In this powerful episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Robert Paylor, a former collegiate rugby player who was paralyzed from the neck down during a championship game. Robert shares his remarkable journey of recovery, the mental tools that helped him overcome adversity, and how he transformed his greatest challenge into a mission to inspire others. The conversation explores the importance of mindset, forgiveness, community, and redefining success, offering listeners practical insights and hope for facing their own life challenges.

Full Bio:

In one moment, Robert Paylor was experiencing the pinnacle of athletic achievement, competing for the collegiate rugby national championship. In the next moment, his life took an unexpected and devastating turn. Robert suffered a severe spinal cord injury due to foul play, leaving him unable to move or feel anything below his neck. His doctor's prognosis was grim: he would never walk or move his hands for the rest of his life.

Rather than let this tragedy define him, Robert used it as a catalyst for an extraordinary journey of redefining what is possible. Through an unbreakable vision and years of relentless determination, Robert can now walk 500 yards, he stood to receive his diploma from UC Berkeley’s top-ranked Haas School of Business, he married the love of his life, and is now sharing the mental tools that have helped him persevere through paralysis as an inspirational speaker and author.

Robert’s story has captivated millions around the world, being shared by major outlets including Sports Illustrated, People Magazine, Fox News, and The San Francisco Chronicle. As a sought-after speaker, his message has stirred leading Fortune 500 companies like Visa, Intel, Samsung, Accenture, Edward Jones, and Meta, as well as collegiate and professional sports teams, schools, and associations around the country.

Everyone is paralyzed by something, whether it be mental, emotional, or organizational. In his keynote, Paralyzed to Powerful, Robert authentically relives his journey with the audience and shares the invaluable tools that he gained in overcoming quadriplegia. His message stirs organizations and individuals to both identify and conquer that which paralyzes them by cultivating purpose in their work, fully accessing the collective resilience of their team, developing a reflexive sense of gratitude, and maintaining positivity through even the most daunting challenges.

Learn more about Robert Paylor: Book: "Paralyzed to Powerful" (Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible)

• Website: https://www.robertpaylor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob.paylor/
• X: https://x.com/RobertPaylor5
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertpaylor5
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/robert-paylor
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.paylor

To connect with Dave , go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com