Life After Impact

In the final episode, Pete and Emma share the roller coaster of coming home — the messy, funny, and unexpected parts of recovery. From sepsis scares to oxygen therapy and rediscovering joy in the everyday, it’s a raw but uplifting look at life after rehab (and how they found they got back into life again).

In this episode, Emma opens up about her journey beside Pete after his accident—why she calls herself his “Sherpa” rather than a carer, and how she’s navigated advocacy, life admin, loss of intimacy, and the invisible weight of support. Joined by guest host, best friend of Emma and producer of the podcast Melanie, Emma reflects on resilience, creating adventure through adversity, and the importanc...

In this episode, we delve into the emotional and logistical challenges faced when returning home after a long hospital stay. We explore the critical role of home modifications in ensuring accessibility and independence, and the often frustrating bureaucracy of insurance processes. Join us as we share personal stories of resilience, the importance of community support, and the ongoing battle with i...

Pete and Emma’s first big outing after the accident takes them right into the buzz of the Australian Open. What starts as a simple day at the tennis becomes a powerful lesson in independence, accessibility, and navigating public perception. From the nerves of crowds and wheelchair logistics to the unexpected perks (yes, queue jumping!) and the kindness of strangers, this episode blends humour with...

Rehab at Royal Talbot was nothing like Pete and Emma expected—less “recovery retreat” and more tough love reality check. From pureed meals and learning to move again, to the awkward, funny, and humbling moments of daily rehab life, they share how humour and small wins kept them going. Emma reflects on stepping into the caregiver role, while Pete talks about the mental tricks that helped him push f...

In this episode, Emma and Pete pick up the story the morning of Pete’s spinal surgery — with hope of a quick recovery and even “honey toast” by his bedside. But reality was far harsher. What followed were three confronting weeks in ICU: breathing tubes, relentless procedures, infections, collapsed lungs, and the emotional toll of watching loved ones walk into a room heavy with fear. Through humour...

After three intense weeks in ICU, Pete moves to the acute spinal unit — alive, stable, and finally regaining his voice. But with stability comes a new weight: confronting the long-term reality of a high spinal cord injury. From the confronting ASIA test and the first raw conversations about quadriplegia, to tiny sparks of hope like the twitch of a thumb, Pete and Emma share the emotional rollercoa...

On a wild, stormy morning in November 2022, a falling tree turned Pete’s daily commute into a fight for his life. In this raw and gripping first episode, Pete and Emma take us through the accident that resulted in spinal injury and changed their lives forever — from the moment of impact to the surreal out-of-body calm as first responders worked to save him. Between flashes of pain and moments of d...