Para Sport Nation

Jill Jaracz and Alison Brown reflect on how their podcast grew from casual Olympic conversations into a trusted, year-round space for Olympic and Paralympic sport. What began as a way to recreate “water-cooler” chats during the Games evolved into deeper storytelling driven by listener interest and athlete trust. They discuss how listener feedback led them into Paralympic coverage, why treating Par...

The Montreal Open goalball tournament brings Canada’s top teams together each January, and this year’s event stands out with strong national talent, growing women’s participation, and key storylines for Nova Scotia and Team Canada heading into a busy season. Follow Para Sport Nation on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities throu...

Hosts Alex Smyth, Nathan Clement, and producer Jeff Ryman break down the most anticipated para sport storylines for 2026. They explore the Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina, highlighting potential challenges in Paralympic Village accessibility, snow conditions, and venue readiness. The team also discusses Canada’s para ice hockey roster aiming to dethrone the U.S., para alpine skiing medal cont...

Para Sport Nation wraps up 2025 with a focused roundtable reflection on the stories that shaped the year in para sport. Alex Smyth, Nathan Clement, and Jeff Ryman highlight Canadian success across world championships, late-season momentum in para biathlon and Nordic skiing, and the growing depth of national programs. The episode spotlights the inaugural Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championship a...

In this episode, Alex and Nathan chat with Samuel Charron, captain of Canada’s 7-a-side soccer team. They learn about his journey in the sport, the landscape and evolution of 7-a-side or CP soccer in Canada. Samuel also discusses the importance of grassroots and growing the sport across the country. The guys also play a game of Brand Association, determining whether iconic Canadian brands would be...

In this episode, Alex and Nathan chat with Boris Rybalka, the new head coach of Team Canada’s Para Ice Hockey team. He talks about taking over head coaching duties for the national program, his journey in hockey, both in junior and para, and how he sees gold in the team’s future. He also reflects on the team’s recent performance at the Para Ice Hockey Cup. They guys also discuss how thick the ice...

Join six-time Para Surfing World Champion Victoria Feige as she shares her journey from growing up in Vancouver to training on Oahu’s world-class waves. In this episode, Victoria breaks down the para surfing classification system, explains how competitions are scored, and reveals the intense training and cross-training routines that keep her at the top of her sport. She also discusses how her care...

Para snowboard Next Gen athlete Chase Nicklin shares his rapid rise through the sport, what developing on Canada’s Next Gen program looks like, and how mindset, mentorship, and preparation shape a Paralympic pathway toward Milano Cortina 2026. Follow Para Sport Nation on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadc...

Alex Smyth and Nathan Clement speak with Doug Hannam, Executive Director of Ontario Para Network, about the Ontario government’s sport hosting program. Doug explains how funding support has enabled ONPARA to host national and international events, including wheelchair basketball championships at Durham College and the upcoming World Championships in Ottawa. Follow Para Sport Nation on YouTube! Abo...

Alex Smyth and Nathan Clement discuss Team Canada’s wheelchair curling performance, share their “ice thickness” analysis of all Paralympic winter sport teams ahead of Milano Cortina 2026, and interview Mac Marcoux, former para alpine skier and newly named honorary captain of the Canadian Paralympic team, about his role, athlete engagement, and preparation for the Games. Follow Para Sport Nation on...

Erik Groves, PARAREACH Canadian Sport Institute Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic, Canadian Paralympic Committee, research, accessibility, AMI, para sport, Lululemon, Milano Cortina Paralympic Games, Paralympics, Paralympic Gear, Vancouver 2010, 2015 Parapan Am Games, adaptive sports, sports training, winter sports, winter gear, sports media, upcoming Paralympics, Blind Power Rankings, non-Paralympic...

In this episode, Alex and Nathan chat with Paralympic legend and newest member of the Canadian Paralympic Committee Hall of Fame Todd Nicholson. He reflects on his career as an athlete, ambassador, and leader in the para sport movement. He discusses his favourite memories from his time as an athlete and how para ice hockey and the paralympic movement have grown. Alex and Nathan also react to the a...

In this episode, Alex and Nathan welcome two-time Paralympian and Culxtured co-founder, Dani Aravich, for an in-depth conversation about para sports and the media. They explore the challenges and opportunities around representation, from common misconceptions to the ways para sports are covered and portrayed in the media. Dani shares her perspective on how coverage can improve and why accurate rep...

In this episode, Alex and Nathan sit down with Paralympic champion snowboarder Tyler Turner. They catch up on everything he’s juggling right now—from filming his upcoming TV series airing on AMI in 2026, to training in the Yukon, to gearing up for the 2026 Paralympic Games. Tyler’s got a full plate. The guys also put him through a rapid-fire round, asking about his go-to mountain snack, his dream...

Get an exclusive look inside Canada’s Men’s Para Ice Hockey team with Greg Westlake and Dominic Cozzolino, fresh off a silver medal at the Para Hockey Cup. Greg reflects on returning from retirement and the mental and physical challenges of high-level para ice hockey. Dom highlights the importance of teamwork, leadership, and building confidence ahead of major international competitions. They also...

Fresh off the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Egypt, American powerlifter Ashley Dice joins the show to share what it takes to compete at the highest level of Para Powerlifting. From grueling training sessions to mental resilience and perfect technique, Ashley breaks down how she earned all-white lights in Cairo and how she’s building toward the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. She also opens up...

Join Alex Smyth, Nathan Clement, and producer Jeff as they mark 100 episodes of Para Sport Nation. This milestone episode celebrates the athletes, coaches, and stories that have shaped the show’s first year. From memorable retirement announcements of stars like Mike Whitehead, Patrick Anderson, and Danielle Ellis to uncovering new and unique para sports including para climbing, wheelchair BMX, and...

Discover how Paralympic boccia medalist Iulian Ciobanu is redefining resilience, teamwork, and joy in elite parasport. From his silver at the 2025 Americas Regional Championship to his unique take on performance and partnership, Iulian shares what fuels his passion for the game and how chemistry makes champions. Follow Para Sport Nation on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains,...

Heidi Peters, captain of Team Canada’s sitting volleyball squad, reflects on the 2025 World Cup, sharing insights on team growth, leadership, and high-performance para sport. She discusses integrating new athletes, building team culture, and advocating for better media coverage and professionalization of para sport in Canada and internationally. Learn how athletes balance competition, mentorship,...

After nearly a decade representing Team Canada in para cycling, Keely Shaw is officially retiring from competition — and she’s doing it entirely on her own terms. In this honest and emotional conversation with Nathan Clement and Alex Smyth, Keely opens up about why now was the right time to step away, how she rediscovered her love for movement, and what’s next as she transitions from athlete to ac...

This episode of Para Sport Nation dives into the preparation and mindset of Canadian para climber Jeremy Ritchie ahead of the 2025 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup. Jeremy shares insights on his training routine, overcoming injuries, and using adaptive equipment to push his limits. He discusses the mental focus required for elite climbing, the camaraderie within the Canadian para climbing team, and th...

In this episode, Nate Tucker, world champion para-athlete, takes us behind the scenes of elite para-athletics. From his early experiences growing up with a coordination impairment to winning the T-38 1500m World Championship, Nate reveals the mental strategies, creative training techniques, and lifestyle habits that help him stay at the top of his sport. Listeners and viewers will hear about the c...

In this episode para rower Stuart Chase opens up about the highs and lows of Canada’s 2025 World Rowing Championship campaign in Shanghai. The team—made entirely of first-time world championship athletes—faced unexpected challenges, including a prosthetic malfunction mid-race. Despite setbacks, the crew showed grit and pride in their final push against Spain. Stu discusses lessons from the season,...

After more than two decades in wheelchair curling, Dennis Thiessen opens up about what it feels like to step away from competition. Speaking with Nathan, Thiessen shares powerful memories from the Paralympic Games in Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing, his emotional final tournament, and the teammates and rivals who shaped his journey. He also reflects on how wheelchair curling has evolved — from hom...

Michael Sametz shares his journey from a horrible leg injury just before the Paris Paralympics to a triumphant return on the international cycling stage. He details the emergency surgery, rigorous rehabilitation, and disciplined training that allowed him to return stronger than ever. Michael also reflects on the challenges and excitement of the Belgium World Championships, highlighting the course,...