The Cerebral Palsy Vigilante: Zachary Fenell On Running, Advocacy And Mindset скачать в хорошем качестве

The Cerebral Palsy Vigilante: Zachary Fenell On Running, Advocacy And Mindset

Welcome to The Cerebral Palsy Perspective, an optimistic look at life, movement, and doing hard things our way. Chad Williams is the host, Daryl Perry is the cohost, and in this episode we are joined by our very first guest, Zachary Fenell. Zach is an author, speaker, blogger, and athlete who lives with cerebral palsy, and he brings an incredible mix of humor, honesty, optimism, and real world experience to this conversation. This episode is all about mindset, advocacy, and movement. One of the biggest themes Zach shares is a simple shift that changes everything. Stop asking what, start asking how. We talk about CP Awareness Month in March and why Zach uses that time to raise awareness, but also why he believes disability stories and disability content should be shared year round. Zach shares what he is creating right now, including his memoirs, his blog posts and book reviews, and his YouTube videos. We also dive deep into his running journey. Zach explains why he never saw himself as an athlete growing up, how back surgery and recovery shaped his early experience, and how reading Someone Like Me by John W. Quinn inspired him to take on a physical challenge. From there we get into the real side of running with CP. The first 5K where he finished last, the frustration of comparing yourself to others, and the moment he realized the truth. You are running your own race. The goal is not to compete with everyone else, the goal is to compete with yourself and keep becoming the best version of you. Zach also shares the importance of self advocacy. He talks about asking race directors for accommodations, being told yes sometimes, being told no other times, and learning how to respond with persistence and perspective. We talk about the reality that not every accommodation can happen, not because someone is being a jerk, but because of logistics and safety. The point is to ask anyway, to advocate, and to keep moving forward. One of the most powerful stories in this episode is Zach’s first marathon experience. Starting early in the dark, getting slowed down by unexpected obstacles, falling early in the race, pushing through the mental and physical grind, and finishing with the support of his friend James, the race organizers, and the community that showed up because they believed in him. We also talk about what is next. Zach’s goals for another half marathon this year, the possibility of another full marathon in the future, and how staying active connects to the bigger discussion around cerebral palsy and aging. He also shares details about the Race to Empower that supports UCP of Greater Cleveland, and how he is building community support through Team CP Vigilante. This is a conversation about optimism without denial. Confidence without comparison. Progress through persistence. And doing hard things our way. Zach’s Links Purchase Zach’s Books: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/my-books/ Check Out Zach’s Blog: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/blog/ Subscribe to Zach’s YouTube:    / zacharyfenell   Connect with Zach on Instagram:   / zacharyfenell   Purchase “Someone Like Me” by John W. Quinn: https://johnwquinn.com/book/ Chad’s Links Connect with Chad on Instagram:   / chadwillia1   Get Your Doing Hard Things My Way Gear: https://doinghardthingsmyway.com/ Contribute to the Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/doing-hard-thi... Daryl’s Links Connect with Daryl on Instagram:   / daryltperry   For ALL things Your Level Fitness: https://yourlevelfitness.com/