The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast
The sharing of stories is often underrated in the healing journey after a heart attack—or any near-death experience.
This platform exists to create a safe, supportive space for those who have experienced an “Event of the Heart” to share their stories, be seen, and continue healing.
I believe we all carry medicine within our hearts, and that our stories are often the medicine someone else needs to receive.
Through conversations with survivors, medical experts, healthcare providers, dietitians, and holistic practitioners, we explore how storytelling, yoga, meditation, breath-work, and mind-body practices can help reduce stress and anxiety—and ultimately support the prevention of cardiovascular dis-ease.
You are not alone. Your story matters.
Brian
Episodes
108 episodes
In this Episode I share my thoughts on Spirituality and what that means to me!
What is Spirituality? Is it a Buzzword? Does it encapsulate religion, woo-woo? Is there a Higher Power at work? Is it all BS?? or is there more to it??
In this weeks Episode I have Firefighter Randy Feltner back on the Pod!
I first interviewed Randy back in 2022—hard to believe it’s already been that long.Randy is truly a kindred spirit. He continues to inspire and educate others in the fire service by bravely sharing his heart attack story. His journey has...
It was an honour to have UHN Dietitian Veronica Rouse back on the podcast talking about what a Heart Healthy Diet looks like!
In this episode I'm in conversation with Toronto Dietitian Veronica Rouse who works at the University Health Network and is part of the amazing Cardiac Rehab Team at Toronto Sunnybrook Hospital (for context it was at Toronto Sunnybrook’s Cardia...
Jamie Whitehouse of CP+R a UK Based Cardiac Rehab Organization
This week on T.H.A.T.I’ll be in conversation with Jamie Whitehouse, @jphysiologist who is Head of Partnerships for CP+R that operates out of the UK providing in-person and virtual Cardiac Rehab. Jamie has an extensive background in Ca...
Holly Morell from Heart Felt Screening shares their mission and there "WHY"
In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Holly Morrell, the founder of Heartfelt Screening—and this conversation hit me on a really deep level.As someone who’s lived through a heart attack, I know how powerful awareness and early de...
A Tribute to Heart Warrior Leigh Pechillo
In this Episode / Public Service Announcement I share the sad news that Leigh Pechillo passed away April 2, 2026Leigh was a Heart Warrior, she had the brightest smile and the greatest laugh and always seemed to find the bright side of th...
Talking about Kindness with Darren Gingras
In this episode, I sit down with Toronto-based divorce lawyer Darren Gringras, whose recent Instagram post on “Kindness” quickly went viral.I came across Darren’s post and was immediately struck—not just by what he said, but by how deepl...
In this Episode I share my thoughts and reflections on "A DISCONNECTED HEART!"
Lately I’ve been reflecting on something I didn’t expect to stay with me this long.After a conversation with a coaching client who’s living in constant fear that their heart attack might happen again, I found myself asking…Why d...
SCAD Thriver Annie Kalter shares her incredible story of Survival X 2
In this Episode I am in conversation with SCAD Thriver Annie Kalter who shares her powerful story of not only surviving a heart attack, but how she survived getting hit by a truck in the early morning hours while out walking her dog! ...
Cardiologist Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum from New York City shares the powerful work she is doing in her practice!
Dr. Steinbaum is a preventative Cardiologist who is the CEO and Founder of Heart-Tech Health and Adesso and her focus is empowering women to live healthy vital lives through comprehensive heart-centered prevention and wellness.You can le...
Toronto Sunnybrook Cardiologist and Cardiac Rehab Specialist Dr. Paul Oh
In this episode I finally reconnect with Dr. Paul Oh who works at Toronto Sunnybrook Hospital as the lead Cardiologist of their world class Cardiac Rehab Clinic. I was referred to Dr. Oh by Dr. Katy Shufelt who is the doctor that s...
Reflections on my 10 year Heart Attack Anniversary!!
In this episode I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on the 10-year anniversary of my “Event of the Heart.” Which was on January 17th, 2016What I’ve come to realize is that I’m not just a Heart Attack Survivor—I’m a HEART ATTACK THRIV...
Health, Wellness and Fitness Coach Mark Teahan shares his Heart Attack Story
On November 25, 2025 Mark was in the Gym doing a routine work out when suddenly he started to feel unwell! He stopped exercising and sat down in the Spin Cycle room and things went away, and he was able to finish his workout. When h...
In this Episode I'm in conversation with Robert Medure who shares that despite having a very strong family history, he ignored his symptoms and suffered a massive Heart Attack
In April of 2024, Robert who was an avid runner and cyclist started to experience significant text book heart attack symptoms. He was 56 at the time! Robert's father had a heart attack at the young age of 44 and all the men on his ...
SCAD Thriver Tara Benoit shares her powerful story!!
Tara Benoit, Author of “Torn Heart: A Journey Through Trauma, Truth and Transformation! ” shares her SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection story!Contact Tara:Tarabenoit.comIG: @tarabenoitofficia...
6 Time Heart Attack Thriver Sean Nolan shares his incredible story and this is one you do not want to miss!!
In this episode I’m in conversation with 6 time Heart Attack Thriver Sean Nolan Sean is formerly from South London and now calls Brazil home, living there with his wife and 3 daughters.My conversation with Sean left me in complete and ud...
John “Kipper” McQuad shares his crazy Heart Attack Story!
In this Episode I am in conversation with John “Kipper” McQuade from Ireland, John and I share several crazy similarities with our Heart Attack stories with the main one being we are both avid lifetime cyclists. John was 65 when on Septem...
Reflections on the year that was, and the year that lies ahead!!
January 1st, 2026 is upon us and in this Episode I give my thoughts on the year that was, what worked, what didn’t what I learned about myself and what I’ve learned since this time last year.I have so much gratitude in my heart as ...
In conversation with John Tolkamp who shares how a routine checkup and the discovery of a heart murmur may have saved him from having a massive heart attack!!
In this episode of “The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast” I’m in conversation with John Tolkamp who I met when he was the President of Cycling Canada in Toronto. John and I re-connected a few months ago when I saw a social ...
In conversation with Kim Brochu who is the founder of the Kris Yip Memorial Foundation and the Kris Yip Memorial Fondo
In this episode I am in conversation with Kim Brochu who sadly lost her younger brother Kris who was an avid cyclist and humanitarian and was someone who loved everything related to cycling and bicycles and was a bright light to everyone who kn...
Professional Endurance and Triathlon Coach Brian Yates shares his Heart Attack Journey
In this episode, Coach Brian Yates from New York’s Capital District shares his heart attack journey and how it has shaped him, his career as a Coach and as a Ph.D. student who is working on his disertation research, focusing on endurance athlet...
I’ve fallen and I CAN get back up!!
In this long overdue episode I share where I’ve been and why I have been radio silent over the past couple of months!Much Love!The Heart Attack Thriver!
British Triathlete turned cold water endurance swimmer Peter Robertson shares his powerful heart attack story!
In this episode of The Heart Attack Thriver Podcast, I’m in conversation with Pete Robertson of Mansfield, England. Pete and I have been trying to tee this up for sometime and we are both excited to finally be able dive in to his heart attack j...
Flight attendant Tom Willard shares his recent heart attack journey and how he has used what happened to completely change his long term prognosis by embracing a whole food plant based lifestyle!
Tom Willard from Minnesota suffered his heart attack on October 16th, 2024 and as a flight attendant for a major airline realizes how fortunate he is that he wasn’t working and in the air when his heart attack symptoms suddenly appeared. ...
Septuagenarian, Dr. Akil Taher shares his personal journey from Cardiovasular Disease to health and wellness and how living a fully plant based Vegan lifestyle not only improved his overall health, it also cured several chronic ailments
On this weeks Episode I’m honored to share the conversation I had with Dr. Akil Taher who is still a practicing physician and who in 2009 at the age of 61 discovered he had cardiovascular disease that would require cardiac bypass surgery! ...