I remember JJ Virgin telling me years ago that her son Grant said, "I'm just gonna go get hit by a car" — and then he actually got hit by a car. Hit-and-run.
Airlifted.
Deep coma.
Torn aorta.
Multiple brain bleeds.
Thirteen fractures.
The doctors gave him a 0.125% chance of survival, and if he did survive, he'd be so brain damaged "it wouldn't be worth it." But here's what those doctors didn't know: JJ is a triple-board certified nutrition expert who knows more about fortifying the body and brain than anyone I've ever met, and she refused to accept those odds.
In this raw, powerful conversation, JJ opens up about how she used everything from high-dose fish oil to essential aminos to rebuild Grant's brain, why she ran hospital stairs every single day to manage her anxiety, and the counterintuitive truth that saved both their lives — she put herself first.
Here's what JJ knows that most parents don't: if you go down, everyone goes down. You'll walk away knowing exactly what to do tomorrow when you feel like you're drowning, why gratitude is a choice (not a feeling), and how exercise might be more powerful than any SSRI your kid's doctor wants to prescribe.
🌱 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Why “good moms” feel like bad moms — and why that feeling is actually a sign you’re doing it right. Hint: the moms who should worry… aren’t.
The brain-healing hack that defies survival odds. Clean fish oil and a few key nutrients made all the difference. Could this help your kid recover faster than you think?
Exercise vs. SSRIs: One wins every time — and it’s not what you expect. Just getting off the couch might be the most powerful mental health tool you’ve got.
Your kid needs you… but the strong version of you. Self-care isn’t selfish. Sleep, movement, and stress management are the ultimate acts of parenting.
The “one thing” trick that gets you through chaos. Spoiler: it’s never about doing everything. Just the next right thing.
Gratitude that actually works. It’s not about journaling your latte. It’s about spotting tiny signs of progress and hope—even in the mess.
Tomorrow’s challenge: Treat yourself as urgently as your child’s needs. Pick your one thing. Protect your energy. Your kid can’t thrive if you don’t.
✨ Resources & Next Steps
✔️ Join the Bad Mom Community for more conversations like this here.
✔️ Share this episode with a parent who is looking for a reset.
✔️ Follow JJ Virgin
