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 Matt Johnson 

A Winning Heart: https://awinningheart.weebly.com. A Winning Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Winning Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/.

On A Winning Heart today (Monday, November 17, 2025), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Matt Johnson. Matt is a hypnotherapist and NLP coach who turned his recovery journey into powerful methods to help others break free from subconscious blocks. After a devastating brain injury left him living in darkness, Matt discovered that hidden PTSD was sabotaging his healing. By rewiring his subconscious with hypnotherapy and NLP, he not only recovered his health, he developed a method for helping others release deeply rooted emotional baggage and transform their lives. To learn more about Matt visit www.mattjohnsonnlp.com

A single moment on wet rock turned Matt’s life into a blur of pain, darkness, and relentless sensitivity to light and sound. What followed wasn’t a quick fix but a decision—cutting off every path except the one that led back to living. We walk through the gritty reality of traumatic brain injury and the quiet

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A new name, a new direction, and a candid plan for a life-changing surgery. We’re opening up about the January 12 hip replacement, how cerebral palsy shapes the rehab roadmap, and why we’re committing to document the good, the bad, and the awkward realities along the way. From navigating inpatient rules to working around shaky hospital Wi‑Fi, we walk through the practical choices that make recovery possible and storytelling honest.

We’re launching a dedicated YouTube channel, she13win, to share short, accessible updates on disability awareness and the day-to-day of post-op life. Expect reflections right after physical therapy, notes on pain management, and the small wins that signal progress: first safe transfer, better sleep positions, and the confidence to bear weight again. You’ll hear how we adapt standard hip protocols to a body that already compensates for CP, and what clinicians look for when aligning mobility goals with spasticity, balance, and fatigue.https://youtu.be/9sTBs-jkuQw?si=FFocrNSO7yAnKCPfhttps://youtu.be/9sTBs-jkuQw?si=FFocrNSO7yAnKCPf

Support systems matter, so we talk about picking a rehab facility with help from our church family, the comfort of familiar halls and staff, and how community lowers stress when everything else feels uncertain. We also get real about timing school around surgery, handling curveballs like a stubborn yeast infection, and protecting energy with short-form content we can sustain through pain and PT. To keep joy in the mix, we tease a light, positive conversation next week about a Disney cruise—because recovery isn’t just milestones and meds, it’s also stories that make the hard days easier.

Join us for this next chapter and help shape what you want to see from rehab to release. Subscribe, share the show with someone who needs a boost, and leave a review with the one question you want answered during recovery.

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A birthday fall didn’t seem like a life-changer—until weeks later when pain roared, the knee wouldn’t bend, and the ER’s answers didn’t match what the body was screaming. We walk you through the messy middle: canceled surgery, a psoas impingement label that didn’t fit, a rehab stint that hurt more than it helped, and the relentless push to be heard. When an orthopedic visit finally led to a CT scan, the truth landed with force: the hip had been 50% out of the socket since June.

From there, everything sharpened. We break down the three paths on the table—removing the femoral head, living with a barely functional leg, or committing to a total hip replacement—and why choosing the replacement is the only route back to stability, mobility, and independence. Because cerebral palsy adds muscle spasms that could threaten a new implant, we also share the cast-first plan designed to protect the hip during those crucial early weeks. Expect candid talk about pain management, realistic PT milestones, and a recovery arc that includes six weeks of healing and two weeks of focused rehab.

This conversation is part battle map, part field notes for anyone navigating complex care: why X-rays can miss what a CT reveals, how to advocate when you’re dismissed, and what it takes to align surgeons, insurance, and timing around the holidays. We also look ahead—standing with a walker, getting back to school on a smarter schedule, and releasing a special episode of the birthday speech recorded on day one of the injury. If you’ve ever felt lost in the system or needed a blueprint to push for the right care, this story offers clarity, courage, and a plan. Listen, share with someone who needs a nudge to advocate, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review so more listeners can find their footing too.

