No Barriers

Victor Mifsud is a citizen scientist, biohacker, natural vision educator, psychedelic advocate, and filmmaker. He has recently completed a very personal feature-length documentary called “My Neuroplastic Adventure”. His journeys take him from the cutting edge of neuroscience to the most ancient forms of tribal healing. He has interviewed doctors and scientists who are using technology and wisdom in equal measure. He has worked with renowned National best-selling author & physician Dr. Gabor Maté; Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology of Motor Learning Director, Dr. Lara Boyd, and NY Times best-selling author Dr. Norman Doidge to name a few. He also happens to be blind.Resources:IG @blindbiohackerVictor’s Documentary:  www.myneuroplasticadventure.com Documentary trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKKP477-MA&t=6sRead Breath by James NestorRead The Brain that Changes Itself by Dr. Norman DoidgeRead It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn Explore Dr. Gabor Maté’s workWatch the 2011 Film, The Jungle PrescriptionWatch Dr. Lara Boyd discuss neuroplasticity Read Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your MindLearn about Dave AspreyAn overview: What is Biohacking? 

Dr. Kurt Papenfus works in family practice and emergency medicine in the rural communities of Colorado. Kurt attended school at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine where he graduated in 1986 and began to complete his internship and residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO. Kurt has been involved in the Center for Disease Control, National Occupational Research Agenda, Oil and Gas Sector Council, and was an Occupational Safety and Health Administration Advisory Council member. Kurt was also the doctor for the USA Climbing Team on Mt. Everest with the USA-Soviet-Chinese in 1990 and 1992 and can be remembered as the doctor on staff for the movie “Cliffhanger” in which Sylvester Stallone played an important role. Resources:Dr. Papenfus featured on CPRRead Breath by James Nestor

To many, Heather Thomson is an adored reality star from the hit Bravo reality television series, The Real Housewives of New York City, but what many don’t know is that she also is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and recently launched beyond fresh organic nutrition brand and Heather Thomson superfood shows, developed to educate and support people making positive and sustainable changes impactful to their health and well-being. The real Heather wears many hats as a married mother of two, successful entrepreneur, celebrated designer and inventor, philanthropist, speaker, avid adventurer, and her latest undertaking as host of her new podcast, in MY heart - with new episodes, every Tuesday.Resources:For more information go to Heatherthomson.comFollow along on Instagram and Twitter @iamheathert and find Heather A. Thomson on Facebook.Heather Thomson: No Barriers AmbassadorCheck out Beyond Fresh & https://www.shophq.com/Listen to in MY heart Podcast

When Joanna Sprtel Walters graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1994, she was among the first group of women out of the Academy to have selected warfare specialties.She served aboard the USS PAUL F FOSTER (DD964) and the USS LA MOURE COUNTY (LST 1194) and finished her career in the Navy at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes while getting her MBA from DePaul University. Since graduating with her MBA in 2001, she has enjoyed a very diverse career ranging from Procter & Gamble, Real Estate Investing, REI Course writing, Casino owner/COO and eventually CEO, Principal of a Private Equity Firm, author of Girl At Sea, Motivational Speaker and e-commerce entrepreneur/owner of  Wish Rock Relaxation.  Joanna spends her downtime enjoying the mountains with her family and can often be found climbing the cliffs of North Table Mountain, running or riding the trails, hiking to the top of 14ers, and playing in the snow.  What she treasures most are the adventures she shares with her family as a single mom of two teenaged girls!  She is a master at reinventing herself, overcoming challenges with grace, and tapping into the warrior within.   Resources:Purchase Joanna’s book, Girl At Sea hereAuthor websiteWish Rock Relaxation: Joanna’s e-commerce company. Wish Rock focuses on high-end relaxation equipment such as massage chairs, zero gravity recliners, NIR saunas, lift chairs, ergonomic office chairs, and water features. Joanna is extending a 10% off for all of our listeners with the code:  WISH10.  https://www.wishrockrelaxation.com/discount/WISH10

Courthney Russell is a creator, activist, and social entrepreneur. At one time on a collision course with incarceration or death, Courthney turned his life around after high school when he applied and was accepted to a pre-med program. Though he found his calling in med school, he continued to struggle with homelessness until graduating in 2011. Courthney’s resolve to overcome his difficult life experiences propelled him to be the authentic, determined, and humble leader he is today. Courthney is the co-founder of A2H2, a non-profit focused on meeting the health needs of those experiencing homelessness in Atlanta; he co-runs WeUp, a company built on the idea of uplifting community through hope and empowerment; and he co-hosts the podcast, Humanize, which broaches uncomfortable topics with the goal of disrupting social order and creating a more just and equitable society. Resources:Visit A2H2  and follow on Instagram: Changing Healthcare & Facebook: Changing Healthcare - A2H2WeUp.org & on InstagramHumanize Podcast on Instagram & Facebook

Maureen Beck was born without her left hand, but that didn’t stop her from picking up the sport of climbing at the age of 12. Now based in Colorado’s Front Range, Mo spends her nights training at the gym and her days climbing all over the American southwest. She works closely with the adaptive climbing community as an instructor with Paradox Sports and is the Chair of the USAC Paraclimbing Committee.As a competitive climber, she has won 6 national titles, a gold medal at the 2014 Paraclimbing World Championships in Spain, and defended that title with a gold medal at the 2016 World Championships in Paris. In 2018, she went on her first alpine expedition to the Northwest Territories in Canada’s Nahanni National Park where she and fellow adaptive climber Jim Ewing attempted the legendary Lotus Flower Tower.  Maureen starred in the 2017 Film Stumped which has won numerous awards and toured hundreds of cities all over the world, and in the 2019 film Adaptive. Mo is an athlete for The North Face, Petzl, Sterling Rope, TRUBLUE Climbing, Gnarly Nutrition, and Scarpa.In addition to climbing, Mo loves gardening, her chickens and dogs, sleeping in cars, and fine Scotch whiskey. Resources:Watch Stumped on Amazon PrimeLearn more about the film Adaptive Watch Adaptive on VimeoMo in the MountainsA Guide to Rock Climbing terminology 

Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode:Episode 57 - Cultivating Compassion with Physician, Dr. Rana AwdishEpisode 78 - Serendipity with Jill WheatleyEpisode 54 - Thinking Through Uncertainty: Neuroscientist, Beau LottoEpisode 53 - Examining Collective Grief with Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber Episode 64 - Exploring Vision with Lieutenant Governor Cyrus HabibEpisode 41 - Harnessing Adversity with Dr. Paul StoltzEpisode 58 - Harnessing Positivity with Jim Kwok

Eduardo Garcia is a professional Chef who owns retail food brand Montana Mex, a Mexican inspired line of Organic, NON-GMO condiment sauces, seasonings, and Avocado oil. He is known as the "bionic chef" because he cooks with a prosthetic left arm, the result of an accident while hunting in 2011. His story is the subject of the feature-length documentary Charged. Eduardo is an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, hunter, triathlete, and motivational speaker.After becoming the first blind climber to summit Mt. Everest, Erik Weihenmayer turned his focus to an entirely different kind of challenge: He learned to kayak and decided to attempt to paddle the length of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was the next chapter in Weihenmayer’s quest for presence, independence, and self-agency — things hard to achieve without sight. As The Weight of Water chronicles, the trip was much more than an adventure athlete notching another accomplishment in his belt. Weihenmayer joins a team of guides and new friends — including fellow blind kayaker Lonnie Bedwell, an absolute inspiration in his own right — on an emotionally weighted journey down one of America’s most iconic canyons. As they paddle, they confront loss, fear, and anxiety. They exemplify what people can achieve — and overcome — through selflessness, teamwork, and courage. And they let the river unlock its priceless lessons. The result is a triumph.Together, Erik and Eduardo discuss their adversities and what they have learned along the way.Resources:Read more about Eduardo and pick up some Montana Mex goodsWatch Charged on Amazon, iTunes, or VimeoWatch Weight of Water on Amazon Prime or iTunes Read Jeff Evan’s book: Climbing Through Storms

Mike SavickiIn November 1990., while training to become a U.S. Navy F-14 fighter pilot, Mike Savicki sustained a severe spinal cord injury after diving into the ocean. In an instant, he went from being a fit, active, promising Naval officer – commissioned as the top-flight candidate in the nation’s number one ROTC college graduating class – to a quadriplegic who was challenged with learning to live life again using a wheelchair.  As he regained his independence, Mike earned an MBA, delivered the commencement address, and became involved in wheelchair sports. He is a 22-time finisher (and five-time division winner) of the prestigious BAA Boston Marathon (making him the only person to have completed the marathon on foot and subsequently in a wheelchair) and has earned more than 100 gold medals in the National Wheelchair Veterans Games. In 2009, he became the first quadriplegic to finish the 70.3-mile Beach to Battleship Half Ironman Triathlon.From there he became deputy director of World T.E.A.M. Sports, a non-profit for people with and without disabilities, served on numerous non-profit boards, and started his own communications company. He is also a high school teacher, a husband, a father, an advocate for disabled veterans, and a proponent of getting those with disabilities back on the road in adapted vehicles.Savicki married in 2010, and he and his wife, Sarah, welcomed a baby girl, Caroline, into their lives shortly thereafter. Overcoming adversity, marathons, triathlons, degrees, companies, teams, books, magazines, speeches, advocacy efforts in DC, and fighter jets? That's nothing, he says. The real challenge? Keeping up with a kiddo whose life is unfolding each and every day.Resources:Check out Mike’s websiteFollow Mike on FacebookFollow Mike on Instagram 

Kate Merrill is a Registered Nurse who worked in a Trauma Intensive Care Unit for 22 years before taking the plunge to open her own bakery in Chicago. Edge of Sweetness was off to a strong start in 2020, hitting its sales targets and becoming a neighborhood favorite. Then, COVID-19 hit, and after months of adjusting and taking the necessary precautions, Kate and her staff made the choice to temporarily close. Kate then answered the call from the Governor for nurse support and return to work at the hospital she had worked in previously, to treat patients with COVID. Since she has been laying the groundwork for her bakery to make a triumphant return. Resources:Visit Kate's bakery:  https://www.edgeofsweetness.com/Check out “What’s Within You” to read more of Kate’s story