Do What You Can While You Can: Jordan’s Life After Paralysis

Description

In this moving episode, Ava sits down with her friend Jordan Jacobs, who became paralyzed in 2022 after a brain tumor surgery. Jordan opens up about his life before and after the diagnosis, the emotional challenges of living with paralysis, and how he’s found purpose in creating music and bringing joy to others. Through vulnerability and wisdom, Jordan reminds us that life is a gift—and that even in limitation, there’s room for meaning, contribution, and connection.

This episode is a raw conversation about identity, purpose, and how true fulfillment often comes from serving and loving others.

Click HERE to enter the Hawaii house giveaway!

Ava's Instagram | STYL Instagram

Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Hello, and welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast. I'm Ava Heimbach, your host and founder, and I'm here with my wonderful friend, Jordan Jacobs.
Speaker #1
Hi, that's amazing.
Speaker #0
That's Jordan, everybody. So yeah, just a little bit about Jordan. He was paralyzed in 2022 due to a surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Speaker #1
did the surgery go like wrong or no no it was just uh it was actually like exactly what they wanted really yeah and then it just caused the paralysis not the paralysis no
Speaker #0
the paralysis was not part of the plan but so yeah you were paralyzed in 2022 and it's currently 2025 and i met jordan through my job and was very inspired by his story and his outlook on life, his wisdom. And I just think you have such a beautiful soul. And I think other people would really benefit from hearing what you have to say, because I know I have. And yeah, that's why you're here to get your perspective about your situation and what gives you purpose and what it means to not waste your life. And just a little disclaimer for everybody listening, sometimes Jordan is a little bit hard to understand, so I will try my best to repeat kind of what is being said just to make it a little easier. So I'm looking forward to this, and just before we begin, I just want to remind everybody that we're still doing the Five Free Nights in Hawaii giveaway, which is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house. three minutes from the beach, you can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com. There's a little giveaways tab at the top. You can click on that and find all the ways that you can enter into the drawing. So if you're interested in doing that, go ahead and check that out. And also just a little reminder, I know I say this before every single episode, but I really want to make it clear that there is no right or wrong way to live your life. and that a fulfilling life, that definition is unique to each and every person. It's unique to me. It's unique to Jordan. It's unique to all of you guys. And you are entitled to your own opinions. We're not here to tell you how to live your life, but I just want to give you ideas, knowledge and inspiration to help you create a life that's beautiful to you. So shall we begin, Jordan?
Speaker #1
Sure thing.
Speaker #0
Sure thing. Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast that helps you break free from a life of self-doubt and distraction and inspires you to create a fulfilling and purposeful life. Each week, we dive into actionable advice, meaningful conversation, and insightful interviews to empower you to prioritize your well-being, pursue your passions, and become the best version of yourself. It's time to stop wasting your life and start building one that you are excited to wake up to. Once again, I'm Ava Heimbach, your host, and I'm here with my friend, Jordan Jacobs, our wonderful guest. This is Stop Wasting Your Life. And yeah, to begin, do you just want to tell us a little bit about yourself? Maybe your life before your brain tumor, when you found out about your brain tumor, and what your life looks like now after being paralyzed?
Speaker #1
This is kind of a lot.
Speaker #0
Maybe just like a short and condensed version. I know there's a lot. of depth that i just told you to like pretty much condense your whole life
Speaker #1
I know when I was four.
Speaker #0
Four?
Speaker #1
Four.
Speaker #0
I did not know that. With what?
Speaker #1
The reindeer work.
Speaker #0
I did not know that.
Speaker #1
Yeah. So it wasn't really a problem until recently.
Speaker #0
So when you were young, you had no problem?
Speaker #1
No.
Speaker #0
Oh.
Speaker #1
The I started having like symptoms when I was 27.
Speaker #0
27 you had symptoms? Yeah. What were some of those symptoms?
Speaker #1
I had right-sided weakness, like, difficulty talking. Oh.
Speaker #0
Only on your right side, though.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
So right now... I can't use vinyl aside really and that's for I have I I had two brain tumors, and one was much larger, and that's the one they removed.
Speaker #0
The larger one's the one they removed?
Speaker #1
Yes. I mean, that's cool.
Speaker #0
That is? I mean, is cool the right word? I mean it's cool that the body works like that but it's not cool that it has
Speaker #1
I mean, like, it's, I don't have to worry about the big one.
Speaker #0
Oh, the bigger one. But do you still have the smaller one? Yes. Yeah.
Speaker #1
That one is on the right side. Sort of. fixed by a red arm more.
Speaker #0
Oh. So the one that was on the left side is that the one they took out? Yeah. And that's why your left side's paralyzed?
Speaker #1
It sure is.
Speaker #0
Ah, look at that. It's all making sense to me. So after you had that surgery to get rid of the brain tumor, did you wake up and know you were paralyzed?
Speaker #1
I know I wasn't.
Speaker #0
Oh, you weren't paralyzed when you woke up?
Speaker #1
No. It happened over days. But like the other way. So I woke up fully paralyzed.
Speaker #0
You woke up fully paralyzed? Yes. Oh wow.
Speaker #1
I got the function back on my right side.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
Over several days.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
And that was scary.
Speaker #0
So did the doctors, did they tell you that there might be a chance that you are fully paralyzed?
Speaker #1
No one didn't tell me anything.
Speaker #0
They didn't tell you anything?
Speaker #1
I was lucky to be where the vet was. So... He made the doctor give me... an 85% chance I'd be fine.
Speaker #0
The doctor gave you an 85% chance you'd be fine?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Wow. And here we are.
Speaker #0
So maybe tell everybody a little bit about what your life looks like now.
Speaker #1
Now I stay at home and make music.
Speaker #0
Makes music in his home. And what else do you like to do? You like to watch movies? movies and play games yeah anything i can do around here around here yeah i've been coming over and painting with him so we just finished our first masterpiece that's actually hanging up behind them right now and we yes you were my inspiration and i painted it but it says this life is a gift and on it it also says what a privilege it is to wake up so that's kind of our little mantra that we've been saying recently what do you wish people better understood about living with paralysis because i feel like there's so much more than just i'm
Speaker #1
paralyzed i feel like yes So I think you're right, but I think more than anything, there's a big stigma. So a lot of people, at least, maybe I'm old.
Speaker #0
You're old?
Speaker #1
Maybe. But the way I see it... People are treated differently.
Speaker #0
Treated differently?
Speaker #1
Yeah. And I'm the same person.
Speaker #0
Yeah. No, you totally are the same person. I mean, you are the same person. Nothing has changed. changed about your personality or your brain like it's just your body and i think it's so unfair that people just assume that maybe something has changed because of what your body looks like
Speaker #1
I mean, there's a lot that I've done in the rehab facility.
Speaker #0
In the rehab facility?
Speaker #1
A lot of people did have mental differences.
Speaker #0
Yeah, but not everybody has mental differences.
Speaker #1
I don't.
Speaker #0
Yeah, I know you don't. Because you give me attitude. Just kidding. No, he doesn't give me attitude. It was a joke. He's actually the best. I give I probably give more attitude in the friendship. Do I not?
Speaker #1
I don't know about that.
Speaker #0
I give a little bit of attitude.
Speaker #1
You're nice to me.
Speaker #0
I'm nice to you, but I'm also a little bossy to you.
Speaker #1
So?
Speaker #0
Stop hyping me up.
Speaker #1
Sorry.
Speaker #0
Don't apologize. What was one of the hardest things to accept or overcome after you were diagnosed with the brain tumor and then also waking up and finding out that you're paralyzed?
Speaker #1
So this is a little bit of an overshare.
Speaker #0
No such thing as an overshare.
Speaker #1
Fine. I cried a lot over this. We have, but you know, in our society, in our society, men are expected to be providers.
Speaker #0
Men are expected to be providers in society.
Speaker #1
Yes. And so it was a big deal for me that that was really not an option for me. I struggled a lot with thinking it was. Like I had no ability to add anything anymore.
Speaker #0
You felt like you didn't have the ability to add anything?
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
So at the time you came, when you like came out of the surgery and you were in rehab, were you still engaged?
Speaker #1
Yes.
Speaker #0
Did your fiance at the time, what did she, what was her view on this?
Speaker #1
She was supportive of the surgery.
Speaker #0
She was supportive of the surgery?
Speaker #1
Yeah, but you know. She had to take care of me by herself.
Speaker #0
She had to take care of you by herself?
Speaker #1
For almost a year.
Speaker #0
For a year?
Speaker #1
A year.
Speaker #0
Oh, wow.
Speaker #1
I think it was a year. And she couldn't like even the other, which I understand.
Speaker #0
So obviously, I know that music is a big part of your life. And you actually did the music for my intro song, which is amazing. I absolutely love it. And I hope you are very proud of that, too. But anyway, you do music. And so tell me a little bit about that and maybe how you find purpose in doing that. And what else gives you purpose? What else gives you motivation in your life?
Speaker #1
That's a very good question. I find that a lot of my motivation is wrapped up in music right now.
