Share

cover art for How to Be Unstoppable | Oksana Masters

Good Life Project

How to Be Unstoppable | Oksana Masters

We want to hear from YOU! Take our survey.


Born in 1989 Ukraine with extensive physical challenges, missing bones and parts of limbs, muscle,s and organ tissue due to in-utero radiation poisoning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Oksana Masters was left to fend for herself in an orphanage. The world was stacked against her, and the conditions in the three orphanages she endured were, as she described, truly brutal. But, she refused to give up.


Then, at age 7, she’d find herself adopted by a single, American mom, whose own years-long journey to bring Oksana home is its own astonishing story. The simple fact that she survived is remarkable. But, she didn’t just survive, once in her home, enduring multiple additional surgeries and amputations, her indomitable spirit refused to let anyone tell her what she could or could not do. 


And, nearly a decade later, she’d end up stunning not just her mom, and the local community, but the entire world, becoming the United States' most decorated winter Paralympic or Olympic athlete, taking home seventeen medals in four different sports. She has since been featured everywhere from Sports Illustrated to The New York Times and has written a powerful memoir, The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph, that recounts her astonishing journey from the shadow of Chernobyl to the world's biggest stages. 


In today’s deeply moving and inspiring conversation, you'll discover:


  1. How an unwavering spirit can conquer the most daunting physical challenges.
  2. The power of love, support, and perseverance in overcoming trauma and adversity.
  3. The importance of embracing your unique differences and using them to your advantage.
  4. What it takes to excel in not just one, but four different sports on the world stage.
  5. The life-changing impact of a single decision to never give up.
  6. And so much more.


Join us as we explore the extraordinary life of Oksana Masters, and learn how she turned her greatest challenges into her most exceptional victories. How she became unstoppable, and showed the world what was possible. 


You can find Oksana at: Website | Instagram


If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Kyle Bryant about how to transform challenges into action.


Check out our offerings & partners: 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Groundbreaking Cancer Research: How Common Meds May Change the Game | Matthew D. Park, PhD

    01:00:48|
    Could aging immune cells actually be triggering cancer growth? Groundbreaking immunologist Matthew Park reveals surprising research showing our body's own myeloid cells may suppress cancer-killing cells as we get older - and how existing medications could help reset this deadly process. An eye-opening look at a new frontier for preventing and treating cancer through the years.You can find Matthew at: Website | Linkedin | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Tim Spector about eating for health.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • The Hidden Cost of Your To-Do List (And How to Take Your Life Back) | Courtney Carver

    01:00:46|
    Feeling overwhelmed by life's relentless demands? Courtney Carver, author of Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want, reveals a transformative approach to embracing a softer, more intentional way of being. Discover how simplifying your world and giving yourself permission to truly rest can revolutionize your well-being and help you rediscover the person you were born to be.You can find Courtney at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Courtney about simplicity.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Rethink Aging: the Science, the Lies & the Possibilities | Karen Walrond

    57:23|
    Are you tired of the cultural narratives that frame aging as an inevitable decline? In this illuminating conversation, Karen Walrond, author of Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell, offers a radical reframing to help you embrace your later years as a time of profound growth, purpose and audacious joy.Prepare to interrogate assumptions, stay playfully curious at any age, and join Walrond's radiant rebellion against the toxic mindsets holding you back from living each season of life to the fullest.You can find Karen at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Tara Brach about making peace with the truth about our lives.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesFactor: Factor delivers chef-crafted, nutritionist-approved meals that heat up in 2 minutes, and you can get 50% off your first box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/factorpodcast with code FACTORPODCAST.
  • What 100 Silent Retreats Revealed That Changed His Life | Pico Iyer

    56:48|
    Step away from the noise and unlock profound clarity by learning from silence. In this insightful conversation, bestselling author Pico Iyer shares life-changing wisdom from his new book Aflame: Learning from Silence on how solitude can help you rediscover your deepest self, rekindle your passions, and foster more authentic connections with others.You can find Pico at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Pico about finding nirvana.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Introducing: The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris & Malcolm Gladwell

    50:02|
    Join Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell as they bypass pleasantries and promotional banter to deliver raw, unfiltered conversations with some of today’s most influential figures. Featuring titans across a spectrum of professions (from Olympic gold medalists to trailblazing Fortune 500 CEOs and everything in between), The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell pulls back the curtain to offer listeners unprecedented access to the minds of the world’s most extraordinary individuals and their distinct paths to success.
  • Genetics Doctor: The Truth About Genetic Testing. Should You Get It? | Dr. Farrah Rajabi With Guest Host Samira Rajabi, Phd

    57:05|
    Experience something truly special - an enlightening genetic journey guided by guest host Samira Rajabi, PhD and her sister Dr. Farrah Rajabi, a leading pediatric geneticist. With warmth and wisdom, Farrah demystifies genetic testing, providing a compassionate roadmap to preventative care, emotional wellbeing, and embracing new possibilities. This insightful sibling duo's energetic repartee will leave you feeling empowered to optimize your holistic wellbeing by unlocking the profound power of your genetic blueprint.You can find Samira at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode TranscriptYou can find Farrah at: LinkedInIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Samira Rajabi about navigating wellbeing.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Leading Neuroscientist: Turn Anxiety and Anger Into Peace and Power | Ethan Kross

    01:04:44|
    Ever feel like your emotions are running the show? Learn breakthrough tools from Ethan Kross, PhD, leading expert on emotion regulation and author of Shift: Managing Your Emotions - So They Don't Manage You. Discover potent "sensory shifters," attention deployment tactics, and a step-by-step process to master your emotional world once and for all.You can find Ethan at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Ethan in an earlier conversation about overcoming mental chatter.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Psychology Researcher: Why Always Being Good Can Be Incredibly Bad for You | Dr. Sunita Sah

    54:40|
    Are you living a life true to your deepest values or just going along with what others expect? Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, reveals how our cultural conditioning to comply holds us back from authenticity. Learn the stages of healthy defiance to courageously honor your agency while navigating power dynamics. Reframe defiance as a positive force aligned with your most profound principles.You can find Sunita at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Zoe Chance about influence and persuasion.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Make Every Moment Count (Without Changing Your Whole Life!) | New Beginnings Pt 5

    01:01:03|
    As part of our New Beginnings series, unlock the secrets to savoring the beauty in every ordinary moment.In this insightful culminating episode, Jonathan shares a powerful roadmap for crafting days overflowing with presence, purpose and joy. Discover transformative yet simple practices like mindful check-ins, designing your day with intention, finding delight in creativity, and starting/ending with gratitude. Learn how establishing these intentional daily rhythms can help you experience the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane - making 2025 your most present, meaningful year yet.Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode:You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.Find all of the New Beginnings: Redesigning Your Life in 2025 episodes.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes