Brave in the Attempt

Haley Waggoner and Lisa Noble discuss the importance of athlete leadership and their roles in leading Athlete Leadership Councils. Lisa Noble is a prominent Special Olympics Global Athlete Leader, serving as the incoming Chair of the United States Athlete Leadership Council and as a member of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Athlete Advisory Council. Haley Waggoner serves as President of the Ne...

Drexel Joseph is building more than a sports network — he’s creating a movement for inclusion, opportunity, and representation across the Caribbean. Inspired by the impact of ESPN, Drexel is developing a sports networking company Special Olympics Sports network.   Dedicated to Special Olympics athletes, giving them a platform to shine both on and off the field. In this episode, we explore Drexel’s...

Brett Griffiths and Erin Magee two Special Olympic athlete's from Canada were honored to be selected as part of the Athlete Congress connected to the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Chile. Their selection is a reflection of the dedication, leadership, and passion they have shown through their involvement in Special Olympics and athlete leadership programs. As members of Athlete Congress,...

In this episode of "Brave in the Attempt," we explore the inspiring origins of Special Olympics Nebraska's Capitol Hill Day. To tell this story, we've combined two insightful interviews. The first features Carolyn Chamberlin, CEO of Special Olympics Nebraska, and Athlete Leader Haley Waggoner, who played a pivotal role in initiating our very own Hill Day to advocate for funding...

On this episode of Brave in the Attempt , we interviewed Michaela Schenklberg. Michaela shares her experience in early childhood development and the work she does running several Young Athletes summer camps. These camps are designed for children ages 2–7 with intellectual disabilities, helping them learn to interact with others while developing important fine motor skills. Michaela explains that t...

On this episode of Brave in the Attempt , we interview Special Olympics athletes Adam and JR Kornberg. JR and Adam share not only the bond of teammates, but also that of uncle and nephew. Together, they’ve experienced incredible opportunities competing in Special Olympics sports side by side. This summer, their journey comes full circle as they take the flag football field together at the Special...

Brave in the Attempt Podcast is sharing two powerful interviews with athletes heading to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games . Meet Isaiah Pope and Addie Davis , who have been chosen to represent Special Olympics Nebraska at the USA Games in Minnesota this summer . 🏅 Isaiah will compete in Track , and Addie will compete in Bocce . In these episodes, Isaiah and Addie share their incredible stories...

On this episode of Brave in the Attempt , Wyatt interviews athlete Garrett Stipke, who shares his journey into tennis and his incredible qualification for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. After only two years of playing tennis, Garrett achieved his main goal: earning a spot at the USA Games. He talks about how that dream motivated him from the very beginning, and how—with help fro...

In this episode of "Brave in the Attempt," we have the pleasure of speaking with athlete leader Aaron Drury. Aaron recently completed our athlete leadership class, where he honed his skills in writing and delivering impactful speeches. With 25 years of experience as a Special Olympics athlete, Aaron has long been a beacon of leadership on the playing fields, competing in track, basketbal...

We’re joined by Dr. Max Kurz from Boys Town, who dives into the research he’s conducted on people with disabilities, focusing specifically on cerebral palsy. His studies aim to help individuals with cerebral palsy find effective ways to improve their body movements. Max discusses the practical nature of his work at Boys Town, highlighting how the simplest things in life can significantly impact da...

Wyatt is joined by Special Olympics swimming coach Mike Messerole, who has dedicated over 30 years to empowering Special Olympics athletes to compete in the pool. Throughout his journey, Mike has been actively involved in various committees aimed at expanding the reach of Special Olympics. He reflects on how profoundly the athletes have influenced him as a coach. Together, Wyatt and Mike discuss t...

We are thrilled to be joined by Grace Payne, the Sargent Shriver Global Messenger representing the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Region. Grace opens up about her journey living with autism and the various challenges she has faced along the way. When she became involved with the Special Olympics, it truly transformed her life, paving the way for incredible opportunities in basketball and powerlifti...

Lou Lauria Chief of Sports and Competition for Special Olympics international joins Brave in the Attempt podcast. Lou grew up in the Bronx’s of New York City. Lou has been in charge of organizing huge sporting events from Olympic Games and Paralympic games. Lou takes us behind the scenes of what all goes into planning a Special Olympics international competition. Lou explains what a host town is f...

