I briefly met Erin Field and Jack Benziger several years ago at Journey Forward, a spinal cord injury exercise rehab center outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Erin had recently been paralyzed in the summer before her senior year of college, just a few months after they started dating. I distinctly remember  seeing the affection and care they had for one another when they arrived for Erin’s exercise sessions. In the year since, I have followed their story on social media and watched from a distance as they have built a life together. They now live in Florida and are in the midst of some big milestones and exciting developments. To me, Erin and Jack embody putting love and care for your partner first in your relationship even and especially when tremendous obstacles arise in your path. 

Guest info:

• @erin.fieldd
• @thetenpercentapp

Additional Resources:

• youtube.com/erinfield
• facebook.com/livefearlessly3
• www.highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Roy Tuscany is the Founder and CEO of the High Fives Foundation. On April 26, 2016 Roy overshot a ski jump and was paralyzed with a spinal cord injury.  Six years later, and a year and a half after I was paralyzed, Roy and I connected for the first time. I had read an article about High Fives in Powder, a ski magazine and was jolted by the energetic vibe of the organization - it felt like something different. One of my closest friends also met Roy at an industry event. He immediately  called me up and said you need to talk to this guy. In our first conversation, Roy told me about Tony Schmeising, a man who has been living as a quadriplegic for 40 years, and his expedition to Alaska to go Heli skiing. Roy then said, "you're next". I laughed nervously and said OK, while thinking to myself that it was a ridiculous suggestion. How was I going to do that with my recently acquired disability? Fast forward 12 years and High Fives has awarded me with grants for adaptive sports equipment, covered adaptive surf competition fees, and supported some of my earliest adaptive ski lessons with Vermont Adaptive. High Fives has also grown tremendously in that time and is now a leading organization in the catastrophic injury and disability community. At least half of our previous guests have received support from High Fives and and of course High Fives is the presenting sponsor of The Unexpected Journey. In this conversation, we skip over Roy's story of his ski accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, paralysis, and the founding of High Fives. A quick Google search will produce dozens of podcasts and articles on both of those topics. Instead, Roy and I explore healing, leadership, parenting, taking ownership of one’s life, and trauma, including sexual abuse.

If you or someone you know has experience sexual abuse or you suspect they are, please know that you are not alone and that safe confidential support from a professional is immediately available at the national sexual assault telephone hotline 1-800–565–HOPE or 4673. You can also find resources on the website for the national sexual violence resource Center, www.nsvrc.org

Guest info:

• @roytuscany
• @hi5sfoundation

Additional Resources:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline - 800-656-4673 - www.rainn.org  
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center - www.nsvrc.org
• www.highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

JoMarie Lawrence lives in Los Angeles where she is pursuing an acting and modeling career. She is a member of a cohort of disabled actors who are breaking barriers and bringing authentic representation to a wider variety of roles in media and entertainment. JoMarie has appeared in many television commercials, TV shows, and has written and starred in her own short films that explore her experience as a disabled woman with a spinal cord injury. With some big projects on the horizon, hers is definitely a name to remember!

Guest info:

• @jomarielawrence

Additional Resources:

• www.jomarielawrence.com
• www.highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Joe Stone is a disability activist, public speaker, and an adventure athlete. He is a partner and a dog dad, a team rider for Bowhead Corp, a Stio ambassador, a Project Airtime Pilot, and a co-owner of Dovetail Trail Consulting with two time previous Unexpected Journey guest Quinn Brett. Joe sets ambitious goals, pursues them with doggedly, and lives a fully adventure filled life.  

Guest info:

• @meetjoestone
• @dovetail-trail-consulting 

Additional Resources:

• www.dovetailtrailconsulting.com
• www.projectairtime.org
• www.highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Murray Siple is an award-winning filmmaker and accessible home designer, a former snowboarder and skateboarder, a world traveler, an artist, and recently added adaptive surfer to his resume. He lives in British Columbia, Canada. Murray and I met in San Diego this past September where he surfed for the first time. Murray has always lived a wild and adventurous life, both before he was paralyzed at the age of 26 and in the 27 years since as a quadriplegic.

As a quick disclaimer, given that he has spent much of his time in, what one might call, the fast lane, some of Murray’s stories are colorful and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Guest info:

• @murraysiple
• @walletmothstudios 
• https://www.patreon.com/c/walletmoth
• https://www.youtube.com/@walletmothstudios
• https://www.walletmoth.com/

Additional Resources:

• highfivesfoundation.org
• https://adaptivesurfingprofessionals.com/

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Billy Price is an entrepreneur and the CEO and Cofounder, with Darin Donaldson, of Billy Footwear, a Seattle based footwear brand they have built from the ground up over the past seven years. Billy Footwear utilizes the concept of universal design to make shoes that are functional and fashionable for everyone, including the disability community. Billy and I initially connected professionally and chatted about our shared experience living with a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. He is also an engineer, a husband, and a father.

Guest info:

• @billyfootwear

Additional Resources:

• billyfootwear.com 

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Nitra Turner and I met at the EmpowerSCI summer intensive program at Stony Brook University this past summer where Nitra was a participant and I work as the Director of Strategic Development. Nitra led an adaptive archery clinic. For the annual adaptive surf day, she showed up to the beach in a mermaid outfit and then charged in challenging waves for her first time ever surfing. At home in Las Vegas, Nitra works in a banking career as she pursues her passion for competitive para archery. She's also a caring and thoughtful person who is dedicated to uplifting others, which she will most certainly continue to do as she becomes a leader in the disability community.
 
Guest info:

• @1tuffdiamond

Additional Resources:

• triumph-foundation.org
• https://www.worldarchery.sport/sport/disciplines/para-archery

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Rachel Zoeller is a person who is very engaged with life. They are an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast, endurance athlete, yoga practitioner, former pediatric physical therapist, writer, occasional model, partner, and highly intelligent individual. Following an accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and paralysis a few years ago, they are now moving through space and life in a different way. Our conversation was a meditation on many things more than a telling of any one aspect of Rachel's story. After we spoke, I found myself intentionally slowing down and sitting with  more uncomfortable emotions. It was not easy at first, then it was deeply cathartic. I hope you may feel moved to do the same.

Guest info:

• @holazoella
• @rollmobility

Additional Resources:

• rollmobility.com

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Jason Stoffer is an outdoor enthusiast, musician, and a former wildland fire fighter, EMT, search and rescue volunteer, and federal law enforcement officer. He lives with his wife and teenage kids in Montana and now works for Unite 2 Fight Paralysis alongside two time Unexpected Journey guest, Quinn Brett. Jason and Quinn met in the hospital after their accidents resulting in spinal cord injuries. They have also embarked on many impressive adventures together. Jason shares his story and more about the very impactful work he is doing with Unite 2 Fight Paralysis.


Guest info:

• @js_rolling

Additional Resources:

• @u2fp - Unite 2 Fight Paralysis

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Quinn Brett first came on The Unexpected Journey in Season 1, Episode 7. She was four years out from her climbing accident resulting in paralysis and shared her story in a profoundly beautiful, honest, and raw manner. Three years later, we reconnected to learn about her advocacy work, get an update on her recent adventures, and hear how life is treating her. Louis Arevalo, our editor, coproducer, and previous cast - and I were both struck with the calm and contentedness in Quinn's voice. From this place of greater peace, she continues to push the envelope as an advocate and adventurer, always true to herself.

Guest info:

• @quinndalina

Additional Resources:

• @dovetail_trail_consulting 
• @u2fp - Unite 2 Fight Paralysis

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypod
• Email: [email protected] 
• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Editing and sound design by Louis Arevalo
• Original theme music by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by Lewis Falconer 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer