Welcome back to Beautifully Broken, where healing meets high performance. In this episode, I sit down with Dean Hall—an inspiring adventurer whose story blends tragedy, survival, and extraordinary feats. Dean’s life was upended by the sudden loss of his wife and a severe cancer diagnosis. Instead of surrendering, he swam the entire 187‑mile length of Oregon’s Willamette River, while living with active cancer. That grueling, frigid journey led to a radical remission—one medicine declared impossible.
Dean then turned to forest bathing—walking and sleeping under ancient trees—to heal physically and emotionally. Through intentionally connecting with nature, including ice‑bath practice, he not only restored his body but resurrected his spirit. His path reframes traditional psychology around "BioWild," a nature‑rooted approach emphasizing flow, recharge, and giving from abundance. It’s a story of resilience, purpose, and honoring your body’s intelligence. Tune in for lessons on mindset, radical ownership of your health, and how to find healing in wild places.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Dean’s life-changing swim and the shocking moment his leukemia seemingly vanished
[02:16] - Holding two world records and the physical toll of cold, open water endurance swims
[05:14] - The technique behind “total immersion” swimming and the deeper mindset required
[10:23] - Losing his wife to a brain tumor and the raw truth about navigating profound grief
[22:08] - Moving back to Oregon, rediscovering purpose, and a sixth-grade journal that sparked the dream
[30:45] - Rebuilding from rock bottom—Dean’s first swim back and the power of momentum
[36:10] - The unexpected hero: Dean’s 79-year-old dad joins him for the 187-mile river journey
[51:26] - Radical remission: the first blood test results that stunned Dean’s oncologist
[58:08] - Healing in the forest: how nature, solitude, and emotion unlocked true recovery
[1:08:13] - Introducing “BioWild Psychology”—Dean’s nature-based model for lasting mental and emotional health
[1:15:10] - A message for anyone facing illness: reclaim your identity and be your own advocate
Links & Resources:
Dean’s Website: https://www.thewildcureway.com/
“The Wild Cure” book: https://www.thewildcureway.com/books
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