Podcast
A Big Heart
Hosted by Mike Papale · EN
A Big Heart is a podcast about living with heart disease. When Mike Papale was 17 years old he was seemingly healthy and being recruited to play basketball in college. On August 24, 2006, while working at a basketball camp, Mike slumped over and went into sudden cardiac arrest. There was no AED on site and doctors have said his chances of survival were one in a million. He was later diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Mike is currently the President & CEO of In A Heartbeat, a nonprofit organization with the mission to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest. This podcast will dissect the physical and emotional obstacles that a patient endures while living with heart disease. The goal is to help heart disease patients of all ages live a long and normal life!
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Advocating For Your Health
Jul 8, 202100:18:43Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we talk about the importance of advocating for your own health. This is an important topic for everyone, not just heart disease patients. It is important to take control of your health and your life. Your doctor should be your teammate and you should be working together so you can live a long and normal life!
Transcribe →Bob Smith - Aortic Stenosis & Open Heart Surgery
May 5, 202100:42:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we learn the lifelong heart journey of Bob Smith. Bob was born with severe Aortic Stenosis and needed an emergency valvuloplasty when he was two weeks old. In 2016, he had his Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta replaced which required an intense open heart surgery. Bob is an avid rock climber and is currently in some of the best shape of his life. He has great advice for all heart disease patients about how to get back to living a normal life.
Transcribe →Denise Redeker - Heart Transplant Survivor
Apr 30, 202100:40:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode we talk to Denise Redeker about her heart disease journey which started at a young age and ended up resulting in a heart transplant. Denise talks about all of the obstacles she has faced and her incredible recovery which has brought her to being an avid runner and hiker! Denise is also the founder of Heartfelt Help Foundation, a nonprofit organization which aims to assist transplant recipients afford the full scope of recovery expenses, including housing, transportation, and home health which are not covered by insurance. Heartfelt Help Foundation Web Site Heartfelt Help Foundation InstagramHeartfelt Help Foundation FacebookDenise Redeker on Instagram
Transcribe →Betty Neal & Alan Himelfarb - Starting Hearts
Apr 23, 202100:44:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode we talk with Betty Neal, a cardiac arrest survivor, and Alan Himelfarb, the Chairman & CEO of Starting Hearts, a nonprofit organization based in Colorado. We hear about Betty's incredible cardiac arrest survival story and her road to recovery. We also learn about how sudden cardiac arrest has had a profound impact on Alan's life and the incredible work Starting Hearts is doing to help save lives! Starting Hearts Web SiteStarting Hearts on InstagramStarting Hearts on FacebookStarting Hearts on Twitter
Transcribe →Brian Simpson - The Heart Attack Thriver
Apr 8, 202100:44:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode we talk to Brian Simpson. A few years ago, Brian survived a heart attack and he talks about his physical and mental journey to recovery. A great athlete, Brian has gotten himself back into great physical shape. What is more important though, is his mindset!Click here to learn more about Brian's work as a Life Coach.Click here to follow Brian on Instagram.
Transcribe →Mark Malekoff - Cardiac Arrest Survivor
Mar 18, 202100:39:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we talk with Mark Malekoff who went into sudden cardiac arrest on April 2, 2017. Mark was a high level hockey player and talks about his journey from the day of his cardiac arrest to where he is now. He has an incredible mindset and is a must listen for all!
Transcribe →Weight Gain & Confidence
Mar 8, 202100:23:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode I talk about how I struggled with weight gain following my cardiac arrest at age 17. I went from eating whatever I wanted and staying fit because of the amount of training I was doing, to eating whatever I wanted and not exercising at all. This led to me gaining a lot of weight and losing a lot of self confidence. I will discuss how I started to work out again, learned how to eat a balanced diet, and regained my self confidence.
Transcribe →Purpose
Mar 1, 202100:23:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we discuss losing a sport, activity, hobby, or anything else we are passionate about because of a heart disease diagnosis or a sudden cardiac arrest. My dream in life was to be a college basketball player. It was about to come true before my cardiac arrest and diagnosis when I was told I will never play basketball again. I discuss the feelings I had in that moment, my decision to stay around basketball in other ways, and how I learned that basketball was not my only purpose in life and did not define me.
Transcribe →Luke Ferraro - Long QT Syndrome Patient
Feb 22, 202100:25:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode we hear the inspiring story about Luke Ferraro. Luke is currently a college freshman and has been living with heart disease since he was in 4th grade. He shares the obstacles he has overcome on his journey living with heart disease.
Transcribe →About In A Heartbeat
Feb 14, 202100:22:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode we will discuss In A Heartbeat and our life saving mission. To learn more about In A Heartbeat, visit www.inaheartbeat.org.
Transcribe →