#107: Ben Kunzle - Paralyzing Jiu Jitsu Incident, Optimism, Hope, and Strength Training
Oct 31, 2023
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Ben Kunzle, motivational speaker and athlete for the South Florida Rattlers Wheelchair Rugby Team, shares his journey of overcoming a paralyzing jiu jitsu incident. Topics include his psychological resilience, the impact of inspirational content on social media, rehabilitation after the injury, managing injuries and the consequences of medication, mental strength, acceptance, fitness goals, and spreading inspiration.
Ben's story highlights the power of community support and the positive impact that individuals can have on others.
Ben's positive mindset and dedication to pushing his limits have helped him overcome obstacles and motivate others, including those facing their own difficulties.
Ben's focus on effort-driven progress, rather than outcome, highlights his relentless pursuit of personal growth and his mindset of constantly challenging himself.
Deep dives
Overcoming a Spinal Cord Injury and Pushing Limits
Ben Kunzel, a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, shares his inspiring journey after suffering a C5 C6 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the biceps down. Despite the challenges, Ben continues to push his limits and strengthen his mindset. He emphasizes the importance of mindset and effort, prioritizing progress and growth over specific outcomes. Ben's story highlights the power of community support and the positive impact that individuals can have on others. He also discusses his involvement in wheelchair rugby, his transition to a modified vehicle with hand controls, and his passion for bodybuilding and working out.
Finding Strength and Inspiring Others
Ben shares how he found strength and inspiration in challenging moments, including the support he received from his Jiu-Jitsu community. He talks about how setbacks in his life, such as his parents' divorce, prepared him to face his spinal cord injury with resilience and determination. Ben's positive mindset and dedication to pushing his limits have helped him overcome obstacles and motivate others, including those facing their own difficulties. He also discusses his role as a coach and how he enjoys supporting and inspiring younger athletes.
Adapting to a New Life and Embracing Growth
Ben describes the process of adapting to his new life, relearning basic skills, and gaining independence. He shares the challenges and successes he experienced in regaining mobility, including transitioning from a power chair to a manual chair, using modified utensils, and learning to drive with hand controls. Ben's journey of discovering new possibilities and embracing growth is a testament to his determination and resilience. He also discusses his nonprofit organization, which aims to help individuals with spinal cord injuries transition back into an active lifestyle.
Living Life on His Own Terms
Ben reflects on the importance of mobility and the newfound freedom he has gained through driving and maintaining an active lifestyle. He discusses his workout regimen, including training with bodybuilders and using specialized attachments for strength training. Ben's focus on effort-driven progress, rather than outcome, highlights his relentless pursuit of personal growth and his mindset of constantly challenging himself. He shares how he finds joy in simple things like driving, exploring, and experiencing life on his own terms.
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Strength
The podcast episode discusses the experience of two individuals who have dealt with serious injuries and the challenges of pain management. They share personal stories of being prescribed strong pain medications, such as Oxycodone, after their injuries. However, they both emphasize how these medications can quickly become addictive and lead to more problems. They highlight the importance of mental strength in overcoming addiction and the need for alternative outlets, such as physical activities like jiu-jitsu, to keep on track. The discussion also touches on the inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome addiction and found new purpose in their lives, such as through public speaking or motivational work.
Acceptance and Growth in the Face of Adversity
The podcast episode delves into the subject of acceptance and growth in the face of life-altering experiences. The speakers discuss how coming to terms with one's new reality and shifting mentality is crucial to moving forward. They emphasize the need to let go of comparisons to one's past self and focus on adapting to the present situation. They highlight the significance of effort and perseverance in navigating tough situations, drawing parallels to the philosophy of jiu-jitsu. The episode also addresses the negativity that can arise from social media, with both speakers sharing experiences of dealing with hateful comments and how they choose to rise above them with humor and resilience.
Ben Kunzle is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, motivational speaker, and athlete for the South Florida Rattlers Wheelchair Rugby Team. Ben suffered a C5-C6 spinal cord injury during training that left him paralyzed from the biceps down.
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