Living Adaptive With Scott Davidson

Right now we have so many uncertainties, a climate of isolation, fears of illness, and similar unsettling phenomena.  Jill Englund brings us a really import message of making the best of any difficult situations you encounter.  Jill Englund runs her platform BEST OF CANCER  She's an osteosarcoma survivor, pediatric cancer fighter, public speaker, amputee (rotationplasty), cancer advocate, and cancer thriver.   More about Jill Englund  Jill’s story includes diagnosis of osteosarcoma at a young age, amputation of her leg, and losing her mentor and best friend to osteosarcoma as a child.  Jill is involved with various organizations, including St. Baldricks, Cure Search, and Make-a-Wish.  Jill once was a Make-a-Wish nominee and now she’s an advocate for this organization.     Find Jill on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bestofcancer/ Find Jill on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bestofcancer/ https://curesearch.org http://wish.org https://www.stbaldricks.org   This podcast is brought to you by Living

Adaptive helping the adaptive!  Would you donate your organ?  What’s stopping you from donating a piece of your body to another person?  This is an amazing story that deserves more attention.  Jeff Soelberg (amputee and founder of Jeff Giving a Hand) talks about preparing to donate his kidney to another amputee next week even in the midst of the peak of coronavirus.  Jeff tells us what is about to happen, why he’s donating, and bunch more.   About Jeff Soelberg In July 2016, Jeff was in a work accident that resulted in a partial hand amputation. During this new beginning he searched for help in navigating his new life. While there are resources out there, they were often hard to find. After traveling and competing within the adaptive community—and now that he knows the territory more—Jeff wants to change that. He has seen the strength in this community, but he has also noticed the need for more information and access to better resources. This website serves that need.   More about Jeff Giving a Hand Jeff Givi

Robbie Ripoll (Ink Master) recently suffered an injury causing him to become an amputee.  We talk Robbie being famous, rich, poor, and getting into tattooing at 12 years old.  We also discuss the high school blackmarket, his injury that went viral, surgeries, starting an empowerment movement, and a lot more.   Robbie Ripoll is a Florida-based tattoo artist with well over twenty years of experience in the industry. Ripoll is best known for competing in season 5 of Ink Master. Robbie Ripoll founded the I’m RAD Movement, he’s a motivational speaker, life coach, and continues to tattoo and attend tattoo conventions across the country.  He’s been rich and poor, severely depressed and super happy, struggled after divorce and thriving in a beautiful relationship, he’s lived a life of many paradoxes and thus his insight is broad.   About the I’m RAD Movement The I’m Rad Movement started as a tattoo I got on my right thumb. It serves as a reminder to keep a positive outlook, never stop giving it your all, and to push

Jeremy Ogle joins us today and we throw a bunch of listener questions his way and we also discuss his nude photo shoot, the impacts of cancelled events, media outlets missing some major parts of his story, impacts of discussing severe depression, improving the adaptive community, if he’ll ever settle down, competing, and a bunch more.   Jeremy Ogle is an Athlete, speaker, and founder of You Adapt.     More about Jeremy Ogle For Jeremy Ogle, failure was not an option for him. When his daughter came along and once she was placed in his arm all his fears went away. Jeremy knew he had to be strong for her and himself.    Jeremy has earned countless medals in multiple sports, including Adaptive CrossFit, OCRs, Running Comps, and U.S. Paralympic Nationals and has the pleasure of being a motivational speaker.   Jeremy states, "At the end of the day medals are just medals - material things. The real rewarding part of my journey is seeing my daughter and other people’s faces light up when they see me finish a race tha

Ben Huntzinger is an inventor, athlete, and straight forward personality.  Ben was paralyzed in an automobile accident in 2009 and broke his back (T-4 level).  Ben wasn’t satisfied with the options that currently existed in terms of wheelchairs and attitudes and so he decided to jump out of the box and innovate a chair that worked for him and got him on all different types of terrains.   Watch/Listen to hear, Ben’s adaptive story, why he decided to invent a new all-terrain chair, how he fears no competition and in fact encourages competition, the need to stick together so as to build a better quality of life for the community, and much more.   Ben Huntzinger fears no competition and in fact encourages competition in order to improve the options in terms of wheel chairs.  He’s looking for the best chairs at the lowest cost to the end user.  His heart is huge but he’s also a super rugged and straight forward personality.     More About Spartan Wheel Chariots and Ben Huntzinger Spartan Wheel Chariots is owned by

