AdaptX Podcast
por AdaptX
Amplifying the voice and ideas of individuals who are building accessible business or products, advocating for inclusion, or excelling in adaptive sports.
Episodios del podcast
#055- Disability Identity: Acceptance, Academics, and Athletics with Dr. Cort Schneider
On today’s episode, we were joined by Dr. Cort Schneider. Dr. Schneider was born with cerebral palsy, is the Director of Disability Services at the University of Richmond, and a professor. He is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, and adaptive recreation. He is a runner who uses forearm crutches and he has completed 14 half marathons, and dozens of 5k races. He even wrote a book called the Trial of Miles: A Disabled Runner's Memoir. Currently, he has taken his passion for people with disabilities and adaptive recreation and has launched a podcast entitled Sports, Identity, and the Disability Blue. This podcast uses the lens of sports to explore the stories of people with disabilities which sheds light on the experience of those with disabilities, The podcast is also a celebration of disability as a cultural identity. Dr. Schneider discusses the importance of inclusion and accessibility in various aspects of university life and he emphasizes the need for inclusive environments that accept, embrace, educate, and empower people with disabilities. Dr. Schneider challenges the narrative of disability as a negative and highlights the importance of reframing disability as a natural part of the human experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within universities and the portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational. He shares his passion for running and the empowering nature of his athletic body as a person with a disability. Cort provides advice for personal trainers on how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for clients with disabilities. To listen to Dr. Schneider’s podcast, check out the link below, Dr. Schneider’s Podcast: https://cortschneider.podbean.com/ Keywords: disability, inclusion, accessibility, university, diversity, equity, inspiration, running, disability, races, adaptive equipment, inclusivity, gym, personal training Takeaways Inclusion is a set of relationships, and creating inclusive environments requires collaboration and buy-in from all members of a community. Disability should be reframed as a natural part of the human experience, and society should adjust to accommodate people with disabilities rather than expecting them to conform to able-bodied norms. The portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational can create unrealistic expectations and perpetuate low expectations for individuals with disabilities. Universities and other institutions should prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects, including physical spaces, services, and programs. The cost of adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities can be a significant barrier. Personal trainers should ask clients with disabilities about their specific needs and goals, and not be afraid to make mistakes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:19 Disability Statistics and the Norm of Able-Bodiedness 06:11 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Campus Recreation Centers 10:36 Creating an Inclusive Environment for Neurodiverse Students 12:51 DEI Initiatives in Universities 15:43 The Importance of Collaboration in Inclusion Work 21:27 The Value of Disability and the Complexity of the Experience 24:06 The Issue with the Inspirational Narrative 30:13 Overcoming Challenges and Others' Opinions 35:16 Barriers Faced by Individuals with Disabilities in Races 38:18 Creating Inclusive Races 45:31 Advice for Personal Trainers 53:19 Fostering an Inclusive Gym Culture
#054- Bridging the Gap Between Rehab and Fitness with Bethany Noble
Bethany Noble initially started working in adaptive fitness and with diverse populations when she was based at a rehabilitation center. She was recognized by the physiotherapist team and asked to work with their rehabilitation clients. She started with Spinal Cord Injuries as her first rehabilitation client and received direct referrals from physios. Bethany emphasizes the importance of understanding the value of physical exercise for everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. She believes that personal trainers should be directly referred to individuals who have experienced a life-changing circumstance. Bethany also discusses the importance of attitude, positive reinforcement, and personalized programming when working with diverse populations. In this conversation, Brendan and Bethany discuss the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in the fitness industry and they highlight the need for fitness professionals to think outside the box and adapt exercises and equipment to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or health conditions. Bethany shares her experience of working in a non-traditional gym environment and how she markets her program through LinkedIn. They also discuss the landscape of inclusion and adaptive fitness in the UK compared to the US. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, being open to new ideas, and creating a supportive network. To learn more about Bethany and BGC Rehabilitation, visit the links below, Bethany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-noble-574077152/ BGC Rehabilitation: https://www.bgcrehabilitation.com/ Keywords: adaptive fitness, diverse populations, rehabilitation, physiotherapist, referrals, value of exercise, attitude, positive reinforcement, personalized programming, accessibility, inclusivity, fitness industry, adaptation, equipment, unconventional, mindset, environment, marketing, LinkedIn, learning, support Takeaways Recognition from the physiotherapist team led to Bethany working with rehabilitation clients Direct referrals from physios are important in the field of adaptive fitness Understanding the value of exercise for everyone is crucial Attitude and positive reinforcement play a significant role in training individuals with disabilities Personalized programming is essential when working with diverse populations. Fitness professionals should focus on the bigger picture of exercise and fitness, rather than getting caught up in the minutia of specific exercises or rep schemes. Thinking outside the box and adapting exercises and equipment can make fitness more accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities or health conditions. Creating a quiet and distraction-free environment can be beneficial for clients with sensory sensitivities. Overcoming self-doubt and embracing vulnerability is essential for personal and professional growth. The landscape of inclusion and adaptive fitness varies between countries, but exposure and belief systems play a significant role in promoting inclusivity. Chapters 00:00 Recognition and Referrals 02:36 The Value of Exercise for Everyone 03:21 Attitude and Positive Reinforcement 09:19 Personalized Programming 29:37 Adapting Exercises and Equipment for Accessibility 32:26 Thinking Outside the Box in Fitness 36:49 Creating an Inclusive Environment 43:37 Marketing and Networking on LinkedIn 48:25 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Vulnerability
#053-The Execution and Etiquette of Inclusive Marketing with Ryan Wilson
In today's episode Ryan Wilson, CEO of Team Trust Productions, discusses the importance of inclusive and accessible marketing campaigns. He shares his experiences of living with a disability and how it inspired him to start his company. Wilson emphasizes the need to humanize individuals with disabilities and showcase their stories beyond their sports achievements. He also highlights the role of representation in film and the need for authentic and diverse portrayals of disability. Wilson provides insights into the process of creating marketing videos and the importance of storytelling. He offers advice on how gyms and fitness professionals can authentically represent disability in their campaigns and improve inclusivity in the fitness industry. To learn more about Ryan and Team Trust Productions, visit the links below, Team Trust Productions: https://teamtrustproductions.com/ Team Trust Productions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-trust-productions/ Ryan Wilson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wilson-trust/ Keywords: inclusive marketing, accessible marketing, disability representation, storytelling, video production, disability etiquette, fitness industry inclusivity Episode 53 Takeaways Inclusive and accessible marketing campaigns are essential for demonstrating support and welcoming individuals with disabilities. Humanizing individuals with disabilities and showcasing their stories beyond their sports achievements is crucial for authentic representation. The film industry should strive for diverse and accurate portrayals of disability. The process of creating marketing videos involves understanding the organization's goals, analyzing data, and incorporating storytelling. Gyms and fitness professionals can improve inclusivity by establishing connections with the disability community, telling success stories, and making simple accommodations. Effective communication with individuals with disabilities involves asking important questions, focusing on goals, and listening. The fitness industry can become more inclusive by reverse engineering client goals, focusing on similarities rather than differences, and providing accessible options. Episode 53 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Company Overview 03:03 Growing Up Without Disability Representation 04:49 Depicting Disability in Sports and Beyond 07:30 Creating Impactful Marketing Videos 09:24 Authentic Representation in Hollywood 12:06 Transition from Sports Announcing to Filmmaking 20:03 Authentic Representation in the Fitness Industry 24:28 Connecting with Team Trust Productions
#052 - Boston Strong: A Conversation with Jeff Bauman and Marc Fucarile
In this episode, Marc Fucarile and Jeff Bauman join Brendan Aylward for a live recording to discuss their experiences in inclusive fitness and the ways that the Boston Marathon bombings have affected both of their lives. As survivors of the 2013 Marathon bombings, Marc and Jeff’s introduction to the adaptive fitness world and disability advocacy was heavily influenced by the events of April 15th. Throughout the episode, they discuss their experiences as amputees, recovery journeys, the support they received, and the way that fitness came back into their lives post-injury. Marc shares his work with his platform “the Marc Network”, which is a valuable resource for connecting individuals with disabilities to adaptive sports and other support services. Additionally, Marc, Jeff, and Brendan cover some of the socioeconomic challenges associated with having a disability, including the costs of adaptive equipment and the need for financial accessibility. To learn more about Marc and Jeff and their individual endeavors, visit their websites linked below. Marc Fucarile’s website at https://marcfucarile.com/. Read Stronger by Jeff Bauman at https://a.co/d/3dId7Kh. Jeff Bauman’s Story by Boston Medical Center at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL8t4KGpLTo. Episode 52 Takeaways The Marc Network and the Remarcable Foundations, created by Marc Fucarile, are valuable platforms for connecting individuals with disabilities to adaptive sports, equipment, and other disability support services. The Boston Marathon bombings brought attention to the resilience and strength of survivors and first responders, highlighting the necessity of empathy and action through traumatic experiences and recovery. The support and generosity of the Boston community have been instrumental in Marc and Jeff’s recovery and the well-being of other survivors. Adaptive sports are a valuable and empowering activity for individuals with disabilities, providing physical and emotional benefits. The cost of adaptive equipment can be a significant barrier to inclusive participation, and financial accessibility is crucial for individuals to participate in adaptive sports. Finding supportive organizations and communities is essential for individuals with disabilities to connect, participate, and thrive after injury, during recovery, and throughout the rest of their lives. Episode 52 Chapters 02:05 - Experiences with the Boston Marathon Bombings and Recovery 7:57 - Powerful Acts of Kindness on April 15th, 2013 8:55 - Forming Relationships with Veteran Amputees 10:11 - The Role of Media in Tragedy 11:26 - The Boston Strong Movement 13:33 - Marc’s Story 15:00 - “Stronger” and Advocacy 16:27 - Life After the 2013 Marathon 19:02 - Jeff and Marc’s Intro to Adaptive Sports 19:35 - The Evolution of Disability Resources 22:00 - The Marc Network and Essential Resources 27:13 - Resolution Fitness: AdaptX Podcast’s First Show Sponsor 27:35 - The Role of Adaptive Sports in Recovering from a Traumatic Injury 34:05 - Expansion of Adaptive Sports 38:25 - The Challenge of Learning Adaptive Sport 39:45 - Overcoming Financial Barriers in Adaptive Sports 42:05 - The Marc Network’s Role in Mitigating Financial Barriers 45:00 - Children's Perception of Disability 50:57 - Supporting a Family Member Through Recovery 53:55 Finding Supportive Organizations and Communities
#051- Building an Inclusive Remote Training Platform with Lee-Anne Reuber of Sekond Skin Society
Sekond Skin Society is a health and fitness app designed around accessibility, creating an inclusive experience for people with and without disabilities to work out together. In this episode, Brendan is joined by Lee-Anne Reuber, the company’s founder, as she takes us through the company’s start as a brick and mortar yoga studio and transition to a virtual platform. Lee-Anne reflects on her entry into the inclusive fitness space after receiving feedback from members who loved seated class and accessible workout options. Inclusion, to Lee-Anne, means creating a safe space where people feel a sense of belonging and where the environment is already created with them in mind. The fitness industry plays a large role in valuing bodies, and Sekond Skin Society aims to disrupt that space by including people with disabilities. Throughout their conversation, Brendan and Lee-Anne discuss their goals in creating an inclusive and accessible fitness platform for people of all abilities. Sekond Skin Society is focused on providing a community forum for members to connect with each other and share their experiences. The app will offer a variety of classes, including yoga, dance, cardio, strength training, and meditation. All classes will be on-demand to accommodate the convenience of members and the capacity of instructors. The app will utilize features such as captions, enhanced queuing, and American Sign Language to make the instruction more accessible. Sekond Skin Society is currently in beta testing and actively seeking feedback to improve their platform. To learn more, visit the Sekond Skin website linked here: https://www.sekondskinsociety.com/ Episode 51 Takeaways Within the fitness realm, where bodies are often valorized, there exists a pressing demand for broader inclusivity, particularly concerning individuals with disabilities. Sekond Skin Society challenges the status quo within the fitness industry, striving to amplify the representation of individuals with disabilities in both fitness marketing and instructor roles. Central to its mission, Sekond Skin Society aims to forge an all-encompassing and accessible fitness platform catering to individuals of diverse abilities. Through this platform, members are afforded a community forum, facilitating connections and the exchange of experiences. The app boasts a diverse array of classes, ranging from yoga and dance to cardio, strength training, and meditation, all available on-demand. To ensure utmost accessibility, Sekond Skin Society incorporates features such as captions, enhanced queuing, and American Sign Language, thereby enriching the instructional experience for all users. Sekond Skin Society is currently in beta testing and actively seeking feedback to improve their platform. Episode 51 Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Sekond Skin Society and its Founder 00:27 - What is Sekond Skin? 05:35 - A Sense of Belonging in Fitness 06:35 - Marketing Fitness to People with Disabilities 15:19 - Advantages of Virtual and Remote Fitness 29:24 - Creating Community in a Remote Offering 50:05 - Lack of Representation and Inclusion 56:25 - Creating Space for Inclusion and Representation