đEmbrace MORE Today, Without Waiting for the Storm
Psychedelic-Powered Personal and Professional Development đ Unlock MORE in Your Life and Career with a Rewired Brain and Body đ
Welcome back to "The Microdose Diet" newsletter, where success, passion, and happiness converge to elevate your life and career. I'm Peggy Van de Plassche, and after two decades in the financial services and tech industries, I discovered the transformative power of mushrooms for mental wellness and peak performance. This revelation led to the creation of "The Microdose Diet" protocol, a game-changer for personal and professional growth. Dive in to explore more!
What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? If you stared death straight in the face and said, âNot todayâ? Itâs a powerful thought weâve all wondered about, but my philosophy encourages us not to wait for such life-altering moments to start wanting MORE. More love, more success, more passion, more happiness.
In this episode of The Microdose Diet podcast, my guest Jeff Dennis shares his extraordinary journey of survival after a near-death experienceâa stroke on his 65th birthday. Jeffâs story is a powerful reminder that we donât need to wait for a big ordeal to strive for MORE. His miraculous recovery and newfound perspective on life serve as an inspiring testament to embracing each day with intention, resilience, and gratitude. So, why wait for the storm? The time to seek MORE in life is now.
â°The Moment That Changed Everything
Jeffâs story is extraordinary. On June 3, 2023, the day of his 65th birthday, Jeff suffered a stroke. In an instant, everything changed. He underwent brain surgery, slipped into a coma for two weeks, and spent a total of 10 weeks in two different hospitals. His family was in a state of shock, unsure of what the future would hold. Would he wake up? Would he ever be the same? These are the questions that loom large in such moments of uncertainty. But Jeffâs story isnât just about survival; itâs about resilience, determination, and the kind of miraculous recovery that leaves you forever changed.
đThe Power of Gratitude and Perspective
When Jeff came out of his coma, he didnât remember much from his time in critical care. For him, it was a blank slate. But as he began to regain awareness, he realized something profound: he had been given a second chance. And with that came a deep sense of gratitude, not just for surviving, but for the life he still had ahead of him.
âI have a new lease on life,â Jeff told me during our conversation. He spoke about the challenges of recovery, from being in a wheelchair when he first left Sunnybrook Hospital to walking out of Bridgepoint four weeks later on his own. His transformation was nothing short of remarkable, and even the medical staff were astonished by his progress. âThe nurses at the hospital used to come and touch me for good luck and then go buy lottery tickets,â he joked. But behind that humor was an undeniable truthâJeff had defied the odds, and he wasnât taking that for granted.
đȘDedication to Recovery: A Lesson in Focus and Commitment
One of the most moving parts of Jeffâs story is how he approached his recovery. From the moment he arrived at Bridgepoint, he dedicated himself to his rehab program with laser focus. Every day was a step closer to reclaiming his health. He participated in intensive rehabilitation, working with a team of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists to rebuild his strength and mobility. âI treated my rehab like it was my job,â he said. âThatâs part of my nature, to be very focused and dedicated. And I think that helped a lot.â
But Jeffâs recovery wasnât just physical. There was an emotional and mental transformation happening as well. When I asked him about his outlook on life after such a life-altering experience, his response was heartfelt. âIâm more appreciative,â he said. âIâm very grateful for my health, my family, and the support they provided me through this whole ordeal. Iâve always valued those things, but going through something like this really deepens that appreciation.â
đ§ĄEmbracing MORE in Life: Health, Connection, and Purpose
Jeff's journey wasnât just about getting back to normalâit was about learning to live MORE fully. He talked about how his near-death experience made him more attuned to the small things in life, like going for a walk every morning with his wife, rain or shine. This daily ritual, which started as part of his rehabilitation, has now become a cherished part of his routine. âEvery morning, my wife and I go for an hour-long walk,â he shared. âWe started with just 15 minutes at Bridgepoint, and over time, itâs grown. Weâve been doing this for almost a year and a half now, no matter the weather. Itâs a commitment to health, to being present, and to living.â
