Defying the Odds: Conquering Rejection and Dyslexia to Become a Trauma Surgeon with Craig Thayer

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Do you want to find the inner strength to overcome adversity and achieve success? Are you searching for a way to transform challenges into opportunities for growth? Join us as our guest, Craig Thayer, shares the ultimate solution to help you achieve your desired outcome: empowerment to persevere and discover purpose through serving others. With his wisdom and experiences, Craig will guide you on a journey towards unlocking your true potential. Get ready to embrace the power of resilience and find meaning in the face of adversity. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to transform your life and achieve the result you've been longing for.

"I didn't want to ever be caught in a situation where I could not save someone's life." Craig Thayer

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Craig Thayer is an old-school general surgeon whose calling predates his birth. His journey is one marked by determination, passion, and a profound sense of purpose. Trained as a trauma, thoracic, vascular oncology surgeon, Craig is driven by his commitment to saving lives, regardless of the circumstance. This expertise extends beyond his medical practice as the number one bestselling author, radio show co-host and influential motivational speaker. More so than his professional credentials, Craig maintains a strong focus on being a husband, a father, and a servant, all underscored by his deep faith.

Reasons to Listen:

• Learn the art of triumphing over adversity, rekindling your inner drive for success.
• Embark on a journey where science and faith collide, deepening the understanding of our existence.
• Witness the invaluable role of teamwork and humility in medicine, enriching your knowledge of holistic care.
• Relive extraordinary personal miracles that encapsulate hope, injecting a fresh dose of positivity.
• Find the essence of purpose and unity in selflessly serving others.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:00 - Introduction,

Introduction to the podcast episode with Tim Winders and guest Craig Thayer, a renowned surgeon and author.

00:01:09 - Craig's Background and Identity,

Craig shares about his background, growing up in California, and how his identity as a surgeon is part of who he is. He also discusses the differences he noticed when moving to Georgia.

00:04:33 - Finding Purpose and Passion,

Craig talks about how he felt called to become a surgeon and how his passion for helping people and fascination with the human body led him on this path. He emphasizes the importance of finding passion in one's work.

00:08:39 - Overcoming Adversity,

Despite facing challenges during his college years, including the loss of his mother, Craig remained focused on his goal of becoming a surgeon. He demonstrates resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

00:12:39 - Continuing Education and Growth,

Craig highlights the importance of staying on track with academic requirements, such as completing specific courses in a timely manner, to achieve success in the medical field. He shares his personal experience and determination to finish his education.

00:14:02 - Discovering a Greater Purpose,

The guest shares his personal journey of discovering his father's stage four lung cancer and his own purpose in life. He became a certified nursing assistant and took care of his father's estate while applying to medical schools.

00:14:35 - Miracles and Opportunities,

Despite receiving rejection letters from 18 out of 20 medical schools, the guest receives an acceptance from UC Davis. He shares a funny story about receiving the acceptance call while pretending to be a taxi service. He acknowledges the miracles and opportunities that came his way.

00:16:39 - Maintaining Focus and Overcoming Challenges,

The host acknowledges the guest's unwavering focus on his goal despite facing numerous challenges like the loss of both parents and an injury. The guest attributes his persistence to a combination of factors, including his determination, divine intervention, and stubbornness.

00:17:55 - Dyslexia and Academic Success,

The host asks about the guest's reading disorder and how it affected his academic performance. The guest reveals that he was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 55 but managed to excel academically through hard work, anxiety, and utilizing strategies to compensate for his reading difficulties.

00:20:03 - Faith and Belief in Higher Power,

The host inquires about the guest's faith and if it played a role during his journey. The guest shares his Catholic upbringing but admits he wasn't a devout follower until later in life. He highlights the

00:28:24 - Surgeon Training and Specializations,

The guest discusses his twelve weeks of medical and surgical rotations as a general surgeon and emphasizes the importance of being able to save lives in emergency situations. He also mentions how the training for trauma and other specializations has evolved over time.

00:29:25 - Handling High-Pressure Situations,

The guest talks about the importance of learning to control heart rate and anxiety in high-pressure situations as a surgeon. He gives examples of different life-saving procedures he can perform, such as draining a hematoma or repairing a ruptured aneurysm.

