From Darkness to Light: Zach Tidwell's Journey of Resilience

In this episode of the Dream Catcher Podcast, host Mark Larsen welcomes Zach Tidwell, a Marine Corps veteran who has faced significant challenges, including a life-altering injury that left him blind and deaf in one ear.  

Zach shares his journey from a dark place, where he attempted suicide, to becoming a self-taught, award-winning software developer. 

He discusses the importance of resilience, the power of perspective, and how he has turned his experiences into a mission to make the digital world more accessible for everyone. Zach's story is one of hope, determination, and the belief that life can improve, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.

BIO

Zach Tidwell is a completely blind Marine Corps veteran, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and athlete who lost his sight in 2019 to a suicide attempt. When he was taken off of life support he awoke to find that the bullet hadn’t killed him, but it had taken all of his sight and hearing in one ear instead. But he refused to become a bump on a log and has entirely redefined himself in the time since, even despite having struggled with alcoholism and being diagnosed with an incurable, deadly genetic disease whilst trying to conquer his addiction. 

Today he’s a self-taught, award-winning software developer making the digital world a more accessible place for everyone. He skis, rock climbs, whitewater kayaks, and even competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against able-bodied opponents to show others that anything is possible. And just finished the fourth draft of a memoir that dives everything from the suicide attempt, through the highs, lows, and lessons that have brought him to where he is today— sharing his story in hopes of saving lives and getting conversations started around the tougher subjects  society typically avoids.

He’s an open book with actionable insights, unique perspectives, and a charming sense of humor that lightens the load of the heavy topics he discusses.

00:00
Introduction to Zach Tidwell

01:04
Zach's Life-Altering Incident

05:44
The Road to Recovery

09:00
Finding Independence in Sports

12:37
The Journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

14:30
Zach's Podcast and Writing Journey

18:13
The Impact of Sharing His Story

21:01
The Joy of Public Speaking

23:39
Dreams and Military Aspirations

25:43
Adventures in Outdoor Activities

29:52
Future Goals and Personal Growth

33:33
The Journey into Coding

37:39
Creating Accessible Software

41:09
A Message of Hope and Support