The Other Side Of Potential

Episode 347: Best Of: Rewiring Mindset After Trauma—A Comeback Story with Dan MacQueen

Sharon Spano Episode 347

In this powerful and inspiring "best of" episode, Dr. Sharon Spano talks with Dan MacQueen, a former tech implementation specialist whose life was turned upside down by a sudden, life-threatening brain hemorrhage. What followed was not only a fight for survival but a journey of radical transformation.

Dan shares how he rebuilt his body, mind, and career—one step at a time—and how mindset played a key role in his recovery. Through discipline, gratitude, and goal-setting, Dan created a new life rooted in purpose, coaching others to rise from their own setbacks.


What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How a sudden brain hemorrhage led to Dan’s near-death experience

  • Why small, consistent goals were the foundation of his physical and mental recovery

  • How mindset and accountability fuel resilience

  • The key role of gratitude in maintaining a healthy outlook during dark times

  • Why Dan calls his health scare the “best thing that ever happened” to him

  • The connection between movement, momentum, and meaning

  • How Dan transitioned from marketing to public speaking and coaching

  • Strategies for rebuilding confidence after trauma or life interruption

  • What it really means to “own your comeback”

  • How you can transform personal setbacks into platforms for service


Transcript: Here


Additional Resources:

Website: macqueendan.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/macqueendan

Twitter: @macqueendan

Instagram: instagram.com/macqueendan


Sharon Spano:

Website: sharonspano.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD

Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/

Book: thetimemoneybook.com

Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com

Substack: substack.com/@drsharon

The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/