No Barriers

You'll hear about the the complex nature of moral injury, and how service, faith, and a sense of purpose healed him—and helped him pay it forward in extraordinary ways. Whether you're a veteran, someone facing an invisible challenge, or just looking for inspiration, you're in the right place.Connect with Eric DonohoCanyon of Hope book: https://www.amazon.com/Canyon-Hope-Darkness-Embracing-Within/dp/1962956253Eric's website: https://ericdonoho.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebdonohoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebdonoho/  

An unprecedented unit of World War Two climbers and skiers, the 10th was dispatched to fight axis powers in extreme cold and mountainous terrain. Not only were their efforts critical to Germany's surrender, these veterans returned home to develop ski areas across the country, and start companies like Nike and National Outdoor Leadership School.Erik and Christian are about to blast open some history, challenge your assumptions, and remind us all what it means to build something extraordinary when the world needs it most. 

This episode dives into the raw, messy, and ultimately transformative terrain between suffering and awakening—a journey that's anything but straightforward. Traver Boehm. His story is wild—think: MMA fighter by day, acupuncturist by night, and years later, a man who spent a month alone in complete darkness to confront the deepest parts of himself. In between he navigated professional heartbreak, devastating personal loss, and a year devoted to living as if it were his last. If you're ready to challenge your own assumptions about pain, healing, and the human spirit—or searching for a map to navigate your own tough terrain—this episode promises insight, inspiration, and true no-barriers wisdom.

Let's go to the Appalachian Trail. The AT as it's called. Here's some stats. At just under 2200 miles It's longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Each year roughly 3 million people visit a segment of it. Of that, about 3000 people attempt to hike the whole thing… with only fraction finishing.  Last year 1 of those finishers did it faster than anyone else. Thru-hiking the AT typically takes about 4-7 months, Tara Dower did in just 40 days.Tara shares the highs and lows of her journey. She opens up about what drives her to keep moving forward, the importance of curiosity and confidence, and the value of learning to suffer with purpose.

This is part 2 of No Barriers Live featuring  Kara Star of the World, with Kara Brouhard. Part 1 of No Barriers Live is the previous episode and features From My Window, with Melissa Simpson. Afterwards, Erik talks with the stars of these films and their family caregivers. He explores the challenges and rewards of adopting a “No Barriers Mindset,” and how this mindset and these experiences have affected the lives of not only Kara and Melissa, but everyone around them as well.We couldn't do this by ourselves. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs people living with disabilities in Englewood, Colorado. The venue and vibe were perfect for this live event. Check it if you're in the area. PASCO joined us as well. They are Colorado based company dedicated to families with special needs, providing care, support, guidance and resources. 

This is part 1 of No Barriers Live featuring  From My Window, with Melissa Simpson. Part 2 of No Barriers Live is the next episode and features and Kara Star of the World, with Kara Brouhard. Afterwards, Erik talks with the stars of these films and their family caregivers. He explores the challenges and rewards of adopting a “No Barriers Mindset,” and how this mindset and these experiences have affected the lives of not only Kara and Melissa, but everyone around them as well.We couldn't do this by ourselves. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs people living with disabilities in Englewood, Colorado. The venue and vibe were perfect for this live event. Check it if you're in the area. PASCO joined us as well. They are Colorado based company dedicated to families with special needs, providing care, support, guidance and resources. 

A self-promoting egomaniac known mostly for his catastrophic failures. No, not our guest today. But there's definitely something for us to learn from this individual who leads the cast of characters in The Realm of Ice & Sky. It's the latest historical work of author Buddy Levy, where he takes on a gripping journey through the attempts to conquer the North Pole, which — spoiler alert — was not achieved not by dogsled or airplane, but by airship.Why do we care? Well, this accidental historian, as Buddy describes himself says… "That these historical models provide a sort of connective tissue for today's innovators and thought leaders who will show us the way to do the things we need to do in the future to survive on this big rock.”

By request from our listeners! To kick off 2025 we want to take a trip down memory lane from 2024. This episode showcases some of our favorite highlights from guests we spoke to in 2024. Enjoy!

You can't hear. You can't speak. How do you function in this world? Oh you want to climb mountains? The biggest ones in the planet?  You rely on sign language, how ya gonna sign with oversized mittens or in a white out with snow coming at ya sideways? Oh you're not sure? Ah… too risky for you. Better find something else to do…. Our guests heard these questions and concerns over and over again… and you know, they didn't have the answers. What Scott & Shayna did have was a curiosity and drive to figure it out along the way. And indeed they did, right to the top of the highest mountain in the world, Everest.In this interview you'll hear their story, from being born profoundly deaf, meeting each other in school, the romance that followed, becoming educators, then mountaineers, and now advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing. They're especially passionate about making the outdoors more accessible.Get ready for tales of courage, adaptability, and the collaborative spirit that defines the No Barriers mindset. Connect with Scott & ShaynaScott & Shayna on InstagramScott & Shayna website 

Erik's goal with these interviews is to shine light into that obscure terrain between the struggle and the success. It's dark there with plenty of barriers; metaphorically speaking certainly, but also many times literally….  as is the case with Sarah; she stared into the darkness of  English Channel waters crossing it back and forth twice. Oh yeah, she was swimming. And she was battling breast cancer too.Sarah's journey is both surreal and inspiring. Her feats of sheer endurance go beyond the English Channel, across the world. 104 miles across on Lake Champlain, 80 miles across Lake Powell.. a short 22 miles across the Loch Ness (no monster sightings) and many, many more.She's on a mission to complete the Ocean's Seven marathon swims.Erik digs into it all, from her motivations, breathtaking encounters with marine life and how she's thriving post-breast cancer.Sarah's website: https://sarahthomasswims.com/Sarah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahswims04

There's much to be said about the effect of wild places on the human psyche….  therapeutic, healing, transformative … a place to experience mindfulness….  Even scary for some, however, our guest Katelyn McKinney simply sums it up like this: “When our bodies are in a wild space we are simply more at ease.”She's been busy testing that idea by bringing groups of people into wild settings, creating supportive environments, and encouraging shifts in mindsets.  Veterans of the military dealing with post-service challenges related to trauma are a focus for her. She is one herself. .In this episode Katelyn shares her journey helping people navigate difficult life experiences, including complexities of identity, particularly for veterans transitioning to civilian life, the scientific and indigenous wisdom behind connecting with nature, and the overall philosophy of turning personal challenges into sources of strength and purpose—what we call 'alchemy.'www.mountainsandmedicine.comInstagram: @Mountains_and_Medicine_LLCFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mountainsandmedicine

There's much to be said about the effect of wild places on the human psyche….  therapeutic, healing, transformative … a place to experience mindfulness….  Even scary for some, however, our guest Katelyn McKinney simply sums it up like this: “When our bodies are in a wild space we are simply more at ease.”She's been busy testing that idea by bringing groups of people into wild settings, creating supportive environments, and encouraging shifts in mindsets.  Veterans of the military dealing with post-service challenges related to trauma are a focus for her. She is one herself. .In this episode Katelyn shares her journey helping people navigate difficult life experiences, including complexities of identity, particularly for veterans transitioning to civilian life, the scientific and indigenous wisdom behind connecting with nature, and the overall philosophy of turning personal challenges into sources of strength and purpose—what we call 'alchemy.'www.mountainsandmedicine.comInstagram: @Mountains_and_Medicine_LLCFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mountainsandmedicine

https://www.zachanner.com/https://ifatbirthyoudontsucceed.com/Instagram: @zach.annerYoutubeZach Anner is a unique personality, writer, comedian, and media influencer born in America in 1984. He is also a YouTube star who motivates people to make daily positive changes. From an early age, he advocated for positive thinking and self-realization no matter what.He became popular after emerging as the winner of the Oprah Winfrey Show's "Search for the Next TV Star" in 2010, which saw him hosting his travel show, "Rollin' with Zach," on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). His story is remarkable for his endless optimism, thirst for self-knowledge, and creativity that breaks through even physiological barriers.

