Ash Perrow stood in knee-deep water, clutching his surfboard as pain shot through his back. A voice echoed in his mind: If you go surfing today, you will hurt your back. But Ash was defiant. He ignored the warning, paddled into the towering waves, and felt his body betray him. Two discs in his spine gave way, and in that moment, his life veered off course.
Ash had spent decades as a schoolteacher, passionate about helping troubled kids and finding purpose in the classroom. Yet, over time, he felt himself slipping, disillusioned by a system that seemed unable to reach the children who needed the most support. Surfing became his escape, a place where he could forget the mounting frustrations that kept him up at night. But now, even that was taken away from him.
A year and a half later, he lay in a hospital bed, preparing for spinal fusion surgery. What should have been a straightforward procedure became a descent into darkness. When Ash woke from surgery, his leg was twice its normal size. He tried to stand, and the world spun. The next thing he knew, he was lying on a hospital bed, surrounded by a flurry of medical staff shouting, “Stay with us, Ash! Stay with us!”
Ash’s blood pressure plummeted to 52/36. His body was shutting down. In the seconds that stretched into an eternity, he felt himself slipping away.
The world dissolved into blackness. Ash was no longer a man tethered to a failing body but a series of ripples — expanding, spreading out, endless. He was the ripples, and the ripples were him. There was no separation, only a sense of infinite space, a void where time no longer existed.
As the ripples moved outward, Ash felt a profound sadness. I’m dying and no one I love is here, he thought, grief crashing over him in waves. Yet, as he continued to drift, another thought surfaced: I want to stay. I want to stay for my family. I want to stay for the work I haven’t done.
In that instant, his vision cleared. He was back in his body, gasping for air, eyes wide open as a nurse exclaimed, “We’ve got a pulse!” But with life came excruciating pain, a reminder that he was still tethered to this world, his mission unfinished.
In the months that followed, Ash’s recovery was a journey from the depths of despair to the clarity of purpose. His former life — the teacher caught in a system that failed to serve those who needed it most — no longer fit. He had been given a second chance, and with it came a profound realization: The heart must lead, and the mind must execute.
Ash began exploring plant medicine, meditation, and heart-centered living, seeking to uncover what his heart had been whispering all along. He found solace in music, his guitar becoming a conduit for the emotions he had buried for decades. He embraced his role as a coach, guiding others to connect with their heart’s desires, helping them strip away the noise of the mind and listen to the quiet, persistent voice within.
Through workshops, coaching, and his podcast Beyond Turning Points, Ash now helps people identify their purpose, align with their heart, and walk the path they were always meant to follow. His message is clear: The heart is the compass; the mind is the map. Only by using both can we navigate life’s unpredictable waves.
Key Takeaways:
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The Heart is the Compass: The heart guides us to our true purpose, while the mind executes the steps to get there.
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Embrace the Unknown: Ash’s near-death experience taught him that life’s greatest lessons come from surrendering to the unknown.
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Listen to Your Intuition: The body and heart often know what the mind refuses to see — if we listen closely, they will guide us.
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Transformation through Trauma: Adversity can be the catalyst for profound change and spiritual awakening.
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Living from the Heart: True fulfillment comes from aligning with our heart’s deepest calling, rather than the expectations of the world.
Links & Resources
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🌐 Website: AshPerrow.com – Access resources, workshops, and coaching sessions
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📱 Connect on Social Media:
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Instagram: @ashperrow
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Facebook: Ash Perrow
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YouTube: Ash Perrow Channel
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Brad Minus
Host / Endurance Coach
Brad isn’t just a coach—he’s a challenger, a motivator, and a force of endurance. As a USAT Level I Certified Triathlon Coach, a Healthy Running Certified Running Coach, a Lydiard Level II Certified Running Coach, an RRCA Certified Running Coach, and a Personal Sports Nutrition specialist, he has dedicated his life to pushing limits and helping others do the same.
With an impressive track record—5 Ironman Triathlons, 25 Half Ironman races, 40 Marathons, a grueling 50-mile Ultra Marathon, and countless triathlons and road races—Brad knows what it takes to conquer the toughest challenges. His passion lies in coaching new runners and triathletes over 40, guiding them toward crossing their first finish line, standing on the podium for the first time, or breaking personal barriers they once thought impossible.
But endurance isn’t just about sports—it’s about life. On his podcast, Life-Changing Challengers, Brad dives deep into the stories of extraordinary individuals who have faced adversity, obstacles, injuries, and hardship—and emerged stronger. From athletes defying the odds to everyday warriors overcoming life’s toughest trials, each episode is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of the human spirit.
If you’re ready to be inspired, challenged, and motivated, tune in. Because true endurance isn’t just about finishing the race—it’s about rising every time life knocks you down.
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