Episode 50 - Motivation Part 2: Little Moments, Real Motivation with Nick Giangreco

Is motivation something you force… or something that grows when you see what’s possible?

In this episode of Three Questions, I sit down with my longtime client and friend, Nick Giangreco. After a life-altering stroke as a teenager, Nick didn’t choose the easy route. But what’s fascinating isn’t just what he’s achieved. It’s how he thinks.

We unpack how stubbornness can become fuel, why pivoting isn’t quitting, how connection energizes us more than comparison, and why enjoying your “big, beautiful life” might be the most underrated form of motivation.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• Why “recalibrating” instead of retreating can change your entire trajectory

• The unexpected way curiosity and connection energize long-term motivation

• What it looks like to trust yourself instead of chasing the next milestone

No matter who you are this conversation will remind you that motivation is often built in the smallest, most human moments.

Links & Resources For This Episode:
Connect with Nick on Instagram
Check out Nick's Website
Find a Neuro Studio Teacher Near You
Connect with me on Instagram
Connect with me on Threads

Transcript

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Welcome to Three Questions where critical thinking is king, and my opinions and the opinions of my guest today are only here to support your learning and deeper understanding. Hey, I'm your host Meghann, and I am so honored you clicked on Three Questions today because I have a very special guest. Last week's episode was all about motivation, and after that episode I decided I wanted to do an interview.

And there wasn't a hesitation of the person I wanted to interview for this episode, and it is my client, Nick. So welcome, Nick. 

Nick Giangreco: Hello everyone. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Now before we get into it, I need to talk about Nick for a moment, and I'm really excited to make him super uncomfortable and sit there while I talk about him sit.

Um, Nick has been a client of mine for how long has it been now? Wow. 

Nick Giangreco: It's been eight years. Wow. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: And, um, oh wait, what, what was the, what was the clever little line you said to one of my other clients? You survived. What was it? 

Nick Giangreco: I survived Meghann's regime for this long. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: You survived under my regime for eight years, but, but more seriously, I'm just gonna, can I be pretty honest with our community here?

Of course. So when Nick and I started together, he had this long hair in front of his face. He would clump into the studio with these big shoes. Um, he didn't have his great style yet. Um, I have to give a shout out to his sister for that. Um, and it was very hard to understand Nick because of his voice. Now, what I'd like to say is the least interesting thing about Nick is that he had a stroke when he was 13.

It's the least interesting thing, but I have to bring that up and over the. Past eight years, Nick has become friend family. I had the honor of watching him marry the love of his life of two years ago. One year ago? 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, two years ago. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh my God. And what I have to say about Nick is when COVID happened.

Things changed, I think for a lot of us. Um, Mariska in my business kind of imploded. All our courses got canceled. I couldn't get into New York City and I had to pivot quick virtually, and a lot of my clients weren't interested except one. And Nick, do you wanna tell the audience how our first session went?

And please be honest, 

Nick Giangreco: it did not go well at all. It was kind of, we were trying to communicate. Yeah. And you were saying something. I was saying something. We just couldn't connect. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: I think you're being very, um, what's the word? Uh, being very nice. The hour consisted of me yelling at Nick? No, your other arm.

No, no. Like me. Just being frustrated. And because Nick has what's called hemiparesis, which single-sided weakness and spasticity post-stroke. My thought is how am I gonna help this person move without my hands? But Nick never gave up on me, which I'm grateful 'cause it made me a better teacher. And we laughed a lot.

We still yell at each other, right? Yes, we do. But um, I'm so grateful for your trust in me and the work. Because it has helped so many people around the world, because I would've never thought to do a Zoom session before COVID. I might have thought it was impossible, and the progress you have made is probably one of the biggest motivations for me.

So why I didn't hesitate is not because you had a stroke at 14. I mean, I said that's the least interesting thing about you. Why I chose you for this episode is I don't think I would've continued been so motivated to spread the word of my work. If it wasn't for you, 

Nick Giangreco: I mean, you really 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: don't. You make it about me, don't you make it about me.

Nick Giangreco: What? 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: No, but I, I hope you hear that. And what I wanted to bring that up is why I said that is Nick showed me what was possible. So maybe I didn't think, I didn't expect to succeed on Zoom. Nick showed me what was possible and that opened up and motivated me to make it better. So sometimes we need just one little thing to flip that switch.

So, as I said, Nick, you would've stroke at 14 y. I mean, yeah, changed a lot of things. So my question number one, Nick, and I don't want the inspirational answer. And why I am saying that to Nick guys is because he's always there to talk to someone else. But I, I kind of wanna get into it a little bit. So at 14, your whole life turns upside down.

What kept you going? 

Nick Giangreco: Um, well, the inspirational way to say it is there's, you can't go backwards. You can only go forwards. Um, really it was my family, my parents, my friends. They wanted me to go forward and I couldn't let them down, and I couldn't let myself down. And as you know, I'm an extremely stubborn person.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh yes. 

Nick Giangreco: And once I, my mind is kinda set or I am doing something, I don't wanna fail at it. I went into it very well. And so. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Can I pause you there? Because you said the stubborn thing, and I think that's why our relationship works so well, because we both understand we're not stubborn to a fault. I think both of you and I need to understand the why we're making the change.

Wouldn't you agree? 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, exactly. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah. So you, your, so who you were, what I'm hearing is who you were deep down being stubborn was kind of a driver, so you stay true to yourself. 

Nick Giangreco: Yes. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Now it's funny you brought up your family. Mm-hmm. Because I did have the pleasure of going to your wedding in Buffalo. Shout out to the Buffalo Bills.

Nick Giangreco: It was the best wedding in the world. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: It was really beautiful 

Nick Giangreco: on that, on that day. No. And the century. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: No, no. It was a really, it was a really beautiful wedding. But I think, I don't know if you know this. You know, unfortunately my husband couldn't come 'cause he was a football coach and it was during football season, so I was by myself, but kind of mingled and got to talk to a lot of your friends and family.

And you know what I found? I'm gonna ask you to guess, do you know what I found most interesting about what people said about you?

Nick Giangreco: I don't know. Tell me. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Okay. So sometimes when something bad happens, people are like, oh, there's such an inspiration. They overcame the odds. And nobody said that about you, but hear me out. Nobody was surprised. I think they always believed in you. Nobody doubted you. And if they did, they didn't let, so nobody acts surprised that you got married and got a PhD and are living the life you need to, even after the worst thing that could ever happen to a person happened.

It's almost like your family. Never saw Nick, the guy who had a stroke. They just saw Nick, which I, I, I don't think I ever told you that, but it was pretty awesome. Nobody mentioned the stroke. Everybody was like, oh my God, Mel's awesome. Like, they're such a, you know, it just, it was almost like it never happened, which I don't know.

I kind of love that, 

Nick Giangreco: which is great. I love that people forget, they have amnesia. It's fantastic. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Well, I think you've, you've made it a point to make the stroke a chapter in your book, not the whole story. 

Nick Giangreco: Right. Yeah. And like, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: but how do you do that, Nick? 

Nick Giangreco: Okay, I'll, I'll be blunt. Growing up, it, it was really tough because, um, like the reason why.

It was such a big deal. Like I had my last rights, I was in a coma. I lost 80% of my brain stem. All these things the doctors told my parents they always likely not to live or be a vegetable, whatever. And that, like my parents, they planned for the worst. And luckily I got through it and, um, it was a lot of work, you know, but they, my family is very.

Supportive and loving, and they're also very overprotective. And so in the beginning it was like very hard to like. Yeah, I, I had schooling and home for like six months. I had to do nine months of coursework and six months, and I was, had to do my, my five days, week of therapy, you know, it was a lot. So Nick, you were only, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: you were only homeschooled for six months?

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, because I, I guess I would've 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: assumed longer. 

Nick Giangreco: It happened in the end of October. I was in the hospital until February, and then I was determined again, the stubborn attitude of mine. To graduate with my freshman class. Mm. So take them. You don't wanna 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: be left back. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, exactly. I wanted to, you know, again, I had so much support and from people I wanted to be with them.

And so it was my goal, like to finish school, to get back into school. And the next year, which I did, I took a lot of work and um, a lot of accommodations. But because I had all that, like people kinda. Not be mean, but you know, rightfully so, like, made sure I got the classes, you know, without like falling down or, you know, my dad, he, your two 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: boys, what were, oh my god.

Hold on. Ah, I can't remember their names at the wedding. The one with a really nice suit. 