“You can't make dreams come true if the only thing you're doing is dreaming.”  This is from a guy who was counted out on Day 1. What does that mean? It means not being included in an activity. In this case, that activity was life itself. The doctors told his parents he would't live more than a few months. He was born without arms, almost no legs, and given up for adoption.  Now, decades later, he's an accomplished musician and world traveller.Growing up in Nashville was part of his musical trajectory… eventually leading to a moment in front of 20,000 people, performing his soulful style of music where Jeffrey Marshall, that's our guest today, became known as “the guy who plays bass guitar with his feet."LISTEN & WATCH. 3 minute video. Solo performance singing, playing bass guitar, and harmonica. Jeffrey's WebsiteJeffrey on Instagram

Jenna's Website: https://www.jennabainbridge.com/Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainbridgejenna/Episode Highlights

Shawn reached out to the pod recently looking for a little insight from Erik on a project. It's called the Shine Music festival. She founded it in 2019, formed a non-profit, assembled a team, and next month will be their 4th annual event.With that in mind, we put Erik in the hot seat for a bit, and Shawn asks some pressing questions about his experience growing the No Barriers organization. You'll hear his ideas and advice on running a nonprofit, leadership, and sustaining a mission-driven organization.So what is this music festival all about? It's a visionary project that will make you rethink how we approach inclusivity in our communities.  Every sensory experience is accessible to all. From colorblind glasses and braille t-shirts to acoustic performances and adaptive technologies, Shawn is revolutionizing how we experience and connect through music.Shine Music Festival promo videoShine Music WebsiteShawn Satterfield LinkedIn

Episode Rundown00:00 Navy choice surprising, personal agency, self-assessment.10:07 Routine of deployment, planning missions, intense focus.15:36 Be vigilant for potential IED hazards.16:35 Struggle to stay focused in combat heat.25:33 Grateful for life after near-death experience.29:57 Realized blindness after combat, surgery wasn't successful.34:45 Frustration over unique challenges and solutions.41:27 Supporting network enabled veteran to succeed athletically.43:21 Fear turned to opportunity, life changed completely.51:46 Doubt about value of congratulations for disability.53:33 Paralympics transformed mindset, athletes are incredibly inspirational.01:00:30 Passionate about academia and influencing others positively.01:04:44 Sharing combat and sports experiences to inspire.Brad's Website: https://www.bradsnyder.us/Brad on Instgram. https://www.instagram.com/bradsnyderusa/

Ben's Website: www.jetbutterflies.comBen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jetbutterflies/

This duo took the Grand Canyon head-on, from one side to the other and back again, with nothing but their grit and trusty hand cycles — or "trikes" as they like to call them. Why trikes? Because they are both paralyzed from the waist down. Jason was injured in a rollover vehicle crash. Quinn, from a fall while climbing a giant wall of granite, the famed El Capitan in California.Their journey, marked by both physical, mental, and bureaucratic challenges, sheds light on wider issues faced by individuals with disabilities, offering insights that are as instructive as they are inspiring.00:25 Adventures and Challenges: Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Experience02:17 Meeting at Craig Hospital: A Bond Formed Through Rehabilitation02:26 Exploring the Differences in Spinal Cord Injuries and Mobility05:25 The Technicalities and Thrills of Hand Cycling and Trikes11:19 The Grand Canyon Adventure: Planning, Teamwork, and Execution17:12 Navigating the Technical Challenges of the Grand Canyon Trails24:14 The Technicalities and Public Reactions to Adaptive Mobility Devices24:46 Understanding and Educating on Accessibility in Nature28:04 The Complexities of Adaptive Equipment and Accessibility Rights33:02 Reflecting on Past Adventures and the Impact of Injuries35:24 The Journey of Recovery and Advocacy for Spinal Cord Injuries43:24 The Role of Unite to Fight Paralysis in Advancing Research and Advocacy

