The TakeAway: Talking about stroke recovery with Physio, Councellor and stroke survivor Ryan Ogden
“I felt ‘a bit off’ at work one day in July 2012. So, I asked the receptionist Leonie to cancel a busy afternoon of clients, and I went home to rest. After about 5 days at home and with no improvement I went to see my doc. He said I should get an MRI of my head to rule out anything nasty. We booked it in a few days later and I went home thinking the scan had been ordered just to cover the doctor’s are. I was pretty sure it was a weird man-flu causing a little numbness in the left side of my face and my left hand. Haha, what would I know.”
What happened when you had your strokes? (0:04)
Ryan was just 31 when his life changed forever.
A fit, active physiotherapist with his own business, he spent his weekends surfing, kayaking and mountain biking. When he developed flu-like symptoms and numbness in his face, he never imagined he was having a stroke.
An MRI revealed a brainstem bleed the size of a walnut. After a second bleed and then a third stroke requiring brain surgery, Ryan faced years of rehabilitation and significant disability.
Despite being told to go home and hope for recovery, Ryan threw everything he had into rehabilitation.
"I rehabbed the heck out of it."
What were the biggest challenges during your recovery? (2:55)
For Ryan, rehabilitation was relentless.
Before his strokes, he trained hard as a surfer, kayaker and mountain bike racer. That discipline became one of his greatest strengths during recovery.
But nothing prepared him for the reality of stroke rehabilitation.
Ryan was living with vision changes, poor balance, overwhelming fatigue, pain, reduced sensation and difficulty using his arm and hand. Every day meant working through those challenges, knowing that recovery depended on showing up, even when he didn't feel like it.
He approached rehabilitation like training for sport- committing to hand therapy, balance exercises and repetitive practice, one session at a time.
Looking back, he believes the resilience and discipline he developed as an athlete gave him the mindset he needed to keep going – that and his wide Dee.
"The rehab itself was pretty gruelling. It was so hard with the pain and the fatigue, but I knew I had to do my hand therapy if I wanted to get better - and practice my balance."
Resources:
How did your discipline or mindset help you through recovery? (3:50)
Ryan says one of the biggest reasons he got through recovery was the support of his friend Mitch, a surf coach who became an important part of his life.
Before his strokes, Ryan was a physiotherapist, so he was able to use his own knowledge to guide much of his rehabilitation. He understood how to safely challenge his body and build his recovery. He knows that not every person has that advantage.
Early on, Ryan also saw a few psychologists, but he didn't feel they were the right fit. He felt they were young and didn't have the life experience to understand what he was going through.
Mitch wasn't a physiotherapist or a psychologist, but he gave Ryan exactly what he needed. They trained together, laughed together, and when things became really hard, they simply talked.
Over time, Ryan realised those conversations were just as important as the physical exercises.
"I certainly wouldn't have survived without Mitch's input into my rehab and his support."
Resources:
You spoke openly about depression after your third stroke. What helped you through that? (6:13)
After his third stroke, Ryan reached a point where his physical improvements slowed. As hope faded, depression took hold and he began contemplating suicide.
Mitch recognised the signs and became a lifeline, checking in every day and creating a safe space where Ryan could be completely honest.
Looking back, Ryan believes connection at this stage in his recovery is what saved him.
"It was connection... connection with my wife Dee, and Mitch, and all my supportive friends that got me through the tough times."
Resources:
Post-stroke depression is common and treatable. For immediate help, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636
How did you change the negative story you were telling yourself? (9:17)
During one conversation, Mitch challenged the harsh inner voice Ryan had been listening to for months.
Rather than seeing himself as hopeless, Mitch reminded Ryan of the qualities he already possessed - his determination, resilience and willingness to keep fighting.
That conversation marked a turning point.
Ryan began recognising his negative self-talk and replacing it with something kinder and more truthful.
"Just because you're telling yourself all these negative things doesn't mean they're real."
What role did connection play in your recovery? (14:14)
When Ryan could no longer surf, kayak or ride with his mates, isolation quickly became one of his biggest challenges.
His friends refused to let him disappear.
They introduced what became known as "sauna therapy" - regular catch-ups where they laughed, talked rubbish and quietly checked in on how he was really coping.
More than a decade later, those catch-ups continue.
"Support and connection... if I'm connecting with my family, my friends and my colleagues, life is so much better."
Resources:
How important is a positive mindset in stroke recovery? (16:23)
Today, Ryan works as a counsellor, but he is careful not to oversimplify the idea of positive thinking.
Stroke is traumatic, and he believes it's okay to feel angry, sad, hopeless or overwhelmed.
Rather than forcing positivity, Ryan encourages people to acknowledge those emotions while focusing on one small step at a time.
"It's okay to feel hopeless, depressed, sad and angry. We're human."
What do you mean by "putting the blinkers on"? (18:24)
Early in recovery, Ryan found the sheer number of challenges overwhelming.
Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, he narrowed his focus to one task at a time.
He compares recovery to zooming in and out on an iPad. On difficult days, zoom in and focus only on today's goal. When measuring progress, zoom right out and look at how far you've come over months and years.
"One bite at a time."
What have you learned about long-term recovery? (20:32)
Like many stroke survivors, Ryan was told that most recovery would happen within 18 months.
His experience was completely different.
Fourteen years after his first stroke, he continues to improve. The gains are slow, often almost invisible day to day, but they add up over time.
His message is to be patient and stop measuring recovery by weeks or months.
"Who knows where you'll end up? But if you're patient, you'll be markedly improved from where you started."
What would you say to someone who has just had a stroke? (22:37)
Ryan remembers desperately wanting someone to tell him exactly what his future would look like.
Would he work again? Surf again? Become a dad?
No one could answer those questions.
Today, he understands why.
Recovery doesn't follow a script, and no one can predict where someone will end up.
His life looks very different to the one he planned - but in many ways, it's turned out better than he ever expected.
"Life has turned out way better than I thought it was going to turn out."
What song means the most to you? (24:27)
A song that means a lot to Ryan is Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac.
It was playing in the ambulance as he was transported from Geelong to Melbourne after his first stroke.
Even now, hearing it instantly transports him back to that moment - the ambulance curtains, the paramedics, and his wife following behind in her car.
While the memory is painful, it also reminds him just how far he's come.
"It's a good reminder that I've recovered very well, and I've got a great life."