“I'm glad I didn't wait until I retired to do the things that I wanted to do…cause now that we've been in rehab, we see people way younger, little kids, people in their twenties that are in worse shape. And it's like, man, at least I had 60 years of doing what I wanted to do.”

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris sits down with Cindy Ross, a seasoned adventurer and writer, and her husband, Todd Gladfelter, whose life took a dramatic turn after a severe spinal cord injury. Together, they share their incredible journey, from hiking the Appalachian Trail and building a log home to navigating the challenges of Todd's recovery. Cindy and Todd open up about the mindset, determination, and grit that has carried them through, drawing parallels between their outdoor adventures and daily battles. They also discuss the importance of community, the benefits of the simple life, the healing power of hiking in nature, and their upcoming cross-country bike trip to raise awareness for accessible nature trails.

To learn more about Cindy and Todd, and Cindy’s books and writing, please visit cindyrosstraveler.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 15 “Breaking Broadway Barriers with Madison Ferris” or Episode 34 “Fred Rogers and the Healing Power of Fatherhood with Art Carey.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.

Follow Donna on Instagram or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

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