Tanja, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, shares her personal journey as an athlete, the changing significance of her victories, and her involvement advancing adaptive sports. Her dedication to the community and the memories she's cherished are an integral part of this conversation.Ross, an engineer, takes us through the technical strides and the human stories behind the development of the Tetraski. It's possibly the most advanced ski we've ever seen for sure. Is designed for people with complex physical injuries or illness. Don't have use of your hands or legs? You can control this through your breath, independently. Whatever you're doing, the ski is responding, you are in command, you're shredding again or maybe for the first time.TRAILS adaptiveTetraSki website (Tetradapt)

Gabriel Rodreick website: https://gabrielrodreick.com/LISTEN: Freaque https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xmxsU99bvYcGrvdsw3pFkWATCH: 16 min interview covering the basics of his story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lH6xeWghs

Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode.Episode 178 - Rob Cahill and 4DWNEpisode 177 - Nic NovickiEpisode 173 - Dr. Diva Amon, Behind the BubbleEpisode 172 - Kathy Eldon, the active soul in all of usEpisode 150 - Chasing Dreams with Diana Nyad

The Lab: https://biomechatronics.stanford.edu/Keenon Werling: https://keenon.github.io/Russel Martin https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-m-martin/Lab overview video. https://youtu.be/SiHyoOhCnag?si=3L1FYjWpvh0RlDM0

WEBSITE: The Davis Phinney FoundationWATCH: 8 minutes. Davis Phinney Moment of Victory. 

Today, we're talking augmented reality with audio and ultimately sensory substitution. Our guest is Tim Devine. He and his team at Action Audio have developed a product that translates the spatial data from live sports into sound, allowing blind and low vision audiences to follow the action in real time. It's not just functional tech though, it's emotional. He wants to bring the tension, the anticipation… the core of what makes live sports amazing to watch, to this audience. Tim shares his journey into the world of sound design, starting with a focus on tennis and eventually collaborating with the NBA, transforming data into an immersive 3D spatial audio experience. You'll hear Tim's passion for music, emotion, and sound come to life as we discuss everything from enhancing the broadcast experience to the future expansions in sports like soccer and football. Tim's story isn't just about technological breakthroughs; it's about persistence, responsibility, and the drive to make ideas accessible to those who will most benefit from them.

Today we meet Alice Brouhard and her daughter Kara. When Kara was 5 she was struck by an out of control skier. The accident caused a traumatic brain injury, left Kara legally blind and mostly paralyzed on one side of her body. Kara's parents helped her relearn as much as they could and raised Kara to live as independently as possible, patiently pushing her to chase her dreams. Alice took finding assistive technology into her own hands and in the process became a champion of the use of technology to support people with memory and cognitive challenges. She has worked tirelessly to set up a system that allows Kara to live independently. What keeps Alice going? How does Kara navigate life with such spirit, and what does it tell us about accessibility and resilience? We'll hear about Kara's incredible journey and her dedication to living independently, even amidst challenges like vision loss, paralysis, and seizures. Today, she manages her life with the help of wonderful technology but more than anything, her fiery spirit.

What would you with an extra tank of gas? It's a metaphor for living that we had not heard, until now, when we interviewed Nick Martinez. He's a true adventurer and survivor of life's highest peaks and deepest valleys. And to complete the metaphor, yes, the fuel indeed ran out and not just once. His narratives provide insight into his world of BASE jumping and climbing as well as his life-altering experiences that have shaped his unique perspective on life, death, and everything in-between. He's lost loved ones in tragic accidents and survived near-death experience himself. You'll hear how he emerged with a view of life with "extra mode" activate - an extra tank of gas, something to be cherished and refueled every day, with the good things.

