In this powerful episode, we sit down with BT Urruela, a combat-wounded veteran and below-the-knee amputee, who shares his incredible journey of resilience, determination, and recovery. BT opens up about his service in the U.S. Army infantry, the life-changing injury he sustained from a roadside bomb in Iraq, and the tough decision to undergo elective amputation. He reflects on his rehabilitation process, the challenges of learning to walk and run again with a prosthetic, and how he found a new lease on life through sports and adaptive athletics. BT's story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and push beyond limitations.

Key Points

·BT’s Military Background: Six and a half years in the U.S. Army infantry, including deployment to Baghdad and sustaining a life-altering injury from a roadside bomb.

·Elective Amputation Decision: The difficult choice to amputate his leg after extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, leading to a significant turning point in BT’s life.

·Rehabilitation and Recovery: The journey of learning to walk and run with a prosthetic, including intense physical therapy and the mental challenges of adapting to life as an amputee.

·Adaptive Sports and New Beginnings: BT's introduction to adaptive sports, from mono-skiing to softball, and his pursuit of lifelong passions, including his recent endeavors in professional wrestling.

·Inspiration and Motivation: How BT’s story serves as a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of resilience, community, and perseverance.

·Life-Saving Surgery: The remarkable circumstances surrounding BT's injury, including how the heat from the shrapnel cauterized his femoral artery, preventing him from bleeding out, and the 14-hour surgery that followed.

·Elective Amputation as a Life-Changing Decision: The emotional and physical impact of choosing to amputate his leg, which ultimately provided BT with the freedom and mobility to pursue his passions.

·Pursuing Professional Wrestling: BT's journey into the world of professional wrestling, driven by a lifelong passion and determination, despite the challenges of starting a new physical endeavor later in life.

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