#64 Boots brings you her childhood friend, Todd Sykes (aka Toddy), a survivor of endocarditis, a stroke, and a brain aneurysm. At just 37, Todd faced a life-threatening situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two heart surgeries and a remarkable recovery. He needed his mitral and bicuspid valves replaced and had unknowingly been living with a bicuspid valve his entire life (just like Boots). He shares powerful lessons on the importance of loving well, prioritizing family time, and bei...
Aug 20, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 64
#63 Listen up, Heart Buddies. Today's conversation with Hyvelle is important. She walks us through the importance of gaining information and taking accountability for one's health by sharing her truly shocking personal experience that highlights the consequences of ignoring early warning signs. A stroke ultimately saved her life by revealing a critical heart condition. Hyvelle gets real about the mental and emotional impact of facing life-altering surgeries and the transformative power of findin...
Aug 13, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 63
#62 Heart surgery buddies! I needed this episode when I was facing heart surgery and I know you do too. Dr. Kim Peirano and I discuss the power of storytelling and mindset in managing pain and medical experiences. She emphasizes the importance of choosing empowering narratives, embracing vulnerability, and finding balance between taking control and accepting reality. Dr. Peirano also warns about false promises in the wellness industry and advises listeners to research practitioners thoroughly. S...
Aug 06, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 62
#61 Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, John Spilman required a triple bypass due to severe blockages. He describes warning signs like fatigue and shortness of breath that led to lifesaving surgery. John's recovery included challenges like Afib, but through cardiac rehab and determination, he completed a half Ironman just a year later. His experience emphasizes being your own health advocate and finding support in the heart patient community. John's inspiring journey offers hope to others facin...
Jul 30, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 61
Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and support this podcast! Flashback to episode 34 when this podcast was called The Heart Chamber Podcast, I had nutrition expert Michelle Routhenstein share her wisdom on heart health and nutrition. We talked about the importance of personalized care and finding qualified healthcare professionals, cautioning against one-size-fits-all diet trends like the keto diet or ancestral diets. Here's the thing... we need macronutrients to support heart health!!! Mich...
Jul 23, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 60
#59 In this episode, host, Boots Knighton, addresses a heartfelt email from a listener named DH. DH shares her struggles with failed heart surgeries and the upcoming need for another complex procedure to repair her mitral and tricuspid valves. Boots discusses the emotional and physical challenges of heart surgery, emphasizing the importance of mental health and seeking support. Boots offers encouragement, shares personal experiences, and highlights the power of resilience and self-advocacy. List...
Jul 16, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 59
Hey heart buddies, this episode is truly extraordinary. Try to imagine plugging your heart in at night to keep it beating. Yeah, I can't imagine it either. I say this often when I have the honor of interviewing heart transplant recipients and this time is no different. Allow me to introduce you to Christian Jousset. Christian, after facing a daunting heart failure diagnosis in 2015, navigated a world of medical treatments, surgical procedures, and life-saving devices (say hello to the heartmate ...
Jul 09, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 58
Host, Boots Knighton, discusses mental and spiritual preparation for heart surgery, highlighting its crucial role in recovery. Knighton stresses the importance of educating oneself about the procedure, setting realistic expectations, and practicing stress management techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. She also emphasizes positive thinking, seeking professional support, and connecting with one's spirituality. Emotional and social preparedness, including clear communication with love...
Jul 02, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 57
Are you or a loved one facing the daunting reality of open-heart surgery and need help preparing? Boots Knighton dives into an essential pre-surgery checklist to help you prepare not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. This episode offers twelve actionable steps, from consulting your array of doctors to managing nutrition and chronic conditions. Discover how hope, diet, and even a good physical therapist can set the stage for a successful recovery. Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry; Bo...
Jun 25, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 56
Boots presents a comprehensive list of professionals you should consider hiring in episode 55. This is a must-listen for anyone prepping for open-heart surgery. She reveals the secrets to building an all-star team that sets you up for a smooth journey and triumphant recovery. Ever thought about the importance of a heart surgery doula, an ultra-involved mental health therapist, or how your dentist could impact your heart health? Boots breaks it all down, sharing wisdom on why these roles are game...
