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Episode 87 Our Guest: Stran Smith 2025 'Draft Pick' for Abbott HeartMates Program
Stran is a legendary tie-down roping cowboy from Childress, Texas. He competed professionally for over 20 years, appearing 11 times at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and won the PRCA World Championship in 2008. In 2025 he was inducted into the rodeo Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Stran shares his incredible journey from being a professional cowboy to overcoming a life-altering stroke. He discusses the challenges of co-authoring a book, his involvement with the Abbott HeartMates Program and the importance of community support during any type of heart or health related recovery. Stran emphasizes the significance of connection and encouragement for stroke survivors and highlights the HeartMates program as a vital resource for those facing similar challenges. His story is one of resilience, purpose, and the unwavering belief that there is hope and light ahead if you don’t give up.

More on his stroke: At age 32 he suffered a stroke caused by a previously undetected patent foramen ovale (PFO)—a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart. Doctors initially told him he’d likely never ride again. He underwent PFO closure using the Abbott Amplatzer Occluder, which enabled his remarkable return to competition and eventual world championship.

Abbott HeartMates: In May 2025, Abbott introduced Stran as one of its newest “HeartMates”—heart health champions who share inspiring stories of recovery and resilience. Learn more about Abbott's HeartMates Program and community. https://www.abbott.com/heartmates.html

We cover how Stran got involved with HeartMates, what it means to him to be recognized in this year's "draft class" and connect with other HeartMates including Tedy Bruschi and Damar Hamlin and his message to others who may currently be facing health challenges. Finally we discuss his latest accomplishment since retiring from rodeo. He’s co-authored a bestselling leadership book, A Colonel & A Cowboy: Strategies of the Elite which we cover in this episode. Follow Stran on Instagram @stransmithofficial

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Show credits:
Music intro credit to Jake Dansereau. Our intro welcome is the voice of Caroline Goggin, a stroke survivor and our first podcast guest! Please listen to her inspiring story on Episode 2 of the podcast.

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In this episode, Dr. Jennifaye V. Brown shares her journey into neuro-physical therapy, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and the role of movement in recovery. She discusses her specialization in AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses) and how they can be tailored to individual needs. Dr. Brown highlights the significance of empowering patients through education and the benefits of aquatic therapy for stroke survivors. She also addresses the balance between using AFOs and maintaining muscle recovery, and shares her vision for future innovations in therapy, including the development of an app to enhance patient engagement and education.

Takeaways

• Dr. Brown's journey into neuro-PT was inspired by her family background.
• Walking is a fundamental and accessible form of exercise.
• AFOs should be customized to fit individual needs and lifestyles.
• Patient empowerment is crucial in the recovery process.
• Aquatic therapy offers unique benefits for stroke survivors.
• Communication between therapists and patients is essential for effective care.
• Therapists should focus on teaching patients how to maintain their health long-term.
• Regular assessments and adjustments to AFOs are necessary as patients progress.
• Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of movement science in therapy.
• Future innovations in therapy could include technology to enhance patient education.

Author: Brace Yourself: Everything You Need to Know About AFOs After Stroke

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Thank you for helping us to continue to make great content. We appreciate your generosity!

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Show credits:
Music intro credit to Jake Dansereau. Our intro welcome is the voice of Caroline Goggin, a stroke survivor and our first podcast guest! Please listen to her inspiring story on Episode 2 of the podcast.

Connect with Us and Share our Show on Social:
Website | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Substack

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Episode 85: Empowering Stroke Recovery Through Data and Technology Enabled Solutions with Rory Polera

Rory first joined us on the Know Stroke Podcast (March 2024 Episode 69). A lot of highs and lows have passed in Rory’s recovery since that episode aired and we wanted to share his lessons learned ‘After the Pod’.

David will also be taking a deeper dive into Rory’s story in his upcoming new book Closure After Stroke.

In this conversation, stroke survivors David Dansereau and Rory Polera discuss the journey of stroke recovery, emphasizing the importance of personal experiences, data-driven insights, and the role of technology in rehabilitation.

Tip: Watch this full episode on our YouTube Channel for slide deck.

Rory shares his personal timeline, the challenges he faced, and the tools he used to navigate his recovery. They explore the rising rates of strokes in young adults, the significance of mental health, nutrition, and community support in recovery, and the potential for technology-enabled solutions to enhance stroke rehabilitation outcomes and long term surveillance for secondary prevention.

The discussion highlights the need for greater awareness and accessibility of tech enabled recovery tools for stroke survivors.

• You don't have to be an engineer or physical therapist to recover from a stroke.
• Conducting an ethnography of oneself can aid recovery.
• Young stroke occurrence rates are rising alarmingly and we need to explore new recovery pathways that resonate with their unique nee

Support Our Show!
Thank you for helping us to continue to make great content. We appreciate your generosity!

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Show credits:
Music intro credit to Jake Dansereau. Our intro welcome is the voice of Caroline Goggin, a stroke survivor and our first podcast guest! Please listen to her inspiring story on Episode 2 of the podcast.

Connect with Us and Share our Show on Social:
Website | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Substack

Know Stroke Podcast Disclaimer:
Our podcast and media advertising services are for informational purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Get Our Podcast News Updates on Substack