How Do You Keep Going When Life Hits You Twice?

Today’s guest, Austin Hatch, is a living, breathing miracle—and one of the most inspiring men I’ve ever had the privilege to sit across from. Austin survived not one, but two plane crashes. The first claimed the lives of his mother and siblings. The second, just eight years later, took his father and stepmother and left Austin in a coma, fighting for his life. Yet somehow, against all odds, he not only survived—he found a way to thrive.

In this conversation, Austin and I go deep into what it takes to get back up when life knocks you down harder than you ever thought possible. He shares how he rebuilt his body, his faith, and his identity after losing almost everything—and why gratitude, not bitterness, became his anchor. Austin’s story is not about avoiding pain; it’s about choosing purpose through it, believing that God can still write a story of victory even when tragedy has stolen so much.

We talk about what it means to carry grief without letting it define you, to forgive life for what it’s taken, and to find meaning in the middle of unimaginable suffering. Austin’s journey to eventually fulfill his dream of playing basketball for the University of Michigan is a testament to what happens when resilience meets faith.

This episode is about more than survival—it’s about transformation. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can rise again after devastation, Austin’s story is living proof that you can.

Key Takeaways:

• How Austin survived two plane crashes and found the will to rebuild his life

• Why gratitude—not bitterness—became his greatest weapon against despair

• The role faith plays in turning unimaginable tragedy into testimony

• What it means to carry grief without being defined by it

• How to keep moving toward your dreams even when everything says it’s over

Lean in to this one. Austin’s story will not only move you—it will change the way you see your own challenges.

— Max Out