035: Joy Through The Journey W/ AMBERLY LAGO, Survivor of 34 Surgeries

Bill interviews author, speaker, and mindset coach Amberly Lago, returning after a failed first recording, as she shares her story of surviving a Harley accident 16 years ago that left her with a shattered leg, severed femoral artery, a coma, and a 1% chance to save her leg. After 34 surgeries and a later diagnosis of incurable complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), she faced permanent-disability predictions, tried extensive medical treatments, and even requested amputation, which her doctor warned could worsen CRPS; his compassion helped her reframe her scars with gratitude. Lago describes resilience as choosing to move forward with joy, not “bouncing back,” emphasizing gratitude, radical honesty, clear vision, daily action steps, and not doing it alone. She discusses coaching others to find their “superpowers,” upcoming retreats, frequent speaking travel, and her Dallas-based podcast studio.

00:00 Welcome Back to Fortitude

01:11 Amberly’s 34 Surgeries

03:07 The Harley Crash

05:02 Coma and Amputation Call

07:04 CRPS Diagnosis Shock

08:39 Grit and Connection

10:36 Gratitude in the Hospital

13:01 When Pain Breaks You

15:44 Redefining Resilience

18:42 Don’t Do It Alone

20:18 Breakthrough Advice

22:51 Vision and Daily Steps

24:19 What’s Next for Amberly

25:57 Final Thanks and Wrap