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In this episode YIV's Holly Skodis & Obi Ndefo discuss:

The hit & run accident that left Obi an above-the-knee double amputee and his road to recovery
Healing with an organic, raw vegan diet
The power of plants
Obi's new television series "Juice Bar"
Yoga & yogic philosophy
As an actor of Nigerian and American heritage, onscreen and onstage, Obi Ndefo\u2019s relationship with his body has been crucial for his life\u2019s work and self-expression. Trained at the Yale School of Drama, Obi subsequently progressed to playing pivotal roles in film and television. For 3 seasons, he recurred as Bodie Wells on the television series \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek,\u201d and for 4 seasons he recurred as Rak\u2019nor in the adventure science fiction series \u201cStargate.\u201d As a physically transformative actor, extensively trained in yoga and multidimensional fitness, Mr. Ndefo took on a wide variety of physical roles in \u201cStar Trek - Deep Space Nine\u201d as the Klingon Drex, \u201cStar Trek - Voyager\u201d as Kelamane, along with roles in \u201cThe West Wing,\u201d \u201cNYPD Blue,\u201d \u201cThe Jamie Foxx Show,\u201d \u201cAngel,\u201d and \u201cThird Rock from the Sun.\u201d

As a writer, Obi had been 5 years into the development of a groundbreaking new multicultural television series entitled \u201cJuice Bar,\u201d which is centered around the world of the global health movement, the organic food movement, and our planet\u2019s movement towards consciousness and inclusivity. The deeply uplifting series is in its pilot phase. Obi is the lead writer for the character-driven scripted series.

8 weeks ago, on the evening of August 17th, after shopping at Erewhon Natural Foods Market in Los Angeles, Obi\u2019s body was struck by a hIt-and-run DUI driver moving full speed. Miraculously, Obi survived the impact, but his right leg was severed instantly, just above the knee, and his shattered left leg had to be amputated 30 minutes later at the hospital to save his life.

Through dramatic self-will and determination, Obi used his yoga abilities, commitment to vibrant organic vegan food, and his positive mindset, to not only heal and recover from the very violent incident, but to recently return to his life\u2019s work of acting and writing.

Ironically, Obi\u2019s new television series \u201cJuice Bar\u201d sought to offer transformative portrayals of diversity on television, with several characters who happen to be amputees! With an even deeper mission now to tell the stories of these \u201cother abled\u201d characters, staggeringly, Obi will now be playing one of the roles he originally wrote to be played by an actual double amputee.
In an emotionally moving turn of events from the universe, the above-the-knee double amputee is now Obi.

Obi\u2019s family, community, and co-workers in the entertainment field are coming together to support both his survival, and his physical ability to portray these roles, and maintain his position as co-show creator and writer of this and other television series. Obi would like the exposure of his story and his work within media to be a vehicle/vessel for positive portrayals of diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion.
Please watch the NBC news clip on Obi Ndefo\u2019s miraculous recent recovery, and his efforts to serve his community. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Actor-Lost-Legs-in-Crash-Recovering-560636501.html

Connect with Obi:
gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/obi-ndefo-lifeline-organized-by-his-family
Instagram: @ndefoobi
Facebook: Obi Ndefo