#59 Ian Bowen - Paralyzed from the Chest Down to Marathon Runner: The Power of a “Watch Me” Mindset

At 32, Ian Bowen woke up from spinal cord surgery paralyzed from the chest down and was told he’d never run again. Thirteen years later, he ran a marathon.

In this episode, Ian shares his spinal cord injury recovery story, the “watch me” mindset that carried him, and his RINSE framework for resilience, journaling, and intuition. If you’ve ever been told “you can’t,” this will remind you that you’re far more powerful than you think.

In 2009, Ian Bowen‘s life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. A rare disease that left him needing spinal cord surgery that caused him to be paralyzed from the chest down.


At just 32, with two young children and a promising career, doctors told Ian he would never run again. But instead of accepting defeat, Ian chose to defy medical expectations through sheer willpower, determination, and what he calls Positive Persistence.

His rehabilitation journey was grueling, requiring him to relearn basic tasks like sitting up and standing. With every small victory, Ian's mindset strengthened, leading him to create the RINSE Methodology: Remember, Imagine, Notice, Shift and Expect- a framework he now uses to inspire others to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

In 2022,Ian achieved what doctors thought impossible—he ran his first of two marathons, a testament to the power of mindset.



Ian's story is not just about survival; it's about thriving despite the odds. His experiences offer hope and inspiration to anyone facing obstacles, proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

As the founder of “Positive Persistence” it has become Ian’s mission to teach others how to overcome adversity, rise beyond their challenges, comeback from setbacks and achieve the unthinkable by realizing their potential and developing a Watch Me Mindset.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey of Resilience

03:10 Defying Limitations and Embracing a New Identity

06:03 The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Adversity

08:58 Finding Strength in Past Experiences

11:44 The Role of Support and Accountability

14:28 Navigating Grief and Acceptance

17:14 Daily Practices for Inner Strength

23:46 Navigating Grief and Acceptance

27:23 The Power of Acceptance and Moving Forward

30:30 Mindset and Decision-Making in Recovery

33:43 Finding Gratitude Amidst Adversity

36:49 Physical Activity as a Pathway to Emotional Clarity

39:15 The RENTS Methodology for Personal Growth

45:59 Building Resilience Through Adversity

47:54 Harnessing Intuition from Past Experiences

Find me on YouTube @abbyhavermann

👉🏽 Inspire and transform your group by hiring me to speak: https://www.abbyhavermann.com/speaking

👉🏽 Transform from Self-Sabotage to Success in Just Seven Steps: https://www.abbyhavermann.com/seven-steps-to-stop-self-sabotage

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