22. Powered by Resilience — Heart Failure, Hope & Fighting Back w/ Kody Schaffner

Send us Fan MailKody Schaffner’s life is powered by resilience — literally. Living with advanced heart failure, Kody (@justadudeonbatteries) relies on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a mobile life-support system that keeps his heart pumping and his future moving forward. But Kody’s story isn’t just about survival — it’s about perspective, gratitude, and refusing to let fear define your life. In this episode, Kody opens up about what it’s really like to live with an LVAD, the realities of open-heart surgery, and how quickly life can change when your health is no longer guaranteed. We talk about vulnerability, healing, patience, and learning how to find purpose in uncertainty. Kody shares how he reframed strength, learned to accept help, and continues to show up with hope even on the hardest days. This conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience doesn’t always look loud or dramatic — sometimes it looks like waking up, adapting, and choosing to keep going. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 1. Intro to Kody & “Just a Dude on Batteries” – 00:01:18 2. Early Trauma: Fatal Car Accident at 18 & Losing His Girlfriend and Family Members – 00:03:20 3. Climbing Cell Towers High on Drugs & Living in Full-Blown Addiction – 00:05:05 4. Six-Figure Remodeling Business, Home Depot Collapse & First Heart Failure Diagnosis – 00:07:11 5. Rock Bottom: Living in His Truck, & Finally Going Back to the Hospital – 00:11:25 6. Turning Down the LVAD, Choosing Long-Term Life Over Short-Term Fixes – 00:15:12 7. Regaining Independence: Managing His LVAD & Walking Into the Gym – 00:17:52 8. Daily Gym Videos, Cognitive Therapy & Rewiring a Brain Stuck in Depression – 00:23:23 9. From Instant Gratification to Discipline, & Fully Owning “Just a Dude on Batteries” – 00:31:31 10. The Gym Healing His Heart (8% to 45%) and His Advice for Anyone at Rock Bottom – 00:42:15 Connect with Kody Schaffner: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justadudeonbatteries • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justadudeonbatteries • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Justadudeonbatteries⁩ Connect with The Sick Burn Podcast: • Website: https://www.sickburnpodcast.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickburnpod • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickburnpod • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sickburnpod 🎧 Mahalo for listening! If this episode connected with you, please: • Subscribe to The Sick Burn Podcast so you never miss an episode. • Share this conversation with someone navigating illness, uncertainty, or recovery. • Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Credits: Hosted & Executive Produced by Thomas Craig VIII Produced by Voice & Video — Bill Lanzarotta Audio Engineer — Mickey Dixon Edited by — Lizi Bronson Graphics by — Jeff Lee Special Thanks — Kody Schaffner Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of The Sick Burn Podcast, its affiliates, or any organizations we are associated with. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. #SickBurnPodcast #KodySchaffner #HeartFailureAwareness #LVADLife #LifeWithLVAD #HeartWarrior #ChronicIllnessAwareness #InvisibleIllness #MedicalResilience #AdaptiveLiving #DisabilityVisibility #HealthJourney #LivingWithHeartFailure #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #HopeAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #FindingTheBrightSupport the show