Speaker #0
It's wrapped up in music? Yeah.
Speaker #1
So I get a lot from... Are there people enjoying what I make?
Speaker #0
And they do. Everyone, every friend that I bring over to meet Jordan, they're all like, his music is so good. We need to start like a SoundCloud or something.
Speaker #1
I use my mom's
Speaker #0
SoundCloud. You use your mom's SoundCloud?
Speaker #1
I do. I can't upload it because it's copyrighted. Oh.
Speaker #0
Well, we need to make something that's not copyrighted. The one you just showed me wasn't copyrighted? Yeah. Yeah, well, then let's add it. We can link it in the show notes.
Speaker #1
Okay.
Speaker #0
But anyway, conversation for another day. Continue.
Speaker #1
I really think, like, for me, I find a lot of purpose in other people enjoying, like, stuff I make. So that's a good... is certainly the only point of motivation for me.
Speaker #0
A lot of people do also enjoy you as a human being, though. You know that, right?
Speaker #1
I have been told.
Speaker #0
Yes, see, I enjoy spending time with you and being your friend. I literally bring all my friends to come meet Jordan. Like Jordan's amazing. I'm just going to take a little pause in this episode to say that for the Hawaii House giveaway, one of the ways that you can enter is by putting in a secret code. So the secret code for this episode today is 1808. So if you're listening and you hear that code, you can go to the website, go to the giveaways tab, type in that code, and that will give you some entries. What would you say to someone who maybe feels stuck in their life or, shall we say, feels like they're wasting their life, even though they might be physically able?
Speaker #1
I think the biggest thing I have to say to someone in that situation is... Do what you can while you can.
Speaker #0
Do what you can while you can? Yeah.
Speaker #1
Because you never know what you can. When you're not going to be able to do what you want. And that's a big deal, you know?
Speaker #0
Can you say that one more time?
Speaker #1
Of course. Which part?
Speaker #0
The whole thing.
Speaker #1
For anyone in that situation, I would tell them to do what they can. While they can. Because you never know, right? You never know what's not going to be possible for you. Whenever you want.
Speaker #0
That's so good. I need to say that over and over and over and over and over again. I feel like even just knowing you and being your friend and spending time with you has given me such a deeper appreciation of life because it's so true. Like I could wake up tomorrow and be paralyzed also. And first of all, you better come take care of me and spend time with me. But also like... I know, I know you would, but it just makes me so grateful that every single morning I get to wake up and I'm alive and I have legs to walk and I can see and I can hear like, that's something that I don't ever want to take for granted. And I feel like a lot of people do take that for granted.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
And it really takes knowing someone who lacks one of those things to make you really wake up and appreciate. what you do have. And I genuinely think that knowing you has just completely changed my perspective on that. Like every single morning I wake up and I like back to our little poster we made, like this life is a gift and everything that we have as a gift. And if it wasn't for you, I feel like I would just take that for granted. But every time I come see you, I remind myself that thank goodness for Jordan, because you might be in a shitty situation. in your life like why this happened i don't know but this happening to you gave my life just a little bit more meaning happy to hope is that what you said yes what message do you hope to leave behind wow
Speaker #1
Legacy of wanting other people to follow is just be nice together. Like I know individual concerns are what they are, but just think about others.
Speaker #0
Think about others.
Speaker #1
Yeah. It's very fulfilling.
Speaker #0
Mm. It is fulfilling. I feel like a lot of people's lives just revolve around themselves. Don't get me wrong. We need to take care of ourselves.
Speaker #1
The brain is very bad at that way.
Speaker #0
At what?
Speaker #1
Prioritizing yourself.
Speaker #0
Mm.
Speaker #1
I think the, so the maximum, like, fulfillment you can have is that you can get always involves another person.
Speaker #0
It involves another person.
Speaker #1
That's what I think.
Speaker #0
I completely agree. I mean, yes, obviously, I think it's. very important to take care of ourselves. And I do a lot to take care of myself, both physically and mentally, but I think you're completely right. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in my relationships with people. And when I do things for people and when people do things for me, that's just so special. So it's a balance taking care of yourself, but also living selflessly.
Speaker #1
I think a lot of young people. specifically are misled by only self-help. I think that taking care of yourself is only so important. You gotta have the other part too.
Speaker #0
Taking care of others. Yeah. Yeah. We like being taken care of too. I love being taken care of. I love taking care of. Other people, I love taking care of myself. Yeah,
Speaker #1
fair.
Speaker #0
If the version of you before your injury, before the paralysis, if you could go back and look at that Jordan in the eyes, what would you say to him?
Speaker #1
It would be important for me to tell myself to... Do things that I enjoy.
Speaker #0
Do things you enjoy?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Because at that point, I was not doing that.
Speaker #0
You weren't doing it at that point? No.
Speaker #1
So I think I could tell myself that.
Speaker #0
Tell yourself to go do things that you enjoy?
Speaker #1
for the last year it's a simple thing but the one that i wasn't doing i wasn't doing that you weren't doing things that you love i
Speaker #0
was just existing you were just existing yeah you weren't living yeah okay well what does living look like to you then
Speaker #1
Living to me, I feel I've been important to Sunny. Interpersonal. So like making someone else happy.
Speaker #0
Making someone else happy.
Speaker #1
It's very important to me. So like this. Why I ask for validation of my music or stuff like that. I just want to know that other people like it. It's very important to me personally.
Speaker #0
So what does not wasting your life mean to you? And has that changed from before? Or do you think your injury changed what? not wasting your life means to you?
Speaker #1
A lot of what wasting your life means to me is just doing things. I think generally focusing on me is bad for me. I think I need that aspect of someone else enjoying what I'm doing.
Speaker #0
So you would say that not wasting your life. to you means bringing happiness and joy to other people?
Speaker #1
Yes. In so many words.
Speaker #0
Do you think that changed from before your injury, or would you say...
Speaker #1
I think before... I just wasn't paying attention.
Speaker #0
You weren't paying attention. To it.
Speaker #1
It's very easy not to think of it. Like, there's a lot of things out there. They're designed to just eat up your time. I used to play a game. for like 12 or 16 hours a day.
Speaker #0
12 to 16 hours a day.
Speaker #1
Yeah, and talk to my friends. And that was like a lot for me, and I had a job. But was it enough of me?
Speaker #0
So if you were to give me any advice, I mean, you know me well enough to know, like, my story and my anxieties and fears and what I'm doing with my life. But if you were to give me any piece of advice, what would you say?
Speaker #1
I'm doing all right. You are embodying what I'm saying.
Speaker #0
Hmm. That's not advice.
Speaker #1
Just kidding. Sorry.
Speaker #0
No, that's okay. Now what in your life? Like, what does the next step of your life look like now?
Speaker #1
I don't know what my life looks like now. It's a look of pissing.
Speaker #0
Still making music for sure. Yeah. And I still have to make a painting of this life as a gift painting for my room. So we'll probably have to do that.
Speaker #1
We.
Speaker #0
We. We. Yes, we, Jordan. Well, I think that that wraps up the end of this episode. So just wanted to say thank you again, Jordan, for letting me interview you. I hope you know how much you mean to me. And. how much you mean to so many other people. And I know that this isn't ideally the life that you would choose for yourself, but you're doing a good job and you help a lot of people and bring a lot of joy to everybody. And don't cry because then you're going to make me cry. But someone listening to this podcast right now needed to hear something you had to say, because I know that you said something that I needed to hear and you should feel really happy that you could have just changed that person's life.
Speaker #1
I do. I'm happy to help.
Speaker #0
Happy to help.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
But yeah, thanks again for listening, everybody. I really hope you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Jordan and really took some of his wisdom that he shared with us and take that to heart. And remember that life is a gift and It's a privilege to wake up in the morning. Don't ever forget that. Before we completely end this episode, just a little reminder about the Hawaii House giveaway. You can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, click on the giveaways tab, follow that link. You'll find all the ways that you can enter. One of the ways that you can enter is by a code in the episode. Thanks again for listening and we will see you next week. Thanks for listening to today's episode of Stop Wasting Your Life. We hope that you are feeling motivated to take charge of your future and start living with purpose, intention, and authenticity. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to leave us a good review, give us a follow, and subscribe to our newsletter. For more information, go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, and we will see you next week.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Her journey—fueled by travel, raw conversations, bold adventures, and the courage to embrace what it means to be fully human—was shaped by the people she met and the lessons that cracked her open. Now, her mission is to share those stories and voices to help others live with purpose, depth, and freedom.

