{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F328553c6-1ed5-4ef6-ae51-2cc2b8314b2b","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"Health, Redefined: Nature, Recovery, and Resilience After TBI\u2014Designing Your \u201cNew Normal Big Life\u201d with Antoinette Lee","description":"On Wellness Reimagined, host Shreya speaks with Army veteran and outdoor industry leader Antoinette Lee about rebuilding life after a traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Antoinette challenges the \u201cback to normal\u201d myth and lays out a practical path to designing a new normal grounded in nature, self-leadership in healthcare, and community stewardship. We cover circadian rhythm resets, the role of sunlight and natural magnesium from open water, blue-zone habits, and why getting outdoors accelerates physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. This is a direct, actionable conversation on turning adversity into a mission\u2014without romanticizing struggle.\nAbout the guest:\nAntoinette Lee is an Army veteran, founder, and host of the New Normal Big Life podcast. After surviving a rappelling accident that led to TBI and spinal cord injury, she rebuilt her health and now helps others create purposeful, nature-rooted lives. She co-leads accessible adventure programs\u2014kayaking, camping, archery, and adaptive stand-up paddleboarding\u2014for families and seniors.\nKey takeaways:\n\n\nOwn the driver\u2019s seat: Treat clinicians as your team, but lead your plan\u2014track symptoms, ask specific questions, and decide next steps.\n\n\nDesign the \u201cnew normal\u201d: Journal the life you want without constraints; then map one step you\u2019ll take tomorrowand stack a step each day.\n\n\nNature as daily medicine: Morning sunlight supports circadian rhythm; post-work hikes downshift stress; open-water time may support mineral balance and better sleep.\n\n\nConnection > isolation: Humans thrive in community; outdoor clubs create belonging that supports mental health and longevity.\n\n\nBlue-zone basics, anywhere: Move often, eat mostly whole foods, hydrate, sleep regularly, nurture purpose and social ties.\n\n\nFrom vulnerability to hope: Sharing the lows (bedridden, walker, caregiver) makes the highs believable and repeatable for others.\n\n\nStewardship builds resilience: Loving local land and water motivates care; teaching leave-no-trace habits turns healing into service.\n\n\nAccessible adventure matters: Sponsored and adaptive programs remove cost and ability barriers so seniors and beginners can safely engage.\n\n\nSpiritual and emotional hygiene: Gratitude, meaning, and faith can steady recovery during long, uncertain stretches.\n\n\nLongevity goal: Aim not just to live longer, but to live capable\u2014active, independent, and fulfilled well into older age.\n\n\nConnect with the guest\n\n\nPodcast: New Normal Big Life\n\n\nNewsletter (mentioned in-episode): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-llfe-blog/\u00a0\n\n\nPrograms: American Adventure Sports Club (family adventures and adaptive/senior SUP)\n\n\n\nWant to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch\n\n\nDM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik\n\n\nDisclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik\u2122\ufe0f. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.\nHealthy Mind By Avik\u2122\ufe0f is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it\u2019s become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty\u2014storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate\u2014this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on:\n\u2022 Mental Health & Emotional Well-being\u2022 Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth\u2022 Holistic Healing & Conscious Living\u2022 Trauma Recovery & Self-Empowerment\nWith over 4,400+ episodes and 168.4K+ global listeners, join us as we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.\nSubscribe and be part","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/af536c43-36c6-4d23-977b-34b65adf71d0/zwrlny5wbmc.jpg"}