Near Death Experience

prerecord: Recovering from a near death experience

Way to new world. New life concept - light over water.How did Michael claw his way from death to live after a near fatal accident?  Why did he choose to come back?  How has his life changed after experiencing  serious damage to his body? Michael is one of the most optimistic people I’ve interviewed.  Listen to his story and get inspired!

 

 

Show Summary

  • Segment 1: Learn how Michael Sandler recovered from 2 devastating accidents one which almost resulted in dying.  How did he keep himself alive?

  • Segment 2: What new abilities showed up for Michael as a result of his brush with death?

  • Segment 3: Get a sneak preview of Michael and Jessica Sandler’s upcoming books and videos

*

Blog post by our Guest

My Near Death Accident – A One Year Perspective

A year ago today I slipped and fell on a creek crossing, and lay dying on the rocks. I’d taken my last breath, was bleeding out internally, my vision grew dim, and the whole world was fading away. But I looked over at Jessica, freaked out by my side, and thought, I can’t die, NOT TODAY. I can’t die. I won’t die, I am NOT going to die. And so I fought to find my breath, or force myself to breathe. For the next hour, though I’d lose over half of my blood and be in the most grizzly pain of my life, unable to move, bones stabbing into me, and stuck half in a freezing cold creek, I fought to keep myself breathing. I focused on the sunlight above, and the love all around. And I said to myself, breathe in light,breathe out love.

On that day, I would have done ANYTHING to be where I am today. To be able to wake up next to my wife, to be pain free in a bed, to be able to breathe and know another yet another would follow.

Life really is all about perspective. When you think you’re going to die, even, or especially, the little things, seem like the most precious gifts in the world. Because they are. It’s just often hard to remember that. But having a bed to sleep in, or being able to sleep in a bed, and having family, pets or a loved one, and being able to put two, or even one foot on the ground in the morning, what precious gifts these are.

In a sense, though they really matter, all the rest are just details.

One year ago today. I can’t hardly believe it, and it leaves me scratching my head in disbelief. I’m walking, riding, swimming, and jogging again. My bone has healed, and though I’m still working on the soft tissue, I am strong…and amazingly, an inch taller to boot! I’m back coaching, and especially doing healing work with people now as a way to give back, and it feels great. I’ve written two more books (we’re still working on getting them out), nearly finished our next video series, and am miraculously still in our beautiful home, something that felt touch and go with the mountain of medical bills and me laid up on the couch.

But you know, it’s not about the doings, or the havings anymore, though I certainly like “accomplishing” and having nice things in my life and certainly invite them in. But it’s about the little things, or the not-so-little things. The loved ones who are still around. The time I have to sit and meditate in silence in the morning. The ability to move pain free. And the hope I have for the future. When you’re broken, when you’re really down and out, it’s so hard to have hope. And yet, that’s when we need it most.

But then, that’s when it’s most important, to just focus on the breathe. There is ALWAYS a brighter tomorrow.

I always believed, everything in life happens for a reason.

Ultimately, it’s the love of Jessica, coupled with this hope and faith for the future, that carried me through.

And so, I give thanks on this weird, wonderful, and beautiful day, for all that happened, all that’s still occurring, and all that will transpire. It truly is a miracle to be here today, and to see what tomorrow will bring. But for today, I’ll live in the now…which is really, quite, miraculously perfect. I’m not sure I would have believed it a year ago, as I lay bleeding out or in on the rocks. But I am still here.

I leave with these words, which I managed to “sing” to myself through forced breaths, trying to keep myself smiling and alive, just before the EMT’s arrived…thank you Jimmy Cliff:

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshinin’ day.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day.

Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone.
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshinin’ day.

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies.
Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Here’s the rainbow I’ve been praying for.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshinin’ day.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshinin’ day.
Real, real, real, real bright, bright, sunshinin’ day.
Yeah, hey, it’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshinin’ day.

About our Guest

sandlerMichael Sandler 

Chief Wellness Officer, Barefoot Running & Walking Coach, Motivational Speaker

Michael Sandler, former speed skater and professional level cyclist, suffered multiple injuries over the course of a lifetime, the last of which occurred just over 3 years ago. Weeks before a planned inline skating world record attempt across the country (LA to NYC) to raise awareness around ADD/ADHD, Michael experienced a life altering accident. While inline skating down Boulder Creek Trail, a father and toddler stepped in front of Michael’s path. To avoid a collision, Michael threw himself backwards and in mid-rotation, landed on concrete. The force of the impact resulted in a broken arm, broken hip and shattered femur. Doctors told him the usual story – he may not be able to keep his leg… he may not be able to walk again… he most definitely would never be able to run again. Fortunately, Michael doesn’t believe in limitations. He’ll be the first to tell you he doesn’t believe in the word, “Can’t.” Slowly but surely, through a combination of determination, meditation, trust in the universe and the power of nature, Michael became a walking miracle. In 2006, a week out of his living room hospital-bed, Michael set the record for finishing the Bolder Boulder 10K on crutches (and a broken arm). Two weeks later, Michael finished the Denver Half Marathon on crutches and became the only person to ever complete the half marathon on crutches. When he finally got off his crutches, Michael gradually worked himself into barefoot running. He was still being told he couldn’t run anymore, and with a ‘leg length discrepancy’ of over 10 millimeters, struggled to find balance and overcome nagging pain. Known as ‘Mr. Plantar Fasciitis’, as he needed custom orthotics just to walk across the living room floor, going barefoot was a major leap of faith. The first day, he ran 100 yards. Then he iced his feet for 2 days. The second time, he ran 200 yards. Then iced for another 2 days. And so it went. Today, Michael can be seen barefoot running up mountains. To Michael, barefoot running is not running at all. He says, “I don’t run anymore. I dance.” Get more info at: runbare.com

#barefoot running, barefoot, minimalist shoes, Michael Sandler, runbarre

As an Asian-American with 25 years in Corporate America AND an spiritual explorer, CJ is a bridge between science and spirit. Western and Eastern, as well as logical and intuitive, she seeks out ideas from seemingly opposite sides of an issue to help her audience plug into what’s unfolding on a global scale. From energy healers to surgeons, psychics to psychologists, and vegans to ranchers, her diverse guests reflect her commitment to engage, challenge, entertain and enlighten in every show.