Survivor Science

Send us Fan Mail **Episode Highlights:** - The transformative power of Breathwork: How improved breathing techniques aided in my stroke recovery, reduced reliance on medications, and even helped me get from nearly 500 lbs to under 300. -The personal journey through stroke recovery: Why comparing yourself to others is futile, the need for tailored advice, and the emotional complexities involved. -L...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we're tearing down the walls on a topic that doesn’t get enough real talk: returning to work after a brain injury or stroke. Hit a solid 5-mile run today, and guess what? Round two is on the horizon. But enough about me; let's get into the meat of things.  We're diving into Round two of returning to work again, after stroke or brain injury.  Talking about eve...

Send us Fan Mail Topic 1: The importance of giving grace to stroke and MS survivors - Emphasize supporting survivors in their endeavors - Encourage building businesses, raising awareness, and engaging in a community Topic 2: Gratitude for doctors, nurses, and medical professionals - Recount a recent hospital visit - Enjoyment of being in the hospital environment - Appreciation for healthcare profe...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 24 of "Lovable Survivor"! In today's episode, we will be delving into the topic of anxiety and exploring various strategies for coping with it. I'm your host, Will Schmierer, and I'm excited to share my personal journey with anxiety and how it has shaped my life after experiencing a stroke. While I am not a medical professional, I will b...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 23 of "Lovable Survivor," we talk sensory overload. Although it might not seem like your typical podcast chat, it's stirred up some compelling questions I'm eager to dive into in future episodes. In my quieter, introverted days, sensory overload was a concept lurking just beyond my grasp. I could feel its presence, but couldn't quite put a name to...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 22 of the "Lovable Survivor" podcast, I open up about my personal journey as a stroke survivor and share reflections on embracing resilience and personal growth. Throughout this episode, I discuss the power of asking "why" and defying limitations, while emphasizing the importance of sharing personal experiences. From setting running goals to addressi...

Send us Fan Mail 1️⃣ Establish a consistent sleep schedule: While I struggle with maintaining a consistent sleep schedule myself, I recognize the importance of having a routine. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night to support recovery and physical restoration. 2️⃣ Breathing exercises for better sleep: I've discovered the power of breathing exercises before bed to regulate my body...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 20 of "Life After Stroke: Say 'No' to Negativity, 'Yes' to Daily Fun," the importance of humor and learning to say no when it comes to your recovery and life after stroke. In this episode, I delve into the healing power of humor and the crucial importance of maintaining a positive outlook during the daunting journey of stroke recovery. I start...

Send us Fan Mail Podcast Episode Summary: - Switching from right-handed to left-handed (for right-side affected survivors)   - Personal preference and task importance are factors to consider   - Progress in other areas and individual effort are also important - Recovering from injuries   - Takes time to rebuild   - Using principles of getting safe, stable, and building comfort to restore old abili...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 18: AI and ChatGPT - The Future of Stroke Recovery 1. **Introduction**    - Kicking off episode 18 with an exciting dive into AI's role in stroke recovery, and a spotlight on ChatGPT, a powerful aid for survivors. 2. **ChatGPT**    - Exploring ChatGPT as a major player in stroke recovery and discussing its myriad applications for survivors, caregivers, and family memb...

Send us Fan Mail The caregiver, Guide, I wish I had been able to give to my friends and family sooner: 📗Get the Stroke.org Guide Here Episode Topics: - Owning up to Mistakes, Grace, and Kindness - Lack of Connection between Therapists and Survivors in Florida - Purpose of Building Community for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers - Essentials for Caregivers: Support System, Education, and Finances -...

