Summary:

In this episode, Miller McCoy shares his personal journey of navigating chronic pain and nausea, highlighting how resilience and creativity helped him learn from and work through significant physical challenges. From an early age, Miller battled persistent undiagnosed health issues that impacted his entire family. Growing up he learned to use his drive and entrepreneurial spirit to help him become an artist and start his business. He recounts pivotal moments, and how he learned that he was strong enough to handle any challenging situation life could throw at him. His chronic pain became his superpower.

Key Topics Discussed:

- The emotional and physical toll of chronic pain and undiagnosed health problems.

- The importance of family support during health crises.

- The journey through relentless doctor visits and the impact on mental health.

- Transformation of pain into artistic and entrepreneurial expression through magic, graphic design, and fashion.

This episode serves as a powerful testament to how accepting and transforming life's challenges can lead to personal growth and creative expression. Miller’s story inspires listeners to reimagine their own journeys and seek strength within adversity.

For speaker bio and full transcript, click here

Guest: Dr. Shri Shukla

Profession: Holistic and Integrative Health Practitioner

Background: Health Social Work and Ayurveda

Episode Summary:

In this transformative episode, Dr. Shri Shukla shares her inspiring personal journey of overcoming a stroke and the vital lessons she has learned along the way. She highlights the significance of integrating ancient healing practices, such as Ayurveda, with modern medicine to achieve holistic wellness.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The importance of energy management and belief in the body’s inherent healing capabilities. 2. Exploring the connection between trauma, sleep, and overall health. 3. The role of Ayurveda in managing complex medical situations through personalized approaches. 4. Synergy between traditional healing practices and mainstream therapies. 5. Insights on emotional and mental re-imagining as essential tools in navigating health challenges.

Dr. Shukla emphasizes the importance of radical self-compassion and self-acceptance as core components in the journey of re-imagining life. Through her insights, she encourages listeners to find empowerment and freedom within the perceived limits of their circumstances.

The episode encourages a deeper understanding of how integrating ancient holistic practices into health care can lead to significant personal transformation and healing.

For Ep. 17 Interviewee bio, References, and full Transcript, click here.

In this episode of the Reimagining Life Podcast, Dr. Kara Wada, a distinguished Quadruple Board Certified Pediatric and Adult Allergy Immunology and Lifestyle Medicine Physician at Ohio State University, unveils the intricacies of autoimmune conditions and chronic illness/disability. Dr. Wada's personal journey as a patient diagnosed with multiple conditions adds a unique perspective to her insights, emphasizing the importance of understanding the autoimmune system.

Delving into the complexities of autoimmune diseases, Dr. Wada discusses the multifaceted factors contributing to these conditions, such as inflammation, breakdowns in our bodies’ natural barriers, and metabolic issues. Advocating for a holistic approach to health, Dr. Wada discusses blending Eastern and Western medicine, the necessity of transparency in the medical system, and a partnership between patient and doctor, as both must work together to put together all the puzzle pieces to arrive at a diagnosis.

Dr. Wada also shares her perspective on our medical system from her point of view as a patient and physician. There are various ways to learn more from Dr. Wada. She sees patients at her office in Ohio, offers individual or course-specific coaching for people outside her geographic area, and has a podcast “Becoming Immune Confident” which explores the science of immunity and emphasizes the significance of self-care, boundary setting, and prioritizing personal health.

For speaker bio, references, and the full transcript click here.

In this episode we are joined by the remarkable Ren'ee, the driving force behind a groundbreaking podcast and TV show that amplify the talents and stories of people who are blind through the art of cooking. Ren’ee's background in television and nonprofit board involvement paved the way for a platform dedicated to showcasing individuals’ extraordinary capabilities and embracing their agency.

Perhaps the most incredible part of Ren’ee’s journey is that she had no previous connection to blind people and did not have any type of disability herself. This is an incredible example of how one person can make such a difference. Ren’ee shows how one very dedicated activist can create such opportunities for learning and understanding. Between her TV show and podcast, Ren’ee has provided a platform for almost 500 individuals living with blindness or low-vision to share their stories. Throughout our conversation, Ren’ee shares how she began learning about how people learn to live as blind individuals and her deep dedication to the transformative journey of spotlighting blind individuals finding confidence and creativity in the kitchen on the podcast.

She shares insights into the challenges of fundraising and adapting to virtual platforms like Zoom and YouTube in response to the global pandemic, expanding the show’s reach and impact on a global scale.

With a steadfast dedication to amplifying the voices of the blind community and fostering inclusivity, the discussion centers on the power of food as a universal connector, unifying people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Ren’ee expresses aspirations to scale up to national streaming services for the tv show, aiming to reach a broader audience while perpetuating messages of empowerment, unity, and understanding.

