Episode Details

Dan McQueen is a keynote speaker, former Hootsuite learning leader, and thought leader on navigating change. At just 28 years old, his life changed overnight when a routine eye appointment led to the discovery of a catastrophic brain hemorrhage.

He underwent two emergency brain surgeries, spent weeks in a coma, and had to relearn how to walk, talk, and smile. Rather than letting that experience define him, Dan transformed it into a powerful message about confidence, resilience, and learning to navigate uncertainty.

Today, he helps leaders and organizations build change-confident teams by moving from the mindset of “why me” to “try me.”

In this powerful conversation, Dan shares:

• Life in London before the sudden medical crisis

• The moment everything changed on the tube

• Surviving brain surgery, a coma, and long recovery

• Why workplaces need more agency, not just resilience

• How to shift from “why me” to “try me”

• Practical lessons on reclaiming control after life-altering change

If you’re in your 20s facing unexpected challenges or struggling with uncertainty, this episode offers real hope and a stronger mindset for whatever comes next.

Timestamps below ⬇️

#DanMcQueen #Resilience #NavigatingChange #BrainInjurySurvivor #ConversationsWithSekani

Connect with Dan McQueen

Website:http://www.macqueendan.com/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmacqueen/

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Chapters

0:00 - Intro & Welcome Dan McQueen

1:40 - Life in His 20s in London

8:15 - The Sudden Onset of Severe Headaches

15:30 - Blindness on the Tube & Seeking Help

23:10 - Diagnosis, Brain Surgery & the Coma

31:45 - Waking Up and Facing a New Reality

40:20 - Why Agency Matters More Than Resilience

48:50 - Moving from “Why Me” to “Try Me”

57:15 - Final Advice on Navigating Uncertainty