The CRUX: True Survival Stories

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee McIntosh interviews Dr. Mitchell Seruya, a board-certified plastic surgeon and peripheral nerve specialist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Seruya discusses his pioneering work in nerve surgery, including groundbreaking procedures that offer new hope to patients with paralysis and chronic pain. He shares his journey into medicine, the intricacies of his surgical techniques, and the remarkable recoveries of his patients, including a first-of-its-kind surgery for a previous guest. The conversation delves into the future of nerve surgery and the potential for advanced prosthetics and stem cell therapies. Dr. Seruya also emphasizes the importance of gratitude, mindset, and the spiritual aspect of healing in his practice. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mitchell Seruya 01:23 Dr. Seruya's Career Path and Inspirations 02:43 Understanding Nerve Injuries and Surgeries 04:09 The Impact of Nerve Surgeries 06:22 Dr. Seruya's Hollywood Experience 08:38 Common Nerve Injuries and Treatments 11:34 Nerve Grafting and Transfer Techniques 16:32 Challenges and Considerations in Nerve Surgery 19:29 Personal Practice and Cadaver Nerve Usage 19:51 Theresa's Unique Case and Surgical Approach 21:09 Innovative Nerve Rerouting Techniques 25:42 Post-Surgery Recovery and Patient Mindset 31:18 Time Sensitivity in Nerve Damage Treatment 33:12 Future of Nerve Transplant Surgery 35:40 Addressing Chronic Nerve Pain 38:18 Training and Collaboration in Peripheral Nerve Surgery 39:33 Finding the Right Specialist 40:22 Closing Remarks and Gratitude https://www.cedars-sinai.org/provider/mitchel-seruya-2624729.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee McIntosh explores the incredible story of Theresa and Brian, a couple who faced unimaginable challenges after a routine surgery left Theresa with a paralyzed leg. The episode delves into their journey of resilience, recovery, and the strengthening of their marriage. From initial shock to groundbreaking nerve transplant surgery performed by Dr. Mitchell Seruya, Theresa’s fight for independence and the unwavering support from her husband highlight the power of love and determination. This episode will inspire you to appreciate the small movements we often take for granted and find hope in the most daunting situations. 00:00 Introduction and Reflections 01:04 Theresa's Scoliosis Journey 02:12 The Surgery and Its Aftermath 03:54 Rehabilitation and Realizations 11:18 Discovering Nerve Transplant Surgery 14:47 The Nerve Transplant Procedure 18:20 Recovery and Progress 21:04 Brian's Perspective and Support 24:04 Voice-Controlled Comfort: Enhancing Home Environment 24:34 Caregiver Self-Care: Balancing Support and Wellbeing 25:23 Theresa's Fight: Motivation and Micro Victories 26:42 Finding Humor in Hardship: Laughter and Joy 28:48 Community and Support: The Power of Connection 34:23 Medical Guidance: The Role of General Practitioners 39:24 Theresa's Journey: Gratitude and Positivity 40:53 Final Thoughts: Encouragement and Hope 43:42 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Journey Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, host Julie Henningsen delves into the harrowing survival story of Taylor Pajunen, a NOLS mountaineering course participant. On April 20, 2023, an avalanche hit Taylor's mountaineering camp at 14,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, burying their tents and leaving the group to face terrifying conditions. Taylor recounts the moments leading up to the disaster, the immediate aftermath, and the incredible teamwork and luck that helped them survive. The episode highlights the importance of quick thinking, the unpredictability of nature, and the deep impact the experience had on Taylor's life. Time Stamps: 00:50 Meet the Hosts: Kaycee and Julie 01:11 Avalanche in the Garhwal Himalayas 01:44 Interview with Survivor Taylor Pajunen 02:39 Taylor's Journey to NOLS 06:02 Challenges and Group Dynamics 10:53 The Avalanche Strikes 18:38 Surviving the Avalanche 28:13 Instructors' Struggle and Superhuman Feats 29:44 Realization of the Seriousness 31:24 The Pep Rally Poem 32:27 Survival Strategies and Challenges 36:44 High Altitude Farting Explained 38:33 Morning After the Avalanche 41:05 Self-Rescue Decision 42:43 Reaching Zero Camp 43:59 Debrief and Reflection 45:17 Returning to Civilization 46:54 Post-Rescue Reflections 54:43 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of 'Disaster Strikes,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the tragic story of Natalia Nagovitsyna, a Russian mountaineer who perished while attempting to summit Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan. Despite having already conquered four of the five Snow Leopard Peaks, Natalia's climb ended in heartbreak on August 2025, with her and fellow climber Luca Sinigaglia losing their lives in one of the world's most unforgiving mountain terrains. The episode explores the brutal conditions of Victory Peak, the heroic but ultimately futile rescue efforts, and the sobering realities of high-altitude mountaineering. The story highlights not only the relentless pursuit of mountaineering dreams but also the high cost that comes with scaling the world's most dangerous peaks. 