Episode summary
The Healthy Advisor: The Comeback with Vincent Crudo
Summary
Vincent Crudo describes how a 2013 biking accident in Vermont changed every part of his life: his mobility, his family routines, his independence and his financial planning. After months of rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center and a later surgery for heterotopic ossification that led to sepsis, he decided he had to return to work rather than rely on disability income alone. He says the experience made him rethink the value of long-term disability coverage, permanent life insurance and the need for families to prepare for major medical shocks.
His return to the business was not smooth. When he came back, two major accounts had already left, his partner of 30 years departed for UBS, and he had to rebuild his practice while managing a very long commute and then the disruptions of COVID. Janney gave him the flexibility to work closer to home and on terms that fit his health needs, which he says made the difference in staying active in the profession.
Crudo now leans on that experience with clients, especially when discussing disability insurance, long-term care and permanent coverage for families with children. He also works with clients and community efforts tied to wheelchair users and people with disabilities, arguing that medical costs and access problems make planning even more important.
Key takeaways
- Vincent Crudo says his 2013 spinal cord injury forced him to reconsider independence, family support and how little his prior insurance planning would have covered.
- He says a severe post-surgery infection and sepsis delayed his return to work by months, but also hardened his resolve to rebuild his practice.
- Crudo says he lost major accounts and then his 30-year partner after returning, shrinking the business before he stabilized it.
- He says Janney’s flexibility to work near home was crucial after years of an exhausting commute and COVID-era workplace restrictions.
- Crudo now tells clients to consider disability, long-term care and permanent life insurance more seriously because major medical events can overwhelm a household.
Notable quotes
“I knew that mentally it would not be a good thing for me to be at home and basically not do what I love to do”
“anybody that's in a dependent situation will tell you the worst thing is your loss of independence”
“I developed sepsis and was in the ICU for 2 weeks and I really at that point was 50/50 if I was going to make it or not”
“Though, smart enough to have disability insurance, but not smart enough to have permanent life insurance”
“Healthcare costs are out of control. The industry, the the price of wheelchairs, the abuse that the wheelchair companies give to people, just the amount they charge us for things that shouldn't cost”
How the episode opens
Welcome to the Healthy Advisor, a podcast from Wealth Management focused on advisors personal well-being and healing. I'm Diana Britton, executive editor of Wealth Management, and in this podcast, we explore some of the struggles and personal development issues facing advisors and financial services professionals and how to get to a place of healing for mind, body, and spirit. Hello and welcome to the latest episode of the Healthy Advisor podcast, and thanks for joining us.
As you may know, this is the podcast focused on financial advisor health and well-being, and today's guest definitely has something to say on that topic. His name is Vincent Crudo. He's a financial advisor and senior vice president of investments at Janney Montgomery Scott.
Vincent, welcome and thank you for being on the podcast.
Thanks for having me.
So, in 2013, Vincent was riding pretty high on his life. He had a wife and three kids, a business partner of 25 years, a nice book of business, and then life took a big turn. And while on vacation in Vermont, he got into a biking accident that caused a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed at age 48.
And determined to return to the profession he loves, Vincent rebuilt his career and since joining Janney in 2021, has drawn on his own experience to help clients navigate the financial and emotional realities of life-changing medical events, just like the one he has been through himself. It's an amazing comeback story, and he's going to delve into the details of his journey today. But, Vincent, could you Can we start by just telling me what life was like for you leading up to that accident?
Sure. I started in the business as an intern when I was a senior at Southern Connecticut State University.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- spinal cord injury recovery
- return to financial services career
- financial planning for medical events
- rebuilding a client book
- independence and family financial preparation
Companies and tickers mentioned
- C
- Janney Montgomery Scott
- RBC Wealth Management
- Citigroup
- Smith Barney
Watch the episode
Watch “The Healthy Advisor: The Comeback with Vincent Crudo” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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