Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat

Ed Jackson - How a Career-Ending Spinal Injury Led to Unprecedented Triumph

August 07, 2021 Mo Gawdat and Ed Jackson Episode 151
Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat
Ed Jackson - How a Career-Ending Spinal Injury Led to Unprecedented Triumph
Show Notes

Today’s guest is Ed Jackson, who blows me away with his wisdom and resilience.

Ed is a former professional Rugby player whose sports career was thriving. In April 2017, after diving into the shallow end of a swimming pool, Ed broke his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors said that he would never walk again, but through sheer determination and intensive rehabilitation, Ed began reaching the summits of mountains within a year of his operation. Ed inspires others to overcome their fears and details how goals are achievable no matter how impossible they may seem.

Ed’s life altering experience has provided him with an extraordinary ability to motivate, and I know you’ll feel that nothing is impossible after listening to him.

A note on the sound: Please forgive the occasional background noise on my side of the recording. I am on vacation in the Dominican Republic, so what you're hearing is wind, rustling trees, and occasional traffic. I wanted to be sure to get an episode out to you - just didn't realize how hard it'd be to find a quiet place with internet on this island! 

Listen as we discuss:

  • Ed's incredible story.
  • How he dived into the shallow end of a pool and was left functionally paralyzed.
  • What it felt like to be paralyzed, and finally be able to move a toe.
  • The perspective of gratitude that results from losing and regaining movement.
  • The fears Ed faced during recovery, and post-traumatic growth.
  • Ed's charity and his totally unexpected life right now.
  • Ed's new book, Lucky
  • Your life is in your hands.

Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com/podcast

Connect with Ed Jackson on Instagram @edjackson8, Facebook @edjackson8, Twitter @edjackson8, and his website, edjackson8.com.

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Sunday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

My new book, Scary Smart, is releasing September 30. Pre-order your copy here.

YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Tiktok: @mogawdat
X: @mgawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy