Louis Arevalo is a writer, photographer, filmmaker, outdoor adventurer, husband, and father who grew up and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was paralyzed in a backcountry skiing accident in 2020. In the nearly 3 years since, he has been on a journey recovering his career, his ability to experience the outdoors, and finding renewed focus and commitment in his relationships and in his ability to elevate underrepresented individuals through storytelling. Guest...

Indiana Porta was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease, her senior year in high school.  While it has always presented challenges, she pursued her dreams - traveling abroad, graduating from law school, and landing a  job as an attorney in New York City. In 2021, an incident related to her lupus resulted in paralysis, paraplegia, and full-time wheelchair use. She shares her story of recovery during Covid in Manhattan, finding community and navigating NYC in a wheelchair, and looking...

Jack Trottier grew up in Northern Massachusetts an athlete and a hometown kid. When he was 17 years old, he was paralyzed in a backyard snowboarding accident resulting in quadriplegia. In the years since, Jack has built a purposeful life for himself, recently riding his handcycle from Massachusetts to Atlanta to raise awareness and funds for the Shepherd Center, a spinal cord injury rehab hospital. Now, he is putting his energy toward growing his foundation to support others with spinal cord...

Trevor Kennison is one of the best adaptive skiers in the world and now a household name in the ski community. He is continually pushing the limits of what is possible as a sit-skier, and goes by the moniker #sitskiboss social media. He is currently on a film tour for his full length documentary "Full Circle" that follows the story of his accident, the life of a kindred soul Barry Corbett, and the realities of living with a spinal cord injury. It is a moving and eye-opening film. But Trevor...

In episode 23, we spoke with Kirk Williams about his journeys traveling the Americas in his wheelchair accessible camper vans. At the time of the interview, Kirk was about to head down to Baja, California for some rugged exploration. When he eventually returned stateside, Kirk and I caught up again and he shared some stories from an epic adventure!  Guest info: @[email protected]  Contact us:  Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail:...

Jacques Matellus is a model, actor, and musician. From an early age he was drawn to performing. As an adult, Jacques was paralyzed in a stage accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. After taking time to focus on physical and mental recovery he returned to his career as an artist. Recently he has modeled for big-name brands like Target and Tommy Hilfiger, and released his first single "Love Me" on Spotify.  Jacques speaks about expression, creativity, and exploring new...

Alana Nichols is legendary in the adaptive sports and disability community. She is a three time gold medalist and dual sport athlete in both wheelchair basketball and Alpine skiing. She's also the first female American to win gold in both the summer and the winter Paralympic games. Alaina's been featured on 60 minutes, has big-time corporate sponsors, and is a force in the world of women's sports and now adaptive surfing. She's also raising a son together with high-fives founder, Roy Tuscany....

Sam Summers is a skier, mountain biker, hockey player, CrossFitter, and surfer.  She's also a scientist, traveler, and a partner.  Five years ago she was paralyzed and now navigates the world in a wheelchair. In the last half decade she has returned to work, returned to her life as an athlete, discovered new sports, married her longtime boyfriend, and embraced a new community.  Sam thoughtfully shares many of the highs and lows from her journey. Guest info: Instagram:...

Annijke Wade grew up in Northern California and developed her passion for the outdoors in high school and then college in Oregon. After twists and turns in her professional career she landed in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she  discovered and fell in love with mountain biking. Quickly, she was on a fast track to being a sponsored racer. In July 2021 her path averted when she was paralyzed while training on a familiar mountain bike trail. Fortunately, Annijke knew of adaptive athletes who were...

Dr. Gabrielle Ficchi identifies as a disabled woman. She is a licensed therapist as well as a certified rehabilitation counselor. Gabrielle has 10 years of both teaching and counseling experience. She currently works as the CEO & Therapist at her therapy practice, New Perspectives LLC. Working to bring mental health services to the disability community & their families. She also works as a professor in both counseling & disability studies. Her specialty and research areas focus on...

Kirk Williams is a world traveler. He has driven vans all through the Americas, from Alaska to Chile and Argentina. He's quadriplegic from a mountain biking accident and has become an expert in building out adaptive off-road ready vans. Kirk is also taking his adventuring to another level by joining forces with the Walkabout Foundation to distribute wheelchairs to people with disabilities in South America and Africa who would otherwise not have access life-changing durable medical equipment....

Meira Nelson is a mother, champion adaptive surfer, former Paralympian, lover of the ocean, and more. She was born in Samoa where she was paralyzed in a car accident as a teenager, and has lived most of her life in Hawaii where she has raised her family, including a disabled daughter, and honed her skills in the waves.  Meira speaks beautifully on her experience with trauma, grief, passion, and love, and how she finds joy and levity in life.

