Pause, Breathe, Reflect: How A Brush With Death Changed Michael O’Brien’s Life
About this episode
This week, I’m joined by Michael O’Brien, a former executive, and father of two who experienced a profound transformation after a life-altering cycling accident. Previously consumed by 65-hour work weeks, his perspective shifted when an SUV collided with him head-on. While being airlifted to medical care, he vowed to relinquish his pursuit of happiness, propelling him toward personal growth. Michael shares his resilience journey post-accident, labeling the day of the incident as “My Last Bad Day.” He discusses the pivotal role of perception in confronting life’s adversities, narrating his 11-year journey towards forgiveness for the driver accountable, inspired by the power of forgiveness. Embracing uncertainty, he reflects on physical limitations, debunking the illusion of control. Michael advocates for mindfulness, emphasizing gradual habit formation and lifestyle development. Michael imparts universal lessons on resilience, self-discovery, and growth. Please enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Camelbak: Use my code RICHROLL for 20% OFF drinkware & more 👉CamelBak.com LMNT: Get a FREE sample pack of science-backed electrolytes with any purchase 👉 drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL AG1: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs 👉drinkAG1.com/richroll Faherty: 20% OFF your first order when you use the promo code RR20 👉FahertyBrand.com/RICHROLL Plunge: Use code RICHROLL for $150 OFF cold plunges + saunas 👉Plunge.com Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain 👉Squarespace.com/RichRoll This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Listeners get 10% OFF their first month 👉BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Pause, Breathe, Reflect: How A Brush With Death Changed Michael O’Brien’s Life from The Rich Roll Podcast gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Life's A Fight. Don’t Let It Break You: Dolph Lundgren On Trauma, Stardom & Cancer Sep 14, 2026
- Olympic Medalist Jenny Simpson On Her Sudden Cardiac Arrest After A Race & The Journey Back To Health Sep 7, 2026
- From Drinking Every Morning to Running 340 Miles: Tommie Runz on Recovery, Running & Redemption Sep 3, 2026
- Hunter Biden Is Out Of Secrets: A Story of Recovery, Exposure & Amends Aug 31, 2026
- How Hellah Sidibe’s 3,350-Day Run Streak Rebuilt His Mind Aug 24, 2026
- Mindfulness, Meditation & Performance: Manoj Dias Live At The Rivian Performance House Aug 20, 2026
- Lee Sung Jin On The Spirituality Of Netflix’s ‘Beef’ Aug 17, 2026
- The Most Decorated Winter Olympian Ever: Johannes Klæbo On Training, Mindset & Reinventing His Sport Aug 10, 2026
- Zac Clark on Addiction, Recovery and a Life of Service Aug 6, 2026
- Stoic Lessons From The Odyssey w/ Ryan Holiday Aug 3, 2026
- Michelle Khare Is The Tom Cruise Of YouTube: How Anxiety Became Her Superpower Jul 27, 2026
- Malcolm Gladwell & Chris Chavez Think We're Selling Running All Wrong Jul 23, 2026
- What Are You Actually Capable Of? Mark Dowdle On Winning A 306 Mile Backyard Ultra Jul 20, 2026
- Episode 1,000: Rich & Julie Piatt Celebrate By Going Back To Where It All Began Jul 13, 2026
- Thrilling Tales Of Modern Men: Danny McBride On Ego, Grievance & The Stories Men Tell Themselves Jul 6, 2026
- Play Is The Miracle Drug: Dr. Kelly Starrett On Movement, Recovery, & The Wellness Trap Jul 2, 2026
- What Happened To The Vegan Movement? Rich & Simon Hill On The Rise & Fall Of Plant-Based Eating Jun 29, 2026
- Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien on Depression, Trauma & Finding Light Again Jun 22, 2026
- Fulfillment Maxxing: Why Offline Is The New Online & How to Feel Alive Again Jun 18, 2026
- Rachel Entrekin Runs On Joy: How She Won The Cocodona 250 Outright By Letting Go Of The Outcome Jun 15, 2026
- Touch Grass: Andrew Yang Returns To Talk Phone Addiction, AI's Cognitive Toll, & The Fight For Your Attention Jun 8, 2026
- ROLL ON: Enhanced Games Jun 4, 2026
- Paul Rosolie Met An Uncontacted Tribe & Is Trying To Protect Them: On Preserving The Amazon To Save All Life On Earth Jun 1, 2026
- How to Stop Sabotaging Your Own Life With Joe Hudson May 25, 2026
- Inside My 72-Hour Psychedelic Iboga Therapy With Julie Piatt May 21, 2026
- Smile, Or You're Doing It Wrong: Andy Glaze On Relentless Positivity, PTSD, & The Healing Power Of Movement May 18, 2026
- What's Going Right: Dr. Paul Conti On Self-Sabotage, Trauma & Why Being Hard On Yourself Is Slowing You Down May 11, 2026
- Pay Now, Love It Later: Why I Work Out at 4 AM & The Mindset That Wins The Long Game May 7, 2026
- David Epstein On Why Constraints Drive Creativity, The Myth Of Productive Freedom, & How Limits Make Us Better May 4, 2026
- What We're Still Getting Wrong About Women's Health & Fitness: Dr. Stacy Sims Live Apr 27, 2026