This podcast exists to inspire and equip listeners to create a life of intention—through honest dialogue, transformative experiences, and practical tools. We explore what it means to be fully alive: to embrace discomfort, pursue passion, prioritize well-being, seek adventure, and honor the messy beauty of being human.

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

This episode is a raw conversation about identity, purpose, and how true fulfillment often comes from serving and loving others.

Click HERE to enter the Hawaii house giveaway!

Ava's Instagram | STYL Instagram

Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Hello, and welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast. I'm Ava Heimbach, your host and founder, and I'm here with my wonderful friend, Jordan Jacobs.
Speaker #1
Hi, that's amazing.
Speaker #0
That's Jordan, everybody. So yeah, just a little bit about Jordan. He was paralyzed in 2022 due to a surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Speaker #1
did the surgery go like wrong or no no it was just uh it was actually like exactly what they wanted really yeah and then it just caused the paralysis not the paralysis no
Speaker #0
the paralysis was not part of the plan but so yeah you were paralyzed in 2022 and it's currently 2025 and i met jordan through my job and was very inspired by his story and his outlook on life, his wisdom. And I just think you have such a beautiful soul. And I think other people would really benefit from hearing what you have to say, because I know I have. And yeah, that's why you're here to get your perspective about your situation and what gives you purpose and what it means to not waste your life. And just a little disclaimer for everybody listening, sometimes Jordan is a little bit hard to understand, so I will try my best to repeat kind of what is being said just to make it a little easier. So I'm looking forward to this, and just before we begin, I just want to remind everybody that we're still doing the Five Free Nights in Hawaii giveaway, which is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house. three minutes from the beach, you can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com. There's a little giveaways tab at the top. You can click on that and find all the ways that you can enter into the drawing. So if you're interested in doing that, go ahead and check that out. And also just a little reminder, I know I say this before every single episode, but I really want to make it clear that there is no right or wrong way to live your life. and that a fulfilling life, that definition is unique to each and every person. It's unique to me. It's unique to Jordan. It's unique to all of you guys. And you are entitled to your own opinions. We're not here to tell you how to live your life, but I just want to give you ideas, knowledge and inspiration to help you create a life that's beautiful to you. So shall we begin, Jordan?
Speaker #1
Sure thing.
Speaker #0
Sure thing. Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast that helps you break free from a life of self-doubt and distraction and inspires you to create a fulfilling and purposeful life. Each week, we dive into actionable advice, meaningful conversation, and insightful interviews to empower you to prioritize your well-being, pursue your passions, and become the best version of yourself. It's time to stop wasting your life and start building one that you are excited to wake up to. Once again, I'm Ava Heimbach, your host, and I'm here with my friend, Jordan Jacobs, our wonderful guest. This is Stop Wasting Your Life. And yeah, to begin, do you just want to tell us a little bit about yourself? Maybe your life before your brain tumor, when you found out about your brain tumor, and what your life looks like now after being paralyzed?
Speaker #1
This is kind of a lot.
Speaker #0
Maybe just like a short and condensed version. I know there's a lot. of depth that i just told you to like pretty much condense your whole life
Speaker #1
I know when I was four.
Speaker #0
Four?
Speaker #1
Four.
Speaker #0
I did not know that. With what?
Speaker #1
The reindeer work.
Speaker #0
I did not know that.
Speaker #1
Yeah. So it wasn't really a problem until recently.
Speaker #0
So when you were young, you had no problem?
Speaker #1
No.
Speaker #0
Oh.
Speaker #1
The I started having like symptoms when I was 27.
Speaker #0
27 you had symptoms? Yeah. What were some of those symptoms?
Speaker #1
I had right-sided weakness, like, difficulty talking. Oh.
Speaker #0
Only on your right side, though.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
So right now... I can't use vinyl aside really and that's for I have I I had two brain tumors, and one was much larger, and that's the one they removed.
Speaker #0
The larger one's the one they removed?
Speaker #1
Yes. I mean, that's cool.
Speaker #0
That is? I mean, is cool the right word? I mean it's cool that the body works like that but it's not cool that it has
Speaker #1
I mean, like, it's, I don't have to worry about the big one.
Speaker #0
Oh, the bigger one. But do you still have the smaller one? Yes. Yeah.
Speaker #1
That one is on the right side. Sort of. fixed by a red arm more.
Speaker #0
Oh. So the one that was on the left side is that the one they took out? Yeah. And that's why your left side's paralyzed?
Speaker #1
It sure is.
Speaker #0
Ah, look at that. It's all making sense to me. So after you had that surgery to get rid of the brain tumor, did you wake up and know you were paralyzed?
Speaker #1
I know I wasn't.
Speaker #0
Oh, you weren't paralyzed when you woke up?
Speaker #1
No. It happened over days. But like the other way. So I woke up fully paralyzed.
Speaker #0
You woke up fully paralyzed? Yes. Oh wow.
Speaker #1
I got the function back on my right side.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
Over several days.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
And that was scary.
Speaker #0
So did the doctors, did they tell you that there might be a chance that you are fully paralyzed?
Speaker #1
No one didn't tell me anything.
Speaker #0
They didn't tell you anything?
Speaker #1
I was lucky to be where the vet was. So... He made the doctor give me... an 85% chance I'd be fine.
Speaker #0
The doctor gave you an 85% chance you'd be fine?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Wow. And here we are.
Speaker #0
So maybe tell everybody a little bit about what your life looks like now.
Speaker #1
Now I stay at home and make music.
Speaker #0
Makes music in his home. And what else do you like to do? You like to watch movies? movies and play games yeah anything i can do around here around here yeah i've been coming over and painting with him so we just finished our first masterpiece that's actually hanging up behind them right now and we yes you were my inspiration and i painted it but it says this life is a gift and on it it also says what a privilege it is to wake up so that's kind of our little mantra that we've been saying recently what do you wish people better understood about living with paralysis because i feel like there's so much more than just i'm
Speaker #1
paralyzed i feel like yes So I think you're right, but I think more than anything, there's a big stigma. So a lot of people, at least, maybe I'm old.
Speaker #0
You're old?
Speaker #1
Maybe. But the way I see it... People are treated differently.
Speaker #0
Treated differently?
Speaker #1
Yeah. And I'm the same person.
Speaker #0
Yeah. No, you totally are the same person. I mean, you are the same person. Nothing has changed. changed about your personality or your brain like it's just your body and i think it's so unfair that people just assume that maybe something has changed because of what your body looks like
Speaker #1
I mean, there's a lot that I've done in the rehab facility.
Speaker #0
In the rehab facility?
Speaker #1
A lot of people did have mental differences.
Speaker #0
Yeah, but not everybody has mental differences.
Speaker #1
I don't.
Speaker #0
Yeah, I know you don't. Because you give me attitude. Just kidding. No, he doesn't give me attitude. It was a joke. He's actually the best. I give I probably give more attitude in the friendship. Do I not?
Speaker #1
I don't know about that.
Speaker #0
I give a little bit of attitude.
Speaker #1
You're nice to me.
Speaker #0
I'm nice to you, but I'm also a little bossy to you.
Speaker #1
So?
Speaker #0
Stop hyping me up.
Speaker #1
Sorry.
Speaker #0
Don't apologize. What was one of the hardest things to accept or overcome after you were diagnosed with the brain tumor and then also waking up and finding out that you're paralyzed?
Speaker #1
So this is a little bit of an overshare.
Speaker #0
No such thing as an overshare.
Speaker #1
Fine. I cried a lot over this. We have, but you know, in our society, in our society, men are expected to be providers.
Speaker #0
Men are expected to be providers in society.
Speaker #1
Yes. And so it was a big deal for me that that was really not an option for me. I struggled a lot with thinking it was. Like I had no ability to add anything anymore.
Speaker #0
You felt like you didn't have the ability to add anything?
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
So at the time you came, when you like came out of the surgery and you were in rehab, were you still engaged?
Speaker #1
Yes.
Speaker #0
Did your fiance at the time, what did she, what was her view on this?
Speaker #1
She was supportive of the surgery.
Speaker #0
She was supportive of the surgery?
Speaker #1
Yeah, but you know. She had to take care of me by herself.
Speaker #0
She had to take care of you by herself?
Speaker #1
For almost a year.
Speaker #0
For a year?
Speaker #1
A year.
Speaker #0
Oh, wow.
Speaker #1
I think it was a year. And she couldn't like even the other, which I understand.
Speaker #0
So obviously, I know that music is a big part of your life. And you actually did the music for my intro song, which is amazing. I absolutely love it. And I hope you are very proud of that, too. But anyway, you do music. And so tell me a little bit about that and maybe how you find purpose in doing that. And what else gives you purpose? What else gives you motivation in your life?
Speaker #1
That's a very good question. I find that a lot of my motivation is wrapped up in music right now.