Nick Giangreco: Um, oh yeah. Uh, that's funny. Calvin. Yeah. Calvin. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Calvin, yes. And what was the other friend's name? 

Nick Giangreco: Angelo 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Angelo. So they, 

Nick Giangreco: yeah. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Uh, they were on your right and left to make sure nobody, uh, pushed you around. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, of course.

Yeah, they were great. Like I, they, they really helped me out and they had so many other friends, um, too, like, but those are my, they, they're the good ones. Um, yeah. But yeah, I mean, they were great and. But they had still invited me to things and like they tried, treated me like a regular person. And that, that's huge.

Helped me go through. But my parents, they really like, they were helping me out, like holding my hand and arm to walk places. I'm like, you know, like, let me do things, you know, but it took time. Um, and it was, um, they were very attached. A lot of people have bad. Can 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: we go back to your friends for a sec?

Would you, that'll be okay. Yeah. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: So I think a struggle, 'cause as you know, I work with a lot of young people who have had strokes or brain injuries. And while it's so hard for you guys, I think it's hard for friends to know how to behave, family and friends. So I'm gonna ask a question one B, help people out.

What is something you wish you could have said to people like. Back then, so they would treat you. I, I, I'm having trouble asking the question 'cause I kind of wanna ask it and it feels inappropriate, but like, I think people don't know how to behave after someone has an accident. Like they treat them with kid gloves.

What can we say to people? Yeah. I want everybody who's hearing this to hear 

Nick Giangreco: anything. I mean, um, I would say, um. Yeah, I've won. Like, um, treat them like you wanna be, again, the inspirational way to say it. Treat them like you wanna be treated. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah. 

Nick Giangreco: You know, but treat them like, you know, how you would treat them no matter what, you know, and then, and then callou, and then calibrate based on, you know, the reaction, the responses, you know, it's like.

You know, how people like talk or treat other people when they differently based on, you know, their perception. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Mm. 

Nick Giangreco: You know, any walk of life, you know, and treat them like you would treat them no matter what. That they're like a great person, that they do really cool things, that they're, you know, they wanna help you out, you know, um, that they're, you know, worth it.

And 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: I actually liked how you said recalibrate. That was kind of cool. I like that recalibrate. And you know what I heard the scientist 

Nick Giangreco: Timmy likes to 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: see. I know you're Nick's also a scientist. You know what's interesting, Nick? I think what I took away from that, and I'd love to hear what everybody else takes away from that is I'm still me, but recalibrate and pay attention.

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. And it was like my, my wife Melanie, she's great. Like she, from day one, she treated me just like. Any other person, you know, and she listened to me and that was one of the main reasons why I would think this girl is so special. She listened to me and she like heard me. She saw you. Not a lot of people did that.

Like I went on, I have to say, I went on a lot of first dates, like I did the whole like app game, especially in New York City and. You know, I feel like it was very difficult, you know, 'cause people, they see you and then they like just treat you outta the box a certain way, you know? And it's like, no, like I, you know, I'm just a person, you know, and the physicality what you see physically on the outside, like, that's not the whole story, you know?

And she, and 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: did you have a, did you have a dating consultant at this time? 

Nick Giangreco: She was crap. I'm just kidding. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Hey, I mean, I got a good, hello? You're married now. I think I did. Hello? Yes. I don't know if people know this about me, but like secretly, I love. I love consulting on dating. Right. But we had some good conversations and Nick, what did I say?

It's like, listen, sometimes you date people for a long time and they hide the thing they hate about themselves the most. And I'm like, Nick, you're such a great person. Sometimes your voice goes in and out and sometimes you drag your left foot. Like if that's the worst thing about you, I will take that.

Right. So I think we talked about you also seeing yourself. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. Right. Yeah. And a lot of people, they have things that you don't see and then you realize later on, at least for me, like you see like this is the worst you're gonna see or the most like surprising, you're gonna see, you know, that. I don't know.

That's like a, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: I don't know. And I've been married for, I don't even know how. So since 2017, I think. I mean, sometimes I wish I couldn't understand what my husband was saying. I'm just kidding. 

Nick Giangreco: That's so bad. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: I know. It's actually not, honestly, it's probably definitely the other way around. But no, Nick, I think that honestly was super helpful.

Um, and to close up question one.

Motivation, like we, you and I are both kind of, I mean, you're more of a scientist than I am, but like, you know, all the research shows it's, it's less about the intrinsic motivators, but more about the intrinsic motivators. So your belief in yourself and you wanting to succeed. Yeah. It seems like that was a huge thing for you, right?

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. It was like, I think there's so many cool things you could do, like in this life. And I just wanna experience them and like do them and do them well. And like I saw people who like wouldn't go forward, what was me like, kind of depressed like, and I didn't want that at all. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: So you, now I know you and I have talked about some experiences you've had later in life after the stroke, but, but right after the stroke, did you see some people choosing that route and think, I don't want that route.

Nick Giangreco: Um, yeah. Or 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: was it? Yeah, 

Nick Giangreco: I think so. Like in the hospital, like, 'cause I was there for a few months and I would just see people in different situations and I, like, I didn't, I was like, I don't want to be there. You know? I, you know, I didn't, I looked up to only a few, uh, people and, you know, I. I, so one of the first things in the first few weeks I met someone who did have a stroke in the rear, like my age, you know?

Really? He was like third. Yeah. His name is Jason. I think it was a long time ago. But anyway, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: hell yeah. Jason, 

Nick Giangreco: funny, funny story. His brother is my wife's cousin. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Shut up. 

Nick Giangreco: So 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: funny. I just, I dunno. I love, I love those little moments because you know what, honestly, in this day and age, it's so easy to feel disconnected.

Just something like that. It just kind of makes you feel like you're a par, something bigger. 

Nick Giangreco: That's a funny thing. A lot of coincidences. A lot of coincidences. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: What Jason doing now? 

Nick Giangreco: It's great. His great, he is doing his a professor and uh, central. Yeah, I think in, um, somewhere in the Midwest, but, or no, central New York.

I'm not trying to forget. But anyway, he was doing great. Like when he saw me, like he was holding a coffee, like just a simple act of like, you know, being able to have his hand on a coffee mug, you know, walking like without any, uh, gait, you know, issues you would see on the surface. Mm-hmm. And like, I literally cried.

I was like the first time when I was like. Oh my gosh. I could get there. You know, like this is not the end. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah. Because 

Nick Giangreco: I was like very worried about not progressing in the beginning, you know, and then there was some hope and just little other things that happened just added to, you know, my willingness to move forward and succeed and make something of myself again.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: It has that experience with Jason. Because I know you've kind of gone in a different direction. Got your PhD from Columbia. I like to call, I like to call Nick a nerd. I mean it as a compliment, but sometimes he'll talk to me about like his PhD and I'm like, oh my God, I, I just automatically stop listening.

But, um, do you think, I've heard you talk about how you've connected with people post-stroke. Um, I think that impact of Jason just being there, has that kind of guided you, that you wanna be an example for others as well. 

Nick Giangreco: Um, yeah, I've talked to many people actually, like in Rochester or like here in Buffalo again.

Um, like over the years. Um, I think it's, and I befriended others, like women in the hospital that I know of and I watch them like do well in their life. Um, like have a family, have children. It's really cool to see, um, 'cause I don't know, maybe it goes back to my Catholic faith. I think people have, and.

Inherent human dignity. And it's great to see them flourish and like have that in their life. Um, and I hope that everyone like knows that not they're worth it, you know, not they're worth like having great experiences no matter what. Even if you know, they hand your doubt in a certain time in your life was really crappy, you know?

But you can still win the poker game win. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: All 

Nick Giangreco: right. I love that you. You know, you just gotta, you know, play your cards right 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: in. You can't win a poker if you've got a face like mine. I do not have a good poker face. 

Nick Giangreco: I don't either. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: No, but, but more going back to that, it's something that, like Tuesdays we moved our appointment 'cause you like to go and meet and connect with people.

Now I'm kind of seeing that a little bit more. I think something I really admire about you too is your willingness to put yourself out there, meet and connect with others. So I think if you're listening and feeling a little lost in your motivation or lost in life or frustrated, it's the connections with others.

Whether it's a moment with Jason watching him hold a cup of coffee or you getting together and hearing about somebody else's business, that's do you. I guess you even realize you do that. Like you're always connecting with people such a good quality Nick. 

