110. COVID, Concussion, & Brain Tumor: A Story of Hope, Identity, and Healing with Andy Ellison

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The Concussion Coach

Bethany Lewis

112 episodes

4 days ago

Concussion Coach Bethany Lewis loves sharing uplifting and helpful information for those struggling with Post Concussion Syndrome. Her goal is to increase awareness of concussions and the impact they can have on a person’s life, and to bring hope to people who have suffered a concussion and those who love them. sharing stories and knowledge about concussions will bring important light and understanding to this misunderstood and often-invisible injury. This podcast was previously called Life Inspired Coach.

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Self-Improvement

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110. COVID, Concussion, & Brain Tumor: A Story of Hope, Identity, and Healing with Andy Ellison

The Concussion Coach

56 minutes 47 seconds

4 weeks ago

110. COVID, Concussion, & Brain Tumor: A Story of Hope, Identity, and Healing with Andy Ellison

Podcast Summary:

Bethany Lewis welcomes Andy Ellison to the Concussion Coach Podcast to share his profound journey with brain injury. A Colorado native, he has an impressive background in finance, having co-founded and served as CEO of Mountain View Bank of Commerce for 16 years before it was sold. He is now the CFO of the Boone Heart Institute.

Andy begins his story by recounting how a seemingly minor concussion in April 2021, sustained by walking into a doorframe, led to debilitating symptoms like an inability to look at screens, severe fatigue, and light and noise sensitivity.

A CT scan ordered by his doctor revealed an unexpected and incidental finding: a brain tumor in his left ventricle. This shocking diagnosis began a multi-year journey of monitoring the tumor.

The conversation delves into the challenges Andy faced in his high-level career, including how he navigated telling his employer and colleagues, and the blessing in disguise of learning to delegate. He shares powerful insights on:

Managing Identity: Using the "just behave" theory to handle frustration and the concept of separating his life into "before" and "after" to stop comparing himself to his old self.
The Power of Gratitude: Actively practicing gratitude to reframe difficult situations.
Advice for Caregivers: The importance of believing the person with the injury and separating frustration with the situation from feelings toward the caregiver.
Using Humor: He even shares his "brain tumor card" as a lighthearted way to explain cognitive hiccups.
Maintaining Hope: He references the "Stockdale Paradox"—confronting the brutal reality of your situation while maintaining unwavering faith that you will prevail in the end.

Andy candidly discusses the symptoms he still manages today, including an inability to watch videos, bad days that require adjusted expectations, and ongoing fatigue. He ends with a powerful reason for sharing his story: to stop hiding his struggles and to offer himself as a resource and role model for others on a similar path.

Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Brainwaves App: Brainwave: 37 Binaural Series App Andy uses for relaxation and symptom management. (Note: This is a popular app; link provided for reference.)
The "Gap and the Gain" Concept: From the book by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Focus on how far you've come (the gain) rather than how far you are from your goal (the gap).
The Stockdale Paradox: From Jim Collins' book "Good to Great." The concept of retaining faith that you will prevail in the end, while simultaneously confronting the most brutal facts of your current reality.
Ram Dass: A spiritual teacher and author who spoke about his own transformative experience after a stroke. Andy referenced his idea of dividing life into "before and after."
Cognitive FX: The clinic where Andy underwent intensive therapy and received the fMRI that showed his tumor was growing. https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/
Bethany's Free Guide: "The 5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion." Download at www.theconcussioncoach.com.
Concussion Coaching: Bethany's program for one-on-one mentorship through concussion recovery. Sign up for a free consultation at www.theconcussioncoach.com.

Connect with Andy Ellison:Andy has generously offered to be a resource and help others find role models on their recovery journey. You can reach him via email at: ellisonandy@msn.com

Connect with Bethany & The Concussion Coach Podcast:

Website: www.theconcussioncoach.com
Sign up for a Free Consultation: www.theconcussioncoach.com
Download the Free Guide for Loved Ones: www.theconcussioncoach.com

Thank you for listening! If this episode brought you hope or insight, please help us spread the word by rating, reviewing, and subscribing to The Concussion Coach Podcast.