AdaptX Podcast

Summary In this conversation, Caylie McMahon shares her inspiring journey from realizing a lifelong dream to facing a life-altering diagnosis of a spinal tumor. She recounts her experiences during the pandemic and the challenges of surgery and recovery. With unwavering support from her family and the University of Michigan community, Caylie navigates her rehabilitation, relearning to walk and even...

Summary In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Shay Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Verbali, an innovative AAC platform designed to enhance communication for children with speech challenges. Shay shares the personal story behind Verbali, inspired by his son Matan, who is nonverbal. The conversation delves into the limitations of traditional AAC tools and how Verbali levera...

Summary In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Chase and John Prieve, founders of Hi There Solutions, a company dedicated to creating communication solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing community. They discuss their personal connections to the deaf community, the development of their products Hi There and Just Talk, and the challenges they face in scaling their bus...

Summary In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Lacey Artemis, a neurodiversity and accessibility advocate. Lacey shares her personal journey from being diagnosed with autism in her late 20s to becoming a consultant focused on creating neuro-inclusive environments. The conversation explores the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in various settings, including...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Mary MacDonald, a 16-year-old adaptive athlete from Taunton, Massachusetts. Mary shares her journey into adaptive sports, her experiences in powerlifting and road racing, and the importance of confidence and community in her athletic pursuits. She discusses the challenges she faced, the support she received, and her aspiration...

In this conversation, Dan Minich, co-founder and executive director of Waypoint Adventure, shares his journey into disability advocacy and the founding of Waypoint, a nonprofit focused on providing accessible outdoor recreation. He discusses the importance of experiential learning, collaboration among nonprofits, and the challenges of measuring success in adaptive programs. The conversation also t...

In this conversation, Dan Minnich, co-founder and executive director of Waypoint Adventure, shares his journey into disability advocacy and the founding of Waypoint, a non-profit focused on providing accessible outdoor recreation. He discusses the importance of experiential learning, collaboration among nonprofits, and the challenges of measuring success in adaptive programs. The conversation also...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan speaks with Bob Ludke, co-founder of Value Inclusion and author of 'Case-Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation'. Value Inclusion is the only consultancy that brings together actionable, c-suite strategy, evidence-based research, and first-hand experience of driving competitive, integrated employment of persons across the disability spectrum in a way...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Sydney Robinson, founder and CEO of Vessl, a company dedicated to creating innovative prosthetic solutions for amputees. Sydney shares her journey from childhood to college to her career as a passionate entrepreneur in the field of biomedical engineering. The conversation delves into her experiences during a pivotal fellowship that...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Faruk Musema from Ability Sports Africa, an organization dedicated to promoting sports as a platform for social inclusion in Uganda. They discuss the origins of Ability Sports Africa, the concept of reverse inclusion, the current landscape of disability inclusion in Ugandan schools, cultural barriers, and the organization's future...

In this conversation, Brendan Aylward and Tony Jacobsen discuss the evolution of adaptive fitness, focusing on Tony's personal journey with osteogenesis imperfecta and his initiatives to promote inclusivity in fitness. They explore the importance of overcoming self-limiting beliefs, the launch of the Stronger Bones Coaching Group, and the impact of strength training on bone health. Additionally, t...

In this conversation, Brendan Aylward and Nate Nester discuss the importance of adaptive fitness and the role of the Unified 5K in promoting inclusivity within the community. They explore Nate's journey into adaptive fitness, the challenges faced in creating accessible environments, and the collaborative efforts of Messiah University in supporting individuals with disabilities. The conversation hi...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Brendan speaks with Idan Meir, a mission-driven entrepreneur and the Co-founder & CEO of RightHear, an award-winning accessibility startup empowering people with orientation challenges to navigate public spaces independently. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Idan has been featured in Forbes, FastCompany, and HackerNews, and is a member of the exclusive CEO n...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Zach Friedley, a trail running pioneer and advocate for adaptive sports. They discuss Zach's journey from childhood experiences with disability to his current role in promoting inclusivity in trail running through his nonprofit, Born to Adapt. The conversation covers the evolution of disability perception, the challenges faced...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Dr. Nicola McDowell, founder of the Austin McDowell Foundation and creator of the Austin Assessment App, discusses her journey with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), a brain-based visual issue that affects how visual information is processed. She shares insights into the challenges of diagnosis, the importance of empowerment through knowledge, and the develop...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Winston Clements, a keynote speaker and disability advocate. Winston shares his journey from the tech industry to public speaking, discussing the challenges he faced due to his disability, including unconscious bias in hiring processes. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in workplaces and offers insights on etiquette...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Caleb Pruitt, a 17-year-old athlete breaking barriers in running and triathlon, and his mother, Karen. They discuss Caleb's journey in sports, the impact of Special Olympics, the challenges of training, and the importance of inclusivity in athletics. Caleb shares his experiences of achieving world records and his aspirations f...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Adele Smolansky, founder and CEO of AI Learners, an educational platform designed to support students with disabilities through AI-powered learning tools. Adele shares her personal journey of creating AI Learners, inspired by her sister's challenges during the COVID pandemic. The conversation delves into the importance of customiza...

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Danny Combs, a leading voice in creating equitable futures for neurodistinct individuals in business and equality of opportunity for the entire disability community. Mr. Combs is the inaugural Director of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, Colorado’s senior strategic and policy agency housed in the Colorado Department...

In this conversation, Tanner Gers and Brendan Aylward discuss the importance of accessibility for individuals with disabilities, focusing on employment, training, and the role of digital accessibility. Tanner shares his personal journey of losing his sight and how it led him to create a business aimed at helping others with disabilities find meaningful work. They explore the challenges faced by pe...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Chris Ruden is an amputee, Type 1 diabetic record-holding powerlifter, motivational keynote speaker, and author of The Art of Changing Course. From being humiliated and labeled broken because of his disability to struggling with mental health and living in a non-disabled-inclusive world, Chris learned to turn his obstacles into opportunities, now using his ba...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Karen Hurley, a physical therapist and owner of AIM Therapy, where she provides fitness opportunities for athletes with all abilities, learning styles and communication preferences. AIM uses the principles of Least Restrictive Environment for her athletes to be successful as well as principles of Universal Fitness with all classes....

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Robert Costa, an Ironman triathlete and business owner, about his journey through spinal cord injury and his transition into endurance sports. Robert shares his experiences of overcoming challenges, the importance of community support, and the lessons he hopes to impart to his children. He discusses the mental and physical aspects...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Anna McKeown, the executive director of Dreamfar, an organization that welcomes teens with diverse backgrounds and abilities to take part in a program that combines mentorship and distance running as a pathway to improve their physical and mental fitness, build community, and develop self-efficacy. They discuss the impact of mentor...

In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, Dr. Swapna Balakrishnan discusses her journey into the field of neurodegenerative diseases and the importance of bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. Dr. Swapna Balakrishnan is a Doctor of physical therapy and currently a PhD Candidate in the Mobility and Investigative Neuroimaging (MAIN) Lab at the University of Vermont. She has extensive...