Nick Giangreco: I guess I don't, but you know, Melanie, you know, and, and she loves that about me and, and that's something I don't even like, think twice about.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah, I think you do it so naturally. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. I don't know. And it energizes me, you know. Oh, say, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: what do you mean? 

Nick Giangreco: I like when people like that. Those coffee clubs I go to, it's great 'cause I meet people who are doing really cool stuff in the Buffalo area. You know, like making new products for like pregnant women, um, to get the nutrients that they need.

Or, um, like, um, other like solo business owner doing really cool and having a mission to connect people across the world, you know? Um, I just think it's really cool to meet people and. Seeing them kind of flourish in their life and, and if like, paths intertwine, that's really cool. And, um, yeah, we're social beings and we just like to, you know, socialize.

That's why I love to, when I, I get, I'm, I'm a remote worker, so when I get to travel to my work. And see my team and my teammates and go to happy hour and all that. I love that. I think they're great and I love socializing with people and you know, it's really great. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: It's so interesting though, you said something.

I'm, I'm, I'm totally switching kind of question two on you because when we're talking about motivation, something that is supported by research, but I see a lot of time is when someone else is doing something big, right? Other people, instead of getting energized like you do, it makes them feel less than like, you and I talked about this, about how many people say to me, oh, I was gonna get a doctorate.

And I'm like, okay. Which is great, but it's like me doing something kind of as making them feel. Less about themselves. And what I'm hearing is like you're the opposite. You get excited when you hear about people doing things, and I feel like I do too, but I'm not as good at it as you. So give us some insight.

How do you, how can we be better at letting other people's gifts and excitement energize us rather than make us feel less than? 

Nick Giangreco: Um, so I would say I didn't. Going the PhD route was kinda a circuitous for me. I was still finding my niche what I wanted. I knew I couldn't be a doctor early on and I wanted to be, but you know, I just like practically, I couldn't really flourish that well.

Um, then I was like, okay, I like science and I wanna learn more about the human body. Like I learned about myself. And so I went into college. And I was like, okay, maybe I'll, you know, look into research. I, you know, went through a lot of different people. I was able to intern. Um, I found out I'm not good at doing, like with lab work, like experimental work.

I loved it. Hold 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: on. It's not that you're not good at it. You didn't enjoy it. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, I didn't enjoy it. I wasn't 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: gonna hold on. Continue. I 

Nick Giangreco: wasn't, wasn't gonna either. I couldn't transform my bacteria. Sorry, but yeah. And then 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: you were not good with bacteria is what I'm hearing. 

Nick Giangreco: I knew 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: why your bacteria game.

Nick Giangreco: Sure. And then I found out that I could study biology through other means, through computational means. And so then I went to Pittsburgh and did a experience there. And then I came back to University of Rochester where I was at and you know, made some software. Um, and learned about like computer science and chemical engineering and, you know, all their like high level math.

And it was like really fun. I wasn't great at it. I got a lot of my peers who were better than me, but I enjoyed the learning process. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Hmm. 

Nick Giangreco: And then when I graduated, I went to the NIH to do more cancer bioinformatics. And that's where I found out, you know, I say that again. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: So it was cancer. What? 

Nick Giangreco: Cancer Bioinformatics 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: cancer.

Nick Giangreco: Bioinformatics. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: That's a big word. Sorry, mama needed that three times, not because I couldn't understand you, just to be clear. 

Nick Giangreco: No, it was great. Yeah. I learned about like the processes of like ovarian cancer progression and the disease state, and I like learning. I like the process of like interrogating data, like using like algorithms.

And I wanted, I knew I wanted to do that, make more and be good at it. And I knew doing the PhD was a great place to get that experience 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: at Columbia. I, I just, I just have to, you know, I'm like your hype man. I'm flavor play for you. I'm the hype man. You got a PhD at Columbia? 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah, it was great place. I love being in New York and you know, like, like learning with the brightest minds and people who like did really cool stuff and research but also like I made a lot of friends in the city and like network with a lot of people in different like startups and it was really an exciting time.

New York City was my playground. It was great. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah. So you kind of didn't answer my question, but you did and I liked where you went with it. So what I'm hearing, and tell me if I heard you wrong is when one door closed, you just pivoted and learn more. Yeah. And pivoted and learn more. Exactly. And if someone was doing something, you tried it, you pivoted.

