Part 1: Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 1/3) – 21:26

Part 3: Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 3/3)

Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 3/3) The powerful conclusion of Sam Schaefer’s story on Whit’s Grit. Sam wakes up after his advanced amputation surgery (Ertl procedure + Targeted Muscle Reinnervation) — pain-free for the first time in nearly a decade. What follows is an inspiring explosion of life reclaimed: shattering Highland Games world records, competing at Wodapalooza, becoming the first amputee to fight in a boxing match in Missouri, climbing mountains, and training for a 30K ultra marathon. Sam and Whitney (both CRPS amputees) share raw truths about invisible pain, medical gaslighting, the fear and freedom of choosing amputation, perspective, mindset, and turning suffering into superpower. This is the final Part 3 of 3 (18:03 long). Sam’s philosophy: Sometimes you have to give away what’s breaking you to find the life you were meant to live. His coaching helps amputees and anyone facing hard seasons build their most dope life. Key takeaway on grit: “Saying yes to your very best when you’re exhausted and you think you’re too tired to say yes again.” If you’re battling chronic pain or need proof that grit can rewrite your story — this episode is for you. Connect with Sam: Instagram @samschaefer1 Subscribe to Whit’s Grit and share this with someone who needs hope!

Part 2: Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 2/3) – 22:51

Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 2/3) Continuing directly from Part 1 with U.S. Air Force veteran and adaptive athlete Sam Schaefer. In this section, Sam and Whitney dive deep into the brutal reality of living with CRPS for nine years: medical gaslighting, failed treatments, nerve blocks, spinal injections, being accused of faking it, pushing through workouts on crutches while his body deteriorated, and the growing realization that he was heading toward a wheelchair. Sam shares the logical, pragmatic decision-making process that led him to choose elective below-knee amputation at age 29 — including fighting the VA system to make it happen. This is Part 2 of 3. Part 2 runs from 21:23 to 44:57. Listen to Part 1 first, then continue to Part 3! Sam’s greatest mission is helping others live their “most dope life.” Connect with him: Instagram @samschaefer1 Subscribe to Whit’s Grit for more stories of unbreakable grit.

Part 1: Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 1/3) – 21:26

Episode 4 - Sam Schaefer (Part 1/3) In this powerful episode of Whit’s Grit, Whitney Lavender sits down with Sam Schaefer — U.S. Air Force veteran, adaptive athlete, 5x Highland Games world record holder, boxer, ultra-runner, and adaptive coach. Sam’s story is one of the most remarkable transformations you’ll ever hear. In 2011, while training to become a Combat Controller, a simple fall during a run in Mississippi changed everything. What should have been a minor injury exploded into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — the same disease Whitney lives with and the most painful condition known to medicine. This is Part 1 of 3 (21:26 long). Covers: Sam’s background, joining the Air Force, the exact moment of the injury, and the beginning of nine years of unrelenting pain. Continue with Part 2 next! Connect with Sam: Instagram @samschaefer1 Subscribe to Whit’s Grit for more real stories of resilience.

Whit’s Grit Episode 3: Breaking the Cycle - How Chase Mann Went from Courtrooms to the Cage

In this powerful episode of Whit's Grit, Arkansas native and rising MMA fighter Chase Mann shares his raw, unfiltered journey from a childhood defined by parental addiction, constant court dates, and chaos… to becoming a powerlifting champion and professional MMA contender. By age eight, Chase was already in and out of the legal system. Sports became his lifeline—football gave him discipline, structure, and a reason to keep his grades up. But it wasn’t until he became a father at nineteen that everything changed. Holding his daughter for the first time ignited a fierce determination to break the generational cycle and become the man his children could be proud of. Faith, a supportive partner, and an unrelenting drive helped him overcome substance abuse after personal tragedy and redirected his path toward combat sports. Chase opens up about the pull between good and evil, the transformative power of fatherhood, and why he believes sports quite literally saved him from prison. Now focused on his MMA career while raising his family, Chase is proof that resilience, faith, and purpose can turn even the most troubled beginnings into a story of triumph. Tune in to hear how one man is fighting for more—not just in the cage, but for his legacy. Breaking the Cycle. Building a Champion. This is Whit’s Grit.

Whit's Grit Episode 2: Learning to Pirouette - Kathryn Morgan's Comeback Story

From New York City Ballet apprentice at 17 to Soloist by 21,  Kathryn Morgan [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCJ7v_GfFQaVoaPak9_SwR5A] danced iconic roles like Juliet, Aurora, and Sugar Plum Fairy. But a serious chronic illness forced her to step away from the dream she’d worked so hard for. After a powerful comeback and leaving traditional company life behind, she built something even greater: KM & Friends — a joyful, inclusive online ballet community making high-level training accessible to dancers of all ages, sizes, and levels. A true story of resilience, reinvention, and unbreakable grit.