Shows
The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 145 - Hitting the Beep Baseball Field with Joseph FleeksIn Episode 145 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by Joseph Fleeks, a.k.a. Security. The longtime beep baseball player talked about:
His childhood
Suddenly losing his eyesight as a teenager
Transitioning from a mainstream high school to the Texas School for the Blind
His current role with Blind Professionals Network
How he got into adaptive sports
His introduction to beep baseball and highlights from his career on the field
Helping to launch and co-host the Blind Table Talk podcast
Learn more about beep baseball at http://nbba.org.
Check out...2025-07-261h 19The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 144 - Catching Up with Chad Dillon, a Beep Baseball Player, Business Owner, and Podcast HostIn Episode 144 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Chad Dillon, a beep baseball player and host of a beep baseball podcast. During the conversation, Dillon spoke about:
His early years
Discovering his visual impairment in an unexpected way
His education and career
Getting into beep baseball
His experience playing with the Gateway Archers and Oklahoma Lookouts
Hosting the “Beep Baseball Tonight” podcast
His experiences with accessible technology for visually impaired sports fans
Learn all about beep baseball at http://nbba.org.
To check out his podcast, search for “Beep Baseball Tonight” on your fav...2025-07-1254 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 143 - Learning about Birding by Ear and Beyond with Founder Donna PosontIn Episode 143 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we dive into birding for the blind. We meet Donna Posont, founder of Birding by Ear and Beyond in Michigan. During the discussion, she talked about:
- Her early years
- Her family and siblings who have also been blind
- How she got interested in nature and birds
- Launching the Birding by Ear and Beyond Program at the University of Michigan Dearborn
- What the program does and an overview of its participants
- Techniques and resources for identifying birds as someone...2025-06-2831 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 142 - Discussing Accessible Video Games for the Blind and Visually ImpairedIn Episode 142, we mix it up a bit by covering a new topic - accessible video games for the blind and visually impaired. We are joined by two guests - Carlos Vazquez, a.k.a. Rattlehead, and Aaron Espinoza, a.k.a. Blind All Day. During the episode, they covered:
Their personal backgrounds
Their visual impairments
How they got into playing video games
Some of the most accessible video games for the blind and visually impaired
Their experience attempting to play sports video games
The work they have done in terms of consulting and advocating for accessibility...2025-06-1448 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 141 - A Conversation with Emma Papariella, a Multisport Adaptive Athlete and AdvocateIn Episode 141 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Emma Papariella from the Pittsburgh, PA area. During the conversation, the multipart adaptive athlete spoke about:
- How she was adopted out of China and moved to the U.S.
- Her visual impairment
- Her education
- How she was introduced to adaptive sports through the organization now known as Envision Blind Sports
- Her experience playing blind hockey
- Her experience with blind soccer, skiing, and goal ball
- Her current role...2025-05-3136 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 140 - Hitting the Soccer Pitch to Meet Ryan Lazaroe, Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s National Blind Soccer TeamIn Episode 140 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Ryan Lazaroe, head coach of the U.S. men’s national blind soccer team. During the interview, Lazaroe spoke about:
- His personal and professional backgrounds
- His involvement in soccer over the years
- How he got involved in blind soccer and started coaching
- Becoming assistant coach of the U.S. men’s national team, then head coach in 2024
- How blind soccer works
- The team’s recent events against international competition
- Looking ahead to the rest of the...2025-05-1835 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 139 - Catching Up with Angel Parra, a Goalball Player and SwimmerIn Episode 139 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we bring back Angel Parra. Originally on Episode 23 of the podcast back in 2020 and known as Damien at the time, Angel talked about:
- Why he changed his name
- His adaptive sports career
- Some recent health challenges and how they have impacted his physical activity
- Volunteering at Camp Abilities in Brockport, NY back in 2023
- Looking ahead to his future athletic pursuits
2025-05-0338 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 138 - Meeting the Vibin’ Vixens, a New All-Female Beep Baseball TeamIn Episode 138 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet three members of the Vibin’ Vixens, a brand new all-female beep baseball team. Ashley Melero, Faith Penn, and Dakota Hogwood joined the conversation to talk about:.
Their visual impairments
Their personal backgrounds
How they got into beep baseball and the teams they’ve played with in the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)
How the idea for the Vibin’ Vixens team was born
Competing in their first beep baseball tournament in Las Vegas
The importance of female participation in an adaptive sport like beep baseball
Looking ahead to the...2025-04-1938 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 137 - Catching up with the New York Bombers Beep Baseball Club and Recapping Their Appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'In Episode 137 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we welcome back members of the New York Bombers beep baseball team, formerly known as the Long Island Bombers. James Sciortino, Jim Hughes, and Alex Barrera join the conversation to talk about:
How they got into beep baseball and their experience playing with the Bombers
Why the team decided to rebrand itself from the Long Island Bombers to the New York Bombers
Looking ahead to the 2025 season and National Beep Baseball Association World Series
How they were invited to be guests on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
Their experience appearing on t...2025-04-0536 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 136 - Meeting Lillian Goodman, a Visually Impaired Skier and All-Around Adaptive AthleteIn Episode 136 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Lillian Goodman, a visually impaired skier, paratriathlete, and all-around adaptive athlete. During the interview, Goodman talked about:
Where she grew up and her visual impairment diagnosis as a child
Her education and career working in finance
How she discovered adaptive sports for the blind
Her experience in skiing and attending Ski for Light
Her involvement in swimming and other water sports
How she got into the triathlon and some events she has competed in
Her guide dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind
Her other i...2025-03-221h 00The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 135 - Getting to Know Tanner Gers, a Beep Baseball Hall of Famer and ParalympianIn Episode 135 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Tanner Gers. The longtime adaptive athlete discussed:
- His early years and family
- How he suddenly lost his eyesight in his early 20s
- His accomplished career playing beep baseball
- His career in track and field and competing in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London
- His professional work and current role with AccessAbility Officer
- How he has overcome so much adversity in his life through a positive attitude
Learn more a...2025-03-0851 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 134 - Running with Tyson Gunter, a Paralympian and Longtime Track and Field AthleteIn Episode 134 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Tyson Gunter from Idaho. The longtime adaptive athlete in track and field discussed:
His early years growing up in a small farm town
Attending summer camps at the Idaho School for the Blind
His education and career in sports nutrition
How he got into track and field
Competing in several Paralympic events, including the 2016 Paralympic Games
His most proudest moments as an athlete
His mission to help young visually impaired people discover adaptive sports
Follow Tyson Gunter on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tysongunter_ply...2025-02-2255 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 133 – Getting to Know Mark Ivy, an All-Star Beep Baseball Player and Standup ComedianIn Episode 133 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Mark Ivy of the Oklahoma Lookouts beep baseball team. During the conversation, Mark discussed:
His early years growing up in Oklahoma
His visual impairment which has run in the family
How he was introduced to beep baseball and other adaptive sports for the blind
His career playing for the Oklahoma Lookouts of the National Beep Baseball Association and some memorable events in which he has competed
His role as a sport ambassador for the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
His day job with New View...2025-02-0857 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 132 – A Conversation with Mindy Cook, a Paralympian in GoalballIn Episode 132 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Mindy Cook from Ohio. A silver-winning Paralympic medalist in goalball, Cook talked about:
Her childhood and visual impairment
Her education and professional career with the federal government
How she discovered goalball and her early career competing on the court
Becoming a member of Team USA and competing in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo
What it was like representing Team USA and winning a silver medal
Her experience competing in domestic goalball tournaments
What she enjoys most about goalball and adaptive sports in general
Learn more about...2025-01-2545 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 131 – A Conversation with National Beep Baseball Association Hall of Famer and Indy Thunder Founder Darnell BookerIn Episode 131 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Darnell Booker. The founder of the Indy Thunder beep baseball club and a member of the NBBA Hall of Fame, Booker spoke about:
His early years growing up in Indianapolis
His visual impairment
How he graduated from two high schools, including the Indiana School for the Blind
How he learned about beep baseball and his playing career
What inspired him to go into coaching beep baseball and why he decided to start the Indy Thunder beep baseball club
The success of the Thunder over the years, including the...2025-01-1146 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 130 – Meeting Rich Hunter, an Endurance Athlete and Founder of United in StrideIn Episode 130 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Rich Hunter. The longtime endurance athlete founded United in Stride, a website that helps connect blind and visually impaired runners and walkers with sighted guides. During the conversation, Hunter discussed:
His childhood and education
How vision loss impacted his military career
His career working as a school psychologist
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind
Some of his highlights in marathons and other endurance events
What inspired him to launch United in Stride
How the United in Stride website works and tips and tricks for users...2024-12-2154 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 129 – Learning about Tactile Engineering and Its Technology for Blind Sports FansIn Episode 129 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Dave Schleppenbach, the founder and CEO of Tactile Engineering. The company has developed a Braille tablet that is transforming how blind and visually impaired individuals consume visual information, including sporting events. During the interview, Schleppenbach talked about:
His professional background
How he got connected with the blind and visually impaired community
What inspired him to launch Tactile Engineering
An overview of the Cadence Braille tablet and how it works
How the device was used for the 2024 Indy 500
Other potential sports-related applications for the device
Feedback the company...2024-12-0736 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 128 – Talking Blind Soccer and the 2024 USA Blind Soccer International Cup with Ricky CastanedaIn Episode 128 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we have a returning guest, Ricky Castaneda (previously a guest on Episode 77). A member of the U.S. national blind soccer team, Ricky discussed the recent 2024 USA Blind Soccer International Cup. He spoke about:
His background and various adaptive sports for the blind he has played
How blind soccer works
The recent 2024 USA Blind Soccer International Cup held in Chula Vista, CA
How the U.S. team fared in the tournament against England and Japan
What the team learned from this experience
Looking ahead to the 2028 Paralympics in which the...2024-11-2335 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 127 – Discussing Blind Baseball and the 2024 WBSC Blind Baseball International CupIn Episode 127 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we feature a conversation with guests who are highly active in blind baseball. They are Kiana Glanton, co-captain of the U.S. blind baseball team, along with Ed Plumacher, president of the U.S. Blind Baseball Association (USBBA) and former guest on Episode 104 of Eyes Free Sports. During the conversation, they talked about:
Their personal backgrounds and low vision journeys
How they got into blind baseball and how the sport works
Their initial experience competing in the 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Blind Baseball International Cup in The...2024-11-0951 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 126 – A Conversation with Richie Flores, a Longtime Adaptive Athlete and President of the National Beep Baseball AssociationIn Episode 126 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Richie Flores, the current president of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) who has competed in beep baseball and goalball for many years. During the interview, Flores spoke about:
His childhood and visual impairment
His educational journey
His professional career
How he got involved in adaptive sports and who introduced him to beep baseball
Memorable moments throughout his beep baseball career, including a World Series championship
His work with the NBBA off the field and his current role as president
His hopes and dreams for the future...2024-10-2645 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 125 – Learning about OneCourt, a Startup Transforming Sports for Blind and Low Vision FansIn Episode 125 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by two representatives from OneCourt Technologies. These include Antyush Bollini, the COO and co-founder, as well as Bree Fraser, the program manager of business development. This startup company based in the Seattle, WA area has developed a device for blind and visually impaired sports fans to help them follow the action when attending or viewing sporting events. During the conversation, they discussed:
Their professional backgrounds and how they got involved in OneCourt
The inspiration for launching OneCourt and the meaning behind the name of the company
An...2024-10-1234 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 124 – Meeting Retired U.S. Army Major Ivan Castro, a Longtime Endurance AthleteIn Episode 124 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Ivan Castro from Orlando, FL. The Army veteran and highly accomplished endurance athlete discussed:
His early years and education
What inspired him to enlist in the U.S. Army and his 28-year military career
How he went blind while serving and how he was able to continue to serve on active duty in spite of his blindness
His achievements in marathons, hikes, and other endurance adventures he has tackled around the world
The U.S. presidents and other celebrities he has met throughout his life
The book...2024-09-2841 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast -Ep. 123: Playing Blind Chess with David RosenkoetterIn Episode 123 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is David Rosenkoetter. The longtime adaptive athlete and fitness guru has also competed in blind chess for many years. During the discussion, Rosenkoetter spoke about:
Where he is from and his childhood
His visual impairment
His educational journey and professional career
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind and the sports he has competed in
How he got into blind chess and his journey competing in tournaments
How chess is adapted for the blind and visually impaired community
An overview of the United States Blind Chess...2024-09-1447 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 122 – Talking Blind Hockey with Drew Garza and Josh Schneider of The Dented Puck FoundationIn Episode 122 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Drew Garza and Josh Schneider, two of the founders of The Dented Puck Foundation who are both highly active in blind hockey in the U.S. During the conversation, they talked about:
Their early years
Their low vision journeys
How they discovered blind hockey
Their experiences in blind hockey both on and off the ice
Why they started The Dented Puck Foundation and its mission
The current state of blind hockey in the U.S. and looking ahead
The possibility of getting blind hockey into the Paralympics...2024-08-3151 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 121 – Stretching with Sonya Chapnick, a Visually Impaired Certified yoga Therapist and Founder/CEO of Yoga GentlyIn Episode 121 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Sonya Chapnick from the Los Angeles, CA area. The founder and CEO of Yoga Gently spoke about:
Her early years and education
Her unique career prior to losing her vision
How she got into yoga and her professional certifications
What inspired her to launch Yoga Gently
The yoga programs she offers and how she adapts them to blind and visually impaired clients
How she got into tandem cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activities
Her advice on the benefits of getting involved in sports and recreation
Learn...2024-08-1742 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 120 – Meeting David Benney and Recapping the 2024 National Beep Baseball Association World Series and SeasonIn Episode 120 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet David Benney. The longtime beep baseball player and advocate for the sport spoke about:
His early years growing up in Chicago
His visual impairment and how it has impacted his life
His education and career
How he got into playing beep baseball and his lengthy career with multiple teams
His role as a color commentator and media team member for the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)
An overview of the 2024 NBBA season
Recapping the 2024 NBBA World Series held in the St. Louis, MO area
Players who stood out...2024-08-041h 11The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 119 – A Visit with Liz Bottner, a Blind Hockey Player, Adaptive Runner, and All-Around Disability AdvocateIn Episode 119 of the Eyes Free Sports Podcast, Liz Bottner joins the conversation. A native of Delaware, Bottner has gone on to a successful professional career along with lots of involvement in several adaptive sports. During the podcast, Bottner talked about:
Being a triplet and her two sisters
Her eye condition
