89 - Discovering Purpose in Trauma - The Craig DeMartino Story

89 - Discovering Purpose in Trauma - The Craig DeMartino Story

 

You won’t believe this story: Craig DeMartino fell roughly 100 feet in the backcountry, suffered catastrophic injuries—and then amputated his own leg. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive the night.

Fast-forward 22 years, and Craig has not only climbed El Capitan five times, including as the first amputee to summit it in under 24 hours, but he also leads climbing expeditions that help veterans and people with disabilities reclaim their purpose and identity.

Episode Highlights:

1. Origins of the Accident

   • Craig fell ~100 feet while top-roping in Rocky Mountain National Park (July 2002). Miscommunication with partner led to premature release and catastrophic injuries including compound fractures, spinal injury, broken ribs/neck, punctured lungs. He survived and underwent an extensive rescue via backcountry, litter, helicopter, and hospital care.

2. The Road to Recovery

   • Multiple surgeries, ICU, rehab, two months in assisted living. After 18 months, he chose to amputate a non-healing right leg to reduce pain and regain function.

3. Mental Health Journey

   • Craig and his wife Cindy sought couple and individual therapy for PTSD, identity loss, and adapting to physical changes. Therapeutic strategies: breaking goals into manageable “chunks”—a mindset he learned from climbing.

4. Rebirth as an Adaptive Climber

   • Craig returned to climbing, conquered El Capitan five times—including becoming the first amputee to climb it in under a day (14 hours)—and led an all-disability ascent documented in Gimp Monkeys.

5. Giving Back Through Mentorship

   • He now co-leads Adaptive Adventures, guiding veterans and others with disabilities into climbing as a tool for healing, identity rebuilding, and community.

6. Daily Habits for Wellness

   • Movement, pain management, and self-compassion (“rest days are okay”) are key to sustaining physical and mental health post-trauma.

7. Facing Fear

   • Craig still acknowledges fear but manages it by “living with it” rather than trying to erase it—focusing on logical risk management, small incremental progress, and emotional self-regulation.

8. Finding Purpose

   • Surviving the accident propelled Craig to ask, “Why did I live?” His mission became turning adversity into opportunity, inspiring and empowering others.

9. What’s Next?

   • Upcoming adventure: rock climbing on Sardinia’s coastal cliffs with Cindy.

Listen and be inspired to face your own challenges—and maybe reach for a summit of your own.

 

CONNECT WITH CRAIG

https://craigdemartino.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigdem/

 

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