Tim Burr lived a pretty awesome life as an outdoorsy kid in Colorado. As an adult, he still does. In 2014, Tim was paralyzed in a skiing accident. Now, he runs Return to Dirt an adaptive motor sports organization where he helps people of all disabilities get out in the backcountry. Adaptive off-roading is one of the most accessible adaptive sports which allows Tim to help that many more people get dirty. And he's just getting started! Guest info: Instagram: bimturrInstagram:...

Welcome back for Season 3 of The Unexpected Journey! This season we talk to an overland adventurer, a nonprofit founder, a model and R&B singer, a highly decorated Paralympian, a peer mentor and disability activist, a champion surfer, and many more. First episode drops June 8! 

Mateo Rojas lives at the intersection of developmental disability with autism and physical disability as a person who uses a wheelchair and has vision loss. He was raised in Southern Massachusetts and is adopted, his biological family is Paraguayan. As a child, he hoped to travel to his birth country and to explore and learn more about South American and Central American cultures. When he had the opportunity to travel to Paraguay after graduating college, he contracted an illness from...

Tyler Turner - a previous guest on The Unexpected Journey - and I recently caught up in Oceanside, California, where we both competed in the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships as members of the High Fives Surf Club.  If you haven't already, listen to Season 1 Episode 11 to hear Tyler's full story. Recently, Tyler has been on a wild ride full of triumphs and adventure. This episode was recorded in person just behind the event venue at the Oceanside Pier and includes the full sounds of a...

Tony Schmiesing has been in a wheelchair for nearly 40 years. He grew up in Southern California an athlete and a passionate skateboarder and surfer. In high school, an accident resulting in quadriplegia changed all of that.  Following graduation, he enrolled at UC Berkeley and landed in the '80's not long after the '70's disability rights movement. He still lives in Berkeley today and has discovered new ways to experience the active sensations that he came to love so much as a kid - a pursuit...

Olivia Rey grew up in Switzerland in a Swiss and French family of big skiers. As soon as Olivia and her siblings could walk they were on the ski slopes. In 1996, when she was 12, her family moved to Whistler, British Columbia. After moving to Canada, Olivia picked up snowboarding and grew to love traveling and outdoor sports, especially in the mountains. When we recorded this interview she was in her cozy and warm home in Whistler which she has modified now that she cruises around in a...

Jose Martinez is no stranger to adversity.  Following a challenging childhood in Los Angeles, Jose enlisted in the US Army and deployed to Afghanistan where he stepped on an IED. During a long and painful recovery, Jose discovered adaptive surfing. Through grit, determination, and passion, as well as much support from his family, friends, therapists, and sponsors, Jose is now one of the top adaptive surfers in the world. From this position, he wants to create opportunities for others, spread...

Lizzy Ragan grew up in a small town and went to a small high school in rural Oregon. After graduating from Oregon state, she moved to Boston where she earned a Master's Degree in Epidemiology from Boston University and dedicated her life to studying infectious disease and global health. In her free time, Lizzy would spend as much time as she could outside. As an adult, she became an avid cyclist and a passionate rock climber. In the Fall of 2019 she headed north for a day of climbing on the...

Shelby Estocado is the 2021 High Fives Athlete of the Year. This just a couple short years after the snowboarding accident that resulted in paralysis and paraplegia. Her rapid return to living life to the fullest is remarkable. In listening to Shelby share her story, it's clear that  tenacity, positivity, presence, and the strength of her family and community have served her well, and will continue to as she charges forward.  Guest info: Instagram: @estoooooooAdditional Resources: High Fives...

Summary: Josh Dueck, is a legendary skier, Paralympic medalist, leader in the adaptive sports  community, husband, and father from British Columbia, Canada. He has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows since he was paralyzed 18 years ago, and he generously shared some of the lessons he's learned along the way. He is also a consummate professional, a highly respected public speaker, and recently the Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.  Guest...

Welcome back folks for Season 2 of The Unexpected Journey! We are super excited to bring you new stories from adaptive athletes, creators, activists, leaders, and many others sharing their adventures of navigating life with a disability!

Dani Izzie is a disability advocate, partner, and mother of two beautiful twin girls. She courageously shares her story of carrying, birthing, and raising twins as a quadriplegic mother in a society that is often very critical toward and unaccepting of parents with disabilities. In the midst of a pandemic, she allowed a film crew into her family’s home to show the world her experience in the soon to be released film, Dani's Twins.  Guest info: Instagram: @daniizziedaniizzie.comAdditional...