Survivor Science

Send us Fan Mail In episode 77 of Survivor Science, I sit down with stroke survivor, author, and coach Jan Burl to talk about her incredible journey of resilience and recovery. Jan shares her powerful story of surviving a severe hemorrhagic stroke, the challenges she faced in rebuilding her life, and how she found purpose through writing, coaching, and breathwork. From her early days of struggle t...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 76 of the Survivor Science podcast, I dig into one of the most common questions I hear from stroke survivors: how do you start a podcast or livestream to share your journey? Whether you’re a stroke survivor, a caregiver, or just someone curious about content creation, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to get started. I share insights from my experien...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 75 of the Survivor Science podcast, I dive into the realities of life after stroke and what we as survivors wish others understood. From the invisible challenges like fatigue and the mental load of recovery to the misconceptions that still linger, this conversation is about creating a deeper understanding. I share lessons from my own recovery journey and highlight insig...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to 2025 and the first episode of the year! In this episode, I’m diving into the themes of responsibility and mindset in stroke recovery, inspired by Bill Gasiamis’s book, Stroke: The Best Thing That Happened to Me . One of the key takeaways I explore is the importance of avoiding rigid timelines in recovery to minimize frustration and disappointment. I also share my though...

Send us Fan Mail As 2024 wraps up, Survivor Science reflects on a year of significant growth and evolution. The rebranding from The Lovable Survivor Podcast to Survivor Science was a key milestone, aligning the platform more closely with its mission to support and connect stroke survivors. Conversations with guests like Bill Gasiamis and Jason Lopes brought valuable insights about recovery, resili...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's Survivor Science Soundbite, recorded on the Monday before Christmas, I reflect on five transformative years since my stroke on December 22, 2019. From navigating the early days of recovery to balancing progress with setbacks like MS, I share the challenges, milestones, and lessons learned along the way. This episode explores the raw truth about recovery: it is...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Survivor Science , Rachel Abbasi, host of the Recovery Daily Podcast , shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey through sobriety, stroke recovery, and life with an invisible disability. Rachel’s story highlights the power of resilience, community, and daily commitment to recovery. Topics Covered: Personal Health Journeys: How sobriety laid the foundation...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into Relentless by Tim Grover, a powerful book on the mindset of high performers like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, and connect its lessons to stroke recovery. Highlights include: The Three Archetypes : Coolers, Closers, and Cleaners—what they mean and how they align with stages of recovery. Embracing Discomfort : Why stepping outside your comfort zone is e...

Send us Fan Mail In this Soundbite, I’m wrapping up the week by diving deeper into the grind of recovery. From running to discipline to the power of showing rather than just telling, this episode focuses on the relentless effort required for progress. I reflect on my own journey from a wheelchair to running and the importance of sharing these moments to inspire and support fellow stroke survivors....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Survivor Science Soundbites , I reflect on the realities of recovery from stroke and MS, sharing my personal journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Recovery is a grind. It takes discipline, consistent effort, and a willingness to reassess your goals as you go. I open up about the challenges I’ve faced, from ankle stiffness to wound healing, and how...

Send us Fan Mail This episode wraps up our week exploring the ego paradox and how it impacts stroke recovery. Ego is tricky—it can push us to make great progress, but it can also hold us back when we get in our own way. Whether it’s the drive to keep going or the frustration of hitting limits, managing ego is an important part of the recovery journey. I reflect on some personal moments this week,...

Send us Fan Mail In this inaugural episode of Survivor Science —formerly The Lovable Survivor Podcast —I sit down with Jason "LionHeart" Lopes, a media coordinator for MMA organizations and an advocate for stroke survivors. Jason shares his journey of resilience after a cerebral stroke in 2015 left him with 75% impairment on his right side. Despite facing two additional strokes, Jason’s...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Survivor Science Soundbite #7, I dive into the "ego paradox" and how it impacts stroke recovery. Ego can be a powerful tool, fueling persistence and helping us push through plateaus, but it can also become a blocker, keeping us from asking for help or setting realistic goals. Key topics include: How ego drives progress in stroke recovery or creates setback...

