No Barriers
Self-Improvement
About
Hosted by Erik Weihenmayer (the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest; among many other perhaps more impressive achievements) our audience tunes into hear stories of perseverance along with the outcomes on the other side. Individuals who've defied the odds (defying the odds) or flipped the script of their lives are frequent guests. - Podcast producer contact: podcast@nobarriersusa.org
Episodes
- vision, justice, and blindness: Judge David Tatel's legacy in law and civil rights
00:00 Port Gibson boycotts in the 60s 06:28 Supportive judge during court case 12:55 Switching majors for civil rights 16:56 Product of the 1960s values 23:04 Struggling with vision in eighth grade 29:49 Discovering the benefits of the can…
- Chasing Freedom: Mikey O'Hearn’s Story of Alchemy, Family, and Authenticity
00:00 Cortina festivals and accessibility initiative 05:54 Handling pressure in competitive sports 06:49 Injury impacting competition preparation 11:05 Discovering a passion for skiing 15:34 Discovering the flow state 18:22 Training at Ada…
- Reframing Your Life Story by Embracing the Heroic Journey
00:00 Strategic Planning and Leadership Development 05:01 "Hero's Journey Call Explained" 08:42 "Lessons from the Hero’s Journey" 12:32 "Balancing Guidance and Control" 15:06 "Discovering the Heroic Journey" 17:23 Turning Pain Into Strengt…
- John Oleary Intentional Living Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Grace
Erik Weihenmayer sits down with inspirational speaker, author, and survivor John O'Leary. Their conversation dives deep into John's incredible journey of surviving a catastrophic childhood burn, his family's support, and the grit it took t…
- The First and Second Blind Climbers to Summit Mt. Everest - The Story Behind the Story
Two of the world’s most accomplished blind climbers, Erik Weihenmayer and Andy Holzer share their story, from the serendipitous first meeting on a high ledge in the Dolomites to climbing Everest from opposite sides. It's a testament to hum…
- Transforming Vision: John Bramblitt on Painting Without Sight
Erik Weihenmayer has a lot in common with our guest today John Bramblitt. Both are blind. Both are trailblazing adventurers. One’s summited Everest, the other’s become a world-recognized painter. Whether you’re facing a giant mountain or a…
- Adapted The Film with Paul Bikis and Josh Hancock
Adapted website: https://adaptedthefilm.com/ Adapted Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adaptedthefilm/ Paul Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbikis/ Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livin_wheel_life/
- Trailblazers at Heart: The Mendenhall Family’s Guide to Accessible Living and Boundless Possibility
This isn’t just another story about overcoming obstacles—it’s a firsthand look at how technology, advocacy, and good old adventure can transform lives. Cody, a recent high school grad shares how technology like her communication device—aff…
- Surviving to Thriving: Adam Popp’s Advice for Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges
The conversation explores not only the grit and technology behind adaptive sports and modern prosthetics, but also the emotional landscape of recovery, mentorship, and finding purpose after trauma. From the details behind a touching tribut…
- Redefining Independence: Julie and Kyle Taulman’s Advice for Families and Disabled Adventurers
Julie and Kyle Taulman—a powerhouse mother-son duo whose story is full of courage, humor, and straight-up innovation in the world of adaptive sports. Together, they open up about resilience, family, and the innovative world of adaptive spo…
- Canyon of Hope, Eric Donoho
You’ll hear about the the complex nature of moral injury, and how service, faith, and a sense of purpose healed him—and helped him pay it forward in extraordinary ways. Whether you’re a veteran, someone facing an invisible challenge, or ju…
- Climbing Into History: Christian Beckwith on the 10th Mountain Division’s Lasting Impact
An unprecedented unit of World War Two climbers and skiers, the 10th was dispatched to fight axis powers in extreme cold and mountainous terrain. Not only were their efforts critical to Germany’s surrender, these veterans returned home to…
- Redefining Pain’s Purpose with Traver Boehm
This episode dives into the raw, messy, and ultimately transformative terrain between suffering and awakening—a journey that’s anything but straightforward. Traver Boehm. His story is wild—think: MMA fighter by day, acupuncturist by night,…
- Tara Dower Beyond Endurance
Let's go to the Appalachian Trail. The AT as it’s called. Here’s some stats. At just under 2200 miles It’s longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Each year roughly 3 million people visit a segment of it. Of that, about 3000 people atte…
- No Barriers Live Part 2 - Kara & Alice Brouhard
This is part 2 of No Barriers Live featuring Kara Star of the World , with Kara Brouhard. Part 1 of No Barriers Live is the previous episode and features From My Window , with Melissa Simpson. Afterwards, Erik talks with the stars of these…
- No Barriers Live Part 1 - Melissa Simpson
This is part 1 of No Barriers Live featuring From My Window , with Melissa Simpson. Part 2 of No Barriers Live is the next episode and features and Kara Star of the World , with Kara Brouhard. Afterwards, Erik talks with the stars of these…
- Buddy Levy - Realm of Ice & Sky
A self-promoting egomaniac known mostly for his catastrophic failures. No, not our guest today. But there’s definitely something for us to learn from this individual who leads the cast of characters in The Realm of Ice & Sky. It’s the late…
- 2024 Highlight Reel
By request from our listeners! To kick off 2025 we want to take a trip down memory lane from 2024. This episode showcases some of our favorite highlights from guests we spoke to in 2024. Enjoy!
