In this conversation, Joslynn Bigelow, a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and advocate for adaptive sports, discusses her journey and experiences in the disability community. Throughout her life and career, Joslynn has been involved in adaptive sports programs like Top Soccer and Special Olympics, where she would be awarded the third annual ADAPTandTHRIVE Disability Award, which recognizes an individual who is making an impact in the lives of adaptive soccer players. Bigelow earned the honor for her work with Down Syndrome Sports of America, where she helped develop the soccer pathway for adaptive athletes and serves as head coach of the organization’s Futsal National Team, as well as for her over decade-long commitment to TOPSoccer and the Special Olympics. In this conversation, Brendan and Joslynn discuss the application of behavior analysis principles in coaching and the significance of language and communication in disability sports. They cover the census and tracking of participation in disability soccer programs, discussing ideas for the creation of an interactive map to help players find disability soccer programs. They discuss the challenges faced in building the map and the lessons learned from the process while touching on the transition to entrepreneurship, choosing projects, and making fitness more accessible for people with disabilities. 

Episode 39 Takeaways

• Behavior analysis principles can be applied in coaching to shape behavior and create positive and motivating environments for athletes with disabilities.
• Language and communication are important considerations in disability sports, and it is essential to use person-first language and be mindful of individual preferences and identities. Etiquette and communication play a crucial role in interacting with individuals with disabilities.
• Tracking participation and conducting a census are important for disability soccer programs to assess their impact and plan for the future.
• An interactive map can be a valuable tool for connecting players with disability soccer programs and improving accessibility. While building the map and gathering information can be challenging, it is essential for creating a comprehensive resource.
• Transitioning to entrepreneurship allows for more flexibility and the ability to choose projects that align with personal interests.
• Making fitness more accessible for people with disabilities requires representation, consistency, and exposure.

Episode 39 Chapters

00:00- Introduction and Background

01:12- First Introduction to Disability and Adaptive Sports

03:09- Positive Experiences in Special Olympics

05:16- Creating a More Receptive and Understanding Youth

07:07- Facilitating Inclusion through Unified Sports

08:02- Involvement with Special Olympics and Unified Sports

09:08- Educational Background and Career Path

10:15- Recognition and Awards

13:05- Focus on Collaboration and Serving the Disability Community

15:56- Future Goals and Initiatives

19:16- Extended National Teams and Membership

23:13- Creating Inclusive Programs and Pathways

30:09- Applying Behavior Analysis to Coaching

36:22- Language and Communication in Disability Sports

41:23- Developing US Soccer's Modern Language Document

Dr. Scott McNamara discusses his background in adaptive physical education (APE) and the challenges faced in promoting inclusion in physical education, emphasizing the importance of diverse options and autonomy in inclusive fitness environments. Brendan and Scott explore the barriers to better health and fitness for people with disabilities, breaking down the attitudinal and structural systems that hinder universal accessibility. Additionally, Scott discusses barriers to accessible physical activity, his current research interests, the research to practice gap, the new master's program in adapted physical education at UNH, evaluating the efficacy of educational curriculum, characteristics of a good podcast, and increasing accessibility in fitness.

Learn more about UNH's Adapted Physical Education Program.

Episode 38 Takeaways

• Options and autonomy are crucial in creating inclusive fitness environments.
• Attitudinal and structural barriers are the biggest challenges to better health and fitness for people with disabilities. Access and awareness are key to addressing these barriers.
• Inclusion should be defined as a sense of belonging and acceptance, rather than just the presence of people with and without disabilities in the same space.
• Collaboration between administrators, APE teachers, and other professionals is essential for a healthy educational ecosystem in a school setting. People with disabilities often face societal barriers that limit their access to physical activity.
• The new master's program in Adapted Physical Education at UNH aims to provide students with hands-on experience and engagement in research.
• Evaluating the efficacy of educational curriculum requires student feedback, job placement outcomes, and reflection.
• Increasing accessibility in fitness requires knowledge dissemination, representation of people with disabilities in leadership positions, and representation in sports and physical activity.

Episode 38 Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Podcasting

02:17 - Background and Interest in Adaptive PE

05:11 - Exposure to Disabilities and Adaptive PE

08:05 - Inclusion in Undergraduate PE Curriculum

11:13 - Marginalization of Physical Education

12:16 - Role of Administrators in Physical Education

18:34 - Choosing a Career Path in APE, PT, or OT

21:44 - Defining Inclusion

26:18 - Critique of Inclusive Fitness Model

30:17 - Creating Inclusive Fitness Environments

38:27 - Options and Autonomy in Inclusive Fitness

44:08 - Barriers to Inclusive Fitness

49:44 - Barriers to Accessible Physical Activity

50:02 - Current Research Interests

53:22 - Research to Practice Gap

56:09 - Master's Program in Adapted Physical Education

57:33 - Evaluating Efficacy of Educational Curriculum

01:00:09 - Characteristics of a Good Podcast

01:04:33 - Increasing Accessibility in Fitness

In this episode, Dr. Jackie Hillios, co-founder and Deputy Executive Director of the Phoenix, discusses the importance of community in addiction recovery and the need for a shift in the treatment approach. The Phoenix is an organization that uses fitness and community to support individuals in recovery, and has expanded to become a global organization focused on creating conducive recovery communities. Dr. Hillios is an active public speaker who enthusiastically shares what she has learned from developing and scaling the Phoenix's healing community model. In 2013, Jacki presented Transcending Addiction and Redefining Recovery at TEDx Boulder. Her talk has been watched by nearly a million people and is being shared in university classrooms across the country. In this conversation, Jacki highlights the role of psychological safety in healing and explores the evolution of language in addiction terminology and the impact of partnerships in music and innovation. She shares personal experiences and memorable moments from the Phoenix community, emphasizing the transformative power of connection and support. The following themes emerged from the conversation: creating psychological safety and community connection, supporting employment through volunteering, expanding the Phoenix community, innovations in technology and virtual programming, and making fitness more accessible through psychological safety.

Download the Phoenix app and learn more about the organization.

Takeaways

• Community is essential in addiction recovery, providing support, connection, and a sense of belonging.
• Psychological safety is crucial for healing, allowing individuals to be vulnerable and take risks in a safe environment.
• Language plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of addiction, and person-first language helps reduce stigma.
• Partnerships in music and innovation can create opportunities for healing and support in the recovery journey.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Phoenix and Dr. Jackie Helios

03:08 - Challenges in Addiction Treatment and the Need for Community Approach

08:20 - Defining Addiction and the Importance of Community

13:58 - The Phoenix: A Sober, Active Community

14:09 - Comparison with Alcoholics Anonymous and the Evolution of Recovery

19:11 - The Role of Peer Professionals and the Power of Community

23:03 - The Role of Psychological Safety in Healing

27:01 - Addressing Stigma and Changing the Narrative

29:11 - Misconceptions about Addiction

31:35 - Volunteers and Inclusivity in the Phoenix Community

33:24 - Training and Etiquette for Phoenix Volunteers

35:37 - Language and the Evolution of Addiction Terminology

37:31 - Maintaining Quality and Expanding Partnerships

38:15 - Partnerships in Music and Innovation

42:05 - The Influence of Culture and Stress on Substance Use

43:26 - The Journey to Becoming a Clinician

45:44 - Breaking the Cycle: Overcoming Family Influences

47:35 - Creating Impactful Moments in the Phoenix Community

48:21 - Creating Psychological Safety and Community Connection

51:09 - Supporting Employment through Volunteering

52:48 - Expanding the Phoenix Community

55:39 - Innovations in Technology and Virtual Programming

58:18 - Making Fitness More Accessible through Psychological Safety

In this episode, Tommy Trout, an award-winning leader in the inclusive fitness space, discusses his motivations for creating inclusive fitness programs and the benefits of inclusive gym environments for trainers, adaptive athletes, and nondisabled individuals alike. Throughout the episode, Tommy emphasizes the need for gyms to adapt and tailor their services to meet the needs of people with disabilities while making an active effort to serve all populations of individuals seeking fitness opportunities. Tommy and Brendan also discuss the role of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia and explore the challenges of attracting talent to nonprofits and the strange set of rules that the nonprofit industry functions under. They also delve into the topics of gatekeeping, critiques, and incentives for change while highlighting the need for fitness facilities and professionals to break out of echo chambers and communicate directly with individuals with disabilities. 

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn.

Episode 36 Takeaways:

• Inclusive fitness programs can provide a sense of community and social benefits for people with disabilities.
• Gyms have an incentive to become more inclusive and accessible as it can attract a larger consumer base.
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia provides funding for people with disabilities to choose their own supports and services.
• Balancing multiple projects and goals requires letting go and allowing the brand to thrive independently. Nonprofits face challenges in attracting talent due to the allure of higher-paying jobs in other sectors and are often limited by the niche guidelines for nonprofit functioning.
• Gatekeeping and an echo chamber mentality can hinder progress in inclusion and accessibility.
• Critiques and shaming are not effective in driving change; open and respectful conversations are more productive.
• Direct communication with individuals with disabilities is crucial for understanding their needs and perspectives in any given setting or environment.

Episode 36 Chapters:

00:00- Introduction to Inclusive Fitness

01:01- Motivations for Inclusive Fitness

03:06- Creating Inclusive Gym Environments

04:43- The Benefits of Inclusive Fitness

06:10- Should Programs for People with Disabilities be Free?

08:00- Incentives for Gyms to be Inclusive

09:28- Accessibility and Inclusion in Gyms

10:46- Understanding Support Needs

13:24- The Importance of Soft Skills in Inclusive Fitness

17:27- Defining Inclusion

23:51- The Role of NDIS in Australia

28:24- Transitioning from WeFlex to Inclusive AF

31:04- Balancing Multiple Projects and Goals

35:16- Letting Go and Allowing the Brand to Thrive

39:02- Branding and Consulting with Inclusive AF

40:05- Doing Good for a Business vs Making Money

41:37- Attracting Talent to Nonprofits

42:02- Weird Rules in the Nonprofit Industry

42:48- Gatekeeping and Inclusion

43:49- Critiques and Incentives for Change

44:33- Having Conversations and Providing Advice

45:04- The Importance of Meaning Behind Words

46:14- Different Perspectives on Language

47:18- Echo Chambers and Direct Communication

48:17- Being a Platform for Others

49:54- Making Fitness More Accessible

51:02- Learning and Growing in the Field

52:00- Including the Voice of Customers

52:38- Where to Find Tommy Trout

In this episode, Ken Walsh shares his remarkable journey of overcoming a challenging upbringing, a history of addiction, and mental health struggles to find strength and recovery through fitness and therapy. In their conversation, Brendan and Ken address the role of childhood trauma in addiction and mental illness, and the ways in which our society stigmatizes invisible disability. Ken discusses many of the factors that differentiate those who make it out of difficult environments which, for many, is defined by seeking help and support. He also highlights the power of vulnerability and sharing one's story to reduce stigma and inspire others. Ken encourages the audience to find a balance between self-care and responsibilities, and to seek professional help when needed- the steps are essential in creating safe spaces for mental health, changing the conversation on mental health,  and making fitness more accessible and inclusive.

Episode 35 Takeaways

• Childhood trauma is a significant predictor of addiction and mental illness in adulthood.
• Vulnerability and sharing one's story can reduce stigma and inspire others.
• Finding a balance between self-care and responsibilities is crucial for overall well-being.
• Seeking professional help and support is essential for recovery and personal growth. Safe spaces should be created for individuals with mental health issues, not just physical disabilities.
• Fitness communities, like CrossFit, can provide a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals with mental health struggles.
• It is important to change the conversation around mental health and remember individuals for how they lived, not just how they died.
• Speaking engagements can have a powerful impact on raising awareness and promoting understanding of mental health.

Episode 35 Chapters

00:00- Introduction

01:04- Challenging Upbringing

05:27- Factors Differentiating Success

07:34- Turning Point

12:34- Impact on Family

17:06- Motivation to Change

24:53- Sharing the Story

32:45- Work and Addiction

36:06- Pressure and Guilt

40:25- Finding Clarity and Perspective

44:37- Balancing Self-Care and Responsibilities

45:06- Medication and Treatment

46:04- Creating Safe Spaces for Mental Health

48:13- The Importance of Community in Fitness

53:37- Changing the Conversation on Mental Health

56:42- The Impact of Speaking Engagements

01:03:10- Making Fitness More Accessible and Inclusive

Enzo Caruso, an expert in haptic technology and the Head of Business and Operations at Haptic, joins Brendan to discuss the revolutionary capabilities of touch-based feedback and its potential to improve accessibility and inclusion. He explains the concept of haptic technology and its applications in various industries, exploring Haptic’s journey from the development of their first product, Waybands, to their current focus on software licensing. Enzo and Brendan highlight the universal benefits of haptic technology and its potential to enhance safety and awareness for all users, and they discuss the challenges and opportunities in haptic navigation, the rebranding of WearWorks to Haptic, and Enzo’s personal involvement with the company. He shares insights into investing in early-stage startups and the future trajectory of Haptic. Enzo explores new use cases for haptic technology, such as navigating gyms, and discusses the barriers to adoption and protection of haptic technology. 

Learn More and Download HapticNav

Episode 34 Takeaways

• Haptic technology utilizes touch-based feedback to improve accessibility and inclusion and has applications in various industries, including navigation, ride-sharing, and event venues.
• Haptic technology benefits all users, not just those with visual impairments.
• The adoption of haptic technology faces challenges, such as the need for awareness and integration into existing systems.
• Haptic Nav is the primary software for users to experience haptic technology.

Episode 34 Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Haptic Technology

03:12 - The Journey of Haptic Technology

06:51 - Expanding Haptic Technology to Other Industries

08:40 - The Universal Benefits of Haptic Technology

11:13 - Challenges and Opportunities in Haptic Navigation

14:49 - Rebranding from WearWorks to Haptic

17:15 - Enzo's Involvement with Haptic

19:24 - Investing in Haptic and Determining Investment Opportunities

20:41 - The Future of Haptic in the Next Five Years

23:34 - Exploring New Use Cases for Haptic Technology

26:52 - Barriers to Adoption and Protection of Haptic Technology

27:17 - Primary Haptic Software for Users

28:22 - Resistance and Reception from the Visual Impairment Community

30:08 - Haptic Technology in Gyms and Indoor Navigation

32:44 - Exciting Developments in the Next Year for Haptic

34:37 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In this episode, Brendan is joined by John and Mark Cronin, the father-son team behind John's Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. They bootstrapped their business into the world's largest sock store with multimillion dollar revenue, which led to them being recognized with the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award. John and Mark are fierce advocates for inclusion and have testified twice before the US Congress and spoken at the United Nations. They are sought after keynote speakers, have recorded two TEDx talks, and are frequent guests on network television. Throughout this conversation, Brendan, John, and Mark share and exchange insights on starting a business and balancing product variety with scalability, and discuss the profitability of inclusion and the positive impact it has on the workforce.To learn more about John and Mark’s journey as entrepreneurs, visit the link below.

John’s Crazy Socks

More on John and Mark’s Mission

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnscrazysocks 

Twitter: JCS: https://twitter.com/JohnsCrazySocks 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnscrazysocks/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Johnscrazysocks/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnscrazysocks 

Takeaways

• Inclusion is not just an altruistic decision, but a profitable one.
• Businesses should focus on creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Companies can benefit from hiring individuals with different abilities and providing accommodations.
• Legislative changes are needed to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, such as raising the asset limits for social security income.
• Collaborations and partnerships with other businesses and organizations can help promote inclusion and spread awareness.

Chapters

00:00- Introduction to John's Crazy Socks

03:00- Starting a Business and Choosing a Product

05:36- Balancing Product Variety and Scalability

07:16- Inclusive Practices and Structure of the Business

08:27- The Five Pillars of John's Crazy Socks

13:11- Advocacy and Giving Back

16:22- The Profitability of Inclusion

19:57- Companies Setting the Standard for Inclusion

22:21- Challenges with Social Security Income Levels

24:52- Advocating for Legislative Changes

27:10- The Impact of Special Olympics

28:46- Collaborations with Other Companies

33:07- Lessons Learned and Goals for the Future

37:51- Making Health and Fitness More Accessible

41:07- Conclusion and Where to Find John's Crazy Socks

In this episode, Brendan is joined by Tom Otis, a researcher and academic in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, discusses the latest advancements in understanding and treating conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He explains the genetic basis of these diseases and the potential of CRISPR technology in developing targeted therapies. Tom emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and patient advocacy in driving progress in the field. He also highlights the role of physical activity in maintaining overall health and its potential impact on neurological diseases. Overall, Tom's work aims to improve the lives of individuals affected by these conditions and bring about transformative therapies.

To learn more about Tom's work and his current endeavors as the Chief Scientific Officer at Lario Therapeutics and as a Professor  in Neuroscience at University College London, visit the links below:

More About Tom

Tom's Work

Takeaways

• Advancements in genetics have greatly contributed to our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and the development of targeted therapies. Interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates is essential for making progress in understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
• Patient advocacy and awareness play a crucial role in driving research and development in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Physical activity and rehabilitation are important components in managing and improving the quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions.

Chapters

00:00- Introduction

01:16- Overview of Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia (SCA) and ALS

03:56- The Impact of CRISPR on Genomic Research

05:18- Motivation to Study Neurodegenerative Diseases

07:23- Challenges in Identifying Genetic Causes of Neurodegenerative Diseases

08:33- Advances in Genetics and Precision Medicine

10:17- Current Treatments and Therapies for ALS

13:55- Research on ALS and Genetic Subsets

14:31- The Link Between Repeated Head Trauma and Neurodegenerative Diseases

16:24- Collaboration with Researchers in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

