When you are dealing with the overwhelming changes of a brain injury, it can easily feel like you are stuck in constant survival mode. There are so many changes in identity, dreams, and goals. So how do you move forward and find purpose? In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Jackson Davis, who shares his powerful story of turning trauma into a deeper purpose. After surviving a catastrophic car accident that left him in a multi-month coma with severe physical and brain injuries, Jackson had to completely rebuild his life, reframe his goals, and discover what it truly means to endure - even becoming an ultra-endurance Ironman athlete.
We also feature a special spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center on finding meaning during recovery. Dr. Harvey discusses the vital psychological shift from focusing on feeling "broken" to intentionally making yourself whole again, and how a purpose-driven perspective can actively build your neurological resilience.
🧠 In this episode:
- Navigating survival mode & why it is completely okay to just focus on getting through the day one moment at a time when your system is overwhelmed.
- Coping with the sudden loss of your old life plans and learning to accept and love the person you are today.
- How finding new purpose doesn't have to look like a massive plan right away; it can be found in the small ways you choose to show up for yourself and your community each day.
- Ways that Jackson defied medical expectations, overcame severe physical limitations, and trained to compete in multiple long-distance triathlons.
- The importance setting goals for yourself to take those small steps forward - even if it’s pacing your daily actions one hour at a time.
CONNECT
Follow @hopesurvives
Visit hopesurvives.org
Join a support group at hopesurvives.org/community
Reach out to us anytime: hi@hopesurvives.org
Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | cristabellebraden.com
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Sponsor
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
2:00 Welcome with Cristabelle
4:55 Spotlight - Finding Purpose within Recovery - Dr. Ryan Harvey
7:55 Introducing Jackson Davis
9:30 Jackson’s TBI Story
19:30 Emotional & Physical Recovery
21:50 Finding New Dreams & Goals
23:13 Defining Purpose
25:05 Journey to Ironman
27:45 Encouragement in Walking in Purpose
30:10 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
