Podcast Summary: "We're All Insane"

Episode: Hit and Run Over 3 Times
Guest: Nassim Rochette
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Nassim Rochette, who shares the harrowing story of surviving being run over by a car three times in a single accident, with her husband witnessing the traumatic event. Nassim speaks candidly about the physical, emotional, and psychological aftermath, the process of recovery, and the profound personal growth that followed. Through her unfiltered storytelling, Nassim explores themes of vulnerability, community, acceptance, and reframing trauma as part of life's journey—offering both inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone struggling with difficult circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Accident: What Happened (00:00–08:10)

• Setting the Scene:
  Nassim recalls the details of May 21, 2018, describing it as a “great day” before the accident and emphasizing her positive state of mind.

  "I woke up, it was a Monday morning, and... Life was aligning." (00:47–01:53)

• Incident Description:
  While crossing a crosswalk, Nassim is struck by a car, which stops momentarily before driving over her, reversing, then driving over her again—totaling three times. Her husband witnesses the entire incident.
• Immediate Reactions:
  At first, Nassim is more concerned about being "black and blue" and late for dinner, believing herself to be unharmed. It's only after the car moves again that she recognizes the gravity of the situation.

  “I was actually standing there with the car against me thinking... I can’t believe she’s hitting me today. I’m having this great day.” (02:40)

• Near-Death Reflections:
  During the ordeal, Nassim experiences a sense of time slowing and enters an intense mental state, reflecting on her life, her children, and unspoken words to loved ones.

  “I started to have those end-of-life thoughts... I was 100% sure I was gonna die.” (05:20)

Processing Trauma & Finding Meaning (08:10–24:19)

• Pain and Disbelief:
  Nassim describes registering pain only once the car stops and the challenges of being pinned underneath, unable to move.
• Coping Mechanisms:
  She humorously fixates on trivial matters—her phone, her shoes, her skirt—a way of comforting herself amid chaos.

  “I was actually so ridiculous; I was even worried I was wearing a skirt that day... Is my ass showing to all of the firemen and policemen in South Orange?” (12:07)

• Physical Outcome:
  Despite the violence, Nassim suffers no broken bones, no skull fracture, and no internal bleeding—an outcome that astounds medical staff and herself.

  "The tires ran over me five times... I did not break a single bone.” (14:14)

• Community Response & Internal Guilt:
  Returning home, Nassim struggles with accepting help and feelings of undeservedness, even as friends and neighbors rally around her.

  “Every act of kindness was like a debt in my ledger...” (18:01)

• Letting People In:
  The realization that the accident affected everyone around her and that allowing others to help is also a way of helping them.

  “The accident didn't just happen to me. It happened to my husband and my kids and everyone that loved me… I needed to find a way to let them help me.” (19:05)

The Philosophy of Kintsugi & Embracing Imperfection (21:09–28:37)

• Therapy and New Perspectives:
  Nassim learns about Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, and adopts it as a metaphor for embracing her journey and scars.

  “The cracks in the vase make it more beautiful.” (21:42)

  • She celebrates her scars, once putting glitter on them instead of concealing them.
  • The family commemorates "Unbreakable Day" each year, reframing the anniversary as a triumph.
• Building Community through Vulnerability:
  By sharing her journey and struggles openly, Nassim finds that not only do relationships deepen, but those around her feel invited to share their own vulnerabilities.

  “When I started to tell people where I am... I could celebrate them when I made progress.” (24:28)

Navigating Recovery and the Long Road Back (28:27–31:35)

• Growth, Not Total Change:
  Nassim doesn't see herself as a completely different person but deeply values the growth forced by adversity. She discusses the incremental way she has integrated new perspectives.

  “I don’t know if it made me a completely different person, but I definitely feel lucky for having the experience to grow...” (28:27)

• Struggles with Depression and Anxiety:
  The emotional fallout is severe, prompting Nassim to seek therapy and begin medication. She becomes an advocate for mental health support.

