Dax Shepard Opens up About a Terrifying Near-Death Experience – ‘Am I Dead’

Dax Shepard recently took a trip down memory lane to recount a harrowing high school experience that fundamentally changed his perspective on life. During a conversation with Kaley Cuoco on his Armchair Expert podcast, the 51-year-old actor detailed a near-fatal car accident that occurred while he was a teenager.

He described the moment he realized he was about to die as one of the most unique feelings he has ever encountered, noting that he felt he was only seconds away from the end.

The incident took place late at night while Shepard and a friend were traveling from Toledo back to Detroit. Shepard had decided to rest in the back of the hatchback to prepare for an early work shift the following morning, leaving his friend to handle the drive.

He recalled falling asleep by the rhythmic sound of the road until he was suddenly jolted awake by the sound of gravel hitting the car’s exterior. Upon looking up, Shepard saw his friend completely slumped over behind the wheel while the vehicle sped along at 85 mph.

As the car began to slide sideways toward the pine trees lining the Michigan interstate, Shepard briefly attempted to reach for the steering wheel. However, he quickly realized the situation was too far gone and made the split-second decision to lie back down as the car launched into the air.

As the vehicle began to roll down the highway, Shepard experienced a transition from sheer terror to an unexpected sense of serenity. He admitted that the realization of his impending death was shockingly comforting, as if his brain had released a chemical to help him process the trauma.

He described the internal shift as going from a frantic calculation of the crash to a state of being weirdly at total peace with it. Miraculously, the car rolled ten times but managed to avoid hitting any of the surrounding trees.

Shepard and his friend were able to crawl out of the windows of the flattened vehicle entirely uninjured. Despite the lack of physical harm, the mental aftermath lasted for days, as Shepard found himself questioning if he had actually died. He noted that for the next three days, he felt very peculiar, constantly wondering if he was living in some sort of afterlife.

Today, Dax Shepard is one of the most successful voices in the digital space, with his podcast Armchair Expert continuing to dominate the charts. As of this year, the show reached a new milestone by receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Podcast, a testament to the “shame-free candor” he shares with co-host Monica Padman.

Outside of the recording studio, Shepard is known for his long-standing marriage to actress Kristen Bell and their various collaborative projects, including the game show Family Game Fight!.

Do you think Dax Shepard’s experience with a “peaceful” near-death moment explains why he is so comfortable discussing vulnerable and heavy topics with his celebrity guests? Share your thoughts in the comments.