Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais From Chernobyl to World Champion | Oksana Masters
Aug 20, 2025
Oksana Masters, a multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist with 19 medals, shares her remarkable journey from hardship in Ukraine to athletic triumph in the U.S. She discusses transforming trauma into strength, the power of reclaiming agency, and the importance of finding joy in adversity. Oksana reflects on her childhood in an orphanage and the friendships that shaped her resilience. This conversation emphasizes the significance of self-love, the interplay of mindset and performance, and the role of community in personal empowerment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Life After Chernobyl
- Oksana describes being born in Ukraine after Chernobyl with deformities and being placed in orphanages before adoption at 7.5 years old.
- She explains radiation showed in her teeth and her mother later fought two years to adopt her.
Hypervigilance And Focus As Coping
- Oksana acknowledges PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance, noise sensitivity, and intrusive processing.
- She uses repeated counting and deep focus during racing as an involuntary coping mechanism that quiets anxiety.
Orphanage Trauma And Rescue
- Oksana recounts severe orphanage abuse including starvation, physical and sexual mistreatment, and failure-to-thrive diagnosis on arrival to the U.S.
- Her adoptive mother provided food, love, and growth that rapidly changed her health and trajectory.