Ferry Zandvilet, a resident of the Netherlands, was an attending physical therapist and aspiring entrepreneur, poised to buy into a physiotherapy company before his life took a drastic turn on November 13, 2015. While enjoying a concert by Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, Zandvilet became a survivor of a harrowing terrorist attack, an event that claimed 90 lives.

This fateful night transformed him from a victim of unimaginable violence into a voice of resilience and hope. Today, Ferry is a professional speaker, sharing his journey and insights on survival, resilience, and mental health, inspiring audiences worldwide with his humor and positive mindset even amidst discussions of severe adversity.

In this episode, Zandvilet delves into his recovery from the attack and the subsequent journey through PTSD. He discusses the effectiveness of EMDR therapy, which alleviated 60-70% of his PTSD symptoms, and underscores the importance of personal responsibility, sports, and mindfulness in managing mental health. Zandvilet and Atherton examine the power of gratitude and journaling, sharing practices to maintain a balanced life.

Ferry also recounts a transformative encounter with the father of one of the shooters and the ongoing journey of personal growth aided by close friends, shared suffering, and victim support groups. This episode captures the deep connections forged through shared adversity and the unwavering hope that defines Ferry's outlook on life.

***

Thank you for listening to Humans of HOPE: Inspiring Stories with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an inspiring speaker and supporter of her community. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

If you'd like to donate to the Kintsugi Heroes mission, head to https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (business@mbpod.com)

General Support: Ian Westmoreland (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au)