Aug 17, 2018
Heather Laptalo has four rods in her back that currently fuse
85% of her spine and is classified as 20% disabled. She is
missing 40% of her lung capacity. Despite doctors telling her
that her athlete days are over, she has hiked Everest Base Camp,
ran multiple marathons including Boston, and went to university on
a full ride cross-country running scholarship. Can't is not
in her vocabulary.
By the time Heather was 10 years old, she was forced to sleep in
a heavy metal brace. It was a cage she couldn't escape
without the help of her parents. During the day, she ran free
as a "normal" little girl. By by the age of 13, the surgeries
started because her spine was growing crooked. Alienated from
her friends for being different, she trudged on through high school
with the dream of becoming a professional soccer player. By
her senior year, she had another series of surgeries. This
time became too much to bear. The doctors told her she could
never run or play soccer again.
Drowning in a sea of depression and self-pity wasn't on
Heather's agenda, so she started walking. Then running. Then
running...fast. Her mantra of "You got this" has pushed her
to beat all odds. Now her doctors say she is a miracle.
Heather just says, "I'm not a miracle... whatever you believe you
are or what you want to be, you can do it. It doesn't matter
what physical limitations you think you may have."
Topics Discussed in the Podcast
- Growing up with surgeries, being called "deformed", and a spine
growing crooked
- How Heather proved her doctors wrong
- how to cope with limits placed on us by others (or even
ourselves)
- running's influence on heather's life (she was told she'd never
run again)
- how heather manages chronic pain and perception of pain
- power of gratitude in heather's life
- what to do if you find yourself saying "I can't"
Links
Up Your Game with Four Sigmatic:
Four Sigmatic offers medicinal mushroom coffees, hot cacaos and
elixir products. Some mushrooms have incredible
health-promoting benefits like helping with sleep, immunity, energy
management, and focus. In fact, did you know that Lion’s Mane
has been used by Buddhist Monks in meditation practice? These
are not psychedelic mushrooms and they aren’t the kind you’d put on
your pizza. They are used like you would an herb. I’m
enjoying the Chaga
Mushroom Elixir Mix the most right now!
I’m excited about using adaptogenic mushrooms as part of my
overall health strategy and recovery process.
Try Four
Sigmatic Mushroom Elixirs and Coffees!
15% off with Four Sigmatic Discount Code:
SonyaLooney
Support the Show
If you would like to support the growth my show, I’d love your
contribution on. Patreon. The
current production of this free show is primarily supported out of
my own pocket and a small portion is covered through the donations
on Patreon. With
my Patreon page,
you can donate directly to the show which will help me cover the
costs and help it grow! Even 4 bucks a month- the cost of one
coffee per month helps a LOT! Thanks, I really appreciate your
support!
Crowdfunding on
Patreon – thank you!
Shop my
products!
Leave a review or share on social media
Don’t forget to subscribe!
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
Google Play
Spotify
Thanks for listening!
