Episode 227 — John Ulsh: Turning Setbacks Into Strength
From Building Men by Dennis Morolda, Building Men
February 13, 2026 · 1h 13m · Episode 227
About this episode
John Ulsh shares his journey of recovery and personal growth after a life-altering car crash.
John Ulsh is a speaker, coach, author, and resilience expert who survived a near-fatal car crash that led to 45+ surgeries , years of recovery, and a complete reset on his life. He’s been featured in People Magazine , Men’s Fitness , and on Good Morning America , and he’s the author of The Upside of Down . John shares the moment everything changed: a head-on collision after a swim meet, an 18-day coma, paralysis, and waking up to a life he didn’t recognize. But the bigger story is what came next: rebuilding. John talks about how he went from being completely dependent on others to taking control of his life again through daily choices, training, and a mindset shift. You’d be surprised what you’re capable of when you’re forced to face hard things. Replace pain you can’t control with discomfort you choose on purpose. Build your “board of directors,” people you trust who can help you stay grounded. Remove obstacles and focus on the first step. Momentum comes from action. It’s more important to be intentional than perfect . Website: www.JohnUlsh.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnulsh/ Finish the Race Apparel: https://ftrapparel.com/collections/stay-in-the-fight Stay in the…
People in this episode
Host: Dennis Morolda
Guest: John Ulsh
Topics covered
- resilience
- overcoming adversity
- personal growth
- mindset shift
- recovery
- self-improvement
Keywords
- resilience
- setbacks
- personal development
- mindset
- recovery
- overcoming challenges
- self-improvement
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: People Magazine, Men’s Fitness, Good Morning America
Books & works: The Upside of Down
More episodes of Building Men
- Episode 232 Bill Matthews: Sobriety Is the Starting Line · May 18, 2026 · 1h 24m
- EPISODE 231 Lawrence C. Harris: Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future · May 1, 2026 · 54 min
- Episode 230- Nico Diaz: Wrestling Through Adversity · April 10, 2026 · 1h 9m
- Episode 229- Chris Romulo: Building Resilience Under Pressure · March 27, 2026 · 1h 10m
- Episode 228 — Brock Schenck: When Your Body Says “No,” Your Mind Can Still Say “Go” · March 6, 2026 · 37 min
- Episode 226 — Brendan Shaw: Grief, Brotherhood, and Finding a Way Forward · January 23, 2026 · 1h 16m
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