Episode 17: Understanding Adaptive Athletes

06/12/24 • 63 min

pod(CAST HANDSTAND): Gymnastics & CrossFit

Summary

Anna Stern, a coach and adaptive athlete, shares her journey of overcoming cancer and living with a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. She discusses the challenges faced by adaptive athletes and the importance of accessibility in fitness spaces. Anna also talks about her experience as an NCAA athlete and her upcoming participation in the Adaptive CrossFit Games. She emphasizes the need for understanding and support for individuals with disabilities. Anna discusses her experience with dystonia and how it affects her hip flexors. She explains that dystonia is an overactivation of signals from the brain to the muscles, causing involuntary muscle contractions. Anna takes medications that reduce electrical activity in the brain to manage her symptoms. She also talks about the challenges of competing in multi-day events like the CrossFit Games and the importance of rest and recovery. Anna is passionate about coaching other people with disabilities and volunteers for Angel City Sports, an organization that provides free access to adaptive sports.

You can reach Anna on her Instagram Page HERE
Strange Strength & Conditioning WEBSITE
Angel City Sports WEBSITE

Wheel WOD WEBSITE
Adaptive Training Academy WEBSITE

Chapters

00:00
Feeling Welcome and Accepted in the Fitness Community

04:10
The Importance of Adaptive Sports and Categorization

09:17
Barriers to Entry for Adaptive Athletes

13:34
The Impact of Cancer on Anna's Life

30:44
Managing the Challenges of Competing as an Adaptive Athlete

35:48
The Challenges of Neurological Fatigue

37:36
The Importance of Rest and Recovery

38:17
Becoming a Coach and Volunteering for Angel City Sports

40:29
The Transformative Power of Functional Fitness

44:18
Coaching Adaptive Athletes

48:17
Adapting and Scaling Movements

Summary

You can reach Anna on her Instagram Page HERE
Strange Strength & Conditioning WEBSITE
Angel City Sports WEBSITE

Wheel WOD WEBSITE
Adaptive Training Academy WEBSITE

Chapters

00:00
Feeling Welcome and Accepted in the Fitness Community

04:10
The Importance of Adaptive Sports and Categorization

09:17
Barriers to Entry for Adaptive Athletes

13:34
The Impact of Cancer on Anna's Life

30:44
Managing the Challenges of Competing as an Adaptive Athlete

35:48
The Challenges of Neurological Fatigue

37:36
The Importance of Rest and Recovery

38:17
Becoming a Coach and Volunteering for Angel City Sports

40:29
The Transformative Power of Functional Fitness

44:18
Coaching Adaptive Athletes

48:17
Adapting and Scaling Movements

Previous Episode

Episode 16: Overcoming Disappointment

Disappointment is a universal emotion that can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or financial status. In the context of sports, disappointment often arises when athletes fail to achieve their goals, such as making it to the Olympics. Coping with disappointment requires acknowledging and accepting emotions, shifting focus to what can be controlled, and visualizing success. Support from teammates, coaches, and family is crucial in helping athletes bounce back. It's important to remember that disappointment does not define one's worth, and setbacks can be turned into opportunities for growth.

Disappointment is a natural part of life and sports, and it does not define one's worth.
Athletes can cope with disappointment by acknowledging and accepting their emotions.
Shifting focus to what can be controlled, such as attitude and effort, can help athletes bounce back.
Visualization is an effective technique for building confidence and resilience.
Support from teammates, coaches, and family is invaluable in navigating through disappointment.
Setbacks can be turned into opportunities for growth and learning.

Chapters

00:00
Understanding Different Types of Disappointment

01:30
Coping with Disappointment in Sports

04:40
The Power of Mindset and Visualization

08:02
Supporting Athletes Through Disappointment

Next Episode

Episode 18: The benefits of hot yoga

Welcome back to the show. Today host JR Jaquay is welcoming Alice Toyonaga, co-owner of ModoYogaLA. Alice is here to share the benefits of hot yoga and talk about whether or not she considers herself a "yogi". Her description of a yogi may surprise you.

Are you struggling with stress in your life? We all feel it sometimes; the daily grind of our lives can sometimes just be overwhelming. I am on a journey, learning to deal with my stressful life. My objective is not to look like I always have everything under control because that's just not a realistic picture of my life. I would rather have conversations about my struggles with friends, with my listeners. Having open conversations is how we break stereotypes and normalize speaking about our mental health struggles. Fitness, therapy, meditation...find what helps you and keep doing it. I hope you enjoy today's episode.

You can check out ModoYogaLA HERE.
Follow Alice on her Instagram HERE.