In this conversation, Bouba, known as the Heart of a Giant, brieflly shares his journey living with a congenital heart defect. He talks about his experiences with heart disease and how he started a nonprofit organization. This organization aims to raise awareness and provide education about heart health. Bouba stresses the importance of community support, personal legacy, and how health education can change lives.
Summary
In this conversation, Bouba, known as the Heart of a Giant, brieflly shares his journey living with a congenital heart defect. He talks about his experiences with heart disease and how he started a nonprofit organization. This organization aims to raise awareness and provide education about heart health. Bouba stresses the importance of community support, personal legacy, and how health education can change lives.
Keywords
Heart Disease, Personal Journey, Nonprofit, Health Awareness, Community Support, Heart Transplant, Education, Legacy, CPR, Health Management
Takeaways
• Community support and storytelling can save lives.
• Prevention and education are key pillars of heart health.
• Everyone deserves the tools and inspiration to manage their health.
Call to Action:
Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with someone who needs a little inspiration, and visit heartofagiant.org to learn more or get involved.
#HeartOfAGiant #LivingWithHeartDisease #HealthAwareness #HeartTransplant #CommunityCare #LegacyOfLove #CPREducation
Hello! Welcome back to "Living with Heart Disease." We have a new season for you, and I'm excited to share it. In this first episode, I'll be sharing some notes I made to myself after an event. I just recorded my thoughts, and it would be interesting to kick off the year by sharing more about my journey. My name is Bouba, and I work with the Heart of a Giant Foundation. Thank you for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
Speaking of inspiration, I recently received a text from a friend wishing me a good day and encouraging me to stay inspired. It lifted my spirits!
I also gave a small talk yesterday to some youth graduating from a CPR program, which always feels rewarding. I share my story while keeping it brief, but sometimes I overthink it. I'm looking for a way to introduce my story that conveys the message I want to deliver.
So here goes: My name is Bouba, and I have the heart of a giant. I'll explain what that means shortly. I'm currently involved with the Giant Foundation, and my story is a long one, but to summarize, I was born with a congenital condition that went undetected until December 2012. I had been experiencing chest pains for a long time, so I eventually went to the emergency room. There, I learned that my heart was larger than normal. At 6'8", I joked that I must have the heart of a giant, which is how that saying came about.
It's been a long journey for me. I've been on medication, received IV meds 24/7, lived with a pump in my heart for six years, and had a heart transplant two and a half years ago. Throughout this journey, I've been fortunate to have incredible support from friends, doctors, nurses, family, and even kids.
The name "heart of a giant" has a two-fold meaning. On the one hand, I physically represent my condition. On the other, I've been overwhelmed by love and support, which I hope to leave as my legacy. I needed to channel this experience into something positive, which led to the foundation. I started with blogging and outreach, eventually moving on to speaking engagements.
We aimed to raise awareness as our top priority, followed by providing education—through workshops, one-on-one conversations, and screenings. It's crucial to not only understand health-related issues but also to take action on them. Our first step is helping people gain control over their health and navigate their journeys in the healthcare system.
I've met many partners in my journey, including those from the pharmaceutical and medical technology fields. For example, I had an AICD (automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) and an LVAD for several years before receiving a heart transplant. It's been an exciting journey, but I always return to my roots.
My motivation stems from the reality that health is a primary concern in our society. I want to help transform healthcare for everyone, starting with prevention and awareness efforts. By uplifting those who are least fortunate, we all grow together.
Yesterday, I supported some young graduates who are taking on this charge with purpose and responsibility. I hope that they will become someone's superhero, as we've seen nurses do by literally saving lives. Life isn't just about existing; it's about every connection, memory, and moment we share that makes us human. The contributions we make to society, our productivity, and the values we uphold all matter.
Together, we can all elevate each other and support one another. That's my vision and my drive. As I said before, I'm just a regular guy trying to do extraordinary things alongside everyone else who wants to join in. Thank you for listening!