What happens when living with chronic disease leads you to an unexpected calling?

On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips sit down with Rob, founder of PAD Life Outdoors, who shares his powerful and deeply human journey of living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) — a condition caused by poor circulation in the legs — while also navigating life after aortic stenting for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Along the way, Rob discovered something surprising.

As his beard grew, a pair of spectacles appeared, and strangers began calling him Santa — he realized that spreading joy, hope, and holiday cheer gave him something medicine alone never could. This spring, Rob is taking that calling one step further by enrolling in Santa Claus School to become fully certified.

In this heartfelt conversation, Rob opens up about:


Living with the physical and emotional weight of PAD


Recovering from major vascular disease and intervention


How purpose and joy can help quiet the daily burden of chronic illness


Why becoming Santa has helped him focus on what he can do — not what PAD has taken away

This episode is a reminder that even in the face of debilitating disease, meaning, connection, and joy still matter — and they can be powerful medicine.

📞 Need support or guidance right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS

🌐 Trusted patient resources:


https://padhelp.org


https://thewaytomyheart.org

👥 Join our patient community:


https://padsupportgroup.org (Facebook Support Group) Hashtags (search-optimized): 

#TheHeartOfInnovation #PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #PADLife #VascularHealth #ChronicIllness #PatientStories #SantaClaus #HolidayJoy #FindingPurpose #AorticAneurysm #HeartHealth #LivingWithPAD #PatientAdvocacy #HealthPodcast #HopeAndHealing

What happens when living with chronic disease leads you to an unexpected calling? On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips sit down with Rob, founder of PAD Life Outdoors, who shares his powerful and deeply human journey of living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) — a condition caused by poor circulation in the legs — while also navigating life after aortic stenting for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Along the way, Rob discovered something surprising. As his beard grew, a pair of spectacles appeared, and strangers began calling him Santa — he realized that spreading joy, hope, and holiday cheer gave him something medicine alone never could. This spring, Rob is taking that calling one step further by enrolling in Santa Claus School to become fully certified. In this heartfelt conversation, Rob opens up about: <ul> <li> Living with the physical and emotional weight of PAD </li> <li> Recovering from major vascular disease and intervention </li> <li> How purpose and joy can help quiet the daily burden of chronic illness </li> <li> Why becoming Santa has helped him focus on what he can do — not what PAD has taken away </li> </ul> This episode is a reminder that even in the face of debilitating disease, meaning, connection, and joy still matter — and they can be powerful medicine. 📞 Need support or guidance right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS 🌐 Trusted patient resources: <ul> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw0yh7WYDn7Y7uyT5zTMZyNH" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw0yh7WYDn7Y7uyT5zTMZyNH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://padhelp.org</a> </li> <li> <a>https://thewaytomyheart.org</a> </li> </ul> 👥 Join our patient community: <ul> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw1j56cN95RDaDHc8_NCfy2_" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw1j56cN95RDaDHc8_NCfy2_" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://padsupportgroup.org</a> (Facebook Support Group) </li> </ul> Hashtags (search-optimized): #TheHeartOfInnovation #PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #PADLife #VascularHealth #ChronicIllness #PatientStories #SantaClaus #HolidayJoy #FindingPurpose #AorticAneurysm #HeartHealth #LivingWithPAD #PatientAdvocacy #HealthPodcast #HopeAndHealing

All of us have the power to create change. The advances in technology are now such that if you have an idea, it’s easier than ever to execute on it. “Kym McNicholas On Innovation” shares the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from around the world who will inspire you to create your own financial independence. The show also features some of the most advanced technologies you’ve never heard of that could be have an impact on your life, your business, and your career. 

Regular featured segments include “The Edge” which highlights businesses that are game-changing in the enterprise. Plus, each week in “HealthTech”, you’ll hear about a company that’s creating better, safer, faster, and cheaper technologies that will improve patient care and lower costs. And in our “Female Seeking Startup” series hear the success stories of some of the most powerful women who are creating game-changing technologies.

Produced and Published by The Innovators Network (http://TheInnovators.Network)

The Heart of Innovation with Kym McNicholas

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.

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