Elizabeth Cottone, PhD
Stroke survivor, certified life coach, author
In 2017, I had a cerebellar hemorrhagic stroke. At the time I was a research scientist at the University of Virginia, I had just accepted a job leading a local nonprofit, and I had recently finished my 40th marathon.
Recovery has taken years, and it isn’t finished. I’ve relearned everyday skills, taken on new ones like horseback riding and singing, and learned to count unloading the dishwasher as a win. The harder work, and the work that changed my life, has been figuring out who I am now.
That question is at the center of everything I do today. I work with people who are building a life after traumatic change: stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s, MS, and other turns that change who we are.
What I do now
Coaching. I offer one-on-one coaching, online by video, for people ready to build a life that fits who they are now. I’m a certified life coach through the Canada Coach Academy and trained in Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry. Learn more about coaching
The support group. I founded and lead a stroke and brain injury support group that meets online the first Thursday of every month. It’s free, and all are welcome. About the support group
Teaching and advocacy. Each year I speak to incoming students at the UVA School of Medicine about what stroke is like from the patient’s side. I collaborate on stroke rehabilitation research and provide community and professional education about compassionate care. From 2023 to 2026, I served on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Stroke System Task Force, including a subcommittee on sociodemographic and racial disparities in stroke care. I also served as a Survivor Advisory Group member at Kandu.
Writing. I’ve written two books, Reinvention: Life After Traumatic Change and Dyslexia: A Universe of Possibilities, and I’m working on a third.
Before my stroke
For 25 years I worked in special education: tutoring, leading schools and nonprofit programs, and then 11 years as a research scientist (Assistant Research Professor) at UVA’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning. My research focused on dyslexia, early literacy, and how families facing poverty find resilience. My FUN-R (Foundation Underlying New Reading) method grew out of that work. I hold a PhD in special education from the University of Virginia.
Looking back, I was already studying the question I now live: how people survive, and thrive, after hard change.
Short bio for event organizers and media
Elizabeth Cottone, PhD, is a certified life coach, a stroke survivor, and the author of Reinvention: Life After Traumatic Change. Before her stroke in 2017, she spent 25 years as a special educator and University of Virginia researcher, and ran 40 marathons. Today she leads a monthly stroke support group, collaborates on stroke rehabilitation research, and provides community and professional education about compassionate care. From 2023 to 2026, she served on Virginia’s Stroke System Task Force.
Download Beth’s resume: Elizabeth Cottone resume (PDF download)
New documentary about Beth now on YouTube
Beth Featured on NPR StoryCorps
WMRA, June 22, 2021
“In 2017, ELizabeth Cottone was an Education Research Scientist at UVA, concentrating on Special Education. She had just accepted a new position as the director of a local non-profit in Charlottesville when she suffered a cerebellar hemorrhagic stroke that put her in a coma. At the time, she was also an accomplished runner in peak physical condition, having recently completed her 40th marathon.
Her friend, Jeanmarie Badar, who taught with Dr. Cottone and shares her love of running, asked her to StoryCorps to share the dramatic experience of her stroke and her ongoing recovery.”
Beth Interviewed on the Recovery After Stroke Podcast
Listen to Beth’s interview about rebuilding her life after cerebellar stroke on Bill Gasiamis’ Recovery After Stroke podcast.
Beth Interviewed on the Let's Taco Bout Speech Podcast
Hear Beth’s interview with the speech therapist podcasters on Let’s Taco Bout Speech.
Stroke Warrior Radio Interviews Beth
Listen to Beth’s interview on the Stroke Warrior Radio show.
Beth Cottone is smart, kind, and passionate—moreover, she is someone who knows firsthand about overcoming challenges. Several years ago, Beth had a brain aneurysm that caused a massive stroke. With powerful determination, she has spent years building back her physical strength and redefining herself as a person.
Jeanmarie Badar, PhD