Best Of: Mike Ott on How Recovering
from Paralysis Changed His Perspective

How do you find gratitude in the face of unimaginable adversity? Mike Ott was rising the ranks at his hedge fund and enjoying life. Then, out of the blue, a freak accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. In this week’s episode of FOMO Sapiens, we’re revisiting Mike’s experience of fighting for his health and finding creative solutions to rehab during a global pandemic. Let’s hear him share how the accident, and his recovery, have reshaped how he sees the world and his place within it. 

Meet our guest:

Mike began his career in the investment industry with Bessemer Trust in 2012, initially focused on business development. Thereafter he transitioned to Bessemer’s investment department with the Portfolio Strategy team, a national role. Following Bessemer, Mike joined DPM Capital, an equity-focused hedge fund, as a research analyst and trader. He was the second employee hired to DPM’s investment team in 2018 and went on to lead the firm’s research and trading activities. In July of 2019, Mike sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident and was initially quadriplegic. Through dedicated rehab over two years, Mike regained his abilities to walk, jog, run, and use his hands. He celebrated his recovery by completing a journey through Africa in the summer of 2021. After that, Mike returned to the investment industry as a consultant for Endurance Partners, a private equity firm. Mike is currently focused on writing, travel, and consulting within the investment industry.