Lifejacked: The Resilience Podcast

Discover how Dr. Ashley Smith transformed her devastating diagnosis of a rare, degenerative retinal disease into a powerful mission to help others find happiness and strength. Despite being legally blind, she's now happier and more confident than ever before, proving that life's biggest challenges can become our greatest teachers. In this compelling episode, Dr. Smith shares: How she overcame init...

Trigger Warning: The following episode contains details of an alleged suicide. Listeners discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is hurting and having thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 to get connected with a professional. They are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Discover the extraordinary story of Bella Young, who transformed her life after experiencing unimaginable trage...

Discover how Jose Berlanga transformed from a Mexican immigrant to a pioneering force in Houston's construction industry. In this captivating episode, Jose shares his remarkable journey of building nearly 2,000 homes and revitalizing Houston's inner city over the past 26 years through his company, Tricon Homes. Despite having no initial plans to enter construction, Jose's entrepreneurial spirit an...

Discover how a devastating sports injury became the catalyst for developing a powerful philosophy of intentional living. Former college football star turned corporate executive Stu Crum shares his remarkable journey of resilience and transformation in his new book "Aim for the Upright." Learn how Crum turned setbacks into stepping stones, developing a unique approach to success built on: Strategic...

Penny Marion faced profound challenges early in life - losing her father tragically, navigating a complex relationship with her mentally ill mother, and essentially raising herself and her siblings. Despite these hardships, she turned to education and reading to forge a better path for herself. After being diagnosed with complex PTSD, Penny made healing her full-time focus, leading to starting her...

Connor McKemey shares his inspiring story of resilience and perseverance after suffering severe burns over 90% of his body at age 13. Despite a less than 1% chance of survival, Connor not only recovered but went on to excel in Division I college lacrosse as both a player and coach. He now travels sharing his powerful message of positivity, encouraging others to build resilience in the face of adve...

In this episode, Dr. Ro interviews Tawfiq Rangwala, an attorney and former board member of the WE charity, a major Canadian children's charity that faced a scandal. Tawfiq shares his insider perspective on the rise and fall of the organization, drawing from his experience as a pro bono litigator. He discusses the lessons learned from the charity scandal and how he navigated the challenges as a boa...

Dan Granger, a former special education teacher, shares his personal journey with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression. Despite facing challenges like childhood depression and epilepsy, he has written a book "Why Is Sam So Sad?" to help build resilience in children and adults dealing with similar issues. This episode discusses how the winter season can negatively impact moods and menta...

Dr. Frank Powers and Dr. Gloria Horsley, share their inspiring story of finding love later in life after losing their previous partners. As the "Golden Dating Doctors," they help seniors navigate the challenges of dating and provide hope for companionship. Their chance meeting on a dating site blossomed into a deep connection, as they discovered shared passions and experiences as therapists. Throu...

Brigit Binns, daughter of actor Edward Binns (12 Angry Men and Patton) and author of 30 books including the memoir "Rotten Kid," shares her inspiring story of resilience and overcoming adversity. Growing up in Hollywood with a mix of privilege and neglect, she faced challenges like being left alone at age 12 in the Honolulu airport by her parents for 6 hours. Despite this, Brigit found solace in c...

Jacquie Abram, discrimination consultant, shares her powerful story of navigating toxic and discriminatory workplaces. Despite being set up to fail through lack of training and faulty equipment, Jacquie persevered, only to face the same challenges at each new job, highlighting the systemic racism many professionals of color experience. We discuss the covert forms of discrimination Black profession...

Qin Sun Stubis shares her remarkable journey of resilience and triumph over adversity. Born in poverty during the Great Chinese Famine, Qin faced immense challenges in her early life, including being left alone as an infant. Despite the hardships, her mother's support and encouragement helped her pursue education and defy the odds. Qin's story is one of determination, from becoming a national tour...

Rhonda Parker Taylor, a writer, entrepreneur, and academic researcher, shares her inspiring story of resilience after the tragic loss of her adopted son. Despite the heartbreak, she found ways to create life balance techniques and slogans to help others discover their true potential. As an entrepreneur, Rhonda emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, creativity, and setting up one's own succes...

Dr. Nikia Smith, a Las Vegas anesthesiologist, shares her inspiring journey of pursuing her dream job, which initially turned into a nightmare due to burnout. Despite facing challenges and resistance, she remained resilient and determined to be a great doctor. However, her dream job led to burnout, prompting her to prioritize self-care and self-discovery with the help of therapy, Pilates, and sett...

Bruce Schutter, a former corporate executive, overcame his struggles with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and anxiety to become a "Mental Health Warrior. " After 20 years of battling these challenges, Bruce reached a pivotal moment and decided to take charge of his mental health. He created the Mental Health Warrior Program to provide guidance, tools, and resources to help others conquer their own m...

Savio P. Clemente's resilience story involves his battle with stage 3 cancer, which prompted a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Despite facing challenges in his professional life, Savio embraced his authentic self and found his calling as a speaker, journalist, and wellness coach. This episode features powerful experiences of battling cancer and finding inner strength through integrat...

Jalisa Hardy, a single mother of three, has faced numerous challenges since birth, including being born with Down syndrome and severe medical issues. Despite doctors advising her mother to have an abortion, her mother's deep faith led her to believe God had a plan for Jalisa's life. Despite enduring childhood sexual abuse, rape, and an abusive marriage, Jalisa remained resilient. She is now a lice...

Jessica Baladad, a 5-year cancer survivor, shares her powerful story of resilience and advocacy after being diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma in college. Despite her doctor's dismissive attitude, Jessica's self-exam detected a lump that led to her diagnosis. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and reconstructive surgery. Determined to help other...

Dr. Michelle Slater shares the incredible bond she had with her German Shepherd, Brady, who she describes as her "soulmate dog. " Their connection was so deep that they could communicate telepathically. When Brady fell critically ill with leptospirosis and acute renal failure, Slater's unwavering love and ability to understand Brady's needs helped him fight through the difficult treatment. Despite...

Tara Pyfrom, a Bahamian native, who survived the devastating Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Tara, her wife, daughter, and pets were stranded in their flooded home, barely escaping with their lives. The episode recounts their harrowing experience of being trapped in the rising floodwaters, forced to take refuge on countertops, and eventually swimming out through a window to escape the perilous condition...

Katie Arnold, an award-winning journalist, ultra runner, and author, shares her transformative journey of overcoming a near career-ending injury through the practices of Zen Buddhism and running. In her book "Brief Flashing in the Phenomenal World, Zen and the Art of Running Free," she explores the spiritual and philosophical aspects of endurance sports. After a harrowing river rafting accident th...

Amy Taylor shares her inspiring journey navigating mental illness, including bipolar disorder, ADHD, and anxiety diagnosed at a young age. Despite challenges, she found ways to manage her conditions through consistent medication, self-care, and overcoming stigma. Her resilience and determination highlight the importance of support and understanding for those with mental health conditions. Amy disc...

In this episode, Risa August shares her inspiring story of overcoming a life-altering brain tumor diagnosis. Despite being an accomplished athlete with a healthy lifestyle, Risa experienced unexplained symptoms that doctors dismissed until an MRI finally revealed a large brain tumor on her pituitary gland. After brain surgery and radiation treatment, Risa had to redefine her identity and focus on...

Patty Cabot, author of the memoir "Not That Girl Anymore," shares her decades-long struggle with an eating disorder rooted in childhood sexual abuse trauma. For years, Patty battled drastic weight fluctuations and binge eating cycles, unaware of the underlying cause. After seeking therapy focused on eating disorders and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, Patty discovered...