Send us Fan Mail In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, I reflect on the ups and downs of the recovery journey and why gratitude plays such an important role. From sharing personal updates about life as a stroke survivor and the relentless pursuit of progress to exploring inspiration from athletes and the lessons they teach about resilience, this episode dives into what fuels recovery—even when it’s ha...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Survivor Science Soundbite #5, I delve into Good Energy by Casey and Callie Means. This holistic guide to health and wellness offers valuable insights for stroke survivors, covering topics from anti-inflammatory foods to daily habits like mindful movement and improved sleep. While some advice may seem ambitious, it's essential to view the book as a long-term re...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Lovable Survivor Podcast , I sit down with Keith Ellis, a medicinal chemist, associate professor, and founder of Science-Driven Supplements. With his extensive background in drug discovery and natural products, Keith brings unique insights into Long COVID recovery, combining rigorous science with practical solutions. We explore everything from cutting-edge r...

Send us Fan Mail In this Survivor Science Soundbite , I’m wrapping up the week with reflections on curiosity and its role in stroke recovery. As the host and writer, I’ve spent the week exploring how curiosity shapes resilience and growth, and this episode brings it all together. From engaging conversations with fellow survivors like Jason Lopes, who will be featured in a full episode in a couple...

Send us Fan Mail In Survivor Science Soundbite #3 , I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind all weekend—curiosity. For me, curiosity might be the most powerful driver in my stroke recovery, pushing me to ask deeper questions, try new things, and shape a path that feels right for me. But is curiosity really the key to recovery, or is this just my own way through? Join me as I explore why c...

Send us Fan Mail In this Survivor Science Soundbite , I’m following up on our discussion from Episode 1 about psychedelics and their potential role in stroke recovery. Earlier this week, we explored the emerging research on psilocybin, the active compound in ‘magic mushrooms,’ and its potential to support neuroplasticity, brain health, and resilience post-stroke. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Lovable Survivor Podcast , I’m excited to sit down with Bill Gasiamis, stroke survivor and creator of the Recovery After Stroke podcast and YouTube channel. We dive deep into what it really takes to build resilience, how to navigate the day-to-day grind of post-stroke recovery, and the personal growth that emerges from facing life’s toughest challenges. Bill...

Send us Fan Mail In this first Survivor Science Soundbite, I’m bringing you a quick dive into a topic that’s getting attention in recovery science: psychedelics—specifically psilocybin, the active compound in ‘magic mushrooms’—and its potential role in stroke recovery. We’ll talk about some emerging research on psilocybin’s impact on brain health, neuroplasticity, and how it could someday support...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Lovable Survivor Podcast , I’m diving into a topic that doesn’t get enough attention—PTSD in stroke recovery. Recorded on U.S. election day, this episode marks five years since my own stroke, and I’m reflecting on how trauma has shaped my recovery journey. PTSD is usually associated with military experiences, but it can be a huge factor for stroke survivors...

Send us Fan Mail This week I’m joined by Ralph Cortese, stroke survivor and founder of Stroke Warrior Radio . Ralph’s journey began on the East Coast, where an ischemic stroke changed his life. This major event set him on a path westward to begin a new chapter focused on recovery and advocacy. Ralph shares his recovery journey, from relying on a wheelchair to walking unaided through physical thera...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore an essential yet often overlooked aspect of stroke recovery: knowing when it’s time to pivot. Recovery is rarely a linear process, and recognizing when to adjust your approach—whether in fitness, career, or personal growth—can be key to overcoming plateaus and reigniting progress. I reflect on my own recovery and how hitting a fitness plateau led me to r...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore a crucial aspect of recovery that doesn’t get enough attention: the role of discipline, obsession, and curiosity in the long journey of stroke recovery. Having survived a stroke and now facing an MS diagnosis, I understand the level of commitment it takes to keep showing up, especially on the hardest days. I’ll share how discipline has helped me push thr...