In this conversation, Nick Mayhugh shares his inspiring journey of overcoming the challenges posed by cerebral palsy, his experiences with seizures, and the impact of his diagnosis on his athletic career. He discusses the importance of mental resilience, the support from family and coaches, and his transition from soccer to track. Nick reflects on his success at the Tokyo Paralympics, the advocacy work he is passionate about, and his aspirations for the future. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the significance of believing in oneself and the power of sharing one's story to inspire others.

takeaways

• Nick's journey with cerebral palsy shaped his identity.

• The importance of mental resilience in overcoming challenges.

• Auras are a significant part of Nick's experience with seizures.

• Support from family and coaches was crucial in Nick's development.

• Transitioning from soccer to track was a pivotal moment in Nick's career.

• Nick's success in Tokyo was a culmination of hard work and determination.

• Advocacy for disability awareness is a key focus for Nick.

• The impact of societal perceptions on individuals with disabilities.

• Nick's story inspires others facing similar challenges.

• The importance of believing in oneself despite external doubts.

Chapters: (00:00) The Seizure That Changed Nick's Life (02:07) What's Your Story? Nick's Origins With Undiagnosed Cerebral Palsy (03:51) Being Told He'd Never Play Soccer Again (05:00) Growing Up Without Knowing He Had a Disability (06:49) The Childhood Symptoms No One Believed (08:43) Seeing the Brain Scan for the First Time (10:26) Accepting the Reality of His Condition (12:27) Understanding Auras & Out-of-Body Experiences (14:09) Hiding His Condition and Fear of Being Bullied (16:15) From Injuries to Losing His College Scholarship (18:35) The Moment He Thought His Dreams Were Over (20:42) Depression, Auras, and Teaching Himself to Cope (23:08) Support From Family & Rebuilding His Mindset (25:23) Why Sleep, Travel & Triggers Mattered for His Health (27:35) Taking Control as a Professional Athlete (29:50) Training Beside NFL Pros & Learning to Be a Pro (31:08) Earning His Spot: The First Job Is Getting a Lane (32:14) Choosing Track Over Soccer (34:26) The Mindset Shift From "Wanting To" to "Going To" (36:04) The Hardest Six Months: Re-Learning How to Run (39:41) Tokyo Paralympics: World Records & Running Injured (42:01) Chaos, Weather & Logistical Challenges in Tokyo (44:02) Giving the Graduation Speech at His Alma Mater (46:25) The Hidden Battles: Disability No One Sees (48:45) "It's Okay to Not Be Okay": Finding Purpose After Medals (50:53) Fighting the Paralympic Classification System (52:56) How Nick Made the Entire Division Faster (55:09) Why the System Is Failing the Next Generation (57:24) Speaking Out Despite the Personal Cost (59:22) Using His Platform Beyond Sports (01:01:01) Nick's Superpower: Mindset, Reaction, Resilience