Book Link. RESILIENCE: THE SCIENCE OF MASTERING LIFE'S GREATEST CHALLENGESDr. Dennis Charney on LinkedIn

4DWN Film Trailerhttps://4dwn.org/https://www.instagram.com/4dwn_org/https://www.facebook.com/4DWNskateboardinghttps://www.youtube.com/@4dwnproject197

https://www.nicnovicki.com/https://www.instagram.com/nicnovicki/https://www.instagram.com/disabilityfilmchallenge/https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com/The Disability Challenge video. https://youtu.be/FISwEhPXWzQ

Kyle Maynard is no stranger to pushing the limits, overcoming obstacles, and inspiring others to live a no barriers life. That's why he's our guest today AND in a few weeks when we see him on stage at the No Barriers Summit. His first No Barriers Summit was 12 years ago and a pivotal moment in his life, because soon thereafter he bear crawled to the top the highest mountain in Africa. Bearcrawled? He's got a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at his elbows and legs that end near his knees. Today Kyle shares stories of his transformation, but we go beyond physical feats and explore the deeper motivations that drive him. Like the importance of connection and the power of using climbing as a vehicle to foster relationships, AND his upcoming project aimed at creating a long-lasting impact in the world. Join us as for stories of triumph, growth, and the relentless pursuit of a life without barriers. Get ready to be inspired and motivated to embrace your own journey.

In anticipation of the No Barriers annual 3-day festival we call the Summit (starts on Aug 25th), we're re-releasing an episode that was recorded live at a previous Summit in Lake Tahoe. The guest? JR Martinez. His journey is filled with ups and downs. While on patrol with his Army unit in Iraq, his vehicle was hit with a roadside bomb. He was trapped inside as the explosives his vehicle was carrying detonated around him. During his recovery with over 30 surgeries and skin grafts, he found solace in helping other wounded veterans. 8 years later, an opportunity to join Dancing with the Stars arrived… you've heard of the show maybe?? …. and he (with his dancing partner) won the whole thing! He was in the spotlight now. Writing a book came soon after, the title: Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit. In this episode JR shares these experiences with us in an engaging way. And through out it his message of resilience and optimism rings true.

https://firstdescents.org/ 

Follow Diva on Twitter @divaamon and Instagram @diva_amon, or visit her website https://divaamon.com/.

http://kathyeldon.com

https://www.instagram.com/jake.skis/VIDEO: Invisible Mountains: Jacob Smith, Blind Skier (Skiing the Big Couloir)

Many entrepreneurs say that starting a business is something they always felt destined to do. Then there are people who never in a million years thought they'd be running their own business, but, lo and behold, somehow the opportunity found them. The ‘accidental' entrepreneur some might call themselves. Meet Tiffany Fixter. She founded The Brewability Lab, and what's interesting is not only her path there, but the entrepreneurial journey, filled with challenges and adversity, that she is still smack in the middle of right now. Unique to this business are its employees. Disabled, abled, neurodiverse, you name it… bottom line, great beer and food create by people who've traditionally seen very limited career options. This inclusive workplace Tiffany is creating is prepping its employees for more opportunities beyond. How does she do that? How does she handle the skeptics? Was she destined for this journey or was it an accident? Hang around and find out.

Penny Melville Brown's passion is cooking. However, for a career she chose the Royal Navy. Yes she's British. During her service in the Royal Navy she became the first female barrister there; it's a type of lawyer, the ones that wear those wigs. Then as it happened to all of our guests on this podcast, she had a life altering moment. In Penny's case, she lost her sight and had to leave her 20-year career with the Navy. The next chapter of her life get's real interesting. With an eye towards her cooking roots, she sets her mind on a culinary focused worldwide journey to learn and teach the concepts of baking blind. In the process she's shattered assumptions about the capabilities of blind chefs. In this episode we jump from the Australian outback, to the streets of Paris, to a small Malawian village, and more.