00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes 00:38 The Death Zone: A Place of No Mercy 01:18 Victory Peak: The Ultimate Challenge 03:43 Natalia Nagovitsyna: A Story of Determination and Tragedy 06:10 The Climb and the Fall 09:21 The Deadly Descent 18:22 The Rescue Attempts 22:30 The Legacy of Victory Peak 26:59 Conclusion: Lessons from Tragedy References Fox News - "Rescue effort halted for stuck climber on treacherous mountain after climber dies trying to help her: reports" (August 2025) CBS News - "Climber dies trying to rescue injured Russian woman from Kyrgystan's highest mountain; search halted" (August 2025) CNN - "Victory Peak, Kyrgyzstan: Hopes fade for injured climber stuck up icy mountain for 12 days after breaking her leg" (August 2025) The Moscow Times - "Russia's Top Investigator Orders Rescue of Climber in Kyrgyzstan" (August 2025) Meduza - "Kyrgyzstan's mountains turn deadly Russian climber is stranded in Kyrgyzstan with broken leg and no food as weather thwarts rescue attempts" (August 2025) Explorersweb - "Pobeda: The Snow Leopards' Most Dangerous Summit" (2025) Explorersweb - "The Tragic End of Natalia Nagovitsyna's Ordeal on Pobeda Peak" (August 2025) Ultimate Kilimanjaro - "Natalia Nagovitsyna: Stranded (Who Was She & How Did She Die?)" (2025) Gripped Magazine - "Rescuer Dies as Climber's Ordeal Continues" (August 2025) Adventure Mountain - "Drama on Kyrgyzstan's highest mountain – rescue operation called off" (August 2025) Wikipedia - "High-altitude pulmonary edema" (Medical information on HAPE) Cleveland Clinic - "High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): Causes & Treatment" (2025) NCBI Bookshelf - "High Altitude Pulmonary Edema" (StatPearls, 2023) Physiopedia - "High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema" Expeditions Unlimited - "Mountaineering expedition Kyrgyzstan: climb Victory Peak" (Route descriptions and logistics) SummitPost - "Abalakov route - Pobeda" (Technical climbing information) Central Asia Travel - "Pobeda Peak. Expedition to Pobeda Peak (7439 m)" (Route details) Wikipedia - "Jengish Chokusu" (Mountain history and climbing statistics) KULUAR - "Pobeda Peak 2021. Season results. Three dead on 21 successful ascents" (2024) KULUAR - "Top 5 Deadliest Peaks in the World" (2024) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On December 24th, 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded LANSA Flight 508 with her mother Maria, bound for a Christmas reunion with her father in the Peruvian Amazon. What should have been a routine one-hour flight became one of aviation's most catastrophic disasters—and one of its most miraculous survival stories. When lightning struck the aircraft at 21,000 feet, the plane disintegrated mid-air. Juliane fell nearly two miles through the sky, still strapped to her seat, and somehow survived the impact with the jungle canopy below. She was the sole survivor among 92 people. But survival was just the beginning. Injured, nearly blind without her glasses, and wearing only a mini-dress and one sandal, Juliane spent 11 days navigating the Amazon rainforest alone. With a broken collarbone, deep arm wound, torn knee ligament, and severe concussion, she drew on lessons learned from her zoologist parents to find her way to rescue. This is a story about preparation meeting catastrophe, about knowledge becoming instinct, and about the thin line between miracle and tragedy. 00:00 Introduction to Case Knives 00:31 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:55 Celebrating 200 Episodes 01:23 Revisiting Julianne Koepcke's Survival Story 02:21 The Plane Crash 04:15 Julianne's Background and Upbringing 08:43 The Fateful Flight 17:09 Julianne's Miraculous Fall 26:10 Surviving the Jungle 28:43 Julianne's Immediate Reaction and Isolation 29:15 The Terrifying Reality of the Amazon 30:35 Survival Odds and Strategies 31:56 Julianne's Remarkable Composure 34:34 Navigating the Jungle 35:01 Jungle Dangers and Misconceptions 39:06 The Real Killers in the Jungle 42:44 Julianne's Journey to Rescue 53:53 The Aftermath and Julianne's Legacy 57:20 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References: "LANSA Flight 508." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LANSA_Flight_508 "Juliane Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke Koepcke, Juliane. "Juliane Koepcke: How I Survived a Plane Crash." BBC, March 24, 2012. Pleitgen, Frederik. "Survivor still haunted by 1971 air crash." CNN, July 2, 2009. https://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/02/germany.aircrash.survivor/ Herzog, Werner. Wings of Hope (Documentary). 1998. Koepcke, Juliane. When I Fell From the Sky (German: Als ich vom Himmel fiel). Piper Verlag, 2011. "How Juliane Koepcke Survived the Crash of LANSA Flight 508." HowStuffWorks, March 12, 2024. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/juliane-koepcke.htm "The Incredible Story Of Juliane Koepcke, The Teenager Who Fell 10,000 Feet Out Of A Plane And Somehow Survived." All That's Interesting, April 28, 2025. https://allthatsinteresting.com/juliane-koepcke "The Story Of Juliane Koepcke: Surviving The Amazon Rainforest." Rainforest Cruises, July 28, 2021. https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/the-story-of-juliane-koepcke "The Incredible Survival Story Of Juliane Koepcke And LANSA Flight 508." Simple Flying, November 15, 2022. https://simpleflying.com/lansa-flight-508-survival-story-juliane-koepcke/ "Her Plane Disintegrated in Mid-Air, and That Was the Easy Part: How This Teen Survived An Impossible Ordeal." Explorersweb, January 16, 2025. https://explorersweb.com/juliane-koepckes-impossible-peruvian-survival/ "Was Teenager Juliane Koepcke the Lone Survivor of a 1971 Plane Crash?" Snopes, April 15, 2021. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/juliane-koepcke-plane-crash/ "Maria Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Koepcke "Panguana Research Station." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panguana "Lockheed L-188 Electra." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-188_Electra "Amazon Rainforest." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest "Terminal Velocity and Skydiving." Skydive California. https://www.skydivecalifornia.com "Clavicle Fractures (Broken Collarbone)." OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org "Myiasis: Fly Larva Infestation." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov "Survival in Tropical Rainforest Environments." Adventure Alternative, jungle survival guidelines for Borneo expeditions. "Amazon Basin Biodiversity and Population Density." World Wildlife Fund (WWF). https://www.worldwildlife.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.