About this episodeComedian Steph Toler shares an extensive history of severe medical conditions including clubbed feet, jaw reco…AI summary
Comedian Steph Toler shares an extensive history of severe medical conditions including clubbed feet, jaw reconstruction surgery, POTS disorder, and a near-fatal sepsis episode, while also discussing her career challenges and anxiety management. The conversation highlights the physical toll of her health issues, the importance of medical advocacy, and her journey to overcome performance anxiety through beta-blockers and exposure therapy.
Key takeaways 5
Medical History: Born with clubbed feet (heels forward, toes back) requiring surgery at age two and casts for five years; underwent major jaw surgery at 16 to correct an underbite, resulting in a year of liquid diet and wired-shut jaw.
POTS Disorder: Diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), causing heart rates to spike from ~64 to 150+ upon standing, leading to dizziness and fatigue; managed with beta-blockers and compression socks.
Sepsis Episode: At age 18, suffered from a UTI that progressed to sepsis (blood infection), resulting in a 104-degree fever and ICU admission; initially dismissed by ER staff who believed she was a hypochondriac due to a friend's comment.
Anxiety Management: Uses beta-blockers before performances to control heart rate spikes caused by anxiety; notes that while pre-show anxiety is high, she feels fine once on stage.
Multiple Health Issues: Also manages PCOS, endometriosis, spondylosis (spine curvature), brain cysts, liver cysts, and breast lesions; avoids cannabis due to family history of schizophrenia.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I was born with my feet backwards like I had my what I was born with clubbed feet turned in all the way facing backwards so I couldn't I wasn't supposed to be able to walk”
▶ 7:53Describing her congenital condition at birth in 1986.
“I drank food for a year... my dad used to go to McDonald's and he would blend a burger and fries in a blender and be like here you go”
▶ 12:54Explaining the recovery period after her jaw was wired shut following surgery.
“Sepsis is basically when your blood gets so infected from an infection that it becomes completely toxic so all your bloody socks so my mom well not all of it because I was still alive but most of them had a lot”
▶ 39:26Defining sepsis during her recounting of the near-death experience at age 18.
“When you're in the hospital and it's actually happening to you they give you so much medicine that you're not really aware”
▶ 42:49Reflecting on her lack of fear during the sepsis episode due to medication.
“If someone doesn't know you personally then it's not a personal thing... if they met you they'd love you because your love you're lovable and hilarious”
▶ 56:05Her strategy for dealing with online trolling and negativity.
Chapters & Sections (39)▼
0:00Upcoming Tour Dates and Live Comedy Showschapter2
0:00Upcoming Comedy Tour Dates Announcement
2:57Neighborhood and OCD Experiences Shared
5:17ASMR Eating and Bad Dating Experienceschapter3
5:17ASMR Eating and Personal Anecdotes Shared
6:49Woman Shares Unconventional Life Experiences
8:36Childhood Surgery and Physical Therapy Experience
10:40Jaw Growth Issues and Surgical Correctionchapter3
10:40Jaw Growth Issues and Surgical Correction
12:48Jaw Wired Shut for a Year
14:03Oral Surgery Experience with Jaw Wiring
15:33Oral Surgery Experiences and Gum Recessionchapter2
15:33Oral Surgery Experiences and Gum Recession
18:00Overcoming Anxiety and Performing Comedy
20:08Comedian's Career Humbling Experience with Bombingchapter3
20:08Comedian's Humbling Experience with Bombing a Show
22:13Overcoming Performance Anxiety through Comedy
23:30Overcoming Stage Fright and Heart Anxiety
25:56Diagnosing and Managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndromechapter2
25:56Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
27:40Living with POTS and Exercise Limitations
30:14Overcoming Hives and Meeting Paris Hiltonchapter2
30:14Paris Hilton's Kindness to Stylist with Hives
32:33Anxiety and Yeast Infections Discussion
34:22Woman Recalls Horrific UTI Experiencechapter2
34:22Woman Shares Her Worst UTI Experience
35:55Kidney Pain and Emergency Room Experience
38:34Overcoming Sepsis and Near Death Experiencechapter2
38:34Near-Death Experience with Sepsis and UTI
41:30Hospital Experience with Near Death Experience
43:44Apology from Nurse After Misdiagnosis Incidentchapter2
43:44Apology from Nurse after Misdiagnosis Incident
46:38Struggling with Chronic Illness and Relationship Fears
49:15Living with Multiple Chronic Health Issueschapter5
49:15Woman Discusses Multiple Health Issues and Concerns
51:24Struggling with Chronic Illness and Disappointment
52:54Struggling with Anxiety and Sleep Issues
54:27Overcoming Online Harassment as a Female Comedian
1h 7m⏭ 2
1h 10m⏭ 2
1h 0m⏭ 1
46m⏭ 1
59m⏭ 3
1h 6m
49m
1h 11m⏭ 2
56m
1h 9m⏭ 2
52m
54m
1h 28m
1h 43m
1h 1m⏭ 1
1h 19m⏭ 4
2h 39m⏭ 3
1h 8m
1h 16m
2h 2m
24m
3h 8m⏭ 1
3h 18m
1h 27m
33m
1h 0m⏭ 1
3h 54m⏭ 7
6h 26m
54m⏭ 1
3h 59m⏭ 5
46m
54m⏭ 2
1h 13m
1h 26m
1h 16m⏭ 2
9h 11m