Nick ‘the manimal’ Custer has been defying the odds long before it became a trend. A longtime friend of ours, Nick is an all-around rad human, now thriving as a homeowner and father to his puppy Cheeba. Living life to the fullest in our hometown of St. Charles, MO, he defies every odd stacked against him.

Nick’s story is a powerful testament to resilience’s boundless potential. His unmatched aptitude for adaptation, notably in the face of a traumatic brain injury, highlights his unparalleled proficiency in learning. Nick’s journey of reclaiming his abilities, encompassing walking, talking, and living, serves as a powerful testament to the power of resilience. His story is an inspiration to all, proving that with determination and an indomitable spirit, anything is possible.

Every Friend of Do Something Cool has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?

In 2013, my life turned upside-down when I lost control on an icy patch while driving east on Highway 94 just before 10 p.m. My truck went over a cement bridge wall and went airborne before landing in the westbound lanes of Highway 364. I was not wearing a seatbelt at the time. I was taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur and told I had three hours to live while en route. I was in a coma for five weeks. I have no recollection of waking up or anything like those stories in the car, just one photo of me flipping the bird to everyone as soon as I woke up.

The ‘experts’ then told me I would never walk again. But I wasn’t ready to accept that. I turned that three-hour life prediction into years of defiance, dedicated to proving them all wrong. Despite the grim prognosis and the experts’ dire predictions, my relentless spirit and determination led me to defy the odds. I’m passionate about sharing my story to inspire and support youth navigating life-changing injuries, particularly TBIs.

A few years later, I was running laps, and just recently, I was hanging out in the house I now own. Despite everything, I’ve maintained the same all-day-every-day smile and my signature “give Bryan some shit at every chance I get” mentality

Please tell us more about your road to recovery

“You’ll often hear me say, ‘Keep on, keeping on’ and  I’ve coined the term “YOLT, you only live twice. I understand how fragile life can be and that relationships with friends and inspiring others are what this life is all about. ˮ

My road to recovery has been long and challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Relearning how to walk, talk, and live again was tough, but it taught me the true meaning of resilience.This journey has made me passionate about sharing my story to inspire others, especially young people who are facing similar challenges. I want to show them that with determination and an indomitable spirit, anything is possible. I often say, “Keep on, keeping on” and “YOLT, you only live twice.” I understand how fragile life can be and that relationships with friends and inspiring others are what this life is all about.

Every year around the time of my accident, I have a “Still Alive” party where I bring friends together to hang out, listen to music from a local band, and just have a good time.

Tell us more about how you hope turn it into a positive by inspiring others.

Sure. known Bryan for over fifteen years, and we are planning to partner on a project to speak to youth about the importance of wearing seatbelts.

I’m excited to partner with Do Something Cool to spread awareness about the importance of wearing seatbelts. My own experience has shown me how quickly life can change, and I want to use my story to make a positive impact. We’re planning to speak to youth about the significance of seatbelt safety, hoping to prevent others from experiencing what I went through. By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to take safety seriously and to never give up, no matter what obstacles they face.

Nick’s remarkable journey of rediscovery serves as a shining example of resilience’s transformative force. His story epitomizes the “learn” aspect of our foundation, highlighting his unmatched prowess in learning and adaptation, particularly following a traumatic brain injury. Nick’s journey of reclaiming his abilities serves as a powerful testament to resilience’s boundless potential, inspiring us all to embrace challenges and defy the odds.