This man is full of courage. I had the total honour of discovering Kris' story through a mutual friend and couldn't quite believe what this man has been through. Up until 2020 Kris had been doing life at a certain pace. In his own words, a corporate man, working hard and providing for his family. He'd been having ongoing issues with sciatica pain in his leg. Eventually Kris got a scan and the shocking news he wasn't expecting: a large tumour mass had grown in his upper leg and pelvic bone - the only way forwards was for his whole leg to be removed.

Kris' surgery is known as a hemipelvectomy - it's rare and considered up there and one of the most traumatic surgeries to recover from. More commonly associated with military and mine survivors. Kris chats to me candidly about his initial reactions to the diagnosis and what his rehabilitation journey has looked like since.

Kris tells his ongoing story in his blog: kriskristensen.com/blog
And is currently fundraising for a much more improved prosthetic, please consider sponsoring him here: helphopelive.org/campaign/19679

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A CREATIVE LIFE YOU LOVE

I've found creativity + courage = the best storytellers building a life they love.
The stories we tell ourselves are powerful.

I'm looking to find people who are building a creative life but it's not always been easy. Call On Courage posts the conversations I was looking to find when my career dreams were sliding out of view. Your creative life is worth making happen even when doors close or you're dealing with difficult people. I'm in your corner encouraging you to keep going.

I'm not all over the 'Gram or Tik Tok famous. But I am making quality content on Substack. That's where you'll find the best of Call On Courage: podcasts and writing that go in depth on how to push past fear and make the creative life you have in mind.

Go to: calloncourage.substack.com
https://www.calloncourage.com/podcast
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PS. If you've enjoyed this episode, I really appreciate you telling a couple of friends about it.