Motivate Change: Recent Episodes
Devon Brzezynski
I'm a congenital heart defect survivor and an occupational therapy student with a passion for helping cardiac patients take control of their health & well-being to live longer, healthier lives. Learn from industry leaders in physical fitness, diet and nutrition after a cardiac event, mental health and reducing stress, mindful meditations, the importance of sleep (and how to get better quality sleep), and interviewing survivors about their unique journeys throughout the rehabilitation process.
Stephanie was a healthy 35-year old living with her husband and children when she experienced cardiac arrest in her sleep. Her husband, who knew CPR, jumped into action, calling 9-1-1 and immediately starting CPR. We talk about how stress contributed to her cardiac arrest, CPR, changes in her memory, and more!
Melissa Williams had chronic high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, and was incredibly stressed at work. At only 32 years old, she experienced a heart attack that changed her life forever. Not only has Melissa made an incredible recovery, but she has changed her habits so much that she was able to reverse her diabetes & now lives a very healthy life.
Did you know lack of sleep is a risk factor for heart disease?! Annika Carroll speaks about her own personal struggle with sleep, and shares how she has mastered her routines to improve her sleep quality. Contact Annika:Website: https://www.sleepmasterymethod.comContact Devon;Email: Devbrz@gmail.com
Hannah is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at 14 years old, the #1 killer of student athletes. Due to recommendations from her cardiologist, she pivoted from sports to theatre and now advocates for heart disease through grassroots efforts in her community. She co-founded the non-profit, Heart Charged, with her sister Bethany to increase awareness of heart disease, CPR, and AED training. Hannah shares her heart journey & her desire to increase visibility into the heart disease community through her love of theatre. Part 2 with Bethany will be coming soon...Heart Charge has submitted a film to the Disability Film Challenge, increasing awareness of heart disease in teens. Hannah wanted to create this film because she has not seen teens with her condition represented in the media. This short film also incorporates an educational AED music video. Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqyAXTOuaCz/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D* Women are less likely to receive bystander CPR because of our breasts. * Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed but is the #1 killer of teens. * Hands only CPR increases a person's survival rate 2-3x
Contact Hannah:Website: www.getheartcharged.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartcharged/?hl=enContact Devon: devbrz@gmail.com
Jessica Cowin is a congenital heart defect survivor, born with hypo plastic left heart syndrome. Once very private about her condition, Jessica now shares her story on a national platform to educate others about her diagnosis. She shares her experiences growing up, surgeries she has had to endure, and how her sister saved her life by donating one of her own kidneys. Contact Jessica: https://instagram.com/jcarmelc17?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= , Email: jcowin@childrensheartfoundation.org Children's heart foundation: https://www.chfn.org Contact Devon: devbrz@gmail.com
Are you self-aware of your emotions, habits, and routines when it comes to self-confidence? Clarissa Burt is an international/award-winning author of, The Self-Esteem Regime, a manual which gives step-by-step instructions to live a more confident life. We talk about the 4 pillars of mental health, mirror therapy, and ways to empower resilience and self-confidence. Contact Clarissa:InstagramTwitterLinkedInFacebookContact Devon:Email: devbrz@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dev0n_b/
Roma Dueck is a congenital heart defect survivor who was born with tricuspid atresia who required several surgeries throughout childhood called Fontan surgery. Researchers estimate there are only 50,000 people with Fontan's syndrome in the world. Roma lives each day like it's her last and manages her heart disease knowing that one day she will require a full heart transplant. Contact Roma:Podcast: Sick Like USWebsite: www.sicklikeus.com Email: connect@sicklikeus.comContact Devon:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dev0n_b Email: devbrz@gmail.com
Sam Mitchell is a 20-year-old motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate, focused on eliminating the stigma behind what it means to be on the autism spectrum. We dive into his story with autism, what he's had to overcome, and his strategies to live a positive life. Recognitions: Top 10 on the People's Choice Podcast Awards, 2nd place in the Indiana Jag Entrepreneurship Program, and Best Business at the Indiana CEO Trade Company. Contact Sam:Website: https://autismrocksandrolls.comPodcast: https://trickles.podbean.comContact Devon:Email: devbrz@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dev0n_b/
How have you been coping with your cardiac event? Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are all very common post-surgery, but there are many different ways to manage these emotions. Lucas Rockwood, founder of YogaBody International, internationally renowned yoga teacher, TedX speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and author joins us to speak about the power of our breath and how it effects our overall health & well-being.
In this episode, we discuss:
-How Lucas' trauma inspired him to find yoga
-The cycle of our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
-Lucas' analogy of 'Water, Whiskey, Coffee' breathing & its effect on our nervous system
-How to balance our breath to regulate our nervous system in the moment
-Nervous system training/response
Contact Lucas:
Website: https://www.yogabody.com
Podcast: https://www.yogabody.com/yoga-talk-show/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuU6CVWRbw9z0e-MkkZohhA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasrockwood/?hl=en
Water, Whiskey, Coffee Breathing TedX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QTJOAI0UoU&t=1s
Contact Devon:
Email: devbrz@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dev0n_b/
Heart disease does not discriminate; it can happen at any time, any age, any race, or gender. At only 20 years old, Trenton Hudson survived a heart attack, followed by an aneurysm 15 months later. He shares his personal journey with heart disease, his views on sleep, healthy eating, & healthy habits he has incorporated into his daily routine since.
Learn more about heart aneurysms: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/aortic_aneurysm.htm
Benefits of being barefoot outdoors: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/3-earthing-methods-how-to-find-right-one-for-you
Contact Trenton:
Instagram: @trentonhudson
Korma Coffee: https://kormacafe.com
Contact Devon:
instagram: dev0n_b
Email: devbrz@gmail.com
What does the word 'diet' mean to you? What are your health beliefs when it comes to nutrition? Callan is an experienced dietician, intuitive eating coach, mental health advocate and new mother who is passionate about helping others heal their relationship with food & their bodies. She works in NC as a cardiac dietician and owns a private practice called Tula Wellness, which uses humor, sass, and science to help make healthy eating achievable and sustainable.
Contact Callan on Instagram: @tulawellness
Email Devon: devbrz@gmail.com
Devon's Instagram: dev0n_b
This guided 10-minute meditation will use a mantra and breath work to connect your mind and heart after a cardiac event. Feel grounded, centered, and relaxed to reconnect with your heartbeat.
Dani is a combat Veteran, mother, personal development coach, & recent Woman of Impact nominee for the American Heart Association sharing her own personal journey with heart disease. She is a 2x cardiac arrest survivor managing Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and dilated Cardiomyopathy with a S-ICD. Learn how Dani overcame the odds and increased her Ejection Fraction (EF) from 8% to 40%, and how she continues to improve her lifestyle habits every single day.
Contact Dani:
Instagram Handle: dani_mar1e
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan1mar1e88
Coaching Website: https://youareworthtrying.com
Contact Devon:
Email: devbrz@gmail.com
instagram: dev0n_b
This episode is the first of my Survivor Series, where I am sharing my personal journey with heart disease. I speak about the loss of my two sisters, the trauma and grief my family has had to overcome, my insecurities, volunteering with the American Heart Association, and how heart disease has shaped who I've become, both personally and professionally.
Hello mOTivate change listeners! Today's episode aligns with our Reducing Stress & Improving Sleep section. So lay back, relax, and enjoy this 10 minute body scan meditation to get ready for bed.
Today’s episode is all about passion. More specifically, I want to highlight the reason why for this podcast, how occupational therapy is perfectly positioned to help cardiac rehab patients, and how my passion for cardiovascular disease and occupational therapy lead to me creating this podcast and program.