Stroke Recovery Rehab

A lot of healing after stroke isn’t visible.

You can look “fine” to others but feel completely different inside as you work through identity shifts, frustration, fear of another stroke, and more.

In this episode, I share an article that I wrote with my friend and fellow AVM stroke survivor, Florence Acosta, where we discuss the mental and emotional challenges that can come with recovery after stroke.

For more information on mental health after stroke, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/06/01/the-hidden-mental-health-journey-in-stroke-recovery/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Stroke survivor resources often emphasize the importance of exercise, but it’s discouraging to try lifting weights or running when you can hardly move one side of your body.

However, once you find routines that really resonate with you – especially ones you can do at home or outside – you’ll find exercise can have a profound impact on your recovery after stroke.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tricia DiGregorio to discuss key takeaways from our recent article: Why Exercise is Important After Stroke.

*Note: This podcast was originally recorded as a Substack Live event on September 10, 2026.

Key Moments

(1:15) Meet Tricia

(2:40) Tricia’s journey with exercise after stroke

(4:50) Working out at home after stroke

(6:20) Weight loss after stroke

(7:45) Neurofatigue after stroke

(12:00) Reading after stroke

(14:45) How exercise supports recovery after stroke

(15:45) Embracing healthier habits after stroke

(18:00) Driving after stroke

(22:00) Losing your independence after stroke

(24:00) Progress can continue years after stroke

(26:50) Connect with Tricia

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Driving was one of the most significant, frustrating, and unexpected challenges in the years after stroke.

In this episode, I share a few simple tips that helped me to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.

For more information on driving after stroke, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2025/02/01/learning-to-drive-after-stroke-tips-and-tools-for-stroke-survivors/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

In this episode, I share an article that I wrote with my friend and fellow AVM stroke survivor Tracy Myers, where we highlight the common details you learn after finding out your stroke was caused by an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM.

Since arteriovenous malformations are quite rare, it can be challenging to find information relevant to your situation that explains this unique medical condition in layman’s terms.

For more information about AVMs and life after stroke caused by an AVM rupture, be sure to review the links and resources throughout this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/12/01/recovery-after-an-avm-stroke-insights-from-two-stroke-survivors/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Creatine is a popular supplement for enhancing physical performance, but it also has some impressive claims about its potential to support brain health.

In this episode, I share my experiences with using creatine after stroke and how this common supplement may be beneficial for stroke survivors.

For more information on creatine and how it can potentially help stroke survivors, be sure to review the links and resources that are included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/03/01/the-surprising-cognitive-benefits-of-creatine/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

*The information provided on supplements on this page and others on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician before starting any new supplement regimen.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

In the years after a stroke, recovery can feel like a lonely journey as you seek to rebuild the life you once knew, and it can be difficult to piece together advice as you bounce from one medical specialist to another.

In this episode, I share an article that I wrote with my friend and fellow stroke survivor Anadee Nikte, where we discuss some simple tips to help stroke survivors build a personalized structure that supports ongoing progress in recovery after stroke.

For more information on any of the concepts discussed in this episode or to learn more about Anadee, be sure to review the links and resources included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2025/11/01/creating-a-plan-for-ongoing-progress-in-stroke-recovery/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter at: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Much to my surprise, one of the most effective practices to help my stroke-affected left leg feel more like the leg I remember and less like a thousand-pound steel beam has been slacklining – a sport I knew little about pre-stroke.

In this episode, I describe my experiences with slacklining after stroke and why this has become one of my favorite lower-body rehab exercises.

For more information about slacklining and the case studies on slacklining in stroke recovery, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/10/01/balancing-recovery-how-slacklining-can-benefit-stroke-survivors/

For more stories from stroke recovery like this, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

After a stroke, you can look “fine” to others but feel completely different inside as you work through identity shifts, frustration, fear of another stroke, and more.

In this episode, I’m joined by Florence Acosta of the Becoming You With Florence Acosta newsletter to discuss some key takeaways from our recent article - The Hidden Mental Health Journey in Stroke Recovery.

*Note: This podcast was originally recorded as a Substack Live event on June 10, 2026.

Key Moments

(1:20) About Florence

(3:00) Mental health after stroke

(5:30) Looking in the mirror can feel unfamiliar

(8:20) Daily routines after stroke

(9:50) Consistency is important

(10:10) Life is divided into before and after

(12:30) Driving after stroke

(15:00) Experiences with stroke caused by ruptured AVM

(17:30) Gamma Knife radiation treatments after stroke

(20:20) Creative writing after stroke

(22:40) Accepting help after stroke

(24:30) Therapy as live journaling

(25:00) Connecting with others through writing

(27:00) How to connect with Florence

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Like anyone else, I received some great – and not so great – advice from doctors, therapists, friends, and family members on how I could improve my recovery after stroke.

In this episode, I reflect on some early experiences after stroke and share some of the best advice I received, some of the worst, and some advice that I would now give other stroke survivors.

For more information on any of the subjects discussed in this episode, be sure to review the links and resources included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/04/01/the-best-advice-i-received-after-stroke/

For more stories from stroke recovery like this, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Learned helplessness is an underrated challenge in stroke recovery. How do you push yourself safely when you’re not sure what your true abilities may be?

In this episode, I share an article I wrote with my friend and fellow stroke survivor Nir Peled on the importance of not shying away from the challenges that stroke recovery brings.

To learn more about Nir or any of the topics covered here, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/02/01/embracing-the-challenges-of-stroke-recovery/

For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com