He Was a Wellness Expert—Then a Skiing Accident Changed His Definition of Health
From Speak Up For Your Health by Archelle Georgiou, MD
March 24, 2026 · 32 min
About this episode
Dr. Seth Serxner shares his journey from wellness expert to patient after a skiing accident, discussing the importance of self-advocacy and recovery.
He spent his career teaching people how to be healthy—until a skiing accident forced him to live it. Dr. Seth Serxner, a leading expert in health literacy and workplace wellness, went from running six miles a day to fighting his way back from a devastating crash and life-threatening injuries. In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Seth and I talk about what happens when a wellness expert becomes the patient—why self-advocacy matters, what recovery really takes, and whether it truly takes a crisis to change your health. Kay Takeaways You have to advocate for yourself, even if you're receiving great care. Details matter and care is complicated. And, when you're really sick, you may not be in a position to process information or make decisions clearly. So have an advocate, someone who can ask questions and think on your behalf. Speak up about whether you're truly ready to be discharged. Just because the medical team says you're ready doesn't always mean that you are. Being ready means you have a clear plan regarding who your medical team will be when you get home, what support you'll need from family or caregivers, and knowing what equipment you may need at home to be safe. Be…
People in this episode
Host: Archelle Georgiou, MD
Guest: Dr. Seth Serxner
Topics covered
- wellness
- health literacy
- self-advocacy
- recovery
- patient experience
Keywords
- wellness expert
- skiing accident
- health literacy
- self-advocacy
- recovery
- patient care
- treatment plan
More episodes of Speak Up For Your Health
- High-Functioning but Exhausted: The Face of ADHD in Women · May 28, 2026 · 32 min
- A Hidden Condition Affecting 1 in 20 People—and the Shame Behind It · May 12, 2026 · 33 min
- High-Functioning Alcoholic: A Healthcare Executive’s Journey to Sobriety · April 28, 2026 · 37 min
- He Chose Surgery At A Hospital Known For Poor Outcomes–Here's Why · April 28, 2026 · 30 min
- Why Breast Pumping Is So Hard for Moms (And What Helps) · March 10, 2026 · 34 min
- Mystery Diagnosis: 20 Years of Not Being Believed · February 24, 2026 · 33 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Speak Up For Your Health podcast page.