Wellness, Health & Everything Else: A NCHPAD Podcast
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability is the premier center dedicated to advancing inclusion by promoting the health and wellness of people with mobility limitations through evidence-based programs, resources, campaigns and strategic initiatives. The Wellness, Health & Everything Else podcast will highlight stories of individuals with mobility limitations, cover informative topics in health and wellness, promote adaptive resources, and so much more.
Music: Spark of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Episodes
28 episodes
Episode 28: Soul To Soul Yoga with Cheryl Albright
In this episode, we talk with Cheryl Albright, CEO and Founder of Soul To Soul Yoga, an organization supporting whole-person wellness through accessible yoga therapy, occupational therapy princip...
Episode 27: Adaptive Outdoor Education Center with Kayla Lee
In this episode, we talk with Kayla Lee, Director of the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC) in Maine. Kayla helps make outdoor adventures possible for people of all abilities. She has always been passionate about working with people with ...
Episode 26: Disability Partnerships with Tamara Gallman
In this episode, we talk with Tamara Gallman. Tamara is the founder of Disability Partnerships and a nationally recognized communications and public health leader committed to advancing heal...
Episode 25: Adaptive Adventures with Chelsea Elder
In this episode, we talk with Chelsea Elder, Executive Director for Adaptive Adventures. Chelsea leads a national team dedicated to expanding access to adaptive outdoor recreation for children, adul...
Episode 24: WINNERS and Wellness with Dr. Christen Mendonca
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Christen Mendonca, a postdoctoral researcher with the School of Health Professions Research Collaborative at University of Alabama at Birmingham. His work centers on exercise and wellness for people with disabi...
Episode 23: Every Body Blooms with Daniel Grier
In this episode, we talk with Daniel Grier, Creative Director and Adaptive Stylist for the recent Every Body Blooms fashion event presented by NCHPAD and UAB Arts in Medicine. Held on April 2, 2026, the event highlighted individuals with physic...
Episode 22: Coffee Club Convo with NCHPAD's Stephanie Ward
In this episode we talk with Stephanie Ward, Program Coordinator for the NCHPAD Coffee Club. Stephanie’s role at NCHPAD focuses on community engagement, building meaningful connections, and helping create positive change while empowering people...
Episode 21: University Accessibility with Allison Solomon
In this episode, we chat with Allison Solomon, Executive Director of Disability Support Services (DSS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She joined UAB in 2002 as a Disability Specialist, later serving as Director of DSS for mor...
Episode 20: Research and Reimagining Youth Cardio Exercise with Dr. Byron Lai
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Byron Lai. Dr. Lai is an Assistant Professor in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Division of Rehabilitation Medicine. He has 10 years of experience in exercise research for people wi...
Episode 19: Rethinking Exercise During the Holidays with John Reams
In this episode, part of our Healthy Holidays series, we talk about staying active and exploring adaptive exercises during the holiday season with NCHPAD Exercise Physiologist John Reams. With more than 20 years of experience in exercise scienc...
Episode 18: Healthy Holiday Nutrition with Emily McAllister
In this episode, part of our Healthy Holidays series, we discuss healthy nutrition habits during the holiday season with Emily McAllister, NCHPAD Registered Dietitian. Emily gives great tips and advice for healthy habits around the holiday meal...
Episode 17: Managing Pain with Mindfulness | Dr. Christiane Wolf
In this episode, we explore mindfulness and pain management with Dr. Christiane Wolf, an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and Insight meditation. For over a decade, Dr. Wolf served as the lead consultant and teacher trainer for ...
Episode 16: NCHPAD and YMCA360 Partnership with Lynn Wilmot and Dan Dieffenbach
In this episode, we talk with Lynn Wilmot and Dan Dieffenbach of YMCA360, the digital platform for YMCA. On October 6, NCHPAD and YMCA360 announced a partnership to integrate NCHPAD's fitness and wellness videos into the YMCA360 platform for YM...
Episode 15: Recess Refuels Learning with Dr. Sherri Huff
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sherri Huff about why unstructured movement time matters and the importance of recess as part of our Mission: ME series to prioritize active and healthy kids at home and at school. Dr. Sherri Huff h...
Episode 14: Building Wellness into the School Day with Penny Edwards
In this episode, we’re joined by NCHPAD Program Manager Penny Edwards to discuss why weaving movement and wellness into the school day is so important for kids. With a background as an Exercise Physiologist, Penny now leads efforts to ensure NC...
Episode 13: Fall Fun with Jennifer Dobson at The Rolling Pumpkin Patch
In this episode, we chat with Jennifer Dobson, founder of The Rolling Pumpkin Patch in Bessemer, Alabama. The Rolling Pumpkin Patch was created to allow families to experience the fun of a good fall pumpkin patch without accessibility barriers....
Episode 12: USA Boccia with Patrick Parkes and Nick Taylor
In this episode, we’re joined by Patrick Parkes and Nick Taylor from USA Boccia. Both are boccia athletes as well as members of the organization’s board of directors. They share valuable perspectives on the sport and its unique adaptability for...
Episode 11: Resilience to Research with Dr. Jereme Wilroy
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jereme Wilroy to discuss his personal story after sustaining a spinal cord injury at a young age. In the time since his injury, Jereme has gone on to play adapted sports, built a career in exercise science r...
Episode 10: The Three P's of Holistic Wellness with Dr. James Rimmer
In this episode, NCHPAD Director Dr. James Rimmer explores the concept of holistic wellness and how adopting a mindset centered on perspective, performance, and production can transform our approach to health and life. Throughout his career, Dr...
Episode 9: Creating Healthy Habits with HEAL United's Christy Swaid and Donna Hester
In this episode, we sit down with Christy Swaid, Founder and CEO of HEAL United, and Donna Hester, Curriculum Architect and Coordinator. HEAL United is a nonprofit focused on improving children’s health and reshaping health culture through educ...
Episode 8: Self-Care and Spoon Theory | Energy Management with Emma Taylor
In this episode, we talk with Emma Taylor, a mental health coach for the GROWTH program through NCHPAD Connect. As part of our
Episode 7: Benefits of Being Present | Mindfulness with Emily Hornsby and Cathy Wright
In this episode, we chat with Emily Hornsby, NCHPAD’s Mindfulness Curriculum Coordinator, and Cathy Wright about the power of mindfulness. Both Emily and Cathy come from a legal background and share how mindfulness transformed their personal an...
Episode 6: Joon Reid, Multi-Sport Athlete and Professional Chef
In this episode, we talk with Joon Reid, about the benefits of adapted sports and his life's journey. Joon has played many sports in his lifetime and it led to him competing for the United States internationally. Joon also discusses his passion...
Episode 5: Moving and Grooving with Movement 2 Music’s Avery Vitemb
Join us as we speak with Avery Vitemb, a Clinical Research Coordinator for the UAB School of Health Professions and Instructor for the Movement-2-Music study. Movement-2-Music is a 12-week rhythmic-based exercise program on health and fitness o...
Episode 4: LOOKING. DIFFERENT. Art Event Preview with Rosemarie Garland-Thomson
In this episode, we talk with Rosemarie Garland-Thomson about the upcoming LOOKING. DIFFERENT. event for NCHPAD and the UAB Center for Engagement in Disability Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (CEDHARS). Rosemarie is the subject of Riva Lehre...