For the last five years, my dad, Martin Imbert, has done the sound mix for every single How I Work and How I Live episode. In fact, I think he's the only person on the planet that has had to sit through every one of the several hundred interviews that I have done since twenty eighteen now, so I decided it was time to turn the microphone around onto my dad, because he is an extraordinary person. He trained as an electrical engineer back in his UNI days and spent most of his career working as a computer programmer. But fourteen years ago his life changed out of the blue. At fifty nine years old, he suffered from a massive stroke that left him unable to literally make a sound or communicate, and the entire right side of his body became completely paralyzed. But through the power of neuroplasticity and a lot of rehab and hard work, my dad learned to move again, and he also learned to talk again. I'm doctor Amantha Imbach, an organizational psychologist and the host of How I Work, and I'm trying something a little different for the next few weeks. This is How I Live, a series that gives you an inside look but some super accomplished people's top strategies for living a happy, productive, and impactful life. My dad's stroke has been by far the biggest challenge thrown at him in his seventy plus years on the planet. And that is where I chat begins.

For the last five years, my dad, Martin Imbert, has done the sound mix for every single How I Work and How I Live episode. In fact, I think he's the only person on the planet that has had to sit through every one of the several hundred interviews that I have done since twenty eighteen now, so I decided it was time to turn the microphone around onto my dad, because he is an extraordinary person. He trained as an electrical engineer back in his UNI days and spent most of his career working as a computer programmer. But fourteen years ago his life changed out of the blue. At fifty nine years old, he suffered from a massive stroke that left him unable to literally make a sound or communicate, and the entire right side of his body became completely paralyzed. But through the power of neuroplasticity and a lot of rehab and hard work, my dad learned to move again, and he also learned to talk again. I'm doctor Amantha Imbach, an organizational psychologist and the host of How I Work, and I'm trying something a little different for the next few weeks. This is How I Live, a series that gives you an inside look but some super accomplished people's top strategies for living a happy, productive, and impactful life. My dad's stroke has been by far the biggest challenge thrown at him in his seventy plus years on the planet. And that is where I chat begins.

When I had my stroke, he was the first big health scare that I have had, and it was a very major one and it caused me all sorts of different reactions. It changed the way I think about things, It changed the way I see other people. It changed my mind because I was always a left brain and logical thinking person. But I'm still am a logical person, but I'm using my right brain more and it's more emotional, so I am more emotional.

When I had my stroke, he was the first big health scare that I have had, and it was a very major one and it caused me all sorts of different reactions. It changed the way I think about things, It changed the way I see other people. It changed my mind because I was always a left brain and logical thinking person. But I'm still am a logical person, but I'm using my right brain more and it's more emotional, so I am more emotional.

So I obviously know all about the stroke that happened in two thousand and nine, but can you can you explain what actually happened in that twenty four hour period when the stroke happened.

So I obviously know all about the stroke that happened in two thousand and nine, but can you can you explain what actually happened in that twenty four hour period when the stroke happened.

So we were at a dance camp in Frankston, and it was relatively cold, and I was dancing with Mum and I've noticed at about ten thirty I was feeling a bit shivery, sha shaking, and I didn't mention anything to anyone because I didn't think it was significant, And when we broke for lunch, I realized that I couldn't put sentences together and I was talking to people around me, and when I told Mom that I couldn't find words to express myself, she immediately knew what was happening and told me to lie down and called for an ambulance. So when we went to Frankston Hospital, which was the closest hospital, I got a cat scan and it didn't see anything in my brain. I could talk or write, but hesitantly, and I could.

So we were at a dance camp in Frankston, and it was relatively cold, and I was dancing with Mum and I've noticed at about ten thirty I was feeling a bit shivery, sha shaking, and I didn't mention anything to anyone because I didn't think it was significant, And when we broke for lunch, I realized that I couldn't put sentences together and I was talking to people around me, and when I told Mom that I couldn't find words to express myself, she immediately knew what was happening and told me to lie down and called for an ambulance. So when we went to Frankston Hospital, which was the closest hospital, I got a cat scan and it didn't see anything in my brain. I could talk or write, but hesitantly, and I could.

Write and you could move like I could move.

Write and you could move like I could move.

