Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brian Rizzo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brian , sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I used to bounce at a strip club in SE Portland Oregon. On January 11th 2014 I denied entry to a man. He was being disrespectful to people in front of him in line. He was a homeless drug addict and he was there to meet a dealer for his fix.
He went out to the car he lived in. He put on a mask and grabbed a 9mm pistol.
He came back opened the door and shot me in the head.
There is a lot more to the story.
I started lifting when I was 13. I started competing in powerlifting at 18.I was 26 when I got shot.
The gym is my solace, my sanctuary. It’s where I can go to fight the demons inside.
I’ve had people talk down to me on this journey. People telling me they have been through worse. People telling me to get over it and others talking down to me, telling me to get used to it since I don’t do what I used to do.
The gym doesn’t judge me. The work I put in will pay me back 10 fold.
I want to show others who suffer from PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury),depression or all 3. Find something positive to do with their life. It doesn’t have to be working out. They need to cut off from the people who talk down to them. They need to surround themselves with people, who may not have been through what they have but are still willing to offer them support.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was taken to Emanuel hospital in Portland. I was blessed that Dr Adler was on call. They put me into a chemically induced coma. While I was in the coma they tested everything you can think of.
20 days into the coma Dr Adler decided to remove the bullet from my head (the bullet had stopped slightly to the right side of the back of my head and had not exited)
After he removed the bullet they were able to do an MRI scan.
The bullet had moved in an arc around the left side of my brain. It went slightly to the right side of the back of my head. The bullet missed my brain stem (which if it had hit my whole brain would be dead) by the width of a hair.
God decided it wasn’t my time to die.
I was in a coma for 31 days. 2 weeks after I came out I went to REO. REO is a rehabilitation hospital.
As I said I’ve competed in powerlifting and I’ve also competed in strong man comps.
I’ve dislocated my right shoulder, separated my left hid and torn my left bicep. I’ve come back from these.
Getting shot in the head was slightly worse haha but I thought about it the same when I went to rehab.
I had lost around 100lbs and I didn’t have the ability to stand.
I worked hard and stayed positive. I went from not being able to stand to being able to walk with a walker in 3 weeks. I was at REO for 3 weeks and 2 days.
It has been a long and lonely journey. It’s been 10 years so I don’t know how much you want of the story.
I’m part of support groups for people who suffer from TBI. Suicide rates are high for people who deal with it.
I want to show people that they have strength inside. Far more than they realize and understand that God has love for everyone.
Teresa L’Heureux (the author of My Rock My Hard Place) is writing my story.
I’ve spoken at different places trying to show people how to find strength and peace.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Going through my medical records with a friend who did pre med. Learning about the different parts of the brain and what their in charge of. Getting an understanding of what was being done when I was in the coma. 2. I’ve trained with some top tier athletes so I know different ideas on training and diet.
3. Building a relationship with God has helped me deal with the effects of my traumatic experience. Spending time alone trying to come to terms with who I am now.
It’s difficult to tell others these are what you have to do. Every person has a different experience, different parts of their brain damaged.
I guess my top point is everyone has a mountain set before them. Some parts are an easy stroll up hill, some parts you fight to gain an inch and there are times you loose the ground you fought for.
As I said surround yourself with people who can offer positive support on your journey.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I have been fighting to make something out of what I’ve been through. I’ve been denied handicapped social security 4 times. I was living in my truck in the gym parking lot.
My friend who is the manager at the gym found a Nazarene church in SE Portland who offers housing.
I have had the opportunity to speak at the church. Which has had positive feed back from those who attended.
An old friend who I have known since I was 19. His wife has become my agent and she contacted Teresa about writing my story.
As I said everyone has a mountain set before them. I have been in the darkness fighting to gain an inch. God has a plan for everyone and we are all stronger than we know.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brizzo995/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brisso1/videos/10200823350652558/?mibextid=ng2Npd
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brianrizzo1435?si=uf9CKr4QHqkhkNqd
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianrizzo105?_t=8iEs2rW6V8F&_r=1
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/sarasaffari__?igsh=amplYXlvNWlmY3Bi
