Bending Over Backwards
What does it take to bend over backwards and change the game—whether in medicine, business, or life? Dr. James Adkins has spent over 27 years doing just that, breaking barriers in spine care and beyond. Now, he’s pulling back the curtain to bring you bold, no-holds-barred conversations with visionaries, risk-takers, and trailblazers from all walks of life. From life-changing breakthroughs to unfiltered stories of success and struggle, this podcast will leave you stretched, inspired, and standing taller than ever. Get ready to discover how bending over backwards can change everything.
Bending Over Backwards
Ep. 29 - She Nearly Died Trying to Be Heard by Doctors | Kelsey Zakino
At just 10 years old, Kelsey Zecchino had spinal fusion surgery. By 26, she was stuck in a wheelchair, on fentanyl, and nearly took her own life.
Doctors told her the pain was “just in her head.”
They gave her meds, then judged her for needing them.
But one conversation changed everything.
In this episode, Kelsey shares the raw truth about living with chronic pain, misdiagnosis, and being treated like a problem instead of a patient.
We talk about:
→ What it’s really like to go through fentanyl withdrawal
→ The moment she almost gave up—and what saved her
→ Her experience with Suboxone and finding a real care plan
→ How she went from laying in bed all day… to walking again
This isn’t just about pain.
It’s about fighting to be heard.
And learning how to take your life back, one step at a time.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a doctor, struggled with pain, or know someone who has… this one’s for you.