“I Am Not My Body!” with Bruce Van Horn

This week I had the great pleasure of being on Bruce Van Horn podcast radio show. It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this online and putting aside how nervous I was it didn’t turn out too bad.

I talk about my accident and many other experiences that have shaped my life.

Anyway, rather than reading please listen below and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Quotes from the Show:

  • I’m paralysed, why read a book about marathon running?
  • In the Summer of 1991, Steven dove into a swimming pool and never walked again.
  • After 12 months in the hospital, I came home with a pretty different perspective on life.
  • I had a zest for living and an appreciation for all the things I had.
  • It’s so easy to judge someone when they’ve hit rock-bottom and say “you’ve been through so much in life, what’s wrong with you?”
  • I realized that I was responsible for everything. How I react to what happens to me is what causes my life to go good or bad.
  • I was able to focus my mind on what was important. On gratitude and appreciation as opposed to all the bad things.
  • I discovered tolerance for other people. We’re all on different levels. Everyone’s got their own problems.
  • We see everything the way we are, and if things aren’t the way we are, we get frustrated.
  • I didn’t let my disability get me down. I focused on my ability.
  • It never occurred to me people saw my wheelchair, because I didn’t see it as part of me.
  • My body is not who I am.
  • If you see yourself as a victim, or in a negative way, that’s the way other people will see you.
  • After a few encounters, people stop seeing “Steven in a wheelchair” and start seeing Steven.
  • The subconscious mind doesn’t care if a habit is right or wrong. It just cares if you are used to doing it.
  • People don’t care what you say. They remember how you made them feel.
  • The moving road: there are no straight roads; it wobbles; it moves; that’s life.

Mentioned in this show:

Couple links from Bruce Van Horn

portrait photo of Steven Webb in a checked shirt and yellow top

About Steven Webb
Steven Webb is a Zen Buddhist meditation teacher, former Mayor of Truro, and host of the Stillness in the Storms and Inner Peace Meditations podcasts. Paralysed at 18 and reborn through a “dark night of the soul” at 40, he now guides millions worldwide (including one of Insight Timer’s most popular sleep practices) to find peace without perfection. By day, he’s a Truro City Councillor and Lib Dem candidate, advocating for dignity-first policies and community energy projects. Oh, and he once towed a replica helicopter 500 miles in his wheelchair to fundraise for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

“The breath knows how to breathe. Our job? Just allow it.”

A man sat enjoying some peace and quiet

Join Weekly Calm Newsletter

Your Anchor in Life’s Storms

Weekly Calm is your personal guide to tranquillity, delivering practical mindfulness insights and inspiring wisdom directly to your inbox every week.

5 Responses

  1. Bless your heart! This is so inspiring to me and I’m in the beginning stages of letting it all go, no longer feeling as just a victim from all I’ve endured during the past 40 years of my life, including chronic pain. I truly am letting go of all that has happened in my life that’s hurt me. I appreciate SPECIAL people like you! You are a man who has touched many peoples lives and will continue to do so as you have touched my heart deeply tonight. God Bless you for the work you are doing to inspire those who have been or are much weaker a person!

    1. Hi Debra,

      Thank you, I really appreciate your comment.

      Congratulations on letting go, it is a long difficult process. It comes down to believing in yourself, you are no more weaker than the next person it’s just something you have learnt to believe to perhaps make you feel better. Like you say, the victim.

      If we can learn to enjoy what we endured for what it gives us in character and strength, it enables us to see we are strong and we are our own hero.

      Again, thank you for your time.

      Steven

  2. You are a strong man, your positive attitude and high spirits make you an idol not only to people with disabilities, but also to all humans. You proved that the inner strength is much important than the power of muscles. We must be proud of you and of all similar inspiring people. God bless you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A man sat enjoying some peace and quiet

Weekly Calm Insights

Weekly Calm is my weekly newsletter with links to my latest podcast episode, guided meditations and a little bit about me. Working on the weekly part, mostly couple times a month.