16 Apr From a 15% Chance to Live to Unshakable: Catherine Ogie’s Story of Faith and Healing
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, host Jeff Crilley sits down with Catherine Ogie, author of the bestselling book Unshakable and recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Catherine recounts her harrowing health crisis that began in October 2022, when she was diagnosed with blood clots in her heart and lungs, three blocked arteries, and an ejection fraction below 15%. Facing a grim prognosis and multiple cascading conditions—including stomach paralysis and esophageal thinning—she made the deeply personal decision to refuse surgery and lean into her faith for healing. Her journey included switching doctors (a move to UT Southwestern proved pivotal when Dr. Araj flagged her existing medications as dangerous), practicing grounding at a nearby elementary school, overhauling her diet, and committing to total forgiveness after what she describes as a direct instruction from God. Catherine also shares the emotional story of being fired from her job of sixteen years—only to have the decision reversed within thirty minutes. Her book, Unshakable, encourages readers to become their own health advocates, do their own medication research, and trust their instincts alongside their medical teams.
Key Topics
- surviving heart failure with a 15% chance
- being your own health advocate
- the power of forgiveness in healing
- switching doctors and questioning medications
- grounding and non-traditional healing practices
- faith over surgery
- writing Unshakable
Episode Timestamps
- 01:21 – Catherine's health crisis begins on October 15, 2022
- 02:52 – ER reveals she had a heart attack without knowing
- 03:55 – Diagnosed with blood clots in heart and lungs, three blocked arteries
- 04:42 – "My name shall be called Catherine Newheart"
- 05:12 – Switching to UT Southwestern and meeting Dr. Araj
- 06:11 – Complications pile up: esophageal thinning and stomach paralysis
- 07:48 – God's instruction: "I need you to forgive"
- 09:50 – Trying grounding barefoot at a nearby elementary school
- 10:55 – Craving Nigerian food and eating a full bowl for the first time
- 14:30 – Fired from her 16-year job—then rehired 30 minutes later
- 16:14 – Catherine's closing words of encouragement to viewers
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Episode Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 01:21 – Meet Catherine Ogie
- 01:44 – A Sudden Health Crisis
- 03:07 – Diagnosis: Blood Clots and Heart Failure
- 04:35 – Declaring Faith for a New Heart
- 05:09 – Finding the Right Doctor at UT Southwestern
- 06:03 – Worsening Symptoms and Seeking God
- 07:43 – The Power of Forgiveness
- 09:33 – Grounding, Diet, and a Turning Point
- 10:40 – A Lifestyle Change and Slow Healing
- 14:05 – Fighting to Keep Her Job
- 14:05 – The Book Unshakable and Lessons Learned
- 16:14 – Words of Encouragement for Viewers