Off The Beaten Path Season 2- Episode 2 -Joel Isaac

Climbing Kilimanjaro Blind: A Conversation with Joel Isaac
In this episode, Dave talks with Joel Isaac — a Ugandan-born father of two, former software engineer, and passionate adventurer who recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Joel shares how he trained for the climb, the gear that got him through volcanic ash and freezing nights, and the moment he chose safety over ego near the summit. Together they explore what it means to hike, travel, and live with blindness (and autism), challenge assumptions about accessibility, and rediscover the power of presence beyond technology.

More about Joel:

Joel Isaac was born near the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda, East Africa. Soon after birth, Joel and his family had to leave Uganda due to government instability. As a baby refugee, Joel lived in Spain for his first few months and eventually he and his family were resettled in the United States.

When he was still a child, Joel learned he had a genetic condition that would cause him to lose his eyesight. Though this was a looming fear, he attended public schools and tried to ignore the signs of what was to come, engaging in competitive sports and academics like his classmates.

As he was growing up Joel found he had a passion for technology and human behavior, eventually attaining multiple degrees and working in start-ups for the early Internet. Ten years ago, Joel lost his usable vision and is still learning about the advantages and disadvantages to life without eyesight.

After years of sitting behind a desk developing applications and providing accessibility guidance, Joel has an overwhelming desire to return to Africa, put his feet in the soil and acquaint himself with the people and the terrain that were lost to him so many years ago.

Connect with Joel

Linked in: linkedin.com/in/joel-isaac-bb031263

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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