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A tech hiccup tries to shut us down, and we answer with the story that started everything: two friends who met at Challenge Aspen, found a shared language on the mountain, and built a creative life that refuses to shrink to fit. The real co-host finally steps into the spotlight as we trace the arc from a purple walker on a snowy day to a 28-year friendship that powers books, interviews, and a podcast that became much more than a side project.

We talk about what Challenge Aspen does so well—adaptive skiing, year-round access, and a culture that treats disability as a reason to participate, not opt out. That space shaped how we work today: clear communication, calculated risk, and celebrating small wins that add up to big momentum. You’ll hear how a single book release led to microphones, an unexpected full-time gig, and a co-creator who moved from assistant to on-air partner to author. The theme beneath it all is practical resilience: start where you are, build community, and let feedback guide the next step.

We also go candid on health. Corticosteroid injections are on deck to calm hip and leg pain, with sedation to keep CP from complicating the procedure. We unpack the reality of C diff and why a fecal microbiota transplant might be the exit ramp after brutal rounds of antibiotics. There’s straightforward talk about Botox for spasticity, nerve blocks, and the admin slog of joint consultations, plus the mindset that keeps us steady: advocate clearly, escalate care in sequence, and rest without quitting. If you’re navigating disability, chronic illness, or just a hard season, you’ll find tools you can use and a friendship that models staying power.

If this story moves you, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your support keeps this community strong and the conversation going.

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A quiet “wow” turned into a hard-earned milestone: 200,000 downloads. We share the win, then get practical about what comes next—two new shows taking shape, a tighter calendar as school begins, and the real work of staying creative while managing complex care. If you’ve ever juggled ambition with recovery, this one will feel close to the bone.

We unpack the purpose behind a new writing podcast grounded in disability perspective—interviews with authors who navigate craft, access, and the messy middle of making books when your energy and pain fluctuate. We also lay out updates on our mental health series, explaining how we design conversations around simple tools, clear language, and routines that stick. On the logistics side, transportation becomes a key theme: the vehicle application, specialist coordination, and why mobility changes everything from clinic visits to recording days. It’s the unglamorous work that makes the creative work possible.

Health updates are candid and specific. We walk through the latest Botox plan for right-leg spasticity, why the left leg waited, and a follow-up window that may include dose changes and a nerve block. There’s an infectious disease visit aimed at slowing recurrent C. diff, plus a pain management approach that pairs Botox with consistent physical therapy and careful tracking of what actually helps. We keep the conversation grounded in function—less tightness, better sleep, more minutes of ease—so progress has a shape you can feel. With a co-host travel window coming up, expect a mix of joint recordings, solo check-ins, and a few author interviews to keep the momentum moving.

If this mix of honesty, craft, and practical care resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find us. What author or topic should we tackle first? Your suggestions guide the next round of conversations.

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A small “oops” turned into a loud yes. After years of writing through grief, learning by doing, and tapping a purple button that opened a world of audio, we’re launching a show built around one conviction: the craft of writing should be accessible, adaptable, and welcoming to every body. We explore how a tribute to a mother grew into “I, Win,” how strangers used that book to understand cerebral palsy, and why accessibility tools—speech dictation, AAC devices, and iPad-first workflows—aren’t just accommodations; they’re engines for consistent, high-quality creative work.

We dig into the origin story behind “Ask Win,” the mentorship and inspiration we drew from Joanna Penn’s journey into indie publishing, and the gentle shove that came from an accidental $75 podcast hosting purchase. That nudge became a commitment to bring practical, lived guidance to writers navigating disability: how to outline by voice, dictate clean drafts, tame editing without burnout, and design a marketing plan you can sustain. You’ll hear how we plan to release episodes twice a week, invite guests with diverse backgrounds, and keep craft at the center while highlighting real tools and workflows that lower friction and raise output.

If you care about writing but your hands, energy, or time don’t fit traditional routines, this is your space. We’ll share lessons on discoverability, indie publishing strategies, and mindful productivity, plus stories from authors who prove that access unlocks artistry. Come for the tactics, stay for the momentum—and help shape what comes next by telling us what you want to learn. Subscribe, share with a friend who writes, and leave a review so more disabled creators and allies can find this conversation.

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A name can change a story—and this one changes ours for the better. Mind Over Her Heart is our commitment to clearer mental health conversations for women and the people who support them, with honest, lived insight into disability, care, and the systems we rely on. We share why the rebrand matters, how it sharpens our mission, and what you can expect from a new cadence: Tuesday and Thursday episodes, with guest conversations on Sundays.

We open with real life: tech hiccups, a raspy voice, and a bronchitis update that doesn’t silence the mic. From there, we go deep into cerebral palsy, unpacking spastic ataxia in plain language—what high muscle tone feels like, how contractures develop, and why metaphors like a “rubber band that won’t give” can help loved ones and clinicians understand. We also demystify Botox beyond beauty, exploring its role in managing migraines and spasticity, and how these decisions support daily function and long-term health. The goal is practical literacy: fewer myths, better conversations, kinder care.

Behind the scenes, we walk through the systems that make the show work. We’re partnering with editor Mark Ronick of I  Ronick Media, building community roots we’ve grown over 15 years in podcasting. We’ve moved our website to Podpage for a single, clean home with built-in players and discovery, and we’re hosting with Blubrry while noting when Buzzsprout or Libsyn may fit different needs. These choices aren’t shiny toys—they’re steady tools that keep the focus on what matters: accessible content, consistent releases, and a welcoming listener experience.

If you care about women’s mental health, disability education, and the practical side of care—from clinics to conference halls—you’re in the right place. Hit follow, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find Mind Over Her Heart. Your feedback shapes what we explore next.

