E017 Ruby Konkol IBD and Personal Growth
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 17
Date: May 24, 2022
Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guests: Ruby Konkol and Elise Seifert
Start times and Segment Segments:
[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Sammy and John came across tips for active listening on the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Instagram feed, which reminds Sammy of a Ted Talk by Brené Brown discussing empathy versus sympathy.
Link to brightfutures.org article: CALM: Listening Skills for Diffusing Anger
Brené Brown Short Video on Empathy vs Sympathy (just under 3 minutes)
[0:12:37] Expanding Minds Interview: [Physical Wellness] we interview Ruby Konkol, who experienced life-threatening health challenges caused by inflammatory bowel disease, in the form of sever ulcerative colitis. He came close to death and found internal strength to continue. He believes his life today is better than ever, because of his struggles with IBD and what he learned about himself.
Ruby Konkol’s donation page for June 5, 2022 Gutsy Walk: Click Here for Link
[0:29:08] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron wrapped up two projects recently. The first was a choir writing project to help a band mate create a solo album. The second was finishing a jingle with his new jingle team.
[0:32:53] Move That Body: Our guest, Elise Webster, talks about online fitness classes that she enjoys.
[0:39:41] Running Popup: John realized he’s in the dreamers and tryers club. Never lose that dream.
[0:42:30] Flipside of the Coin: After a long Covid distancing period, Sheila and John finally had a chance to have friends over for a dinner party. What fun!
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Sammy – I feel like suspending all judgment is really hard for our society, because people love to judge others.
Ruby – I almost feel sometimes that I had a particular mission or purpose in my life and it took this debilitating disease for me to burn out all these illusions I had about life.
Ruby – I finally realized that the silver core that connects all of it is giving back. If I hadn’t gone through this experience, then I wouldn’t be giving back, and I give back a lot.
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Elise: That’s so ridiculous, and now I’m totally into it. I’m one of those people.
Guest Information: Ruby Konkol is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage Locations North in Collingwood, Ontario. Ruby battled Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and more specifically severe ulcerative colitis beginning in 2000. He suffered constant and severe abdominal pain, dehydration, extreme weight loss and bowel incontinence. He was hit so hard that he ended up extremely weak, alone and on his couch or bed. He felt isolated and hopeless and couldn’t imagine life without the pain and suffering. He avoided contact with others and questioned his will to survive. In 2011 he underwent surgery to have his colon removed. His journey with IBD was extremely challenging, but also a period of personal growth. He came close to death multiple times. He didn’t expect to survive, but he found internal strength to continue. Shortly following his fourth colitis-related operation, he trained for and successfully completed the Canadian Ski Instructor certification program. He joined Collingwood Toastmasters eventually becoming its President.
Ruby Konkol’s donation page for June 5, 2022 Gutsy Walk: Click Here for Link
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie