In episode 341, I speak with speaker, trauma & brain injury survivor, and mental health advocate, Nicholas Ruchlewicz. Nicholas battling anxiety & servere depression for 15 + years, had a painful marriage breakup, and is a trauma & brain injury survivor. After his motorcycle crash, he has been able to use it as a platform to help others in isolation and feeling hopeless, to find perspective, hope and aid their recovery. He has utilised a strong table top game community to help in his recovery as well as his mental wellness. Nicholas is a powerful advocate that hope is medicine and the greatest gift we get is perspective. This is a powerful and inspiring podcast, not to be missed.
I sit down with speaker, trauma and brain injury survivor, and mental health advocate Nicholas Ruchlewicz for a deeply moving and perspective-shifting conversation.
Nicholas has lived with anxiety and severe depression for more than 15 years. After a painful marriage breakup and a life-altering motorcycle crash that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, his world was turned upside down. What followed was a long, difficult, and humbling recovery—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Rather than allowing these experiences to define or defeat him, Nicholas chose to use his suffering as a platform for purpose. Through his recovery journey, he discovered the power of perspective and community—particularly through a strong tabletop gaming community that played a surprising and vital role in restoring connection, meaning, and mental wellness.
Today, Nicholas is a powerful voice for hope. He speaks openly about isolation, trauma, and despair, while reminding us that hope truly is medicine—and that perspective may be the greatest gift we are ever given. His advocacy has taken him to international organizations, political forums, and even the United States Congress, where he continues to raise awareness around mental health, brain injury, and recovery.
This is an honest, courageous, and inspiring conversation that will resonate with anyone who has faced hardship, felt lost, or wondered if healing is possible.
🎧 A powerful episode not to be missed.
In this episode, we explore:
If this conversation speaks to you, please share it with someone who may need hope today.
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