In this powerful episode of Coursen’s Corner, Spencer Coursen sits down with TEDx speaker and bestselling author Courtney Runyon, whose journey from neck-down paralysis to hiking 500 miles across Spain is nothing short of extraordinary. Together, they unpack the emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of healing—touching on relationships, identity loss, burnout, and redefining what it means to feel safe.

Courtney reveals how she transformed trauma into triumph, the difference between safety and security, and why resilient women often struggle with protecting themselves while excelling at protecting others. This conversation is a masterclass in somatic healing, nervous system regulation, and how to rewrite the story you tell about your life.

Timestamps:

- [00:00 - 04:28] – Opening reflections: relationships and health connection

- [04:28 - 08:56] – Courtney’s rare autoimmune diagnosis (CIDP)

- [08:56 - 13:24] – Resistance to medication & finding inner strength

- [13:24 - 17:52] – A breakup sparks physical recovery

- [17:52 - 22:24] – Self-sabotage in men and women: success, safety, stability

- [22:24 - 26:52] – Redefining security: it’s more than just physical

- [26:52 - 31:23] – Rehab, learning to walk again, and retraining the body

- [31:23 - 35:52] – Near-death relationship wake-up call

- [35:52 - 40:20] – Women and protection: confident for others, unsure for self

- [40:20 - 44:52] – Key lessons from facing death

- [44:52 - 49:56] – Somatic tools & mindset shifts for resilience

- [49:56 - 54:52] – The cost of chronic burnout

- [54:52 - 59:56] – Letting go of who you thought you had to be

- [59:56 - 01:05:00] – What is happiness? Redefining fulfillment

- [01:05:00 - 01:09:00] – “How you do one thing is how you do everything”

Links & Resources:

Visit Courtney's Website: https://www.courtneyrunyon.com/

Follow Courtney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicortlife

Follow Courtney on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unicortlife

https://www.linkedin.com/in/unicortlife/

Subscribe to Courtney's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@courtneyrunyonunicort

Follow Courtney on SubStack: https://substack.com/@unicortlife

Podcast Guest Submission Form: https://www.spencercoursen.com/guest-submission-form-podcast

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