And I think we all need to hear that, like maybe we have this idea, but we can just pivot slightly, right? Is that You 

Nick Giangreco: can do that. Yeah. You did a, you answered the question. I gotta get better at answering questions, but 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: No, no, no. Right. You, no, it's not about answering a question. I don't even care about the question.

I love to see what it opens up in the dialogue and also how the person perceives the question. Because you know what? What I've noticed, Nick, and even doing these interviews. If I don't get the answer I was looking for, it wasn't a good question. And what I should have asked is, rather than you giving us advice about how to not be, um, feel jealous of others, I should have asked what was your, what was your path to finding kind of happiness and fulfillment, right?

Yeah. And you just kept pivoting and learning. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. I think pivoting like I've been to, um. I remember what stood out. I went to like a, we had a, a speaker present at Columbia once, we had lunch beforehand and there was a, it was a bunch of students in the round table. We asked them like, how'd you get to where you're at?

'cause we were like, high in the field and so on. And they said, you know, I just did one, made one decision at a time and you know what, what worked for me That led to where I'm at now. And you know, it stuck with me, you know? Um. Just, it doesn't matter. Like, you know, if you made a mistake, you know, go one step forward.

If you go too back, it's okay. You can keep going forward. You know, you go in one direction, you can go back to the other, you know, but you know that, that walk through your life that's gonna lead to where you're at supposed to end. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Because, and you always, you're we're very similar in that, in that kind of, we're always interested in learning something new.

I remember you were doing like reading a one Wikipedia page a day. Um, also you go to your marathons. What, what are they called? 

Nick Giangreco: Uh, they were the, I used to go to Hackathons. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Hackathons and I'd be like, Nick, just take a day off of work. But you were so, you're like, oh, I'm gonna build a website. I'm like, oh, are you using like Squarespace?

And you're like, no, I'm actually gonna like build it. And why I would appease you is because I just kind of admired your constant curiosity. I am a very curious person, but it's a little more narrow where my curiosity is I love how you're so curious about so many things. Yeah. It, it motivates me to maybe be.

Less rigid. I mean, I'm not sure that'll ever change, but I could, you know, maybe, 

Nick Giangreco: you know, maybe. Yeah, I know. Maybe. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: No, you don't think I can change,

so you 

Nick Giangreco: can totally. But you made me interested in like movement science and myself too, because I didn't have that curiosity when I was doing therapy, you know, and other things. But you made me really interested like. How to move my joints so I could actually have more range of motion or do things that I didn't think were like possible.

And like when you put me in a certain position and have me, you know, like do something that I had never seen before, like that makes me believe, you know, that I am. And it makes me wanna learn more about, oh, let me do this more and let me practice this. And that's really cool. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Yeah, and it's so awesome. I like, again, I've probably told this story a million times, I don't think ever on this podcast.

Like I remember the moment when your upper quadrant finally responded and I heard your voice for the first time. And I remember a student observing this young man in New York started crying and I was like, keep it together because I wanted to cry too. I mean, you make me cry all the time because it's almost like.

Holy shit here. You're doing all this therapy, but just one little shift when we individualize it based off your brain and you made me kind of even push harder because listen, a lot of the stuff I teach people are like, oh no, this is good enough. And I'm like, no, we don't set limiting beliefs for people.

Don't, don't say it's not possible while I'm working. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: And even being able to do this interview like, shit, Nick, like. I feel like your voice and you practicing the work has come so far. I remember when we were practicing strategies for reflexive stability in your upper quadrant so you could defend your dissertation.

Yeah. And oh my God, when you 

Nick Giangreco: and 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: when you gave the best man speech. 

Nick Giangreco: Alright.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: When you gave the best man speech at your brother's wedding. You made me proud to do what I do. Aw, shut 

up. 

Nick Giangreco: Thank you. And I really, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: no, no, no. It's fine. I am crying because of the joy that all this work and being able to work with you has brought me and so many other people, so I'm not sad. I'm just so happy and proud and watching you do that.

It was pretty, I remember I was at Mariska's, remember I was doing that? We did a Zoom and I come upstairs. She's like, why are you crying? And I'm like, watch this. And she's like, oh my God. So it's, it's just, it's pretty awesome. So I'm going to get myself together and ask you the third question. Okay. So you have created this big, beautiful life for yourself.

