Aaron Hale, a US Army veteran and former Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech, shares his incredible journey after losing his sight and hearing from an IED explosion. He discusses the raw emotions of facing permanent disabilities, battling suicidal thoughts, and the vital support from his family and fellow veterans. Hale emphasizes the importance of gratitude, overcoming fear, and finding resilience through running, including his awe-inspiring experience at the Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon. His story is a testament to the power of transformation amid adversity.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Aaron's Blinding IED Explosion
Aaron Hale was blinded in an IED explosion in Afghanistan when he accidentally stepped on a secondary device after disarming the first.
The blast hit him in the head, severely injuring his eyes and ears but left the rest of his body mostly unscathed.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Realizing Permanent Blindness
After the explosion, Aaron experienced vivid hallucinations as his brain reacted to sudden vision loss.
He only fully realized the permanence of his blindness after multiple surgeries failed to restore sight.
insights INSIGHT
Power of Supportive Tribe
Positivity and negativity are contagious and amplified by the company you keep.
Having a strong, supportive tribe is crucial for resilience and recovery.
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We’re all tempted, at times, to allow our ego to get the better of us. Many of us feel like we’re on top of the world until the precise time we find ourselves on the bottom of it. My guest today, Aaron Hale, found himself in just that scenario as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech on a routine assignment when he was blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that caused him to lose sight and, later, his hearing. Today, we talk about the fear of being stuck, gratitude for our struggles and adversities, overcoming our greatest fears, how positivity and negativity are infectious, and how you can re-size your ego or have it re-sized for you.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:15 - Aaron's Military Background and Injury 01:10 - Details of the IED Incident 02:04 - Injuries Sustained from the Explosion 04:36 - Medical Evacuation and Tom Cruise Encounter 06:34 - Recovery at Walter Reed 08:31 - Realization of Permanent Blindness 09:20 - Mental State Post-Injury 11:12 - Family Support During Recovery 13:11 - Connecting with Fellow Injured Veterans 17:01 - Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts 19:46 - Adapting to Sensory Loss 21:30 - Battle with Bacterial Meningitis 25:17 - Inspiration from Eric Weihenmayer 26:58 - Transition to Running and Physical Challenges 30:49 - Learning to Run Blind 34:47 - Running Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon 40:34 - Experiencing Runs Without Sight 42:45 - Building Trust with Guides 44:45 - Loss of Balance and Adaptation 51:22 - Mastering the Art of Falling 52:13 - Future Goals and Ventures 54:02 - Launching Point of Impact Podcast 56:13 - Gratitude for Life’s Challenges 58:19 - Closing Thoughts and Appreciation
Order of Man 
