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What happens to your mind after your body has been through repeated medical crises? For heart transplant survivor Jay Waddell, nearly two and a half years post-transplant, the answer looked like a surprise CMV hospitalization, a misdiagnosis at a local ER, two weeks inpatient — and then his longest hike in 19 years.
In this episode, host Andrea opens up about taking a health break from the podcast, then sits down with returning guest Jay to unpack how chronic illness can create PTSD-like fear responses, why so many patients get stuck in survival mode long after the crisis passes, and what it actually takes to move forward. Jay shares the concept behind his upcoming book Flip It — the idea that even in the middle of ongoing adversity, you can choose to reframe your narrative — and the "sparks" (a therapist, a book, a single conversation) that make that shift possible.
Whether you are navigating life after transplant, managing a chronic condition, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a reminder that healing is not linear — and that flipping your story is always still an option.
Topics covered: chronic illness PTSD, CMV after organ transplant, misdiagnosis, post-transplant recovery, trauma and the nervous system, neuroplasticity, identity after illness, Voices From the Heart, the Flip It concept, and finding your sparks.
00:00 Chronic Illness PTSD
00:26 Medical Disclaimer
01:28 Show Intro and Guest Return
02:10 Andrea Health Break Update
02:48 Jay CMV Scare Explained
04:36 Misdiagnosis and Recovery
06:25 Facing Fear and PTSD
08:14 Voices From the Heart Book
09:59 Power of Shared Stories
11:24 Stroke and Neuroplasticity
15:56 Flip It Concept and Sparks
19:13 Themes of Flipping Forward
22:35 Identity as a Flipper
27:30 Choice and Nervous System Reset
28:54 Books Links and Call for Stories
31:18 Closing Thanks and Wrap Up
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Given 10 Years to Live, Still Here 23 Years Later: Peter McLaughlin on Leukemia, Stress, and Healing Beyond the Diagnosis
In 2003, Peter McLaughlin — a former volunteer firefighter and EMT — went in for a routine blood test and walked out with a leukemia diagnosis and a prognosis of about 10 years to live. He had no symptoms. He felt fine. And yet the numbers told a different story.
Twenty-three years later, his white blood cell count is less than half of what it was at diagnosis.
Peter joins me on Wake Up Your Soul to share the full story — from the intense stress surrounding 9/11 and possible Ground Zero air exposure, to the moment he decided he was not going to simply accept what he had been told and wait to die. What followed was one of the most comprehensive, multifaceted healing journeys I have ever heard: naturopathic care, radical changes to diet and water quality, mercury filling removal, chelation, infrared sauna, colonics, and perhaps most powerfully — addressing the emotional and psychological toxins that conventional medicine almost never talks about.
Peter explains how chronic fight-or-flight stress suppresses the immune system, the digestive system, and the body's ability to heal — and how unresolved trauma, subconscious triggers, and emotional patterns can silently drive illness and addiction for decades. He breaks down what hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis actually are, how the placebo and nocebo effects are more powerful than most people realize, and why forgiveness may be one of the most underrated healing tools available to any of us.
This episode is for anyone who has ever been handed a diagnosis and felt like their future was decided for them. It is for the chronic illness community, the holistic health seekers, and anyone who suspects that what is happening in their body is connected to what has happened in their life.
In this episode:
•How stress around 9/11 and possible Ground Zero exposure may have contributed to Peter's diagnosis
•The leukemia and Lyme disease diagnosis — and why Peter chose a path beyond conventional treatment
•How chronic fight-or-flight suppresses your immune system, digestion, and healing capacity
•The full detox protocol: mercury fillings, chelation, infrared sauna, colonics, diet, and water quality
•What hypnosis actually is — and how self-hypnosis can rewire subconscious patterns driving illness
•The nocebo effect: how a diagnosis itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy
•Epigenetics, forgiveness, and taking back control of your health story
Connect with Peter McLaughlin: https://www.blueskyhypnosis.com/
Follow Wake Up Your Soul: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=-p_CSy9891E77HCz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
If this episode spoke to you, please share it — someone in your life needs to hear this today.
leukemia survivor, holistic healing, stress and illness, fight or flight, nervous system healing, hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis, detox protocol, mercury fillings, chelation therapy, infrared sauna, chronic illness, Lyme disease, 9/11 health, naturopathic medicine, epigenetics, nocebo effect, placebo effect, trauma and illness, Wake Up Your Soul podcast
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
She Survived a Decade of Domestic Violence — Then Guillain-Barré Paralyzed Her: Jennifer Perri on Resilience and Reinvention
What do you do when you survive one unsurvivable thing — and then life hands you another? That is the question at the heart of this conversation with reinvention strategist Jennifer Perri, and her answer will stay with you long after this episode ends.
