Survivor Science
Stroke recovery is brutal. It takes discipline, obsession, and endless hours of work. I’m Will Schmierer, a stroke survivor living with MS, and I’ve spent thousands of hours studying, testing, and living recovery. Not because I wanted to. Because I had to. Through Survivor Science, I share what I’ve learned through blood, sweat, and research. We dive into conversations with survivors and experts who’ve done the work. No shortcuts. No miracle cures. Just real science and strategies that drive recovery forward. Not because I wanted to master recovery. Because I had to. Let’s dig in.
Episodes
In episode 77 of Survivor Science, I sit down with stroke survivor, author, and coach Jan Burl to talk about her incredible journey of resilience and recovery. Jan shares her powerful story of surviving a severe hemorrhagic stroke, the challenges she faced in rebuilding her life, and how she found purpose through writing, coaching, and breathwork. From her early days of struggle to becoming a guiding voice for other...
In episode 76 of the Survivor Science podcast, I dig into one of the most common questions I hear from stroke survivors: how do you start a podcast or livestream to share your journey? Whether you’re a stroke survivor, a caregiver, or just someone curious about content creation, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to get started. I share insights from my experience as a podcaster, lessons learned f...
In episode 75 of the Survivor Science podcast, I dive into the realities of life after stroke and what we as survivors wish others understood. From the invisible challenges like fatigue and the mental load of recovery to the misconceptions that still linger, this conversation is about creating a deeper understanding. I share lessons from my own recovery journey and highlight insights from others in the stroke commun...
Welcome to 2025 and the first episode of the year! In this episode, I’m diving into the themes of responsibility and mindset in stroke recovery, inspired by Bill Gasiamis’s book, Stroke: The Best Thing That Happened to Me. One of the key takeaways I explore is the importance of avoiding rigid timelines in recovery to minimize frustration and disappointment. I also share my thoughts on how taking responsibility—while...
As 2024 wraps up, Survivor Science reflects on a year of significant growth and evolution. The rebranding from The Lovable Survivor Podcast to Survivor Science was a key milestone, aligning the platform more closely with its mission to support and connect stroke survivors. Conversations with guests like Bill Gasiamis and Jason Lopes brought valuable insights about recovery, resilience, and the importance of sharing ...
In this week's Survivor Science Soundbite, recorded on the Monday before Christmas, I reflect on five transformative years since my stroke on December 22, 2019. From navigating the early days of recovery to balancing progress with setbacks like MS, I share the challenges, milestones, and lessons learned along the way.
This episode explores the raw truth about recovery: it is relentless, unpredictable, and deeply...
In this episode of Survivor Science, Rachel Abbasi, host of the Recovery Daily Podcast, shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey through sobriety, stroke recovery, and life with an invisible disability. Rachel’s story highlights the power of resilience, community, and daily commitment to recovery.
Topics Covered:
Personal Health Journeys:
How sobriety laid the foundation for navigating stroke recovery.
Coping wi...
In this episode, we dive into Relentless by Tim Grover, a powerful book on the mindset of high performers like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, and connect its lessons to stroke recovery. Highlights include:
- The Three Archetypes: Coolers, Closers, and Cleaners—what they mean and how they align with stages of recovery.
- Embracing Discomfort: Why stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for breakthroughs.
- Consisten...
In this Soundbite, I’m wrapping up the week by diving deeper into the grind of recovery. From running to discipline to the power of showing rather than just telling, this episode focuses on the relentless effort required for progress. I reflect on my own journey from a wheelchair to running and the importance of sharing these moments to inspire and support fellow stroke survivors. Recovery is a grind, and it’s all a...
In this episode of Survivor Science Soundbites, I reflect on the realities of recovery from stroke and MS, sharing my personal journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Recovery is a grind. It takes discipline, consistent effort, and a willingness to reassess your goals as you go. I open up about the challenges I’ve faced, from ankle stiffness to wound healing, and how I’ve navigated these hurdles through ...
This episode wraps up our week exploring the ego paradox and how it impacts stroke recovery. Ego is tricky—it can push us to make great progress, but it can also hold us back when we get in our own way. Whether it’s the drive to keep going or the frustration of hitting limits, managing ego is an important part of the recovery journey.
I reflect on some personal moments this week, including a frustrating recording pro...
In this inaugural episode of Survivor Science—formerly The Lovable Survivor Podcast—I sit down with Jason "LionHeart" Lopes, a media coordinator for MMA organizations and an advocate for stroke survivors. Jason shares his journey of resilience after a cerebral stroke in 2015 left him with 75% impairment on his right side. Despite facing two additional strokes, Jason’s determination to rebuild his life and ...
In this week’s Survivor Science Soundbite #7, I dive into the "ego paradox" and how it impacts stroke recovery. Ego can be a powerful tool, fueling persistence and helping us push through plateaus, but it can also become a blocker, keeping us from asking for help or setting realistic goals.
Key topics include:
- How ego drives progress in stroke recovery or creates setbacks
- Strategies for using ego as a too...
In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, I reflect on the ups and downs of the recovery journey and why gratitude plays such an important role. From sharing personal updates about life as a stroke survivor and the relentless pursuit of progress to exploring inspiration from athletes and the lessons they teach about resilience, this episode dives into what fuels recovery—even when it’s hard.
I also talk about balancing safet...
In this week’s Survivor Science Soundbite #5, I delve into Good Energy by Casey and Callie Means. This holistic guide to health and wellness offers valuable insights for stroke survivors, covering topics from anti-inflammatory foods to daily habits like mindful movement and improved sleep. While some advice may seem ambitious, it's essential to view the book as a long-term resource rather than a checklist for i...
In this episode of The Lovable Survivor Podcast, I sit down with Keith Ellis, a medicinal chemist, associate professor, and founder of Science-Driven Supplements. With his extensive background in drug discovery and natural products, Keith brings unique insights into Long COVID recovery, combining rigorous science with practical solutions. We explore everything from cutting-edge research to accessible treatment appro...
In this Survivor Science Soundbite, I’m wrapping up the week with reflections on curiosity and its role in stroke recovery. As the host and writer, I’ve spent the week exploring how curiosity shapes resilience and growth, and this episode brings it all together. From engaging conversations with fellow survivors like Jason Lopes, who will be featured in a full episode in a couple of weeks, to sharing personal updates...
In Survivor Science Soundbite #3, I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind all weekend—curiosity. For me, curiosity might be the most powerful driver in my stroke recovery, pushing me to ask deeper questions, try new things, and shape a path that feels right for me. But is curiosity really the key to recovery, or is this just my own way through?
Join me as I explore why curiosity can shake things up, especial...
In this Survivor Science Soundbite, I’m following up on our discussion from Episode 1 about psychedelics and their potential role in stroke recovery. Earlier this week, we explored the emerging research on psilocybin, the active compound in ‘magic mushrooms,’ and its potential to support neuroplasticity, brain health, and resilience post-stroke.
Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned since that first dive, including in...
In this episode of The Lovable Survivor Podcast, I’m excited to sit down with Bill Gasiamis, stroke survivor and creator of the Recovery After Stroke podcast and YouTube channel. We dive deep into what it really takes to build resilience, how to navigate the day-to-day grind of post-stroke recovery, and the personal growth that emerges from facing life’s toughest challenges. Bill and I share the journey from our pre...
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