John O’Leary welcomes Haley Scott DeMaria onto the Live Inspired Podcast to share her extraordinary journey of surviving a tragic Notre Dame team bus crash, overcoming paralysis, and finding hope, healing, and purpose through grief, resilience, and community.
Haley Scott DeMaria is a speaker, author, and former University of Notre Dame swimmer whose life changed forever after surviving a tragic team bus crash that left her temporarily paralyzed. Told she may never walk again, Haley endured years of recovery before ultimately returning to compete for Notre Dame.
Today, Haley shares the heartbreaking aftermath of the 1992 bus crash that claimed the lives of two teammates, the physical and emotional battle to rebuild her life, and the people who carried her through it all. She reflects on grief, survivor’s guilt, returning to the pool, and learning how to move forward when life takes an unexpected turn.
My friends, if you or someone you love is walking through disappointment, grief, uncertainty, or a season that feels impossibly heavy, this conversation is for you.
Subscribe & listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio or listen here:
Or click here to watch the full conversation on YouTube!
SHOW NOTES:
- ” The purpose of Notre Dame swimming is to pursue athletic excellence with self-discipline and love for one another.”
- January 1992: Coming home from a swim meet, and just two miles from campus, their bus hit a patch of black ice and did a flip turn. Unable to feel anything from her waist down, her teammate reassured her it was because she was numb from the cold.
- Within 6 months of the accident, Haley endured five massively critical and life-threatening back surgeries.
- ”I didn’t face any of the emotional healing until I was physically on a path to healing.”
- “Community is there because you give to it when you don’t need it.”
- Little things make a big difference: Haley shares that the power of others showing up for her, including Missy Conboy who worked in the Athletics Department at Norte Dame. Equally as important were the stacks of mail Haley would receive on a daily basis.
- Twenty-two months after the accident, Haley was able to return to the pool and compete.
- ”Life is hard. Without it being hard, we won’t know how good it is.”
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll also love my conversation with Olympic legend Dara Torres. A 12-time Olympic medalist and the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games, Dara opens up about perseverance, overcoming setbacks, balancing motherhood and competition, and defying expectations at every stage of life. Listen to Dara Torres on ep. 380.
***
About our sponsor: Keeley Companies wholeheartedly believes that if you get the people right -the results will follow. They set themselves apart with a forward-thinking culture that empowers their people and fosters loyal partnerships. Keeley Companies are a proud sponsor, partner, and super fan of the Live Inspired Podcast. Learn more about Keeley Companies.
HALEY SCOTT DEMARIA'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. A sense of innocence. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. The Three Amigos picture. It's a picture of me and my teammates who passed away. I've had it by my bedside for 30 some odd years. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. Mary, the mother of Jesus. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. When you are faced with really anything, make the right choice or decision at the time. It may not be the right decision in hindsight, but if you always make the right decision at the time, there's no regrets. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Not only are you gonna be okay, but you're gonna have a pretty incredible life. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. Life will not take you down the path that you planned, but it will be an incredible life.