Speaker #0
It's wrapped up in music? Yeah.
Speaker #1
So I get a lot from... Are there people enjoying what I make?
Speaker #0
And they do. Everyone, every friend that I bring over to meet Jordan, they're all like, his music is so good. We need to start like a SoundCloud or something.
Speaker #1
I use my mom's
Speaker #0
SoundCloud. You use your mom's SoundCloud?
Speaker #1
I do. I can't upload it because it's copyrighted. Oh.
Speaker #0
Well, we need to make something that's not copyrighted. The one you just showed me wasn't copyrighted? Yeah. Yeah, well, then let's add it. We can link it in the show notes.
Speaker #1
Okay.
Speaker #0
But anyway, conversation for another day. Continue.
Speaker #1
I really think, like, for me, I find a lot of purpose in other people enjoying, like, stuff I make. So that's a good... is certainly the only point of motivation for me.
Speaker #0
A lot of people do also enjoy you as a human being, though. You know that, right?
Speaker #1
I have been told.
Speaker #0
Yes, see, I enjoy spending time with you and being your friend. I literally bring all my friends to come meet Jordan. Like Jordan's amazing. I'm just going to take a little pause in this episode to say that for the Hawaii House giveaway, one of the ways that you can enter is by putting in a secret code. So the secret code for this episode today is 1808. So if you're listening and you hear that code, you can go to the website, go to the giveaways tab, type in that code, and that will give you some entries. What would you say to someone who maybe feels stuck in their life or, shall we say, feels like they're wasting their life, even though they might be physically able?
Speaker #1
I think the biggest thing I have to say to someone in that situation is... Do what you can while you can.
Speaker #0
Do what you can while you can? Yeah.
Speaker #1
Because you never know what you can. When you're not going to be able to do what you want. And that's a big deal, you know?
Speaker #0
Can you say that one more time?
Speaker #1
Of course. Which part?
Speaker #0
The whole thing.
Speaker #1
For anyone in that situation, I would tell them to do what they can. While they can. Because you never know, right? You never know what's not going to be possible for you. Whenever you want.
Speaker #0
That's so good. I need to say that over and over and over and over and over again. I feel like even just knowing you and being your friend and spending time with you has given me such a deeper appreciation of life because it's so true. Like I could wake up tomorrow and be paralyzed also. And first of all, you better come take care of me and spend time with me. But also like... I know, I know you would, but it just makes me so grateful that every single morning I get to wake up and I'm alive and I have legs to walk and I can see and I can hear like, that's something that I don't ever want to take for granted. And I feel like a lot of people do take that for granted.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
And it really takes knowing someone who lacks one of those things to make you really wake up and appreciate. what you do have. And I genuinely think that knowing you has just completely changed my perspective on that. Like every single morning I wake up and I like back to our little poster we made, like this life is a gift and everything that we have as a gift. And if it wasn't for you, I feel like I would just take that for granted. But every time I come see you, I remind myself that thank goodness for Jordan, because you might be in a shitty situation. in your life like why this happened i don't know but this happening to you gave my life just a little bit more meaning happy to hope is that what you said yes what message do you hope to leave behind wow
Speaker #1
Legacy of wanting other people to follow is just be nice together. Like I know individual concerns are what they are, but just think about others.
Speaker #0
Think about others.
Speaker #1
Yeah. It's very fulfilling.
Speaker #0
Mm. It is fulfilling. I feel like a lot of people's lives just revolve around themselves. Don't get me wrong. We need to take care of ourselves.
Speaker #1
The brain is very bad at that way.
Speaker #0
At what?
Speaker #1
Prioritizing yourself.
Speaker #0
Mm.
Speaker #1
I think the, so the maximum, like, fulfillment you can have is that you can get always involves another person.
Speaker #0
It involves another person.
Speaker #1
That's what I think.
Speaker #0
I completely agree. I mean, yes, obviously, I think it's. very important to take care of ourselves. And I do a lot to take care of myself, both physically and mentally, but I think you're completely right. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in my relationships with people. And when I do things for people and when people do things for me, that's just so special. So it's a balance taking care of yourself, but also living selflessly.
Speaker #1
I think a lot of young people. specifically are misled by only self-help. I think that taking care of yourself is only so important. You gotta have the other part too.
Speaker #0
Taking care of others. Yeah. Yeah. We like being taken care of too. I love being taken care of. I love taking care of. Other people, I love taking care of myself. Yeah,
Speaker #1
fair.
Speaker #0
If the version of you before your injury, before the paralysis, if you could go back and look at that Jordan in the eyes, what would you say to him?
Speaker #1
It would be important for me to tell myself to... Do things that I enjoy.
Speaker #0
Do things you enjoy?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Because at that point, I was not doing that.
Speaker #0
You weren't doing it at that point? No.
Speaker #1
So I think I could tell myself that.
Speaker #0
Tell yourself to go do things that you enjoy?
Speaker #1
for the last year it's a simple thing but the one that i wasn't doing i wasn't doing that you weren't doing things that you love i
Speaker #0
was just existing you were just existing yeah you weren't living yeah okay well what does living look like to you then
Speaker #1
Living to me, I feel I've been important to Sunny. Interpersonal. So like making someone else happy.
Speaker #0
Making someone else happy.
Speaker #1
It's very important to me. So like this. Why I ask for validation of my music or stuff like that. I just want to know that other people like it. It's very important to me personally.
Speaker #0
So what does not wasting your life mean to you? And has that changed from before? Or do you think your injury changed what? not wasting your life means to you?
Speaker #1
A lot of what wasting your life means to me is just doing things. I think generally focusing on me is bad for me. I think I need that aspect of someone else enjoying what I'm doing.
Speaker #0
So you would say that not wasting your life. to you means bringing happiness and joy to other people?
Speaker #1
Yes. In so many words.
Speaker #0
Do you think that changed from before your injury, or would you say...
Speaker #1
I think before... I just wasn't paying attention.
Speaker #0
You weren't paying attention. To it.
Speaker #1
It's very easy not to think of it. Like, there's a lot of things out there. They're designed to just eat up your time. I used to play a game. for like 12 or 16 hours a day.
Speaker #0
12 to 16 hours a day.
Speaker #1
Yeah, and talk to my friends. And that was like a lot for me, and I had a job. But was it enough of me?
Speaker #0
So if you were to give me any advice, I mean, you know me well enough to know, like, my story and my anxieties and fears and what I'm doing with my life. But if you were to give me any piece of advice, what would you say?
Speaker #1
I'm doing all right. You are embodying what I'm saying.
Speaker #0
Hmm. That's not advice.
Speaker #1
Just kidding. Sorry.
Speaker #0
No, that's okay. Now what in your life? Like, what does the next step of your life look like now?
Speaker #1
I don't know what my life looks like now. It's a look of pissing.
Speaker #0
Still making music for sure. Yeah. And I still have to make a painting of this life as a gift painting for my room. So we'll probably have to do that.
Speaker #1
We.
Speaker #0
We. We. Yes, we, Jordan. Well, I think that that wraps up the end of this episode. So just wanted to say thank you again, Jordan, for letting me interview you. I hope you know how much you mean to me. And. how much you mean to so many other people. And I know that this isn't ideally the life that you would choose for yourself, but you're doing a good job and you help a lot of people and bring a lot of joy to everybody. And don't cry because then you're going to make me cry. But someone listening to this podcast right now needed to hear something you had to say, because I know that you said something that I needed to hear and you should feel really happy that you could have just changed that person's life.
Speaker #1
I do. I'm happy to help.
Speaker #0
Happy to help.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
But yeah, thanks again for listening, everybody. I really hope you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Jordan and really took some of his wisdom that he shared with us and take that to heart. And remember that life is a gift and It's a privilege to wake up in the morning. Don't ever forget that. Before we completely end this episode, just a little reminder about the Hawaii House giveaway. You can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, click on the giveaways tab, follow that link. You'll find all the ways that you can enter. One of the ways that you can enter is by a code in the episode. Thanks again for listening and we will see you next week. Thanks for listening to today's episode of Stop Wasting Your Life. We hope that you are feeling motivated to take charge of your future and start living with purpose, intention, and authenticity. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to leave us a good review, give us a follow, and subscribe to our newsletter. For more information, go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, and we will see you next week.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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This episode is a raw conversation about identity, purpose, and how true fulfillment often comes from serving and loving others.