00:30:30 - Dealing with Emotional Impact,

The guest discusses the emotional impact of working as a surgeon and how he compartmentalizes his experiences. He shares a story of a tragic car accident involving children and emphasizes the importance of honoring and remembering those who have been lost.

00:32:15 - Desire to Save Lives,

The guest explains his strong desire to be on the front lines as a general surgeon and save lives in emergency situations. He attributes this calling to a combination of personal experiences, empathy, and a sense of service above self.

00:36:46 - Life, Death, and Hope,

The guest reflects on the themes of life and death, sharing personal experiences with the passing of loved ones. He highlights the miracles and hope found in his grandmother's passing and a friend's conversion to Christianity in the face of terminal illness. He also discusses the potential for burnout and the importance

00:42:32 - The Inspiration Behind Writing the Book,

Craig's grandmother encouraged him to write a book that would inspire and motivate others. Her belief that doctors are human and that we all bleed the same served as the driving force for writing the book.

00:43:14 - The Call to Inspire and Unite,

While attending a leadership conference, Craig felt compelled to share his story and inspire others. A picture he took in Haiti with the word "Unite" in the background further confirmed his mission to bring people together and promote action.

00:44:44 - The Writing Process,

Craig discovered a helpful app called Rev that allowed him to dictate his book and have it transcribed within minutes. Working with an editor, he refined the content and added necessary clarifications. The entire writing process took around a year and a half.

00:46:24 - The Message of Hope and Inspiration,

Craig's goal is to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to others. He wants to help people discover their gifts, recognize the miracles in their lives, and believe in the presence of God.

00:47:23 - Medical Missions and Serving Others,

Craig has participated in medical missions to Honduras, providing healthcare services to those in need. He highlights the joy and fulfillment he experiences in helping others and witnessing miracles in these missions.

Key Lessons:

From this episode, there are several key lessons that can be gleaned:

1. Transformation through faith: The speaker's journey showcases how a renewed interest in religion can lead to a transformative experience. By becoming more involved in their faith and participating in medical mission trips, they found purpose and fulfillment.

2. Overcoming adversity: The speaker faced numerous challenges, including family crises and personal health issues, but managed to persevere and continue their studies. This demonstrates the power of resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles.

3. Unexpected assistance: The speaker's experiences highlight the importance of being open to receiving help and support. They received unexpected financial assistance during their education and encountered various coincidences and messages that pushed them to pursue their passions.

4. The intersection of science and faith: The speaker's belief in the compatibility of science and faith is a thought-provoking idea. They explore the role of science as the observation of nature, which they see as God's creation. The discussion touches on topics such as the Big Bang theory, the views of astrophysicists and cosmologists, as well as the challenges of evolution.

5. Impactful moments in healthcare: The speaker's experiences as a trauma surgeon highlight the profound impact that healthcare professionals can have on individuals and families during challenging times. They emphasize the importance of empathy, communication, and providing support to patients and their loved ones.

6. Finding purpose and passion: The speaker's journey showcases the importance of discovering and pursuing one's true passion. They reflect on their unwavering belief in becoming a surgeon from a young age and the determination that drove them to overcome challenges and setbacks.

7. Miracles and coincidences: The speaker's stories include instances of miraculous coincidences that aligned with their needs. Whether it was finding the exact item they needed or receiving unexpected support, these experiences speak to the potential power of divine intervention.

Overall, these key lessons highlight the transformative power of faith, the ability to overcome adversity, the importance of support and assistance, the intersection of science and faith, the impact of healthcare professionals, the discovery of purpose and passion, and the presence of miracles and coincidences in life.

Resources & Action Steps:

• Check out Craig Thayer's book: The Miracles of My Life - available on Amazon.
• Follow Tim Winders on social media for more interviews and stories of transformation.
• Subscribe to or Follow the Seek Go Create podcast for regular episodes featuring guests like Craig Thayer.
• Explore Tim Winders' coaching services for personal and professional growth at TimWinders.com.
• Join the Seek Go Create community for ongoing discussions and resources on challenging conventional definitions of success.

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