***UNDER CONSTRUCTION*** TBI means TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY? How about TO BE INSPIRED or TRANSFORMED BY INJURY?
You never know when your life might take a turn for the worst (or what you might think is for a period of time). It’s your choice how you respond. Either take the easy route and give up...or KEEP FIGHTING....
Gratitude for being given a 2nd chance after a severe (level 3 Glasgow coma scale, the worst coma rating possible yet still be alive) traumatic brain injury from falling downstairs on 10/27/12 put me in a coma is what kept me moving forward and not give up; when that is all I wanted to do....
After I had to drop out of college during my last semester at Purdue University with just 2 classes left to finish my degree in Mechanical Engineering, failed a driving test right after my 23rd birthday (4 months after the brain injury), and couldn't even think of basic words to communicate nor order food on the phone 8 months later. So I thought my old life was over...
Then to still graduate college (2 years later), succeed in both my engineering sales & fitness coaching jobs (10+ years later) to become a better version of myself.
I don't say "best" because striving for our "best" is a lifelong process. Although it took years to get where I am today and can't wait to be a better version of myself each day / month / year.
I believe we should make decisions for our tomorrow, next week, next year, 2025, 2030, 2040 and beyond versions of ourselves. Visualize the kind of person you want to become & make smart decisions to become that. Smart habits / actions each moment are votes for the type of person we want to become; we become our habits and decisions.
There are reasons things happen to you, and just think: YOU HAVE ROUGHLY A 400 TRILLION TO 1 ODDS OF JUST HAVING A LIFE; that should be enough to stay grateful and remain positive when life throws a curve ball that brings you to your lowest.
It's not about what happens TO you; it's about what happens FOR you (no matter how traumatic) to teach you who you how strong you are and essential life lessons (that help you grow toward a better version of yourself).
*Click Blue Rectangle Below to See Recent Update & Where I Am Today*
- Failed a driving test 4 months after the brain injury at 23 years old.
_- Failed out of Purdue's Mechanical Engineering Program two semesters in a row (graduated on the 3rd try).
- Fired from 3 jobs, including my first coaching job), as well as the engineering job / why I had to move to Denver in March 2016 (1 month after getting it).
- Gained about 120 lbs (doubled my weight up to 248 lbs; 175 now)) while battling the darkest depression; thought about suicide daily & used food to cope
BUT I NEVER LET FAILURE STOP ME - IT IS ONLY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE - & I AM NOW THE HAPPIEST & HEALTHIEST I HAVE EVER BEEN; ON A MISSION TO USE WHAT I WENT THROUGH & ACCOMPLISHED TO HELP OTHERS KNOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME & ACHIEVE ANYTHING THEY SET THEIR MIND TO...like I did :)
My family created this site for me while I was in a coma (hence WakeJake), after I fell down a flight of extremely steep concrete stairs (fluke accident) on October 27th, 2012 sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury, which required my head to be drilled into by the ER doctor to release the pressure inside my skull; this pressure would've likely killed me.
Take a look at "The Accident, Recovery and Jake Today" section at the top to see much more about my accident, my long recovery process and where I am today
UPDATES COMING SOON*
I run the site now, and A LOT of work is yet to be done. It is truly a miracle I recovered 100% and (potentially) more intelligent than before, based on my IQ score in my last full-day neurospych evaluation in summer 2014.
Also, currently writing a book about my story and how persistence / willingness to try, persistence, continuously learning, gratitude and falling in love with your future self will take you farther than just about anything, even just intelligence.
Feel free to contact me at Jake.Schonhoft@gmail.com to learn how I was able to bounce back so quickly.
Believe me, it was the most difficult thing I've ever had to endure, and I hope no one has to experience the suffering and hopelessness I went through. But I hope my story will stop someone from giving up. Hope is ESSENTIAL.
The Groundwork Gnomes are very proud of this pro-bono project as part of our ongoing #GroundworkGives initiative.