Jesi Stracham: Power in the Roll

Jesi Stracham was on wheels before she could walk; a pedal car at six months, a Power Wheels Jeep at one, and by ten, drag racing ATVs against boys twice her size and winning. In this episode, Mark talks with Stracham, author of "Power in the Roll: A Life at Full Throttle After Spinal Cord Injury," about a life defined by speed across two very different chapters: her early years as a standout off-road racer chasing attention and validation as one of the only girls in the sport, and the aftermath of a motorcycle accident at 22 that left her with a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, and paralysis from the waist down. It's not a tidy recovery story. Stracham is candid about the healthcare system's shortcomings, the fight for enough rehab time to become independent, old habits that didn't disappear overnight, and the slow work of finding faith and self-love on her own terms, along with founding the Wheel With Me Foundation to help other survivors bridge the gap between hospital discharge and real independence. It's an honest conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to rebuild a life on your own terms.

LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/power-in-the-roll

FEATURED TITLE: Power in the Roll: A Life at Full Throttle After Spinal Cord Injury. McFarland, softcover (2026) ISBN: 9781476698519 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/power-in-the-roll

BOOK DESCRIPTION: In 2015, at 22 years old, Jesi Stracham was left paralyzed from the waist down after a devastating motorcycle accident. In this memoir, Stracham shares the raw and emotional realities of her recovery, from confronting denial and anger to navigating self-destructive behaviors. Her story captures the immense physical and mental challenges of rehabilitation, as well as the resilience required to reclaim a sense of purpose and independence.

Through adaptive sports, improved nutrition, and a deep commitment to personal growth, Stracham was able to reshape her life with intention and purpose. Her journey extends far beyond personal healing—she founded the Wheel With Me Foundation to bridge the critical gap between inpatient rehabilitation and independent living for spinal cord injury survivors. Her other ventures, including the Wheel With Me Adapt Fit app and Freedom Longevity and Wellness LKN, reflect a broader mission of promoting holistic health and empowerment. Stracham’s memoir is not only a story of survival, but a powerful call to use adversity as a catalyst for growth, leadership, and lasting change.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jesi Stracham is a trailblazing entrepreneur, speaker, and fierce advocate whose life took a dramatic turn after a devastating accident. Paralyzed but undeterred, she has channeled her resilience and determination into ventures transforming lives worldwide. As the co-owner of Freedom Longevity and Wellness LKN, she pioneers cutting-edge therapies that redefine holistic health and recovery, proving that adversity can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and change. She also is the co-developer of Wheel with Me Adapt Fit app, a groundbreaking tool empowering wheelchair users to reclaim their independence through fitness. jesistracham.com

OTHER BOOKS BY JESI STRACHAM: The Impact of Influence Volume 3: Ladies Using Their Influence to Create a Life of Impact. Baker Impact, hardcover/softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781737950134 jesistracham.com/products/self-help/impact-of-influence-vol-3

ABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.com

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