In todays episode we are joined by Dr. Peter McGahey. Dr. McGahey is a teaching assistant professor at West Virginia University in the School of Sport Sciences within the College of Applied Human Science, the National Educator Developer for the U.S. Soccer Federation C-Course and as the assistant coach for the U.S. Soccer Federation Power Soccer National Team. He has degrees in Educational Leadership, Physical Education/Sport Coaching, Human Performance and Sport and Communications. He holds both a United States Soccer Federation ‘A’ License and a ‘Youth’ License. McGahey served as a NCAA Division I and II Women’s and Men’s Head and Assistant Soccer Coach for over 20 years. McGahey has coached athletes all along the developmental pathway from grassroots to Olympic Development Program to college, from youth to high school, and TopSoccer and developed programming at the local club, state, and national levels. Most recently serving as an Assistant Coach with CP Soccer, Technical Advisor to Down Syndrome Sports of America, the West Virginia Soccer Association - Olympic Development Program Director, and a pre-academy coach at Mountaineer United Soccer Club. Additionally, McGahey is the co-author alongside Dr. Peter Pierro of Grassroots Coaching: Using sports psychology and coaching principles effectively.

To connect with Dr. Peter McGahey or learn more about him, check out the links below,

Dr. Peter McGahey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpetermcgahey

Dr. Peter McGahey’s book, “Grassroots Coaching”: https://www.amazon.com/Grassroots-Coaching-Psychology-Principles-Effectively/dp/1475864779/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ke6kCKtdpan_2qR2laPf9g.YC6KBiQLElzUZEJU_lZqQGHx-OD5d1STOihe2es8XAI&qid=1721235032&sr=8-1

Takeaways

• Creating inclusive and accessible environments in sports is crucial for promoting participation and belonging for athletes with disabilities.
• Autonomy and choice are important in player-driven sports like soccer, allowing athletes to make decisions and adapt their skills to the game.
• Skill adaptation, rather than skill acquisition, should be the focus in coaching, allowing athletes to adapt their skills to meet the needs of the game.
• Positive relationships between coaches and athletes, along with a balance of support and challenge, contribute to a supportive and inclusive coaching environment.
• Assessing progress in team sports can be challenging, but focusing on observable behaviors and co-constructing assessments with athletes can provide meaningful feedback.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Peter McGahey

02:06 The Joy and Autonomy of Soccer

06:14 Effective Learning in Sports: Structured Instruction vs. Autonomy

12:32 Creating Inclusive Environments for Athletes with Disabilities

17:28 Characteristics of an Effective Coach for Adaptive Populations

18:30 Universal Design and Meaningful Experiences in Coaching

22:11 Assessing Progress and Monitoring Growth in Team Sports

31:12 The Importance of Openness and Positive Relationships in Coaching

36:07 Creating an Accessible Fitness Industry

44:26 Recommendations for Getting Involved in Adaptive Sports

In 2022, eight years after her initial diagnosis, Andrea Peet became the first person with ALS to complete 50 marathons in all 50 states. Racing in a recumbent trike, she is the inspiration behind the Team Drea Foundation, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $1 million towards ALS research. Her documentary, Go On, Be Brave, and memoir Hope Fights Back shares her incredible story of resilience. Over the episode Andrea and Brendan discuss how ALS research and awareness has changed over the years due to growing discussions and social media trends like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Andrea details the filming of her documentary and the various challenges faced including Covid, and the writing of her book and how through those mediums she was able to tell her story.

To learn more about Andrea and ALS research, check out the links below

Team Drea: https://www.teamdrea.org/

Go On, Be Brave documentary: https://goonbebravefilm.com/

Hope Fights Back memoir: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hope-Fights-Back/Andrea-Lytle-Peet/9781639364770

Keywords: accessibility. adaptive fitness, ALS, disability, disability community, disease, endurance sports, fitness, inclusion, inclusive fitness, inclusive spaces, motivation, sports

Takeaways:

• Andrea highlights how she refused to let a serious diagnosis prevent them from achieving great things, showcasing resilience and determination.

• The process of getting diagnosed with ALS involved various tests and an initial period of uncertainty, followed by a confirmed diagnosis.

• The diagnosis of ALA had a significant emotional impact, but it also motivated a focus on accomplishing important goals before physical limitations increased.

• Campaigns and challenges, such as the Ice Bucket Challenge, have significantly increased awareness and funding for ALS research.

• It's important to maintain a positive outlook and treat bravery as a muscle that needs regular exercise.