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Some decisions feel like a pivot; this one felt like a reckoning. We open up about stepping away from teaching in Arizona and the mix of policy, practicality, and personal wellbeing that led us here. Arizona’s school choice model promises options, but the way public funds flow out of neighborhood schools has real consequences for teachers and students who rely on consistent support. We walk through how dwindling resources, chronic instability, and a tough licensure calculus made the classroom a hard place to build a sustainable future right now.

You’ll hear why we’re pressing pause on Arizona certification, how we think about teacher burnout beyond buzzwords, and what a healthier system could look like. We also share an honest checkpoint on higher education plans—why early friction with a college can signal deeper misalignment, and how we’re reevaluating programs to find a better fit. On the personal front, a pending orthopedic update shapes the near-term timeline, because being a great educator requires energy, presence, and a plan that respects health realities.

To keep some light in the mix, we tease an upcoming conversation with a Disney superfan who just returned from a dream trip—proof that wonder and play still matter even as we navigate hard choices. If you care about public education, teacher wellbeing, and the real trade-offs behind policy headlines, this story offers a candid look at why a passionate educator might choose another path for now. Listen, share with a friend who’s wrestling with similar choices, and subscribe to stay with us for the health update and the Disney interview. Your thoughts and reviews help shape what we explore next—what would you do in our shoes?

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Russell Van Brocklen Sunday, November 2, 2025

A Winning Heart: https://awinningheart.weebly.com. A Winning Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Winning Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/.

On A Winning Heart today (Sunday, November 2, 2025), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Russell Van Brocklen. Dyslexia touches as many as 15–20 % of all learners, yet most families still hear “wait and see.” Russell flip that script. As the Dyslexia Professor, Russell translate structured-literacy methods proven most effective for struggling readers into bite-size actions parents can use tonight. Your audience leaves knowing exactly why multisensory routines beat generic worksheets and how to start seeing progress before the next report card. To learn more about Russell visit https://dyslexiaclasses.com/

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The body doesn’t wait for perfect timing, and neither do we. This update brings you right into the mess and movement of real life: unclear hip X-rays, a CT scan scheduled for Halloween, and hard choices about partial versus total hip replacement. We talk through pain that steals sleep, the slow march of appointments, and the honest math of rehab—what it takes, what it gives back, and why the mindset you carry is often the strongest medicine.

We also get practical about access. Financing for a vehicle fell through, so we explore family help and simpler options that still get the job done. When you live with disability, transportation is more than convenience—it’s independence and energy saved for what matters. Alongside that, we highlight the paperwork that quietly shapes progress, from emailing doctors to switching dentists. These are the unglamorous steps that keep care moving.

Through it all, the creative heartbeat stays strong across our shows focused on mental health and disability. We’re aiming for 10,000 downloads, not as a vanity metric but as a way to reach more people who need a clear voice and a steady hand. If you’ve ever tried to heal while the rest of life keeps calling, you’ll find solidarity here: small wins, honest setbacks, and a commitment to come back stronger.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Your support helps us stay in the fight and keep telling the truth about recovery, resilience, and the everyday work of getting better.

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Miracle Pelayo Wednesday, October 22, 2025

A Winning Heart: https://awinningheart.weebly.com. A Winning Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Winning Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/.

On A Winning Heart today (Wednesday, October 22, 2025), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Miracle Pelayo. Miracle is an actor, model, and fashion content creator with Cerebral Palsy. She was born and raised in LA. Miracle has been featured on Nickelodeon’s Bella and The Bulldogs, multiple commercials, such as Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, and many more. To learn more about Miracle visit http://miraclepelayo.com/

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A tech hiccup tries to shut us down, and we answer with the story that started everything: two friends who met at Challenge Aspen, found a shared language on the mountain, and built a creative life that refuses to shrink to fit. The real co-host finally steps into the spotlight as we trace the arc from a purple walker on a snowy day to a 28-year friendship that powers books, interviews, and a podcast that became much more than a side project.

