Beyond the Game.
Beyond the Trauma.
Discover the detailed stories of athletes, survivors, and believers who have found ultimate healing and purpose after life-altering adversity.
The Foundation: Zach & Isabelle
Zachary's identity was built on the gridiron. As a dedicated football player, sports instilled in him discipline, resilience, and a brotherhood. But in 2018, life took an unimaginable turn. A devastating on-field play resulted in a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a split second, the bright lights of the stadium were replaced by the harsh, sterile lights of a hospital room. The game was over, and the fight for his life—and his future—began.
Isabelle's world shattered just a short time later, on November 5th, 2018. Suffering her own severe head trauma, she was thrust into the exact same terrifying reality. The brain is a fragile thing, and the recovery process is often a dark, isolating, and deeply misunderstood journey.
But God’s timing is perfect. Instead of navigating this darkness alone, Zachary and Isabelle crossed paths in that very hospital in 2018. Two athletes, two traumatic brain injuries. What started as shared hospital halls transformed into a bond forged in survival.
"The very drive and grit we learned through sports became the foundation for our physical and mental rehabilitation. But it was our faith that provided the ultimate healing."
Today, engaged to be married and healthier than ever, their mission is to share this miracle. The Hope in Healing Podcast was born to show that no matter how severe the trauma, or how abruptly your "game" ends, God has a beautiful, hope-filled plan for your future.
Where the healing began • 2018
On The Gridiron
Zach was fortunate to have some of the biggest and best coaches in the league. He played high school ball his senior year for Pete Bercich. Pete is a 1995 - 2001 NFL player for the Minnesota Vikings. Following his career, he was a highly respected NFL Defensive coach from 2002 - 2005. Following that, Pete has been a color analyst for the Vikings radio station at KFAN 100.3. From 2016-2020 he was the High School Football coach for Hill-Murray.
Zach finished his senior football season as an All-State Football player and had multiple D-2 Scholarship offers and was even getting texts by a NDSU recruiter. Zach played great all the way up until the last game of the year where he fell over on the sidelines with a TBI during a playoff game.
Forged by the Best
Who was Zach's weight training coach you may ask? No one other than Super Star Michael Morris. Mike saw potential in Zach the first day Mike watched Zach practice his junior year jumping hurdles on the varsity football field. Zach needed to be coached up and disciplined, but his athleticism was noticeable.
Zach was strong. And I mean really strong. Before Mike came into Zach's life, Zach was squatting over 400 lbs and deadlifting similar numbers. After Mike took control of Zach's diet and weight training program, Zach was squatting 545 lbs by the start of the senior year and dropped 60 lbs.
"A fierce competitor on the field forged by a man who's been there and done that."
Stories from the Community
Hear from fellow survivors, believers, and listeners who have walked through their own valleys and emerged with powerful testimonies.
Your Story Belongs Here
We are actively looking to feature testimonies from our listeners. Whether it's a sports injury, illness, or trauma—your survival is a beacon of hope.
Submit your story below ↓Tanya Schlichting's Testimony
Tanya Schlichting
"A journey of endurance, faith, and finding purpose through life's unexpected trials."
On July 8, 2020 I got in a bad accident really close to my house. The first two people at my accident were an off-duty cop and an off duty paramedic. I'm very lucky that one man stopped driving and one came out of his house to help me.
I know that if they wouldn’t have stopped to help me, I would have died. The police officer got me breathing again and the paramedic helped me stay stable until the on duty paramedics could arrive and help.
I spent 10 days in the ICU. Then when I got stable enough they transferred me to the rehab unit at Gillette Saint Paul. My time spent on the Gillette rehab unit I worked on, re-learning how to lift my head up, swallow, eat, breathe, talk, pretty much do everything.
It took me 90 days on the rehab floor for my doctor and my therapy team to say I was good enough to come home. I am so glad that they cleared me.
I still contact my nurses almost every morning. Every once in a while I still meet two of them out for food once and awhile. I had the opportunity to meet one of my nurses husband and her grandkids.
"I still am in contact with the first 2 men at my accident. For my six year anniversary of my accident, I had breakfast with one man and coffee with the other."