Jill Bolte Taylor

Jill Bolte Taylor was in her late 30s when a blood vessel exploded in her brain. The irony? Taylor is a neurological researcher. She's made a complete recovery since — and says the experience provided wisdom and insight.

Neurological researcher Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a stroke 12 years ago. While the damage caused by a stroke is often devastating, Taylor was able to make a complete recovery after becoming her own experimental subject.