SAM'S SOCIALS: Instagram - BionicKickVIDEO: Muay Thai and MeWEBSITE: https://www.samanthatokita.com/

Polar adventurer, expedition guide, dog musher and educator, Eric Larsen has spent the past 15 years of his life traveling in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth. He traversed 550 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean to get to the North Pole. That wasn't enough, so off he went to the South Pole. 600 frozen miles and 41 days later he made it. Then back to the North Pole in winter, then up to the top of Mt. Everest… shall I go on? The curveball arrived. Did these journeys of isolation and endurance prepare him for the ultimate battle; one for survival in the face of an unexpected cancer diagnosis? In this episode Larsen's shares his honest and thoughtful insights; honed from the mental gymnastics practiced during the the isolation experienced in expanses of snow and ice.

To kick off 2023 we want to take a trip down memory lane from 2022. This episode showcases some of our favorite highlights from guests we spoke to in 2022. Enjoy! Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode. EPISODE 136: 500 MPH WITH FORMER BLUE ANGELS PILOT JOHN FOLEY EPISODE 148: OVERCOMING TRAGEDY WITH SEBASTIAN “ZUKO” CARRASCO EPISODE 152: MINDSETS WITH MATT LEWIS, NAVY SEAL AND COO EPISODE 159: LONNIE BEDWELL FEAR SLAYER EPISODE 161: DR> HOBY WEDLER AND HIS SUPER SENSES EPISODE 162: SEEING SILENCE WITH PETER MCBRIDE

A long or arduous search for something. The act of seeking. The idea of a quest is littered throughout history with 1000s of famous examples. Right now? humans want to go to mars AND return to the moon. The quest to solve climate or energy crisis is happening in real time. What do these have to do with the… Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition …. the life of the famous Apache leader Geron-imo …a 16th century explorer's death defying navigation of the Amazon … or the The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett. In the words of our guest today, Buddy Levy, who's authored books with those titles, he says, “Humankind's quest for knowledge and understanding has set many a historical precedent. And these historical models provide a sort of connective tissue for today's innovators and thought leaders who will show us the way to do the things we need to do in the future to survive on this big rock.”

Patrick Kane needed a prothetic arm. Would he rather have one that looked quite natural, with real looking skin or one that was ‘machine beautiful' with exposed titanium, carbon fiber, alloys, and the like. . Prosthetics have been around for 1000s of years. They've been found in Egyptian tombs. There's a story about a German soldier who lost his arm in war, but that didn't stop him from returning to the battlefield. He had a suit of armor made with a metal hand on it and he was known to be brutal. The phrase Ruling with an Iron Fist is sometimes attributed to that story. What about the ethics of prosthetics? Here's simple question. Just because someone is missing an arm do they need to wear a prothesis. Do athletes with prosthetic limbs have an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes? Patrick Kane was once known as the bionic teenager. He was one of the youngest people to ever be fitted with an artificial limb. He joins our host Erik Weihenmayer and guest host Billy Lister and they tackle these ideas and more.

Born without legs, one would think Jen Bricker would be destined for a life of hardship.  However, the hand of destiny brought her an amazing adoptive family, who gave her one simple rule, “Never say can't” and helped her forge a life of triumph, not tragedy.  As a child, Jen was obsessed with gymnastics, and her idol was Olympic gold-medalist Dominique Moceanu.  Seemingly against all odds, Jen went on to compete against able-bodied athletes, and became a State Champion in power tumbling—only later to discover Moceanu was actually her biological sister.

TED TALK: Is the Grand Canyon for Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71jvm2Pq0Us WATCH: Peter's 750-mile trek across Grand Canyon National Park.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLDc1Ib1acgLISTEN: NPR 1A podcast with Erik & Peterhttps://www.npr.org/2021/10/03/1042831854/seeing-silence-one-photographers-mission-to-find-the-worlds-quietest-placesREAD: Seeing the Silence book excerpt in Nature magazine. https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/book-excerpt-search-for-silence/

As Dr, Hoby Wedler puts it, wine is just two ingredients, yeast and grapes. Yet when people talk about how wine tastes it's more complex and described through the lens of fruit flavors or perfumes or other plants and trees. As a food and beverage sensory expert Dr. Wedler's clients rely his abilities to translate those complexities into products that you and I enjoy. There is a twist though. Dr. Wedler is blind. Hoby earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Davis, and is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, Accessible Science. In our conversation Hoby was a fountain of so many ideas that, we ran out of time during the original recording and resumed the next day. I guarantee a few of these you can put into action as you look towards a goal for today or a year from now. One thought I had, that probably you do to… Is it true that when people who lose one sense can gain super abilities in another? Or maybe “super-abilities” are through plain hard work? Stick around.

Our guest usually finds himself speaking in front of large audiences motivating them through topics like the power of change or embracing the struggle, but today… we get him all to ourselves. Chris Waddell is a Hall of Fame Paralympic skier and wheelchair track athlete. A college skiing accident paralyzed him waist down. Yet he went to the highest levels of competition in the Paralympics winning medal after medal for a decade. The adventure continued with his unassisted ascent of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro at over 19,000 (the first paraplegic to do so). Authoring a few books came next, founding a non-profit, delivering commencement speeches, and the list goes on… 'm glad you're joining us for this conversation between host Erik Weihemayer and guest Chris Waddell.

In 2013 Erik Weihenmayer picked up the phone with an idea and a pitch. After 6 years of training, he was ready to throw himself into some of the biggest whitewater in the country... in a kayak. Where? That stretch of the Colorado River flowing through Grand Canyon. Who did he call? Lonnie Bedwell; today's guest. Erik's journey learning to kayak was a bit lonely at times. Where were the other blind kayakers? Eventually he found Lonnie, blind, who had thrown himself into the sport, and with rapid speed, into that big water in Grand Canyon as well. Erik wanted Lonnie to join him on this epic river adventure. His pitch, “One blind descent is an anomaly, but two would be a statement”) Erik and Lonnie indeed tag teamed that descent through the Grand Canyon and inspired others who followed years later. Let's get into Lonnie' story. We'll cover how he lost his sight in a hunting accident, kayaking the Zambezi in Africa, how his experiences in the military on submarines taught him about managing fear, adaptations he's made working in construction whether roofing a house or running electrical, and how he re-learned to mow a lawn, with his daughter, who was 5 at the time, … and much more…

Our guest today grew up in rural Mongolia; hundreds of miles from anything resembling an advanced health care facility. So when his legs stopped working as a young boy; finding out the reason would not be easy. The family began their quest by traversing over 400 miles across Mongolia without a paved road in sight making their way to the capital city. They found new jobs and connected their son with the best health care available at the time. 3 years later they still had no answer. In fact in took 7 years until our guest, Bayar Damdinjav, received his diagnosis of an incurable auto-immune disease. The pivotal moment in Bayar's life was when he decided to move back home to eastern Mongolia and attempt to be a normal teenager, which at that point involved going to high school. Nothing in his town was built for someone in a wheelchair. No sidewalks, no paved roads, no ramps, or elevators. Academically, there would be a lot of catching up to do, as he hadn't attended school in 3 years. The odds were stacked against him. What he's accomplished since then, might surprise you.

Chris Layne on Instagram. 

A couple days ago myself, our host Erik Weihenmayer, and maybe 50 others were sitting in an auditorium with our eyes closed. My knees were pressed up against the seat back in front of me. My arms were pinned between the hard wooden armrests. I was not comfortable. However… and I know this may sound a bit out there… buts… minutes later I found myself floating in space. I could no longer feel the pressure points in my knees and arms. I was on my way to a state of hypnosis. I was about to have a conscious conversation with my subconscious mind. That's the way our guest today describes it. Dr. Vidor Freidman. Dr. Freidman was leading a group hypnosis experience, at the No Barriers Summit, intended to give us a small glimpse into the process. That day was about reprogramming our response to stress or anxiety. However, the potential here runs so much deeper as you hear today. Pain management without narcotics. Surgery without anesthesia (yes, as a matter of fact, there's been successful implementations of hypnosis in lieu of anesthesia during surgery). And much more….