Former professional wakeboarder Brad Smeele was living an adrenaline fueled life, travelling the world and pushing the boundaries of his sport, until a devastating wakeboarding accident left him a C4 Quadriplegic.

A raw and open conversation about the realities that often sit behind the inspirational headlines. Exploring grief, identity, masculinity, mental health, relationships, carers, accessibility, Disability Schemes and the difficult process of accepting a life you never expected to live.

Brad also discusses his memoir, Owning It: The Ride That Changed My Life, the determination required to write his story and how he eventually began rebuilding a sense of happiness, purpose and control.

This is not simply a story about “overcoming” disability. It is a genuine conversation about confronting your darkest moments, adapting without losing yourself and taking ownership of the life that remains in front of you.

Whether you live with disability, support someone who does, or are navigating your own major life change, Brad’s perspective will challenge how you think about resilience, acceptance and what it means to truly own your life.

Want to become a Keep Rolling Patron and help further support the channel, hit the Patreon link below and Roll with the Squad! https://www.patreon.com/street_rolling_cheetah

Add, Follow or Contact Brad Smeele
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradsmeele/?hl=en

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Email: streetrollingcheetah@gmail.com
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Face book: https://www.facebook.com/StreetRollingCheetah/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-briggs-77b867100/

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:47) Sponsors: Culture Connex and Permobil

(00:03:55) Welcome Brad Smeele

(00:05:20) Home on an Auckland Lifestyle Block

(00:07:46) Writing A Book To Reflect on Life

(00:09:42) Wakeboarding or Hockey?

(00:15:50) Winter Training

(00:18:07) Winning World Champs and NBDs

(00:28:56) The Trick That Changed Everything

(00:33:00) The Crash and Chaos

(00:37:03) Orlando ICU, Hallucinations and Ventilator

(00:41:26) Flatlining in Front of Mum

(00:48:04) From Suing Sponsors to Credit Card Loophole

(00:54:15) A C4 Injury and Impact on Life

(01:09:46) Online Trolls, Dark Humor and the X8 Chair

(01:15:51) Jet the Dog and Back in the Water

(01:23:43) Travel Costs and Why Good Caregivers Matter

(01:28:18) Losing Control then Educating People

(01:35:16) Dating and Relationships Post Injury

(01:41:24) Three Steps and Writing a Book

(01:49:47) Vulnerability

(01:53:15) Neuralink, Cures and Quack Injections

(02:03:09) Financial Responsibility and Business

(02:05:36) Where to Find Brad, and Outro