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Kody Schaffner’s life is powered by resilience — literally. Living with advanced heart failure, Kody (@justadudeonbatteries) relies on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a mobile life-support system that keeps his heart pumping and his future moving forward. But Kody’s story isn’t just about survival — it’s about perspective, gratitude, and refusing to let fear define your life.

In this episode, Kody opens up about what it’s really like to live with an LVAD, the realities of open-heart surgery, and how quickly life can change when your health is no longer guaranteed. We talk about vulnerability, healing, patience, and learning how to find purpose in uncertainty. Kody shares how he reframed strength, learned to accept help, and continues to show up with hope even on the hardest days.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience doesn’t always look loud or dramatic — sometimes it looks like waking up, adapting, and choosing to keep going.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

1. Intro to Kody & “Just a Dude on Batteries” – 00:01:18

2. Early Trauma: Fatal Car Accident at 18 & Losing His Girlfriend and Family Members – 00:03:20

3. Climbing Cell Towers High on Drugs & Living in Full-Blown Addiction – 00:05:05

4. Six-Figure Remodeling Business, Home Depot Collapse & First Heart Failure Diagnosis – 00:07:11

5. Rock Bottom: Living in His Truck, & Finally Going Back to the Hospital – 00:11:25

6. Turning Down the LVAD, Choosing Long-Term Life Over Short-Term Fixes – 00:15:12

7. Regaining Independence: Managing His LVAD & Walking Into the Gym – 00:17:52

8. Daily Gym Videos, Cognitive Therapy & Rewiring a Brain Stuck in Depression – 00:23:23

9. From Instant Gratification to Discipline, & Fully Owning “Just a Dude on Batteries” – 00:31:31

10. The Gym Healing His Heart (8% to 45%) and His Advice for Anyone at Rock Bottom – 00:42:15

Connect with Kody Schaffner:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justadudeonbatteries

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justadudeonbatteries

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Justadudeonbatteries⁩

Connect with The Sick Burn Podcast:

• Website: https://www.sickburnpodcast.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickburnpod

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickburnpod

• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sickburnpod

🎧 Mahalo for listening! If this episode connected with you, please:

• Subscribe to The Sick Burn Podcast so you never miss an episode.

• Share this conversation with someone navigating illness, uncertainty, or recovery.

• Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes moments and updates.

Credits:

Hosted & Executive Produced by Thomas Craig VIII

Produced by Voice & Video — Bill Lanzarotta

Audio Engineer — Mickey Dixon

Edited by — Lizi Bronson

Graphics by — Jeff Lee

Special Thanks — Kody Schaffner

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of The Sick Burn Podcast, its affiliates, or any organizations we are associated with. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

#SickBurnPodcast #KodySchaffner #HeartFailureAwareness #LVADLife #LifeWithLVAD #HeartWarrior #ChronicIllnessAwareness #InvisibleIllness #MedicalResilience #AdaptiveLiving #DisabilityVisibility #HealthJourney #LivingWithHeartFailure #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #HopeAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #FindingTheBright

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Miguel Jimenez Vergara is a competitive adaptive athlete, wheelchair racer, and one of the most unstoppable humans you’ll ever meet. From a young age, Miguel felt a deep pull toward movement, competition, and testing both his body and his mind. Over the years, that pull turned into a lifestyle built on consistency, challenge, and an unwavering commitment to becoming better every single day.

In this episode, Miguel opens up about the mindset behind his training, why he chases discomfort, and how racing became both his outlet and his compass. We talk about identity, discipline, burnout, mental toughness, and the quiet battles people rarely see — the internal work that fuels true resilience. Miguel’s story isn’t about recovering from one defining moment… it’s about choosing to grow through thousands of small, intentional ones.

Whether you’re an athlete, someone rebuilding your confidence, or someone searching for purpose, Miguel’s perspective will leave you fired up and rethinking what you’re capable of.

