Brainwaves 

Awesome. So wrapped to see big brands supporting great athletes when things go south…. So much more to life (and the outdoors) than placing on a podium.

Yo Brooke, I know youre reeding these comments. I dont know when we met, maybe freestyle team trials in BV (2017?), and it blew my mind how much pure stoke one person could contract. Ive got my ups and downs too and have for years, and currently 9 weeks out of shoulder surgery I am counting the days till flatwater again. There's this weird mindset where kayaking keeps us alive yet can take it all back in a moment, I know we share that feeling. Everyone in this sport loves you as much as you love the river. Soak every second of it in and never forget thats why youre here.

Thank you Brooke for such a great display of courage in sharing your story. 90% of the bodies serotonin is produced in the gut. In north america, the most prevalent parasitic disease that's capable of causing a gastrointestinal crisis is giardiasis. You don't have to go to the jungle to get messed up in this way. Giardia is found in almost all mountain streams, at elevations of up to 12,000 ft. It's a common misconception that "fresh" mountain water is safe to drink.

Thank you to both Brooke and NRS for having the courage to share this story. I support you both. I would like to see better helmets for kayaking. I have seen far too many face and head injuries happen to my friends. They are very preventable. People may laugh, but I wear a hockey helmet with a half visor on the river. These helmets are far more adjustable and therefore fit better. Which makes them much less likely to move and expose the head. They cover more of the head. They are made to absorb harder impacts. (test standard is higher) And they are made so that various face protection options can be fitted easily. What the whitewater industry calls "Full Face" helmets are basically hand me down shapes from the mountain bike industry, which are hand me downs from motocross. These FF helmets leave the entire face open to impact from things right in front of every paddler. Paddles and cockpit rims. Many noses have been broken and eyes blackened while wearing a "full face" kayak helmet. Just ask Rush Sturges or Bren Orton. My guess is that kayaking accepts poor protection because it is mostly a sport that people enter as adults and outside of organized clubs. If kayaking was popular as a sport with youth leagues like football and hockey there would be much more focus on protecting those young skulls. Trolls will flame me for advocating wearing the "wrong" helmet. Save your breath. I don't give a crap. I will wear what fits and protects my face and head. See you down river.

You are one BAD ASS WOMAN!!! I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU TOO BE HEALTHY. 🙏 ❤️ LOTS OF LOVE FROM MY FAMILY TO YOU AND YOURS. ❤️

Keep Ripping it up girl. Live life to the fullest.

Thank you so much for sharing this story! That's such a frustrating turn of events, but I'm glad that she's getting the support she needs, and is still able to get out as much as she does! Real strength is getting help when you need it, and pushing through when you want to do anything but.

Thank youz.

You are a huge inspiration, Brooke! 💜 Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story

Stay strong, Brooke. Your students from the Ottawa love you and still think of you!

She reminds me of me. I was a professional violinist/violist and a kayaker. Only I was doing it in the 1960's, 70's, and 80's. Can't kayak or play my instrument anymore due to a spinal cord injury. I hope she has better luck.

Thanks for putting this out there. Your an Amazing person. Keep having fun out there

She is such an inspiration!

Hi Brook, just watched your thought provoking story so far on this video, and wanted to wish you well for the future. You are certainly a very talented and inspirational lady keep going - One day at a time girl 😘

Your an idol worthy of the title. All my best to you and everybody involved, on your journey.

Thank you for sharing your story .

This is so well put together. I'm so happy you get to, ya know, keep doing you 😊

Brooke, you're incredible!

YOU INSPIRE ME

Beautiful video thanks for being courageous and sharing your story. Hopefully it helps others and get rid of the stigma with mental health.

beautiful story. sounds like her gut biome was demolished by the illness.

Such a dope film about a dope woman! Keep being strong Brooke and kicking ass out there like you do in everything!!!

Extraordinary athlete.

what a rad lady.