The Team Ability No Excuses Podcast

Bret documents his journey to finish school while dealing with a severe pain in the ass, and the boys ponder why it is so difficult for “abled” individuals to fathom the importance of a functional elevator.

The No Excuses boys gather round the mic to talk about assistive technology, the need for haircuts, Andy’s quest to do snow angels, and the redundancies of tearaway pants for wheelchair users.

Bret is back to school as the boys talk New Years resolutions, awkwardness around disability representation in the workplace, and Andy’s ability to walk on a treadmill, let alone walk at all.

After an unscheduled, an unofficial break, the boys are back to check in with the entire Internet. Brett and Andy continue to document their scholastic journey, and blossoming friendship, that leaves Chad out of the loop. Also, Andy and Chad rap about fitness from home, remote teaching, and Covid in schools.

Andy rides solo this week, welcoming a close friend, Jay Perry, founder of Friends With Hearts - a global community of friends working together to restore the magic of Christmas to families in need. They reminisce of they’re trip to Haiti, as well as discuss so societal norms and labels, and what compassion and humanity looks like at its core.

The No Excuses boys gather around the microphone for the fiftieth time! Andy is nearing the end of his scholastic journey, while Bret gets ready to start his own. Also, Chad returns to playing gigs for actual people (and not live-streams), and Bret ponders a move to Latvia, but not really.

The No Excuses boys celebrate a benchmark episode by talking about things that at least one of them have never experienced, like pressure sores, and being openly mocked by teenagers.

The “No Excuses” team, gather round the mic for the second time in as many weeks to talk about Andy’s continued journey into scholastics. Also, Bret ponders his next step (even though he can’t step), and we discuss the topic of representation in, of all things, Paw Patrol.

After an unintentional (but much needed) break, the guys are back to talk about how much things have changed since the last time gathered around the mic. Andy and Chad are back to school (one as a teacher, and one a student), and Bret gives up cottage life to go back to work and carry a bucket on his lap...

The No Excuses boys welcome special guest Shaun Radigan. Shaun is an Educational Assistant and colleague of Chad’s. He’s a pretty decent dude who’s accomplished a lot in his life, including surviving a plane crash. Seriously! Shaun tells his incredible story of perseverance, and overcoming adversity.

“Friend of the show” Sam Loaker makes his third appearance on the No Excuses podcast, subbing for Bret this week. Our “guest host” joins the guys to chat about fitness during Covid, and being an “inspiration”. Also, Chad’s five year old pushes him to get his legs to “work”.

The guys dive into politically correct terminology in society. The “person first” mentality is front and centre as Chad shares a story from Teacher’s College, and the boys just shake their heads.

Bret misses an episode because he’s “under the weather” (or just afraid of getting smack-talked by our guest). Special guest Kevin Davidson joins us to reflect on his 20 year friendship with Andy, as well as his personal challenges with his health, as well as being a parent of a special needs child.

The boys connect about Father’s Day, Awkward family moments at the beach, and Bret losing an inflatable trampoline at the cottage. Trampolines are overrated anyway, right?

Fellow disability advocate Clayton Theriault joins the No Excuses team to share his transparent approach to his diagnosis, his positive outlook on life, and the success of his YouTube show, “Cognizant Clay”

The guys welcome Brittany Meyers, a Pharmacy Technician who sourced the No Excuses Podcast for a college paper on disability representation in media. We talk perspective, life experiences, and how she has used the podcast to bring hope to her niece with Cerebral Palsy.

After a few episodes with guests, the guys are solo and talk strategies for positivity in the midst of the pandemic, and Maia’s quarantine 3rd birthday.

With quarantine still in full force, the parade of guests continue, and this time, they take over!! The guys are thrilled to welcome Hamilton Wrestling Entertainment (HWE) tag team, and entrepreneurs, Ronchee Ronnie Randleson, and AC Cocca to talk quarantine, wrestling, and how Chad is willing to get super kicked to draw heat.

After having his guest appearance halted by his cat, Rev. Matthew Arguin joins the guys to talk about growing up with Chad (yikes!), his life in ministry and the challenges that a priest with Cerebral Palsy faces.

After a scheduled guest couldn’t appear on the show due to a technical mishap (and a cat), the guys continue to document the struggles of self-isolation on the disabled community, and the societal implications of the pandemic.

The No Excuses team pays tribute to a fallen sledge hockey player they have shared the ice with, and examines the implications that Covid-19 will have on the disabled community.

Bret has developed tennis elbow despite not playing tennis, Chad (still) doesn’t drive, and Bret almost kills a Good Samaritan before Sunday lunch.

