He Was a Wellness Expert—Then a Skiing Accident Changed His Definition of Health

He spent his career teaching people how to be healthy—until a skiing accident forced him to live it.

Dr. Seth Serxner, a leading expert in health literacy and workplace wellness, went from running six miles a day to fighting his way back from a devastating crash and life-threatening injuries.

In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Seth and I talk about what happens when a wellness expert becomes the patient—why self-advocacy matters, what recovery really takes, and whether it truly takes a crisis to change your health.

Kay Takeaways

• You have to advocate for yourself, even if you're receiving great care. Details matter and care is complicated. And, when you're really sick, you may not be in a position to process information or make decisions clearly. So have an advocate, someone who can ask questions and think on your behalf.
• Speak up about whether you're truly ready to be discharged. Just because the medical team says you're ready doesn't always mean that you are. Being ready means you have a clear plan regarding who your medical team will be when you get home, what support you'll need from family or caregivers, and knowing what equipment you may need at home to be safe.
• Be adherent to your treatment plan. Don't blindly following medical advice, but if a plan makes sense to you, then you own it. Recovery often depends on what you do after you leave the hospital.
• Real behavior change starts with purpose. Finding your purpose is often as simple as answering the question, "why should I even bother?" Surround that purpose with connection and a positive outlook.

Links

Seth's book: The Wellbeing Effect: Bite-Sized Practices for Busy People to Lead Happier, Healthier Lives

Seth's podcast: :Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast

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