opportunities
- Continuous learning for improving patient care

🔹 Survivors' Experiences and Therapists' Learning
- How therap

And if you’re not quite ready to join, that’s okay! You can still access free resources at survivorscience.com

Survivor Science - 27. Rebuilding Strength and Stamina: The Role of Breathing and Exercise in Stroke Recovery

Transcript

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Water put up put up another week, another Episode Episode 27 of the podcast this week. big topic, lots of thoughts. I'm sure lots of people have lots of opinions I know they do in my life, so they probably do in your life as well. But this week, it's all about exercise. I, you know, have had an interesting journey. I, as always tried to share my tips and tricks. A big one really, for me, is nasal breathing. I didn't mention it in the actual episode