1. Intro to Miguel & the Mindset of a Champion – [00:01:07]
2. Why He Calls It “Wheelchair Racing” & Honoring the Sport’s History – [00:02:32]
3. Born Without Legs: Early Childhood, Disability, and First Realizations – [00:06:57]
4. Middle School, High School & Earning Respect Through Grit – [00:07:33]
5. Discovering Philosophy, Stoicism & Reframing His Disability – [00:11:16]
6. Sacrifice, Solo Travel & Doing Whatever It Takes to Compete – [00:17:04]
7. From Sled Hockey to Chula Vista: Committing Fully to Track & the Paralympic Dream – [00:23:18]
8. Flow State, Mind Over Body & Racing Ten Feet at a Time – [00:31:06]
9. Time as the Ultimate Equalizer & Advice for Life’s Hardest Moments – [00:40:13]
10. Teamwork, Killing the Ego & What’s Next for Miguel (NYC Marathon & LA 2028) – [00:44:21]

Connect with Miguel here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miguel._.36/

Connect with us here:

• Website: https://www.sickburnpodcast.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickburnpod

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomascraigviii

• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thomascraigviii

🎧 Mahalo for tuning in! If you enjoyed today’s bonus episode, please:

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• Share this episode with a fellow gamer or friend who loves the power of play.

Credits: Hosted & Executive Produced by Thomas Craig VIII

Produced by Voice & Video – Bill Lanzarotta

Audio Engineer – Mickey Dixon

Edited by – Lizi Bronson

Graphics by – Jeff Lee

Special Thanks – Miguel Vergara

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of The Sick Burn Podcast, its affiliates, or any organizations we are associated with. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

#SickBurnPodcast #MiguelJimenezVergara #EnduranceAthlete #RacingMindset #Resilience #Discipline #MentalToughness #PushingLimits #FindTheBrightSide #AthleteMindset #Perseverance #KeepGoing #HumanPerformance #SickBurnPod

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There came a moment when Lydia Richard (@wounds2wealth) chose to stop letting trauma dictate her life — it would become the beginning of her power.

Lydia is a businesswoman, personal development coach, and mother whose journey from surviving sexual assault to rebuilding her identity is a profound example of what it looks like to transform pain into purpose. Her story isn’t about pretending everything is fine — it’s about doing the hard, intentional work of healing, reclaiming worth, and choosing to rise. In this conversation, we talk about the emotional and psychological layers of recovery, the courage it takes to face your story, and how Lydia built a life rooted in strength, faith, mindset, and self-respect. She reminds us that healing isn’t quick or clean — but it is possible, and it can lead to a richer and more meaningful life than before.

If you’re in a season where hope feels far away, Lydia’s voice is one you’ll want to hear.

Connect with Lydia here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wounds2wealth/

• Website: https://lydiarichard.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnyjvyDxUpxOVJuAUssQrMTcYs6bET36bBdhDcyZA_tzv2mbM4kxX8ysOyf8w_aem_gv43-8oFBM3o-8jXDWOidA

• Coaching / Resources: https://stan.store/wounds2wealth?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnmzZmMlOlj0RwV4G2Q7APyA6G9SbgAjcMFpZP_l_EcBuJ_HlhEJl7J_9-SHs_aem_NrVK_HRStzhBvokeK1fajg

Connect with us here:

• Website: https://www.sickburnpodcast.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickburnpod

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomascraigviii

• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thomascraigviii

🎧 Mahalo for tuning in! If you enjoyed today's episode, please:

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We love hearing from our listeners — email us anytime at thomas@sickburnpodcast.com

Credits: Hosted & Executive Produced by Thomas Craig VIII Produced by Voice & Video – Bill Lanzarotta Audio Engineer – Mickey Dixon Edited by – Lizi Bronson Graphics by – Jeff Lee Special Thanks – Rosie Flores and Lydia Richard

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of The Sick Burn Podcast, its affiliates, or any organizations we are associated with. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

#sickburnpodcast #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #Resilience #MindsetShift #MentalHealthMatters #Empowerment #OvercomingAdversity #SelfWorth #InspirationDaily #PostTraumaticGrowth #WomenSupportingWomen #YouAreNotAlone #HopeAndHealing #HealingCommunity #SpeakYourTruth #BreakTheSilence #EmotionalRecovery #PositiveMindset #ResilientWomen #HealingAfterTrauma #SurvivorStrong #TraumaInformed

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