- Deaf Mountaineers Scott & Shayna Breaking Stereotypes
You can’t hear. You can’t speak. How do you function in this world? Oh you want to climb mountains? The biggest ones in the planet? You rely on sign language, how ya gonna sign with oversized mittens or in a white out with snow coming at y…
- Sarah Thomas: Swimming Through Adversity
Erik’s goal with these interviews is to shine light into that obscure terrain between the struggle and the success. It’s dark there with plenty of barriers; metaphorically speaking certainly, but also many times literally…. as is the case…
- Katelyn McKinney: Approaches to Wilderness Therapy
There’s much to be said about the effect of wild places on the human psyche…. therapeutic, healing, transformative … a place to experience mindfulness…. Even scary for some, however, our guest Katelyn McKinney simply sums it up like this:…
- Comedy and Courage: Zach Anner
https://www.zachanner.com/ https://ifatbirthyoudontsucceed.com/ Instagram: @zach.anner Youtube Zach Anner is a unique personality, writer, comedian, and media influencer born in America in 1984. He is also a YouTube star who motivates peop…
- Jeffrey Marshall's Mantra: "Close Your Eyes and Jump" to Success
“You can’t make dreams come true if the only thing you’re doing is dreaming.” This is from a guy who was counted out on Day 1. What does that mean? It means not being included in an activity. In this case, that activity was life itself. Th…
- From Auditions to Advocacy: Jenna Bainbridge’s Insights on Accessibility, Self-Expression, and Diversity in Theater
Jenna's Website: https://www.jennabainbridge.com/ Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainbridgejenna/ Episode Highlights 🔸 A Blank Slate for Auditions Jenna shares her unique approach to auditions, using a nondescript wheelchai…
- Shawn Satterfield's Music Revolution
Shawn reached out to the pod recently looking for a little insight from Erik on a project. It’s called the Shine Music festival. She founded it in 2019, formed a non-profit, assembled a team, and next month will be their 4th annual event.…
- Brad Synder, From War Zones to Winning Gold
Episode Rundown 00:00 Navy choice surprising, personal agency, self-assessment. 10:07 Routine of deployment, planning missions, intense focus. 15:36 Be vigilant for potential IED hazards. 16:35 Struggle to stay focused in combat heat. 25:3…
- Ben Ayers, From Honey Hunters to Snow Leopard Sisters
Ben's Website: www.jetbutterflies.com Ben's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jetbutterflies/
- Quinn Brett & Jason Stoffer
This duo took the Grand Canyon head-on, from one side to the other and back again, with nothing but their grit and trusty hand cycles — or "trikes" as they like to call them. Why trikes? Because they are both paralyzed from the waist down.…
- TetraSki Tanja Kari and Ross Imburgia
Tanja, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, shares her personal journey as an athlete, the changing significance of her victories, and her involvement advancing adaptive sports. Her dedication to the community and the memories she's cheri…
- Gabriel Rodreick,Freaque
Gabriel Rodreick website: https://gabrielrodreick.com/ LISTEN: Freaque https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xmxsU99bvYcGrvdsw3pFk WATCH: 16 min interview covering the basics of his story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lH6xeWghs
- 2023 Year End Recap
Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode. Episode 178 - Rob Cahill and 4DWN Episode 177 - Nic Novicki Episode 173 - Dr. Diva Amon, Behind the Bubble Episode 172 - Kathy Eldon, the active soul in all of us Episode 150 - Chasin…
- Exoskeleton Evolution: New Frontiers in Disability and Mobility Assistance
You've arrived at the intersection of human willpower and biomechanics. After this episode you’ll be wondering, “is the term ‘disability’ about to be dismantled and and reshaped by pioneers using the power of technology?” Our guests are Ke…
- Davis Phinney & Kevin Kwok. Healthy and Strong and Living with Parkinson's.
