00:00:06 Shreya: What if healing wasn't about returning to who you were before, but becoming someone entirely new? What if the brain, the body, and even identity itself were more flexible than we we were ever taught. And today's conversation invites us to reimagine healing, resilience, and what's possible when life breaks us open instead of breaking us down.

00:00:32 Shreya: Welcome to the Wellness Reimagined, where we explore new ways of understanding health, healing and human experience. I'm your host, Shreya. And today I'm joined by Shannon Mitchell, a traumatic brain injury survivor and the author of the memoir Step Into Your Miracle. After surviving a devastating accident that her that left her in a coma with memory loss and a traumatic brain injury and permanent changes to her vision, Shannon's journey has reshaped how she understand healing, identity and neuroplasticity, what she calls brain rebooting. In this episode, we'll explore how healing can become a doorway to purpose, and how the brain's capacity to rewire can also help us reimagine our lives. Welcome, Shannon. I'm honored to have you on my show.

00:01:27 Shannon Michelle: Hello, hello, happy, happy, happy Friday.

00:01:31 Shreya: Happy Friday to you too. And Shannon, When you first began to regain awareness after that accident, what was the hardest part of realizing that life and even you might never be the same.

00:01:46 Shannon Michelle: Oof! Um. I think for me, within the beginning phases of my recovery, I kept reawakening to not knowing where I was or what had happened because of the brain trauma, and they kept me in a coma for a few months just because of the severity. And so I would wake up and not know where I was. Over and over again. Like what happened? Where am I? Like to the point where they had to. In in the hospital because of the multiple surgeries they'd have to, like, literally have me, um, not capable of moving my body and my arms because I would wake up like, hello? I'm like, what happened? Where am I? I remember I kept asking, where am I? And I thought at that point I was at, um, I was I thought I was in New Orleans because that was the last thing I could remember. And it took a while to get comfortable with understanding that my brain was kind of on repeat, like it wouldn't retain much. And it also didn't remember much at that stage. And that part was the most, I think, as far as rebooting my brain, the most difficult phases. Um, and then there were levels of rebuilding my body because I had been broken into so many pieces and I can giggle at it now. But at the beginning phases of my recovery, it was just it was confusing mostly. Um, I didn't understand what and why everything had happened. Um, yeah.

00:03:31 Shreya: Yes. Thank you for sharing your story. It's really brave the way you said it. And also, like, there is often this belief that healing after brain injury is almost about fixing what is broken. From your experience.

00:03:47 Shannon Michelle: Yeah.

00:03:50 Shreya: Like, from your lived experience, what do people misunderstand most about recovery and healing after trauma like this?

00:04:01 Shannon Michelle: Um, well, the first thing is that the first thing that comes to mind for me is there has to be, at least there was again, for me and my traumatic brain injury. There had to be a level of acceptance for the new me, because the old me had been. Kind of washed away, let's say. And I was at the point of trying to rediscover who I was. But also my friends and family were trying to figure out what they were getting and who I was post the motorcycle accident. So there was a lot of, again, being patient with me and and understanding that things can change and be different, but it all ended up again finding its way. And you have to have the freedom and the, I don't know, the kindness to accept the new you or the new person that you are helping through something that severe is, is acceptance. You know, um, and learning to find a place to like the new person, understand the new person and and that's in life, I think. I don't think that's just because I had a traumatic brain injury. I think we all come around to certain points in our lives where we get off kilter or confused, and we try to sort it all out, and sometimes within that, the only thing, at least with what in my recovery that I could do, was completely stay present and not focus on what previously happened or what might happen, but only this moment, this conversation. And that is how I allowed my brain to come back, and my heart and my soul, because it's not it's not one sided, you know, um, you you can wake up and, and and not understand who you are and, and be okay with the confusion as well. At least I had to. I had to be okay. I also I'll give you a before and after I ran my own company for twenty five years. And this is the woman who woke up in a hospital not remembering who a person was, didn't know what a cell phone was. There was a huge transition of what I had and what I was trying to sort out, and the kind of, again, yin and yang with that was very, very big. It was it was all. And then it felt like nothing. And then I had to figure out how to balance it all out. And it really wasn't all or nothing. It was just a rebirth and rediscovering myself.

