Join us in this engaging episode of The Kintsugi Podcast as Michael O'Brien shares his inspiring journey across America on a bicycle. From enduring harsh weather in Oregon to discovering the kindness of strangers, Michael's adventure offers profound insights into resilience, connection, and the power of asking for help. Accompanied by his wife and their furry companions, Michael's trip not only tested his physical limits but also brought to life the real meaning of community and support in challenging times.

Show Notes:

• Michael introduces the podcast and his cross-country cycling journey in 2022.
• Michael shares unique stories of connection experienced during his ride.
• The small town of Mitchell, Oregon, and its unexpected charm.
• Anticipation of cycling through Eastern Oregon's scenic landscapes.
• Michael's struggle with harsh weather and the importance of optimism.
• The physical and mental challenges faced during a steep climb and descent.
• Michael's critical decision to seek help during a dangerous bout of hypothermia.
• A heartwarming encounter with a kind couple offering refuge from the storm.
• Reflection on the importance of seeking assistance and the connection it fosters.
• Insights on safety, resilience, and the importance of making smart choices.
• How asking for help strengthens bonds and enriches both the helper and the helped.
• Emphasizing the mutual benefits and emotional rewards of helping others.
• An invitation to listeners to embrace assistance in their own lives.
• Video of me shivering on Mary and Joseph's porch: https://youtu.be/4lftJsNzfao

If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. 

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than less. Metaphorically, Kintsugi reminds us that our challenges, scars, and setbacks are not something to be ashamed of but can be embraced as a source of strength and transformation.

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Thanks for being here! I appreciate you! 

Let's celebrate our scars as golden symbols of resilience and strength. 

My name is Michael. I'm a husband, father, son, and friend. I'm also an executive coach, speaker, and meditation teacher, and I help people prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day and help them heal, grow, and develop more resilience. 

I'm not a doctor or therapist. But I have been through the “ringer,” as they say. I was involved in a cycling accident, and my trauma team doesn’t know how I survived. Along the way, I’ve tried it all to heal and in my podcast, I share what I’ve learned in hopes that something might help you. Plus, I want to create a connection with you so you’re not alone in your journey. You’ve got this!

If you feel you need more mental health support, please contact NAMI. This is a good place to start. If you have a question or comment, please reach out to [email protected]. 

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Wisdom, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.