A Chat with Jake Quigley: Brain Surgery, Hiking the Himalayas and the Fundamentals of Mountain Biking

Seize Your Adventure

Jake Quigley is the executive director of the non profit Outdoor Mindset. The organisation’s mission is to unite and inspire people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion of the outdoors. It is a free membership-based community. When he is not working, Jake can be found adventuring outdoors with his wife, Jeanie, by foot, bike, or ski.

If you haven’t listen to Jake’s story, be sure to head back to Part One so that you make the most of our conversation!

We talked about:

- His epilepsy diagnosis at 11 years old

- How adventure can increase confidence, positivity and the ability to deal with challenge

- The path to brain surgery

- How to dispel the fear and stigma around epilepsy

- What is telemark skiing?

- How altitude might affect epilepsy

- What he could teach me in mountain biking!

- Getting support from Diane Van Deren

- What you CAN control when you are diagnosed

- How exercise can help your brain

- The influence of the outdoors on depression and anxiety

- The changes in attitude towards epilepsy

- His next big adventure

Terminology:

Grand mal: a generalised seizure where a person loses consciousness and convulses. Also known as a tonic-clonic (more modern term).

Aura: a change in brain activity that causes some strange sensations. Often a warning of a seizure.

More about Outdoor Mindset:

https://www.outdoormindset.org/

Follow Outdoor Mindset:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorMindset/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoormindset/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OutdoorMindset

Music:

Lonely Lake by Kev Rowe | License: Creative Commons

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. You can also make a one-off donation at https://www.paypal.me/seizeyouradventure.

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE at seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

Follow Seize Your Adventure:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SYAdventurers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/syadventurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syadve

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com