Learning to Blink – Victoria Arlen’s Story

10/29/24 • 68 min

How do you go from a vegetative state to becoming a gold medalist, ESPN host, and Dancing with the Stars contestant?
Victoria Arlen shares her unbelievable journey of survival and resilience with Emily. Diagnosed with two rare neurological conditions at 11, Victoria was locked inside her own body for four years, unable to move or communicate.
But through faith, family support, and sheer determination, she fought her way back to life, learning to blink, speak, and eventually walk. This powerful conversation explores overcoming trauma, the importance of celebrating small victories, and living with purpose.
Victoria’s story isn’t just about recovery—it’s about embracing life’s hardships, finding joy, and inspiring others to do the same.
Listen For:
04:59 Learning to blink: A small action that started a massive comeback
11:57 Launching Project Walk Boston: A family’s mission to provide hope
23:36 Learning forgiveness after medical mistakes
55:33 Dancing with the Stars: Sitting in her old wheelchair for a special performance
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Guest: Victoria Arlen
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Previous Episode

Finding Love Again After Loss

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How do you navigate love after loss?

Emily sits down with Jennifer Osler-Bolton and her husband Michael Bolton, a couple that found love after Jen’s devastating loss of her firefighter husband, Ryan.

Their candid conversation explores the unique challenges of dating a widow, blending families, and how to honor a late spouse while embracing a new love.

Through humor, wisdom, and raw vulnerability, they reveal the delicate balance of moving forward while cherishing the past, and how Michael’s love for Jen extends to protecting Ryan’s memory.

This is a powerful exploration of grief, love, and resilience.

Listen For:
5:48 – The reality of love after loss
17:22 – Family concerns about dating a widow
34:29 – “Two separate husbands, not a competition”
46:09 – The reality of dating a widow: Compassion and patience

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Guest: Michael Bolton and Jennifer Osler-Bolton
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Next Episode

Life Beyond the Labels

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What’s it like to be a “hockey wife,” a reality TV alum, and a new mom all at once?
Emily Karlsson, formerly Emily Ferguson from The Bachelor, chats with Emily about her life’s transformations—from her Vegas nightlife days to finding love, navigating intense hockey seasons, and adjusting to motherhood.
Emily opens up about her relationship with her husband, NHL player William Karlsson, the joys and hardships of raising a family in the public eye, and the power of supportive friendships.
This conversation glimpses into Emily’s world, where life’s most beautiful moments often come with challenges—and where strong friendships and resilience make all the difference.
Listen For:
2:39 - Emily Karlsson’s Journey to The Bachelor
8:42 - Handling Fame and Criticism as a Hockey Wife
29:44 - Pregnancy, Motherhood, and Family Support
34:57 - Emily’s Supportive Role During Sister’s IVF Journey
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Guest: Emily Karlsson
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You Are More, With Emily Cave Boit - Learning to Blink – Victoria Arlen’s Story

Transcript

Emily Cave Boit (00:00:01):

Hey everyone. Welcome back to the second episode of You Are More with Emily Cave. I want to thank everyone who listened to my first episode. I want to thank Jenny Lyons for her review and rating of five stars. She says that she's really looking forward to more