Built For Better: How Matt Mizerek Survived Two Strokes, Reclaimed His Life, & Found Purpose Through Creativity
What happens when life turns upside down… not once, but twice?
In today’s powerful episode, host Lisa Begley sits down with Matt Mizerek — founder of Built For Better Apparel, creator of the nonprofit Art Always, and author of Revelations Through Resilience.
Matt survived two strokes, escaped a lifetime of toxic family dynamics, and rebuilt everything from the inside out. His story is raw, honest, and deeply human — a journey through trauma, identity, healing, creativity, and discovering purpose after nearly losing everything.
Together, Lisa and Matt unpack:
The before and after moments that changed his life
Growing up unseen, unheard, and learning to self-advocate
Surviving two strokes — and the out-of-body clarity that followed
Detoxing from 7 psychiatric medications and rebuilding his health
Why creativity became essential to his recovery
How Built For Better was born from meaning, not marketing
Why giving back matters more than “finding your purpose”
How to break free from toxic narratives and choose your own path
A powerful Tiny Dare challenge anyone can use today
If you’re navigating your own reinvention — or simply craving a story that reminds you what’s possible — this episode is for you.
Connect with Matt:
Built For Better Apparel → builtforbetterapparel.com
Art Always (nonprofit) → artalways.org
Book: Revelations Through Resilience → Amazon + Kindle Unlimited
Connect with Lisa:
The Sock Drawer Podcast → https://thesockdrawerpodcast.com/
Follow for more reinvention tools, stories & interviews.
