Brave in the Attempt

Scott Hickle proudly represented Special Olympics Nebraska (SONE) at the Special Olympics USA Team Trials in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, competing as a swimmer with hopes of earning a spot on Team USA!

Scott shares what this incredible experience was like for him and how proud he is to represent Special Olympics Nebraska on the national stage.

In August, Scott also participated in the SONE Athlete Leadership Class in Kansas, where he had the opportunity to share his personal story and talk about the positive impact Special Olympics has had on his life.

In 2027, Scott will find out if he has earned a spot on Team USA and the opportunity to travel to Santiago, Chile, to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games!

We are so proud of Scott and everything he has accomplished. His dedication, hard work, and passion are truly inspiring. Join us in wishing Scott the best of luck as he continues working toward his dream! ❤️

Way to go, Scott! Nebraska is cheering you on! 🌟

On this episode we interviewed personal trainer max grim. max got involved with unified sports in high school but  impact of helping people with disabilities closes to home. having a younger brother with disability Max has seen the challenges  people with disabilities live with but also ways people with disabilities have adapt working around those challenges. . Working at Three Pillars Performance, Max has created a program called Adapt Fitness class for people with disabilities. Max wants to help people with disabilities and athletes in Special Olympics in general  He wants them to become stronger and more confident physically but also mentally as well. Listen to Max story of how he created adapt fitness. This class has not only made an impact on the Special Olympics athletes but on the coaches and members of Three Pillars' Performance. The adapt classes are Tuesday evenings 7-8pm Fridays 2-3pm and 6-7pm then High school session is Sundays 3-4pm contact max for more information  [email protected] 

On this episode, we interview Neal Mosser, who was an intern for Special Olympics Nebraska (SONE) this past summer. Neal shares what his experience was like working with SONE, from having his second week on the job be Summer Games to helping put on summer camps for athletes.

But Neal’s involvement with people with disabilities began even before his internship with SONE. During his senior year at Millard North High School, Neal worked as a para for one of the students. Through that experience, Neal built a strong friendship with the student and gained a deeper understanding of the impact that working with and supporting people with disabilities can have.

Neal talks about how these experiences have impacted him personally and why he encourages others to get to know the athletes, volunteer, and become involved with Special Olympics.

Alex Berry — UNL Unified Executive Team

Alex Berry, a member of the UNL Unified executive team, shares his story about how he got involved with Unified Sports.

Alex first discovered Unified Sports while volunteering at a Unified track meet in high school. That experience inspired him to become more involved with Unified when he got to college. When Alex arrived at University of Nebraska Lincoln, one of the first clubs he signed up for was UNL Unified.

Alex immediately loved how inclusive everyone was and the competitiveness that the athletes brought to every sport. He talks about how, even when he is having a rough day, going to UNL Unified always cheers him up. The athletes bring such positive attitudes every week, no matter what they may be going through in their personal lives.

Alex is now part of the UNL Unified executive committee, where he serves as the Outreach Director. In this role, Alex goes out into the community to recruit more athletes to join Unified and to inform other schools and programs about what UNL Unified is all about.

Alex and Wyatt also talk about how age doesn't matter when it comes to Unified. Athletes and Unified partners of all ages come together because of their love for sports and the feeling that they have found a place where they belong.

If you come to Unified, you'll see Alex there every week, bringing his passion, energy, and positive attitude to the program.

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Rubek, an intern with Special Olympics, to hear about his journey and the experiences that have made his time with the organization so meaningful.

Anthony shares what it was like getting started as an intern, from working at youth camps to jumping into his very first week during Special Olympics Nebraska’s biggest event, Summer Games. He talks about the excitement, challenges, and unforgettable moments that came with being part of such a major event.

Anthony also opens up about his experiences with Unified Sports and how being involved with Special Olympics has made a huge impact on his life. Through his work and involvement, he has gained new experiences, built meaningful connections, and discovered just how powerful inclusion, teamwork, and community can be.

Tune in to hear Anthony’s story, his perspective on Unified Sports, and why his experience with Special Olympics has become so important to him.

Episode Description

On this episode, we interview Northern California athlete Tommy Holleman. Tommy had the opportunity this summer to be part of the very first all-Special Olympics athlete journalism team at the Special Olympics USA Games!

 Tommy tells us about his journey to Special Olympics. Because of a diagnosis that wasn’t discovered until later in life, Tommy didn’t know he was eligible to participate in Special Olympics until high school. But even before high school, Tommy was familiar with Special Olympics from watching his older brother compete as an athlete.

Tommy shares how Special Olympics has helped him chase his dreams. Whether it’s playing sports, becoming a journalist, or acting, Tommy’s goals have always been big—and Special Olympics has helped him build confidence and grow every day, both in and out of competition.

Today, Tommy is a student at Sacramento State, where he is pursuing a degree in Journalism.

In this episode, we interview David Harkey. David shares what it was like growing up and how difficult it was because other kids were often mean to him. His life changed when he joined Special Olympics at the age of 10.

David talks about how Special Olympics taught him the importance of sportsmanship, self-confidence, and building lifelong friendships. He has seen Special Olympics grow from his childhood into adulthood, and he hasn't just witnessed that growth—he has helped make it happen.

As a dedicated leader, David has served as an advocate within the Special Olympics community. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and the life-changing impact of inclusion and opportunity.

In this episode, we sit down with Jane Elam, East Regional Director for Special Olympics, to discuss her inspiring journey as the Team Nebraska Track Coach and her unforgettable experience at the Special Olympics Games alongside her athletes.

Jane shares what it takes to prepare for competition, highlighting the months of dedication, determination, and teamwork as athletes train from January through June. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at the commitment these incredible athletes make and the life lessons they gain through sports.

We also explore Jane's lasting impact on inclusive athletics, including her role in hosting Nebraska's first Unified Camp event in 2014, a milestone that helped bring students with and without intellectual disabilities together through the power of sports.

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Harrinauth, an athlete leader from Northern California, whose inspiring journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and finding your voice.

Amanda didn't join Special Olympics until she was 28 years old, but her path to that moment was shaped by overcoming incredible challenges. Born with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and having undergone multiple eye surgeries throughout her life, Amanda refused to let adversity define her or limit her dreams.

She shares how acting became a creative outlet that helped build her confidence, her journey to earning a college degree, and the mentor who encouraged her to attend her first Special Olympics track meet—a decision that changed her life forever.

Amanda also talks about how Special Olympics empowered her to become a leader through Athlete Leadership programs and gave her the confidence to advocate for herself and others. She reflects on her experiences traveling to Michigan and being selected as one of just 10 athletes to serve on the Athlete Congress, representing Special Olympics on the road to the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.

This is a powerful conversation about perseverance, leadership, and the life-changing impact of believing in yourself and embracing new opportunities.

Haley Waggoner and Lisa Noble discuss the importance of athlete leadership and their roles in leading Athlete Leadership Councils. Lisa Noble is a prominent Special Olympics Global Athlete Leader, serving as the incoming Chair of the United States Athlete Leadership Council and as a member of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Athlete Advisory Council. Haley Waggoner serves as President of the Nebraska Athlete Leadership Council. Together, they share perspectives on athlete leadership at both the local and national levels. Their conversation highlights how athlete leadership gives athletes a meaningful voice within the Special Olympics movement, empowers self-advocacy, and creates opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and positive change throughout the organization.