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Playing the Hand You're Dealt
What if the real measure of resilience isn’t avoiding disaster—but learning how to play the hand you’re dealt?
In this episode of Perfectly Flawed, I sat down with Steven Dowd, whose life changed in an instant. Cycling to work in London, preparing for a local race, Steven hit a barrier and was javelined into the ground, breaking his neck and leaving him instantly paralysed from the neck down. The prognosis was bleak, the choices limited—but that same day, an experimental clinical research trial gave him hope.
Starting with a promise to his wife while lying motionless in intensive care, Steven embarked on a journey that would not only see him walk again but also complete extraordinary charity challenges raising awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research.
As a former professional poker teacher, Steven brings a fascinating lens to life’s challenges: the stakes may be high or low, but the key is always the same—reset the cards, play your hand, and never give up.
Together, we explore:
💡 How mindset and persistence can rewrite what seems impossible.
💡 The power of resilience when the hand you’re dealt feels unplayable.
💡 Why small shifts in perspective—like seeing life as a poker game—can transform recovery and life itself.
🎧 Tune in for inspiration, insight, and a reminder that even in the most unlikely circumstances, courage, determination, and a little strategy can help you rise again.
A promising career in corporate financial services took a dramatic turn as a result of a freak cycling accident in which Steven was instantly paralysed from the neck down. His prognosis was bleak and his choices limited but that same day Steven was
given hope through an experimental clinical research trial.
Starting with a promise to his wife, made whilst laying motionless in intensive care, he set about a journey that would not only see him stand and walk again but create and complete several remarkable charity challenges raising funds and awareness for spinal cord injury research.
stevendowd.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevendowd
View all episodes
By Deborah HenleyWhat if the real measure of resilience isn’t avoiding disaster—but learning how to play the hand you’re dealt?
In this episode of Perfectly Flawed, I sat down with Steven Dowd, whose life changed in an instant. Cycling to work in London, preparing for a local race, Steven hit a barrier and was javelined into the ground, breaking his neck and leaving him instantly paralysed from the neck down. The prognosis was bleak, the choices limited—but that same day, an experimental clinical research trial gave him hope.
Starting with a promise to his wife while lying motionless in intensive care, Steven embarked on a journey that would not only see him walk again but also complete extraordinary charity challenges raising awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research.
As a former professional poker teacher, Steven brings a fascinating lens to life’s challenges: the stakes may be high or low, but the key is always the same—reset the cards, play your hand, and never give up.
Together, we explore:
💡 How mindset and persistence can rewrite what seems impossible.
💡 The power of resilience when the hand you’re dealt feels unplayable.
💡 Why small shifts in perspective—like seeing life as a poker game—can transform recovery and life itself.
🎧 Tune in for inspiration, insight, and a reminder that even in the most unlikely circumstances, courage, determination, and a little strategy can help you rise again.
A promising career in corporate financial services took a dramatic turn as a result of a freak cycling accident in which Steven was instantly paralysed from the neck down. His prognosis was bleak and his choices limited but that same day Steven was
given hope through an experimental clinical research trial.
Starting with a promise to his wife, made whilst laying motionless in intensive care, he set about a journey that would not only see him stand and walk again but create and complete several remarkable charity challenges raising funds and awareness for spinal cord injury research.
stevendowd.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevendowd