Professor of Perseverance Podcast

Ep 031 The Courage Giver – RJ Jackson

RJ Jackson is an international leader who has traveled the world for over 25 years inspiring others to fulfill their life’s purpose. As a highly sought after International Speaker, Author, and Wellness Coach, RJ  Jackson successfully maintains her stride as she fulfills the role she knows she was created for; offering hope and possibility to others.  Audiences from all walks of life line up to hear her message on Courage, Confidence, Leadership, and Vision. Known as The Courage Giver, RJ’s message, “You do not have to die where you are living and you do not have to live where they are dying”  is one designed to transform, energize and inspire personal and professional achievement.  Her own story is a testament to the benefits of following one’s true calling. Diagnosed with a rare eye condition at an early age has led her to focus not on what she can see, but on the sightless vision of hope and possibility most individuals miss. Equipped with her unique humor, unflagging energy and unsparing personal truth, RJ  has conducted over 5000 workshops, training sessions, and keynote addresses nationwide including Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Barbados, Jamaica and  through missions to Cambodia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria,  and Thailand. RJ has been recognized in numerous distinguished publications as well as proven herself a prolific writer; in addition to contributing to several notable books, RJ has authored the acclaimed tomes “His Grace, Amazing, Redeeming, Sufficient,” Conversations of Courage: Stories of Success, Hope and Possibility Vols. I, II & III,” “A Cup of Courage for Your Crisis” and Her lastest release, “His Grace, Amazing, Redeeming & Sufficient.” In addition to her experience and expertise, RJ has earned a Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and her M.Ed. in Practical Theology. Awarded with accolades such as Visionary of the Year, Leader of Distinction, and Trailblazer of the Year, and having June 24 as “RJ Jackson Day” in Buffalo New York, RJ humbly acknowledges that it is not because of what she has done; rather, it is God that allows her to effectively – and movingly – impart a message of confidence and courage. She is a mother, a sister, a friend, and small business owner. RJ Jackson is as real as real can get! She is authentic, organic, and safe!   As your next conference or retreat speaker, coach, or workshop presenter, RJ speaks directly to your heart and infuses you with the courage needed to push you into your greatness!

00:01 Jan Fansler Opening Statement

01:23 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

02:13 Jan’s Story

13:12 Back to Business

15:57 First Time Hearing The “C” Word

21:57 Have Positive Supporting People Around You

24:12 Helping Others Going Through Treatment

28:21 Support Jan Fansler's Fight to Beat Cancer   https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jan-fansler        

32:17 Hand It Over To God and Do Your Part

34:56 Jan’s Advise

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 030 Powerful Messages From September Spinal Cord Injury Month

Ep 029 Spinal Cord Injury – Brandon Sulser, Author, Influencer, Speaker

Brandon Sulser graduated with his master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. As a licensed clinical social worker at Salt Lake City’s Intermountain Medical Center’s neuro- rehabilitation unit, his work focused on counseling individuals experiencing traumatic injuries and diagnoses. Currently, Brandon enjoys public speaking and sharing his extraordinary story of survival and lessons learned. He hopes to be able to show others how not only to survive but to live successfully through their own paralyzing challenges, while placing an emphasis on becoming better not bitter through them. 

Website Link:

https://www.brandonsulser.com/

00:01 Brandon Sulser Opening Statement

01:24 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

02:36 Brandon’s Story at 12 Years Old

13:51 at 18 Years Old

28:34 at 28 Years Old

38:09 at 34 Years Old

42:41 Support System

47:43 Brandon’s Closing Message

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 028 Spinal Cord Injury – Dean Furness Ted Talk Speaker

When you stop comparing yourself to others, you can accomplish great things, says wheelchair athlete Dean Furness. He shares how, after losing the use of his legs in an accident, he discovered a powerful new mindset focused on redefining his "personal average" and getting better little by little.

Dean’s Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/dean_furness_to_overcome_challenges_stop_comparing_yourself_to_others?language=en

00:01 Dean Furness Opening Statement

03:03 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

04:23 Dean’s Story

17:44 Depression

27:38 Positive Supporting People Around You

39:53 Dean’s Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/dean_furness_to_overcome_challenges_stop_comparing_yourself_to_others?language=en

47:53 Dean’s Positive Message

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 027 Spinal Cord Injury – Chad Hymas, CSP

Chad inspires, motivates, and moves audiences, creating an experience that touches hearts for a lifetime. He is one of the youngest ever to receive the Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) and to be inducted into the prestigious National Speaker Hall of Fame.

In 2001, at the age of 27, Chad’s life changed in an instant when a 2,000-pound bale of hay shattered his neck, leaving him a quadriplegic. But Chad’s dreams were not paralyzed that day—he became an example of what is possible.

Chad is a best-selling author, president of his own communications company, and recognized world-class wheelchair athlete. In 2003, Chad set a world record by wheeling his chair from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas (513 miles).

Chad’s speaking career in the areas of leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change has brought him multiple honors. He served as president of the National Speakers Association Utah chapter and is a member of the elite Speakers Roundtable (one of twenty of the world’s top speakers).

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Chad travels as many as 300,000 miles a year, captivating and entertaining audiences around the world. He has graced the stage of hundreds of professional and civic organizations, including Wells Fargo, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AT&T, Rainbird, IHC, American Express, Prudential Life, Vast FX, and Merrill Lynch.

Website Link:

https://www.chadhymas.com/

00:01 Chad Hymas Opening Statement

01:17 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

02:40 Chad’s Story

16:54 Depression

20:27 Positive Supporting People Around You

23:01 Staying Positive

27:26 Chad’s Positive Message

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 026 Spinal Cord Injury – Vincent Phipps, CSP

Vincent Phipps CSP sustained a spinal cord injury on September 11, 2007 unlike most other spinal cord injury. He walks and moves as normal as possible but still has side effects.

His will and determination to persevere is nothing short of a miracle. His thrive to overcome adversity still is evidence of his triumph over tragedies. 

Vincent’s positive attitude and perspective for life will encourage you to continue during your struggles.

https://www.vincentphipps.com/

423 400 – 1040

00:01 Vincent Phipps Opening Statement

01:42 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

05:21 Vincent’s Story

13:56 Depression

34:24 Positive Supporting People Around You

37:01 Staying Positive

39:42 Vincent’s Positive Message

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 025 Spinal Cord Injury – Kepler Gelotte

Kepler Gelotte is a 43 year spinal cord injury from a diving accident at the age of 15 becoming a C5/6 quadriplegic. He is an expert designing and programming systems using PHP, JAVA/JEE, C, and C++. Owner and founder of Neighbor Webmaster, Inc. - a web design & development company that give businesses complete web applications.

Also, Co-Founder and owner of Comfort Teas to help fight UTIs. Use the discount code PERSEVERANCE to receive 50% off with a money back guarantee.

https://www.comfortteas.com/?coupon=angryquad

00:01 Kepler Gelotte Opening Statement

01:24 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

03:59 Comfort Teas Story

06:40 Kepler’s Story

09:07 Depression

12:54 Positive Supporting People Around You

14:03 Staying Positive

15:49 Kepler’s Positive Message

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 024 Spinal Cord Injury – Terry Moore Story

College was to Terry’s ticket to freedom. It was also expected from his parents that both of their children would go to college and graduate. Unfortunately, Terry’s SAT scores were very low. He tried numerous colleges that seemed appropriate for him, but it seemed that he wasn’t “appropriate” for them. Finally, a small school in central North Carolina gave Terry that letter of acceptance that he had so anxiously awaited.

Terry’s parents, like all anxious parents, waved goodbye to him for it was time to start school – his freedom. Terry turned up the stereo and was “free at last.” This new experience of being on his own was extremely overwhelming. The social activities of dorm life and fraternity parties didn’t leave much time for scholastics. After a semester and a half, Terry’s father became tired of sending him to “fun 101”. Terry didn’t keep up his end of the deal by passing classes. Tears came down his face as they pulled out of the college driveway. Terry started to wonder what he would do now.

Terry decided to give college another try, but closer to home. He picked up some classes at West Virginia University in pursuit of a degree in psychology. Due to Terry’s “proud” performance of academia the first time, his GPA was less than a 2.0, he was only allowed to take a few classes. He guessed he had to prove that he had the “old college try” in perspective.

The next two years at WVU Terry was putting at least a half a foot forward into the academics. He had cracked the 2.0 barrier and managed to have a fairly good social life. He enjoyed school and became involved in his psychology degree by helping other graduate students with their research, grunt work. It really provided him with a firm sense that he wanted to help others via his degree. About halfway into his junior year, Terry’s credits were all out of order so he took the summer looking for a job. His father had just acquired some property up in northern Canada; Terry’s childhood dream was about to come true.

Terry’s dad wanted to build a cottage, nestled in the trees, and looking out upon the lake, kind of an “On Golden Pond” feature. Terry’s friend Sean and his cousin Todd were also jobless, so Terry proposed to his father that they help build the cottage. They loaded Terry’s vehicle with hammers, nails, paints and other building materials. When Terry met the foreman he was told that “black muck” was found where the cottage was to be built. The best way to describe it was like black Jell-O. The land had to be cleared out before they could proceed with building the cottage.

Well, that gave Terry about a week to do nothing but fish, how relaxing. As May was coming to an end, the weather began to warm and presenting a far greater problem than he could ever realize… black flies. These things can eat you alive and practically drive you crazy. The Canadians were used to them, but to Terry it was pure hell. They were told not to wear anything fragrant because it would attract flies. After about two weeks of stinking, they decided it was time to clean up and do laundry. While driving back from their laundry excursion from a remote Indian town, Terry told his friends to be on the lookout for wildlife. Turning a corner, Terry’s headlights fell upon some unexpected wildlife; a bull moose was standing in the middle of the road. Terry locked his brakes and told his friends that they were going to hit it. As the car came to a stop, Terry called out to see if they were alright. They said they were, but how was Terry?  Terry could not move. His head was bent down to his chest because the roof of the car on it.