17:40- The Importance of Patient Advocacy and Awareness

20:43- Interdisciplinary Work in Neurodegenerative Diseases

23:42- Challenges in Disseminating Information and Selling Treatments

25:08- The Cost and Access to Pharmaceuticals

27:40- The Nature of Ataxias and Current Treatments

28:19- The Role of Public Advocacy and Awareness in Rare Diseases

30:18- The Work of a Neuroscientist and Opportunities in the Field

34:43- Understanding Ataxia and its Manifestation

In this episode, Wyatt Spalding, a Special Olympics athlete and podcast host, shares his journey and experiences living with Cerebral Palsy. Wyatt discusses the various medical challenges and procedures that he faced while growing up and the ways that he was able to discover sports and fitness during these times. He discusses his involvement in Special Olympics and the impact it has had on his life, as it provided him with opportunities to pursue competitive athletics and connect with his peers. Wyatt also talks about his relationship with his twin brother and the challenges that they have faced together, emphasizing the importance of their relationship in his adolescence. This episode also addresses the common misconceptions about disability and highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusion in fitness. Wyatt greatly encourages open conversations about the role of disability in adolescence and development, as Wyatt's lived experiences provide the audience with valuable context to the imperativeness of holistic inclusion.

Use the links below to listen to Wyatt's three podcast channels and to learn more about his experiences in adaptive fitness:

Brave in the Attempt:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-in-the-attempt/id1680563973

Be Unexpected:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-unexpected/id1643539234

Spalding Brothers Show:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spalding-brothers-show/id1724094964

Episode 31 Takeaways:

• Special Olympics provides unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete and excel in sports at a highly competitive level. For Wyatt, Special Olympics opened doors for Wyatt to compete for Team USA with his twin brother on their Unified Basketball Team, an experience that epitomized the powerful impact of inclusive fitness.
• Adaptive athletics should not be solely portrayed as a recreational form of inclusion- many of these sporting events and competitions feature athletes competing at an elite level. Many adaptive athletes train and strive for success while pursuing their respective sports, an idea that counters many of the normative stereotypes formed about disability and fitness.
• Medical adversity is not only physically taxing, but can be emotionally and mentally draining for many individuals. Finding outlets, such as fitness and sports, can play a key role in one's ability to cope with and fully recover from such challenges.
• Transparent marketing and messaging from fitness centers is key in the clear communication of their facilities intentions and inclusivity, and creates a more accessible environment.

Episode 31 Chapters:

00:00- Introduction and Background

04:04- Involvement in Special Olympics

09:05- Impact of Special Olympics

13:16- Competitiveness in Special Olympics

17:23- Relationship with Twin Brother

19:52- Memorable Sporting Experiences

20:10- Preparation for Podcasting

22:42- Overcoming Adversity

28:29- Future Goals

34:36- Misconceptions about Disability

37:53- Accessibility and Inclusion in Fitness

42:44- Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode, Brendan Aylward is joined by Dustin Giannelli, a deaf motivational speaker and advocate for inclusion and accessibility. They discuss the importance of having conversations about disability, creating an inclusive environment, and the imperativeness of accessibility for those with hearing impairments. Dustin shares his experiences in sports and how his hearing loss has impacted him both positively and negatively. They also talk about Dustin's transition to a career in public speaking, the challenges he has faced, and the need for self-promotion and advocacy. The conversation concludes with a discussion on making fitness more accessible and the importance of considering accessibility in gym design.

Visit Dustin's Website

View Dustin's Instagram

Episode 30 Takeaways

• Having conversations about disability is crucial for creating an inclusive environment.
• Captions play a significant role in accessibility and should be considered in various settings.
• Innovation and accommodations in sports can provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate and excel.
• Self-promotion and advocacy are important for success in any career.
• Improving accessibility in fitness facilities can make fitness more inclusive for everyone.

Episode 30 Chapters

00:00- Introduction and Podcast Setup

01:10- Introducing Dustin Giannelli

03:12- Advocating for Inclusion and Accessibility

06:23- Having Conversations about Disability

08:23- Universal Design and Accessibility

09:20- The Importance of Captions

10:14- Different Types of Captions

12:28- Creating an Inclusive Environment

14:36- Understanding Deafness and Disability

16:20- Choosing Lip Reading over Sign Language

18:11- Advantages and Disadvantages in Sports

20:31- Innovation and Accommodations in Sports

22:56- Transitioning to a Career in Speaking

25:31- Promoting and Advocating for Yourself

28:22- Building Relationships and Partnerships

30:29- Making Presentations Motivational and Actionable

32:53- Challenges and Failures in the Journey

35:48- Disability Simulations and Etiquette

39:14- Embracing the Term 'Disabled'

42:20- Highlights and Opportunities

44:42- Making Fitness More Accessible

46:02- Improving Accessibility in Gyms

47:29- Closing Remarks