Chad makes his (not so triumphant) return to the show, and finds out he wasn’t missed much. Bret talks visiting the auto show, and not finding any adaptive equipment, and the offside for the week finds Bret struggling with a bathroom.

Chad is away for the week, so Sam Loaker subs in to talk baseball, and cheating at it. Also, Bret is back in the gym and trying to get his legs to work (What?!) and Andy has to use the accessible bathroom in the dark.

Finance guru, friend, and all around great guy Mike King joins the podcast to talk about the details of an RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) and the benefits to having one!

The No Excuses team gathers (in the same room for once) to recap Accessibility challenges surrounding Bret’s trip to Mexico, as well as his penchant for not wearing shoes, and disdain for those who “drive” their wheelchair.

After an extended break the No Excuses crew talk accessibility at sporting events, Bret’s upcoming trip to Mexico, and how Andy decapitated the accessible symbol.

The no excuses team talks snow removal after Hamilton got its first major snowfall of the year, as well as attending a recap of the HWE pro wrestling experience, and gives tips for attending general admission concerts in wheelchairs: be nice to the security guards!

This week on the show, the boys discuss: Their Halloween experiences Brett recaps his sledge hockey weekend (and ER visit) People who can't park!

This week, the guys celebrate Bret’s one year anniversary on the “no excuses“ podcast, and talk trick-or-treating, wheelchair themed Halloween costumes, and how elections Canada needs to step up their game in accessibility.

This week we sit down with David Sciara of Hamilton Wrestling Entertainment to talk Pro Wrestling, Autism Awareness, and darts buses.

After far too long away from the microphone, the boys are back to tell the world why: Andy’s outnumbered after the birth of his second daughter, Bret’s back on the ice after years away from the game, and Chad’s back in full swing at work, trying to use big words, and failing.

Bret provides details about his job in the food production industry, while being deeply transparent about some of the many challenges he’s faced.

Andy continues to document his quest to ride a bike. We also talk wheelchair accessibility at sports venues, and people who get butt hurt by it.

Chad’s back from Mexico and shares why beaches and wheelchairs don’t mix. Andy recaps his 2-wheeled adventures, and Bret infuriates the internet, and makes no excuse for it.

With Chad away, the guys talk accessibly at the Honda Indy, and special guest Alanna Moore talks fitness for new moms, and Andy's adventures in StrollerFit class.

This week Chad is preparing to go to Mexico, Bret is getting ready for the Honda Indy and Andy is at home (boring)!

Chad, Andy, and Bret are at it again! This week the crew chats about their favorite (accessible) watering holes as well why at the age of 38 Andy is going to try to learn how to ride a (two-wheel) bike. This week's Offside? A photo-shopped image that has been floating around the internet.

No longer a “friend of the show”, Bret asks some hard hitting questions, and we try and answer them as transparent as possible. Chad confesses to the entire internet that he has run over his children...

The boys sit down (duh!) to discuss Fathers Day, Ali Stroker's big win for the disabled community, and free passes from ride programs.

Chad, Andy and Bret talk about needing help, even when you don’t want it, relying on others, falling out of wheelchairs (awkwardly) and bad use of handy-capable parking.

“Friend of the Show”Bret Wills joins Andy and Chad to chat adaptive equipment, camping, and wheeling through flatulence.

Bretzky is back! The boys welcome back old friend Bret Wills, capitalizing on a chance to talk some sports. While they are at it, they talk dating, blind hockey, and social media pity parties too...

After almost a month Since there last episode the Team Ability crew finally get the the podcast rolling again. Avid listener Sam Loaker joins the show to share question from an "able-bodied point of view. The boys talk political correctness, (or lack thereof), sympathy and empathy,

The boys talk mental illness and invisible disabilities: in schools, in sports, and in the workplace - and the fact that snow is the bane of Chad's existence.

This week the Team Ability crew tackle the topic of bullying: personal stories, bullying in schools, on the ice, and Andy's superstition with the number 7.

This week is all things parenting. Highs, lows, challenges, chasing kids, and how Steve has a baby with 2 different ages.

The boys sit down for the first podcast of 2019, to talk holidays, bad New Year's resolutions, and the colour red.

With Steve away, the "wheelchair people" get together to chat about a 30 year friendship, hockey team dynamics, and the "joys" of winter in Southern Ontario

Andy sits down for part two of his journey, and talks fitness, baseball, and distance wheeling, while Steve talks about "Wheelchair People"

Andy's turn to talk life: school, sports, fitness and everything in between - including almost being knocked over by a strong gust of wind.