Why I Needed Surgery.....And What’s Next
Rich Roll
Jun 19, 2025
Episode description
Roll On is in the house! Adam Skolnick and I discuss my spinal fusion surgery, the forced repose of recovery, what happens when your structures of identity dissolve, maintaining humanity during LA's immigration crisis, and why going slow to go slow might be the deepest practice of all. READ MORE👉🏾 http://bit.ly/richroll917
✌🏼🌱 - Rich
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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:22 Back Surgery Story: Diagnosis to Decision
00:02:58 Cultural Homogenization & Japan
00:11:06 Surgery Details & Recovery
00:15:33 Pain, Recovery, & Mental Challenges
00:25:08 AD BREAK
00:25:09 Lessons from Stillness & Self-Worth
00:30:49 Dear One" Practice & Self-Compassion"
00:32:58 Identity, Achievement, & External Validation
00:38:42 Letting Go & The Value of Presence
00:53:05 Meditation, Presence, & Mundanity
00:55:00 AD BREAK
00:55:01 Lessons from Stillness & Self-Worth
00:57:36 Immigration, LA, & Political Reflections
01:07:11 Authoritarianism & Protest
01:16:05 Responsibility, Platform, & Speaking Up
01:17:31 Closing Remarks & Outro
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Hi I'm Rich Roll. I'm a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, author, podcaster, public speaker & wellness evangelist. But mainly I'm a dad of four. If you want to know more, visit my website or check out these two the NY Times articles:
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Mindsip insights from this episode:
Manage mental focus during physical recovery
A major physical recovery can unexpectedly drain you mentally, leading to extreme exhaustion and an inability to maintain focus for simple tasks like reading.
Identify congenital pars defect as a cause of chronic back pain
Chronic lower back pain can be caused by a congenital pars defect, a lifelong fracture in the vertebrae that leads to instability and a condition called spondylolisthesis.
Embrace slowness to cultivate presence
Instead of the typical athletic mindset of 'going slow to go fast,' consider the possibility that the entire point of going slow is simply to go slow and be present.
Apologize to your body for trauma after surgery
After a major surgery, it can be a healing practice to talk to your body and apologize for the trauma it endured, as the brain has an unconscious awareness of the event.
Utilize zero gravity chairs to relieve back pressure during recovery
Using zero gravity lawn chairs can help relieve pressure on the back during recovery when you need to be upright but can't sit normally for long periods.
Understand L5-S1 spinal fusion procedure for stability
The L5-S1 spinal fusion involved an anterior approach to insert a metal cage with synthetic bone graft, followed by a posterior approach to add screws and posts for stability.
Acknowledge heightened pain sensitivity in endurance athletes post-surgery
An endurance athlete may experience more acute post-surgery pain because they are more connected to and sensitive to their body's feelings, a theory shared by Kelly Starrett.
Rewire beliefs to diminish pain perception
The brain's belief that the body is broken can amplify the sensation of pain, and rewiring this belief can dissipate pain even without significant physical healing.
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