00:06:51 Shreya: Yes. What I'm hearing is that healing is not just a medical process. It's an identity process. It's not about restoring the old version of you, but learning how to live in a new body and a new mind.

00:07:07 Shannon Michelle: Yes. And being okay with that. The problem? I think that sometimes happens for people is when there's a lot of change, they get uncomfortable and they just keep trying to find the old them. And again, mine was more an obvious state of mind and an obvious brain trauma and body break. But I think big picture, everybody has to go through these transitions in different ways in their life. And and that again embodied me to to be able to my goal now is to help others like kind of in a small way, saying it's going to be okay and you're you're going to find your way out or you're going to find your new you. And that's that's been my goal is helping others in that way.

00:08:00 Shreya: Yes. And also like when memory, perception and even vision change, how does that disrupt a person's sense of self like? And what deeper patterns did you notice emerging as you tried to make sense of who you are becoming?

00:08:19 Shannon Michelle: Oh gosh, there were so many layers of that. Um, again, I think it, it it was teaching me to appreciate my present moment and not and not sit within my pain because I went through a lot of, uh, physical and mental pain. And so I had to learn to wake up and, and kind of see how that day felt. And then I would work a little bit at a time to get a little better, a little stronger, a little smarter, you name it. I was just trying to rebuild everything, and I would say that it was a part of finding my way back to, to to to liking myself again. I would say, um, Uh, and how to see your personal development in a way that's different than just, you know, not just the ABCs one, two threes, but like, who you are here in your heart and and and and trying to to not do everything with your brain but let that that the moment speak to you and through you, you know, through your heart and then and then you can try to sort it out a little bit through your brain. But if you don't just be guided by what's being spoken through you in this moment, like you, you have a moment right now. And if I say to you, give me one word that speaks through you in the moment, right now, could you share with me a present moment word?

00:10:06 Shreya: Yes, it's a resilience. I think resilience. Because, um, now I can see that how like, how a person, uh, dealt with, uh, their tough times and cope up with, with this kind of situation, but I can never even imagine. So, yes, I think that God is speaking through me.

00:10:50 Shannon Michelle: Nice resilience. And we all have such resilience within us. But sometimes, again, we sometimes get lost and don't remember that. Yeah. So it's it's it's it's reminding. Sometimes it's like I have to remind myself to stay present and to not get frustrated with things that I don't that not that I don't, but things that I do differently. And I have to I have to remind myself. Okay, Shannon. Stay present. Stay present. And that's my that's my that's my goal on a daily basis. And resilience for you just today is your is your word and and being open to it speaking to you. And it can change. It can change in thirty minutes. It can change in three days. Allow allow it to keep speaking to you though I even if it's whether it's I have resilience or I give resilience whatever speaks to you and through you keep remembering that and keep it in your heart is is what came to me.

00:11:50 Shreya: Definitely. I would do that definitely. For sure. I think it sounds like, uh, in like the injury didn't just affect your brain. It challenges the story to like, uh, you, you told yourself about who you are and what you are life supposed to look like and also like in everyday life. What what did this healing journey actually look like? I'm really curious about the small, ordinary moments where neuroplasticity and recovery showed up in ways others might not notice.

