Our Rights Podcast

Peter G Levine is a professor, clinical researcher,  and author of the book Stronger. His focus for more than twenty years has been brain plasticity and brain injury. Pete has been In the forefront of developing and testing many of the most innovative stroke neurorehabilitation recovery options including wearable robotics, constraint-induced therapy, and mental practice.

Gail Hamilton is an internationally-recognized motivational virtual and live speaker certified through the National Speakers Association, accomplished author Soaring into Greatness, a Blind Woman’s Vision to Live her Dreams and Fly, and a powerful singer who is totally blind. Many people allow their fears, negativities, and Self-blinding beliefs to stop them from experiencing life to the fullest. This is not the case with Gail. Gail motivates, facilitates, educates, and exhilarates her audiences, unlike any other speaker, … to fully open their eyes and change the way they see in order to live unstoppable, unforgettable, and unbelievable lives.   Gail has earned two Masters degrees, (voice and psychology) sang leading roles in two major opera productions La Boheme, and La Traviata, and was crowned Ms. Colorado Senior America and 4th-runner up in the national MSA pageant. Her soaring spirit has led Gail to build her former Habitat for Humanity home, to climb the historic 75-story Cydney Harbor bridge, and to partner with six spectacular Seeing Eye dogs. Her astounding experiences, immense knowledge and unparalleled determination have inspired thousands to live lives of vision, purpose and action. Gail believes if you change the way you see, you will change the way you live!

Jay Thomas Manuel is a fitness lover who plans to take over the fitness industry by showing that fitness goes beyond disability. He has a brittle bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, he has had over 200 fractures and 20+ surgeries. It also causes him to be short in stature, however with Jay’s outgoing personality, it has allowed him to fully embrace the cards he was dealt with. Outside of creating fitness related videos showing him do various workouts, he is a successful music producer who goes by the name of Mini Producer. He has worked thousands of independent artists and major artists all over the world. Jay is thankful for the support his inner circle provides him which includes his mentors, close friends and loved ones. Follow @rolloutfitness and @miniproducer to keep up with his journey!

Delmit had a spinal cord stroke similar to spinal cord injury. His diagnosis is AVM. He got told by the doctors that he has a 1% chance of walking after being paralyzed, which certainly he changed. He walks with walking aids and is not where he wanted to be but he has come very far away from where he started. Delmit is now post 6 years of his injury & he keeps pushing every single day beyond limits. He is a director of a clothing company and does not let anything define him. It’s mind over matter! ⁠

Patriarchy and poor medical practices towards women propelled a decade-long search to find out how mental illness, hormonal imbalance, and trauma became the perfect storm for chronic pain and the eventual breakdown of major connective tissue. Albeit a small part of her inspirational memoir, Jacquelyn is always willing to tell her story of misdiagnosis and misadventure and how perseverance combined with holistic medicine is finally bringing her relief.

Jim was born and raised in Eastern Pennsylvania (USA), in East Stroudsburg, approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from downtown Manhattan.  He has been teaching Spanish for the past 14 years, and has also been a soccer coach at the school where he teaches.  He is presently the Assistant Varsity/Goalkeeper Coach with the girls Varsity team.  He has been married to his wife Shannah, for over ten years.  Shannah, Jim and their three dogs Snitches, Sadie and Stewart (chihuahua and chihuahua mixes) enjoy travel, and have ventured throughout the United States (east of the Mississippi River) and also to Ontario and Quebec, staying at over 40 different AirBnBs.     Due to a struggle with undiagnosed (eventually diagnosed) clinical depression and anxiety, Shoopack has used exercise and marathons to serve as a mental health advocate and face his mental health challenges.  He suffered for 100 days in silence, not knowing how he felt had a name, and hopes to complete 100 marathons to get back the 100 days he lost due to undiagnosed depression.  He has presently completed 21 marathons (26.2 miles/42km), including 4 marathons in 4 months in 2016 and 3 marathons in 3 months in 2014.  He also recently earned his Educational Doctorate (EdD) in September 2020, and cites his faith in God, and help from family, friends and faith in self to help him overcome.

Alex is an award-winning individual with international experience of working with children and young people. Years of experience as a teacher, carer, and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator led to him founding a not-for-profit organization, alongside one of the young men he cared for. Happy Smiles Training CIC empowers disabled young adults to create positive social change, by delivering awareness training across schools, community groups, businesses, and more. Alex is currently working on a series of children's books, to raise awareness of a range of long-term health conditions, particularly in adults. Starting with a dementia awareness book, inspired by his grandma and acclaimed by dementia specialists worldwide, he will be releasing the books throughout 2021, including books on depression and cancer. The aim is to start the conversation for children about how these conditions can impact the individual and themselves, whilst giving them an understanding of how they can support people living with those conditions. Alex aims to decrease the anxieties children may have about family members living with long-term health conditions and help them to develop a positive, person-centered approach to life!

Ben is a quirky, eccentric, bearded, media personality, voiceover guy, writer, music lover, presenter of stuff & unable to leap tall buildings. Ben is a keynote speaker and consultant in the areas of Autism/Aspergers, Conscious Kindness, Comedy, Advertising, Social media, Marketing, and a board member of inclusion organization FriendInMe.org.au  But most of all is a neurodiverse "Brain for hire."

Margaux is a professional in the mental health industry finding jobs for those with severe mental illnesses and people with criminal backgrounds. Margaux has 5 years experience in this profession and many more years personally dealing with mental illnesses. Margaux is looking to expand her network and make an even bigger difference in the mental health world.

Zachary is a 26 year old CEO and Head Coach of the FitMuscle Method. He fell in love with working out and eating healthy at 14 years old, but when he was 20, Zach was diagnosed with low testosterone. This horrible experience allowed him to make a shift and learn how to optimize health for good. Zach made it his ultimate goal to help 1 million men optimize their health as well.