Nothing externally in my motor coordination was a problem. So they decided to keep me overnight and I didn't sleep well and I was restless during the night. But when it came to the morning, I felt, I need you to go to the toilet, and while I was sitting on the toilet, I felt dizzy and a wave of dizzy it's come over me and my whole right side was paralyzed. I somehow made my way back to the bed, and I didn't even occurred to me to press the nurse's call button because I was disoriented. So I waited for someone to arrive, and when the nurse finally arrived. I couldn't speak, and the nurse called the doctor, and the doctor scheduled another cat scan. And when we had that second cat scan, it showed a massive bleed in my brain.

Nothing externally in my motor coordination was a problem. So they decided to keep me overnight and I didn't sleep well and I was restless during the night. But when it came to the morning, I felt, I need you to go to the toilet, and while I was sitting on the toilet, I felt dizzy and a wave of dizzy it's come over me and my whole right side was paralyzed. I somehow made my way back to the bed, and I didn't even occurred to me to press the nurse's call button because I was disoriented. So I waited for someone to arrive, and when the nurse finally arrived. I couldn't speak, and the nurse called the doctor, and the doctor scheduled another cat scan. And when we had that second cat scan, it showed a massive bleed in my brain.

And when you say couldn't speak, can you explain that in a bit more detail.

And when you say couldn't speak, can you explain that in a bit more detail.

Not only could I not speak, I couldn't make any sounds other than grunting sounds. And although I was conscious, I couldn't I couldn't express myself.

Not only could I not speak, I couldn't make any sounds other than grunting sounds. And although I was conscious, I couldn't I couldn't express myself.

And you remember what that felt like to go from being able to communicate perfectly one day to having that taken away from you so suddenly.

And you remember what that felt like to go from being able to communicate perfectly one day to having that taken away from you so suddenly.

Helpless, helpless. I just lay in bed on my right side was still paralyzed. I couldn't get up to walk. I had to be helped to get to the toilet by a nurse. And the occupy passional therapist came in at some stage and asked me to look at a few diagrams. And I could. When I looked at the diagram with both eyes open, I only see the left side. I couldn't see the right side. When it was pointed out to me and I shifted my head, I could see it. But when I shifted to look straight on. I couldn't see it.

Helpless, helpless. I just lay in bed on my right side was still paralyzed. I couldn't get up to walk. I had to be helped to get to the toilet by a nurse. And the occupy passional therapist came in at some stage and asked me to look at a few diagrams. And I could. When I looked at the diagram with both eyes open, I only see the left side. I couldn't see the right side. When it was pointed out to me and I shifted my head, I could see it. But when I shifted to look straight on. I couldn't see it.

Do you remember what was going through your mind in that first week after the stroke in terms of whether this was your life from now on or that things would change and get better.

Do you remember what was going through your mind in that first week after the stroke in terms of whether this was your life from now on or that things would change and get better.

I never considered that this would be my life from now on.

I never considered that this would be my life from now on.

I was.

I was.

Always going to fight what was happening to my body and fix it. And I knew that. My mum told me later that the doctors or had depressing prognosis, but she didn't relay that to me. But if she had of I would have ignored, and I would have said, I'll fight to the end.

Always going to fight what was happening to my body and fix it. And I knew that. My mum told me later that the doctors or had depressing prognosis, but she didn't relay that to me. But if she had of I would have ignored, and I would have said, I'll fight to the end.

It's interesting because back in two thousand and nine when this all happened, neuroplasticity was not earth that was or a concept that was being talked about at medical schools, or that many doctors even knew about. And so I remember those really negative prognoses. But Marm and I both having an understanding of psychology and science and both being aware of neuroplasticity and the sort of emerging research in that area. I think you know, we were also very determined on your behalf that this was not permanent. What was it that kept you motivated? Because I remember, I mean, you must have done thousands of hours of rehab, both physically and also for like verbal communication as well. What was it that kept you motivated.

It's interesting because back in two thousand and nine when this all happened, neuroplasticity was not earth that was or a concept that was being talked about at medical schools, or that many doctors even knew about. And so I remember those really negative prognoses. But Marm and I both having an understanding of psychology and science and both being aware of neuroplasticity and the sort of emerging research in that area. I think you know, we were also very determined on your behalf that this was not permanent. What was it that kept you motivated? Because I remember, I mean, you must have done thousands of hours of rehab, both physically and also for like verbal communication as well. What was it that kept you motivated.

I don't know really what it was, but I just wanted to get to get better and be normal again and do the things that I liked doing. I liked dancing, for one, and would working and photography, helping out my family, all those sorts of things. And while I was in a hospital, I couldn't do anything but do the therapy, and I did the therapy as much as it could I could.

