Success stories
brought to you by Defy injury
After a life changing event, like a SCI, one may lose hope in what the future may bring. The mental challenges accompanied by a SCI may feel more difficult to deal with than the obvious physical changes in life. Understanding your "WHY" or what drives you will be crucial to one's physical recovery and continued engagement in life. Kay Lathrop, Founder and Host of the Defy Injury podcast, launched with the mission of identifying individuals who had a SCI and overcame the challenges life brings to thrive after a SCI. Below are 31 interviews with individuals identified and interviewed by Kay to capture their motivation and drive, examples of what is possible after a SCI, strategies for approaching recovery, and life lessons cultivated from extraordinary individuals that can be applied to anyone's life with or without a SCI. Enjoy!
Intro: Introducing Defy Injury with Kay Lathrop
Host and Creator, Kay Lathrop takes a few moments to introduce herself. She has previously worked as a nurse and now spends her days helping victims of spinal cord injury, at Amplified Agility. Kay has some powerful interviews with some amazing survivors. The truth is, they aren’t just survivors, they are “thrivers” and they have…
Episode 01: Relentless for Hope – Josh Wood shares his story of hope and walking again
Josh Wood has an amazing story. As a daredevil snowboarder, he was always pushing the limits. Then an accident that broke his neck took away his ability to move and walk. Josh didn't believe the Doctors and decided he was going to have hope and he would walk again. Hear his amazing journey! **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 02: Action is a Foundation for Healing – Aaron Baker shares his experience with
Quadriplegic Aaron Baker shares his experience with restorative exercise. Learn how he went from quadriplegic to walking within 3 years of his injury! **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 03: From Wounded Warrior to Athlete – Toran Gaal is a true American Hero
Toran Gaal shares his amazing story to educate, inspire, and motivate others. For him, June 26, 2011 was the pivotal day that changed his life forever. Toran was adopted from India and brought to America as an infant. Raised by grandparents for most of his life, Toran loved sports and secured a basketball scholarship to…
Episode 04: Happy People Heal Faster – Keith Cammel shares his walks around the world
The mind is an incredible tool to heal the body. Keith Cammel had a life altering motorcycle accident that left him wheelchair bound. Through years of struggling to heal, Keith never gave up. He surrounded himself with positive people and continued to visualize himself walking again. Hear his story of healing and be encouraged!
Episode 05: From Fighting the Battle to Competing with the Pros – Josh Heine
Welcome! My guest today is Josh Heine, who suffered a horrific car accident in which he sustained crushed cervical vertebrae at age 18. On that day in 2007, Josh had just found out that his 16-year-old girlfriend was pregnant. With his mind full of doubts, questions, and uncertainties, he got behind the wheel of a…
Episode 06: When an Injury Strengthens Your Faith: Chris Norton
Welcome! My guest today is Chris Norton, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in 2010. Chris was a freshman football player at Luther College when he made a tackle on a kickoff return and his life was changed forever. As his head collided with the opposing player’s knee, every feeling from Chris’ neck down…
Episode 07: Paying It Forward So Everyone Has a Chance – Sam Porritt
Welcome! My guest today is Sam Porritt, who began the non-profit Falling Forward Foundation as a result of his injury. Sam’s life changed forever in August 2011 when he and his wife took a vacation to Italy. One morning, Sam, with a cup of coffee in hand, began taking pictures of the beautiful scenery surrounding… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 08: Challenged by his coach – He chose to FIGHT and make himself well! Scott Sargeant
Welcome! My guest today is Scott Sergeant, whose life changed significantly in April, 1999. He was an athlete, a hammer throw specialist, with an Olympic dream. An unfortunate fall down a flight of 14 concrete steps changed everything! What you’ll hear in this episode: When Scott came to at the bottom of the steps, he… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 09: We Could Turn the Impossible Into the “I M Possible” – Warrior Mom Kay Ledson
Welcome! My guest today is Kay Ledson, the mother of Josh Wood, whose story was featured in Episode 1 of our show. This mom became a Warrior Mom on June 25, 2000, when she heard the doctor say, “There is no hope.” Josh, at age 18, sustained a catastrophic snowboard injury that fractured his neck… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 10: God healed me and He loved me – Jeffrey Weeks
Episode 11: You are never alone…you have to reach out and ask – Devon von Lichtenstein
A split second decision in 2011 changed the course of Jeffrey Weeks life forever. That one glance away from the road while driving, combined with a brand new traffic light, nearly claimed his life that fateful evening. Before it was over, Jeffrey had been airlifted on a Life Flight to Las Vegas in critical condition.…
Today’s guest, 30-year-old Devon Von Lichtenstein, is a retired veteran. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008. He is currently working at the General Motors Corporation as a Product Specialist and formerly as a Service Center Manager in the same company. He currently lives in San Diego. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: This…
Episode 12: Going the extra mile for those taking the journey back – Kay Lathrop
Welcome! Today’s episode is a little different, because we are turning the tables on Kay, our host. Barbara is a colleague and dear friend who is here to interview Kay. Her company is Presence Management Consulting, and she helps our team at Amplified Agility with our online presence. We will do these summary shows once…
Episode 13: One Goal at a Time with Mason Ellis
Welcome! Today we have a different kind of show for you. We’re telling the story of Mason Ellis. No matter where he is currently, his goal is always to push himself to the next level of independence. Mason was injured in a car accident in January 2015 and was labeled a quadriplegic. So much has happened… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 14: Sam Porritt – Standing For Ability. Proving What’s Possible
Welcome! Today’s guest is a familiar voice. Sam Porritt joined us in Episode 7 to share his personal story of injury, rehab, and recovery. Please go back and listen if you haven’t! Almost three years ago, Sam founded the Falling Forward Foundation to help others in similar situations. The foundation specifically helps with “therapy cap”…
Episode 15: Living Life to the Fullest After Spinal Cord Injury with Shelly Kerchner
Welcome back! I am delighted to be here with Mrs. Positivity herself: Shelly Kerchner. Shelly shares with us her accident that caused her spinal cord injury in 2006 and her journey to stay positive and discover herself. She has some great tools and advice for anyone who might be in the same situation. Show Notes:…
Episode 16: The Mental Strength and Work Ethic of the Champion He Is! with Joe Pomeroy
Welcome! I met today’s guest through a Facebook group and we had such a wonderful conversation, that I knew I had to share it with you. Joe Pomeroy is from South Carolina and he joins us today. In June of 2013, Joe’s life changed instantly. Joe was an award-winning motorcycle racer, and he was doing…
Episode 17: Do you think, believe or know what’s possible?
Welcome to my first solo podcast. It’s the first of September and September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. This is about developing the right and helpful attitude toward spinal cord injury, not just on the part of the injured but also on the part of his family, friends, and community. In this episode we…
Episode 18: 6 Ways to Tap Into Your Inner Knowing
In this episode, I’m going solo as I promised in the previous episode, to talk more about your body’s power to heal itself. Episode 17 dealt with the emotional and mental aspects of your recovery journey. In this episode, you’ll learn about what I refer to as Soul Whispers. Others call it gut feeling, the…
Episode 19: Dream Life Ended?? What Next?? – Dr. Linda Berry
Welcome to an episode full of wisdom, motivation, and inspiration! Today’s guest has many gifts to share with you, our listeners, and I’m delighted to introduce you to her! Dr. Linda Berry is an author, speaker, healer, and chiropractor. She received her degree in Theater Dance in 1972, was training in the art of karate,… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 20: No Comfort Zone. Be 100% In! with Blake Heidenreich
Our guest is Blake Heidenreich, founder and president of Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and co-founder and partner at Troy Capital Management LLC (Michigan). Blake shares with us today insightful and valuable reflection on how he dealt with the spinal cord injury he suffered 10 years ago during a diving accident. Let’s listen to his story… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 21: Generating a Positive State for Self Healing
Welcome to Defy Injury! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to episode #19 with Dr. Linda Berry! It’s such a powerful episode and I can’t stop thinking about this conversation I had with Linda. When she was a young woman, she had an L1 spinal cord injury and has since recovered. She went on…
Episode 22: Outside Your Comfort Zone
In this episode, Kay Lathrop talks about the advice that Blake Heidenreich, founder and president of Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and co-founder and partner at Troy Capital Management LLC talked about in our last episode. If you haven’t listened to that episode, please go back and do that now! Blake cited Henry Ford’s quote: Whether…
Episode 23: Thom Gilbert – Always in Gratitude, DECIDE and Take Action!
Welcome to my conversation with Thom Gilbert, who owns a real estate investment company in San Diego. He lives there with his wife and two sons, but his story doesn’t stop there. Thom has wisdom and lessons to share that can and will help others, whether your path is similar to his, or not. Join us now to hear Thom’s story!
Episode 24: From Zero 2 A Hundred with Jason Roy
Have you ever struggled with your purpose? What are you supposed to do after your injury? Why was your body taken from you? Why you? Our guest on the show today is here to tell you his story about defying injury and finding a new purpose in life. Jason Roy was a Houston police officer… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 25: Will Your Way Back with James Osborne
Hello! Welcome back to another episode of Defy Injury. I am delighted that you are listening in today and I’m very excited to share with you another story today. One young lady told me her father’s story and I was very sure that you would learn from and be inspired by James “Jamie” Osborne’s story... **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 26: Choose to Be Compassionate To Yourself – Anita Neff
After an injury it’s hard to remember to love yourself and celebrate the small things. Today’s guest, Anita Neff, has learned it’s important. After a horseback riding accident Anita broke her neck and suffered with thoughts of just pulling the plug. Ten years later, after her C4 5 6 incomplete spinal cord injury, she is… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 27: GRIT and Perseverance
Kay Lathrop goes back and revisits a couple different episodes and discuss the importance of grit and self-control after an injury. Don’t lose your determination. Kay provides some helpful tips and tools to keeping your head in the game and preserving in spite of your injury.
Episode 28: Be Your Own Self-Advocate, Part One with Dr. Mitchell Tepper
Dr. Mitchell Tepper brings a lifetime of first-hand experience with chronic conditions and disability to his work. In today’s episode, we learn his lessons from his recovery from spinal cord injury. In our next episode, we will learn about his work in the area of sexuality and injury. Stay tuned for that enlightening conversation!
Episode 29: Regain That Feeling, Part Two with Dr. Mitchell Tepper
In this episode we continue our conversation with Dr. Mitchell Tepper. We met him in Episode #28 we titled Be Your Own Self Advocate. If you haven’t listened to the episode you may want to listen there first! In that episode Mitch takes us back to 1982 when as a lifeguard he dove too deep… **This episode will be uploaded soon!
Episode 30: Challenge Yourself – Challenge Others – Accept Being Challenged!
We are delighted for you to meet today’s guest, Jen Bou LaHoud! As you will soon discover Jen has the resilient, positive, “can do-will do-just watch me” attitude to be in consistent action toward her recovery goals after her spinal cord injury. Her spirit is infectious! She took us back to holiday break – Dec…
Episode 31: Allan Clayton Reminds Us To Not Go It Alone
Our guest today, Allan Michael Clayton, is our first guest from the UK! Allan discovered in 1999 that life doesn’t always work out as we plan it. As a promising young footballer at the age of 17 he was involved in a serious road traffic accident that changed his life forever. He broke his neck… **This episode will be uploaded soon!