Her education and graduate studies
Her career working for a few major government organizations
What led her to try adaptive sports for the blind
Her experience competing in blind hockey with the Hartford Braillers
Her experience as an adaptive runner and her running guide dog from Guiding...2024-07-2041 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 118 – A Conversation with Alvin Suarez, a Goalball Player and Coach, Beep Baseball Player, and MusicianIn Episode 118 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Alvin Suarez from New York City. During the conversation, the longtime adaptive athlete and coach spoke about:
His early years growing up in New York City
His visual impairment
His education attending both mainstream schools and a school for the blind
His day job and unique side hustle
His experience playing adaptive sports as a youngster and what drew him back to participating in them well into adulthood
His journeys in goalball and beep baseball
His experience as a goalball coach for a women’s team
His band wi...2024-07-061h 15The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 117 – A Conversation with Wynter Pingel, a Beep Baseball Player, Runner, and MusicianIn Episode 117 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Wynter Pingel from the Boston, MA area. The beep baseball player, runner, and musician talked about:
Her childhood and attending both mainstream schools and a blind school
Her education and career, including a job she had with National Braille Press (NBP)
How she got introduced to adaptive sports for the blind as an adult
Her experience playing beep baseball and tournaments she has competed in
Her experience as an adaptive runner and her goals for future races
Her background in music and her current career as a gigging...2024-06-2245 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 116 – Meeting Murray Elbourn, a Longtime Goalball Player, Disability Sports Leader, & CEO of Amerability ServicesIn Episode 116 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with longtime goalball player and disability sports leader Murray Elbourn. The native of Australia now operates Amerability Services in Washington State. During the interview, Elbourn talked about:
His early years growing up in Australia
His vision loss journey and how he had some vision restored as an adult
How he was introduced to adaptive sports for the blind
His career and achievements playing goalball
What led him to move to the United States, back to Australia, and then back to the U.S.
How he got...2024-06-0837 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast – Ep. 115: Meeting Charles Catherine, an Elite Para-triathlete and Co-Captain of the U.S. Men’s Blind Soccer TeamIn Episode 115 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Charles Catherine. A native of France, Catherine has become a highly talented para-triathlete who was recently named as one of the captains of the U.S. men’s blind soccer team. During the conversation, Catherine discussed:
His childhood growing up in France
His eye condition
His education and career, including his current role with the National Organization on Disability (NOD)
His journey to the United States
How he got into endurance sports, specifically the triathlon
How he got into blind soccer and his journey moving up the ranks
Ho...2024-05-2543 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 114 – – Taking a Swing at Blind Golf with Tyler CashmanIn Episode 114 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Tyler Cashman, a college student who has collected several titles competing in blind golf and has also played beep baseball and other adaptive sports. During the conversation, Cashman discussed:
Where he was born and grew up
His visual impairment
His education and current studies at the University of Richmond
His athletic career and how he got into playing blind golf through the United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA)
How blind golf works
Memorable tournaments and moments in his golf career
How he got into playing beep baseball and...2024-05-1128 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 113 – Hitting the Water with Katy Boyd of Twin Cities Blind Sailing (TCBS)In Episode 113 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Katy Boyd, founder of Twin Cities Blind Sailing (TCBS) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. During the interview, Boyd spoke about:
Her childhood and visual impairment
Her education and career history and goals
How she got introduced to adaptive sports for the blind, specifically blind sailing
What inspired her to start Twin Cities Blind Sailing (TCBS)
How blind sailing actually works and how it can be customized to the visually impaired sailor’s abilities and goals
The programs she offers to both youth and adults
How bl...2024-04-2843 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 112 – Talking Audio Description for Live Sporting Events with MindsEyeIn Episode 112 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we discuss audio description for live sporting events and other live events provided by MindsEye, a nonprofit in the St. Louis, MO area. Two members of the organization, Magan Harms (MindsEye arts and culture director) and Liam McCoy (MindsEye quality control specialist), join the discussion. They spoke about:
How Magan got involved in the blind community and audio description
How she prepares to describe a live event for blind and visually impaired patrons
Examples of verbiage she uses to describe sporting events and other live events
How her role compares...2024-04-1351 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 111 - Highlighting All-Around Adaptive Athlete Mike Royal of Blind Canine SportsIn Episode 111 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Mike Royal, an accomplished adaptive athlete in running, water skiing, and other sports who resides in the Houston, TX area. Royal talked about:
Where he was born and grew up in the heartland of America
His visual impairment
His education, career, and family
How he was introduced to sports for the blind
His achievements as a runner and several major marathons he has run in
His career in adaptive water skiing and records he has attained
Other sports he has tried
His guide dog journey and how...2024-03-3051 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 110 – Taking a Run with Endurance Athlete Francesco Magisano of Achilles InternationalIn Episode 110 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Francesco Magisano, an accomplished endurance athlete and para-triathlete who also serves as the Director of the New York City Metro Region for Achilles International. During the interview, Magisano discussed:
Where he was born and grew up
His eye condition and vision loss journey
How he got connected to Achilles International through a random conversation
An overview of the Achilles International organization and its chapters around the world, along with his current role
His career as a runner and para-triathlete
Competing in the extremely challenging Ultraman Florida event
...2024-03-1637 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 109 – Taking a Dive Onto the Goalball Court with Paralympian Calahan YoungIn Episode 109 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Calahan Young joins the conversation. The native of Irwin, PA in the Pittsburgh area is the captain of the U.S. men’s national goalball team and a highly successful goalball player. Young spoke about:
His childhood and sports he played with sighted peers as a youngster
His visual impairment and how his vision has changed over time
How he was introduced to sports for the blind
How he felt playing goalball for the first time and who encouraged him to keep at it
His journey up the goalball ranks to...2024-03-0257 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast - Ep. 108: Hitting the Track with Roger Oberholzer, a Visually Impaired Runner, Surfer, & Adaptive AthleteIn Episode 108 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Roger Oberholzer, a blind runner and adaptive athlete originally from Switzerland who now resides in Folsom, CA. During the conversation, Oberholzer spoke about:
His early years and childhood
His visual impairment
His education and professional career
How he got involved in adaptive sports for the blind
His experience running in several of the major marathons in the United States
The keys to an effective relationship with a running guide
His preference when it comes to a running tether
His experience with surfing and tandem cycling
His advice to...2024-02-1746 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 107 - Catching up with Pearl Outlaw on Mental Health and AthleticsIn Episode 107 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we catch up with Pearl Outlaw, a blind adaptive rower and skier, for an open and honest discussion on mental health and athletics. She originally appeared as a guest on Episode 93 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast. During this particular conversation, Outlaw spoke about:
When she started to recognize her mental health struggles
Why she decided to take time away from her athletic career to focus on her mental health and wellness
The professional help she sought and how it has benefited her in so many ways
Coping mechanisms she...2024-02-0336 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 106 – Visiting with the Sirens Beep Baseball Club, an All-Female Beep Ball TeamIn Episode 106 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with six members of the Sirens beep baseball team, the first-ever beep ball club made up entirely of female players. The team is based in the St. Louis, MO area but has players from around the U.S. We are joined by players Kim Blumenthal, Corey Turner, Amy Sweigard, and Whitney Marin, along with coaches Kassondra McDaniel and Neal “Dawg” McDonald.
During the conversation, they discussed how the team was started, the many benefits of an all-female team, how they performed at the 2023 National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA...2024-01-201h 00The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast – Ep. 105: A Visit with Scott Hudson, a National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) Hall of Famer and Accomplished RunnerIn Episode 105 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Scott Hudson of Fort Worth, TX joins the conversation. The longtime beep baseball player and runner spoke about:
His early years and childhood
His visual impairment
His education and career in vocational rehabilitation
How he got into beep baseball and his successful career
What it meant to him to be inducted into the NBBA Hall of Fame
His career as a runner and notable achievements in races
His preference when it comes to a running tether
Other sports for the blind he has tried
Learn more about the National...2024-01-0636 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 104 – Hitting the Diamond with Ed Plumacher to Discuss Blind Baseball and the U.S. Blind Baseball Association (USBBA)In Episode 104 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Ed Plumacher, a longtime blind athlete and adaptive technology professional who was instrumental in bringing the sport of blind baseball to the United States and helping start the U.S. Blind Baseball Association (USBBA). During the conversation, Plumacher discussed:
His early years and visual impairment
His college years and various professional roles, including some unique work in sports media
How he got into playing sports for the blind, including beep baseball and skiing
How he was introduced to blind baseball and how the game works
How blind...2023-12-231h 01The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 103 –A Conversation on Envision Blind Sports with Wendy FaganIn Episode 103 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Wendy Fagan, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Envision Blind Sports based in the Pittsburgh, PA area. During the interview, Fagan talked about:
Her personal background
How she got connected with the disability community, specifically blind and visually impaired individuals
What inspired her to start VIP Sports, now known as Envision Blind Sports
The numerous blind sports programs her nonprofit offers for both children and adults
How blind sports have positively impacted many of the kids she has gotten to know over the years
Her work...2023-12-0943 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 102 – Hitting the Skate Park with Brett Devloo, a.k.a. The Blind Kid, a Blind Skateboarder and Musical ArtistIn Episode 102 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Brett Devloo, a.k.a. The Blind Kid (TBK) from Canada. During the conversation, Devloo discussed:
Where he was born and grew up
Sports he played as a kid and why he fell in love with skateboarding
How he suddenly lost a good amount of his eyesight
The meaning behind his nickname, The Blind Kid
How he got back into skateboarding after going blind and some simple adaptations he uses as a visually impaired skateboarder
His music career as a hip-hop artist and singer of other genres
...2023-11-251h 02The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 101 – Getting Outside with Guiding Eyes OutdoorsIn Episode 101 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Drew Blake, president and co-founder of the nonprofit Guiding Eyes Outdoors, Inc. based in North Carolina. During the interview, Blake talked about:
His personal and professional backgrounds
What inspired him to help launch Guiding Eyes Outdoors
An overview of adaptive outdoor activities the nonprofit offers to blind and visually impaired participants
An overview of his team and volunteers
The types of adaptive events the nonprofit holds and how they are accessible to blind and visually impaired participants
An overview of the Accessible Aiming Project he...2023-11-1144 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 100 – Celebrating a Milestone Episode with Michael Stone Turning the Tables to Interview Podcast Host Greg LindbergIn Episode 100 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, host Greg Lindberg celebrates this milestone episode by having the interviewing tables turned on him. Michael Stone, a blind endurance athlete, skier, biathlete, and author who appeared on Episodes 62 and 63 of the podcast, takes the reigns as guest host. During the conversation, Lindberg discussed:
- His visual impairment
- His childhood, education, and professional career
- How he got into playing adaptive sports, specifically beep baseball
- What inspired him to launch the Eyes Free Sports podcast in 2019
- A recent athletic injury he sustained and...2023-10-2859 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 99 – Hitting the Field with Melchion Wee-Ellis, a Beep Baseball Player and Adaptive AthleteIn Episode 99 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Melchion Wee-Ellis. The beep baseball player and adaptive athlete from Long Island, NY spoke about:
Where he was born, grew up, and his unique family heritage
His education and sports he played as a youngster
His visual impairment and how his vision has changed over time
His adjustment to sight loss
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind, specifically beep baseball
His beep baseball career playing for the Long Island Bombers and Atlanta Chaos of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)
How he g...2023-10-141h 13The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 98 - Talking Audio Darts with Sam Jasmine and Rich KoppenjanIn Episode 98 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat about audio darts with two guests - Sam Jasmine of Plymouth, MN and Rich Koppenjan of St. Augustine, FL. The two discussed
Where they are from and their eye conditions
The history of audio darts in the United States
How they got into playing audio darts
How audio darts works and the audio dartboard Sam and her team developed
Leagues and tournaments for audio darts around the country
Other sports for the blind they have competed in
To learn more about audio darts for the blind...2023-10-0142 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 97 – Hitting the Broadcast Booth to Chat with 17-Year-Old Allan WylieIn Episode 97 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we feature a conversation with Allan Wylie, a 17-year-old sportscaster who happens to be blind. You’ll also hear some clips of what Wylie sounds like in the booth. During the interview, Wylie spoke about his early years and education, how he became interested in sports and sports broadcasting, announcers he has looked up to, how he got to call high school sports and Minor League Baseball games, and his goals in sports broadcasting.
2023-09-1621 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 96 - Getting Moving with Donna Brown, a Four-Time Paralympian and Longtime EducatorIn Episode 96 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Donna Brown, a four-time Paralympian who competed in multiple Paralympic sports, joins the conversation. Brown spoke about:
- Where she was born and grew up
- Her visual impairment which her two siblings also have
- Her experience attending a school for the blind and how this led her to adaptive sports for the blind
- Competing in the Paralympic Games in the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s
- Other athletic events she has competed in since her Paralympic days
- Her teaching caree...2023-09-0247 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 95 - Recapping the 2023 National Beep Baseball Association World SeriesIn Episode 95 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we recap the 47th edition of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) World Series held in Norman, OK during the first week of August. We are joined by Neal “Dawg” McDonald, a recent inductee into the NBBA Hall of Fame, along with Demetris “D-Mo” Morrow, an NBBA board member and member of the Gateway Archers beep baseball club. They spoke about:
How each of the 19 teams finished at the World Series this year
The offensive and defensive player awards, along with a variety of other award winners and Hall of Fame ind...2023-08-1959 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 94 – Chatting with Chuck Gottus,a Blind Tennis Player and BowlerIn Episode 94 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Chuck Gottus from the Pittsburgh, PA area. The blind tennis player and bowler spoke about:
Where he was born and grew up
When he was diagnosed with a visual impairment and what it meant to him at the time
Sports he played as a youngster and when he realized mainstream sports were too challenging because of his vision changing
How he got into blind tennis and his experience in the sport thus far
His goals in blind tennis
2023-08-0626 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 93 – Rowing with Pearl Outlaw, a Visually Impaired Rower and SkierIn Episode 93 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Pearl Outlaw of Portland, OR. The visually impaired rower and skier spoke about:
Where she was born and grew up
When she learned she was visually impaired and how this impacted her life
How she got into rowing and competing on an NCAA Division III rowing team with fully sighted teammates
Her journey to competing in international rowing competitions for athletes with disabilities and her achievements in these events
How she got into adaptive skiing
Other blind sports she would like to try
Her perspectives on the...2023-07-2249 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 92 – Getting to Know Eliana Mason, a Two-Time Paralympian in GoalballIn Episode 92 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Eliana Mason. The longtime goalball player who has competed and medaled in two Paralympic Games discussed:
Her childhood growing up in the Pacific Northwest
Her visual impairment and how much vision she has
Her education and career working in the mental health field
How she was introduced to goalball
Her career competing in goalball tournaments around the world, including two Paralympic Games
What it takes to be a successful goalball athlete and, more generally, a successful blind athlete
Some of the unique places she has visited in her...2023-07-0846 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 91 – Meeting Zephryn Victor, Jr., a.k.a. Comedian See No Evil, a Goalball & Beep Baseball PlayerIn Episode 91 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Zephryn “Zeph” Victor, Jr., a.k.a. Comedian See No Evil, from Fort Lauderdale, FL. The longtime goalball player has recently found a new niche playing beep baseball in the last few years while balancing his career in entertainment. During the conversation, Victor spoke about:
Where he was born and his childhood
His visual impairment
How he got into adaptive sports, specifically goalball
Highlights from his goalball career and memorable teammates
How he was introduced to beep baseball and his career in that sport
The similarities and diff...2023-06-2446 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 90 – Discussing the U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) with Dana CostaIn Episode 90 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Dana Costa, president of the United States Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) and the Highland Park Tennis Club in the Pittsburgh, PA area. During the conversation, Costa discussed:
Her family and being the mom of a visually impaired child
How she was introduced to adaptive sports, specifically tennis for the blind and visually impaired
How blind tennis works
The inspiration behind launching the U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) and the goals of this organization
Where the USBTA has held blind tennis events and future plans for events
The...2023-06-1017 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 89 – Hitting the Goalball Court with Paralympian John KuskuIn Episode 89 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we catch up with John Kusku, a longtime goalball player who has competed at multiple Paralympic Games for Team USA. During the interview, Kusku spoke about:
- His family and early years growing up
What caused his visual impairment
His education and career as a math teacher
How he got into goalball and his lengthy career on the goalball court
Competing in two Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo
His experience with adaptive skiing and goals in this sport
Other sports for the blind he has tried and...2023-05-2742 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 88 – Visiting with Blake Steinecke, a Mountain Biker and Member of the U.S. Blind Hockey TeamIn Episode 88 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Blake Steinecke, a visually impaired mountain biker and member of the U.S. blind hockey team from the San Diego, CA area. During the interview, Steinecke spoke about:
His childhood and education
The sports he played growing up
How he became visually impaired as a teenager
How he got into mountain biking and how he has adapted it to be an accessible sport for the visually impaired
How he got into blind hockey and what it meant to be named to the U.S. blind hockey team
His...2023-05-1339 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 87 – Learning about Couch to Active with Lyn LindberghIn Episode 87 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Lyn Lindbergh, founder of Couch to Active. The company provides virtual fitness programs and has developed a decent following from blind and visually impaired individuals. During the conversation, Lindbergh spoke about:
Her personal and professional backgrounds
Why she decided to start Couch to Active and what drew her to helping the blind and visually impaired community
The programs and services Couch to Active offers
How she makes her programs accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences
Examples of client success stories
Her podcast and other resources she has...2023-04-2938 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 86 – Hitting the Dance Floor with Lindsey LaVere to Discuss Adaptive DanceIn Episode 86 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Lindsey LaVere, of North Street, MI. A longtime dancer, she has recently gotten into taking adaptive dance classes and even teaching a dance class for individuals with disabilities. During the conversation, LaVere talked about:
- Where she was born and grew up
- How she suddenly lost her eyesight as a young adult
- Her career in dance and what it was like transitioning into an adaptive dance environment
- How she got into teaching adaptive dance for people with various disabilities
- Her advice to someone who...2023-04-1629 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast - Ep. 85: Hitting the Court to Take a Swing at Blind Tennis with the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA)In Episode 85 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Samir Mahir, president of the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA). During the interview, Mahir spoke about:
His personal and professional backgrounds
- How he got interested in sports, specifically tennis
How he got connected to adaptive sports, specifically blind tennis
The history of blind tennis around the world
An overview of the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) and his role as president of the IBTA
How blind tennis works and the adaptive equipment
Where tournaments have been held
The current state of blind tennis in the United States...2023-04-0136 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 84 - Hitting the Beep Baseball Field and Judo Mat with Demetris “D-Mo” MorrowIn Episode 84 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Demetris “D-Mo” Morrow, a longtime beep baseball player and martial arts competitor in judo. During the conversation, Morrow spoke about:
Where he was born and grew up
- His eye condition
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind
His introduction to beep baseball and his playing career with multiple teams
His current role on the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) board of directors and his goals for the organization
How he got into judo and his career highlights in martial arts
Other adaptive sports he has play...2023-03-1842 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 83 - Visiting with Kevin Brown, a Highly Accomplished Multisport Adaptive AthleteIn Episode 83 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Kevin Brown from the Washington, D.C. area. A blind adaptive athlete with multiple athletic achievements to his name, Brown talked about:
Growing up in a military family
-His eye condition and a sibling with the same diagnosis
His education and attending the University of Virginia where he got a taste of Division I athletics
The sports he played as a youngster with fully sighted peers
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind and visually impaired
Being named to the U.S. blind hockey team...2023-03-0456 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 82 - Exploring Field of Vision, a Startup Developing a Device for Blind Sports FansIn Episode 82 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Omar Salem of Field of Vision, a startup company developing an innovative device for blind sports fans. During the conversation, Salem spoke about:
The professional backgrounds of himself and his fellow co-founders of the startup company
What inspired the three of them to launch Field of Vision
An overview of how their technology has been developed
An overview of how this technology actually works at a sporting event
A description of the haptic feedback the device they are developing actually provides
Which types of sports and venues th...2023-02-1826 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast – Ep. 81: Hitting the Beep Baseball Field with Ethan JohnstonIn Episode 81 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by Ethan Johnston, a longtime beep baseball player who currently plays for the Gateway Archers out of the St. Louis, MO area. During the conversation, Johnston discussed:
His early years and childhood living in Ethiopia
How he became blind
What schools for the blind in Africa are like
How he ended up coming to the United States
His education and career
How he got into adaptive sports for the blind, specifically beep baseball
His beep baseball career
Other adaptive sports for the blind he would like to...2023-02-0548 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast – Ep. 80: Highlighting the American Council of the Blind’s Get Up and Get Moving Campaign with Koni SimsIn Episode 80 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we speak with Koni Sims, a longtime advocate for the blind and visually impaired who now serves as a member of the American Council of the Blind’s board of directors. She is also a member of a new committee developed to oversee ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving campaign. During the conversation, Sims spoke about:
Her personal and professional backgrounds
Her visual impairment and why it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for her
Her involvement in advocacy work with the American Council of the Blind, as w...2023-01-2128 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 79 - Hitting the Ice to Chat with Tim Kane, a Blind Hockey Star and Ambassador for This Adaptive SportIn Episode 79 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Tim Kane, a highly talented blind hockey player and ambassador for the adaptive sport of blind hockey. During the discussion, Kane talked about:
His early years and genetic visual impairment
The sports he played growing up
His education and career in sports medicine
Being named to the U.S. national blind hockey team and being voted captain of the team
How blind hockey works and his positions on the ice
His thoughts on getting blind hockey into the Paralympic Games and the importance of growing the sport...2023-01-0841 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 78 – Running with David Brown, the World’s Fastest Blind Man and Paralympic Gold MedalistIn Episode 78 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by David Brown, a three-time Paralympian in track and field and known to many as the world’s fastest blind man. During the conversation, Brown spoke about:
- Where he was born and grew up
- His visual impairment
- His education
- How he got into adaptive sports, specifically track and field
- How he became a Paralympian and his Paralympic career
- The medals and records he is most proud of
- The keys to having a...2022-12-121h 00The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 77 – Talking Blind Soccer and Beep Baseball with Ricardo “Ricky” CastañedaIn Episode 77 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Ricky Castañeda, an accomplished beep baseball and blind soccer star from Fort Worth, TX. During the conversation, he spoke about:
Where he was born and grew up
His visual impairment and how it runs in the family
His education attending a school for the blind and mainstream schools
His career goals and a career path in which he wants to be a trailblazer for the blind
His beep baseball career with two Texas teams and competing in the championship game at the National Beep Baseball Association (N...2022-11-2630 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 76 – Hitting the Goalball Court with 7-Time Paralympian Jen ArmbrusterIn Episode 76 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we welcome Jen Armbruster, a seven-time Paralympian in goalball. During the interview, Armbruster spoke about:
Her early years and K-12 education
Her visual impairment, coping with her diagnosis, and why she feels so lucky
Getting into goalball and what drew her to the sport
Her decorated Paralympic career representing Team USA on the U.S. women’s goalball squad
Her training routine and what it takes to be successful at goalball
Other adaptive sports she has played, including her work on blind soccer
The benefits of competing in adaptive sports fo...2022-11-1339 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 75 – Meeting Wilbert Turner, a Beep Baseball Hall of Famer and World Recordholder in Bowling for the BlindIn Episode 75 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Wilbert Turner of Cleveland, OH. A Hall of Famer in beep baseball and world recordholder as a blind bowler, Turner discussed:
Where he was born and his childhood
His visual impairment
His education and career
How he got introduced to adaptive sports
His beep baseball career and induction into the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) Hall of Fame
His bowling career and the adaptations of blind bowling
His advice for those interested in getting into adaptive sports for the blind and visually impaired
Learn more about...2022-10-2930 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 74 – A Visit to the Broadcast Booth with Matt Wallace, a Blind Sports Commentator and Adaptive AthleteIn Episode 74 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by Matt Wallace, a blind sports commentator and adaptive athlete from Pennsylvania. During the interview, Wallace spoke about:
His early years and visual impairment
His education and how he attended both mainstream and schools for the blind
His college years and getting into sports media
His experience as a commentator for fully sighted and blind sports
His take on the most accessible websites, apps, and audio streaming services for blind sports fans
The sports he has played as an adaptive athlete and among sighted peers
2022-10-1528 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 73 – Running with Jason Romero, a Blind Extreme Endurance AthleteIn Episode 73 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we speak with Jason Romero of Denver, CO. Romero is an extreme endurance athlete who has competed in numerous races and events that few sighted individuals would even try to tackle. During the conversation, Romero discussed:
Where he was born and his early years
His visual impairment
His education and career
How he got into adaptive sports, specifically running
Guides he has had and the keys to a successful runner-and-guide team