Randy Nantz is a Green Beret (retired) that was wounded in combat. He’s an elite athlete receiving notice with his involvement in adventure sports, OCRs, etc. and is one of the more well known ATF grads.   Randy Nantz has managed and supports various veteran and adaptive organizations since injury.  Note this, Randy Nantz is one of the bright lights of the adaptive community.  He’s one of my favorite interviews.  I love being around Nantz and I believe his story will shed some light as to why Nantz is very beloved.   Part 1 (CIVILIAN to GREEN BERET to WOUNDED) -Enlistment military and becoming a green beret -Deployment and wounded -What it takes to become a green beret   Part 2 (WOUNDED to ADDICTION to ADAPTIVE THRIVER)   -Deployment is over, recovery begins, and domestic life -Pain medication, physical addiction (doctors enabling), and getting rid of pain meds -Work with Green Beret Foundation and then moving towards working and affiliating with adaptive organizations. -Competing in various sporting events a

Randy Nantz is a Green Beret (retired) that was wounded in combat. He’s an elite athlete receiving notice with his involvement in adventure sports, OCRs, etc. and is one of the more well known ATF grads.   Randy Nantz has managed and supports various veteran and adaptive organizations since injury.  Note this, Randy Nantz is one of the bright lights of the adaptive community.  He’s one of my favorite interviews.  I love being around Nantz and I believe his story will shed some light as to why Nantz is very beloved.   Part 1 (CIVILIAN to GREEN BERET to WOUNDED) -Enlistment military and becoming a green beret -Deployment and wounded -What it takes to become a green beret   Part 2 (WOUNDED to ADDICTION to ADAPTIVE THRIVER)   -Deployment is over, recovery begins, and domestic life -Pain medication, physical addiction (doctors enabling), and getting rid of pain meds -Work with Green Beret Foundation and then moving towards working and affiliating with adaptive organizations. -Competing in various sporting events a

Ryen Reed is a full-time athlete competing for a spot on the United States paralympic team.  Ryen Reed competes in hand cycling (paralympics) and other sports.  Ryen Reed has an impressive adaptive story and shares what it’s like to go through more than 15 significant surgeries, push through extensive hospital stays, and then still move forward and go after her dreams.  Ryen Reed’s insight is deep and applicable to everyone that has or will struggle through significant adversity.  She’s an example of how to succeed despite the challenges.   Find Ryen Reed using the links below, http://ryenreed.com https://www.instagram.com/ryen_equalityorbust/ https://www.facebook.com/ryen.e.reed   Find Jacob Pacheco using the links below, https://www.pronetoride.com https://www.instagram.com/pronetoride/ https://www.facebook.com/pronetoride https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrY_oRJcIOejaO-MSmx_hQ/   This episode is brought to you by Living Adaptive with Scott Davidson.   Find Living Adaptive at, www.livingadaptive.com for mo

Gratitude for Life with IED Survivor (U.S. Army), Cannabis Activist, Speaker, and Surfer - Jose Martinez and also Surfer and Life Coach Jacob Pacheco    Alright, so we got Jose Martinez and Jacob Pacheco joining us from Oceanside, CA.  Jose Martinez shares his story, his insight, and how he built his platform.   Listen in to hear how Jose survived an IED and became a notable cannabis activist, surfer, speaker, amongst many other phenomena.     Jose Martinez is a U.S Army veteran, cannabis activist, speaker, and survivor.  His story and works are featured in many notable platforms including Time Magazine, Fox, and various media outlets.   Jacob Pacheco is a professional surfer, content creator, speaker, and life coach.  He’s known for his platform “ProneToRide”.   On March 3, 2012, Army Specialist Jose Martinez was on a foot patrol with members of the 2/3 Infantry Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan. While attempting to aid a Soldier seriously injured in a blast, he stepped on another improvised explosive device

You’ll hear from the latest and now former Tough Mudder (TM) CEO Kyle McLaughlin.  This is perhaps Kyle’s last interview prior to departing TM.  I don’t have details to share as to why Kyle left Tough Mudder, but I suggest following our friends over at Obstacle Racing Media (links below) for up-to-date information regarding TM, Spartan, and OCRs in general.     In this interview you will find a very sincere TM CEO looking to bring TM in a different direction than past years.  Kyle was totally cool to talk with behind the scenes, he’s real and approachable.  I don’t know the direction of TM now because TM is facing potentially involuntary bankruptcy and this could include getting acquired by our friends at Spartan Race. Anyways, you can hear Kyle McLaughlin talk about: Athletes that grab the attention of TM and the TM mission going into 2020 Para athletes in TM and the potentials Kyle tips his hat to Spartan for pushing OCRs towards the olympics and carrying the torch for the structured OCR competitions

From Accident to Hitting Podium at the Spartan Para Championship - John De Haan   John De Haan is one of the top Obstacle Course Racing para athletes in the world, arguably fighting for the position of the best, he’s up for top athlete in the Netherlands this year.  John De Haan went from traumatic accident to champion, tune in to hear his story and insights regarding how a person can go from traumatic accident to podium and all the good phenomena in between.   John De Haan sets the bar for para OCR athletes, and he's now receiving recognition for hard work inside and outside the adaptive world, and is up for athlete of the year in his home country the Netherlands.  John De Haan placed second in the para Spartan World Championships and he also placed and won in other OCRs.  He lost a portion of his arm below the elbow due a traumatic accident.     Vote for John De Haan by using this link and scrolling to question 16/20.   link,https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHP2DOQSZONWuHJTtogpZMiuZdRh3ko3KKkimJdaI

David Funk is a stuntman, performer, and top level Obstacle Course Racing and Ninja Coach.  What separates David Funk from other top level OCR and Ninja coaches is that he also coaches para/adaptive athletes.  David Funk has a lengthy career as a stuntman and performer and currently performs out of Las Vegas and coaches at Camp Rhino (Las Vegas).   You will hear, -David Funk’s story and experience as a performer and coach. -His experience training para athletes (such as the host Scott Davidson) for the Para Spartan Team World Championships airing on ESPN 12/22/19. -David Funk’s approach to working with adaptive athletes. -David Funk’s template regarding how to get involved and train for OCRs and if you’re an adaptive athlete how you can work with David Funk and his gym.   More About David Funk David Funk has well over 20 years in entertainment doing stunts in live shows and film, fire performance, sideshow, and various circus acts all over the U.S. and Mexico. The simple goal, "Keep Moving" made a natural tr

Branded One Crossfit is a rare non-profit gym dedicated to empowering our wounded warriors, giving back to the community, bridging the gap between the abled and disabled, and creating a fitness community dedicated to making the world a better place.  Tune in to hear the story of Branded One and the stories of the founders, some of the athletes, coaches, and the Battle at Branded One.   Interviews include Nick McCombs the founder of Branded One, Coach/Vet/Volunteer Michael Shaleen, Athlete/Vet Jimmy Hardy, Athlete/Vet/RWB Liz Freeman, and Cofounder Whitney Short.  All interviews but Nick McCombs take place on site at the Battle at Branded One.     Find Branded One Here https://www.brandedonecrossfit.org https://www.facebook.com/BrandedOneCrossFit/ https://www.instagram.com/brandedonecrossfit/   More about Branded One Branded One CrossFit was formed to benefit physically and mentally disabled servicemen and women. We have established a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate that focuses on health and fitness while bridgi

The documentary Despite the Loss arrived after nearly a decade of work that involved interviews, self-evaluation, and a quest of self-acceptance.  Despite the Loss is a documentary about Limb Difference and self acceptance.   In this episode we talk about, Director Jason Schneider's adaptive story and his life directing Despite the Loss. Traits found in those that accept loss and physical differences Rolling the dice and investing your time and money and risking so much to make a passion project   More about Jason Schneider Jason is an editor with over a decade of credits in film and television. He began his career working alongside several Academy & Peabody Award winning filmmakers, and has personally been nominated for four NY Emmys. His credits include documentaries for ESPN, PBS, and several NY Emmy winning series. With an extensive background in documentary and television, Jason's passion, first and foremost, is to tell a compelling story. Despite The Loss is his directorial debut.   More about Des

Meet Jamie Gane, see what it takes to be like Jamie Gane.  Hear the adversity Jamie Gane encountered and how he thrives.   Jamie Gane is an extremely driven adaptive athlete, motivational speaker, life coach, academic, and bunch more.  Jamie Gane has completed nearly 100 OCRs, including over 70 Tough Mudders and this does include the World’sToughest Mudder.  He’s also one of the top Judo players in the world against adaptive and non-adaptive athletes.  Jamie Gane happens to do all this while being an amputee.   More about Jamie Gane Jamie Gane is an adaptive athlete in Judo, Obstacle Course Racing and the throwing sports. His interest in sport first started when I joined the Army Cadet Force (ACF) in 2008. While recovering from complications from his initial amputation several years ago, Jamie Gane was unable to train for throwing sports.  Then Jame Ganebranched out and started Judo again, as well as completing over 70 Tough Mudder courses competing in the World’s Toughest Mudder and Judo at the highest level

