Life Is just what it is; either you recoil or get past your [perceived] limitations and become successful. As often is said, no matter the situation, what’s important is how we react to it.

In this episode, our guest Travis Pollen exemplifies that attitude. Born with a missing leg, he could have fallen to self-pity and despair. That’s so easy to do. But instead, he chose not to be treated differently. Admittedly, there were advantages, given his disabilities. But even then, he chose to be as good in anything as any non-disabled person could be. He shares how he battled every obstacle that came his way and developed a positive mindset to look beyond his physical challenge.

For him, what may be a drawback to many was a case of setting record after record and striking every opportunity whenever he could, making a difference in other people’s lives, and getting successful at what he does. Which only goes to show that you design your destiny. That there is always a way, whatever that may be, that you can always reframe what appears to be impossible.

Travis Pollen is a personal trainer, author, and Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Over his seven-year personal training career, he’s trained professional athletes, senior citizens, and everyone in between. He’s on a mission to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. In addition to his doctorate, Travis has a master’s degree in Biomechanics and Movement Science as well as an American record in Paralympic swimming. When he’s not earning advanced degrees or breaking records, he can be found listening to indie folk music and eating sushi, preferably at the same time. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his girlfriend and their furry friends.

“It's just like, you show yourself examples of yourself persevering. And then it becomes like, anytime I face an obstacle, I've been able to overcome it. So why would this time be any different? - Travis Pollen

What you will learn from this episode:

02:29 - Why the 'fitness pollenator'

04:26 - What makes him love country music

10:18 - Born with a congenital birth defect of missing a leg but with a paralympic record

14:27 - A great opportunity to help and give back to the community where he stood out in sports

16:17 - Overcoming physical handicaps with a positive mindset and setting records one after another

18:55 - Working real hard and becoming as good as anybody else

21:56 - The thing about touchstone

22:53 - Finishing a Ph.D. and striking every opportunity presented to him

26:39 - His thoughts about the gap between research and practice

28:00 - Designing and teaching a course with an actual relevant experience

33:30 - Doing research and actually have them communicated to practitioners and apply it

36:23 - Starting with the easiest and go from there

37:45 - What range of understanding you need to equip students and practitioners with

40:58 - Lessons learned from all the success and accolades he has been getting

43:53 - It’s okay to make mistakes but keep evolving your thinking

Connect with Travis Pollen:

• travispollen.com

Connect with Gavin McHale:

• maverickcoachingacademy.ca
• LinkedIn
• Instagram