AdaptX Podcast

In this conversation, Dawn Oates discusses her work with the Play Brigade and her advocacy for inclusion and accessibility. She shares her experiences in promoting inclusion without exploitation and her advocacy work in education and housing, emphasizing the rights of individuals with disabilities to access quality education and safe living spaces. Dawn highlights the ripple effect of advocacy and...

Nico Calabria joins Brendan Aylward for this week's episode of the AdaptX Podcast, where they discuss the projection of amputee soccer, Nico's involvement with the Bionic Project, and the nature of disability in the world of professional sport. Nico was born with congenital hemipelvectomy, a condition that manifests in the absence of a right leg and hip. Nico's disability provided him with the opp...

This week, Brendan is joined by his own running coach of nearly four years, Steve Sinko. As an experienced run coach, AdaptX and ACE certified trainer, and seven-time Boston Marathon qualifier, Steve is well-versed in the world of endurance sports, and is particularly attuned to the barriers to inclusive participation in running. As a frequent duo team runner with Preston Buenaga, Steve has naviga...

For our twenty-fourth episode, Brendan is joined by Mackenzie Edinger, a graduate from Mackenzie from UW-Whitewater’s Early Childhood and Special Education program and a rising entrepreneur within the disability space. Her continued involvement within the disability community and passion for inclusion led her to establish the Inclusion Coffee Company, an establishment that is centered around the e...

Becca Pizzi joins Brendan Aylward for an engaging discussion about her personal journey in endurance sports, which led her to becoming one of very few to win the World Marathon Challenge. Becca is the pinnacle of an endurance athlete, as she has completed over ninety marathons and has successfully ran a marathon on every continent, including Antartica. Not only is Becca an outstanding athlete, but...

This week, Brendan sits down with Jake Hytken, a trailblazer in the Product and Marketing Equity domain. With a rich career history, Jake has been at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions in diversity, equity, and inclusion for esteemed companies. As a passionate advocate within the disability community, Jake sheds light on best practices for fostering inclusivity in strategy and design...

This week, Brendan Aylward travelled to New Hampshire for a live session with Tim Alexander, a disability advocate, keynote speaker, and athlete who recently received an EMMY award for his work on “Ever Faithful--The Resurrection of UAB Football”. Since becoming paralyzed in 2006, Tim has devoted his career, lifestyle, and mindset to the growth of himself and the disability community through commu...

For our 20th episode, Brendan Aylward is joined by Dane Stair, an adaptive exercise specialist at NeuAbility. Dane and Brendan shared their experiences working in the adaptive fitness space, and discussed how the social model of disability is an essential facet of the sustainment of accessibility in a fitness environment. For more on Dane Stair and NeuAbility, visit their website and Instagram pag...

This week, Tony Jacobsen joins Brendan Aylward for an engaging conversation about his lived experiences with Osteogenesis Imperfecta and how fitness has allowed him to foster independence, confidence, and community. They also cover Tony's book, "Disable Your Disability", and discuss the creative process for sharing insightful information on the intricacies of accessibility. To learn more about Ton...

Brad McCannell joins Brendan Aylward for an insightful conversation about how the culture of accessibility needs to be changed, and where business owners and able-bodied people should start. Brad uses his lived experiences as a person with a disability to supplement his extensive knowledge of the disability and accessibility space, providing Brendan and listeners with invaluable advice on how to c...

Listen along as Bob Mitchell of Inspirations Fitness joins Brendan Aylward for a conversation about his lived experiences as an amputee, the importance of compassionate coaching, and the necessity of effective communication in a fitness setting. Learn more about Inspirations Fitness. Episode 17 Chapters: 00:25 - Bob’s Introduction to the Fitness Industry 03:40 - Inspirations Fitness 04:32 - Succes...

Gina Campbell joins Brendan Aylward as they discuss barriers and facilitators to participation in fitness environments, Gina’s perspective as a professional and as an individual with MS, and successful business models for fitness facilities. Listen along as Gina and Brendan cover a broad scope of topics related to culture building and communication models in the adaptive fitness space. Episode 17...

