A heart transplant at 44 could have ended Mark Durante’s story, but it became the start of something far bigger. I had the chance to sit down with Mark, who went from facing end-of-life decisions to building a company focused on regenerative medicine and helping others heal in new ways. His journey through heart failure, recovery, and innovation shows what can happen when you stay curious and take action even in the hardest moments.
You will hear how Mark rebuilt his life after transplant, why he believes the body can heal itself with the right support, and how regenerative medicine is changing the future of healthcare. We also explore entrepreneurship, discipline, and why being your own advocate matters more than ever. I believe you will find this conversation both inspiring and practical as you think about your own health, mindset, and what it means to truly live unstoppable.
Highlights:
00:10 Discover how a life-threatening diagnosis sparked a whole new path
13:19 Learn why waiting too long can hold you back from real growth
27:47 Hear how a routine check uncovered something far more serious
30:00 Experience what it’s like to face a life-or-death decision
40:59 Find out what finally helped him reclaim his life and function
1:03:48 Understand why taking action is the difference maker in success
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About the Guest:
Mark Durante is the founder and CEO of Rize Up Medical, a company dedicated to empowering medical practitioners to incorporate cutting-edge regenerative therapies into their practices, enhancing patient care and transforming lives. Mark helps practitioners identify and integrate innovative biologic products into their practices, focusing on delivering exceptional patient outcomes while maximizing profitability.
Mark's journey began when he experienced a debilitating health crisis, culminating in a life-saving heart transplant. While grateful for a second chance, he found himself battling relentless pain caused by severe neuropathy. The turning point came when he discovered the transformative power of regenerative medicine, experiencing firsthand its ability to alleviate pain and restore functionality.
Through his journey, Mark developed a unique approach to help medical practitioners integrate these cutting-edge therapies into their practices through the RIZE Method, a framework that focuses on recognizing potential, innovating solutions, zeroing in on implementation, and educating for sustainable success.
Ways to connect with Mark:
https://www.rizeupmedical.com/https://www.instagram.com/rizeupmedical/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-durante/
About the Host:
Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.
Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/
https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/
accessiBe Links
https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe
https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/
https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/
Thanks for listening!
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