Jeffâs recovery also sparked a deeper commitment to a healthy lifestyle. âIâm like a monk now,â he laughed. He no longer drinks alcohol, sticks to a balanced diet, and even hired a personal trainer to help him stay fit. His dedication to maintaining his health is rooted in a desire to avoid a recurrence of the stroke, but itâs also about making the most of the life heâs been given. âI take my health seriously now. I follow all the protocols, I exercise regularly, and I make sure to take care of myself.â
đ§âđŒConfidence in Career: The Role of Work in Recovery
Jeffâs stroke and recovery journey didnât just impact his personal lifeâit reshaped his approach to his career. While recovering, he faced a moment of doubt when doctors tested him for potential brain damageâstandard protocol for stroke survivors. The tests made him anxious, but instead of letting that fear control him, Jeff decided to jump back into work while still in the hospital. âThe phone started ringing with work-related calls, and I decided to take them,â he said. âI wanted to see if I could still do it. And you know what? I could. That gave me so much confidence. It helped me feel like myself again.â
Jeff's ability to merge his personal and professional lives with such resilience is nothing short of inspiring. His work as a senior advisor at Fasken, where he helps guide entrepreneurs from startup to exit, hasnât slowed down one bit. In fact, heâs more energized than ever. âIâve always had a good work-life balance, but now I work from home, which makes it easier to attend medical appointments and continue my recovery. And honestly, I like it. Iâm busyâmy days are filled with calls and meetingsâbut Iâm more mindful of how I spend my time.â
đ©ââïžReinventing Business: Launching a New Venture with Purpose
And as if surviving a stroke and making a miraculous recovery wasnât enough, Jeff also launched a business during the pandemic. His startup, Alt Health, is a social media platform for the health and wellness space, offering a unique blend of community support and e-commerce. âItâs kind of like Facebook meets Amazon,â he explained. âWe have channels for different health topics, and a marketplace for products that align with those communities. Itâs a way for people to share knowledge and access products that can help them live healthier lives.â
Alt Health even has a feature inspired by Jeffâs daughter, a chiropractor, who wanted a way to recommend products to her patients and get compensated for it. âWe created customizable e-commerce stores for practitioners like her,â Jeff said. âNow they can have their own online store and recommend products to their clients. Itâs all part of creating a decentralized sales force where everyone in the community benefits.â
âLessons from Jeff: Embracing MORE in Life
Jeffâs story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the potential for MORE in life, even when weâre faced with unimaginable challenges. His journey from the brink of death to living a more fulfilling, healthy, and purposeful life is a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and gratitude.
As I reflect on our conversation, Iâm reminded of the importance of seizing the moment and living each day with intention. Jeffâs story is an inspiration to us allâwhether weâve faced a near-death experience or are simply navigating the daily challenges of life. We all have the opportunity to embrace MORE in our livesâmore health, more happiness, more connection, and more purpose.
So, what would you do with a second chance at life? How would you live if you knew every day was a gift? Jeffâs story reminds us to take that leap, to live with gratitude, and to always strive for MORE.
Interested in getting MORE in your life, now, without waiting for a life-altering moment? Check out my book MORE! The Microdose Diet, microdosing product, coaching services, online courses and speaking engagements.
With love and MORE!
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đ About The Microdose Diet
I'm Peggy Van de Plassche, a former banker and VC with 20 years in financial services and technology. "The Microdose Diet" combines alternative medicines like microdosing psilocybin for personal and professional growth.
Interested by my philosophy? Looking for a turnkey guide to transformation?
đ€Work with me for 90 days, for one-on-one, or group coaching.
đ€Hire me for a workshop or a keynote on âMicrodosing for Personal and Professional Developmentâ.
đOrder my book, "MORE! The Microdose Diet, the 90 Day Plan for More Success, Passion, and Happiness," available on Amazon and Indigo.
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