I don't know really what it was, but I just wanted to get to get better and be normal again and do the things that I liked doing. I liked dancing, for one, and would working and photography, helping out my family, all those sorts of things. And while I was in a hospital, I couldn't do anything but do the therapy, and I did the therapy as much as it could I could.

You mentioned that you like your personality changed. How did your personality change?

You mentioned that you like your personality changed. How did your personality change?

Well, I am more emotional and aligned to people other people's feelings. When I watch a sad movie, I cry, and I never used to do that, and I'm I think I listened more to people than I did it before, and I'm more aware of their feelings as well.

Well, I am more emotional and aligned to people other people's feelings. When I watch a sad movie, I cry, and I never used to do that, and I'm I think I listened more to people than I did it before, and I'm more aware of their feelings as well.

What was that like? Like, do you remember the first time where, like, say, you did cry in a movie after your stroke?

What was that like? Like, do you remember the first time where, like, say, you did cry in a movie after your stroke?

It was as soon as I've I've recovered, And I recovered substantially after only three months or so, which is when I went back to dancing and I could dance because I had ninety five percent of full movement. And I got my driver's license again soon after that, because after a stroke you have to go for your license test again. But I was aware pretty soon that I was changed and I was more aware of emotions. And when I saw my first Fields film, which was sad, I cried and I realized that that was the new normal for me.

It was as soon as I've I've recovered, And I recovered substantially after only three months or so, which is when I went back to dancing and I could dance because I had ninety five percent of full movement. And I got my driver's license again soon after that, because after a stroke you have to go for your license test again. But I was aware pretty soon that I was changed and I was more aware of emotions. And when I saw my first Fields film, which was sad, I cried and I realized that that was the new normal for me.

And I know you've spoken about having more empathy for people, what's that being Like?

And I know you've spoken about having more empathy for people, what's that being Like?

It's been good because part of empathy, I believe, is listening to other people's point of view, and I don't think I did that properly before the stroke. I always I was very opinionated, and I think I was insular, and I didn't have many friends except a small group. But after the stroke, I found myself being aware of other people's feelings and other people's considering other people people's feelings, and I generally think that's been a good thing.

It's been good because part of empathy, I believe, is listening to other people's point of view, and I don't think I did that properly before the stroke. I always I was very opinionated, and I think I was insular, and I didn't have many friends except a small group. But after the stroke, I found myself being aware of other people's feelings and other people's considering other people people's feelings, and I generally think that's been a good thing.

Yeah, I've definitely experienced that. Like I feel like, you know, when like whenever I express my opinion on something to you, I feel like I'm treated as a fellow adult as opposed to a child. And I feel like, you know, in a lot of parent child relationships, it stays that way like throughout life, and the parent always sees the child as the child. But I think for me, something that I feel that's changed in our relationship is that it feels more like peers, which is nice, particularly because we've been working on this podcast as Peers together for five years. I agree completely, Yeah, and for me, that's it's very special. Have you like had other people in your life like comment on I don't know, like, have there been particular situations or examples that come to mind where you know, the post stroke you has responded really differently to the pre stroke you.

Yeah, I've definitely experienced that. Like I feel like, you know, when like whenever I express my opinion on something to you, I feel like I'm treated as a fellow adult as opposed to a child. And I feel like, you know, in a lot of parent child relationships, it stays that way like throughout life, and the parent always sees the child as the child. But I think for me, something that I feel that's changed in our relationship is that it feels more like peers, which is nice, particularly because we've been working on this podcast as Peers together for five years. I agree completely, Yeah, and for me, that's it's very special. Have you like had other people in your life like comment on I don't know, like, have there been particular situations or examples that come to mind where you know, the post stroke you has responded really differently to the pre stroke you.

Even though I speak slowly and I speak like I'm disabled, people are very aware of treating disabled people in quotes normally. So I don't think I haven't had an experience where people have treated me differently. I think that's mostly because they're aware of treating me differently. Would be a scene as a bad thing on there, but half.

Even though I speak slowly and I speak like I'm disabled, people are very aware of treating disabled people in quotes normally. So I don't think I haven't had an experience where people have treated me differently. I think that's mostly because they're aware of treating me differently. Would be a scene as a bad thing on there, but half.

