How Vertical Blonde Turned Paralysis Into Purpose w/ Sarah Foley (S2 EP02)
Mar 23, 2026
On this episode of Don’t Die Curious, Juliet Hahn sits down with Sarah Foley, also known as “Vertical Blonde,” for a powerful conversation about what happens when life changes in an instant and you have to figure out who you are all over again.
After a devastating ATV accident left her paralyzed from a T4 spinal cord injury, Sarah found herself navigating not just the physical reality of her new life, but the emotional weight of identity, confidence, and what it means to be seen. She shares how her journey was not about pretending everything was okay, but about moving through grief, rebuilding from the inside out, and learning how to live boldly in a body and life she never expected.
Juliet and Sarah talk about resilience, motherhood, confidence, healing, and the decision to stop hiding and start showing up fully. Sarah also shares how she embraced the name “Vertical Blonde” and turned one of the hardest chapters of her life into a message of strength, visibility, and purpose. Now a transformational speaker and founder of the Icon Speaker Academy, Sarah helps others go from overlooked to unforgettable through voice, presence, and self-trust. This is a heartfelt Don’t Die Curious conversation about reinvention, self-acceptance, and what it really means to rise after everything changes.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Trailer
[01:47] Meet Sarah Foley
[03:26] The Accident That Changed Everything
[07:45] The Pressure to Stay Positive
[09:44] Acceptance and Healing
[14:17] Feeling Your Emotions
[16:09] How to Get Out of a Low Place
[18:33] Building Your Iconic Self
[20:07] Small Steps and Movement
[22:47] Motherhood After Injury
[24:30] Daily Life in a Wheelchair
[26:49] Strength and Independence
[29:08] Curiosity, Disability, and Identity
[30:56] The Tony Robbins Experience
[41:15] Asking for What You Want
[43:18] Doing the Work for Yourself First
[45:51] Closing Thoughts
Key Takeaways:
• “The story I had around disability was the most disabling part.” ~Sarah Foley
- “Acceptance didn’t mean that I had to like it. It just meant that I had to use that as my starting point.” ~Sarah Foley
- “You are your own best healer.” ~Sarah Foley
- “There was so much beauty and optimism and amazingness that came through feeling all the emotions.” ~Sarah Foley
- “You can never sit too long in the highs and you can never sit too long in the lows.” ~Juliet Hahn
- “If it is not fun, you will not find me there.” ~Sarah Foley
- “I want to touch the stage.” ~Sarah Foley
- “You never know when that no can be a yes.” ~Juliet Hahn
- “I don’t want a handout from anyone. I want to get there on my own merit.” ~Sarah Foley
Keep In Touch with Sarah Foley:
Website: https://www.verticalblonde.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verticalblonde/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesarahfoley/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfoley-verticalblonde/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/verticalblonde
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This podcast is brought to you in partnership with FetTech: https://www.fettech.com/
You’re not here by accident.
You’re here because something inside you knows there’s more, more joy, more clarity, more YOU.
My mission is to help you stay curious, navigate the chaos, and rewrite the stories that have tried to hold you back. You don’t need to start over or have it all figured out. You just need the courage to take the next step toward a life that feels like your own.
One question, one story, one moment of courage can change everything.
And you’re already on your way.
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