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AUSTIN (KXAN) – In August 2018, Austin-based Leah Chyma drove through downtown Austin with friends after dinner. A few days later she woke up in the shock trauma ward of a nearby hospital: with a traumatic brain injury, three skull fractures, three cerebral haemorrhages and a post-traumatic stress disorder.
The odds were not in her favor as she battled excessive bleeding in her brain and was on a ventilator while her heart rate dropped to 30 beats per minute. But somehow Chyma exceeded the odds and is now using her second chance in life to save the lives of others.
“If I hadn’t been in the physical shape I was, I wouldn’t have made it,” she said. “It was shaky for a while. So I am very blessed to have come out alive. “
In March 2020, Chyma founded Knockin ‘Noggins, a helmet company that aims to promote brain health and safety and de-stigmatize the wearing of helmets in children and adults. Each helmet is individually and hand painted to suit customers’ design preferences and needs.
Chyma designs helmets for most non-motorized sports, including cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, penny boarding, and even acrobatic yoga. She has also developed DOC band helmets for babies with plagiocephaly or flat spots on babies’ heads.
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When starting a business just before the coronavirus pandemic broke out, Chyma said it was a touch and go for a while. However, as interest in outdoor activities increased, sales at Knockin ‘Noggins increased with more than 130 helmets made.
Your customers are between 3 and 70 years old. Their interests are equally diverse: previous designs include unicorns and Thor’s hammer for kids, as well as Texas-themed pieces and a Grateful Dead design for adults.
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Leah Chyma founded Knockin ‘Noggins in August 2018 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and near death experience following a scooter accident. (KXAN Photo / Kelsey Thompson)![]()
Leah Chyma founded Knockin ‘Noggins in August 2018 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and near death experience following a scooter accident. (KXAN Photo / Kelsey Thompson)
Leah Chyma founded Knockin ‘Noggins in August 2018 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and near death experience following a scooter accident. (KXAN Photo / Kelsey Thompson)
Leah Chyma founded Knockin ‘Noggins in August 2018 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and near death experience following a scooter accident. (KXAN Photo / Kelsey Thompson)Chyma says her favorite part of the design process is getting little glimpses into people’s lives and personalities that she might not otherwise get to know.
“I love it so much. People you know wouldn’t really interact with me in any other way, they can also help bring their vision to life,” she said. “You create a little work of art.”
In addition to the creative energy that goes into every helmet, Chyma is driven by the desire to reduce the stigma surrounding wearing helmets. Knockin ‘Noggins provides customers with educational resources on misunderstandings about wearing a helmet, how to wear a helmet correctly, and statistics on brain injuries in both helmeted and non-helmeted patients.
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“From my own experience, I could have prevented mental health problems by putting on a helmet,” she said. “As a kind of walking poster for being a personal experience, I think it’s extremely important.”
“It definitely brought out more of the little moments in life that are just beautiful and wonderful and not always chasing something. I found myself falling into this workaholic mindset and trying to move on, move on, move on – and then I realized that I am happiest and the people around me when we slow down. “
LEAH CHYMA, FOUNDER, KNOCKIN ‘NOGGINS
Chyma said the prospect of giving back to those in need increased with this second life expectancy. For every 10 helmets made, Knockin ‘Noggins donates one to a child in need. The company works with local children’s organizations to bring children together with a bespoke design of their choice.
“We are able to customize them with the child’s name and some interests they have. And these are children who have a very difficult life, ”she said. “To be able to give a child something of their own with their name on it? It’s absolutely beautiful. “
As the business grows, Chyma is currently working on fitting out a van that will serve as a travel pop-up shop to sell at festivals, farmers markets, and other larger events. But beyond the future developments of the business, she said that what she most looks forward to is being connected and present in life, a feeling she had been missing before her accident.
“I was blessed with a second chance in life and it turned my whole world upside down and changed a lot of things,” she said. “And it really reminded me that we only have a short time here, so I wanted to do something to help others extend their time here.”
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