19. Nick Bragman on Crohn’s, Setbacks, and Making Peace with a New Path

The Great Detour

This conversation is about what happens when life veers off course before it even begins.

In this episode, Jess sits down with her friend Nick Bragman to talk about living with Crohn’s disease and the unexpected detour that reshaped everything. Diagnosed at 12, Nick spent his teenage years pushing through discomfort, chasing achievement, and following the plan he believed would lead to success. But just six weeks into college, a surgery complication triggered a health crisis that nearly cost him his life — and forced him to start over.

Nick shares openly about the emotional weight of stepping away from the future he worked so hard for, what it was like to rebuild from such a vulnerable place, and how he slowly created a life that feels meaningful — even though it looks nothing like the one he imagined.

This conversation is about resilience, identity, and staying open when life takes you in a completely different direction. It’s about finding beauty in the ordinary, saying yes to what’s in front of you, and learning to trust the timing of your own unfolding.

You’ll hear about:

• Growing up with Crohn’s disease
• Letting go of a carefully mapped-out future
• Surviving a near-fatal medical crisis
• Healing, adaptation, and self-trust
• Rebuilding a life that feels aligned — even if it wasn’t the plan
• Finding contentment in the everyday
• Staying open to small joys and new directions

If you’ve ever found yourself starting over — or learning to live inside a story you didn’t expect — this one will meet you right where you are.

About Nick Bragman:

Nick Bragman is an actuary, running coach, and member of Dubset Running Collective in New York. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 12, Nick spent his teenage years pushing through pain in pursuit of a carefully mapped-out future — including a spot in a competitive BA-MD program at just 17. But a serious health crisis just weeks into college forced him to drop out and reimagine everything.

In the years since, Nick has rebuilt his life with a new sense of purpose — one rooted in stability, movement, and community. Today, he balances his work as an actuary with his love of running and coaching, showing up with quiet resilience and a deep understanding of what it means to keep going, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Learn more about The Great Detour™
Website: www.thegreatdetour.com
Instagram: @thegreatdetour

Chapters

1. 19. Nick Bragman on Crohn’s, Setbacks, and Making Peace with a New Path (00:00:00)

2. Nick's Running Journey (00:01:53)

3. Discovering and Embracing a New Passion (00:02:47)

4. Living with Crohn's Disease: Nick's Experience (00:04:20)

5. The Challenges of Middle School with a Chronic Illness (00:06:41)

6. The Turning Point: Surgery and Its Aftermath (00:16:27)

7. Adjusting to a New Path in Life (00:28:13)

8. Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places (00:28:34)

9. Nick's Current Life and Future Plans (00:33:47)

10. Final Reflections and Lessons Learned (00:37:38)