We talk about what Challenge Aspen does so well—adaptive skiing, year-round access, and a culture that treats disability as a reason to participate, not opt out. That space shaped how we work today: clear communication, calculated risk, and celebrating small wins that add up to big momentum. You’ll hear how a single book release led to microphones, an unexpected full-time gig, and a co-creator who moved from assistant to on-air partner to author. The theme beneath it all is practical resilience: start where you are, build community, and let feedback guide the next step.

We also go candid on health. Corticosteroid injections are on deck to calm hip and leg pain, with sedation to keep CP from complicating the procedure. We unpack the reality of C diff and why a fecal microbiota transplant might be the exit ramp after brutal rounds of antibiotics. There’s straightforward talk about Botox for spasticity, nerve blocks, and the admin slog of joint consultations, plus the mindset that keeps us steady: advocate clearly, escalate care in sequence, and rest without quitting. If you’re navigating disability, chronic illness, or just a hard season, you’ll find tools you can use and a friendship that models staying power.

If this story moves you, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your support keeps this community strong and the conversation going.

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A quiet “wow” turned into a hard-earned milestone: 200,000 downloads. We share the win, then get practical about what comes next—two new shows taking shape, a tighter calendar as school begins, and the real work of staying creative while managing complex care. If you’ve ever juggled ambition with recovery, this one will feel close to the bone.

We unpack the purpose behind a new writing podcast grounded in disability perspective—interviews with authors who navigate craft, access, and the messy middle of making books when your energy and pain fluctuate. We also lay out updates on our mental health series, explaining how we design conversations around simple tools, clear language, and routines that stick. On the logistics side, transportation becomes a key theme: the vehicle application, specialist coordination, and why mobility changes everything from clinic visits to recording days. It’s the unglamorous work that makes the creative work possible.

Health updates are candid and specific. We walk through the latest Botox plan for right-leg spasticity, why the left leg waited, and a follow-up window that may include dose changes and a nerve block. There’s an infectious disease visit aimed at slowing recurrent C. diff, plus a pain management approach that pairs Botox with consistent physical therapy and careful tracking of what actually helps. We keep the conversation grounded in function—less tightness, better sleep, more minutes of ease—so progress has a shape you can feel. With a co-host travel window coming up, expect a mix of joint recordings, solo check-ins, and a few author interviews to keep the momentum moving.

If this mix of honesty, craft, and practical care resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find us. What author or topic should we tackle first? Your suggestions guide the next round of conversations.

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A small “oops” turned into a loud yes. After years of writing through grief, learning by doing, and tapping a purple button that opened a world of audio, we’re launching a show built around one conviction: the craft of writing should be accessible, adaptable, and welcoming to every body. We explore how a tribute to a mother grew into “I, Win,” how strangers used that book to understand cerebral palsy, and why accessibility tools—speech dictation, AAC devices, and iPad-first workflows—aren’t just accommodations; they’re engines for consistent, high-quality creative work.

We dig into the origin story behind “Ask Win,” the mentorship and inspiration we drew from Joanna Penn’s journey into indie publishing, and the gentle shove that came from an accidental $75 podcast hosting purchase. That nudge became a commitment to bring practical, lived guidance to writers navigating disability: how to outline by voice, dictate clean drafts, tame editing without burnout, and design a marketing plan you can sustain. You’ll hear how we plan to release episodes twice a week, invite guests with diverse backgrounds, and keep craft at the center while highlighting real tools and workflows that lower friction and raise output.

If you care about writing but your hands, energy, or time don’t fit traditional routines, this is your space. We’ll share lessons on discoverability, indie publishing strategies, and mindful productivity, plus stories from authors who prove that access unlocks artistry. Come for the tactics, stay for the momentum—and help shape what comes next by telling us what you want to learn. Subscribe, share with a friend who writes, and leave a review so more disabled creators and allies can find this conversation.

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