For Guest Bio and Transcript please click here.

In this episode, we dive into the world of mindfulness with Rachel Posner, a yoga therapist and mindfulness teacher dedicated to alleviating stress and enhancing well-being. Rachel's expertise lies in integrating neuroscience, psychology, yoga, meditation, and relaxation practices to cultivate a deeper mind-body connection and foster holistic wellness.

During our conversation, Rachel shed light on the intricacies of chronic pain management and disability, underlining the significance of considering all facets of an individual's health. She highlighted how mindfulness can have a direct impact on the nervous system, leading to a shift in responses towards pain and other sensations.

This episode featured a sample five-minute guided breathwork exercise led by Rachel, offering listeners a firsthand experience of breath-work and mindfulness techniques. Additionally, a special announcement was made about an exclusive free 30 min class, tailored to the Reimagining Life Podcast community: Mindful Movement and Meditation class which will take place LIVE on March 27th at 7:30 pm EDT.

Podcast listeners are invited to register for the class here: https://mailchi.mp/48aaa3153b96/mindfulmovement. If you are unable to participate in the live class, you should still register as the recording will be made available to everyone who registered.

Throughout our discussion, Rachel touched upon co-regulation, the nuances of body movement, emotional interactions, and the symbiotic relationship between emotions and physical sensations. The episode accentuated the value of self-compassion and shared resources for fostering support and growth. For Guest Bio, References and Full Transcript, click here

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Kirk Adams, a visionary leader and advocate for disability inclusion. Dr. Adams shares his journey as a blind individual and highlights the importance of creating environments that accommodate diverse abilities.

Emphasizing his upbringing and the crucial factors that led to his success, such as strong blindness skills, high expectations, and internal locus of control, Dr. Adams illustrated the transformative power of support, education, and access to tools for adaptation.

His work in demonstrating the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and pioneering projects to empower blind individuals in cybersecurity showcases his commitment to creating meaningful career opportunities.

Dr. Adams discusses the very low employment rates for people who are blind (35%) and talks about breaking glass ceilings, such as when he became the first blind head of American Foundation for the Blind. Most organizations developed to help blind people are headed by sighted people, which Dr. Adams seeks to change.

Dr. Adams' unwavering dedication and calm yet resolute demeanor position him as a true changemaker, reshaping the narrative around disability and inspiring a more inclusive future.

Join us to learn about Dr. Adams' incredible journey and how his leadership is redefining the landscape of opportunity for individuals of all abilities.

For interviewee bio and full transcript click here

Welcome to episode 12. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Lois Strachan, who, despite facing incredible adversity, has become a beacon of strength, resilience, and empowerment. At the age of 21, Lois lost her sight and became  blind due to the side effects of diabetes, completely altering her life.

Lois, shares her personal journey of adjusting to life as a blind individual. She is very open about the challenges she faced and the various hurdles she had to work through along the way.

Through her story, Lois sheds light on the resilience that defined her journey. Lois offers valuable insights into how she embraced her blindness, discovered renewed purpose, and created a meaningful life filled with joy and fulfillment. Her experiences and lessons are both enlightening and uplifting, serving as an inspiration for anyone facing their own difficulties or working to understand the experiences of others living with disabilities.

Join us as we delve into Lois’s  story, exploring her triumphs, successes, and the impact of her work as an advocate, coach, and best-selling author. Through her unwavering determination and positivity, Lois reminds us all that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can shine brightly.

Tune in to this episode and discover how Lois's perseverance and resilience transformed her life and how it might empower us to overcome our own challenges. Get ready to be inspired! 

Click here for Interviewee bio, references, and full transcript

Welcome to Reimagining Life, episode 11!

Today we welcome Felipe, advocate and reimaginer extraordinaire who shares his personal story of living with Spina Bifida and managing his goals and expectations. Felipe never shies away from a challenge. He embraces the opportunities he’s made for himself, all the while trying to balance personal needs related to his disability. In this episode we’ll learn about how Felipe grew up between two worlds: growing up in the beautiful, but largely inaccessible city of San Cristobal de Las Casas, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, and needing to make frequent marathon trips to Mexico City and then to the USA for medical treatments as a youngster, while trying to make sense of his disability and the impact that had on him from early days. Extremely resilient and determined to serve as a role model and to improve opportunities for others with disabilities, Felipe’s story takes the listener on a journey that lets you into his world, including how he became a disability program manager who works to promote hiring, retention and promotion of others living with disabilities for the United States Department of Labor. Felipe is very well spoken and open about his story and invites us to learn how he and his family reimagined their lives on multiple levels.

Click here for Interviewee bio, references, and full transcript

Note: This episode was scheduled to release in late Oct, unfortunately that was not feasible due to unforeseen circumstances