Dennis Murphy shares his recovery journey after a stroke and the importance of fitness and recreation in the recovery process. He emphasizes the need for consistency and determination in daily activities and therapy. Dennis also discusses the challenges of reacclimating to a new normal and the importance of treating individuals with disabilities as capable and independent. He shares his goals of riding his bike across the country and improving his swimming abilities. Dennis offers advice to others going through a similar experience, encouraging them to focus on daily progress and maintain a positive perspective.

To learn more, check out the resources below,

Mass General Brigham Spaulding Rehab: spauldingrehab.org

rehabhealth360.com

Takeaways

• Consistency and determination are key in the recovery process after a stroke.
• Treating individuals with disabilities as capable and independent is important.
• Maintaining a positive perspective and focusing on daily progress is crucial.
• Fitness and recreation play a significant role in the recovery process and mental health.
• Setting goals and working towards them can bring a sense of normalcy and purpose.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 The Stroke Experience

05:08 Language Recovery and Therapy

08:30 Returning to Work

10:45 Therapy Schedule

13:15 Readjusting Goals and Perspectives

20:50 Long-Term Goals

23:30 The Gym Experience

25:25 Disability Etiquette

28:23 Advice for Others Going Through Recovery

31:34 Conclusion

David Figueroa, a motivational speaker and advocate with cerebral palsy, shares his experiences and insights on building inclusive businesses and excelling in adaptive sports. He emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports in accepting and appreciating one's diagnosis and developing relationships with peers. David also discusses his journey through education, the challenges he faced in school, and the need for inclusive environments in gyms and fitness facilities. He highlights the importance of listening to individuals with disabilities and involving them in the decision-making process to create truly inclusive spaces. David's story and message inspire others to believe in themselves and work towards their goals.

To learn more about David, check out his podcast or his social media:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidsCerebralPalsyandFitnessChannel

David’s Instagram: @davidscpfitness

Podcast Instagram: @cerebralpalsyandfitnesspodcast

X: @davidscpfitness

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, adaptive sports, inclusive businesses, education, challenges, inclusive gyms, fitness facilities, disabilities, inclusion

Takeaways:

• Adaptive sports play a crucial role in accepting and appreciating one's diagnosis and developing relationships with peers.
• Inclusive gyms and fitness facilities should listen to individuals with disabilities and involve them in decision-making processes to create truly inclusive spaces.
• Education systems need to be more inclusive and supportive of students with disabilities, providing the necessary resources and accommodations.
• Fitness professionals should receive education and training on disability etiquette, communication strategies, and expectations to better support individuals with disabilities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:15 Living with Cerebral Palsy and Overcoming Challenges

06:17 Navigating Education with a Disability

09:02 Improving Inclusion in Fitness Environments

16:19 Keynote Speeches and Presentations

21:52 Positive Experiences with Fitness Professionals

25:41 Where to Find David Figueroa

On today’s episode, we were joined by Dr. Cort Schneider. Dr. Schneider was born with cerebral palsy, is the Director of Disability Services at the University of Richmond, and a professor. He is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, and adaptive recreation. He is a runner who uses forearm crutches and he has completed 14 half marathons, and dozens of 5k races. He even wrote a book called the Trial of Miles: A Disabled Runner's Memoir. Currently, he has taken his passion for people with disabilities and adaptive recreation and has launched a podcast entitled Sports, Identity, and the Disability Blue. This podcast uses the lens of sports to explore the stories of people with disabilities which sheds light on the experience of those with disabilities, The podcast is also a celebration of disability as a cultural identity. Dr. Schneider discusses the importance of inclusion and accessibility in various aspects of university life and he emphasizes the need for inclusive environments that accept, embrace, educate, and empower people with disabilities. Dr. Schneider challenges the narrative of disability as a negative and highlights the importance of reframing disability as a natural part of the human experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within universities and the portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational. He shares his passion for running and the empowering nature of his athletic body as a person with a disability. Cort provides advice for personal trainers on how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for clients with disabilities. To listen to Dr. Schneider’s podcast, check out the link below,

Dr. Schneider’s Podcast: https://cortschneider.podbean.com/

Keywords: disability, inclusion, accessibility, university, diversity, equity, inspiration, running, disability, races, adaptive equipment, inclusivity, gym, personal training

Takeaways

• Inclusion is a set of relationships, and creating inclusive environments requires collaboration and buy-in from all members of a community.
• Disability should be reframed as a natural part of the human experience, and society should adjust to accommodate people with disabilities rather than expecting them to conform to able-bodied norms.
• The portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational can create unrealistic expectations and perpetuate low expectations for individuals with disabilities.
• Universities and other institutions should prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects, including physical spaces, services, and programs.
• The cost of adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities can be a significant barrier.
• Personal trainers should ask clients with disabilities about their specific needs and goals, and not be afraid to make mistakes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:19 Disability Statistics and the Norm of Able-Bodiedness

06:11 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Campus Recreation Centers

10:36 Creating an Inclusive Environment for Neurodiverse Students

12:51 DEI Initiatives in Universities

15:43 The Importance of Collaboration in Inclusion Work

21:27 The Value of Disability and the Complexity of the Experience

24:06 The Issue with the Inspirational Narrative

30:13 Overcoming Challenges and Others' Opinions

35:16 Barriers Faced by Individuals with Disabilities in Races

38:18 Creating Inclusive Races

45:31 Advice for Personal Trainers

53:19 Fostering an Inclusive Gym Culture

Bethany Noble initially started working in adaptive fitness and with diverse populations when she was based at a rehabilitation center. She was recognized by the physiotherapist team and asked to work with their rehabilitation clients. She started with Spinal Cord Injuries as her first rehabilitation client and received direct referrals from physios. Bethany emphasizes the importance of understanding the value of physical exercise for everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. She believes that personal trainers should be directly referred to individuals who have experienced a life-changing circumstance. Bethany also discusses the importance of attitude, positive reinforcement, and personalized programming when working with diverse populations. In this conversation, Brendan and Bethany discuss the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in the fitness industry and they highlight the need for fitness professionals to think outside the box and adapt exercises and equipment to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or health conditions. Bethany shares her experience of working in a non-traditional gym environment and how she markets her program through LinkedIn. They also discuss the landscape of inclusion and adaptive fitness in the UK compared to the US. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, being open to new ideas, and creating a supportive network. To learn more about Bethany and BGC Rehabilitation, visit the links below,

Bethany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-noble-574077152/

BGC Rehabilitation: https://www.bgcrehabilitation.com/

Keywords: adaptive fitness, diverse populations, rehabilitation, physiotherapist, referrals, value of exercise, attitude, positive reinforcement, personalized programming, accessibility, inclusivity, fitness industry, adaptation, equipment, unconventional, mindset, environment, marketing, LinkedIn, learning, support

Takeaways

• Recognition from the physiotherapist team led to Bethany working with rehabilitation clients
• Direct referrals from physios are important in the field of adaptive fitness
• Understanding the value of exercise for everyone is crucial
• Attitude and positive reinforcement play a significant role in training individuals with disabilities
• Personalized programming is essential when working with diverse populations. Fitness professionals should focus on the bigger picture of exercise and fitness, rather than getting caught up in the minutia of specific exercises or rep schemes.
• Thinking outside the box and adapting exercises and equipment can make fitness more accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities or health conditions.
• Creating a quiet and distraction-free environment can be beneficial for clients with sensory sensitivities.
• Overcoming self-doubt and embracing vulnerability is essential for personal and professional growth.
• The landscape of inclusion and adaptive fitness varies between countries, but exposure and belief systems play a significant role in promoting inclusivity.

Chapters

00:00 Recognition and Referrals

02:36 The Value of Exercise for Everyone

03:21 Attitude and Positive Reinforcement

09:19 Personalized Programming

29:37 Adapting Exercises and Equipment for Accessibility

32:26 Thinking Outside the Box in Fitness

36:49 Creating an Inclusive Environment

43:37 Marketing and Networking on LinkedIn

48:25 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Vulnerability

In today's episode Ryan Wilson, CEO of Team Trust Productions, discusses the importance of inclusive and accessible marketing campaigns. He shares his experiences of living with a disability and how it inspired him to start his company. Wilson emphasizes the need to humanize individuals with disabilities and showcase their stories beyond their sports achievements. He also highlights the role of representation in film and the need for authentic and diverse portrayals of disability. Wilson provides insights into the process of creating marketing videos and the importance of storytelling. He offers advice on how gyms and fitness professionals can authentically represent disability in their campaigns and improve inclusivity in the fitness industry. To learn more about Ryan and Team Trust Productions, visit the links below,

Team Trust Productions: https://teamtrustproductions.com/

Team Trust Productions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-trust-productions/

Ryan Wilson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wilson-trust/

Keywords: inclusive marketing, accessible marketing, disability representation, storytelling, video production, disability etiquette, fitness industry inclusivity

Episode 53 Takeaways

• Inclusive and accessible marketing campaigns are essential for demonstrating support and welcoming individuals with disabilities.
• Humanizing individuals with disabilities and showcasing their stories beyond their sports achievements is crucial for authentic representation.
• The film industry should strive for diverse and accurate portrayals of disability.
• The process of creating marketing videos involves understanding the organization's goals, analyzing data, and incorporating storytelling.
• Gyms and fitness professionals can improve inclusivity by establishing connections with the disability community, telling success stories, and making simple accommodations.
• Effective communication with individuals with disabilities involves asking important questions, focusing on goals, and listening.
• The fitness industry can become more inclusive by reverse engineering client goals, focusing on similarities rather than differences, and providing accessible options.

Episode 53 Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Company Overview

03:03 Growing Up Without Disability Representation

04:49 Depicting Disability in Sports and Beyond

07:30 Creating Impactful Marketing Videos

09:24 Authentic Representation in Hollywood

12:06 Transition from Sports Announcing to Filmmaking

20:03 Authentic Representation in the Fitness Industry

24:28 Connecting with Team Trust Productions

In this episode, Marc Fucarile and Jeff Bauman join Brendan Aylward for a live recording to discuss their experiences in inclusive fitness and the ways that the Boston Marathon bombings have affected both of their lives. As survivors of the 2013 Marathon bombings, Marc and Jeff’s introduction to the adaptive fitness world and disability advocacy was heavily influenced by the events of April 15th. Throughout the episode, they discuss their experiences as amputees, recovery journeys, the support they received, and the way that fitness came back into their lives post-injury. Marc shares his work with his platform “the Marc Network”, which is a valuable resource for connecting individuals with disabilities to adaptive sports and other support services. Additionally, Marc, Jeff, and Brendan cover some of the socioeconomic challenges associated with having a disability, including the costs of adaptive equipment and the need for financial accessibility.

To learn more about Marc and Jeff and their individual endeavors, visit their websites linked below.

Marc Fucarile’s website at https://marcfucarile.com/.

Read Stronger by Jeff Bauman at https://a.co/d/3dId7Kh.

Jeff Bauman’s Story by Boston Medical Center at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL8t4KGpLTo.

Episode 52 Takeaways

• The Marc Network and the Remarcable Foundations, created by Marc Fucarile, are valuable platforms for connecting individuals with disabilities to adaptive sports, equipment, and other disability support services.
• The Boston Marathon bombings brought attention to the resilience and strength of survivors and first responders, highlighting the necessity of empathy and action through traumatic experiences and recovery.
• The support and generosity of the Boston community have been instrumental in Marc and Jeff’s recovery and the well-being of other survivors.
• Adaptive sports are a valuable and empowering activity for individuals with disabilities, providing physical and emotional benefits.
• The cost of adaptive equipment can be a significant barrier to inclusive participation, and financial accessibility is crucial for individuals to participate in adaptive sports.
• Finding supportive organizations and communities is essential for individuals with disabilities to connect, participate, and thrive after injury, during recovery, and throughout the rest of their lives.

