What question would you like to ask Dr. George Adesina? Let me know by going to the following link: ⁠https://heartwarriorproject.com/experts/⁠.

Every once in a while, I will invite a medical professional or a health expert to the podcast of The Heart Warrior Project to help you as a cardiac arrest survivor live a better life. Whenever a new professional or health expert is about to appear on the podcast, I will give you the chance to ask a question you’d like me to ask that person. On the podcast, I will always make an announcement when another expert is about to come on the show, so don’t forget to follow the podcast to stay notified.

Surviving a cardiac arrest is something you don’t wish upon anyone. Truly. It’s only those who went through one who can state with absolute certainty that it can completely shatter someone’s life. 

Therefore, once I read our guest for this conversation, Kevin Marcus Miller, had 12 cardiac arrests, I was shocked. As well as intrigued.

Shocked by how, despite all this, he has continued to fight. And intrigued by how he has managed to stay optimistic through this all and continues to build the best life he can with the cards that life has dealt him.

If, after this conversation, you would like to spend more time with Kevin, do check out his podcast ‘Setbacks to Comebacks Podcast’, where he chats with others about their comeback story.

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠awesome-looking merch⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠accept donations⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠.

____

🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

• Intro 00:00 - 02:30 

• When Kevin had his first cardiac arrest 02:30 - 05:24 

• The difficulty of returning to work and normal life after surviving a cardiac arrest 05:20 - 09:23 

• Getting multiple shocks (appropriate and inappropriate ones) 09:23 - 13:09 

• When and why Kevin started Setbacks to Comebacks Podcast 13:09 - 14:30 

• The struggle family members face and trying to make the best of it together 14:30 - 17:40 

• The medication that Kevin currently takes 17:40 - 18:16 

• When Kevin had his other cardiac arrest incidents 18:16 - 22:48 

• How to stay motivated after having multiple cardiac arrests and knowing there might be more 22:48 - 26:06 

• Feeling angry after everything that has happened and dealing with that anger 26:06 - 32:54 

• Support The Heart Warrior Project 32:54 - 34:38 

• What Kevin wished his cardiologist had told him sooner 34:38 - 36:17 

• Dealing with PTSD and maintaining emotional hygiene 36:17 - 39:05 

• The frustrating part of not knowing why you had a cardiac arrest 39:05 - 43:45 

• Living with heart disease and making the most out of a not-so-ideal situation 43:38 - 45:23 

• How Kevin is doing today 45:23 - 46:54 

• Living with a lower quality of life 46:54 - 48:58 

• What Kevin does when he feels down, sad, or frustrated with his cardiac arrests and living with an ICD 48:58 - 50:56 

• What's still hard to communicate to the people around Kevin's life 50:56 - 52:14 

• A last piece of advice Kevin would like to share with any survivors who are listening 52:14 - 54:36 

• Outro 54:36 - 55:28 

• Support The Heart Warrior Project 55:28 - 56:27

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#cardiacarrest #heartwarrior #cardiachealth

At the age of 17, Mike Papale survived a cardiac arrest while playing basketball. In an act to prevent more people from dying from a sudden cardiac arrest and spread more awareness on this topic, Mike started In A Heartbeat in 2015, a foundation which so far has donated 200 AEDs, raised $35,000 to research, trained 3,000 in CPR, and screened 4,000 hearts. Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/mike-papale-surviving-a-cardiac-arrest-at-age-17/

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.

____

🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

Intro 00:00 - 02:48 Surviving a cardiac arrest at age 17 02:48 - 06:38 The importance of AEDs 06:38 - 07:20Being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 07:20 - 09:40 How it feels to get your ICD replaced 09:40 - 10:40 What the first few years of recovery were like 10:40 - 12:40 The medication Mike is currently taking 12:40 - 14:55 The first years are the hardest 14:55 - 19:56 Support The Heart Warrior Project 19:56 - 21:38 Life changes Mike had to get used to 21:38 - 22:51 In A Heartbeat Foundation 22:51 - 28:10 The medical setback Mike experienced 28:10 - 32:10 How Mike feels about all that has happened to him 32:10 - 33:07 Why Mike Started In A Heartbeat Foundation 33:07 - 36:00 Mike's book A Big Heart 36:00 - 39:25 What Mike wished his cardiologist had told him sooner 39:25 - 42:08 When you feel bad, sad, angry, etc. because of what happened 42:08 - 44:48 The lack of awareness around sudden cardiac arrest in young people 44:48 - 47:44 One last tip and advice Mike would give to other survivors 47:44 - 50:13 Outro 50:13 - 50:57 Support The Heart Warrior Project 50:57 - 51:57

Bethany and Hannah Keime are two sisters who were both diagnosed at a young age with HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), the number one killer of student-athletes.

While both have the same heart condition (with differences in severity) and found much support from each other in that, they also have their own personal challenges dealing with the heart disease and all the life changes it has caused (more on that coming up in the interview).

In order to prevent more people from dying from a cardiac arrest, they started HeartCharged to spread awareness, and they are doing a damn great job on that.

Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/bethany-hannah-keime-from-heartcharged/

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.

____

🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

• Intro 00:00 - 02:33
• When Bethany and Hannah got diagnosed with HCM 02:33 - 10:02
• The symptoms they both experience from HCM 10:02 - 13:25
• Receiving support while dealing with HCM 13:25 - 15:01
• How to cope with giving up the things you loved doing 15:01 - 17:50
• The medication Bethany and Hannah took/take and dealing with the side effects 17:50 - 21:32
• Getting an ICD and learning to accept it 21:32 - 30:50
• When Hannah had her cardiac arrest 30:50 - 35:00
• Having the moment on camera when you received a shock from your ICD 35:00 - 38:00
• Support The Heart Warrior Project 38:00 - 39:45
• Jellis's experience of being shocked for the first time 39:45 - 30:33
• Dealing with the fears of getting shocked 30:33 - 41:39
• How common it is to have a cardiac arrest during your sleep 41:39 - 44:07
• When Bethany and Hannah decided to start HeartCharged 44:07 - 48:40
• The upcoming plans they both have with HeartCharged 48:40 - 52:00
• A last piece of advice from Bethany and Hannah to survivors 52:00 - 56:10
• Outro 56:10 - 57:00
• Support The Heart Warrior Project 57:00 - 58:03

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to renowned cardiac nurse and rehab expert, Angela Hartley, about cardiac rehab for sudden cardiac arrest survivors.

About Health Expert Angela Hartley: Angela Hartley is a cardiac rehab nurse who has a private practice in London. She has dedicated her life to helping those who have suffered heart attacks, heart surgery, or a sudden cardiac arrest, become empowered through gaining the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to get their energy and life back on track. 

Show notes about this episode: https://heartwarriorproject.com/angela-hartley/

Connect with Angela:

Website: https://healthyhearties.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhearties/

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.____🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

• Intro 00:00 - 02:37
• What Angela does 02:37 - 04:09
• How Angela got interested in becoming a cardiac rehab expert 04:09 - 08:34
• Q&A with Angela Hartley 08:34 - 09:10
• Can exercise improve fatigue? 09:10 - 19:45
• Why do some get referred to cardiac rehab and others don't? 19:45 - 25:06
• Support The Heart Warrior Project 25:06 - 26:50
• Exercises to do at home 26:50 - 30:56
• Is there ever a case where cardiac rehab wouldn’t be helpful for someone? 30:56 - 37:17
• How does medication make it difficult for some during rehabilitation or exercise in general? 37:17 - 45:57
• When are you done with rehabilitation? 45:57 - 50:33
• Last words of Angela to sudden cardiac arrest survivors 50:33 - 52:10
• Outro 52:10 - 52:52
• Support The Heart Warrior Project 52:52 - 53:54

____

#cardiacarrest #heartwarrior #healthexpert

Matthew Wood had a cardiac arrest at home. Luckily, his partner heard something and immediately jumped into action.

Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/matthew-wood/

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.____🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:52Having a heart attack 02:52 - 09:42Having your own cardiac arrest on camera 09:42 - 14:20Why they think Matthew had a cardiac arrest 14:20 - 17:28How Matthew is feeling today 17:28 - 19:09Putting together the pieces of what happened 19:09 - 22:08Getting an ICD and living with it 22:08 - 25:27 Support the Heart Warrior Project 25:27 - 27:10How life has changed for Matthew 27:10 - 30:50Meeting the people who saved you 30:50 - 37:40What his cardiologist could have told him sooner/what Matthew wished he had discovered sooner 37:40 - 49:40Dealing with all that happened to us and for the ones who love us 48:30 - 53:00Jellis's experience of getting a shock for the first time 53:00 - 58:14The love-hate relationship with an ICD 58:14 - 1:00:13What helps Matthew in moments when he feels down 1:00:13 - 1:03:03Things that are difficult to communicate to the people around Matthew 1:03:03 - 1:06:22Suffering is far worse than death 1:06:22 - 1:07:00You never know what someone is going through 1:07:00 - 1:09:43Last tips and pieces of advice from Matthew to fellow SCA survivors 1:09:43 - 1:13:17Outro 1:13:17 - 1:13:53Support the Heart Warrior Project 1:13:53 - 1:14:52____

#cardiacarrest #heartwarrior #survivor

Joseph Fisher (or Joe for the friends), is a psychologist, fellow cardiac arrest survivor, and heart warrior. He had his cardiac arrest while swimming at the pool. An off-duty police officer managed to save him.

Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/joe-fisher/https://heartwarriorproject.com/joe-fisher/

____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.

____

🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

Intro 00:00 - 02:37Joe's story of his sudden cardiac arrest 02:37 - 09:03Who saved Joe 09:03 - 10:27The suffering that can come from surviving a sudden cardiac arrest 10:27 - 11:55Why they think Joe had a cardiac arrest 11:55 - 14:56Not receiving an ICD 14:56 - 15:26Tips Joe received from the hospital 15:26 - 16:50How was recovery for Joe 16:50 - 24:13How last year was for Joe 24:13 - 25:45Being hypersensitive and EMDR 25:45 - 27:12Polyvagal theory 27:12 - 31:16Support The Heart Warrior Project 31:16 - 33:00Why trauma work and talking about what happened is important 33:00 - 35:47An exercise out of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) 35:47 - 38:00Surviving SCA is like being stuck in quicksand 38:00 - 41:25A great exercise to get you out of the depths 41:25 - 44:50Difficult changes after surviving SCA 44:50 - 52:25Joe shares a story 52:25 - 57:08What Joe wished his cardiologist had told him sooner 57:08 - 1:03:37Meeting the person who saved you 1:03:37- 1:04:45One last tip and piece of advice Joe would give to fellow cardiac arrest survivors 1:04:45 - 1:07:42End 1:07:42 - 1:08:36Support The Heart Warrior Project 1:08:36 - 1:09:33

____

#cardiacarrest #heartwarrior #survivor

What question would you like to ask Angela? Let me know by going to the following link: https://heartwarriorproject.com/experts/.

Every once in a while, I will invite a medical professional or a health expert to the podcast of The Heart Warrior Project to help you as a cardiac arrest survivor live a better life. Whenever a new professional or health expert is about to appear on the podcast, I will give you the chance to ask a question you’d like me to ask that person. On the podcast, I will always make an announcement when another expert is about to come on the show, so don’t forget to follow the podcast to stay notified.

Alan Owen had a cardiac arrest while playing walking football. Luckily, an ex-police and military officer on the field knew what to do and started performing CPR on him while two helicopters flew in to provide further support to Alan. All of this was unfolding right before the eyes of his teenage son.Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/heart-warrior-alan-owen/____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠.____🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒

Intro 00:00 - 02:40

How Alan had a cardiac arrest 02:40 - 07:06

Why Alan had a cardiac arrest 07:06 - 10:31

Dealing with the side effects of medication and living with an ICD 10:31 - 13:38

Talking with your loved ones about what has happened 13:38 - 16:28

Dealing with fatigue 16:27 - 19:12

The aftermath of cardiac arrest with family, friends, and those who saved us 19:12 - 25:02

Alan's book about his recovery journey. The importance of giving meaning 25:02 - 27:20

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone 27:20 - 31:3

Support The Heart Warrior Project 31:31 - 33:16

The insane fatigue survivors often deal with 33:16 -  37:40

The trauma our body went through 37:40 - 41:06

Looking fine from the outside, but struggling within 41:06 - 44:19

What Alan wished his cardiologist would have told him sooner 44:19 - 46:40

The importance of a support group 46:40 - 51:05

The fear of getting a shock from your ICD 51:05 - 57:36

What helps Alan to cope with the tough moments 57:36 - 1:02:42

The things that are still difficult to communicate to the people in Alan's life 1:02:42 - 1:07:37

You nor your family will ever forget the event of surviving a cardiac arrest 1:07:37 - 1:10:23

Patience is key 1:10:23 - 1:16:50

End 1:16:50 - 1:17:35

Support The Heart Warrior Project 1:17:35 - 1:18:35

Brandon Griffith had a cardiac arrest at home while reading a book. Despite his SCA, he is still an active police officer and founded Griffith Blue Heart, a nonprofit organization that specializes in training, preparing, and equipping law enforcement for cardiac emergencies.

Show notes of this episode can be found here: https://heartwarriorproject.com/heart-warrior-brandon-griffith/⁠

_____

🧡Get Involved - Support The Heart Warrior Project🧡

Note that The Heart Warrior Project is run by one guy, which is yes, me (Jellis Vaes). 

In between work, studies at university, and just life, I try to squeeze in some time almost every day to work on this project. This project takes a lot of work, as I genuinely want to deliver high-quality and helpful content for survivors here. 

And I do it with a lot of love every day. 

However, help is always appreciated. If you have found any insights, lessons, or support from this or any other episode, and you’d like to support the project, we have a couple of ways to do so.

We offer some ⁠⁠awesome-looking merch⁠⁠, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, with different designs that I personally love wearing/using myself. 

If you aren’t interested in any merch but still want to support the project, we also ⁠⁠accept donations⁠⁠.

You can find more information here:⁠⁠ https://heartwarriorproject.com/getinvolved/⁠⁠._____

🕒Timestamps of this episode 🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:18Brandon Griffith's story of how he survived a cardiac arrest 02:18 - 09:20Why they think Brandon had a cardiac arrest 09:20 - 10:45How the recovery process looked like 10:45 - 16:15When Brandon became an active police officer again 16:15 - 19:00The side effects of medication 19:00 - 21:37The insights and support we don't receive 21:37 - 24:13Quality over quantity 24:13 - 27:27How Brandon feels today 27:27 - 29:54Support The Heart Warrior Project 29:54 - 31:39Griffith Blue Heart 31:39 - 51:04Companies using cardiac arrest survivors as show ponies 51:04 - 57:41What Brandon wished his cardiologist had told him sooner 57:41 - 1:02:07Things that are still difficult to communicate 1:02:07 - 1:04:55Fears about being a father and having had a cardiac arrest 1:04:55 - 1:13:08End 1:13:08 - 1:13:40Support The Heart Warrior Project 1:13:40 - 1:14:37