Part 2: Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 2/3) – 22:51

Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 2/3) Continuing directly from Part 1 with U.S. Air Force veteran and adaptive athlete Sam Schaefer. In this section, Sam and Whitney dive deep into the brutal reality of living with CRPS for nine years: medical gaslighting, failed treatments, nerve blocks, spinal injections, being accused of faking it, pushing through workouts on crutches while his body deteriorated, and the growing realization that he was heading toward a wheelchair. Sam shares the logical, pragmatic decision-making process that led him to choose elective below-knee amputation at age 29 — including fighting the VA system to make it happen. This is Part 2 of 3. Part 2 runs from 21:23 to 44:57. Listen to Part 1 first, then continue to Part 3! Sam’s greatest mission is helping others live their “most dope life.” Connect with him: Instagram @samschaefer1 Subscribe to Whit’s Grit for more stories of unbreakable grit.