Tuesday Apr 23, 2024

Losing a Body Part: Hank Wise

In this episode of The Nick Standlea Show, Olympic swimmer Hank Wise, a world-record holder, takes us on an emotional journey recounting his life after losing an eye and bravely adopting a prosthetic one. He candidly discusses his fears, the struggle of adjusting, and the power of resilience.

Hank's stirring narrative revolves around growing up influenced by legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and how losing an eye changed his life. He shares personal experiences ranging from the initial shock to the coping mechanisms and highlights his emergence as a stronger individual.

The discussion progresses toward understanding vulnerability, providing a robust counter-narrative to the polished personas often portrayed on social media profiles. Hank emphasizes the significance of authentic human connections, resilience, self-love, and the importance of sharing struggles.

The episode paints a distressing picture of the fast-paced digital era, rife with anxieties, and the subsequent detachment from authentic emotional experiences. It offers listeners ways to navigate this new age, suggesting the study of stoicism, gratitude practices, and breathwork as potent tools for combating negativity and anxiety.

The speakers go on to discuss how these practices can foster feelings of connectedness, acceptance, friendships, and love, leading to a happier life. In a heartfelt act of vulnerability, Hank removes his prosthetic eye on camera, underlining the need to celebrate imperfections in a world driven by digital facades.

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EPISODE LINKS:

Hank Wise, IG: @dolphin_boy

The Four Agreements: https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements

Daily Stoic: https://dailystoic.com/

Epictetus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus

Marcus Aurelius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius

Flow, Csikszentmihalyi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihaly_Csikszentmihalyi

Gratitude Practice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude

Stoicism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism