In this episode we welcome a visually impaired swimmer from Norway, Thea! Thea is attending the University of Arizona as apart of their adaptive athletics program. How does it work? How do you move across the world for sport? What is it like moving forward when you can't see what's ahead? Tune in to hear her perspective and learn all about her story!!

Thea's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealokebo/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/
MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

Most athletes have dreams of reaching the top. Yaseen El-Demerdash turned that journey into a movement; creating Ripple Effect Foundation to make sports more accessible, inclusive, and impactful beyond the pool.

He reveals how a chance to give back after his Paralympic debut sparked a journey that’s now transforming communities, supporting underserved athletes, and bridging the gap between grassroots and elite sports He also discusses the importance of supporting underrepresented communities, the value of science-backed programs, and how collaboration with Olympic athletes is elevating adaptive sports.

Dive in to discover how one athlete’s drive can ripple outward and create waves of opportunity for many.

Ripple Affect: https://rippleaffectinc.org/

RA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rippleaffectinc/

Yaseen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaseen_eld/

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/
MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

We are thrilled for this week's episode with the newly announced, 2026 USA Powerlifting coach of the year, Abbey Phillipson! From creating the first collegiate adaptive lift program to founding the Collagen Advocacy Network, Abbey's story shows us how important it is to challenge the statues quo and rewrite the rules of strength. (Because fitness is a human right!)

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

Abbey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeyphillipson/
Collagen Advocacy Network: https://collagenadvocacynetwork.org/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

In this episode, we bring to you Norwegian para swimmer, Gabriel Steen. Gabriel's journey is unique as he has faced numerous trials and setbacks in his mission to the Paralympic stage. What does it mean to get classed out? How does one even begin to process getting told they're not "disabled enough?" But beyond that, how important is community regardless?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

Gabriel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriel.ste1/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

We are very excited to have an international swimmer on the podcast today!! Roisin, a fellow S13 swimmer, has made massive waves on the international stage. We have loved getting to know her on the pool deck and are so excited for you to get to know her now!

Do you know how Irish para swimming works? Have you ever experienced a science lab as a visually impaired person? Have you ever wondered what its like to race in different communities and have to show up differently?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

Roisin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roisinniriain1/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

We are coming at you with a very special one for you this week! In this episode, we take turns interviewing one another with questions you guys submitted on our Instagram. While a lot of the conversation drifted from the original questions, we are excited to bring you really authentic conversations about what is going on in our lives and what the future is looking like!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Optical Delusion
• 19:58 Preparing for Reclassification
• 25:05 Admiration and Empathy
• 30:19 Medical Challenges and Resilience
• 38:02 Journey to the United States
• 47:57 Paralympics vs. Special Olympics
• 57:55 Overcoming Challenges

Today we are so excited to share another new and unique perspective from 2012 Paralympic swimmer, Anna Johannes!!

The conversation delves into the evolution of Paralympic sports coverage and support as Anna has recently become a co-founder of the media collective, Culxtured. We also explore the nuances of disability and impairment, shedding light on the diverse experiences and challenges faced during the transition from competitive sports to post-competition life.

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

Anna's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/anna_f_johannes/

Culxtured:https://www.instagram.com/culxtured/

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of Paralympic Sports Coverage
• 20:40 The Nuances of Disability and Impairment
• 36:11 Challenges of Post-Competition Transition
• 49:00 Navigating Disability in the Corporate World

This episode includes an interview with Kendall Gretsch, a six-time Paralympian, covering her experiences in both the summer and winter games, as well as her recent achievements at the 2026 Milan Cortina games!!

The conversation delves into the complexities of the Paralympic Games, shedding light on the challenges and intricacies involved. It also highlights the diversity of Paralympic athletes and Kendall's unique experience she brings as a multi-sport athlete competing in both the summer and winter games!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

MERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

Kendall's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.gretsch/

Chapters

• 00:00 Interview with Kendall Gretsch
• 18:58 The Paralympic Games Selection Process
• 32:34 Diversity of Paralympic Athletes
• 37:51 Community and Support
• 47:19 Paralympic Movement

We are so thrilled to bring in our first wheelchair basketball athlete, Lindsey Zurbrugg! Lindsey has a wide range of accolades from her time on Team USA to coaching the University of Alabama's women's team to national championship titles. Lindsey shares her experiences as an elite athlete, coach, and nutritionist, highlighting the importance of teamwork, training, and the impact of disabilities on daily life. The conversation covers a range of topics including personal experiences, unexpected life events, and the importance of advocacy and education.

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

Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpticalDelusionPod

Lindsey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butcherbabe12/

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Paralympic Sports
• 17:23 The Numbers Game of Qualification
• 23:29 Nutrition and Coaching Journey
• 32:42 Training and Team Dynamics
• 38:02 The Impact of Disabilities
• 44:19 Personal Growth and Opportunities

We are SO excited for today's episode with our dream guests, Matthew and Paul Castle!! While not Paralympic athletes, this duo brings a unique perspective as creatives and social media figures.

Paul's diagnosis is one that has changed his life, but is not slowing him down AT ALL. This conversation dives into his growth and journey through disability and the relationship the two of them have. Literally grinning ear to ear this whole episode and cannot wait for you to hear it!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

Merch: https://opticaldelusionpod.etsy.com

Matthew & Paul: https://www.instagram.com/matthewandpaul/

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 10:43 Honest Conversations About Disability and Identity
• 23:59 Understanding Different Disabilities
• 37:49 The Role of Their Guide Dog, Mr. Maple
• 53:52 The Art of Pranking
• 01:01:24 Perceptions of People with Disabilities