Podcast Summary: This Is Actually Happening – Episode 389: What if you were crushed by 10,000 pounds of stone? [Rebroadcast Ep274]
Overview:
This episode features the harrowing and inspiring story of Mike Wolo, who survived being crushed by 10,000 pounds of granite in a workplace accident. Mike recounts his early life as a “small guy” always needing to prove himself, the moments leading up to the accident, his struggle for survival and intense recovery, and how the ordeal transformed his outlook on identity, self-worth, and life’s possibilities.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
Mike’s Early Life and the Need to Prove Himself
- Family background: Third of five boys in a tight-knit Sicilian-American family in Boston; always considered himself the “runt” and felt pressure to demonstrate his strength and capability despite his size.
- "My mom was a small-framed little Sicilian woman who could cook like no other. I was her favorite... mostly because I resembled her dad.” – Mike (03:15)
- Experience as an athlete: Early love for football, ongoing battles with insecurity about height, and a formative disappointment after being sidelined in high school football despite strong performances.
- “Being insecure of your height... nothing takes you down a notch more than feeling that you’re a short person in a tall world.” – Mike (06:47)
The Fateful Day
- Reluctance to help: Mike describes his unease about volunteering to help unload granite slabs at a friend’s business. He highlights awareness of the danger and lack of training but feels obligated due to personal relationships.
- Poor safety conditions: Detailed descriptions of the rusted shipping container and unsafe unloading procedures with an unfamiliar crane operator.
- “We’re all just looking at each other going, where the hell did you pull that out of? Like, we just couldn’t believe they would show up with such a container.” – Mike (13:26)
- Sudden, silent disaster: The massive bundle of granite silently falls toward him while he’s inside the container, pinning his head.
- “All I can remember is just run... I made it just barely five feet... it collapsed and pinned my head by my temple up against the other bundle of stone and crushed my head up against it.” (15:21)
- “The whole tractor trailer went up on its side and then slowly fell back down to the ground... nearly £10,000 falling over. The impact noise itself must have echoed for miles. I felt no pain. I don’t recollect that moment.” (15:45)
Near-Death & Rescue
- Immediate aftermath: The chaotic scene as coworkers and bystanders attempt to lift the stone, facing a crane operator’s hesitation and then eventual intervention to free Mike.
- Critical injury: Mike is left with his head crushed, skull exposed, and catastrophic blood loss.
- Transport & survival: Airlifted to a trauma center with almost no chance of survival—holding on with only three pints of blood.
Hospital Ordeal and Hallucinations
- Initial awakening: Mike’s earliest memory is a near-death dream of seeing a deceased friend. Upon waking, his family is told to prepare for the worst.
- “My brother John says to me, 'Mike, squeeze my hand once for yes, two for no, if you understand what I’m saying.' So I clench his hand, squeeze it tight once...” (18:53)
- Sensory overload and pain: Overstimulated by lights and noise, experiencing searing pain.
- Family’s vigilance and protection: Family and hospital staff keep mirrors away from him to prevent trauma from seeing his face.
- Hallucinations and fear: Morphine-induced nightmares, delusions that nurses and staff are “zombies” after hearing “Night of the Living Dead” on the radio. (27:13)
- Mother’s determination: Mike’s mother stays at his bedside for nearly two weeks, refusing to leave.
- “She looked at my dad and my brothers and said, when you go home, bring me some spirit clothes and some toiletries. And my mother slept on a chair for almost two weeks, helping, taking care of every need of mine. And she saved me.” (30:08)
Facing His Reflection and Despair
- First look: After several weeks, Mike sneaks to the bathroom to see his face, triggering despair about his future, potential for relationships, and belief that “everything was over” for him.
- “I enter the bathroom and I finally look in the mirror and all I can think of is the horror... I kind of just felt dead.” (36:52)
- “Before the accident, I always assumed that someday I’d meet the right girl and grow old together, have a family to raise... looking in the mirror, I assumed all that was out the door.” (38:55)
- Determination to recover: Overcome with guilt for his family’s suffering, he becomes driven to prove doctors wrong and speed his own recovery.