Send us Fan Mail Topics covered in this episode: 1. The Upsides of Experience a Stroke: - Having a stroke allows you to face challenges and prioritize self-care - The experience can bring a renewed sense of awareness and mental and physical toughness - It can offer an opportunity to reset and reevaluate expectations for oneself and others - Slowing down and resetting is important but often difficu...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: Embracing Change and Overcoming Plateaus in Recovery Hey there! Are you struggling to overcome plateaus in your life? Whether it's in your recovery process or just trying to reach your goals, it's important to ask yourself if you need a break or an outside opinion. In this episode, I talked about my own journey as a stroke survivor and how I had to confront myse...

Send us Fan Mail After surviving a stroke, the social and emotional toll on a survivor's life is often overlooked, leading to sneaky changes and behaviors that are difficult to explain to loved ones. Overstimulation is often an issue, particularly early on that family members and friends won't understand, but should be made aware of, that way your desire to isolate is lowered because soc...

Send us Fan Mail If you're feeling overwhelmed and discouraged from continuing your search for resources, support, and information that can help you cope with the challenges of stroke recovery, then you are not alone! "I've learned some valuable lessons as a result of having my stroke." In this episode, you will be able to: Uncover the impact of gatekeeping information within t...

Send us Fan Mail Survivors of stroke and brain injury often find themselves in a difficult situation with no clear resolution. But, with the right resources and an appreciation for the journey, it is possible to recover from a stroke and reclaim their lives.  In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the power of gratitude, humor, faith, persistence, and acceptance in holistic stroke recovery...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Lovable Survivor Podcast, I explore how to navigate the grief of an old self and embrace our new reality with a positive mindset, allowing us to gradually build resilience and emotional growth from a major life event. As a listener, you will be able to journey through grief stages and emerge stronger as a survivor or caregiver. I encourage you to embrace gra...

Send us Fan Mail For a good chunk of my life, I was the guy who didn't give much thought to the way I breathed. I'd always been a mouth breather, but I wasn't conscious of the potential effects on my health and well-being. It wasn't until I read Breath by James Nester that it all changed for me. I realized how much more there was to learn about nasal breathing and its benefits....

Send us Fan Mail Experience the potential benefits of medical marijuana, with a safe and regulated approach. I learned about the potential benefits of Medical Marijuana from a conversation on The Lovable Survivor Podcast. Medical Marijuana can be used for a variety of issues, from pain relief to better sleep to anti-inflammatory benefits. It is important to do research and talk to doctors before t...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling lost and overwhelmed? Discover how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of stroke recover and  brain injury and reclaim your life. We discuss the peaks, valleys, plateaus, and everything in between! In this episode you will learn: 1. How can nasal breathing help improve your health after a stroke or brain injury? 2. What strategies can help you navigate the emotional ro...

Send us Fan Mail Without a doubt the number one question by stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends is according to my experience and research is... "How long does it take?"  Unfortunately, you probably won't get the answer you're hoping for because that doesn't actually exist! But I do my very best to explain, as a stroke survivor myself all the factors that pla...

Send us Fan Mail There is the way people tell you it will go and then it probably would be amazing if it did go that way when returning to work after stroke or major medical life event. And to be quite honest, I hope it goes that way for you. I don't likelihood that it goes the ideal way is pretty slim.  The truth is without sugarcoating. It going back to work is going to be difficult for you...

Send us Fan Mail After having a stroke, you will hear well-intentioned but unhelpful comments from others. One common remark is, "Things aren't going to be the same." While this may be true, it doesn't provide any practical guidance or support for the survivor. It's important to remember that you can't control what other people say or how they react to your situation....

Send us Fan Mail This episode takes a little bit of a different direction where I discuss a few personal wins, and how I prioritize those in the beginning! And how learning how to walk better sleep better eat better and breathe better got me on the path to better health and fitness! Everybody says it takes time, and that is true, but the best way to go about things is to slowly chip away and make...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the lovable survivor podcast, I talk a lot about navigating the family dynamics after a major medical Life event! There are a couple different groups involved the survivor, the primary and secondary caretakers, immediate family and extended family all want to help and it can be both challenging an overwhelming at the beginning! Every family is different, and nob...