WEBSITE: The Davis Phinney Foundation WATCH: 8 minutes. Davis Phinney Moment of Victory .
- Action Audio with Tim Devine
Today, we’re talking augmented reality with audio and ultimately sensory substitution. Our guest is Tim Devine. He and his team at Action Audio have developed a product that translates the spatial data from live sports into sound, allowing…
- Alice Brouhard - Beyond Caregiving, A Journey of Independence
Today we meet Alice Brouhard and her daughter Kara. When Kara was 5 she was struck by an out of control skier. The accident caused a traumatic brain injury, left Kara legally blind and mostly paralyzed on one side of her body. Kara's paren…
- Nick Martinez "Extra Mode"
What would you with an extra tank of gas? It’s a metaphor for living that we had not heard, until now, when we interviewed Nick Martinez. He’s a true adventurer and survivor of life's highest peaks and deepest valleys. And to complete the…
- Dr. Dennis Charney - Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges
Book Link. RESILIENCE: THE SCIENCE OF MASTERING LIFE’S GREATEST CHALLENGES Dr. Dennis Charney on LinkedIn
- Rob Cahill and 4DWN
4DWN Film Trailer https://4dwn.org/ https://www.instagram.com/4dwn_org/ https://www.facebook.com/4DWNskateboarding https://www.youtube.com/@4dwnproject197
- Nic Novicki
https://www.nicnovicki.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nicnovicki/ https://www.instagram.com/disabilityfilmchallenge/ https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com/ The Disability Challenge video. https://youtu.be/FISwEhPXWzQ
- Kyle Maynard
Kyle Maynard is no stranger to pushing the limits, overcoming obstacles, and inspiring others to live a no barriers life. That’s why he’s our guest today AND in a few weeks when we see him on stage at the No Barriers Summit. His first No B…
- JR Martinez Live at the Summit
In anticipation of the No Barriers annual 3-day festival we call the Summit (starts on Aug 25th), we’re re-releasing an episode that was recorded live at a previous Summit in Lake Tahoe. The guest? JR Martinez. His journey is filled with u…
- Brad Ludden, First Descents
https://firstdescents.org/
- Dr. Diva Amon, Behind the Bubble
Follow Diva on Twitter @divaamon and Instagram @diva_amon , or visit her website https://divaamon.com/ .
- Kathy Eldon, the active soul in all of us
http://kathyeldon.com
- Freeriding Blind with Jacob Smith
https://www.instagram.com/jake.skis/ VIDEO: Invisible Mountains: Jacob Smith, Blind Skier (Skiing the Big Couloir)
- The Brewability Lab with Tiffany Fixter
Many entrepreneurs say that starting a business is something they always felt destined to do. Then there are people who never in a million years thought they’d be running their own business, but, lo and behold, somehow the opportunity foun…
- Baking Blind with Penny Melville Brown
Penny Melville Brown's passion is cooking. However, for a career she chose the Royal Navy. Yes she’s British. During her service in the Royal Navy she became the first female barrister there; it’s a type of lawyer, the ones that wear those…
- In the Fight with Sam Tokita
SAM'S SOCIALS: Instagram - BionicKick VIDEO: Muay Thai and Me WEBSITE: https://www.samanthatokita.com/
- Journeys of the Unexpected with Eric Larsen
Polar adventurer, expedition guide, dog musher and educator, Eric Larsen has spent the past 15 years of his life traveling in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth. He traversed 550 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean…
- 2022 Year End Recap
To kick off 2023 we want to take a trip down memory lane from 2022. This episode showcases some of our favorite highlights from guests we spoke to in 2022. Enjoy! Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode. EPISODE 136: 500 MPH…