Gina Mure was six the first time doctors brought her back to life. Her grandmother died of the same heart condition. Her mother lived through it. Gina is the only one of three generations to survive past 55. After every one of her 13 pacemaker surgeries, she asks the same question: "Why am I still here?" In this episode, what 50 years of asking that question has taught her about burden, music, and showing up for someone else's grief.
About the Guest
Gina Mure is a horse trainer, musician, realtor, and community connector for Freedom for Heroes, a veteran-support nonprofit founded by her husband Mike. Born with a rare form of Long QT syndrome, Gina has had 13 pacemaker implants and is the only woman in three generations of her family to live past 55. She lives in Arizona.
Chapters:
0:00 - Cold Open
3:27 — The first cardiac episode at age six
5:14 — Her dad in the doorway
7:02 — Alan's parallel: the NICU and the burden of fatherhood
11:34 — The genetic heart condition that killed her grandmother
16:35 — Teen years: running the limits of a body that doesn't keep up
19:46 — The note she wrote at nineteen
21:35 — "I couldn't fix him" — the helplessness that hurt more than the seizures
26:41 — Survivor's guilt and the boy who only got three years
29:41 — Mid-roll
30:58 — Music after fifteen years of prayer
34:38 — The joy of performing at assisted living
37:16 — "It's tough to shine"
41:24 — Freedom for Heroes
44:30 — The widow's hug at the veteran's memorial
46:32 — Maybe pacemaker number 13 was for that hug
47:56 — Her dad, her poem, and where to find Gina
53:35 — Outro
Connect with Gina
About the Be There Podcast
The Be There Podcast is a conversation about the moments that matter most — the calls, the diagnoses, the decisions, the doors that open and close — and the lessons, resources, and inspiration we can carry into the moments that matter most in our own lives. Hosted by Alan Underwood.
Work with Alan
If you're an entrepreneur, executive, or high performer wrestling with "Why am I still here?" — that's a question Alan helps people answer. Connect at thealanunderwood.com.
For founders, CEOs, and investors looking to build alongside men operating at the highest level, learn about XALT at xalt.global.
Be Present. Be Powerful. Be There.