The Recovery Journey: Physical & Psychological
- Rapid physical healing: Doctors are amazed at recovery speed; reconstructive surgeries use 110 titanium screws and 20 plates.
- Permanent changes, lingering anxiety: Despite reconstructive improvements, struggles with agoraphobia and PTSD; avoids public spaces due to stares and mental health struggles.
- “Now, unfortunately, mentally, I’m now dealing with new issues. Anxiety, depression, and now fear of leaving my safety zone.” (44:17)
- Distrust and legal battles: Ongoing anxiety made worse by being trailed by private investigators during legal wrangling over his accident.
- Support systems: Family, friends, and, at first, his on-and-off partner “CeCe” serve as crucial pillars during his darkest moments.
Acceptance and Newfound Identity
- Therapy and self-acceptance: Years of therapy, self-help, and gradual exposure to social situations lead Mike to acceptance and confidence.
- Surprising realization: Discovery that his “unlucky” height actually saved his life:
- “My height actually saved my life... Mike, if you were any taller, that granite would have decapitated you. If you were any shorter, it would have crushed your brains. So I was literally the perfect height.” (48:56)
- Football redemption: Redeems high school regret by joining a semi-pro football team, fulfilling an old dream despite being twice the age of teammates and living with extensive facial reconstruction.
- “I end up playing for two full seasons and was able to hit a milestone, check off a dream that I never thought would ever come true.” (50:01)
Relationships and Building a New Life
- Finding love and family: Runs into his old neighbor’s sister, Becca; romance blossoms, leading to marriage and two children.
- “Two years later we were married. And you know, a year after that first son was born and two years later, second son’s born and life is amazing.” (51:08)
- Conclusion and gratitude: Mike ends with heartfelt thanks to the community who supported him, marveling at the transformation from despair to fulfillment.
- “I still find it amazing to this day that it took getting my head crushed to actually feel good about myself.” (53:20)
Memorable Quotes
- On self-worth and transformation:
- “Nothing could take me down... I still find it amazing to this day that it took getting my head crushed to actually feel good about myself.” – Mike (53:20)
- On gratitude for support:
- “I have to give out a shout out to AJ, David, their dad, Anthony, his mom... all the doctors and nurses, PTs, OTs, my friends and family, everybody who helped me get to where I am today. I thank them.” – Mike (53:01)
- On despair and renewal:
- “Looking in the mirror, I assumed all that was out the door. And how I regretted not doing something sooner in my life. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so stubborn.” – Mike (38:55)
Key Timestamps
- Mike’s childhood and struggle with size/insecurity: 03:00 – 09:20
- Day of the accident, dangerous workplace setup: 09:30 – 15:50
- Accident and rescue details: 15:50 – 18:15
- Near-death/hospital experience: 18:40 – 27:13
- Hallucinations and fear in recovery: 27:14 – 31:55
- Mother’s unwavering care: 30:07 – 31:30
- First look in the mirror, deepest despair: 36:52 – 39:14
- Determination to heal and surpass expectations: 40:15 – 46:20
- Legal battles, agoraphobia, psychological aftershocks: 46:21 – 49:30
- Redemption through football, new relationships: 49:31 – 51:08
- Reflection and final expressions of gratitude: 51:09 – 53:20
Tone & Language
Mike’s storytelling is direct, unembellished, and emotionally authentic. He moves seamlessly from gritty detail (“they said I start kicking, so like, okay, they knew they had me breathing again”) to moments of intensely personal reflection and humor. The narrative is raw yet ultimately uplifting, grounded in tough self-awareness and gratitude.
Conclusion
Mike Wolo’s journey from trauma to self-acceptance is a raw but inspiring story of overcoming devastating physical, emotional, and social challenges. His relentless drive to “prove everyone wrong,” his family’s steadfast support, and unexpected friendships led to redemption, a renewed sense of identity, and personal triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds.