??From Surviving to Thriving: A Story of Second Chances with Jeff Dennis

Psychedelic-Powered Personal and Professional Development ?? Unlock MORE in Your Life and Career with a Rewired Brain and Body ??

Welcome back to "The Microdose Diet" newsletter, where success, passion, and happiness converge to elevate your life and career. I'm Peggy Van de Plassche, and after two decades in the financial services and tech industries, I discovered the transformative power of mushrooms for mental wellness and peak performance. This revelation led to the creation of "The Microdose Diet" protocol, a game-changer for personal and professional growth. Dive in to explore more!

What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? If you stared death straight in the face and said, “Not today”? It’s a powerful thought we’ve all wondered about, but my philosophy encourages us not to wait for such life-altering moments to start wanting MORE. More love, more success, more passion, more happiness.

In this episode of The Microdose Diet podcast, my guest Jeff Dennis shares his extraordinary journey of survival after a near-death experience—a stroke on his 65th birthday. Jeff’s story is a powerful reminder that we don’t need to wait for a big ordeal to strive for MORE. His miraculous recovery and newfound perspective on life serve as an inspiring testament to embracing each day with intention, resilience, and gratitude. So, why wait for the storm? The time to seek MORE in life is now.

?The Moment That Changed Everything

Jeff’s story is extraordinary. On June 3, 2023, the day of his 65th birthday, Jeff suffered a stroke. In an instant, everything changed. He underwent brain surgery, slipped into a coma for two weeks, and spent a total of 10 weeks in two different hospitals. His family was in a state of shock, unsure of what the future would hold. Would he wake up? Would he ever be the same? These are the questions that loom large in such moments of uncertainty. But Jeff’s story isn’t just about survival; it’s about resilience, determination, and the kind of miraculous recovery that leaves you forever changed.

??The Power of Gratitude and Perspective

When Jeff came out of his coma, he didn’t remember much from his time in critical care. For him, it was a blank slate. But as he began to regain awareness, he realized something profound: he had been given a second chance. And with that came a deep sense of gratitude, not just for surviving, but for the life he still had ahead of him.

“I have a new lease on life,” Jeff told me during our conversation. He spoke about the challenges of recovery, from being in a wheelchair when he first left Sunnybrook Hospital to walking out of Bridgepoint four weeks later on his own. His transformation was nothing short of remarkable, and even the medical staff were astonished by his progress. “The nurses at the hospital used to come and touch me for good luck and then go buy lottery tickets,” he joked. But behind that humor was an undeniable truth—Jeff had defied the odds, and he wasn’t taking that for granted.

??Dedication to Recovery: A Lesson in Focus and Commitment

One of the most moving parts of Jeff’s story is how he approached his recovery. From the moment he arrived at Bridgepoint, he dedicated himself to his rehab program with laser focus. Every day was a step closer to reclaiming his health. He participated in intensive rehabilitation, working with a team of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists to rebuild his strength and mobility. “I treated my rehab like it was my job,” he said. “That’s part of my nature, to be very focused and dedicated. And I think that helped a lot.”

But Jeff’s recovery wasn’t just physical. There was an emotional and mental transformation happening as well. When I asked him about his outlook on life after such a life-altering experience, his response was heartfelt. “I’m more appreciative,” he said. “I’m very grateful for my health, my family, and the support they provided me through this whole ordeal. I’ve always valued those things, but going through something like this really deepens that appreciation.”

??Embracing MORE in Life: Health, Connection, and Purpose

Jeff's journey wasn’t just about getting back to normal—it was about learning to live MORE fully. He talked about how his near-death experience made him more attuned to the small things in life, like going for a walk every morning with his wife, rain or shine. This daily ritual, which started as part of his rehabilitation, has now become a cherished part of his routine. “Every morning, my wife and I go for an hour-long walk,” he shared. “We started with just 15 minutes at Bridgepoint, and over time, it’s grown. We’ve been doing this for almost a year and a half now, no matter the weather. It’s a commitment to health, to being present, and to living.”

Jeff’s recovery also sparked a deeper commitment to a healthy lifestyle. “I’m like a monk now,” he laughed. He no longer drinks alcohol, sticks to a balanced diet, and even hired a personal trainer to help him stay fit. His dedication to maintaining his health is rooted in a desire to avoid a recurrence of the stroke, but it’s also about making the most of the life he’s been given. “I take my health seriously now. I follow all the protocols, I exercise regularly, and I make sure to take care of myself.”

????Confidence in Career: The Role of Work in Recovery

Jeff’s stroke and recovery journey didn’t just impact his personal life—it reshaped his approach to his career. While recovering, he faced a moment of doubt when doctors tested him for potential brain damage—standard protocol for stroke survivors. The tests made him anxious, but instead of letting that fear control him, Jeff decided to jump back into work while still in the hospital. “The phone started ringing with work-related calls, and I decided to take them,” he said. “I wanted to see if I could still do it. And you know what? I could. That gave me so much confidence. It helped me feel like myself again.”

Jeff's ability to merge his personal and professional lives with such resilience is nothing short of inspiring. His work as a senior advisor at Fasken , where he helps guide entrepreneurs from startup to exit, hasn’t slowed down one bit. In fact, he’s more energized than ever. “I’ve always had a good work-life balance, but now I work from home, which makes it easier to attend medical appointments and continue my recovery. And honestly, I like it. I’m busy—my days are filled with calls and meetings—but I’m more mindful of how I spend my time.”

????Reinventing Business: Launching a New Venture with Purpose

And as if surviving a stroke and making a miraculous recovery wasn’t enough, Jeff also launched a business during the pandemic. His startup, Alt Health , is a social media platform for the health and wellness space, offering a unique blend of community support and e-commerce. “It’s kind of like Facebook meets Amazon,” he explained. “We have channels for different health topics, and a marketplace for products that align with those communities. It’s a way for people to share knowledge and access products that can help them live healthier lives.”

Alt Health even has a feature inspired by Jeff’s daughter, a chiropractor, who wanted a way to recommend products to her patients and get compensated for it. “We created customizable e-commerce stores for practitioners like her,” Jeff said. “Now they can have their own online store and recommend products to their clients. It’s all part of creating a decentralized sales force where everyone in the community benefits.”

?Lessons from Jeff: Embracing MORE in Life

Jeff’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the potential for MORE in life, even when we’re faced with unimaginable challenges. His journey from the brink of death to living a more fulfilling, healthy, and purposeful life is a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and gratitude.

As I reflect on our conversation, I’m reminded of the importance of seizing the moment and living each day with intention. Jeff’s story is an inspiration to us all—whether we’ve faced a near-death experience or are simply navigating the daily challenges of life. We all have the opportunity to embrace MORE in our lives—more health, more happiness, more connection, and more purpose.

So, what would you do with a second chance at life? How would you live if you knew every day was a gift? Jeff’s story reminds us to take that leap, to live with gratitude, and to always strive for MORE.

Interested in getting MORE in your life, now, without waiting for a life-altering moment? Check out my book MORE! The Microdose Diet , microdosing product , coaching services , online courses and speaking engagements.

With love and MORE!

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?? About The Microdose Diet

I'm Peggy Van de Plassche , a former banker and VC with 20 years in financial services and technology. "The Microdose Diet " combines alternative medicines like microdosing psilocybin for personal and professional growth.

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