Show Links:
Purchase Zach’s Books: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/my-books/
Check Out Zach’s Blog: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/blog/
Subscribe to Zach’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/zacharyfenell
Connect with Zach on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfenell/
Episode Description:
In this personal episode of The Daryl Perry Podcast, I sit down once again with my friend and fellow advocate Zachary Fenell to have a long-overdue conversation about judgment, identity, and validation within the disability space. We explore the assumptions people make when they see a person with a disability and how that often leads to the question, “Are you disabled enough?” From physical effort to perception, Zach shares deeply personal experiences that highlight how much unseen work goes into daily life and why no one should have to prove their struggle to others.
We dig into the pressure to fit into a certain mold, how comparison can rob us of joy, and the freedom that comes from choosing to validate ourselves instead of waiting for others to do it. Zach opens up about what it means to truly blend out and own every part of who you are, from race finishes to college falls to everyday interactions. You’ll hear about how he’s used content creation to shift perceptions and what happens when you stop hiding your story.
We also talk about being multidimensional, how labels like cerebral palsy don’t define a person, and how humor and ownership can turn awkward or even painful moments into connection and growth. This episode is about much more than disability. It’s about identity, inner strength, personal growth, and showing up fully as yourself.
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or pressured to meet someone else's standard of struggle, this conversation will resonate with you. As Zach says, “Don’t blend in, blend out.”
Disclaimer:
Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it.
Visit darylperrypodcast.com for links to the show page on each of the major podcast directories. From there, you can subscribe and share this pod.
For comments, questions, topic ideas, or possible collaborations, please email daryl@yourlevelfitness.com
