Michael Foglietta: Rebuilding Life After Everything Changes
What happens when your entire life changes overnight… and the person you once were no longer exists in the same way?
In this deeply honest and emotional episode of Soulmates & Suitcases, Lisa sits down with AVM survivor, author, veteran, and advocate Michael Foglietta to talk about resilience, identity, grief, and learning how to rebuild a life after catastrophic brain trauma.
At just 32 years old, Michael experienced a sudden Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) rupture in his brain — a life-threatening event that led to a flatline, coma, memory loss, physical disability, PTSD, and years of recovery. Overnight, everything changed.
But this conversation isn’t just about survival.
It’s about what happens after the crisis.
After the hospital.
After everyone assumes you should be “better.”
Michael opens up about losing memories of his childhood, relearning how to walk, navigating invisible disabilities, struggling to return to work, rebuilding confidence, and eventually discovering purpose through writing, advocacy, and helping others.
Together, Lisa and Michael explore the emotional reality of living with a brain injury, the grief of losing your “before life,” and the quiet courage it takes to create a new future when there’s no roadmap.
Because sometimes…
healing isn’t about returning to who you were.
It’s about learning who you can become now.
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IN THIS EPISODE:
• Life after a traumatic brain injury
• PTSD and invisible disabilities
• Losing memories and rebuilding identity
• Recovery, resilience, and acceptance
• Caregiver struggles and emotional healing
• Finding purpose after major life change
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ABOUT MICHAEL FOGLIETTA
Michael Foglietta is a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran, AVM survivor, author, and disability advocate who transformed a life-altering brain injury into a mission to help others navigate recovery and adaptation.
He is the creator of the Dual-Track Recovery Journal Series — guided journals designed for both survivors and caregivers navigating trauma, PTSD, disability, chronic illness, and life after unexpected medical crisis.
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:
Instagram: @mfoglietta1
Facebook: @mike.foglietta
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/michael-foglietta
Author Site:
https://authors.tertulia.com/michaelfoglietta-draft5a8eat
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SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT
Website:
https://forwardwalkingchoices.com
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/716952587483381
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QUESTION FOR YOU:
What part of your life have you been grieving…
and what new version of yourself might still be waiting to emerge?