Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast

In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia welcomes Nevaeh Hearn, a senior at Drexel University studying Fashion and Merchandising. Nevaeh shares her transformative journey from a promising gymnast to an advocate for adaptive fashion after a life-altering injury. They discuss her struggle with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), her diagnosis with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and her ultimate passion for making the fashion industry more inclusive. She opens up about her difficulties and triumphs in college, her experience as a top finalist for the NRF Foundation's Next Generation Scholarship, and her ambitious senior thesis focused on adaptive fashion. Nevaeh stresses the importance of perspective and passion in overcoming life's toughest challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:25 Meet Nevaeh Hearn: A Journey of Resilience

03:08 Nevaeh's Early Life and Gymnastics Dream

03:55 The Life-Changing Injury and Diagnosis

09:57 Overcoming Adversity: Walking Again

13:10 Discovering a New Passion: Fashion

14:41 College Challenges and Triumphs

19:44 Advocating for Adaptive Fashion

29:51 Future Goals and Final Thoughts

🩺 Doctors Should Never Say This

💪 Facing the Impossible at 12

🚀 Never Underestimate the Power of a Push

🎤 Being a Voice for the Voiceless

🛤️ Liberation in Independence: A Journey Beyond Disability

🔥 Defying the Odds: When Life Had Other Plans

🏆 Turning Hardship into Triumph

♿ Designing for Disability: Solutions for All

👗 Advocating for Adaptive Fashion: A Personal Responsibility

“Why am I exerting myself, and putting myself in pain just to try to walk again when I'm being told that I will never walk again?” ~ Nevaeh Hearn

LinkedIn Profile | Instagram Account | YouTube Channel

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In this heartfelt episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson and her husband Marty share their personal ordeal with sepsis, a life-threatening condition that nearly cost Alycia her life. They dive into Alycia's congenital disability, sacral agenesis, her battles with chronic infections, and how a near-fatal experience with sepsis in 2019 became a pivotal moment in her life. Their story highlights the importance of early detection, the need for specialized medical care, and the incredible support of loved ones. The episode is a powerful reminder to listen to our bodies, balance work pressures, and make room for rest and self-care.

💆‍♂️ Why We All Need To Learn How To Take a Break

⏳ One More Day Could Have Been Fatal

💔 Personal Revelation: Sepsis Survivor Story Unveiled

😞 The Hidden Struggles You Don't See

❄️ A Chilling Health Crisis Abroad

🔥 Don't Waste Your Life: Seize Your Purpose Now

🚀 Unstoppable: Corporate Hustle vs. Health Scare

🔄 Living in a Cycle of Pain and Resilience

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:30 Special Guest: Marty's Return

00:48 Sepsis Survivor Week: A Personal Connection

02:46 Alycia's Medical Backstory

05:41 The Denver Incident: A Sepsis Scare

10:55 Hospitalization and Recovery

14:54 Advocacy and Life Lessons

26:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia converses with Leah Kaplan, an adaptive athlete and fervent advocate for disability inclusion. Leah shares her remarkable journey from an orphanage in China to becoming an empowered individual. She discusses her congenital disability, her advocacy driven by her mother, and her passion for adaptive sports. The discussion touches on Leah’s perspective on self-advocacy, her career in special education, and her intense yet rewarding journey toward the Paralympics. Leah’s story provides a riveting look at resilience, the importance of community, and the power of embracing one's identity.

😂 Finding Humor in Adversity: A Unique Perspective

♿ Disability: Bridging the Gap of Diversity

💪 Empowerment Through Advocacy: A Life-Changing Moment

🌍 Inspiration Through Inclusion: A Voice for Change

🎭 Bringing Laughter and Light to Special Education

🏅 Beyond Limits: Strength of Adaptive Athletics

🚀 Room for Improvement: Embrace the Journey

❤️ Find Your Passion, Not Pressure

🔥 Resilient Action: We Can Do Anything!

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:26 Meet Leah Kaplan: Advocate and Athlete

01:51 Leah's Early Life and Adoption Story

03:08 Growing Up with a Disability

04:33 Discovering Advocacy and Sports

10:29 High School Empowerment and Career Path

13:17 Impactful Teaching Moments

17:06 Journey to Becoming a Paralympic Athlete

20:24 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges

24:35 Advice for the Younger Generation

27:23 Conclusion and Future Goals

Leah on LinkedIn | Nubbin2SeeHere Instagram | Nubbin2SeeHere on TikTok

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson dives into the world of leadership, workplace culture, and inclusion with Chantelle Johnson, a trailblazer in the field. Chantelle, formerly a corporate HR leader and now an entrepreneur, discusses her journey and how she's shaping inclusive workplaces through her company, Talent 4d Culture. The conversation covers the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, the motivations behind taking entrepreneurial leaps, and how to sustain Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Chantelle also talks about her upcoming book titled 'Sustaining ERG Impact: 12 Months to Lead with Purpose, Recharge with Power' and offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

🌟 The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership

🚀 Breaking Barriers: The Journey from Corporate Leader to Entrepreneur

🏢 Creating Thriving, Inclusive Workplaces

📘 Sustaining ERG Impact: Leadership Tips for Long-Term Success

💪 The Underrated Power of ERG Leaders

🌈 Hidden Dimensions of Diversity and Inclusion

✨ Courageous Career Moves: Just Be Brave and Take the Leap

🤝 Empowering Underdogs Through Innovative Leadership

🔄 Revolutionizing Workplace Culture with Evidence-Based Belonging

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:25 Meet Chantelle Johnson: A Trailblazer in Inclusive Leadership

02:14 Chantelle's Journey to Entrepreneurship

04:03 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

08:48 The Importance of Intersectionality in ERG Programs

12:27 The Future of DEI and Overcoming Backlash

20:43 Chantelle's Business and Mission

26:16 Sustaining ERG Impact: Chantelle's Upcoming Book

31:05 Final Thoughts and Pushing Forward Moment

Talent4dCulture.com | Talent 4d Culture’s Instagram

Chantelle’s Professional Profile on LinkedIn

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Milestones, Lessons, and New Beginnings

In this special New Year's episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' hosts Alycia and Marty reflect on the year 2024, celebrate their monumental achievements, and set their sights on a promising 2025. They discuss significant events, including their work in disability inclusion, speaking engagements, and educational outreach. The episode emphasizes the importance of resilience, community building, and personal growth. They also introduce new ventures such as Jam Pro Web Design and Adaptive Athletics Association, aimed at fostering inclusion and support for people with disabilities. The theme for 2025, 'Own It,' signifies a call to embrace one's platform, power, and potential.

🌟 Making Real Change: Our Biggest Opportunity Yet

💪 Transform Your Differences into Superpowers

⚡ Embrace and Own Your Power

🌈 Unleashing Possibilities for Everyone

🔓 Unlocking Untapped Talent: Disability and Employment

🌱 Release, Own, and Grow in 2025

🚀 Uncharted Opportunities in a Growing Industry

👗 Rolling Dreams: Breaking Barriers at NY Fashion Week

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:25 Reflecting on 2024 and Welcoming 2025

01:53 Highlights and Lessons from 2024

04:44 Virtual and In-Person Event Highlights

09:16 Educational Impact and Achievements

14:45 Honors and Recognitions

20:35 Adaptive Sports and Community Building

27:53 Looking Forward to 2025

Connect with Marty | Adaptive Athletics Association | Jam Pro Web Design

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Resilience and Representation: A Conversation with Danny J. Gomez

In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes actor and disability advocate Danny J. Gomez. Known for his roles in 'NCIS Hawaii' and 'New Amsterdam,' Danny discusses his journey from a non-disabled life to becoming a leading voice in disability representation following a life-altering injury. They explore topics like resilience, the power of representation in media, and Danny's breakthrough moments in Hollywood and theater, including his award-winning participation in the Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge and his experience on Broadway with 'All of Me.' The episode highlights Danny's inspiring story of overcoming adversity, finding humor in hardship, and his advice to 'keep moving forward' despite life's challenges.

💪 Redefining Disability: Unseen Strength and Resilience

😄 Facing Death with a Smile: Finding Humor in Crisis

🛡️ Overcoming Fear: Embracing Life After Near-Death

📺 We Are What We See: The Media's Role in Disability Representation

🌟 Representation Matters: Shaping the Perceptions of Change

🧭 Journey to Embracing Disability: Finding Purpose and Passion Again

🚀 Looking Towards the Future: Keep Moving Forward

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:25 Meet Danny J. Gomez: Hollywood's Disability Advocate

02:22 Danny's Life-Changing Accident

04:59 Rehabilitation and New Beginnings

10:22 Rediscovering Acting

15:03 Breaking Barriers in Hollywood

16:57 The Impact of Representation

21:39 The Journey to Broadway

27:14 Future Projects and Final Thoughts

Danny's Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' Alycia welcomes Paralympic gold medalist in archery, Jason Tabansky. Jason shares his incredible journey from military service to becoming a professional Paralympic athlete. He discusses how a severe spinal cord injury transformed his life and led him to discover the world of adaptive sports. Jason and Alycia delve into his military career, his path to archery, the challenges he faced, the support from his wife Courtney, and the triumph of winning gold in Paris. This episode offers a powerful narrative on resilience, the importance of adaptive sports, and the impact of positive mindsets and community support.

🌟 From Military Service to Paralympian: Jason's Incredible Journey

⏳ From Fine to Paralyzed in an Hour

💪 The Mighty Power of Adaptation and Resilience

🌱 Create Your Opportunities: Embrace the New Normal

🔥 Turning Adversity Into Motivation: 'Why Not Me?'

🚀 Living Life Without Limits

🏅 A Champion's Perspective on Life and Motivation

🎉 Celebrating Achievements and Looking Towards the Future

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:25 Meet Paralympic Gold Medalist Jason Tabansky

02:07 Jason's Military Journey and Injury

09:43 The Road to Recovery and Adaptive Sports

11:42 Discovering Archery and Achieving Paralympic Gold

24:25 Inspiring Moments and Future Goals

28:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"The harder you work, the luckier you get."

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia welcomes Leslie Jackson, a functional nutritionist and founder of Leslie Jackson Wellness. Former corporate colleagues, Alycia and Leslie discuss Leslie's transformative journey from the technology industry to nutrition. Leslie shares her personal health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and physical ailments, and how functional nutrition helped her overcome them. They dive deep into the importance of diet and lifestyle in managing chronic illness, detoxification, and creating a life full of radiant energy. Leslie highlights her methods to proactive health creation and offers valuable advice for those looking to transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn how to love yourself enough to know you deserve more and move forward in love.

00:25 Inspiring Quote and Guest Introduction

02:40 Leslie Jackson's Personal Health Journey

09:49 Transition from Corporate to Nutrition

21:03 Functional Nutrition and Chronic Illness

29:50 How to Connect with Leslie Jackson

33:23 Final Thoughts and Pushing Forward Moment

😊 Feel Damn Good in Your Body!

💪 Health is True Wealth: The Real Richness of Life

🥗 Adopting Functional Nutrition in Daily Life

🍔 The Hidden Cost of Big Food on Our Health

⚖️ Functional Nutrition vs. Chronic Illness

🌍 A Mission to Make Health Achievable

🚀 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

🌱 Transforming Hardship into Purpose

💼 From Corporate Success to Nutritional Empowerment

💖 Love Yourself More

“You create your health experience every single day  with the sleep that you get, the way that you nourish and what you allow  in your body.”

