#937 - Jeremy Renner - How To Overcome The Worst Pain Of Your Life

Overview

Jeremy Renner shares his harrowing journey of survival and recovery following a near-fatal snowplow accident. He discusses the physical and mental resilience required to overcome immense pain, the transformative lessons he learned, and how the experience reshaped his priorities. Renner also reflects on his career, including his role in The Avengers, and his newfound focus on health, family, and philanthropy.

Notable Quotes

- "If I believe I can fly and sprout a propeller out my *, trust me, a propeller is about to come out and I'm gonna propel around this room." – Jeremy Renner, on the power of will and belief.

- "Pain became my *, a long time ago." – **Jeremy Renner, on reframing his relationship with pain.

- The only thing you take with you when you die is the love. – Jeremy Renner, reflecting on the profound lessons from his near-death experience.

🛠️ The Snowplow Accident and Survival

- Renner recounts the accident where he was crushed by a 16,000-pound snowplow while trying to save his nephew. He suffered 38 broken bones, a collapsed lung, and severe facial injuries.

- He describes the excruciating 45 minutes waiting for help, relying on Lamaze breathing techniques learned at age 12 to stay alive.

- Despite the trauma, Renner emphasizes his lack of regret, stating, I’d rather be me than my nephew.

🧠 Mental Resilience and Pain Management

- Renner credits his survival to mental clarity and focus, saying, The only thing you have control of is your perception.

- He developed a unique relationship with his body, treating it as a partner and even arguing with his injured leg to push through recovery.

- He reframed pain as discomfort or inflammation, avoiding the word pain to shift his mindset.

🏋️‍♂️ Recovery and Health Obsession

- Renner became obsessed with recovery, dedicating up to 16 hours a day to physical therapy, hyperbaric chambers, red light therapy, and peptide injections.

- He gamified his progress, celebrating small victories like moving an elbow an inch further than the day before.

- His recovery also included a complete overhaul of his priorities, placing health and wellness at the center of his life.

🎭 Reflections on Fame and *The Avengers*

- Renner reflects on the camaraderie among the Avengers cast, describing them as a family bonded over 13 years of shared experiences.

- He highlights the joy of connecting with children through his role as Hawkeye, which inspired him to start a foundation supporting foster and disadvantaged youth.

- Fame, once a burden, became a tool for meaningful impact, particularly in inspiring and helping kids.

❤️ Life After Trauma: Gratitude and Simplicity

- Renner describes his post-accident life as one of profound gratitude, saying, I’m not going to have any bad days for the rest of my life.

- He has reprioritized his life around family, health, and philanthropy, focusing on his Renovations Foundation and spending quality time with his daughter.

- Renner emphasizes the importance of simplifying life, removing white noise, and cherishing shared experiences with loved ones.