ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Nicholas "Nick" Akosa wasn’t just placed on life support — he was placed on ECMO, one of the most advanced and invasive life support systems used when the body can no longer sustain life on its own.
After being put into a medically induced coma due to an unknown illness, his future was uncertain. Today, he’s stepped into the ring as a champion amateur boxer — and is also working as a world-class scientist researching therapies that could impact the future of cancer treatment.
In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, I sit down with Nick to explore what it takes to fight your way back after life-altering adversity. From surviving ECMO life support and navigating physical recovery, to managing the emotional toll of trauma and burnout, this conversation offers insight for anyone facing disability, illness, PTSD, caregiver fatigue, or life disruption.
We discuss:
• What ECMO life support is and why it’s used • Recovering physically and mentally after a medically induced coma • The emotional impact of trauma and adversity • Navigating burnout in high-performance environments • The role of faith in resilience and healing • Returning to elite-level athletic performance • Using lived adversity to fuel scientific work in cancer therapy
If you or someone you love is navigating trauma, chronic illness, disability, or caregiver burnout — this episode offers practical encouragement and Christ-centered hope for the road ahead.
At SwagAbility, it’s our mission to help you Thrive Wherever Life Finds You.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: From ECMO to Comeback
02:12 Nick’s Unknown Illness & ECMO Life Support
06:45 Medically Induced Coma & Recovery
11:18 Mental Toll of Critical Illness
17:03 Trauma, Burnout & Emotional Resilience
23:40 Faith’s Role in the Healing Process
29:55 Returning to Physical Performance
35:10 Becoming a Champion Amateur Boxer
40:22 Scientific Work in Cancer Therapy
46:05 Encouragement for Caregivers & Survivors
50:00 Final Thoughts & Moving Forward
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