11: Jonathon Koch: From Hand Transplant to "Earning" Resilience

Bouncing Forward with Amy Purdy

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Jonathon Koch. His story has inspired me more than anything else and that’s why I’m so grateful to have him here on Bouncing Forward.

Jonathon is world-renown producer and director, having worked on films like American Gangster, The peacemaker, and Fearless, and the miniseries The Kennedys. While in Washington In Koch became desperately ill and in order to save his life, doctors had to place him in a coma. A few weeks later when Koch woke up with his mind completely intact, he learned that he had survived septic shock, but his body had been severely compromised – he lost his right leg and left hand in the process.

Koch spent the next 18 months rebuilding himself with several painful surgeries, multiple prosthetic fittings, and endless rehabilitation appointments. His dedication to bouncing forward far exceeded his doctors’ expectations. They recognized his mental and physical strength to successfully receive the first human hand transplant EVER. One year later, Koch made medical history by making it through successfully. The doctors said takes several years to learn how to use a new hand, but only four months later, Jonathan was already back on the tennis court.

Jonathon discusses why we should be purpose oriented instead setting goals, the reason why people survive, how to change our perspective, and daily practices that helped him succeed.

My favorite quote from Jonathon in this episode is, “Don’t wait for something catastrophic to happen before you live in a way that you are ready for anything.” Are you living your life this way?

What we discuss:

[00:04:53] What does success look like today compared to early on in John’s life

[00:05:36] Setting goals = setting limits

[00:07:50] Being able vs being capable

[00:09:16] Jonathon's story

[00:12:42] Being in induced comma

[00:17:56] John’s initial reaction after waking up from comma

[00:20:38] The reason why people survive

[00:21:25] Did John ever victimised himself?

[00:24:19] Amy after the comma - the small things that got her moving her forward

[00:26:35] Dealing with uncertainty with the decision about the hand transplant

[00:31:23] John’s Limb transplant

[00:36:07] Would John change his situation going back if he could?

[00:42:18] Was there one particular thing that flipped John’s perspective to help him go forward

[00:44:07] Daily practices to keep John going and succeed

[00:54:04] One things that helped John succeed

[00:54:52] One thing about life that john to be true

[00:58:23] Resilience is earned