  “That was also the beginning of my recognition... I can’t just think my way out of everything.” (38:28)

Reflections on Human Behavior & Expectations (41:12–47:32)

• Forgiveness and Letting Go:
  The driver never apologized, and Nassim comes to terms with this by recognizing that everyone operates from their own defenses and triggers.

  “Their own self-preservation kept them from showing up, kept them from apologizing, and that’s what they needed to do to keep going.” (42:29)

• On Accepting Help:
  She reframes vulnerability and accepting help as a dimension of strength—not weakness.

  “Letting people help, that’s something I learned...I look at accepting help now as actually a dimension of strength.” (45:11)

• Invisible Aftermath:
  The majority of Nassim's ongoing challenges, especially from her traumatic brain injury, are invisible to outsiders, a reminder not to judge by appearances.

  “No one looks at me and says, wow, she’s run over.” (59:03)

Practical and Emotional Recovery (46:19–62:39)

• Physical Milestones:
  Returns to work within a couple of months, though it's a difficult transition with new limitations. Honest sharing at work leads to strengthened professional relationships.

  “I got back to work and I forgot all of that. I tried to be the person I was before, but I wasn’t that person...” (46:30)

• Small Acts Matter:
  Nassim shares her affinity for butterflies as symbols of transformation and the ripple effect of small kindnesses.

  “Those small acts of kindness or appreciation have a really big effect.” (49:12)

• Communication Style & Supporting Others in Trauma:
  She recommends replacing well-intended but taxing questions like “How are you?” with statements of support for those in trauma.

  “When someone’s in trauma now, when I’m trying to show that I care, I’ll just say I’m thinking about you... Not ask a question.” (62:39)

Lasting Takeaways & Life Lessons (63:45–end)

• Owning the Narrative:
  Nassim emphasizes we each have agency in how we frame our stories and hardships.

  “We own our narrative. We choose our words. We get to decide if we want to be kind to ourselves.” (64:40)

• Universal Desire for Connection:
  Despite differences, everyone yearns to feel connected and understood.
• Embracing Imperfection:
  The repeated motif that “breaking doesn’t mean you’re broken,” echoing the Kintsugi metaphor throughout.

  “Breaking doesn’t mean you’re broken.” (67:38)

• Metaphor of Transformation:
  Nassim identifies with the butterfly—its transformation, resilience, and the gentle strength of embracing change.

Memorable Quotes

• “I started to have those end of life thoughts...I was 100% sure I was gonna die.” — Nassim (05:20)
• “The cracks in the vase make it more beautiful.” — Nassim on Kintsugi (21:42)
• “Every act of kindness was like a debt in my ledger.” — Nassim (18:01)
• “I look at accepting help now as actually a dimension of strength because it’s about me and it’s about them too.” — Nassim (45:11)
• “No one looks at me and says, wow, she’s got a traumatic brain injury... You have no idea.” — Nassim (59:13)
• “We own our story. And each day I actually saw this on my Instagram... You only die once. You live every day.” — Nassim (54:22–54:24)
• “We get to decide if we want to be kind to ourselves. And sometimes that kindness is really hard to offer and accept, for sure.” — Nassim (64:40)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Day of the Accident & Impactful Moments – 00:47–08:10
• Processing the Event & Emotional Reflections – 05:20–07:32
• Kintsugi Philosophy & Recovery – 21:09–24:19
• Reflections on Accepting Help and Vulnerability – 18:01–24:28
• Professional Impact & Sharing Vulnerability at Work – 25:26–27:36, 46:19–48:19
• On the Driver and Forgiveness – 35:21–42:54
• Invisible Disabilities and Ongoing Challenges – 59:20–61:48
• Advice for Helping Others in Trauma – 62:03–63:45
• Key Life Lessons & Choosing Your Narrative – 64:40–end

Closing Thoughts

Throughout this compelling episode, Nassim invites listeners into the raw, often painful, but ultimately uplifting realities of her experience. She reframes trauma not as a defining label but as an integrated part of her journey, finding strength not only in survival but in vulnerability, connection, and growth. The discussion offers lessons for anyone contending with adversity, emphasizing that we all have the power to shape our narrative, accept help, and uncover new meaning from even the most difficult chapters in our lives.