Jennifer grew up watching her parents' marriage fall apart, shaped by a father whose verbal abuse and gambling left deep marks. She walked into her first marriage carrying those wounds — and spent a decade in a violently abusive relationship, staying out of fear, isolation, and the complicated love that keeps so many women trapped. She finally left only when her husband began harming their children. It ended with a restraining order, an ER visit, and his incarceration — leaving Jennifer alone with two young sons and almost no support system.
She rebuilt. She found her footing. And then, in December 2021, after her second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, Jennifer began experiencing symptoms she could not explain. Within days, she was in the ICU, near-totally paralyzed with Guillain-Barré syndrome — a rare neurological condition her doctors later confirmed was linked to an adverse vaccine reaction, documented by the CDC and her own medical records.
She relearned how to walk. How to use her hands. How to live.
In this episode, Jennifer and I talk about what it actually takes to survive the "messy middle" — the part of the story nobody posts about. We cover why women stay in abusive relationships, how to discreetly help someone you think may be experiencing abuse, what near-total paralysis teaches you about resilience, and how micro-steps and a solutions-focused mindset can move you forward when everything feels impossible.
This episode is for anyone who has ever had to start over — once, twice, or more times than they can count.
In this episode:
•How childhood trauma shapes the relationships we choose
•Why women stay in abusive relationships — and what actually helps them leave
•Practical, discreet ways to support someone experiencing domestic violence
•What Guillain-Barré syndrome is and how Jennifer's case developed after her COVID vaccine
•The ICU, near-total paralysis, and defying the recovery odds
•The "messy middle" — why sharing the hard parts matters
•Micro-steps, mindset, and the reinvention framework Jennifer uses with her clients
Connect with Jennifer Perry:https://jenniferperri.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
If this episode resonated with you, please share it — you never know who needs to hear it today.
domestic violence survivor, Guillain-Barré syndrome, vaccine adverse reaction, GBS paralysis, reinvention strategist, Jennifer Perry, why women stay in abusive relationships, how to help domestic violence victim, resilience, mindset, messy middle, starting over, survival story, Wake Up Your Soul podcast, Andrea podcast, breaking cycles, trauma recovery, solutions-focused mindset, micro steps to change, COVID vaccine injury
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Wrongfully Convicted at 17: Jeff Deskovic on False Confessions, DNA Exoneration, and Turning 16 Years of Injustice Into Life Purpose
What happens when the justice system fails a teenager so completely that he loses 16 years of his life — and then chooses to spend his freedom fighting for others? That is the story of Jeff Deskovic, and it is one of the most powerful conversations I have ever had on Wake Up Your Soul.
Jeff was 17 years old when his classmate Angela Correa was murdered in Peekskill, New York. He had no criminal record, no motive, and DNA evidence that excluded him entirely. None of that stopped law enforcement from targeting him, using a six-week psychological manipulation campaign, a coercive polygraph, threats, and false promises to extract a fabricated confession — without a single second of recording. Prosecutors ignored the FBI DNA results, advanced a promiscuity theory, and a poorly prepared public defender failed to protect him. Jeff was convicted and sentenced to 15-to-life.
He served 16 years. Lost seven appeals. Was denied parole every time he refused to admit guilt for something he did not do. And then — a DNA databank match identified the real perpetrator, who confessed. Jeff Deskovic walked out of prison exonerated, with no real apology from the system that stole his youth.
What he did next is what this episode is really about.
Jeff founded the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, became an attorney, helped exonerate 15 wrongfully convicted people, and passed nine laws to reform the system that broke him. In this episode, he shares his framework for surviving the unsurvivable: set a goal, make a plan, stay flexible, work hard, and never give up — and learn how to channel anger into purpose instead of letting it consume you.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like the system failed them, like the odds were impossible, or like their pain had no purpose. Jeff's story will change the way you think about hope, resilience, and what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself.
In this episode:
•How police psychologically manipulated a 17-year-old into a false confession
•Why DNA evidence was ignored and what that reveals about our justice system
•What 16 years in prison actually does to a person — and how Jeff held onto hope
•The moment he was exonerated and why there were no real apologies
•How he rebuilt his life, became an attorney, and freed 15 innocent people
•His goal-plan-flexibility framework for turning pain into purpose
•How you can support the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice
Connect with Jeff Deskovic:Website: deskovic.org
Follow on social media: @deskovicfoundation
Follow Wake Up Your Soul:Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
If this episode moved you, please share it — you never know whose life it might change.
wrongful conviction, false confession, DNA exoneration, criminal justice reform, Jeff Deskovic, Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation, innocent in prison, true crime, justice system failure, wrongfully convicted, exoneration stories, resilience, turning pain into purpose, Wake Up Your Soul podcast, Andrea podcast, hope after trauma, criminal justice podcast, advocacy, overcoming adversity, coerced confession
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Why are our dogs and cats dying younger today despite having access to more diagnostics and medications than ever before? As a mom who fights every day for my kids' health so they never have to live the life I’ve had to, I realized I needed to start fighting just as hard for my pets.
In this episode of Wake Up Your Soul, I sit down with world-renowned holistic veterinarian and nine-time bestselling author, Dr. Judy Morgan. Dr. Morgan pulls back the curtain on the conventional veterinary industry, exposing how Big Pet Food and pharmaceutical companies influence the recommendations we get at the vet clinic. We dive deep into the dangers of ultra-processed kibble, the controversial new self-amplifying RNA rabies vaccine, and why over-vaccination is compromising our pets' immune systems. If you want to protect your furry family members from chronic illness, this conversation will completely change how you feed and care for them.
•The Kibble Crisis: Why ultra-processed pet food is driving chronic disease and how to transition to gently cooked or raw food therapy.
•The Over-Vaccination Epidemic: Understanding vaccine titers, the difference between 1-year and 3-year rabies shots, and the hidden risks of the new RNA rabies vaccine.
•Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Truths: The severe neurological dangers of combination chewables and long-acting injections, plus natural yard treatments that actually work.
•Advocating at the Vet: How to push back against Big Pharma influence and demand holistic, integrative care for your dog or cat.
If this episode opened your eyes to the reality of the pet industry, please share it with a fellow dog or cat mom who needs to hear this. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, and come connect with me on Instagram @andrealynnintuitive to share your biggest takeaway!
•Dr. Judy Morgan's Website & Resources: https://drjudymorgan.com/
Will Falconer website www.vitalanimal.com
Vet finder www.AHVMA.org
•AllProvide Gently Cooked "Constitutions" Recipes: https://allprovide.com/
• Discount Codes Here: naturallyhealthypets.com WAKEUP50
00:00 Rabid Kitten Attack
00:18 Show Disclaimer
01:52 Meet Dr Judy Morgan
04:07 Why Pets Die Younger
05:53 Judy Goes Holistic
09:53 Vaccine Titers Explained
12:56 Big Pet Food Influence
14:47 Raw vs Cooked Diets
19:26 Kibble Processing Problems
21:37 Dental Health and Breeding
24:27 Vaccine Requirements Debate
28:23 Rabies Risks and Bats
31:41 Rabies Shots 1 vs 3 Year
33:55 New RNA Rabies Vaccine Warning
35:33 Reporting Vaccine Reactions
37:05 Flea Tick Data Dispute
38:36 Heartworm Risk Explained
41:25 Safer Preventatives Choices
42:51 Avoid Combo Products
46:24 Natural Tick Prevention
48:39 Yard Treatments That Work
49:59 Food Therapy Constitutions
54:14 Chicken Intolerance Leaky Gut
55:50 Bad Ingredients In Kibble
01:00:47 Advocating At The Vet
01:03:55 Side Effects And Research
01:08:01 Resources Discounts Wrap
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Is your dog aging, struggling with cognitive decline, or dealing with chronic inflammation — and conventional veterinary medicine isn't giving you answers?
In this eye-opening episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Angela Ardolino — plant-and-fungi clinician, senior dog rescue advocate, and hemp and medicinal mushroom expert — to expose what most vets and doctors are never taught about the endocannabinoid system, full-spectrum hemp, and the extraordinary healing power of medicinal mushrooms for both pets and people.
Angela shares how her own rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis led her to address root causes — diet, inflammation, leaky gut, and the endocannabinoid system — using full-spectrum hemp, adaptogens, and medicinal mushrooms. She also reveals the results of a funded clinical study on canine cognitive dysfunction using lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, bacopa, and ashwagandha — reporting no decline in severe cases and an astounding 81% improvement in moderate and mild cases.
In this episode, we cover:
• The critical difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum hemp (and why it matters for your pet)
• Why THC is necessary for effectiveness and the truth about CBD isolate and liver damage
• The endocannabinoid system — what it is and why your doctor was never taught about it
• Medicinal mushrooms for dogs: lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, bacopa, and ashwagandha
• Clinical trial results for canine cognitive dysfunction and dog dementia
• Hidden toxins in pet food and water that are destroying your dog's health
• Why you must detox and rebuild the gut BEFORE starting any supplementation
• How to find clean, third-party tested hemp and mushroom products you can actually trust
• Natural support for menopause and whole-body healing using the same principles
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Aging and Telomeres
00:17 - Show Disclaimer
01:19 - Near Death Intro
01:50 - Meet Angela Ardolino
02:18 - Host CBD Experience
03:04 - Angela's Health Journey
04:09 - Root Cause Medicine
05:41 - Ulcerative Colitis Story
06:31 - The Endocannabinoid System Explained
12:52 - Hemp vs Marijuana
14:31 - Homeostasis and Deficiency
17:52 - Hemp Ban and the Industry
18:44 - Misconceptions and Proof
20:41 - Pet Toxins and Allergies
21:55 - How to Find Clean Products
25:35 - Mushrooms as Medicine
26:44 - Mushroom Types and Extraction
28:17 - How Research Gets Done
28:59 - Fast Track Drug Testing
29:16 - Librela Safety Alarm
30:08 - Rescue Research Methods
30:42 - Canine Dementia Signs
33:10 - Clinical Trial Results
34:50 - The Nootropic Ingredient Stack
36:55 - Buying Safe Hemp and Mushroom Products
38:47 - Gut Brain Healing Plan
42:36 - Questioning Vets and Vaccines
48:13 - Detox Then Rebuild the Gut
50:44 - Finding Holistic Help
52:55 - Products and Where to Find Them
54:45 - Menopause and Nature Support
56:11 - Closing and Contact Info
Connect with Us:
Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive
Learn more about Angela Ardolino:
https://angelaardolino.com/
https://cbddoghealth.com/
https://mycodog.com/
Listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
#CBDForDogs #MedicinalMushrooms #NaturalPetHealth #LionsMane #CanineDementia #HempForPets #WakeUpYourSoul #HolisticPetCare #EndocannabinoidSystem #DogBrainHealth
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Did you know that human trafficking is happening right in our own backyards, and that 92% of people being prostituted desperately want out?
In this eye-opening episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Dan Emr, founder of Worthwhile, to shatter the misconceptions surrounding human trafficking and survivor recovery in the U.S. Dan reveals the dark reality of familial trafficking and explains how social media has drastically amplified grooming and manipulation tactics. We discuss the critical warning signs every parent and school needs to know, the profound effects of trauma on the body and mind, and how cultural entitlement fuels the demand. Most importantly, Dan shares incredible stories of survivor recovery and explains how we can all take action to help them heal.
In this episode, we cover:
• The biggest misconceptions about human trafficking in the U.S.
• How grooming and manipulation tactics are amplified by social media
• Critical warning signs for parents and schools to watch out for
• The myth of "choice" and the heartbreaking reality of familial trafficking
• How trauma affects the body, memory, and self-worth
• Incredible survivor success stories and the power of trauma care
• How cultural entitlement and sexual desensitization fuel the demand
• Actionable ways you can help through Worthwhile and the ACT Challenge
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Basement Trauma Story
00:30 - Show Disclaimer
01:20 - Podcast Intro and Guest
02:16 - Intro Bloopers and Laughs
04:48 - What People Miss About Trafficking
05:30 - Misconceptions and US Reality
07:29 - How Dan Got Started
12:20 - The Choice Myth and Familial Trafficking
15:07 - Grooming and Manipulation Tactics
17:20 - Protecting Kids and Warning Signs
21:11 - Teaching Boundaries and Brave Voices
25:25 - Survivor Success Stories
27:33 - Healing Through Trauma Care
30:41 - Understanding Trauma Effects
33:40 - Society's Demand Side Problem
35:00 - Buyers And Commodification
35:26 - Porn Culture And Grooming
36:07 - Love People, Use Stuff
37:05 - Go-Getter Versus Entitlement
38:54 - Wait Til The End Book
40:04 - When Mission Hurts Family
41:55 - Clicks, Likes, And What Matters
42:56 - Culture Shifts: California to Texas
49:11 - Finding Purpose Through People
52:19 - Everyday Compassion Stories
56:11 - Grace, Mercy, And Serving Others
58:37 - Healing In a Safe Community
01:01:50 - How To Get Involved with Worthwhile
01:04:57 - Final Thanks And Wrap Up
Connect with Us:
Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive
Learn more about Worthwhile: https://www.worthwhile.org/
Listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
#HumanTraffickingAwareness #TraumaRecovery #ProtectOurKids #EndHumanTrafficking #ParentingTips #WakeUpYourSoul #AndreaLynn #Worthwhile
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Is your child struggling to read, or are you wondering if their school is actually using the right methods to teach them?