00:12:25 Shannon Michelle: Oh gosh, there are so many of those moments. Um, they the ones that come to mind mostly is I have a daughter, and, um, she was going through this transition with me because one day she started college and all of a sudden her mom was on a bed and couldn't remember her own name. And so I, I think of a moment where, like I would she was leaving to go back to college after a summer stay. And I said to her, can you help me walk the dog? I want to be able to walk the dog by myself. And I had gotten to a point where I was in a wheelchair and I had to rebuild my body strength, but I wanted my goal was to be able to walk my dog. And I said to her, just before you leave for school in a few days, can you please just go with me once and let me try to do it with you so I don't get lost. And I and so I went to go walk, walk my dog Teddy with my daughter Grace. And um, and she kind of giggled at me like, she can tell I can walk around the house and. But she didn't understand how kind of lost I always felt because I was trying to figure out everything, like where to walk and how long to walk or, or what would be safe for me. And so her and I did that. And that was like a growth point of one little moment that that allowed me to feel confident in walking my dog again and again. These are small little baby steps, but they were important because then that allowed me to learn that I could do that and I could walk further. And and I have the strength to hold the dog. And there's all kinds of layers that come with recovery and also with, again, with life, like whatever the day brings you or brings me, That is what I am. I'm here to learn today, in this moment, and I, I have to I don't have to. I do find so much gratitude in breathing. I find so much gratitude in walking. I find so much gratitude in now I cook again. I used to be a pretty good cook and now I'm getting to be a good cook again. I mean, there's these little moments that I. Things that bring me joy. That's that's all I focus on right now. What what brings me joy and what would I like to do with that? And if I can't, that's okay too. But what brings me joy today? And that's a good question to ask yourself when you're staying present. What is going to bring me joy today? You know, yes.

00:14:53 Shreya: I, I also one hundred percent agree. I think this this question we often don't ask ourselves. But this is really important. Like what gives me joy. And I think I think that really reimagines healing as something lived daily and not something that happens only in therapy rooms or in hospitals.

00:15:13 Shannon Michelle: Yes, yes, yes and yes. Absolutely, absolutely.

00:15:19 Shreya: And also you often speak about the brain rebooting for someone who's listening and who feels stuck, whether from injury, trauma or burnout. What general practices or perspectives helped you work with your brain instead of fighting it?

00:15:35 Shannon Michelle: Oh gosh. Great question. Um, it goes back to being me, being kind to myself and me trying to not over. I know it's going to sound silly, but try not to overthink an answer and just find it comfortable to not have an answer in the moment when I'm trying to search for one. And so that again. And then the other thing actually that just popped in my head is I do like it's, it's three times as the winner for me. Like if I am learning a new word or learning, I don't know anything. Relearning anything. When I do something like meet a new person the third time, the third time I've talked to somebody or met somebody, it sticks like it's like these neuropathways that have to be rebooted. It's like three times as a winner for me. So try to do over and over and try to do the count. I would make a count and write on a note, like I did it once and I did it. And then, like me, making a count of that was how my brain recovery really worked well too. But allowing yourself the space to relearn and to grow and three times a winner for me. Oh, um, I you know what I wanted to mention to you.

00:16:57 Shreya: Yeah.

00:16:58 Shannon Michelle: Is that I didn't realize it until I. Until yesterday. Um, but I woke up this morning, and today happens to be my four year anniversary of my rebirth. I had my accident was four years ago today and I'm super proud. Most people don't like to call it a rebirth or birthday because it's not a celebratory day for somebody. But for me, I'm happy to be alive. I'm happy to be able to walk again and think again. And today is a big day for me.

00:17:33 Shreya: And I'm, I'm I'm really honored that I got this day with you to speak about this, this amazing topic. I'm I'm really grateful. And I think I think there is something really powerful about treating the brain as adaptable rather than as damaged thing, almost like offering it compassion instead of pressure.

00:17:56 Shannon Michelle: Absolutely. That's the only way to find kindness in yourself and in your life. I think it's like it's good to work on gaining and and and and learning and growing. But again at the movement and the pace in which it happens. That's where you have to give yourself some freedom and kindness and be kind to yourself. If it doesn't happen at the same pace as what you imagined it would. Um, because you have to be comfortable with that. You have to be comfortable that it might take a few tries, or it might never come back, or whatever it might be for you. Try to be comfortable with whatever it is that you're supposed to learn or or grow or have, you know. Yeah, yeah.

00:18:45 Shreya: And also, like, healing is not linear. So when setbacks happened, these were progress felt invisible. What really helped you going without losing faith in yourself or in your body?

