Soaring Through Adversity

The 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”.

Episode 15 - Gold Medals and Bigger Goals 08/01/2025

Episode 15 - Gold Medals and Bigger Goals 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/37590210

Episode 14 - See Me as Special, Not Special Needs 07/01/2025

Episode 14 - See Me as Special, Not Special Needs 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 of Soaring Through Adversity, you’ll hear how this inspiring woman challenges assumptions, embraces her strengths, and reminds us all of one simple truth: kindness and respect go a long way. Listen in and be reminded what true strength looks like. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/37208900

Episode 13 - Where Everyone Belongs 06/02/2025

Episode 13 - Where Everyone Belongs 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 celebration of resilience, inclusion, and the unstoppable spirit that drives the Special Olympics movement worldwide. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/36825185

Episode 12 - Embracing God's Plan 05/01/2025

Episode 12 - Embracing God's Plan 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/36382895

Episode 11 - One Choice, One Moment 04/01/2025

Episode 11 - One Choice, One Moment 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/35952820

Episode 10 - Seeing The Unseen 03/03/2025

Episode 10 - Seeing The Unseen 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 down what Charles Bonnet Syndrome is, how it impacts those who have lost significant visual acuity, and the importance of raising awareness to ensure others don’t face the same struggles alone. Tune in for a compelling conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the power of shedding light on the unseen. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/35505930

Episode 9 - Life Reimagined 01/01/2025

Episode 9 - Life Reimagined 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/34672515

Episode 8 - Unstoppable Voice 12/01/2024

Episode 8 - Unstoppable Voice 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/34204690

Episode 7 - Stronger Than Yesterday 11/01/2024

Episode 7 - Stronger Than Yesterday 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. With six weeks of inpatient therapy in North Carolina and ten weeks at Atlanta's Shepherd Center, her resilience carried her through the intense recovery process. Today, Madison remains focused on her professional goals and cherishes time with her two sons who continue to be her inspiration. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/33688317

Episode 6 - Empowering Independence 10/11/2024

Episode 6 - Empowering Independence 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. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/33422927

Episode 5 - Faith, Flight, and Resilience 10/01/2024

Episode 5 - Faith, Flight, and Resilience This episode, titled "Faith, Flight, and Resilience," features Chuck Hoyle. Born in 1952 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Chuck grew up in a devout Christian home. His love for sports and aviation led him to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he strayed from his faith but later found his way back. After a tragic plane crash left him paralyzed, Chuck's resilience only grew. He became a foster parent to ten children, participated in adaptive sports, and got involved with a nonprofit offering water skiing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Chuck now lives with his youngest son, Tyler, while staying active and engaged in his community. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/33268272

Episode 4 - Forklift and Fly 09/01/2024

Episode 4 - Forklift and Fly In today's episode, titled "Forklift and Fly," the spotlight is on two remarkable guests: David Casper and Nate Clewell. David, a Union County native and CEO of Union Diversified Industries, has been a leader in the IDD, MH, and SU fields. He's a trailblazer in nonprofit innovation, an ordained minister, and a dedicated community member. Joining him is Nate Clewell, a 33-year-old forklift operator at UDI. Despite challenges like scoliosis and ADD, Nate has thrived in his role and enjoys fishing, family time, and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both guests share inspiring stories of perseverance and determination. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/32811847

Episode 3 - From Silence to a Voice of Distinction 08/01/2024

Episode 3 - From Silence to a Voice of Distinction Michael Wayne O'Neill is a 2023 graduate of Wingate University with a bachelor's degree in sports communications, and he is working toward his dream of becoming a play-by-play announcer. Currently, Michael Wayne is a general assignment reporter at the Enquirer Journal in Monroe, North Carolina, where he has written over 1,000 articles. Despite experiencing delays in speech and communication as a child, Michael Wayne found his voice at the age of 8 and developed a passion for broadcasting during high school after being inspired by sports commentator Al Michaels. His journey began with announcing middle school football games, and his dedication to sports and storytelling drives his aspirations to call events on local and national networks. He believes that with spiritual guidance, he can accomplish anything. When he's not in school, behind the mic, or writing articles, he goes to church and spends time with his family. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/32367952

Episode 2 - Empowerment Through Grace 07/01/2024

Episode 2 - Empowerment Through Grace Grace Trumpower, diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months old, overcame multiple barriers to become a disability rights advocate. Despite battling an autoimmune condition in her teens, she pursued a GED and received accolades for advancing inclusive education. Grace's advocacy has led to victories promoting equal educational opportunities for people with disabilities, inspiring others with her resilience and determination. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/31887827

Episode 1 - Life Unflipped 06/01/2024

Episode 1 - Life Unflipped As the owner of Dawn Rock Drilling and Blasting, Daniel McGuirt was living every young boy's dream of being paid to blow things up. However, Daniel’s life was forever changed in 2021 when he was paralyzed from a Jeep accident on his family farm. This wasn’t the first time in Daniel’s life that he had faced adversity however. 30 years prior, he broke his neck, and he also survived a cancer diagnosis in his thirties. Daniel McGuirt is no stranger to overcoming obstacles, as he’s proven his whole life and ever more so today. Daniel McGuirt joins host Renee Breazeale on the first episode of the Soaring Through Adversity podcast. Daniel shares with Renee how each of his obstacles happened, and how he’s adapted over the years. Currently using a specialized wheelchair and accessible van, Daniel talks about what daily life is like for him, and how some handicapped accessible areas don’t always meet the needs of the disabled. Finally, Daniel shares what he thinks are a few things that able bodied people can do to better recognize people with disabilities. Find out more at /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/30971073

Trailer 05/20/2024

Trailer The 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”. /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/31389157

Coming Soon! 03/21/2024

Coming Soon! /episode/index/show/a1c6ae79-c025-4cec-9b89-7d3f496ab20d/id/30483128

Soaring Through Adversity

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