I'll be back talking with my dad about what the biggest lessons that going through a stroke, taughting, and how it feels for your speaking voice to sound a certain way that's different to other people, yet to have everything working perfectly well on the inside. In terms of his ability to think. If you're looking for more tips to improve the way you live. I write a short fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things that I've discovered that help make my life better in some way. You can sign up for that at how I Work dot co. That's how I Work dot co. In your own words, you know, you just described yourself as sounding sort of disabled in the way that you speak, but cognitively, like it's all completely happening in your brain, like you're one of the smartest people. I know. What's that kind of juxtaposition.

I'll be back talking with my dad about what the biggest lessons that going through a stroke, taughting, and how it feels for your speaking voice to sound a certain way that's different to other people, yet to have everything working perfectly well on the inside. In terms of his ability to think. If you're looking for more tips to improve the way you live. I write a short fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things that I've discovered that help make my life better in some way. You can sign up for that at how I Work dot co. That's how I Work dot co. In your own words, you know, you just described yourself as sounding sort of disabled in the way that you speak, but cognitively, like it's all completely happening in your brain, like you're one of the smartest people. I know. What's that kind of juxtaposition.

Like I'm aware of everything that's going on, and after the stroke, I was aware of searching for words. When I couldn't find the correct word, I had to think about it a bit and even look up Addictionary. But that stayed with me to a certain extent. But I eventually find the right word, and if I can't, I know that I can't, and I look for it. So I'm aware that I'm not one hundred percent in my speech capabilities as well as my expressive capabilities. So that doesn't worry be because I know that internally. If I didn't know that and I had to have someone pointed out to me.

Like I'm aware of everything that's going on, and after the stroke, I was aware of searching for words. When I couldn't find the correct word, I had to think about it a bit and even look up Addictionary. But that stayed with me to a certain extent. But I eventually find the right word, and if I can't, I know that I can't, and I look for it. So I'm aware that I'm not one hundred percent in my speech capabilities as well as my expressive capabilities. So that doesn't worry be because I know that internally. If I didn't know that and I had to have someone pointed out to me.

I be worried, what about what other people might think? Like, I mean, I feel like you've always been someone that just doesn't care what other people think. Like, is that the case? Is that still the case?

I be worried, what about what other people might think? Like, I mean, I feel like you've always been someone that just doesn't care what other people think. Like, is that the case? Is that still the case?

Yes? I don't care what other people think. I care what my family think, I care what my friends think, But I don't care what the general public think. And I'm my own person.

Yes? I don't care what other people think. I care what my family think, I care what my friends think, But I don't care what the general public think. And I'm my own person.

Have you always been that way from a young age?

Have you always been that way from a young age?

I think so?

I think so?

I think so what taught you to be like that?

I think so what taught you to be like that?

I think my parents, parents teach you a lot, if not everything.

I think my parents, parents teach you a lot, if not everything.

My dad.

My dad.

Is my was one of my role models, and he taught me a lot about wooden working. And I went with him to help with the shop fitting when he was in that phase. And I worked with him and hampered the odd nail and painted the odd piece of shelving. So I learned a lot from being with him and having him point out my mistakes and my successes.

Is my was one of my role models, and he taught me a lot about wooden working. And I went with him to help with the shop fitting when he was in that phase. And I worked with him and hampered the odd nail and painted the odd piece of shelving. So I learned a lot from being with him and having him point out my mistakes and my successes.

How do you think their experience of surviving the Holocaust impacted You know this idea that it doesn't matter what other people think? And I keep dwelling on that because I feel like it's it's like a curse for so many people that people spend so much time worrying about what others think and comparing themselves to others, like on social media and just through day to day interactions.

How do you think their experience of surviving the Holocaust impacted You know this idea that it doesn't matter what other people think? And I keep dwelling on that because I feel like it's it's like a curse for so many people that people spend so much time worrying about what others think and comparing themselves to others, like on social media and just through day to day interactions.

I think it's a disease. I can't explain why my parents never had it or I haven't got it. But after the Holocaust, which I had explained to me years later by my father, what he went through, I can see that the only person he had to depend on was himself, and he couldn't depend on anybody else because everybody else was against him or had their own agenda. So he had no choice but to rely upon himself, and he did, and he'd got him out of the war alive, and out of the war with my mother.

I think it's a disease. I can't explain why my parents never had it or I haven't got it. But after the Holocaust, which I had explained to me years later by my father, what he went through, I can see that the only person he had to depend on was himself, and he couldn't depend on anybody else because everybody else was against him or had their own agenda. So he had no choice but to rely upon himself, and he did, and he'd got him out of the war alive, and out of the war with my mother.

Would have been the biggest lessons that going through the whole experience of a stroke has taught you.

Would have been the biggest lessons that going through the whole experience of a stroke has taught you.

I think it was a teaching moment that some things are more important than others. My health is important, my family is important, my close friends are important. Whereas before the stroke I never thought about those things. I guess I was more selfish in some respects, and I travel along thinking about myself. But after the stroke, I finish up thinking about others more.

I think it was a teaching moment that some things are more important than others. My health is important, my family is important, my close friends are important. Whereas before the stroke I never thought about those things. I guess I was more selfish in some respects, and I travel along thinking about myself. But after the stroke, I finish up thinking about others more.

And how does that play out? Like on a day to day level.

And how does that play out? Like on a day to day level.

Hard to tell on a day to day level because my whole attitude has changed for the better, I think, and the day to day. In the back of my mind, I think about those things all the time. So what can I do for others? What can I do to help my family? What can I do after those things have done to enjoy my life? Those sort of thing.

Hard to tell on a day to day level because my whole attitude has changed for the better, I think, and the day to day. In the back of my mind, I think about those things all the time. So what can I do for others? What can I do to help my family? What can I do after those things have done to enjoy my life? Those sort of thing.

Things, that's that's very beautiful. Something I ask everyone on How I Live is if I gifted you a plaque to put on your wall, what would you want it to say?

Things, that's that's very beautiful. Something I ask everyone on How I Live is if I gifted you a plaque to put on your wall, what would you want it to say?

Family is important?

Family is important?

Family is important? Tell me more about that.

Family is important? Tell me more about that.

Without family, I don't think there's much of a reason to live after the stroke. I wouldn't have before the stroke. I wouldn't have said that living before the stroke was a solitary experience for me. But after the stroke, I realized a lot of things were much more important. So family.

Without family, I don't think there's much of a reason to live after the stroke. I wouldn't have before the stroke. I wouldn't have said that living before the stroke was a solitary experience for me. But after the stroke, I realized a lot of things were much more important. So family.

Hmm. Well, Dad, it's been after five years of doing this podcast together How I Work and now How I Live, it's been just such a joy to have you in front of the microphone instead of just editing what everyone else has said to me over the last few years, and like just thank you for the honesty that you've brought to this interview. It's been such a privilege to, you know, chat to you about how your life has changed from a really really big health event. And for me, like I, you know, I think of you as like there's pre stroke Dad and there's poststroke Dad, and they're quite different people. And I feel very lucky that I've had post stroke Dad in my life for the last fourteen years. So thank you.

Hmm. Well, Dad, it's been after five years of doing this podcast together How I Work and now How I Live, it's been just such a joy to have you in front of the microphone instead of just editing what everyone else has said to me over the last few years, and like just thank you for the honesty that you've brought to this interview. It's been such a privilege to, you know, chat to you about how your life has changed from a really really big health event. And for me, like I, you know, I think of you as like there's pre stroke Dad and there's poststroke Dad, and they're quite different people. And I feel very lucky that I've had post stroke Dad in my life for the last fourteen years. So thank you.

I hope my discussion of my stroke helps the people with their health events in their lives.

I hope my discussion of my stroke helps the people with their health events in their lives.

I hope you liked this insight into the person who sits behind the mixing desk making How I work possible. I love this chance to interview my dad, and for me, it's been one of the most special interviews of how I work or live that I've done so far. Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with me by listening to How I Live. If you're keen for more tips on how to work better and live better, connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram to search for Amantha Imba. How I Live was recorded on the traditional land of the Warrangery people, part of the Cooler Nation. I'm so grateful for being able to work and live on this beautiful land, and I want to pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging. How I Live is produced by Inventium with production support from Dead Set Studios. The producer for this episode was Liam Riddan and sound engineering was done by Martin Imba

I hope you liked this insight into the person who sits behind the mixing desk making How I work possible. I love this chance to interview my dad, and for me, it's been one of the most special interviews of how I work or live that I've done so far. Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with me by listening to How I Live. If you're keen for more tips on how to work better and live better, connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram to search for Amantha Imba. How I Live was recorded on the traditional land of the Warrangery people, part of the Cooler Nation. I'm so grateful for being able to work and live on this beautiful land, and I want to pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging. How I Live is produced by Inventium with production support from Dead Set Studios. The producer for this episode was Liam Riddan and sound engineering was done by Martin Imba