Listen to this amazing episode as Wyatt interviews special Olympics  staff members Madeline Safrit and Rachel McQuiston.   Madeline Podcast Editorial Manger and Special Olympics Internal Communications Manager.  Madeline was introduced to the Special Olympics movement. In 2016, she accepted an internship with Special Olympics North Carolina. For the past five years, she served as their director of...

In this inspiring episode, Special Olympic athletes Rachel Milligan and Tiffany Goodman open up about their personal health journeys. Discover how embracing a healthy lifestyle has been a cornerstone of their success both on the playing field and in daily life. Their stories showcase the profound impact that wellness has had not just on their athletic performance, but also on their overall well-be...

  Susan has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2011 and participates in alpine skiing, swimming, floor hockey, and track and field with Special Olympics British Columbia . She has had many leadership opportunities including being the chair of the Canadian Athlete Leadership Council and sitting on the Canadian Board of Directors. Susan is hard working, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. She alway...

Get to know Special Olympics Nebraska athlete leader Cindy Hemberger! In this two part interview we learn about Cindy's  exciting opportunity to go to  Washington DC for Capital Hill day.  Cindy Hemberger is taking the spotlight as she meets with Members of Congress to underscore the vital mission of the Special Olympics. Cindy passionately articulated the profound impact of the Special Olymp...

Wyatt Interviews Shawn Byrne Management of Digital and Social Media content. Shawn has been involved with special Olympics sense the 1992 law enforcement  torch run.  Where he  saw his dad carried the flame of hope in during the Special Olympics opening ceremony's in Oklahoma. After college Shawn followed in his fathers footsteps and became a cop.  Now as a part of the police force Shawn was...

 Brave in the Attempt podcast is collaborating with the Special Chronicles podcast for this episode.  Wyatt and his friend Daniel Smrokowski ( Host of the Special Chronicles) had the amazing experience of attending a Special Olympics event at the White House!  Daniel and Wyatt talk about how they got invited to the White House. They talk about the what it was like to meet President Joe Biden and t...

Wyatt interviews university of Nebraska men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg.  Coach Hoiberg was a top recruit coming out of High School in Ames Iowa as a basketball and football player. Hoiberg talks about his playing career in college at Iowa state and what is was like adapting to the NBA. Hoiberg talks about the people that were a great role model for him during his NBA career like  hall fa...

Wyatt interviews Special Olympics board member Josh Todd.   Sports has always been a part of Josh life. As the director of development and communications for Elkhorn Athletics Assortation. Josh loves how sports brings people together. Josh first experience with Special Olympics came at his high school in Arizona where his school was one of the first to promote unified sports in Arizona. Josh talks...

On this episode of of Brave in the Attempt Wyatt Interviews Special Olympic Illinois athlete Daniel Smrokwski. Daniel is know for successful podcast ( Special Chronicles) He was a Sergeant Shriver Global Messenger for the North America. Daniel talks about how his teacher convinced him to go out for Special Olympics.   Daniel struggled with communicating so he turned it to a strength By starting hi...

Wyatt interviews  Chief Inspiration Officer and Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne. Loretta grew up in York Pennsylvania.  Loretta mother told her that life would be tough for her but taught her how to use her voice to standup for her self.  Through a school work program Loretta found out about Special Olympics.  She talks about how sports brings people together.  Loretta has played a mult...

Wyatt interviews Chief Health Officer of Special Olympics Dimitri Christakis.  In Dimitri's early life he grew up in Greece and then moved to united states when he started school.  Dmitri first experience  with Special Olympics was when he was in medical school and volunteered at the Pennsylvania state games.  Dimitri share how he became a pediatrician and his experiences  in treating people...

Wyatt Interviews Special Olympics Nebraska's Board Member Sarah Smith. Sarah grew up in Omaha Nebraska. Sarah talks about her time in medical school at University of Nebraska Medical Center where she became a Health Professional in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  Sarah talks about what its like treating people with disabilities that also have health conditions as well.  Wyatt and Sarah tal...