Episode 52 Chapters

02:05 - Experiences with the Boston Marathon Bombings and Recovery

7:57 - Powerful Acts of Kindness on April 15th, 2013

8:55 - Forming Relationships with Veteran Amputees

10:11 - The Role of Media in Tragedy

11:26 - The Boston Strong Movement

13:33 - Marc’s Story

15:00 - “Stronger” and Advocacy

16:27 - Life After the 2013 Marathon

19:02 - Jeff and Marc’s Intro to Adaptive Sports

19:35 - The Evolution of Disability Resources

22:00 - The Marc Network and Essential Resources

27:13 - Resolution Fitness: AdaptX Podcast’s First Show Sponsor

27:35 - The Role of Adaptive Sports in Recovering from a Traumatic Injury

34:05 - Expansion of Adaptive Sports

38:25 - The Challenge of Learning Adaptive Sport

39:45 - Overcoming Financial Barriers in Adaptive Sports

42:05 - The Marc Network’s Role in Mitigating Financial Barriers

45:00 - Children's Perception of Disability

50:57 - Supporting a Family Member Through Recovery

53:55 Finding Supportive Organizations and Communities

Sekond Skin Society is a health and fitness app designed around accessibility, creating an inclusive experience for people with and without disabilities to work out together. In this episode, Brendan is joined by Lee-Anne Reuber, the company’s founder, as she takes us through the company’s start as a brick and mortar yoga studio and transition to a virtual platform. Lee-Anne reflects on her entry into the inclusive fitness space after receiving feedback from members who loved seated class and accessible workout options. Inclusion, to Lee-Anne, means creating a safe space where people feel a sense of belonging and where the environment is already created with them in mind. The fitness industry plays a large role in valuing bodies, and Sekond Skin Society aims to disrupt that space by including people with disabilities. Throughout their conversation, Brendan and Lee-Anne discuss their goals in creating an inclusive and accessible fitness platform for people of all abilities.

Sekond Skin Society is focused on providing a community forum for members to connect with each other and share their experiences. The app will offer a variety of classes, including yoga, dance, cardio, strength training, and meditation. All classes will be on-demand to accommodate the convenience of members and the capacity of instructors. The app will utilize features such as captions, enhanced queuing, and American Sign Language to make the instruction more accessible. Sekond Skin Society is currently in beta testing and actively seeking feedback to improve their platform. To learn more, visit the Sekond Skin website linked here: https://www.sekondskinsociety.com/

Episode 51 Takeaways

• Within the fitness realm, where bodies are often valorized, there exists a pressing demand for broader inclusivity, particularly concerning individuals with disabilities. Sekond Skin Society challenges the status quo within the fitness industry, striving to amplify the representation of individuals with disabilities in both fitness marketing and instructor roles.
• Central to its mission, Sekond Skin Society aims to forge an all-encompassing and accessible fitness platform catering to individuals of diverse abilities. Through this platform, members are afforded a community forum, facilitating connections and the exchange of experiences.
• The app boasts a diverse array of classes, ranging from yoga and dance to cardio, strength training, and meditation, all available on-demand.
• To ensure utmost accessibility, Sekond Skin Society incorporates features such as captions, enhanced queuing, and American Sign Language, thereby enriching the instructional experience for all users.
• Sekond Skin Society is currently in beta testing and actively seeking feedback to improve their platform.

Episode 51 Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Sekond Skin Society and its Founder

00:27 - What is Sekond Skin?

05:35 - A Sense of Belonging in Fitness

06:35 - Marketing Fitness to People with Disabilities

15:19 - Advantages of Virtual and Remote Fitness

29:24 - Creating Community in a Remote Offering

50:05 - Lack of Representation and Inclusion

56:25 - Creating Space for Inclusion and Representation

Shaun and Shamus Evans, a father-son team from Galway, New York, are ardent advocates for inclusivity and accessibility in endurance sports. As a power wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Shamus has forged an impressive athletic journey alongside his father, Shaun, logging thousands of miles and partaking in numerous races. Notably, they completed their inaugural Boston Marathon this past Monday after achieving a remarkable qualifying time of 02:59:00. Their philanthropic spirit is evident in their participation in two transcontinental runs, during which they generously donated specialized running chairs to other individuals with disabilities.. They champion the synergy of inclusivity and competitiveness, aspiring for greater recognition of duo divisions in other endurance races and athletic competitions. In this conversation, Brendan, Shamus, and Shaun discuss their Boston Marathon experiences, the invaluable role of family support, and their collaboration with Ainsley's Angels, an organization facilitating partnerships between able-bodied runners and individuals with disabilities. They also share their aspirations for the future and their dedication to effecting positive change within their community.

Episode 50 Takeaways

• Shaun and Shamus recently ran their first Boston Marathon together after qualifying with a time of 02:59:00.
• The duo has completed two transcontinental runs, during which they donated running chairs to children with disabilities.
• They believe that inclusivity and competitiveness can coexist, and hope to see more recognition for duo divisions in races.
• Shaun and Shamus are involved with Ainsley's Angels, an organization that promotes inclusion in endurance sports.
• They have future goals of continuing to participate in races and making their community more inclusive.
• Their book, available on Amazon and AinsleysAngels.org, shares their story and supports Ainsley's Angels.

Episode 50 Chapters

00:00- Introduction: Shaun and Shamus Evans

08:17- The Power of Positivity and Perseverance

14:57- Inclusivity and Competitiveness: A Winning Combination

29:42- Ainsley's Angels: Promoting Inclusion

36:05- The Boston Marathon Experience

42:09- Closing Remarks and Congratulations