How do you rebuild your identity when a single split-second decision changes your body and your life forever?

On this gripping episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea Lynn sits down with attorney and athlete Erik Johnson to recount his harrowing 2015 canyoneering accident at Pepperwood Creek Falls. After relying on outdated route information and anchoring to a dry-rooted tree, the anchor failed, sending Erik plummeting 50 feet to a lower ledge. He survived the catastrophic fall with shattered heels, a compound leg fracture, and an open-book pelvis fracture.

Faced with the agonizing decision between a lifelong ankle fusion or amputation, Erik chose amputation to regain his athletic function. In this raw conversation, he opens up about the terrifying rescue, navigating suicidal thoughts during recovery, and how he ultimately rebuilt "Life 2.0" as an adaptive athlete and father. If you are facing a massive life transition, healing from physical trauma, or searching for the will to keep going, Erik’s story is a masterclass in resilience.

In this episode, we cover:
• The 50-Foot Fall: The terrifying reality of a canyoneering anchor failure and the fight to survive in the wilderness.
• The Rescue & Aftermath: Navigating extreme pain, morphine-induced hallucinations, and the shock of catastrophic injuries.
• Choosing Amputation: Why Erik chose to amputate his leg to reclaim his autonomy and athletic identity.
• The Darkest Moments: A raw look at navigating suicidal thoughts, grief, and the mental toll of trauma recovery.
• Life 2.0: How to rebuild your identity, find purpose, and thrive in the adaptive sports community.

Chapters:
00:00 The Call From Taylor
00:18 Show Disclaimer
01:51 Meet Eric Johnson
03:03 What Is Canyoneering
04:03 Potholes And Pot Shots
05:45 Canyon Rating System
06:56 Choosing Pepperwood Creek
08:08 Skill Level And Mindset
10:19 Last Rappel Setup
10:56 Beta Mistake And Dry Roots
14:53 Anchor Fails The Fall
15:32 Injuries And Kyle Responds
23:41 Blackout And Will To Live
26:35 Host Near Death Story
29:58 Rescue And Hospital Shock
33:33 Face Mirror And 127 Hours
35:34 Rescue Calls Home
36:46 Morphine Dreamworld
38:54 Injuries Explained
42:12 Amputation Decision
44:57 Purpose Mastery Autonomy
47:13 Prosthetics And Costs
49:17 Life 2.0 Identity Shift
52:28 Darkest Mental Moment
55:51 Family And Adaptive Community
01:00:53 Adapting And Never Quit
01:06:04 Finding Erik Online
01:07:40 Final Thanks And Goodbye

Connect with Erik Johnson:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@erikjohnson-ejlaw?si=CLbcjwT2uTl-IMnC

Connect with Andrea Lynn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D2b74Cnzb5W9Z7hQNRgbD

#TraumaRecovery #Amputation #CanyoneeringAccident #SurvivalStory #Resilience #AdaptiveAthlete #MentalHealth #WakeUpYourSoul

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

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https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

How do you rebuild your identity when the only life you’ve ever known is suddenly taken away?

On this inspiring episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea Lynn sits down with British Army veteran and Invictus Games Gold Medalist, David Jarvis. When David faced a sudden medical discharge in 2021, he lost more than just his military career—he lost his sense of self. But when a shocking Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis hit him in 2023, it didn't break him. Instead, it became the catalyst for his deepest healing journey yet.

If you are navigating a major life transition, battling chronic illness, or working through PTSD and trauma, David’s story provides a powerful blueprint for turning your darkest setbacks into your greatest victories.

In this episode, we cover:
• The Loss of Identity: How to navigate the grief and confusion of losing your career and your community.
• A Shocking Diagnosis: How David used a sudden Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis as a catalyst for a spiritual awakening rather than a defeat.
• The Invictus Games Journey: The mindset shifts and physical resilience required to go from medical discharge to winning Invictus Gold.
• The Resilience Blueprint: Actionable tools for trauma recovery and overcoming life's heaviest challenges.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D2b74Cnzb5W9Z7hQNRgbD

Connect with David Jarvis:
Www.speaking.com

Connect with Andrea Lynn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn

00:00 Dependency and Resilience

00:38 Show Disclaimer and Intro

02:11 Meet David Jarvis

02:48 Life in the British Army

04:39 Family Moves and Stability

06:54 Dog Training Detour

09:27 Medical Discharge Explained

12:45 Finding a Civilian Career

14:38 Stress and Diabetes Onset

16:26 Invictus Games Comeback

18:30 Diabetes Symptoms Escalate

19:37 DKA Diagnosis and New Reality

26:34 Choosing Health or Competition

29:13 Go Big For Gold

30:15 Needles And Daily Testing

31:58 CGM Changes Everything

32:36 Saying It Publicly

34:47 Winning By Half A Second

35:36 Goal Setting That Sticks

36:44 Safety Net Of Resilience

41:55 Small Habits Build Momentum

47:46 Medal Moment With Family

52:19 Five Step Problem Solving

54:14 Do Something Simple

55:08 Closing Thanks

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

How do you rebuild your life when your own mind—and a devastating accident—try to break you?

On this deeply moving episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea Lynn sits down with author and speaker Carolyn Skowron. For years, Carolyn struggled in silence with a Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)—a condition that left her highly verbal but battling severe anxiety, depression, isolation, and bullying.

After a late diagnosis at 16 and a near-fatal battle with her mental health in college, Carolyn finally began to find her footing through therapy and mindset shifts. But in 2020, a severe car accident changed everything, serving as a profound wake-up call about gratitude, purpose, and the true meaning of resilience.

If you or someone you love is navigating a learning disorder, severe depression, or recovering from trauma, this conversation offers a powerful roadmap for healing and breaking the stigma around mental health.

In this episode, we cover:
• Understanding NVLD: What it’s really like to live with a Nonverbal Learning Disorder and the hidden struggles of spatial awareness and conceptual skills.
• The Darkest Moments: Carolyn’s courageous battle with severe depression, bullying, and negative self-talk.
• Tools for Healing: Practical strategies for recovery, including CBT-style reframing, mindfulness, and "the deep three" breaths.
• The Wake-Up Call: How a life-altering car accident shifted Carolyn’s perspective toward profound gratitude and purpose.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D2b74Cnzb5W9Z7hQNRgbD

Connect with Carolyn Skowron:
Website: https://carolynsophia.com

Connect with Andrea Lynn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn

00:00 Negative Self Talk Spiral

00:18 Show Disclaimer and Intro

01:51 Meet Carolyn and NVLD

03:06 What NVLD Looks Like

06:18 Diagnosis and School Struggles

09:02 Boarding School Decision

12:15 Loneliness and Social Media

13:40 Therapy Tools and Deep Three

17:03 Rewriting Your Inner Narrative

18:39 2020 Crash and Wake Up Call

20:37 Second Chance and Meaning

21:22 Saved at the Edge

21:51 Host Near Death Story

23:27 Turning Pain Into Purpose

24:14 Building Blocks Mindset

25:21 Training Your First Thought

27:38 Teens Social Media Spiral

33:06 Bullying and Body Image

37:57 Aging Authenticity Standards

39:21 Kindness and Getting Help

40:43 Book and Speaker Links

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr