Our Story
PeerHeal was born from years of surgeries, autoimmune conditions, and the realization that sometimes the people who understand you best are strangers who have walked the same path.
Hi, I'm Jack
I'm 26 now, and I've been living with autoimmune issues since I was 15. What started as something I thought I could push through became a defining part of my life, leading me through years of rheumatology appointments and multiple surgeries.
In March 2021, I had my first shoulder SLAP repair. Two years later, in April 2023, I went through it again on the other side. In 2017, my foot got run over by a car and I broke all five metatarsals. And as I write this, I'm preparing for another surgery in March 2026 — a rhomboid repair with trapezius advancement.
Each surgery taught me something new. Not just about my body, but about the emotional weight of recovery. The isolation. The frustration of feeling like a burden. The loneliness of lying awake at 3 AM wondering if what you're feeling is normal.
My Journey
March 2021 — First shoulder surgery
April 2023 — Second surgery, other shoulder
2025 — Still putting in the work
The Hardest Part Wasn't Physical
Here's what I learned: the physical pain is only part of it. The hardest part of recovery is the emotional isolation.
Your friends and family love you. They want to help. But they don't get it. They haven't felt the specific fear of "did I just tear my repair?" when you move wrong. They don't know the frustration of being three weeks post-op and feeling like you should be further along. They can't understand the mental battle of wanting to be positive while secretly wondering if you'll ever feel normal again.
Sometimes, you don't want to talk to the people closest to you. Not because they aren't supportive — but because you need someone who truly understands. Someone who has been exactly where you are. Someone who can say "I felt that too, and here's what helped me" instead of "I'm sure it'll get better."
Why PeerHeal Exists
I looked for what I needed and couldn't find it. Medical information? Everywhere. Clinical recovery timelines? Easy to find. But real stories from real people who matched my situation? Nearly impossible.
I wanted to hear from someone my age, with similar goals, who had the same surgery. I wanted to know what week three actually felt like. I wanted someone to tell me that the mental struggles were normal. I wanted connection, not just information.
That's why I built PeerHeal. To create the community I wish existed when I was lying in that hospital bed, scrolling through forums at 2 AM, desperate to find someone who understood.
Our Mission
We're building an emotional support community that connects you with people who truly understand your journey.
Emotional Support
Recovery isn't just physical. We provide a space for the emotional journey — the fears, the frustrations, and the small victories.
Real Peer Experiences
Not medical advice. Real stories from real people who have been through it. The stuff you can't find in a pamphlet.
Meaningful Matches
Connect with people who match your situation — surgery, condition, age, activity level, and goals. Not random strangers — kindred spirits.
You're Not Alone
Recovery is possible. The pain you're feeling right now? It gets better. The isolation? It doesn't have to be this way.
There's a whole community of people who have walked this road before you, and they're ready to walk it with you.
And if you're further along in your journey, sharing your story can be one of the most rewarding things you do. Contributors often say it feels almost therapeutic — a way to make meaning out of what they went through.
"Sometimes the most comforting voice isn't the one with answers — it's the one that says 'I've been there too.'"
— Jack Tuchner, Founder