The Second Wind Podcast

For many of us, a health crisis or a period of inactivity comes with unwanted weight gain. But traditional crash diets can be disastrous for your recovery, burning away precious muscle along with fat. In this final episode of our "Recovery Recipe" series, we provide the definitive blueprint for strategic fat loss . Learn how to create a safe and sustainable caloric deficit, and discover why your p...

Are you putting in the work but hitting a strength plateau? You’re not imagining it. After 40 or a major health crisis, our bodies follow a new set of rules for building muscle. This episode provides the precise, science-backed recipe to overcome this challenge. We redefine the goal away from vague "toning" and towards powerful "functional strength"—the strength you need for daily life. We explain...

Are you constantly fighting fatigue, feeling like your energy drains by midday? It's one of the most common battles in any comeback journey. This episode provides the recipe for rebuilding your stamina from the ground up. Discover why carbohydrates, when used strategically, are your body's high-performance fuel for all-day energy. We'll break down a simple, personalized plan for fueling before, du...

Tired of guessing what to eat to get your strength back? We're cutting through the confusion by putting your questions directly to an expert. In this Ask The Expert episode, we welcome performance nutritionist Alan Kenny ( alankennynutrition.com ), who has over a decade of experience helping athletes, executives, and parents optimize their nutrition for peak performance and health. This isn't theo...

Feeling like your old diet no longer works for your new reality? You're right, it doesn't. This episode is the essential first chapter in our multi-part deep dive into nutrition, laying the groundwork for your entire physical and mental comeback. We open up "The Recovery Recipe," starting with the foundational ingredients every survivor, athlete, or person over 40 needs to thrive. Discover the sur...

The doctor says you’re healed. So why do you still feel broken? The answer lies in one of healthcare's best-kept secrets: Occupational Therapy . An Occupational Therapist helps you rebuild your life. In this episode, an expert with 30 years of experience reveals why your behaviours and beliefs, not your physical injury, truly defines your comeback. Send your comeback stories and questions for the...

References and Further Reading: Episode 5 Work of Richard Tedeschi & Lawrence Calhoun: These are the psychologists who pioneered the concept of PTG. Their book, "Trauma and Transformation," is a foundational text. The American Psychological Association (APA) has an excellent article titled "Growth after trauma" that summarizes their work. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl: A profound...

Walking into a gym or a fitness class after a major health event can be one of the most intimidating steps in a comeback. How do you start when you're not as strong as you used to be? How do you protect yourself from re-injury? In our first-ever expert interview episode, Jan talks with group fitness instructor Melissa, who has nearly a decade of experience helping people return to fitness safely....

After creating a plan in the Preparation stage, the real work begins. This episode tackles Stage 4 of the recovery blueprint: Rebuilding. This is the profound and often difficult process of letting go of the person you were before your setback to make space for the person you are now. Host Jan Carter explores the psychology of "narrative identity" and explains why grieving your "old self" is a nec...

You’ve found the spark of hope, but how do you turn that spark into a steady flame? This episode tackles Stage 3 of the recovery blueprint: Preparation. This is where you become the project manager of your own comeback. Host Jan Carter explains why your specialists treat the parts of you, but only you can build a holistic plan for the whole person. Learn the powerful science behind self-efficacy t...

After the overwhelming standstill of the Moratorium, what comes next? This episode explores Stage 2 of the recovery blueprint: Awareness. This is the critical turning point where the fog begins to lift and the first, fragile spark of hope becomes possible. Host Jan Carter explains that hope isn't a passive feeling you wait for—it's an active, trainable skill. Learn the science behind moving from "...

What happens when a sudden injury, a frustrating diagnosis, or the simple reality of aging brings your world to a halt? This episode kicks off our 5-part series, "The Blueprint for Your Mind," by tackling the first and most overwhelming stage of psychological recovery: The Moratorium. Whether you've been sidelined by a catastrophic health event, a season-ending injury, or a discouraging setback, h...

Feeling recovery's a battle? Join Jan Carter on Second Wind as he tackles the frustration of daily routines, unwanted exercise, and self-doubt after a major health event. You'll learn not just to face your new reality, but to thrive in it.  Discover how to reframe negative thoughts, leverage a growth mindset, and turn small wins into powerful motivation. This episode offers actionable strateg...

Rebuilding your life after a major health event means learning to move forward without falling flat on your face. This episode shares personal insights on navigating recovery from a serious condition like blood clots, emphasizing why traditional goal-setting fails and introducing a better way to set goals for the body you have now , not the one you remember. With a comeback story from Steph who sh...

What if your body's biggest crisis became your greatest superpower?  In this first episode of "Second Wind", host Jan Carter reveals how his near-fatal health event — extensive bilateral pulmonary embolisms — led him to discover the profound, scientific connection between mind and body in recovery. From the surprising truth about chronic stress and healing, to practical strategies like "movem...

Life after a health setback, injury, or just a body that doesn't recover like it used to can feel overwhelming. Tune in to "Second Wind" for real-life recovery stories, expert insights, and practical tips to regain control—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Listen Now & Start Your Comeback 🎧 Send your comeback stories and questions for the experts to thesecondwindpodcast@gmail.com Hosted...