Nathan Ogden is an inspirational speaker, coach, quadriplegic athlete, and the author of UnFrozen: Superior Systems to Move from Paralysis to Progress. He has spent years motivating and inspiring audiences and readers on how to conquer their fears and move from paralysis to progress.
Nathan’s life changed in 2001. He was skiing and hit a jump, launching himself over 20 feet in the air. He landed on his neck, shattering his C7 vertebrae. Nathan was instantly paralyzed and told he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Nathan and his wife didn’t listen to that prognosis; “We have too many things that we want to do, so I will walk again and we will do whatever we have to do to get there.”
But, unfortunately, Nathan’s adversity didn’t end there.
During recovery, Nathan contracted pneumonia. He went unconscious in the middle of the night, so he was rushed to the hospital. While they were getting ready to take x-rays, he fell off the x-ray table – breaking his neck a second time.
When he woke up a few hours later and his wife told him what happened, the first three words out of Nathan’s mouth were, “Bring it on.”
However, after about a month, negative thoughts started creeping in. He lost the use of everything from the chest down, a considerable amount of what he had already worked to recover. “That’s when it hit me and I became what I call mentally paralyzed.”
If you’re depressed or feel stuck, Nathan believes there are a few small (but significant) steps you need to take:
You have to put a name to what you’re feeling – then you can start dealing with it. Identify things that will make you feel good about yourself during the day. For example, Nathan wouldn’t check his social media until he had helped at least one person that day. Don’t compare yourself to other people. “I need to quit comparing myself to others and be the best that I know I can be. That’s good enough.”
Even two neck breaks couldn’t stop Nathan for long because he lives by the words his father passed down to him: “Live adventure – don’t watch it.”
This is never more obvious than in his philanthropic work: Nathan and his family created Chair the Hope to raise awareness and money for wheelchairs to be delivered in developing countries.
Nathan, his wife, and their four children kicked this off with a 1,200 mile bike ride, which they rode together, relay style, over the course of 12 days.
You can help help Ogden family in their mission to inspire others to get outside and keep moving despite disabilities, fears, or excuses, while raising money to donate to the Wheelchair Foundation, by supporting Chair of Hope at https://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/donations.
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Resources:
Ep. 115 - The Risk of Not Taking Risks - with Zach Obront
Ep. 114 - Creating a Vivid Vision & Collaborating on the Future - with Cameron Herold
Ep. 113 - You’re Not Normal, You’re an Entrepreneur - with Malorie Tadimi
Ep. 112 - Never Limit Your Life: Old-School Rap + New-School Mindset - with Derek Clark AKA The Rapping Dad
Ep. 111 - Shaping Stories & Faces on the Silver Screen - with makeup artist John Caglione Jr.
Ep. 110 - The Perfect Day Formula: Get Beyond the Morning Routine - with Craig Ballantyne
Ep. 109 - The Changing Image of Entrepreneurship - with Bo Burlingham, Editor-at-Large of Inc.
Ep. 107 - Become The Ideal Team Player - with Patrick Lencioni
Ep. 106 - Reshape the Story of Your Life & Elevate Your Inner Hero - with Andy Janning
Ep. 105 - Mentoring the Next Gen of Athletes & Allowing Your Purpose to Change - with Olympians Caroline Burckle & Rebecca Soni of RISE Athletes
Ep. 104 - What You Can Learn from the New Rules of Marksmanship - with Chris Sajnog
Ep. 103 - Bada** Bodies, Big Brother, & Broken Bones: Finding Purpose & Choosing to Change - with Christmas Abbott
Ep. 102 - Take Your Life Pro - with Dana Cavalea
Ep. 101 - Find Your WHAT - with Steve Olsher, America’s Reinvention Expert
Ep. 100 - Celebrating Our Centennial - with a Very Special Guest
Ep. 99 - How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed - with Daniel McGinn
Ep. 98 - Find Your Purpose, Be a Positive Leader, & Transform the World - with Jon Gordon
Ep. 97 - How to Learn from, Manage, and Take Risks - with former Navy SEAL Kevin Lacz
Ep. 96 - Pioneering the Future of Learning & Healthcare - with Eren Bali of Udemy & Carbon Health
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