Click HERE to enter the Hawaii house giveaway!

Ava's Instagram | STYL Instagram

Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Hello, and welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast. I'm Ava Heimbach, your host and founder, and I'm here with my wonderful friend, Jordan Jacobs.
Speaker #1
Hi, that's amazing.
Speaker #0
That's Jordan, everybody. So yeah, just a little bit about Jordan. He was paralyzed in 2022 due to a surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Speaker #1
did the surgery go like wrong or no no it was just uh it was actually like exactly what they wanted really yeah and then it just caused the paralysis not the paralysis no
Speaker #0
the paralysis was not part of the plan but so yeah you were paralyzed in 2022 and it's currently 2025 and i met jordan through my job and was very inspired by his story and his outlook on life, his wisdom. And I just think you have such a beautiful soul. And I think other people would really benefit from hearing what you have to say, because I know I have. And yeah, that's why you're here to get your perspective about your situation and what gives you purpose and what it means to not waste your life. And just a little disclaimer for everybody listening, sometimes Jordan is a little bit hard to understand, so I will try my best to repeat kind of what is being said just to make it a little easier. So I'm looking forward to this, and just before we begin, I just want to remind everybody that we're still doing the Five Free Nights in Hawaii giveaway, which is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house. three minutes from the beach, you can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com. There's a little giveaways tab at the top. You can click on that and find all the ways that you can enter into the drawing. So if you're interested in doing that, go ahead and check that out. And also just a little reminder, I know I say this before every single episode, but I really want to make it clear that there is no right or wrong way to live your life. and that a fulfilling life, that definition is unique to each and every person. It's unique to me. It's unique to Jordan. It's unique to all of you guys. And you are entitled to your own opinions. We're not here to tell you how to live your life, but I just want to give you ideas, knowledge and inspiration to help you create a life that's beautiful to you. So shall we begin, Jordan?
Speaker #1
Sure thing.
Speaker #0
Sure thing. Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast that helps you break free from a life of self-doubt and distraction and inspires you to create a fulfilling and purposeful life. Each week, we dive into actionable advice, meaningful conversation, and insightful interviews to empower you to prioritize your well-being, pursue your passions, and become the best version of yourself. It's time to stop wasting your life and start building one that you are excited to wake up to. Once again, I'm Ava Heimbach, your host, and I'm here with my friend, Jordan Jacobs, our wonderful guest. This is Stop Wasting Your Life. And yeah, to begin, do you just want to tell us a little bit about yourself? Maybe your life before your brain tumor, when you found out about your brain tumor, and what your life looks like now after being paralyzed?
Speaker #1
This is kind of a lot.
Speaker #0
Maybe just like a short and condensed version. I know there's a lot. of depth that i just told you to like pretty much condense your whole life
Speaker #1
I know when I was four.
Speaker #0
Four?
Speaker #1
Four.
Speaker #0
I did not know that. With what?
Speaker #1
The reindeer work.
Speaker #0
I did not know that.
Speaker #1
Yeah. So it wasn't really a problem until recently.
Speaker #0
So when you were young, you had no problem?
Speaker #1
No.
Speaker #0
Oh.
Speaker #1
The I started having like symptoms when I was 27.
Speaker #0
27 you had symptoms? Yeah. What were some of those symptoms?
Speaker #1
I had right-sided weakness, like, difficulty talking. Oh.
Speaker #0
Only on your right side, though.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
So right now... I can't use vinyl aside really and that's for I have I I had two brain tumors, and one was much larger, and that's the one they removed.
Speaker #0
The larger one's the one they removed?
Speaker #1
Yes. I mean, that's cool.
Speaker #0
That is? I mean, is cool the right word? I mean it's cool that the body works like that but it's not cool that it has
Speaker #1
I mean, like, it's, I don't have to worry about the big one.
Speaker #0
Oh, the bigger one. But do you still have the smaller one? Yes. Yeah.
Speaker #1
That one is on the right side. Sort of. fixed by a red arm more.
Speaker #0
Oh. So the one that was on the left side is that the one they took out? Yeah. And that's why your left side's paralyzed?
Speaker #1
It sure is.
Speaker #0
Ah, look at that. It's all making sense to me. So after you had that surgery to get rid of the brain tumor, did you wake up and know you were paralyzed?
Speaker #1
I know I wasn't.
Speaker #0
Oh, you weren't paralyzed when you woke up?
Speaker #1
No. It happened over days. But like the other way. So I woke up fully paralyzed.
Speaker #0
You woke up fully paralyzed? Yes. Oh wow.
Speaker #1
I got the function back on my right side.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
Over several days.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
And that was scary.
Speaker #0
So did the doctors, did they tell you that there might be a chance that you are fully paralyzed?
Speaker #1
No one didn't tell me anything.
Speaker #0
They didn't tell you anything?
Speaker #1
I was lucky to be where the vet was. So... He made the doctor give me... an 85% chance I'd be fine.
Speaker #0
The doctor gave you an 85% chance you'd be fine?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Wow. And here we are.
Speaker #0
So maybe tell everybody a little bit about what your life looks like now.
Speaker #1
Now I stay at home and make music.
Speaker #0
Makes music in his home. And what else do you like to do? You like to watch movies? movies and play games yeah anything i can do around here around here yeah i've been coming over and painting with him so we just finished our first masterpiece that's actually hanging up behind them right now and we yes you were my inspiration and i painted it but it says this life is a gift and on it it also says what a privilege it is to wake up so that's kind of our little mantra that we've been saying recently what do you wish people better understood about living with paralysis because i feel like there's so much more than just i'm
Speaker #1
paralyzed i feel like yes So I think you're right, but I think more than anything, there's a big stigma. So a lot of people, at least, maybe I'm old.
Speaker #0
You're old?
Speaker #1
Maybe. But the way I see it... People are treated differently.
Speaker #0
Treated differently?
Speaker #1
Yeah. And I'm the same person.
Speaker #0
Yeah. No, you totally are the same person. I mean, you are the same person. Nothing has changed. changed about your personality or your brain like it's just your body and i think it's so unfair that people just assume that maybe something has changed because of what your body looks like
Speaker #1
I mean, there's a lot that I've done in the rehab facility.
Speaker #0
In the rehab facility?
Speaker #1
A lot of people did have mental differences.
Speaker #0
Yeah, but not everybody has mental differences.
Speaker #1
I don't.
Speaker #0
Yeah, I know you don't. Because you give me attitude. Just kidding. No, he doesn't give me attitude. It was a joke. He's actually the best. I give I probably give more attitude in the friendship. Do I not?
Speaker #1
I don't know about that.
Speaker #0
I give a little bit of attitude.
Speaker #1
You're nice to me.
Speaker #0
I'm nice to you, but I'm also a little bossy to you.
Speaker #1
So?
Speaker #0
Stop hyping me up.
Speaker #1
Sorry.
Speaker #0
Don't apologize. What was one of the hardest things to accept or overcome after you were diagnosed with the brain tumor and then also waking up and finding out that you're paralyzed?
Speaker #1
So this is a little bit of an overshare.
Speaker #0
No such thing as an overshare.
Speaker #1
Fine. I cried a lot over this. We have, but you know, in our society, in our society, men are expected to be providers.
Speaker #0
Men are expected to be providers in society.
Speaker #1
Yes. And so it was a big deal for me that that was really not an option for me. I struggled a lot with thinking it was. Like I had no ability to add anything anymore.
Speaker #0
You felt like you didn't have the ability to add anything?
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
So at the time you came, when you like came out of the surgery and you were in rehab, were you still engaged?
Speaker #1
Yes.
Speaker #0
Did your fiance at the time, what did she, what was her view on this?
Speaker #1
She was supportive of the surgery.
Speaker #0
She was supportive of the surgery?
Speaker #1
Yeah, but you know. She had to take care of me by herself.
Speaker #0
She had to take care of you by herself?
Speaker #1
For almost a year.
Speaker #0
For a year?
Speaker #1
A year.
Speaker #0
Oh, wow.
Speaker #1
I think it was a year. And she couldn't like even the other, which I understand.
Speaker #0
So obviously, I know that music is a big part of your life. And you actually did the music for my intro song, which is amazing. I absolutely love it. And I hope you are very proud of that, too. But anyway, you do music. And so tell me a little bit about that and maybe how you find purpose in doing that. And what else gives you purpose? What else gives you motivation in your life?
Speaker #1
That's a very good question. I find that a lot of my motivation is wrapped up in music right now.
Speaker #0
It's wrapped up in music? Yeah.
Speaker #1
So I get a lot from... Are there people enjoying what I make?
Speaker #0
And they do. Everyone, every friend that I bring over to meet Jordan, they're all like, his music is so good. We need to start like a SoundCloud or something.
