Episode 15 - Gold Medals and Bigger Goals
Soaring Through Adversity
He’s got wrestling hot takes, football opinions that’ll make you laugh (or argue), and a heart so big it fills the room. Jared is 40 years young, a Special Olympics legend, and a firecracker of joy, resilience, and unforgettable This episode is packed with laughs, legacy, and life lessons from someone who’s been breaking barriers and making people smile for over three decades. Trust us—you don’t want to miss Jared.
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Episode 14 - See Me as Special, Not Special Needs
Soaring Through Adversity
What do gold medals, scary movies, and early mornings on an egg farm have in common? Meet the incredible woman behind it all in our latest episode of Soaring Through Adversity. This week, we sit down with Mary, a tech-savvy, fiercely determined dreamer who’s not only mastered bowling and bocce ball—but is also chasing her dreams of college, independence, and a driver’s license. She doesn’t see herself as someone with a disability—and she doesn’t want you to either. She sees herself as a kind, capable, and normal person… because that’s exactly who she is. In this episode...
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Episode 13 - Where Everyone Belongs
Soaring Through Adversity
In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Amanda Kotter and Nicole Thompson, two passionate leaders and coaches within the Special Olympics community. Together, Amanda and Nicole share inspiring stories about the power of inclusive sports to foster confidence, connection, and community for individuals with disabilities. They discuss the origins and global impact of Special Olympics, highlight the challenges and triumphs of athletes, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and volunteerism in creating a world where everyone belongs. This episode is a...
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Episode 12 - Embracing God's Plan
Soaring Through Adversity
Some stories stay with you forever, and Pastor Scott Garwood’s is one of them. Born two months premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Scott could have let life’s challenges define him. Instead, he found a deeper purpose through faith, hope, and an unshakable spirit. Hear how a shy young man became a voice of love and encouragement for so many. His journey will touch your heart, lift your spirit, and remind you that God writes the most beautiful stories through our struggles.
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Episode 11 - One Choice, One Moment
Soaring Through Adversity
A New Year's Eve call changes everything. Join Renee Breazeale as she speaks with Karla and Scott Dougan about a life-altering accident. Hear their raw, emotional story of unexpected challenges, and the long road to recovery. 'One Choice, One Moment' explores resilience and the strength in the face of unimaginable adversity, and shows that anyone can become disabled at the blink of an eye.
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Episode 10 - Seeing The Unseen
Soaring Through Adversity
In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Eva and Kevin Potts, co-founders of the Mary Carmel's Light Foundation, to discuss a condition that often goes unrecognized—Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Eva and Kevin share their personal journey, inspired by their late mother, Mary Carmel, who lived with the condition and was misdiagnosed with dementia. Their experience navigating the medical system and the lack of resources led them to create a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals affected by Charles Bonnet Syndrome and their families. Together, they break...
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Episode 9 - Life Reimagined
Soaring Through Adversity
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Soaring Through Adversity, "Life Reimagined", host Renee Breazeale is joined by her friend Christa Tyson for an unforgettable conversation. Christa, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 44, opens up about the challenges and lessons of navigating life with a disability. Together, Renee and Christa share personal stories, including Renee’s journey of discovering a life-altering brain tumor. This episode dives into how they’ve both turned life’s unexpected challenges into opportunities for growth, resilience, and even a bit of humor.
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Episode 8 - Unstoppable Voice
Soaring Through Adversity
This episode of Soaring Through Adversity, titled "Unstoppable Voice," features Susan and Lexi Haas, a mother-daughter duo dedicated to disability advocacy and education. Together, they co-authored The Year of the Buttered Cat, which shares Lexi’s extraordinary journey. Susan and Lexi share their story of resilience, advocacy, and triumph, inspiring listeners to embrace the potential within every challenge.
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Episode 7 - Stronger Than Yesterday
Soaring Through Adversity
Today's guest is Madison, a 36-year-old professional with roots in West Palm Beach, Florida, who grew up in Union County, North Carolina. Madison’s story is one of determination, from balancing single parenthood, a full-time job, and her studies to earn a communication degree from East Carolina University, to her successful corporate career as a business analyst at Siemens, where she's worked since 2014. On New Year’s Day in 2017, Madison’s journey took a sharp turn when she suffered a massive stroke that initially left her unable to walk and permanently affected her left arm and leg....
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Episode 6 - Empowering Independence
Soaring Through Adversity
In this short episode of the Soaring Through Adversity podcast, host Renee Breazeale delivers a message about empowering people with disabilities. As the previous CEO of Victory Bolt & Specialty and co-founder of The Victory Advantage, Renee highlights their mission to make independent living more accessible. Through financial assistance for housing, education, and employment, The Victory Advantage is breaking down barriers to independence.
info_outlineThe Soaring Through Adversity podcast delves into the lives, experiences, and perspectives of individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities, as well as their caregivers. Through candid conversations and insightful interviews, your host Renee Breazeale provides a platform to these often unheard voices to shine, while empowering our listeners to take flight with awareness, empathy and understanding the importance of independent living solutions, fostering inclusivity and respect, and truly embodying the “Eagle Way”.