Learn more at LeslieJacksonWellness.com | Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn | Follow Leslie on Instagram

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes actors Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson to discuss their latest film, 'Daruma.' This film is making cinematic history by featuring two lead actors with disabilities in a narrative that isn’t centered on disability. Tobias and John share their seven-year journey in making the film, the importance of authentic disability representation, and the impact they hope 'Daruma' will have on the entertainment industry and beyond. The episode delves into the significance of perseverance, the power of community, and how the film industry can be more inclusive. Viewers are encouraged to support 'Daruma' by checking out the trailer dropping on November 8th and streaming the film, available on Amazon starting November 15th.

🎬 Groundbreaking History in Hollywood

🌟 Authentic Representation and Well-Written Scripts

🌄 Challenges and Daily Life

🤝 The Power of the Disability Community

📊 Disability in Media Representation Statistics

🌐 Inclusivity in Daruma

❤️ Impact and Heart of Daruma

🎥 Industry Improvements and Inclusion

🌍 Global Casting and No Excuses

🎎 Daruma Doll Tradition

😂 Humor, Heart, and Personal Reflections

🌉 Broader Audiences and Bridging the Story of Disability in Movies

☀️ Optimism and Altitude Final Thoughts

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alicia

00:25 Meet the Groundbreaking Actors of Daruma

01:43 The Journey of Daruma: Seven Years in the Making

04:14 The Power of Authentic Representation

06:43 Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Triumphs

10:33 Advocacy and Progress in the Entertainment Industry

12:38 Daruma: Release Details and Audience Engagement

14:54 The Importance of Inclusion and Representation

26:16 Final Thoughts and Inspirational Messages

“The power of entertainment is: one, to educate society, and two, to inspire conversations.” ~ Tobias Forrest

“It’s just $5.99—yes, less than your morning latte. And those are metrics that we can then go back to studios and say, look at this film.” ~ John W. Lawson

Tobias on IMDb | Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation | Media Access Awards | Tobias on Instagram

@jwlawson57 | John on Facebook | John on IMDb | John on LinkedIn

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In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia', host Alycia engages in an inspiring conversation with disability advocate, content creator, brand builder and entrepreneur Ali Cameron, founder of Seated Perspectives. They explore Ali Cameron's journey from a life-altering spinal cord injury at age 14 to becoming a leading voice in disability advocacy. The discussion encompasses the importance of finding joy amidst challenges, creating inclusive spaces, and redefining societal perceptions about disability. Ali Cameron shares personal anecdotes on overcoming internalized ableism and leveraging AI as an accessibility tool, offering advice to aspiring disabled creators on building authentic brands. The episode highlights the value of community, global perspectives on advocacy, and Ali Cameron's future goals as a coach, including writing a book on disabled joy, encouraging listeners to boldly pursue their dreams. Ali is fiercely committed to expanding the disabled narratives by centering disabled joy.

🧡 Finding Joy and Strength in Advocacy

📖 Rewriting the Narrative: Normalizing Disability

🌈 Embracing the Full Spectrum of Disability

🤖 Rethinking AI: More Than Just a Shortcut

⏳ Life Changed in Seconds: The Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:27 Meet Ali Cameron: Disability Advocate and Entrepreneur

02:15 Ali Cameron's Disability Journey: From Injury to Advocacy

05:15 Finding Community and Embracing Disabled Joy

09:00 The Power of Disabled Joy and Changing Narratives

12:34 Impactful Stories and Client Successes

15:00 The Ripple Effect of Impact

15:23 Barriers for Disabled Content Creators

16:01 Creativity and Innovation in the Disabled Community

16:43 Access to Income and Entrepreneurship

18:05 AI as an Accessibility Tool

20:26 Cultural Influences on Advocacy

23:00 Advice for Disabled Entrepreneurs

25:41 Future Aspirations and North Star

27:48 Final Thoughts and Announcements

“To ‘normalize’ disability, we need to show all the different facets of it, and show that it's as dimensional as any other human experience.” ~ Ali Cameron

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