00:19:01 Shannon Michelle: Wow. That could be that could be a deep question. But, um, I think, um, I think one of the moments that I have to keep remembering is I was going through my recovery, and I was gaining so much that I thought, and I was. So I would say I was so broken. Literally, like my body, my brain, everything was so broken that I have to. I got to the point where nothing more, nothing worse could ever happen to me. And I started believing that in myself. And then I got diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was like, what? Nah, I almost died and I didn't take it seriously. And I think that I come to a place where the kindness and, and kind of space that I allow myself to believe in myself has to also understand that I'm not truly in control. Like I got hit by a car and it was an accident and it wasn't my fault, and my brain got deleted and I had to be in a coma for a few months, and body parts were broken and that, you know. And then after all of that, a year and a half later, I get diagnosed with breast cancer. And you think to yourself, no way, Jose. Like, I don't want any of that. But I had to get comfortable with my new recovery level. And I think again, now I know that I am breakable, but I'm also I'm a perfect breakable person and and that, you know, and that is, again, compassion, you know, um, kindness, compassion, uh, joy, all of those things, when things go awry, when things go off kilter, sometimes you gotta level out again and find your way back. You know, no matter what, it doesn't it doesn't. It's not a it's not again, it's not a linear as you were saying. It's, it's there are a lot of ups and downs with who we are as, as human beings.

00:21:22 Shreya: Yes, I totally agree. I think that speaks to resilience, not as toughness, but as a patience. Learning to trust the process like process. So when the results are not even immediate. And also I have a reflection question for you, for my listeners, like for someone who like for someone who is listening and who feels broken or beyond repair right now, what would you want them to know about the possibility of miracles, especially the quiet internal ones? Oh.

00:21:59 Shannon Michelle: It's all there. I would just want to say to them, all of the all of the. Brilliance that is within you. It's still in there. And it's even if it's broken and it feels off, and even if it's doesn't feel like a normal day or it's painful or you're confused, it's like, just stop, breathe, take a moment and be patient with yourself. And and again, stay up and stay. Stay open to this present moment. What what I might be saying to you might be empowering to you. And you might wake up tomorrow thinking, okay, I'm going to stay present. Okay? I'm going to breathe. This is the perfect me today. And keep reminding yourself that this is just today. This is just this moment. And give yourself the space and the freedom to evolve from whatever you're you're in, whatever pain, whatever sorrow, you can evolve beyond it. Trust me. Yes.

00:23:09 Shreya: This is a very, very nice statement that you just shared. And I also think that healing doesn't always bring us back to who we are, but it can lead us to a deeper, more meaningful version of who we are becoming. And yeah, this is truly a very amazing, a very insightful, powerful, internally very powerful conversation. What you just shared about your own experiences, your stories, and all your insights with us that just made this conversation like a bit different, a bit unique. And I think it's very encouraging for everyone. And if after this, my listeners want to connect with you, then what's the best way?

00:23:51 Shannon Michelle: Oh, I have a they made me a beautiful website. Step into your miracle com. Come take a peek. Um, they can, you know, if they if they're comfortable and they want to purchase my books, please do. Um, I'm in the midst of making an audio book, so that'll be out at some point soon. And my website tells my story a little bit more and it has my email. And please, please reach out and say hello. And if you have any personal questions, email me. Um, but but look at my website. Step into your miracle. Com. Oh yeah, one last moment, which I love and I always forget is when you look at my book and when you look at my website, my daughter drew my cover of my book, and I'm so proud of her. And I sometimes forget to mention certain things, but she is the one that actually drew the picture of me from my book. And I'm I love that. And her name is Grace and I'm so proud of her.

00:24:47 Shreya: Yes, I will definitely suggest my listeners to go and check that. And with that, to my listeners, thank you for joining us on the Wellness Reimagined. If today's conversation resonated, then take a moment to reflect on how your own healing journey might be inviting you to something new. Share this episode with someone who needs hope and join us again as we continue to reimagine what wellness can truly mean. And do not forget to hit the follow button. Subscribe and feel free to share your thoughts because your ears deserve premium content. Thank you.