In this episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Jessica Reid Sliwerski—a former teacher, literacy leader, breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Ignite Reading. Jess shares her fearless mission to ensure every child learns to read on time using the "science of reading." We dive into why traditional ways of teaching reading are failing our kids, how evidence-based phonics and data-driven instruction can rapidly turn things around, and what parents can do at home to advocate for their children's education.
From being banned from volunteering at her own daughter's school to launching a nationwide virtual tutoring program during the pandemic, Jessica's story is one of raw hope, resilience, and relentless advocacy for our youth.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why the "science of reading" is the critical missing piece in early literacy
• The problem with traditional reading instruction in modern schools
• How Ignite Reading uses virtual 1-on-1 tutoring to close the education gap
• Why kindergarten and first grade are the most crucial years for reading development
• Actionable tips and word games for parents to build vocabulary at home
• Jessica's inspiring journey of navigating a breast cancer diagnosis while scaling her mission
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - A Cancer Survivor’s Purpose & Mission
00:45 - Show Disclaimer & Intro
02:18 - Welcome Guest: Jessica Reid Sliwerski
03:24 - Early Teaching Struggles & Failing Methods
04:24 - Discovering the Science of Reading
09:18 - Scaling Literacy Impact in Schools
10:45 - Banned From Volunteering at Her Daughter’s School
14:19 - Proving All Kids Can Learn to Read
15:47 - The Pandemic Zoom Breakthrough
17:22 - The Vision for a Virtual Reading Corps
19:14 - The Reality of Kindergarten Reading Skills
21:22 - The Daily Alphabet Debate
23:51 - The Phonics "Schwa" Problem Explained
25:37 - The Need for Strong Instructional Leadership
27:28 - How Tutors are Trained for Success
28:38 - "Mind Movies" and Reading Comprehension
31:37 - Word Games to Build Vocabulary at Home
33:56 - Navigating a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
35:42 - How Ignite Reading Actually Works
38:55 - Funding and Scaling Access for Students
40:05 - Why Early Literacy Matters More Than Ever
43:12 - The "First Grade Promise" Mission
47:20 - Parent Tips and Reading Benchmarks
51:54 - Home Programs and Episode Wrap-Up
Connect with Us:
Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive
Learn more about Ignite Reading: https://ignite-reading.com/
#ScienceOfReading #EarlyLiteracy #TeachKidsToRead #ParentingTips #IgniteReading #WakeUpYourSoul #AndreaLynn
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
How do you rebuild your identity when a single split-second decision changes your body and your life forever?
On this gripping episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea Lynn sits down with attorney and athlete Erik Johnson to recount his harrowing 2015 canyoneering accident at Pepperwood Creek Falls. After relying on outdated route information and anchoring to a dry-rooted tree, the anchor failed, sending Erik plummeting 50 feet to a lower ledge. He survived the catastrophic fall with shattered heels, a compound leg fracture, and an open-book pelvis fracture.
Faced with the agonizing decision between a lifelong ankle fusion or amputation, Erik chose amputation to regain his athletic function. In this raw conversation, he opens up about the terrifying rescue, navigating suicidal thoughts during recovery, and how he ultimately rebuilt "Life 2.0" as an adaptive athlete and father. If you are facing a massive life transition, healing from physical trauma, or searching for the will to keep going, Erik’s story is a masterclass in resilience.
In this episode, we cover:
• The 50-Foot Fall: The terrifying reality of a canyoneering anchor failure and the fight to survive in the wilderness.
• The Rescue & Aftermath: Navigating extreme pain, morphine-induced hallucinations, and the shock of catastrophic injuries.
• Choosing Amputation: Why Erik chose to amputate his leg to reclaim his autonomy and athletic identity.
• The Darkest Moments: A raw look at navigating suicidal thoughts, grief, and the mental toll of trauma recovery.
• Life 2.0: How to rebuild your identity, find purpose, and thrive in the adaptive sports community.
Chapters:
00:00 The Call From Taylor
00:18 Show Disclaimer
01:51 Meet Eric Johnson
03:03 What Is Canyoneering
04:03 Potholes And Pot Shots
05:45 Canyon Rating System
06:56 Choosing Pepperwood Creek
08:08 Skill Level And Mindset
10:19 Last Rappel Setup
10:56 Beta Mistake And Dry Roots
14:53 Anchor Fails The Fall
15:32 Injuries And Kyle Responds
23:41 Blackout And Will To Live
26:35 Host Near Death Story
29:58 Rescue And Hospital Shock
33:33 Face Mirror And 127 Hours
35:34 Rescue Calls Home
36:46 Morphine Dreamworld
38:54 Injuries Explained
42:12 Amputation Decision
44:57 Purpose Mastery Autonomy
47:13 Prosthetics And Costs
49:17 Life 2.0 Identity Shift
52:28 Darkest Mental Moment
55:51 Family And Adaptive Community
01:00:53 Adapting And Never Quit
01:06:04 Finding Erik Online
01:07:40 Final Thanks And Goodbye
Connect with Erik Johnson:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@erikjohnson-ejlaw?si=CLbcjwT2uTl-IMnC
Connect with Andrea Lynn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D2b74Cnzb5W9Z7hQNRgbD
#TraumaRecovery #Amputation #CanyoneeringAccident #SurvivalStory #Resilience #AdaptiveAthlete #MentalHealth #WakeUpYourSoul
Support the show
Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:
https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR
Follow me on Ig:
https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
How do you rebuild your identity when the only life you’ve ever known is suddenly taken away?
On this inspiring episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea Lynn sits down with British Army veteran and Invictus Games Gold Medalist, David Jarvis. When David faced a sudden medical discharge in 2021, he lost more than just his military career—he lost his sense of self. But when a shocking Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis hit him in 2023, it didn't break him. Instead, it became the catalyst for his deepest healing journey yet.
If you are navigating a major life transition, battling chronic illness, or working through PTSD and trauma, David’s story provides a powerful blueprint for turning your darkest setbacks into your greatest victories.
In this episode, we cover:
• The Loss of Identity: How to navigate the grief and confusion of losing your career and your community.
• A Shocking Diagnosis: How David used a sudden Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis as a catalyst for a spiritual awakening rather than a defeat.
• The Invictus Games Journey: The mindset shifts and physical resilience required to go from medical discharge to winning Invictus Gold.
• The Resilience Blueprint: Actionable tools for trauma recovery and overcoming life's heaviest challenges.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D2b74Cnzb5W9Z7hQNRgbD
Connect with David Jarvis:
Www.speaking.com
Connect with Andrea Lynn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn
00:00 Dependency and Resilience
00:38 Show Disclaimer and Intro
02:11 Meet David Jarvis
02:48 Life in the British Army
04:39 Family Moves and Stability
06:54 Dog Training Detour
09:27 Medical Discharge Explained
12:45 Finding a Civilian Career
14:38 Stress and Diabetes Onset
16:26 Invictus Games Comeback
18:30 Diabetes Symptoms Escalate
19:37 DKA Diagnosis and New Reality
26:34 Choosing Health or Competition
29:13 Go Big For Gold
30:15 Needles And Daily Testing
31:58 CGM Changes Everything
32:36 Saying It Publicly
34:47 Winning By Half A Second
35:36 Goal Setting That Sticks
36:44 Safety Net Of Resilience
41:55 Small Habits Build Momentum
47:46 Medal Moment With Family
52:19 Five Step Problem Solving
54:14 Do Something Simple
55:08 Closing Thanks
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Trauma recovery and overcoming challenges inspire every episode of Wake Up Your Soul with Andrea Lynn. Through gripping stories of overcoming life's greatest challenges—from battles with…
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