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A routine Botox visit turned into a medical detour when my knee locked and the first diagnosis didn’t fit. What looked like a psoas issue revealed itself as a full-on contracture, and that single word changed everything—treatment, expectations, and the pace of healing. I walk through the exact timeline, what we think happened during the injection, and how a rare nerve hit can spiral into days of pain and weeks of rehab, even when the clinician is skilled and careful.

From there, we get practical. I break down how Botox actually helps spasticity in cerebral palsy, why tone management and physical therapy need to work together, and what a realistic plan for reversing a contracture looks like in the real world. Think gentle, sustained stretches, precise injection strategy, smart positioning, and progress measured in small, steady gains. I share what’s working—meds, heat, patient handling—and what isn’t, including the rehab missteps I’m not ready to detail publicly yet, but that taught me to ask better questions and push for the right label before the wrong protocol sets me back.

Life does not hit pause while bodies heal. I talk about making room for school starting October 23, the never-ending medical paperwork, and a bit of fun I’ve planned next month to remind myself that joy belongs in recovery too. If you’ve lived through misdiagnosis, spasticity, or rehab fatigue, you’ll find both the specifics and the mindset shifts here: get the name right, match the plan to the name, and give it time to work. Listen, then share your own recovery wins, hard lessons, or questions—we learn faster together.

If this resonated, follow the show, leave a quick review, and send the episode to someone who needs a little clarity and a lot of patience today.

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Exciting new beginnings are taking shape despite ongoing challenges! I've launched a women's mental health podcast called "A Heart Cup" (previously "She Is Her"), strategically renamed to improve discovery on Apple Podcasts. This new venture fills the extra time during my recovery period, with episodes dropping Mondays and Fridays and interviews conducted on Sundays. Don't worry - "A Winning Heart" remains my primary focus, and I'm being careful not to overwhelm my team (especially Danielle!) with too many simultaneous projects.

My physical recovery continues at its own pace. The leg is improving gradually but still has a way to go before full healing, which I'm hoping will happen by December. Yesterday was particularly difficult - one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong from morning onward. But today feels much better, reminding me that setbacks are temporary and resilience means moving forward despite occasional rough patches.

Alongside podcast development, I'm making my final attempt at completing a communications degree. This means navigating the familiar challenges of disability accommodations, gathering transcripts, and planning a two-hour meeting with the Office of Disabilities. I'm planning to complete coursework primarily using my iPad, which presents its own challenges (and frustrations about Apple's focus on expensive phones rather than affordable computers for students). Despite these obstacles, I'm determined to make it work this time around. Several interviews are lined up for upcoming episodes, so stay tuned for fresh content! Thank you for following along on this journey of recovery, education, and creative expansion - your support means everything.

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Michelle Choairy Wednesday, September 3, 2025

A Winning Heart: https://awinningheart.weebly.com. A Winning Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Winning Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. Please subscribe to She Is Her: https://she-is-her.pinecast.co. She Is Her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580318350164.

On A Winning Heart today (Wednesday, September 3, 2025), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Michelle Choairy. Michelle is a passionate advocate, speaker, and mentor dedicated to empowering parents of neurodivergent and complex kids. She is the founder of Wisdom 4 Complex Kids and creator of the THRIVE Framework, helping families navigate IEPs, medical systems, and advocacy with confidence. A proud mom to a child with a rare genetic disorder, Michelle brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work. She is the host of the Complex Kids, Simple Solutions podcast and co-host of The Mom Panel Podcast, where she shares tools, stories, and hope to help families thrive one step at a time. To learn more about Michelle visit https://michellechoairy.com/

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I'm finally moving in a positive direction with my recovery after breaking my hip in July and can transition from two caregivers down to just one starting next week.

• Struggled with having multiple caregivers in my home when I prefer one-on-one care
• Experienced frustrations at a five-star rated rehab facility that didn't understand how to work with my CP
• Making slow but steady progress with in-home PT, recently celebrated taking a shower independently
• Starting school in October after pushing back the date to allow more recovery time
• Using a specialized splint as part of my rehabilitation process
• Looking forward to Arizona's winter weather after the intense summer heat
• Planning to record solo podcast episodes while my co-host is on a Disney cruise

If you're going through recovery, remember that slow and steady wins the race, and it's important to advocate for the care that works best for your specific needs.

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Ever wondered what recovery from a serious leg injury actually looks like? Spoiler alert: it's not the relaxing downtime people imagine! After taking a fall on my birthday, I've been navigating the strange new world of limited mobility, specialized medical equipment, and the frustrating gap between what I want to accomplish and what my body currently allows.

My newest companion is something called a Dynasplint—a massive metal contraption with pulleys designed to gradually stretch my injured leg back to normal. For someone barely five feet tall, this imposing device feels like strapping a small car to my limb! The physical therapists want me wearing it six hours daily, which seems nearly impossible when I can barely manage one hour now. Between hopping on one leg, keeping the other elevated, and trying to build tolerance for this medieval-looking stretching device, each day brings new challenges and small victories.

Despite these obstacles, life doesn't pause for recovery. I'm preparing to start online classes at Grand Canyon University on September 18th, which means scrambling to submit transcripts and coordinate with the Office of Disabilities while managing my physical therapy regimen. My podcast "She Is Her" about mental disabilities continues, though I've had to adjust my publishing schedule to accommodate my new limitations. Recovery has taught me that adaptation isn't optional—it's essential.

The journey of healing rarely follows a straight line, but I'm determined to make progress on multiple fronts simultaneously. Maybe I'll write essays while wearing my Dynasplint—killing two birds with one stone! Have you faced similar challenges balancing recovery with life's ongoing demands? I'd love to hear your stories and strategies for turning obstacles into opportunities. Subscribe to follow my recovery journey and upcoming interviews that promise plenty of the "mess beyond mess" that makes life interesting!

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