Types of tethers and other unique tools he has used to run with a guide and even independently in...2022-10-011h 00The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 72 – An Inspiring Chat with Jacory Wiley, a Published Author, Motivational Speaker, & Beep Baseball PlayerIn Episode 72 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we catch up with Jacory Wiley from Atlanta, GA. Wiley is a visually impaired author, motivational speaker, and longtime beep baseball player. During the interview, Wiley talked about:
Where he was born and grew up
How he suddenly became visually impaired
- His education and finding his passions in life
How he got introduced to beep baseball and the teams he has competed on for over a decade
An incredible run in the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) for his team in 2022
The benefits of competing in adaptive sports for...2022-09-1753 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 71 – Taking a Swim with McClain Hermes, a Blind Paralympic Swimmer & Aspiring TriathleteIn Episode 71 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we hit the pool to visit with McClain Hermes. A two-time Paralympian in swimming, she is now pursuing a new athletic goal. During the conversation, Hermes discussed:
Where she was born and her childhood
Discovering her visual impairment at a very young age
Her education from elementary through high school and her college career in academics and athletics
Competing in college athletics as a Division I student-athlete with a disability at a major university
How she originally got into swimming and some adaptations she has used as a visually impaired...2022-09-0335 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 70 – Dr. T. Nicole Kirk of the University of Georgia on Adaptive Sports Coaching, Research, & ClassesIn Episode 70 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Dr. T. Nicole Kirk, an assistant professor of health and physical education in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Georgia who has coached, taught, and researched adaptive sports for the blind and visually impaired. During the interview, Dr. Kirk spoke about:
Her early interest in sports
Her educational journey through some unique degree programs and areas of study
How she got interested in working with kids with disabilities
Camps for the blind where she has taught and specific adaptive sports for the blind she has...2022-08-2036 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 69 - Neal “Dawgg” McDonald on His Beep Baseball Career and the 2022 Beep Baseball World SeriesIn Episode 69 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Neal McDonald, a.k.a. “Neal Dawg,” joined the conversation. A longtime beep baseball player himself and current advocate and commentator on this adaptive sport, McDonald discussed:
His personal background and how he suddently went blind
How he got into beep baseball and his career highlights
An overview of the major offseason moves around the National Beep Baseball Association league before the 2022 season kicked off
His initial thoughts going into the 2022 NBBA World Series in Beaumont, TX
A recap of each round of the World Series and his thoughts on how...2022-08-0651 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 68 – Entrepreneur and Adaptive Skier Krista GiannikIn Episode 68 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Krista Giannik, an entrepreneur in the PR and writing space who also happens to be a versatile adaptive athlete. During the interview, Giannik spoke about:
Where she was born and grew up
Her visual impairment
Her education and early career
Her current small business – Wise Words That Matter, and what inspired her to become her own boss
How she got into adaptive sports, specifically snow skiing and water skiing
The adaptations of snow and water skiing for the blind
How sports have positively impacted her life
Advice to...2022-07-2340 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 67 – Jasen Bracy II, a Blind Football Quarterback, and His DadIn Episode 67 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Jasen Bracy II, a visually impaired football player from California, along with his dad, Jasen Bracy. The father and son discussed:
Jasen’s childhood and visual impairment
The long journey of dealing with his diagnosis and ultimately several medical procedures he had to endure as a youngster
His education and getting into playing sports
How he has played mainstream baseball and some unique adaptations to make the sport accessible to him
How he got into playing mainstream football and how his dad has supported him with “live audi...2022-07-1047 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 66 – Sensei Devin Fernandez of Third Eye InsightIn Episode 66 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Sensei Devin Fernandez form New York. A visually impaired martial artist who runs a nonprofit providing adaptive sports, Fernandez spoke about:
Where he was born and grew up
Sports he played as a kid
His education and ultimately getting to run his own small business
A freak accident that happened to him while on the job, temporarily blinding him
Being diagnosed with a visual impairment and his adjustment to vision loss
What inspired him to get into martial arts and why he decided to teach these practices...2022-06-2547 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 65 – An Accessible Yin-Style Yoga Class with Jillian RicksIn Episode 65 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we feature a Yin-style yoga session with Jillian Ricks. You might remember her from Episode 57 of our podcast. Jillian is a visually impaired certified yoga instructor from Tennessee, and she was generous enough to record this fully described yoga session for our listeners.
Learn more about her health and wellness business, Jillian’s Healing Arts Center, at http://www.jillianshealingartscenter.com. Contact her at jillianshealingartscenter@gmail.com.
2022-06-111h 07The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 64 – Meeting The Athletic Borah BrothersIn Episode 64 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guests are Kyle and Sean Borah, two visually impaired athletic brothers from the St. Louis, Missouri area. Both have been very involved in the adaptive sports of blind hockey and beep baseball over the past few years. During the conversation, they talked about:
The same retinal condition they both have
Their childhood growing up in the St. Louis area and their educational journeys
Sports and recreation they participated in as kids
Their college experiences attending Webster University, the degrees they earned, and their current jobs
How Sean Borah’s co...2022-05-281h 05The Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 63 – Michael Stone, a Visually Impaired Endurance Athlete, Skier, & Biathlon Competitor (Part 2)In Episode 63 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Michael Stone, a highly accomplished visually impaired endurance athlete who has competed in over 200 races in his life. He has also gotten into skiing and the biathlon in recent years. This is Part 2 of our conversation. During this segment, Stone spoke about:
His perspectives on using different types of tethers and other methods of running and swimming with guides
What inspired him to get into adaptive winter sports like skiing and the biathlon
How the biathlon works for blind and visually impaired skiers
His other recreational interests...2022-05-1433 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 62 – Michael Stone, a Visually Impaired Endurance Athlete, Skier, & Biathlon Competitor (Part 1)In Episode 62 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Michael Stone, a highly accomplished visually impaired endurance athlete who has competed in over 200 races in his life. He has also gotten into skiing and the biathlon in recent years. This is Part 1 of our conversation. During this segment, Stone spoke about:
His early years growing up in the Midwest
His visual impairment and relatives with the same condition, as well as research being done on degenerative retinal conditions through the Foundation Fighting Blindness and other organizations
Why he has a positive outlook on having low vision
...2022-04-3037 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 61 – Visiting with Blind Bodybuilder & Beep Baseball Star Justin HollandIn Episode 61 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Justin Holland, a blind bodybuilder, beep baseball player, and YouTuber. During the conversation, Holland chatted about:
His early years, family, etc.
Sports he played when he was fully sighted
Losing his vision suddenly and his specific eye condition
His guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Getting into adaptive sports
His bodybuilding career and adaptations as a blind bodybuilder
His beep baseball career
His YouTube Channel and awareness he has raised about blindness and adaptive sports
Future goals in sports, career, etc.
How people can follow...2022-04-1735 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 60 – Dan Berlin, a Blind Endurance Athlete and EntrepreneurIn Episode 60 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Dan Berlin, a highly accomplished endurance athlete and entrepreneur. Berlin talked about:
His early years and diagnosis of a visual impairment
His education and early career
Getting into adaptive sports and endurance activities
How he has found guides for running, swimming and cycling and what makes a successful team
His experience competing in marathons, including the 2013 Boston Marathon and the bombing of that event
His experience competing in triathlons
Running in the Grand Canyon and some other cool places he has run in or summited around the world
...2022-04-0259 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 59 – Meeting Dominick Petrillo, a Blind Fantasy Football Writer and ExpertIn Episode 59 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Dominick Petrillo, a fantasy football writer and expert who happens to be blind. During the conversation, Petrillo discussed:
- His early years
- His physical and mental health challenges and how he has managed to overcome this adversity
- How he follows sports games, info, statistics, etc. as a blind fan, writer, and researcher
- The sports websites he has written for
- The technology he uses to make sports information more accessible as a blind individual
- The most accessible websites for sports information, f...2022-03-1926 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 58 - A Back-Country Blind Skiing Adventure with Tyson Ready & Donovan Tildesley of the Braille Mountain InitiativeIn Episode 58 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Tyson Ready, founder of the Braille Mountain Initiative in western Canada along with Donovan Tildesley, an accomplished Canadian Paralympic swimmer who took a trip with Ready and other blind athletes for an exclusive back-country skiing adventure in January of 2022. Ready and Tildesley spoke about:
Tildesley’s eye condition and early years competing in sports
His accomplished Paralympic swimming career with Team Canada and serving as his country’s flag bearer at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing
The adaptations for blind swimmers
A Recap of the Braille Mountain Init...2022-03-0533 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 57 - Talking Dance, Yoga, & Wellness with Jillian RicksIn Episode 57 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Jillian Ricks, a legally blind certified yoga instructor, massage therapist, dance instructor and enthusiast, and wellness advocate from Tennessee. Ricks discussed:
Her early life and learning of her visual impairment at a young age
Getting into dance and how she has made it accessible for herself and her students
Her college education and numerous certifications in health and wellness
How she got into yoga and the yoga courses she teaches on Zoom benefiting National Braille Press
The importance of physical activity and movement for people with disabilities
...2022-02-1935 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 56 – Skating with Dan Guard of the El Paso Mooses Blind Inline Hockey ClubIn Episode 56 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Dan Guard, the founder and program director of the El Paso Mooses Blind Inline Hockey Club based in El Paso, TX. Guard spoke about:
How he got into providing adaptive sports programs for kids
What inspired him to start the El Paso Mooses Blind Inline Hockey Club
How blind inline hockey works
An overview of the Mooses team and who can join
His goals with blind inline hockey and the possibility of it becoming a Paralympic sport in the future
Benefits of adaptive sports for the blind...2022-02-0544 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 55 – Taking a Run with Bailey MartinIn Episode 55 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Bailey Martin, a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa. Martin talked about:
Her early years and childhood being fully sighted
How she became visually impaired practically out of the blue
Her education and how supportive her teachers and professors have been throughout her schooling years
Getting back into sports after losing her eyesight and learning other adaptive sports for the blind
Her experience winning a contest through Orcam to meet other blind athletes and a superstar soccer player
Her goals with blind soccer and track and...2022-01-2226 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 54 – Meeting Zach Buhler, a Paralympian in Goalball & Beep Baseball World Series ChampionIn Episode 54 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we chat with Zach Buhler, a multisport adaptive athlete from Indiana who competed in goalball at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. He talked about:
His early years and childhood
How he lost his sight in his pre-teen years
Being a military spouse and a Paralympic husband
How he got introduced to goal ball and beep baseball
His beep baseball accomplishments as a member of the five-time defending World Series champion Indy Thunder in the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)
His experience at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and his take on how...2022-01-0844 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 53 – Talking Goalball, Martial Arts, & Audio Darts with Dr. Andre Watson, a Clinical PsychologistIn Episode 53 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andre Watson, a clinical psychologist who is also a highly accomplished blind adaptive athlete. Dr. Watson discussed:
His early years and childhood
What caused him to suddenly go blind at a young age
His education and some rare opportunities he earned to compete in mainstream sports with other students
His undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and graduate work to earn a master’s and Ph.D. from Widener University
How he got into playing goalball and his many achievements in this adaptive sport fo...2021-12-1850 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 52 – Catching Up with Paratriathlete Kyle CoonIn Episode 52 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we catch up with a former guest, Kyle Coon. A talented paratriathlete, Coon competed in the Paralympic Games over the summer, a world championship event in November, and has taken on a unique job since we last featured him on Episodes 3 and 4 of the podcast. During this conversation, Coon discussed:
How he was impacted by the delay of the Tokyo Paralympic Games by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The qualifying events he competed in leading up to the Paralympics in 2021
The relationship with his guide, a world-renowned triathlete
...2021-12-0454 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 51 – Fitness on a Budget (A Collaboration w/the Penny Forward PodcastIn Episode 51 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we feature a discussion about sports and fitness for the blind and visually impaired on a budget. In collaboration with the Penny Forward podcast, this episode features a roundtable discussion. The co-hosts were Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and Greg Lindberg. Panelists included Marana Vradenburg, Riley Schmitz, and Mary Stores. The points of discussion include:
Their backgrounds and involvement in a variety of adaptive sports and activities for the blind and visually impaired, including beep baseball, goalball, blind hockey, running, and martial arts
Examples of inexpensive and free options for working o...2021-11-2021 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 50 – Meeting Blind Radio Sportscaster Trent FergusonIn Episode 50 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Trent Ferguson, a 23-year-old totally blind sportscaster and radio commentator in Florida. Ferguson talked about:
His early years attending public school
Transitioning to attend the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) in St. Augustine, FL
His early interest in radio and how this led him to start doing public address announcing at sporting events
His favorite radio personalities who have inspired him
His current role with WNZF radio
How he accesses sports information for both his work and as a fan
His musical interests...2021-11-0641 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 49 - Visiting w/Athletic Couple Ricky & Christy Jones of STRIVE4YouIn Episode 49 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Ricky and Christy Jones of STRIVE4You, a nonprofit providing a variety of adaptive sports programs for the blind and visually impaired. They discussed:
Their personal and professional backgrounds
Their visual impairments
How Ricky became involved with the Tennessee Association of Blind Athletes, a chapter of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA
What it’s like being blind parents and some funny stories
Their two guide dogs and how they get along in the same household
What inspired them to launch STRIVE4You
The programs and se...2021-10-2345 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 48 – Tom Fisher of the North American Association of Blind Sportsmen (NAABS)In Episode 48 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Tom Fisher of the North American Association of Blind Sportsmen (NAABS). Fisher discussed:
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest
A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at a very young age
How he went blind and what the process of losing his vision was like for him emotionally
How he got involved in the North American Association of Blind Sportsmen (NAABS)
The adaptive outdoor programs and events NAABS offers
The “Adaptive Pursuits” TV show which has highlighted NAABS and several blind and visually impaired individuals
Why he says getting into...2021-10-0951 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 47 – Highlighting the Long Island Bombers Beep Baseball TeamIn Episode 47 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we highlight the Long Island Bombers beep baseball team from New York and its performance at the 2021 National Beep Baseball Association World Series in Wichita, KS. We caught up with Ted Fass, Alex Barrera, and Edgar Erickson of the Bombers to talk about:
Their personal and professional backgrounds
Their visual impairments
How they got into adaptive sports
How they got into beep baseball and what they enjoy most about it
The history of the Long Island Bombers
The 2021 NBBA World Series
Why blind and visually impaired individuals should try adaptive...2021-09-2552 minThe Eyes Free Sports PodcastThe Eyes Free Sports Podcast: Ep. 46 - Recapping the Tokyo Paralympics from a Blind Sports PerspectiveIn Episode 46 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we look back on the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics which just wrapped up from a blind sports perspective. In the first segment, we are joined by Mason Merren, an analyst for the USA men’s goalball team and son of longtime Paralympic goalball player Tyler Merren. Mason discussed:
Growing up with visually impaired parents
How he got into his unique role as a goalball analytics coordinator with the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) after attending Florida Atlantic University
The outcome of the men’s and women’s goalball compet...2021-09-1133 min