Trevor Kennison is one of the best adaptive skiers in the world and now a household name in the ski community. He is continually pushing the limits of what is possible as a sit-skier, and goes by the moniker #sitskiboss social media. He is currently on a film tour for his full length documentary "Full Circle" that follows the story of his accident, the life of a kindred soul Barry Corbett, and the realities of living with a spinal cord injury. It is a moving and eye-opening film. But Trevor was not always on top of the world. In our conversation, he vulnerably shares the challenges as well as the triumphs of his journey.

Guest info:

• @trevor_kennison

Additional Resources:

• www.highfivesfoundation.org
• www.fullcirclefilm.co
• www.level1productions.com

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing by Riss Bickford and Kevin O’Connell
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

In episode 23, we spoke with Kirk Williams about his journeys traveling the Americas in his wheelchair accessible camper vans. At the time of the interview, Kirk was about to head down to Baja, California for some rugged exploration. When he eventually returned stateside, Kirk and I caught up again and he shared some stories from an epic adventure! 

Guest info:

• @impact.overland
• [email protected] 

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing by Riss Bickford
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Jacques Matellus is a model, actor, and musician. From an early age he was drawn to performing. As an adult, Jacques was paralyzed in a stage accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. After taking time to focus on physical and mental recovery he returned to his career as an artist. Recently he has modeled for big-name brands like Target and Tommy Hilfiger, and released his first single "Love Me" on Spotify.  Jacques speaks about expression, creativity, and exploring new pathways. 

Guest info:

• @jacques_matellus

Additional Resources:

• highfivesfoundation.org
• empowersci.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing by Riss Bickford
• Audio cleaning by Kevin O’Connell
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Alana Nichols is legendary in the adaptive sports and disability community. She is a three time gold medalist and dual sport athlete in both wheelchair basketball and Alpine skiing. She's also the first female American to win gold in both the summer and the winter Paralympic games. Alaina's been featured on 60 minutes, has big-time corporate sponsors, and is a force in the world of women's sports and now adaptive surfing. She's also raising a son together with high-fives founder, Roy Tuscany. This episode is the third in a series of women who are bad ass athletes and navigating life at different times in their journey post spinal cord injury.

Guest info:

• @alanathejane 
• alanajanenichols.com

Additional Resources:

• highfivesfoundation.org
• adaptivesurfingprofessionals.com

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing by Riss Bickford
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Sam Summers is a skier, mountain biker, hockey player, CrossFitter, and surfer.  She's also a scientist, traveler, and a partner.  Five years ago she was paralyzed and now navigates the world in a wheelchair. In the last half decade she has returned to work, returned to her life as an athlete, discovered new sports, married her longtime boyfriend, and embraced a new community.  Sam thoughtfully shares many of the highs and lows from her journey.

Guest info:

• Instagram: @samsam_summers

Additional Resources:

• highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Annijke Wade grew up in Northern California and developed her passion for the outdoors in high school and then college in Oregon. After twists and turns in her professional career she landed in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she  discovered and fell in love with mountain biking. Quickly, she was on a fast track to being a sponsored racer. In July 2021 her path averted when she was paralyzed while training on a familiar mountain bike trail. Fortunately, Annijke knew of adaptive athletes who were crushing it and had picked out an adaptive mountain bike within weeks of her accident. Two years later she is racing as an adaptive biker and collecting sponsors. She's also giving herself the time and grace to adjust to  life with a spinal cord injury.

Guest info:

• Instagram: @geodesicdome

Additional Resources:

• highfivesfoundation.org

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Editing by Riss Bickford
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Dr. Gabrielle Ficchi identifies as a disabled woman. She is a licensed therapist as well as a certified rehabilitation counselor.

Gabrielle has 10 years of both teaching and counseling experience. She currently works as the CEO & Therapist at her therapy practice, New Perspectives LLC. Working to bring mental health services to the disability community & their families. She also works as a professor in both counseling & disability studies. Her specialty and research areas focus on disability pride both for individuals and families, independent living, resilience, and disability identity. She also works as a consultant and advocate for families on disability issues to help raise awareness around bettering the lives of disabled individuals in our community. Her passion is to advocate for equality and justice for the disability community.

Guest info

• Instagram: @drgabrielleficchi
• Practice: New Perspectives LLC

Resources

• Care 4 the Caregivers
• Services and Resources | Linktree

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing by Riss Bickford
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt

Kirk Williams is a world traveler. He has driven vans all through the Americas, from Alaska to Chile and Argentina. He's quadriplegic from a mountain biking accident and has become an expert in building out adaptive off-road ready vans. Kirk is also taking his adventuring to another level by joining forces with the Walkabout Foundation to distribute wheelchairs to people with disabilities in South America and Africa who would otherwise not have access life-changing durable medical equipment. And of course, he has a loyal adventure partner service dog!

Meira Nelson is a mother, champion adaptive surfer, former Paralympian, lover of the ocean, and more. She was born in Samoa where she was paralyzed in a car accident as a teenager, and has lived most of her life in Hawaii where she has raised her family, including a disabled daughter, and honed her skills in the waves.  Meira speaks beautifully on her experience with trauma, grief, passion, and love, and how she finds joy and levity in life.

Tim Burr lived a pretty awesome life as an outdoorsy kid in Colorado. As an adult, he still does. In 2014, Tim was paralyzed in a skiing accident. Now, he runs Return to Dirt an adaptive motor sports organization where he helps people of all disabilities get out in the backcountry. Adaptive off-roading is one of the most accessible adaptive sports which allows Tim to help that many more people get dirty. And he's just getting started!

Guest info:

• Instagram: bimturr
• Instagram: returntodirt

Additional Resources:

• Return to Dirt: https://highfivesfoundation.org/programs/return-to-dirt/

Contact us: 

• Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcast
• Email: [email protected] 

• Hosted and produced by Tim Brown
• Audio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine
• Editing: Riss Bickford
• Audio editing: Jason DeWald 
• Episode cover art by David McCaulley 
• Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt