06 | Wilfred Lun – How One Life-Threatening Crisis Rebuilt Wilfred’s Joy and Purpose

What would you do if your “before” and “after” moments arrived overnight, ripping away everything you thought you could count on?

In this heart-opening episode, Charles sits down with veteran TD Bank leader Wilfred Lun to expose the raw, revolutionary truths behind surviving a flesh-eating disease, sudden amputation, and the relentless road to reclaiming purpose.

You’ll go inside Wilfred’s unfiltered battle, from physical pain and psychological valleys, to victories of mindset and community-driven hope. Lose the clichés: This is about how crisis can sharply reveal the space for joy, clarity, and next-level empathy every single day.

Listen now! Avoiding this episode means missing Wilfred’s hard-earned blueprints for resilience, meaning, and choosing joy when life splits in two. This story is radically unique. Be the one with new wisdom before your next pivotal moment arrives.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01] – What happens when normal life explodes in a split second?

[03:47] – “Standing up, I knew—my leg was suddenly gone. And so was life as I knew it.”

[06:36] – The shocking realization it’s not just a bad dream and why most ignore urgent signals

[08:07] – How Wilfred’s family and colleagues raced to save his life—behind-the-scenes heroism

[10:34] – The exact moment trauma turned into clarity and a promise to walk again

[14:51] – Mindset shift secrets: How Wilfred battled psychological pain (and what most get wrong)

[19:56] – Amputation as unexpected superpower plus the hidden cost of “feeling sorry for yourself”

[22:29] – Wilfred’s method for choosing happiness every morning (even when loss is permanent)

[28:04] – Positivity versus pity—how to deflect negativity and rewrite your story

[34:38] – Why accessibility was a blind spot and how adversity made Wilfred a workplace advocate

[42:58] – Wilfred’s revolutionary lessons for anyone facing their own crisis

Resources Mentioned

1. Vancouver General Hospital
2. People With Disabilities ERG (TD Bank)
3. Capacity Canada
4. Reverse Mentoring (TD Bank DEI)

About the Guest

Wilfred Lun is a Toronto‑based finance and risk management professional and a Senior Manager, Expense Governance at TD Bank. He has more than a decade of experience across finance, risk, audit, and governance, and has played a key role in leading and overseeing TD’s enterprise‑wide expense governance framework. He is a two‑time recipient of the TD Bank Corporate League of Excellence Award (2018 and 2022), recognizing sustained exceptional performance and leadership. [ca.linkedin.com] In 2023, Lun survived a life‑threatening illness caused by necrotizing fasciitis, which resulted in an above‑knee amputation. After extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, he returned to work in 2024 and has since shared his experience to raise awareness around disability, resilience, and inclusion in the workplace.

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When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.