On this edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Abbey Phillipson, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Adaptive Sport and Head ParaPowerlifting Coach at the University of Michigan. Abbey shares her journey as an athlete with a disability and her path to becoming a leader in adaptive sports. She discusses why strength training principles apply universally, the misconceptions about adaptive sports, and the competitive drive of adaptive athletes. Abbey also talks about founding Michigan’s ParaPowerlifting team and the importance of testing, data collection, and long-term investment in adaptive sports.

Key Takeaways

• Strength and conditioning principles do not change for adaptive sports.
  

• Abbey founded the first collegiate para powerlifting team at the University of Michigan.
  

• Misconceptions about adaptive sports often stem from lack of understanding.
  

• Strength training is essential for improving quality of life for athletes with disabilities.
  

• Adaptive sports are highly competitive and empower athletes just like able-bodied sports.
  

• Institutional investment in adaptive sports remains limited and needs improvement.
  

• Testing and data collection are crucial—“If you’re not testing, you’re guessing.”
  

Quote “Then we're creating the narrative that kids with disabilities, people who acquire disabilities, the normal is that you play sports. The normal is that you go to the gym. The normal is that you are living life like any other person.” – Abbey Phillipson