You have a wonderful, gorgeous wife. Who I, I love because she calls you out on your shit. 

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Um, you have a PhD, you have a job you really enjoy most days. No. No. You really enjoy your job. No, I 

Nick Giangreco: do. I love You 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: bought, you recently just bought your first house. 

Nick Giangreco: Yes. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Some other things might be happening, which is nobody else's business, but maybe dude.

In this effort, you have created this big, beautiful life. So what is next for Nick? 

Nick Giangreco: Uh, you tell me. No, I don't know. And that's okay because I trusted myself to figure that out and, um, I always, again, recalibrate myself once in a while and, you know, try to do cool things, you know, and as I, as I have the energy to do.

And um, yeah, we'll see what kinda things bring in that. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Okay. I don't know. That might be my favorite answer I've ever received to that question because it was honest. No bullshit. Hmm. And I think something we can all take, you're actually enjoying that big, beautiful life rather than focusing on the next thing.

Nick Giangreco: Yeah. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: That. That I think I'm gonna let land for myself and everybody listening. Sometimes when we achieve something, we're always looking for the next thing. 

Nick Giangreco: You gonna enjoy the process? 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: I love it. And before I let you go, OI said I didn't wanna make this an inspirational speech, but. Any last words for somebody who is going through a hard time, maybe had a stroke, maybe their best friend or mother or spouse had a stroke?

Any advice for them? 

Nick Giangreco: Um, I wouldn't say two things. One, people aren't doing what they do because they love you, not 'cause they're trying to hold you back intentionally. So understand where they're coming from and work with 'em. And then two, I still remember what my, my high school teacher said to me way back when, uh, why would you get up in the morning every day and just do easy things all day long when you're capable of so much more?

And that kinda stuck with me. That's why I wake up at 5, 5 30 every day and see how much I can squeeze out.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Squeeze every little bit of juice out of the day. What was that teacher's name, if you don't mind me asking? 

Nick Giangreco: Um, Matthew. He was at the wedding. He was at your table? 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh my God. He was, what was his last name? 

Nick Giangreco: Uh, Haller. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh my God. He was amazing. And he was, was he a history or was he a science teacher? 

Nick Giangreco: Cche Chemistry.

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh my God, the best. 

Nick Giangreco: Hope that, 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: yeah. And I hope everybody has a mat. In their life. A great teacher who makes them see things a different way. So thank you for Matt. Thank you to Jason. And most importantly, thank you Nick, for changing my life and being a exceptional client. Keep and 'cause you keep doing the work, he sends me text messages.

Hey Meg, is this better all the time you do the work. You live it. 

Nick Giangreco: You make me better too. You, it's a two way street. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Well, I appreciate it. Well, I wish I didn't have to ugly cry on the podcast. That was not a good cry. You know how sometimes like tears come out? That was, I did what I call, oh my god. Kim, my sister, who's probably listening 'cause she listens to every single one of my podcasts.

Isn't that so sweet? But like Kim does this, we, I call it the Grinch laugh and cry like, 'cause her face gets all scrunched. I did the Grinch face. So well, it's all good, but it was worth it. That's fine. So to rehash the three things we chatted about obstacles are gonna come up in life. Nick, let's be more like Nick and keep it moving 'cause easy shit is boring.

Thank you so much Nick. I appreciate all your time and energy and I will see you next week because we are going to, we have to up your game and your sessions. Have you been working on your homework? 

Nick Giangreco: Of course, yeah. I'm just waiting for you to respond to my last video. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh, I never responded. Okay. What was the homework?

Exercise? 

Nick Giangreco: Um, kind of moving my hips around kind of my spine, um, on, in the side plank. So trying to isolate. No pelvis is kind of turning around my spine. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: Oh, the hip. The hip mobility drill. And why I was asking that for two reasons. I often sometimes forget my client's homework and if they don't remember the homework, it wasn't meaningful enough.

So I know number one, that it was meaningful 'cause Nick remembered it and did it. And also now I'm gonna go write it down 

Nick Giangreco: positive. 

Meghann Koppele Duffy: So Nick, thank you for helping me become a better teacher and sharing your experience with our audience. If anybody has any questions about stroke recovery or what it takes to get a PhD, I'm gonna put Nick's info in the show notes and uh, we will see you guys next time.

Nick Giangreco: Nice to see you all. Take care.