Jun 18, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 55
Finally, I found someone who can help me put into words what I wish my surgeon and cardiologists had told me about truly healing from open-heart surgery. Heart Surgery Recovery Redefined is the episode I needed prior to surgery. In this episode, Tanja and I discuss her Five Innate Systems approach, the connection between heart energy and health, understanding the natural flow and rhythm of heart energy, AND the effects of overflow and stagnation on emotions and physical health. If you find this ...
Jun 11, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 54
New name, same podcast! At seven weeks old, Emily Falcon had a heart attack and was diagnosed with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). This led to two open-heart surgeries, one at age six and another at age thirty-five. She loves travel and animals, both of which have helped her get through difficult times. While living a constrained life, Emily has sought out adventures whenever she can, such as trekking up volcanoes to observe mountain gorillas in U...
Jun 04, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 53
"Open Heart Surgery with Boots" is a podcast hosted by Boots Knighton, a heart patient turned advocate. Boots shares her personal journey, addressing the fears and triumphs faced by heart surgery patients. Each episode dives into the human side of heart health, featuring stories from medical professionals and resilient patients. Listeners can expect insights, guidance, and inspiration through real-life experiences. The podcast focuses on the highs and lows of heart surgery, aiming to support and...
Jun 04, 2024•2 min
**The name of this podcast is changing on 6/4/24 to Open Heart Surgery with Boots.** Researchers at Michigan Medicine developed a model for thoracic aortic aneurysms using bioengineered grafts, offering hope for heart patients like Boots. Additionally, Boots discusses the limited access to open heart surgery in Zimbabwe, where only nine surgeries were performed in the first quarter of 2024 (but hey... the surgery is free there). This highlights the need for increased awareness and support for he...
May 28, 2024•15 min•Season 3Ep. 52
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** Pain is real. Ignore it at your own peril. Think of it as your check engine light. While pain is not a good parameter for how much damage has happened, it does play a role in helping you assess how dangerous the situation is. Boots Knighton and her physical therapist, Ann Alton, take you through a 40-minute lesson on pain, the brain's role...
May 21, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 51
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th to Open Heart Surgery with Boots! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** In today's episode, I welcome Dr. Amy Neuzil to dive into the world of MTHFR and its impact on our heart health. Ever wondered how your DNA influences your health? Dr. Amy sheds light on how the genetic mutation, MTHFR, can affect homocysteine levels and alter our well-being. She also teaches us about the c...
May 14, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 50
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** In this impactful episode of The Heart Chamber Podcast, hosts Eden Morris and Boots Knighton delve into critical heart health issues. They discuss the stark effects of diet culture on heart health, emphasize the importance of tailored nutrition for heart patients, and explore the emotional challenges post-surgery. Eden, a dietitian, shares...
May 07, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 49
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th to Open Heart Surgery with Boots! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** Boots brings you heart news that caught her eye for the month of April in a new monthly segment! Let Boots know what you want to hear more of or less of by sending her an email boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com Risk of heart disease rises sharply in women after menopause, study - Times of India (indiatimes.c...
Apr 30, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 48
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th to Open Heart Surgery with Boots! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** Imagine if knowing your genes could help you live a healthier, more informed life... Well, that's exactly what we're exploring in this enthralling installment of The Heart Chamber Podcast. Join Boots Knighton as she converses with Elwin Robinson of Genetic Insights, who unlocks the dynamic interaction betwe...
Apr 23, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 47
#46 What does it feel like 24 hours after open-heart surgery? Cheryl Ilov strips the mystery away, providing an intimate narration of the OR's intense atmosphere. From the beep of the monitors to the whoosh of the ventilator, Cheryl guides listeners through the process as if they are right there in the room. Host Boots Knighton offers perspective from the patient's side, revealing what it's like to wake up amidst a forest of tubes and wires. This episode is a rare look behind the curtain of medi...
Apr 16, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 46
In episode 45 of The Heart Chamber Podcast, we dive into Aimee Mackovic's inspiring journey through a triple organ transplant during the pandemic. An accomplished poet and English professor from Austin, Texas, Aimee shares her battle with a congenital heart defect and subsequent heart and liver failures. Her memoir, "Contains Recycled Parts," available on Amazon, details this life-altering experience. Aimee was born with a congenital defect and needed the Fontan procedure at 15 months old. To he...
Apr 09, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 45
#44 Boots Knighton chats with Laura Hoorweg to share her heart surgery ordeal post-COVID. Laura attributes her heart condition to her fight with the virus, contrasting doctors' claims of genetics. She opens up about her surgeon's efforts for minimal scarring, her spiritual journey through heart chakra healing, and tackling cardiac depression. Laura and Boots discuss the challenges of surgery recovery, including navigating emotional vulnerabilities and finding strength in meditation. They highlig...
Apr 02, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 44
#43 Boots Knighton and Dr. Dolores Fazzino discuss how heart surgery impacts the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Uncover the power of being in the moment and how intuition can guide life-changing decisions. Dr. Fazzino shares her transformative health care journey, the healing potential of energy work, and the role spirituality plays in medical recovery. Explore the challenges heart patients face with depression, the surprising effects of organ transplants, and why expressing love for...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 43
#42 Join Boots Knighton in this eye-opening episode as she addresses the emotional and psychological preparations leading up to open heart surgery. Through an email from a listener, Boots explores the profound impact of past trauma and loss on the prospect of surgery, discussing the fears and anxieties that accompany such a life-altering procedure. Boots offers a unique perspective that delves into the intersection of mental health, resilience, and the challenging journey towards recovery. If yo...
Mar 19, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 42
#41 Tim opens up about his intense battle against atrial fibrillation (AFib) and how it led him down the path of surgeries and self-discovery. You'll hear how his experience taught him more about the value of life, friendship, and self-care. He shares how he crushed his PT goals and the inspiring aftermath once he was free of AFib. His legal battles with insurance are also an important piece to his story which many listeners sadly will relate. This episode is as much about conquering physical pe...
Mar 12, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 41
#40 Guest, Darlene Greene, sheds light on a breakthrough in health technology - stem cells. She shares the potential of Lifewave patches to elevate the body's natural healing abilities, enhance brain function, and even offer respite for conditions like Alzheimer's. Darlene's firsthand account of witnessing her husband's remarkable progress after integrating these patches into their wellness journey is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you're seeking solutions for neurological decline, heart he...
Mar 05, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 40
#39 Boots Knighton, with her signature blend of warmth and wisdom, opens up about life before and after the operating room. As Boots recounts the trials of her recovery, you'll find yourself drawn into a narrative filled with practical advice on managing post-surgery health and emotional well-being. From the surprising impact of diet to the tactics for coping with hospital stays, this episode is packed with insights. But it's not all serious – hear how Bob Ross's serene landscapes and the antics...
Feb 27, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 39
**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th to Open Heart Surgery with Boots! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter !** #38 I dove deep this week, for you fellow heart buddies. I share how I overcame fear and cultivated a positive mindset for healing. I share about my experience with the power of visualization, drawing from personal experiences with heart surgery and injury recovery. As an athlete, I have benefited from usin...
Feb 20, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In episode 37 of the Heart Chamber Podcast, host Boots Knighton shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a heart condition. She discusses the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to cope, including seeking support from friends and professionals, undergoing therapies like EMDR, acupuncture, and reiki, and embracing the power of community. Despite the initial shock and medical gaslighting, Boots emphasizes the importance of emotional processing, seeking help, and accepting t...
Feb 13, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Join Boots Knighton in a thought-provoking conversation about the transformative power of reframing life's challenges. In this episode, Boots shares her experiences of waiting for open heart surgery and how she navigated through fear, impatience, and finally, acceptance. Through her personal journey, she presents valuable insights on embracing difficulties as opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and healing. Through her openness and wisdom, she challenges listeners to shift their minds...
Feb 06, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 36
