I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
All content for Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee is the property of Kelly Renee and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
A Year Later: The Life-Changing Effects of My Spinal Surgery
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
15 minutes
1 month ago
A Year Later: The Life-Changing Effects of My Spinal Surgery
What if the cure for your pain could be worse than the pain itself? What if the very procedure meant to heal you could leave you with lifelong limitations?
That’s the crossroads Kelly Renee faced after a devastating car accident left her with crippling spinal injuries.
In this powerful episode of Fiercely Unfiltered, Kelly shares her journey through relentless pain, failed treatments, and the decision that changed everything: a multi-level disc replacement.
For over a year, Kelly tried everything: physical therapy, injections, acupuncture, and even training through pain as her body deteriorated. But nothing worked. When surgery became inevitable, she had to fight for the procedure she believed in, despite resistance from doctors.
Now, a year post-op, Kelly is pain-free, thriving, and stronger than ever. She reflects on the importance of advocating for yourself, choosing the right doctor, and never settling for less than full recovery. Kelly’s story is a reminder that healing takes courage, and sometimes, the hardest choice is the one that gives you your life back.
Key Takeaways
Pain teaches perspective. Living with daily pain reshapes how you view strength, resilience, and recovery.
Fight for the right care. Not all surgeries or doctors are the same, so advocating for yourself is essential.
Do not delay healing. Waiting too long can cause more damage and a harder recovery.
Fitness fuels recovery. Staying active before surgery can make a major difference in healing.
Courage is in the choice. Choosing surgery, despite the fear, opened the door to freedom and a new life.
In This Episode
[00:01] Kelly’s welcome and the one-year post-surgery milestone
[01:16] The car accident that changed everything
[02:13] Failed treatments, injections, and living with pain
[03:13] The toll pain takes on daily life
[04:11] Golf, fitness, and pushing through injury
[05:12] Choosing disc replacement over fusion
[06:04] Doctor selection & surgical options
[07:04] Why some doctors push fusion and how to fight for yourself
[09:09] The financial reality of a $200k surgery
[10:12] Facing surgery alone and the fear of long-term consequences
[11:11] How waiting too long made things worse
[12:09] Risk vs. reward: why surgery was worth it
[13:12] Recovery, winning a show, and life after surgery
[14:21] Final message: do not let fear stop you from fighting for a better life
Notable Quotes
[02:07] “I think it's crazy how something in your neck can affect your left arm not working. It was insane to me.” — Kelly Renee
[03:30] “Having the surgery is one of the best decisions I've made because I'm a year from it. And I'm pain-free.” — Kelly Renee
[03:49] “I give credit for these people who have pain and they don't have a solution for it, because I used to be like, how do you guys do all your stuff during the day in such pain?” — Kelly Renee
[13:55] “If anyone's scared about getting a procedure done that they need to make them have a better quality of life, just make sure you pick the right doctor.” — Kelly Renee
Resources and Links
Fiercely Unfiltered
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
Kelly Renee
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
