Episode 40: Dan Macqueen

Welcome to episode #40 Our guest today is Dan Macqueen.On June 21, 2014, Dan's reality was shattered by a devastating brain hemorrhage. With no map to guide him on the grueling path to recovery, Dan had to rely on his grit, perseverance, and resilience to relearn everything he once knew: how to walk, talk and even smile.Dan has survived two emergency brain surgeries, weeks in a coma, and months in a rehab hospital. What he found out along the way might surprise you: there is nothing like a brain injury to refocus the mind! Driven by a positive mindset, Dan battled through excruciating rehab exercises to rebuild his life and return to a job he loved. Welcome to the show Dan!QuestionsTell us about what happened in 2014Was in London studyingReally bad headaches that kept getting worseWent to the hospital and they sent him away saying they thought it was vertigoA few days later, completely lost vision for several minutesAgain they sent him away - asking him to get his eyes testedThe optometrist stopped the test halfway and asked him to go straight to the hospitalEmergency brain surgery - hemorrhageMonths of rehab to re-learn walking and talking - incredibly painfulReturned to work 2.5 days per week but then had a second brain injuryAnother round of grueling rehab - had to do it at home as funding didn’t allow in-hospital rehabStill has double vision but otherwise has been able to regain autonomy and movementWhat "work" projects are you concentrating on?After rehab, worked at Hootsuite in implementation team (customer success) helping EMEA clientsNow motivational speaker: 4 days per weekHow about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?Swim in poolBrunch What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?Get up early and work out Cold showerMeditate for 20 minutesBreakfastWhat do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?MomentumDo the most difficult task first thing (timebox)Building blocks: half do things so it’s easier to pick it up again - Fatigue managementSleepFika - coffee breakMeditateTimers and alarmsGet mindset right: adversity is coCOMMERCIAL BREAKHow do you switch off at night?Clean kitchenTea and magnesiumIn bed at 10 pmLights out at 10.30 pmSleep quality:Dark roomQuietRead fiction before sleeping What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?Fiction“In the blood”“Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy”“Get it done” by Joe Rogan to help clean kitchen“The war of art”Rich Rolls podcastWoopNeil Pettris: “You are awesome”Where can people connect with you or find your work?macqueendan.commacqueendan on socials (Instagram)Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it that mattersJoey’s creativity course