Cole Rogers of Fightability and Rustin Hughes of B-Bold join us to talk about the combat arts, specifically jiu jitsu, their upcoming seminar(s), how you can get into this game, receive the notable benefits, and build a community that lasts a lifetime.   Learn how you can get involved in the jiu jitsu community Get details regarding the first seminar Rustin and Cole put together and how you can attend and/or follow their content moving forward Hear who is the next batch of premiere para jiu jitsu athletes   Details about the first official seminar with B-Bold and Fightability Te community has suffered a tremendous loss in the form of one of our fearless leaders Ronald Mann. We are now dedicating this event do you are brother and friend that left us too soon. Join us at American top team Portland (7200 SE 92nd Ave unit e, Portland, Or 97266) November 2nd to find out why Jiu Jitsu truly is for everyone! This event will feature four para jujitsu instructors all traveling in from out of state to show their unique

Giving a Hand - Jeff Soelberg   Today you will hear the story of the nonprofit Jeff Giving a Hand, the adaptive story of the founder Jeff Soelberg’s, and what Jeff Soelberg is building out of the adversity.  So tune in   About Jeff Soelberg In July 2016, Jeff was in a work accident that resulted in a partial hand amputation. During this new beginning he searched for help in navigating his new life. While there are resources out there, they were often hard to find. After traveling and competing within the adaptive community—and now that he knows the territory more—Jeff wants to change that. He has seen the strength in this community, but he has also noticed the need for more information and access to better resources. This website serves that need.   More about Jeff Giving a Hand Jeff Giving a Hand is a community website that provides resources for adaptive people—whether these resources are training videos, counselors, doctors, or more. Our purpose is to help you become your best self and to get back to doing

Tune in and here the story of how adaptive skateboarding made it to the Xgames and what this potentially means for the sport of skateboarding moving forward.   Dan Edmonson is joining us to talk adaptive skateboarding and the Xgames and how organizations like Adaptive Action Sports helped get adaptive athletes into the Xgames.  Dan Edmonson was on Living Adaptive about a year ago and shared his story of surviving an accident that resulted in him becoming a double amputee.  Since the accident, he’s learned to thrive, and now is making significant impacts as an adaptive skater and within the adaptive skateboarding community.  Thanks Dan for being here brother.   Background Information For the first-time in X Games history, an Adaptive Skateboard competition was added to the Xgames lineup.  An adaptive athlete was crowned champ and the world got a chance to see adaptive skateboarding launch to the public.  With the help of Adaptive Action Sports we now find adaptive skateboarding preparing to take the next step

Fighting and Motivation with Cole Rogers Cole Rogers is a motivational speaker and martial artist from San Luis Obispo, California.  Today, Cole brings his message of perseverance and he shares his work of bringing the combat arts to every person despite any challenge one is dealing with so tune in.   In this episode we talk about: Fightability and getting involved in the fight industry despite any physical or mental barriers. Cole’s adaptive story Cole’s purpose and how you benefit Creating meaningful content for the public   Cole Rogers is a motivational speaker and martial artist from San Luis Obispo California. Cole is a full time wheelchair user having been born with a rare disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) that causes fused joints. Having enjoyed martial arts since 2008 Cole has made it his mission to make martial arts accessible to everyone through his company Fightability, which he founded at the beginning of 2016. In order to spread his message to a larger audience

The Enduring Warrior Chris Wolff Chris Wolff is a United States Airforce veteran.  Wolff is well know for his involvement in with organizations such as Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW), the Adaptive Training Foundation (ATF), his athletic accomplishments, and the support he provides to wounded veterans and the adaptive tribe.  In October 2008, while state-side, Chris received a flu vaccination and this vaccination caused a reaction that resulted in a C-4 quadriplegic diagnosis for Chris.  Chris rose above the odds and he is recovering from paralysis and thriving.Chris Wolff is beacon of hope and provides a map to move forward for those adapting to significant struggles.     In this episode we discuss, Chris Wolff shares his military and adaptive story.   Chris talks about competing in obstacle course races (OCR), Red Bull 400, etc. and how one can also compete. Learn about Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW) and how you can support and even become part of OEW and how OEW can help you. Hear how anyone can