In this episode, we sit down with Zack Collie, a motivational speaker and disability advocate who became a quadriplegic at age 15 after a diving accident. But what could have ended his dreams instead became the start of a powerful transformation.
Zack shares his story of adjusting to life in a wheelchair, finding purpose through higher education, and building a new path forward—even when the world said he couldn’t. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and the strength to keep showing up when life gets unimaginably hard.
Whether you're facing your own struggles or just need a reminder of what’s possible, Zack’s message will leave you inspired.
A National CORE Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation.
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⏱ CHAPTERS (Updated for 40 Min Episode):
00:00 – Intro: Meet Zack Collie
01:15 – Becoming a Therapist: Counseling and Purpose
03:10 – Support Groups for People with Spinal Cord Injuries
05:32 – Who Zack Was Before the Accident
08:15 – The Day That Changed Everything: Memorial Day 2010
12:30 – Realizing He Was Paralyzed in the Water
15:22 – Emergency Response and Diagnosis
18:35 – The First Conversations After Surgery
21:10 – Processing the Trauma and PTSD
23:00 – The Role of Family and Community
25:20 – Going Back to School After the Injury
28:10 – Walking at Graduation with a Walker
30:25 – College, Finding Purpose, and the Therapist Path
33:10 – Meeting His Wife and Building a Family
35:40 – Living Independently with CORE’s Support
38:00 – Final Message: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome
🔗 LINKS
Zack Collie's Socials
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zackcollie7/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_paralyzed_therapist/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC2BtIaeHx92IQhn-nw6QMqg
National CORE & Hope Through Housing
🌐 nationalcore.org
📘 facebook.com/nationalcore
📘 facebook.com/hopethroughhousing
FYI Podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fyi.findingyourinspiration/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fyipodcast