This week, Sam Schaefer joins Brendan for a great discussion about Sam's current career, his experience as an amputee with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and his goals for his athletic career. This week's episode focuses on the complexity of one's individual journey within the world of adaptive fitness, and how Sam has reclaimed autonomy over his disability. For more about Sam, follow him on Inst...

In Episode 14, Brendan is joined by Georgia Carmichael, an adaptive athlete excelling in several activities while managing her recent diagnosis of MELAS Syndrome. Brendan and Georgia discuss her progression to becoming a Paralympic athlete, the intricacies of her diagnosis and symptoms, and her future athletic and health goals. Support Georgia and stay up to date on her journey @georgiacarmic on I...

This week, Brendan is joined by Brad Clark of BC Adaptive fitness and the National Adaptive Fitness Foundation, two organizations centered around the creation of accessible fitness environments. As like-minded individuals in similar occupational positions, Brendan and Brad discuss the necessity of setting high expectations for their clients with disabilities while simultaneously creating an inclus...

This week, Terence Reuben joins Brendan Aylward for a conversation about the complexities of building communities within the world of accessible endurance sports and training. As the founder of My Team Triumph West Michigan and PT Sports Pro, Terence is well-versed in the science and art of connecting with clients of all abilities, and offered a wealth of knowledge on his different focuses through...

This week, Evan Schwerbrock of Cane & Able Fitness joins Brendan to discuss his journey as a student, coach, athlete, and individual with a visual impairment. Listen along as they cover the necessity of personal adaptability, incremental accessibility, and more. Learn more about Evan and Cane & Able Fitness here. Visit the AdaptX website and subscribe to our newsletter.

Michael Woods of Inclusive Sport Design joins Brendan in a discussion about the models of inclusion he implements in his business practices. Listen in as they cover the value of accessibility, how inclusion is not a program, the expansion of ISD, and more. Learn more about Inclusive Sport Design. Check out the AdaptX website and subscribe to our newsletter.

This week, Brendan is joined by Mary McManus, an author, runner, and advocate for Post-Polio Syndrome whose impact on the world of endurance sports is undeniable. Listen to Brendan and Mary's conversation on the complexity of her diagnosis, her resilient approach to life, and her involvement in making endurance sports more accessible. Learn more about Mary and view her published works. Learn more...

John McKenzie joined us in-person on the 17th anniversary of his accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. In this conversation, Brendan and John discuss John's accident and all that followed, their views on walking as a goal of SCI recovery, appropriate etiquette in the disability space, and much more. Check out John on social media @thewheellifeofficial for more SCI and faith-related conte...

Brendan Aylward is joined by Mark Harris, the co-founder of Equip Products, a company designing and distributing adaptive fitness solutions for athletes of all abilities. Listen as Brendan and Mark discuss the necessity of incremental accessibility, and how Equip Products is working to make accessible fitness realistic and affordable. Visit the Equip Products website to view their products and lea...

This week's guest, Tim Morris, joined Brendan in-person to discuss strategies for motivation, the importance of communication, and the intricacies of life with a spinal cord injury. Listen along as Tim shares his wealth of knowledge of the disability space with Brendan and our audience.

Austin Roth joins Brendan Aylward in a discussion about his CrossFit involvement, his Cerebral Palsy diagnosis, and his journey of finding identity in the world of adaptive sports. Learn more about AdaptX and subscribe to our newsletter here.

Host Brendan Aylward is joined by Zachary Josie, an adaptive athlete with dwarfism. Just two weeks ago, Zach became the first athlete with dwarfism to complete a half IRONMAN triathlon in under five hours. In this episode, Zach shares his training process, race-day details, and his perspective on the nature of accessibility in endurance sports. Learn more about AdaptX and subscribe to our newslett...

Rachel Zoeller and Joseph Foster join Brendan Aylward in a conversation about Roll Mobility, an app that provides a community for individuals to discuss and share accessible spaces. The link to download Roll Mobility is included here if you are interested in expanding Roll Mobility's reach in the world of accessibility.