Speaker #1
I use my mom's
Speaker #0
SoundCloud. You use your mom's SoundCloud?
Speaker #1
I do. I can't upload it because it's copyrighted. Oh.
Speaker #0
Well, we need to make something that's not copyrighted. The one you just showed me wasn't copyrighted? Yeah. Yeah, well, then let's add it. We can link it in the show notes.
Speaker #1
Okay.
Speaker #0
But anyway, conversation for another day. Continue.
Speaker #1
I really think, like, for me, I find a lot of purpose in other people enjoying, like, stuff I make. So that's a good... is certainly the only point of motivation for me.
Speaker #0
A lot of people do also enjoy you as a human being, though. You know that, right?
Speaker #1
I have been told.
Speaker #0
Yes, see, I enjoy spending time with you and being your friend. I literally bring all my friends to come meet Jordan. Like Jordan's amazing. I'm just going to take a little pause in this episode to say that for the Hawaii House giveaway, one of the ways that you can enter is by putting in a secret code. So the secret code for this episode today is 1808. So if you're listening and you hear that code, you can go to the website, go to the giveaways tab, type in that code, and that will give you some entries. What would you say to someone who maybe feels stuck in their life or, shall we say, feels like they're wasting their life, even though they might be physically able?
Speaker #1
I think the biggest thing I have to say to someone in that situation is... Do what you can while you can.
Speaker #0
Do what you can while you can? Yeah.
Speaker #1
Because you never know what you can. When you're not going to be able to do what you want. And that's a big deal, you know?
Speaker #0
Can you say that one more time?
Speaker #1
Of course. Which part?
Speaker #0
The whole thing.
Speaker #1
For anyone in that situation, I would tell them to do what they can. While they can. Because you never know, right? You never know what's not going to be possible for you. Whenever you want.
Speaker #0
That's so good. I need to say that over and over and over and over and over again. I feel like even just knowing you and being your friend and spending time with you has given me such a deeper appreciation of life because it's so true. Like I could wake up tomorrow and be paralyzed also. And first of all, you better come take care of me and spend time with me. But also like... I know, I know you would, but it just makes me so grateful that every single morning I get to wake up and I'm alive and I have legs to walk and I can see and I can hear like, that's something that I don't ever want to take for granted. And I feel like a lot of people do take that for granted.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
And it really takes knowing someone who lacks one of those things to make you really wake up and appreciate. what you do have. And I genuinely think that knowing you has just completely changed my perspective on that. Like every single morning I wake up and I like back to our little poster we made, like this life is a gift and everything that we have as a gift. And if it wasn't for you, I feel like I would just take that for granted. But every time I come see you, I remind myself that thank goodness for Jordan, because you might be in a shitty situation. in your life like why this happened i don't know but this happening to you gave my life just a little bit more meaning happy to hope is that what you said yes what message do you hope to leave behind wow
Speaker #1
Legacy of wanting other people to follow is just be nice together. Like I know individual concerns are what they are, but just think about others.
Speaker #0
Think about others.
Speaker #1
Yeah. It's very fulfilling.
Speaker #0
Mm. It is fulfilling. I feel like a lot of people's lives just revolve around themselves. Don't get me wrong. We need to take care of ourselves.
Speaker #1
The brain is very bad at that way.
Speaker #0
At what?
Speaker #1
Prioritizing yourself.
Speaker #0
Mm.
Speaker #1
I think the, so the maximum, like, fulfillment you can have is that you can get always involves another person.
Speaker #0
It involves another person.
Speaker #1
That's what I think.
Speaker #0
I completely agree. I mean, yes, obviously, I think it's. very important to take care of ourselves. And I do a lot to take care of myself, both physically and mentally, but I think you're completely right. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in my relationships with people. And when I do things for people and when people do things for me, that's just so special. So it's a balance taking care of yourself, but also living selflessly.
Speaker #1
I think a lot of young people. specifically are misled by only self-help. I think that taking care of yourself is only so important. You gotta have the other part too.
Speaker #0
Taking care of others. Yeah. Yeah. We like being taken care of too. I love being taken care of. I love taking care of. Other people, I love taking care of myself. Yeah,
Speaker #1
fair.
Speaker #0
If the version of you before your injury, before the paralysis, if you could go back and look at that Jordan in the eyes, what would you say to him?
Speaker #1
It would be important for me to tell myself to... Do things that I enjoy.
Speaker #0
Do things you enjoy?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Because at that point, I was not doing that.
Speaker #0
You weren't doing it at that point? No.
Speaker #1
So I think I could tell myself that.
Speaker #0
Tell yourself to go do things that you enjoy?
Speaker #1
for the last year it's a simple thing but the one that i wasn't doing i wasn't doing that you weren't doing things that you love i
Speaker #0
was just existing you were just existing yeah you weren't living yeah okay well what does living look like to you then
Speaker #1
Living to me, I feel I've been important to Sunny. Interpersonal. So like making someone else happy.
Speaker #0
Making someone else happy.
Speaker #1
It's very important to me. So like this. Why I ask for validation of my music or stuff like that. I just want to know that other people like it. It's very important to me personally.
Speaker #0
So what does not wasting your life mean to you? And has that changed from before? Or do you think your injury changed what? not wasting your life means to you?
Speaker #1
A lot of what wasting your life means to me is just doing things. I think generally focusing on me is bad for me. I think I need that aspect of someone else enjoying what I'm doing.
Speaker #0
So you would say that not wasting your life. to you means bringing happiness and joy to other people?
Speaker #1
Yes. In so many words.
Speaker #0
Do you think that changed from before your injury, or would you say...
Speaker #1
I think before... I just wasn't paying attention.
Speaker #0
You weren't paying attention. To it.
Speaker #1
It's very easy not to think of it. Like, there's a lot of things out there. They're designed to just eat up your time. I used to play a game. for like 12 or 16 hours a day.
Speaker #0
12 to 16 hours a day.
Speaker #1
Yeah, and talk to my friends. And that was like a lot for me, and I had a job. But was it enough of me?
Speaker #0
So if you were to give me any advice, I mean, you know me well enough to know, like, my story and my anxieties and fears and what I'm doing with my life. But if you were to give me any piece of advice, what would you say?
Speaker #1
I'm doing all right. You are embodying what I'm saying.
Speaker #0
Hmm. That's not advice.
Speaker #1
Just kidding. Sorry.
Speaker #0
No, that's okay. Now what in your life? Like, what does the next step of your life look like now?
Speaker #1
I don't know what my life looks like now. It's a look of pissing.
Speaker #0
Still making music for sure. Yeah. And I still have to make a painting of this life as a gift painting for my room. So we'll probably have to do that.
Speaker #1
We.
Speaker #0
We. We. Yes, we, Jordan. Well, I think that that wraps up the end of this episode. So just wanted to say thank you again, Jordan, for letting me interview you. I hope you know how much you mean to me. And. how much you mean to so many other people. And I know that this isn't ideally the life that you would choose for yourself, but you're doing a good job and you help a lot of people and bring a lot of joy to everybody. And don't cry because then you're going to make me cry. But someone listening to this podcast right now needed to hear something you had to say, because I know that you said something that I needed to hear and you should feel really happy that you could have just changed that person's life.
Speaker #1
I do. I'm happy to help.
Speaker #0
Happy to help.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
But yeah, thanks again for listening, everybody. I really hope you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Jordan and really took some of his wisdom that he shared with us and take that to heart. And remember that life is a gift and It's a privilege to wake up in the morning. Don't ever forget that. Before we completely end this episode, just a little reminder about the Hawaii House giveaway. You can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, click on the giveaways tab, follow that link. You'll find all the ways that you can enter. One of the ways that you can enter is by a code in the episode. Thanks again for listening and we will see you next week. Thanks for listening to today's episode of Stop Wasting Your Life. We hope that you are feeling motivated to take charge of your future and start living with purpose, intention, and authenticity. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to leave us a good review, give us a follow, and subscribe to our newsletter. For more information, go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, and we will see you next week.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

This episode is a raw conversation about identity, purpose, and how true fulfillment often comes from serving and loving others.

Click HERE to enter the Hawaii house giveaway!

Ava's Instagram | STYL Instagram

Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Hello, and welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast. I'm Ava Heimbach, your host and founder, and I'm here with my wonderful friend, Jordan Jacobs.
Speaker #1
Hi, that's amazing.
Speaker #0
That's Jordan, everybody. So yeah, just a little bit about Jordan. He was paralyzed in 2022 due to a surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Speaker #1
did the surgery go like wrong or no no it was just uh it was actually like exactly what they wanted really yeah and then it just caused the paralysis not the paralysis no
Speaker #0
the paralysis was not part of the plan but so yeah you were paralyzed in 2022 and it's currently 2025 and i met jordan through my job and was very inspired by his story and his outlook on life, his wisdom. And I just think you have such a beautiful soul. And I think other people would really benefit from hearing what you have to say, because I know I have. And yeah, that's why you're here to get your perspective about your situation and what gives you purpose and what it means to not waste your life. And just a little disclaimer for everybody listening, sometimes Jordan is a little bit hard to understand, so I will try my best to repeat kind of what is being said just to make it a little easier. So I'm looking forward to this, and just before we begin, I just want to remind everybody that we're still doing the Five Free Nights in Hawaii giveaway, which is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house. three minutes from the beach, you can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com. There's a little giveaways tab at the top. You can click on that and find all the ways that you can enter into the drawing. So if you're interested in doing that, go ahead and check that out. And also just a little reminder, I know I say this before every single episode, but I really want to make it clear that there is no right or wrong way to live your life. and that a fulfilling life, that definition is unique to each and every person. It's unique to me. It's unique to Jordan. It's unique to all of you guys. And you are entitled to your own opinions. We're not here to tell you how to live your life, but I just want to give you ideas, knowledge and inspiration to help you create a life that's beautiful to you. So shall we begin, Jordan?
Speaker #1
Sure thing.
Speaker #0
Sure thing. Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Life, the podcast that helps you break free from a life of self-doubt and distraction and inspires you to create a fulfilling and purposeful life. Each week, we dive into actionable advice, meaningful conversation, and insightful interviews to empower you to prioritize your well-being, pursue your passions, and become the best version of yourself. It's time to stop wasting your life and start building one that you are excited to wake up to. Once again, I'm Ava Heimbach, your host, and I'm here with my friend, Jordan Jacobs, our wonderful guest. This is Stop Wasting Your Life. And yeah, to begin, do you just want to tell us a little bit about yourself? Maybe your life before your brain tumor, when you found out about your brain tumor, and what your life looks like now after being paralyzed?
Speaker #1
This is kind of a lot.
Speaker #0
Maybe just like a short and condensed version. I know there's a lot. of depth that i just told you to like pretty much condense your whole life
Speaker #1
I know when I was four.
Speaker #0
Four?
Speaker #1
Four.
Speaker #0
I did not know that. With what?
Speaker #1
The reindeer work.
Speaker #0
I did not know that.
Speaker #1
Yeah. So it wasn't really a problem until recently.
Speaker #0
So when you were young, you had no problem?
Speaker #1
No.
Speaker #0
Oh.
Speaker #1
The I started having like symptoms when I was 27.
Speaker #0
27 you had symptoms? Yeah. What were some of those symptoms?
Speaker #1
I had right-sided weakness, like, difficulty talking. Oh.
Speaker #0
Only on your right side, though.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
So right now... I can't use vinyl aside really and that's for I have I I had two brain tumors, and one was much larger, and that's the one they removed.
Speaker #0
The larger one's the one they removed?
Speaker #1
Yes. I mean, that's cool.
Speaker #0
That is? I mean, is cool the right word? I mean it's cool that the body works like that but it's not cool that it has
Speaker #1
I mean, like, it's, I don't have to worry about the big one.
Speaker #0
Oh, the bigger one. But do you still have the smaller one? Yes. Yeah.
Speaker #1
That one is on the right side. Sort of. fixed by a red arm more.
Speaker #0
Oh. So the one that was on the left side is that the one they took out? Yeah. And that's why your left side's paralyzed?
Speaker #1
It sure is.
Speaker #0
Ah, look at that. It's all making sense to me. So after you had that surgery to get rid of the brain tumor, did you wake up and know you were paralyzed?
Speaker #1
I know I wasn't.
Speaker #0
Oh, you weren't paralyzed when you woke up?
Speaker #1
No. It happened over days. But like the other way. So I woke up fully paralyzed.
Speaker #0
You woke up fully paralyzed? Yes. Oh wow.
Speaker #1
I got the function back on my right side.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
Over several days.
Speaker #0
Okay.
Speaker #1
And that was scary.
Speaker #0
So did the doctors, did they tell you that there might be a chance that you are fully paralyzed?
Speaker #1
No one didn't tell me anything.
Speaker #0
They didn't tell you anything?
Speaker #1
I was lucky to be where the vet was. So... He made the doctor give me... an 85% chance I'd be fine.
Speaker #0
The doctor gave you an 85% chance you'd be fine?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Wow. And here we are.
Speaker #0
So maybe tell everybody a little bit about what your life looks like now.
Speaker #1
Now I stay at home and make music.
Speaker #0
Makes music in his home. And what else do you like to do? You like to watch movies? movies and play games yeah anything i can do around here around here yeah i've been coming over and painting with him so we just finished our first masterpiece that's actually hanging up behind them right now and we yes you were my inspiration and i painted it but it says this life is a gift and on it it also says what a privilege it is to wake up so that's kind of our little mantra that we've been saying recently what do you wish people better understood about living with paralysis because i feel like there's so much more than just i'm
Speaker #1
paralyzed i feel like yes So I think you're right, but I think more than anything, there's a big stigma. So a lot of people, at least, maybe I'm old.
Speaker #0
You're old?
Speaker #1
Maybe. But the way I see it... People are treated differently.
Speaker #0
Treated differently?
Speaker #1
Yeah. And I'm the same person.
Speaker #0
Yeah. No, you totally are the same person. I mean, you are the same person. Nothing has changed. changed about your personality or your brain like it's just your body and i think it's so unfair that people just assume that maybe something has changed because of what your body looks like
Speaker #1
I mean, there's a lot that I've done in the rehab facility.
Speaker #0
In the rehab facility?
Speaker #1
A lot of people did have mental differences.
Speaker #0
Yeah, but not everybody has mental differences.
Speaker #1
I don't.
Speaker #0
Yeah, I know you don't. Because you give me attitude. Just kidding. No, he doesn't give me attitude. It was a joke. He's actually the best. I give I probably give more attitude in the friendship. Do I not?
Speaker #1
I don't know about that.
Speaker #0
I give a little bit of attitude.
Speaker #1
You're nice to me.
Speaker #0
I'm nice to you, but I'm also a little bossy to you.
Speaker #1
So?
Speaker #0
Stop hyping me up.
Speaker #1
Sorry.
Speaker #0
Don't apologize. What was one of the hardest things to accept or overcome after you were diagnosed with the brain tumor and then also waking up and finding out that you're paralyzed?
Speaker #1
So this is a little bit of an overshare.
Speaker #0
No such thing as an overshare.
Speaker #1
Fine. I cried a lot over this. We have, but you know, in our society, in our society, men are expected to be providers.
Speaker #0
Men are expected to be providers in society.
Speaker #1
Yes. And so it was a big deal for me that that was really not an option for me. I struggled a lot with thinking it was. Like I had no ability to add anything anymore.
Speaker #0
You felt like you didn't have the ability to add anything?
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
So at the time you came, when you like came out of the surgery and you were in rehab, were you still engaged?
Speaker #1
Yes.
Speaker #0
Did your fiance at the time, what did she, what was her view on this?
Speaker #1
She was supportive of the surgery.
Speaker #0
She was supportive of the surgery?
Speaker #1
Yeah, but you know. She had to take care of me by herself.
Speaker #0
She had to take care of you by herself?
Speaker #1
For almost a year.
Speaker #0
For a year?
Speaker #1
A year.
Speaker #0
Oh, wow.
Speaker #1
I think it was a year. And she couldn't like even the other, which I understand.
Speaker #0
So obviously, I know that music is a big part of your life. And you actually did the music for my intro song, which is amazing. I absolutely love it. And I hope you are very proud of that, too. But anyway, you do music. And so tell me a little bit about that and maybe how you find purpose in doing that. And what else gives you purpose? What else gives you motivation in your life?
Speaker #1
That's a very good question. I find that a lot of my motivation is wrapped up in music right now.
Speaker #0
It's wrapped up in music? Yeah.
Speaker #1
So I get a lot from... Are there people enjoying what I make?
Speaker #0
And they do. Everyone, every friend that I bring over to meet Jordan, they're all like, his music is so good. We need to start like a SoundCloud or something.
Speaker #1
I use my mom's
Speaker #0
SoundCloud. You use your mom's SoundCloud?
Speaker #1
I do. I can't upload it because it's copyrighted. Oh.
Speaker #0
Well, we need to make something that's not copyrighted. The one you just showed me wasn't copyrighted? Yeah. Yeah, well, then let's add it. We can link it in the show notes.
Speaker #1
Okay.
Speaker #0
But anyway, conversation for another day. Continue.
Speaker #1
I really think, like, for me, I find a lot of purpose in other people enjoying, like, stuff I make. So that's a good... is certainly the only point of motivation for me.
Speaker #0
A lot of people do also enjoy you as a human being, though. You know that, right?
Speaker #1
I have been told.
Speaker #0
Yes, see, I enjoy spending time with you and being your friend. I literally bring all my friends to come meet Jordan. Like Jordan's amazing. I'm just going to take a little pause in this episode to say that for the Hawaii House giveaway, one of the ways that you can enter is by putting in a secret code. So the secret code for this episode today is 1808. So if you're listening and you hear that code, you can go to the website, go to the giveaways tab, type in that code, and that will give you some entries. What would you say to someone who maybe feels stuck in their life or, shall we say, feels like they're wasting their life, even though they might be physically able?
Speaker #1
I think the biggest thing I have to say to someone in that situation is... Do what you can while you can.
Speaker #0
Do what you can while you can? Yeah.
Speaker #1
Because you never know what you can. When you're not going to be able to do what you want. And that's a big deal, you know?
Speaker #0
Can you say that one more time?
Speaker #1
Of course. Which part?
Speaker #0
The whole thing.
Speaker #1
For anyone in that situation, I would tell them to do what they can. While they can. Because you never know, right? You never know what's not going to be possible for you. Whenever you want.
Speaker #0
That's so good. I need to say that over and over and over and over and over again. I feel like even just knowing you and being your friend and spending time with you has given me such a deeper appreciation of life because it's so true. Like I could wake up tomorrow and be paralyzed also. And first of all, you better come take care of me and spend time with me. But also like... I know, I know you would, but it just makes me so grateful that every single morning I get to wake up and I'm alive and I have legs to walk and I can see and I can hear like, that's something that I don't ever want to take for granted. And I feel like a lot of people do take that for granted.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
And it really takes knowing someone who lacks one of those things to make you really wake up and appreciate. what you do have. And I genuinely think that knowing you has just completely changed my perspective on that. Like every single morning I wake up and I like back to our little poster we made, like this life is a gift and everything that we have as a gift. And if it wasn't for you, I feel like I would just take that for granted. But every time I come see you, I remind myself that thank goodness for Jordan, because you might be in a shitty situation. in your life like why this happened i don't know but this happening to you gave my life just a little bit more meaning happy to hope is that what you said yes what message do you hope to leave behind wow
Speaker #1
Legacy of wanting other people to follow is just be nice together. Like I know individual concerns are what they are, but just think about others.
Speaker #0
Think about others.
Speaker #1
Yeah. It's very fulfilling.
Speaker #0
Mm. It is fulfilling. I feel like a lot of people's lives just revolve around themselves. Don't get me wrong. We need to take care of ourselves.
Speaker #1
The brain is very bad at that way.
Speaker #0
At what?
Speaker #1
Prioritizing yourself.
Speaker #0
Mm.
Speaker #1
I think the, so the maximum, like, fulfillment you can have is that you can get always involves another person.
Speaker #0
It involves another person.
Speaker #1
That's what I think.
Speaker #0
I completely agree. I mean, yes, obviously, I think it's. very important to take care of ourselves. And I do a lot to take care of myself, both physically and mentally, but I think you're completely right. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in my relationships with people. And when I do things for people and when people do things for me, that's just so special. So it's a balance taking care of yourself, but also living selflessly.
Speaker #1
I think a lot of young people. specifically are misled by only self-help. I think that taking care of yourself is only so important. You gotta have the other part too.
Speaker #0
Taking care of others. Yeah. Yeah. We like being taken care of too. I love being taken care of. I love taking care of. Other people, I love taking care of myself. Yeah,
Speaker #1
fair.
Speaker #0
If the version of you before your injury, before the paralysis, if you could go back and look at that Jordan in the eyes, what would you say to him?
Speaker #1
It would be important for me to tell myself to... Do things that I enjoy.
Speaker #0
Do things you enjoy?
Speaker #1
Yeah. Because at that point, I was not doing that.
Speaker #0
You weren't doing it at that point? No.
Speaker #1
So I think I could tell myself that.
Speaker #0
Tell yourself to go do things that you enjoy?
Speaker #1
for the last year it's a simple thing but the one that i wasn't doing i wasn't doing that you weren't doing things that you love i
Speaker #0
was just existing you were just existing yeah you weren't living yeah okay well what does living look like to you then
Speaker #1
Living to me, I feel I've been important to Sunny. Interpersonal. So like making someone else happy.
Speaker #0
Making someone else happy.
Speaker #1
It's very important to me. So like this. Why I ask for validation of my music or stuff like that. I just want to know that other people like it. It's very important to me personally.
Speaker #0
So what does not wasting your life mean to you? And has that changed from before? Or do you think your injury changed what? not wasting your life means to you?
Speaker #1
A lot of what wasting your life means to me is just doing things. I think generally focusing on me is bad for me. I think I need that aspect of someone else enjoying what I'm doing.
Speaker #0
So you would say that not wasting your life. to you means bringing happiness and joy to other people?
Speaker #1
Yes. In so many words.
Speaker #0
Do you think that changed from before your injury, or would you say...
Speaker #1
I think before... I just wasn't paying attention.
Speaker #0
You weren't paying attention. To it.
Speaker #1
It's very easy not to think of it. Like, there's a lot of things out there. They're designed to just eat up your time. I used to play a game. for like 12 or 16 hours a day.
Speaker #0
12 to 16 hours a day.
Speaker #1
Yeah, and talk to my friends. And that was like a lot for me, and I had a job. But was it enough of me?
Speaker #0
So if you were to give me any advice, I mean, you know me well enough to know, like, my story and my anxieties and fears and what I'm doing with my life. But if you were to give me any piece of advice, what would you say?
Speaker #1
I'm doing all right. You are embodying what I'm saying.
Speaker #0
Hmm. That's not advice.
Speaker #1
Just kidding. Sorry.
Speaker #0
No, that's okay. Now what in your life? Like, what does the next step of your life look like now?
Speaker #1
I don't know what my life looks like now. It's a look of pissing.
Speaker #0
Still making music for sure. Yeah. And I still have to make a painting of this life as a gift painting for my room. So we'll probably have to do that.
Speaker #1
We.
Speaker #0
We. We. Yes, we, Jordan. Well, I think that that wraps up the end of this episode. So just wanted to say thank you again, Jordan, for letting me interview you. I hope you know how much you mean to me. And. how much you mean to so many other people. And I know that this isn't ideally the life that you would choose for yourself, but you're doing a good job and you help a lot of people and bring a lot of joy to everybody. And don't cry because then you're going to make me cry. But someone listening to this podcast right now needed to hear something you had to say, because I know that you said something that I needed to hear and you should feel really happy that you could have just changed that person's life.
Speaker #1
I do. I'm happy to help.
Speaker #0
Happy to help.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #0
But yeah, thanks again for listening, everybody. I really hope you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Jordan and really took some of his wisdom that he shared with us and take that to heart. And remember that life is a gift and It's a privilege to wake up in the morning. Don't ever forget that. Before we completely end this episode, just a little reminder about the Hawaii House giveaway. You can go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, click on the giveaways tab, follow that link. You'll find all the ways that you can enter. One of the ways that you can enter is by a code in the episode. Thanks again for listening and we will see you next week. Thanks for listening to today's episode of Stop Wasting Your Life. We hope that you are feeling motivated to take charge of your future and start living with purpose, intention, and authenticity. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to leave us a good review, give us a follow, and subscribe to our newsletter. For more information, go to www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com, and we will see you next week.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About Stop Wasting Your Life

Stop Wasting Your Life began with a question our founder Ava Heinbach asked herself: “What am I doing with my life?”

Life is too short to live on autopilot—and far too meaningful to waste. Welcome to the journey.

https://www.stopwastingyourlifepodcast.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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