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The Injured Athletes Club

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  2. 35 | Cyclist and Heart Transplant Recipient Mike Cohen: An Incredible Journey

35 | Cyclist and Heart Transplant Recipient Mike Cohen: An Incredible Journey

Sep 24, 2020

From cancer to health. Back to the hospital with a heart attack—and home with a new heart. And finally, across the country on a bike, twice.

Mike Cohen’s life has taken him to places he never could have imagined. In this week’s episode, the San Diego-based athlete—who calls himself a professional cyclist riding for a cause—takes us through some of the highs and lows of his travels.

Through it all, he’s managed to stay positive yet realistic; set and achieve big goals; and honor those who have supported him. His story might differ some from that of the typical injured athlete we have on the show, but his mindset is relevant for coping with any setback.

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In this episode, we discuss:

  • How his past experiences have culminated into his current career (4:29)
  • His original diagnosis with cancer, and how he coped (11:23)
  • How he got back into running and cycling, and then decided to ride across the country the first time (20:26)
  • The dramatic night when he went into the hospital for a heart attack (27:21)
  • How his previous experiences helped him navigate that difficult period (32:53)
  • The wait for a transplant—and how he finally heard the news about his new heart (41:53)
  • How he went from getting a letter from his donor’s parents to riding his bike across the country to meet them (48:00)
  • What it was like the moment he arrived (51:58)
  • The biggest pieces of advice he has for others based on his experiences, including slowing down, planning for setbacks, and finding joy where you can (56:34)

 

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