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Episode 20 of "Life After Stroke: Say 'No' to Negativity, 'Yes' to Daily Fun," the importance of humor and learning to say no when it comes to your recovery and life after stroke. In this episode, I delve into the healing power of humor and the crucial importance of maintaining a positive outlook during the daunting journey of stroke recovery.
I start by highlighting how humor has been instrumental in my life, especially during challenging times post-stroke. I share my personal journey with you, emphasizing how humor has been a powerful tool for making conversations about stroke less intimidating and more approachable. I firmly believe in the power of positivity, channeling energy constructively, and making an effort every day, which has made a significant impact on my recovery path.
As our discussion progresses, I share my experiences of the daunting task of relearning to run as a stroke survivor. I provide an in-depth account of the struggles and the resilience required to relearn mechanics such as foot placement, shifting body weight, and arm swings - things that were once easy and effortless, and have these days can be "unbelievably difficult."
Beyond personal growth, I also explore the power of community in this episode. I believe in the strength of collaboration, community-building, and regular self-check-ins. I share my plans to launch new collaborations aimed at making the recovery journey easier for everyone.
Closing on a high note, I emphasize the central role of fun in our daily lives. Inspired by Arnold's quote - if something isn't fun, we shouldn't do it - I urge listeners to really consider making this a priority, to seek out joy in everyday life, especially for those of us overcoming life-altering events like a stroke. Just a reminder because going through something like a stroke is incredibly difficult more so

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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Email - podcast [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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Feeling lost and overwhelmed? Discover how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of stroke recover and brain injury and reclaim your life. We discuss the peaks, valleys, plateaus, and everything in between!
In this episode you will learn:
1. How can nasal breathing help improve your health after a stroke or brain injury?
2. What strategies can help you navigate the emotional roller coaster of a stroke or brain injury?
3. What are some overlooked factors that can affect recovery from a stroke or brain injury?
After a stroke or brain injury, it is normal to experience a range of emotions such as shock, fear of the unknown, and anxiety. It is important to talk to healthcare professionals and get proper sleep, diet, and exercise. Nasal breathing exercises have been proven to help with blood flow, health, and wellness. It is also important to keep an open mind to therapy and use the resources available for additional support.
"It is not easy, but we can take it in stride and trust our gut. There is a lot of power in nasal breathing, and if we stay active and practice, we can make significant changes in our lives."
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. How can nasal breathing help improve your health after a stroke or brain injury?
2. What strategies can help you navigate the emotional roller coaster of a stroke or brain injury?
3. What are some overlooked factors that can affect recovery from a stroke or brain injury?
Chapter Summaries:

[00:00:17]
This is the Love of Survival podcast. We are talking about the emotional roller coaster ride that is a stroke or brain injury. There are lots of emotions that will come over a period of time. There is nothing you can do to speed up the recovery process.

[00:03:07]
If you're interested in findi

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

💖 Let's Connect! Bye for Now 👋 (IYKYK)
Email - podcast [at] survivorscience [.] com
💖 Check out the new websites!!⤵️
🧪 🔗 https://center.survivorscience.com/
🧪 🔗 https://survivorscience.com/
🎙️🔗 https://podcast.survivorsciencecom/
X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/SurvivorSciHQ
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willschmierer/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@SurvivorScienceHQ
IG- https://www.instagram.com/SurvivorScienceHQ/
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...

Send us a text

There is the way people tell you it will go and then it probably would be amazing if it did go that way when returning to work after stroke or major medical life event. And to be quite honest, I hope it goes that way for you. I don't likelihood that it goes the ideal way is pretty slim.
The truth is without sugarcoating. It going back to work is going to be difficult for you for your family and for your employer. In this episode, we talk about the good the bad the ugly. There things that can make it easier for everybody involved and hopefully this is both hopeful and helpful.
It was not easy for me, but I really genuinely did not know how to navigate it very well at the time, and to be honest, I don't think any of us involved really had a clue just how hard it would be.
There are definitely some things to look out for along the way, and I try to highlight those in this episode.
The reality is, it is going to be one of the hardest challenge is your face of the many. Communication is one of the most important parts and if your company and you do it well in the beginning there is hope, but it does not come without a price and some learning along the way.
Chances are in this episode I over communicate and over explain but just know that if these things happen to me, they could happen to anybody, so I help is helps you get on the right path to returning to work if that impact is the goal, whether you stay working at the company you work for prior or you go onto another company or another profession and field I think all these skills are both able to be learned from and give you unique perspective as you more forward working in any capacity.
As always, please feel free to reach out to the show and let me know your experience. I am curious to hear of others have had similar experience and what are some things that

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

💖 Let's Connect! Bye for Now 👋 (IYKYK)
Email - podcast [at] survivorscience [.] com
💖 Check out the new websites!!⤵️
🧪 🔗 https://center.survivorscience.com/
🧪 🔗 https://survivorscience.com/
🎙️🔗 https://podcast.survivorsciencecom/
X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/SurvivorSciHQ
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willschmierer/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@SurvivorScienceHQ
IG- https://www.instagram.com/SurvivorScienceHQ/
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...

Send us a text

**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

💖 Let's Connect! Bye for Now 👋 (IYKYK)
Email - podcast [at] survivorscience [.] com
💖 Check out the new websites!!⤵️
🧪 🔗 https://center.survivorscience.com/
🧪 🔗 https://survivorscience.com/
🎙️🔗 https://podcast.survivorsciencecom/
X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/SurvivorSciHQ
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willschmierer/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@SurvivorScienceHQ
IG- https://www.instagram.com/SurvivorScienceHQ/
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...

Send us a text

This episode takes a little bit of a different direction where I discuss a few personal wins, and how I prioritize those in the beginning! And how learning how to walk better sleep better eat better and breathe better got me on the path to better health and fitness!
Everybody says it takes time, and that is true, but the best way to go about things is to slowly chip away and make small, progressive steps in the right direction!
In my case, I learned very early on that the world is not really that accessible especially for wheelchairs so walking was my number one priority from day one yours might be different, but I think the approach still applies!
Last year I got around to reading breath by James Nestor and I discuss how breathing really was probably the most significant individual item that I dove into and learned about that has changed the trajectory of my rehab honestly, my life! My case in particular might have been extreme because I was a bigger guy who always mouth breath, and I really was unaware of the consequences of long-term effects of mouth breathing. Even nine months since I first started digging in to nasal breathing and learning from advanced instructors, Patrick McKeowan from Oxygen Advantage I've gone from just OK to amazing in terms of overall health circulation and now I'm even running and have been for 140 days!
Hopefully this episode gets you thinking and I'd love to hear what are some of your wins and fails and what's worked and what hasn't?
Let me know what you think of this episode and feel free to email the show or connect with me on socials! 👇

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

💖 Let's Connect! Bye for Now 👋 (IYKYK)
Email - podcast [at] survivorscience [.] com
💖 Check out the new websites!!⤵️
🧪 🔗 https://center.survivorscience.com/
🧪 🔗 https://survivorscience.com/
🎙️🔗 https://podcast.survivorsciencecom/
X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/SurvivorSciHQ
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willschmierer/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@SurvivorScienceHQ
IG- https://www.instagram.com/SurvivorScienceHQ/
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...