Episode 36 | Paralympian Haven Shepherd: From Tragedy to Team USA

Episode 40 | Why Does My Prosthetic Leg Hurt? Socket Pain, Neuromas & Phantom Pain

Do you have pain when wearing your prosthesis? How do you know whether it's phantom pain, socket pain, nerve pain, or something else entirely? In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Cosi (Physical Therapist & Amputee Specialist) answers real questions from the amputee community and discusses: ✔️ Residual limb pain vs. phantom limb pain ✔️ Socket fit problems and when to seek a second opinion ✔️ Neuromas, vascular pain, and blood clot concerns ✔️ Rotationplasty explained: why the foot is rotated backward ✔️ Summer sweat management and skin care tips ✔️ Lymphedema, shrinkers, and compression garments ✔️ Why prosthetists and therapists may want to review your x-rays and surgical reports ✔️ AI and online amputee information: what to trust and what to question Whether you're a new amputee or have been living with limb loss for years, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world solutions. 💪 Strong Bodies Program https://strongbody.cositalks.com 🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast https://cositalks.com 📩 Subscribe for Free Education & Resources https://cositalks.com/subscribe 📲 Get Live Show Alerts Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837 💬 Question for you: Have you ever struggled to determine whether your pain was phantom pain, nerve pain, or a socket fit issue? #phantompain #residuallimbpain #socketfit #prostheticleg #amputee #amputeesupport #prostheticcare #neuroma #physicaltherapy #amputeespecialist #cositalks #limbloss

Episode 39 | 10 Years Cancer Free: The Journey That Changed My Life Forever

Tonight's episode is deeply personal. This week marks 10 years cancer free, and for the first time, I'm sharing the story of my breast cancer journey, the challenges that followed, and how that experience ultimately led me to create Cosi Talks and dedicate my career to helping amputees. In this special episode, I discuss: ✔️ Being diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30s ✔️ Receiving a life-changing second opinion ✔️ Surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery ✔️ The emotional and mental challenges after treatment ✔️ Finding purpose through trauma ✔️ Why I opened my amputee-focused physical therapy practice ✔️ How Cosi Talks began from a simple Facebook Live ✔️ Lessons I've learned about healing, faith, resilience, and choosing to keep moving forward Whether you're facing cancer, amputation, chronic illness, or another life-changing challenge, I hope this story reminds you that healing is possible and that your journey still has purpose. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and celebrating this milestone with me. 💪 Strong Bodies Program https://strongbody.cositalks.com 🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast https://cositalks.com 📩 Subscribe for Resources & Updates https://cositalks.com 📲 Get Live Show Alerts Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837 💬 If you've experienced a major life challenge, what lesson has it taught you that continues to guide you today? #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSurvivor #CancerFree #AmputeeSupport #AmputeeLife #PhysicalTherapy #Resilience #MentalHealth #FaithOverFear #CosiTalks #CancerJourney #SurvivorStory

Episode 38 | Why I Chose Osseointegration Even Though My Socket Worked

Many people assume osseointegration is only for amputees who struggle with sockets. But what if your socket works? In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Stacey shares her remarkable journey from multiple surgeries and amputation to becoming a successful prosthetic user—and why she ultimately chose the OPRA Implant System anyway. We discuss: ✔️ Life as a successful above-knee socket user ✔️ Hidden challenges that others didn't see ✔️ Riding horses and returning to an active lifestyle ✔️ Multiple sclerosis, sweating, and socket limitations ✔️ The decision-making process behind osseointegration ✔️ Recovery, rehabilitation, and what surprised her most ✔️ Concerns about infection, bone fractures, and safety ✔️ The OPRA Implant System and how it works ✔️ Quality of life improvements after OI Whether you're considering osseointegration, currently using a socket, or simply want to learn more about available options for amputees, this conversation offers valuable real-world insight. A special thank you to Integrum for supporting this episode and helping educate the amputee community. 💪 Strong Bodies Program https://strongbody.cositalks.com 🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast https://cositalks.com 📲 Get Live Show Alerts Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837 💬  If you're an amputee, what's your biggest challenge with socket use—or what questions do you have about osseointegration? #Osseointegration #OPRAImplantSystem #AmputeeLife #AboveKneeAmputee #Prosthetics #Integrum #AmputeeSupport #PhysicalTherapy #MobilityMatters #CosiTalks

Episode 37 | Do Amputees Need to Stay "Even" When Exercising?

Do amputees need to stay "even" when they work out? In this live Q&A episode of Cosi Talks, we explore one of the most common questions amputees have about exercise, strength training, and long-term mobility. We also discuss: ✔️ Why symmetry matters after amputation ✔️ Compensations that can lead to pain and injury ✔️ Socket fit and its impact on walking mechanics ✔️ Managing excessive sweating and skin health inside a prosthetic liner ✔️ Osteoporosis and bone health in amputees ✔️ Hip and knee replacements after limb loss ✔️ Phantom limb pain management options ✔️ Caregiver safety and transfer techniques ✔️ When to seek a second opinion for prosthetic fit Whether you're a new amputee, long-term prosthesis user, caregiver, therapist, or clinician, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world discussion from the amputee community. 💪 Strong Bodies Program https://strongbody.cositalks.com 🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast https://cositalks.com 📲 Get Live Show Alerts Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837 💬  Have you ever noticed one side of your body becoming stronger or working harder than the other after amputation? How has it affected your mobility or workouts? #AmputeeFitness #AdaptiveFitness #AmputeeLife #PhysicalTherapy #ProstheticLeg #AmputeeSupport #MobilityMatters #LimbLossAwareness #CosiTalks #AdaptiveAthlete

Episode 36 | Paralympian Haven Shepherd: From Tragedy to Team USA

Paralympic swimmer and disability advocate Haven Shepherd joins Cosi Talks to share her remarkable journey from surviving a life-changing tragedy as a child to representing Team USA on the Paralympic stage. In this inspiring conversation, Haven discusses: ✔️ Her adoption story and early life ✔️ Becoming a Paralymic swimmer ✔️ Training for the Tokyo Paralympics ✔️ The sacrifices required to compete at the highest level ✔️ Living with bilateral below-knee amputations ✔️ Swimming, prosthetics, and mobility tips ✔️ Life after elite athletics ✔️ Disability advocacy and representation ✔️ Finding purpose beyond competition Whether you're an amputee, caregiver, athlete, therapist, or simply looking for an inspiring story, Haven's honesty, humor, and perspective make this an unforgettable conversation. 💪 Strong Bodies Program https://strongbody.cositalks.com 🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast https://cositalks.com 📲 Get Live Show Alerts Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837 💬  What's one challenge in your life that ultimately helped shape who you became? #HavenShepherd #Paralympics #TeamUSA #AdaptiveAthlete #AmputeeLife #DisabilityAwareness #AdaptiveSports #ProstheticLeg #CosiTalks #Paralympian