After the moose was off the car, Terry’s friends tried pulling the roof off him. He told them that would be futile plus he did not need to be moved. A passing car was flagged down and took Terry’s cousin back to town for help. The nearest ambulance was 60 miles away and would end up taking an hour and a half to get to Terry. As he was sitting in the car, a lot of thoughts went through his mind. How badly hurt was he?  Did he have any cuts on head?  Was he going to live?  Terry felt a peace of mind come over him; he was ready to accept what was to be.

Terry found that he had a spinal cord injury and was a quadriplegic. He couldn’t move from his neck down and required 24 hours a day help 7 days a week. After two months in intensive care at a Toronto hospital, he went back to his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for rehabilitation. Terry’s family and friends were very supportive, expecting nothing more than the same old Terry. As he began his rehabilitation, Terry began to think about his future. He had completed over half of his college credits. He contacted his college advisor and told him what happened. They were able to work out an independent study project. Terry didn’t want to waste any more time, he want to continue to pursue his college degree. He was even more determined to work in a field of helping others.

The campus at WVU was too hilly to navigate so he was able to work out a program with WVU and the University of Pittsburgh to take classes at Pitt. The credits would be transferred to WVU. That summer he began classes at Pitt. He spent the next couple of years completing his education and graduated in 1980. Terry was very proud and glad that he had completed his undergraduate degree in psychology. He was now ready to hit the job market and he thought that surely somebody would hire a college graduate.

For two years Terry worked at a county run nursing facility, but it just wasn’t what he wanted. He completed an application to attend Pitt’s School of Counselor Education and the School of Social Work so he could receive his masters degree. He was accepted to the social work program with an emphasis on counseling. Keep in mind that during his bachelors program Terry was basically a “C” student. He was now forced to a higher level of learning, which means that he needed to become an “A – B” student. After 18 months of intense education, Terry had done it. He earned a Masters in Social Work.

Terry was able to work in such settings as rehabilitation hospitals, community mental health, advocacy programs, and at the present, the State Department of Health of Tennessee. Terry was able to look back at what was a traumatic event that has impacted his life greatly in a very positive sense. Terry knew that he could accomplish what he set out to do regardless of his “disability,” which at many times is very much an “ability”. Tragedy can strike when you least expect it and in the most unexpected fashion. It is how one uses this experience and turns it into a positive that makes them a “winner.” Terry overcame adversity which he thought would be impossible; Terry was a “winner.”

Thanks for listening in advance and have a bless day.

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 023 Spinal Cord Injury – Dr. James Perdue, Professor of Perseverance

James was a normal 19-year-old with expectation of playing professional baseball, the major leagues. He was attending Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee on a baseball scholarship. He had the attitude of being invincible. After only being in college for two week and playing one college game in the fall, unexpected tragedy came a calling.

On September 11, 1983, James became a quadriplegic, dislocating three vertebrae in his neck, from playing a football game. The doctor said, "James, I'm sorry. You'll never walk again and you might be paralyzed from your neck down." Later, the doctor advised his family to place him in a nursing home; he would be too much of a burden for them to take care.

00:01 James Perdue Opening Statement

03:00 Introduction Dr. James Perdue

04:07 James Story

26:57 Depression

30:07 Support System

33:34 Staying Positive

36:33 James Motivational Statement

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 022 Spinal Cord Injury – Mike Utley, Thumbs Up!

On November 17, 1991, Detroit Lions’ offensive guard Mike Utley (#60) was paralyzed during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Silverdome in Detroit, MI.  Mike’s courageous “Thumbs Up” gesture as he was carried from the field has come to symbolize his fighting spirit.

In the years since sustaining his injury Mike has focused all of his time and energy through countless hours of therapy and rehabilitation striving to fulfill his goal; to someday walk unassisted off of the Ford Field.  In addition to his rehabilitative efforts to walk again, in January of 1992 Mike took on a new challenge; that of helping all people disabled by spinal cord injuries (SCI).  The Mike Utley Foundation was therefore established to provide financial support for research, rehabilitation and education for SCI related injuries.  We are dedicated to finding a cure and to provide motivational and emotional support for individuals who have been disabled with such injuries. 

00:01 Mike Utley Opening Statement

02:20 Mike’s Story

07:55 Depression

14:30 Support System

21:37 Thumbs Up!

23:25 Set Goals

25:21 Inducted College Hall of Fame

31:04 Mike Utley Foundation

https://www.mikeutley.org/

33:11 Mike’s Motivational Statement

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181