Synopsis
No Barriers empowers people to break through barriers, find their inner purpose and contribute their best to the world. The No Barriers Podcast is an exploration of the gritty reality of the struggles we all face, with the detailed stories of those that have persevered to find amazing outcomes on the other side. The No Barriers Podcast is a production of No Barriers USA, a not-for profit corporation as designated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible.To learn more about No Barriers, visit nobarriersusa.org and find out how you can get involved in our programs.
Episodes
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Climbing Into History: Christian Beckwith on the 10th Mountain Division’s Lasting Impact
05/06/2025 Duration: 58minAn 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 develop ski areas across the country, and start companies like Nike and National Outdoor Leadership School.Erik and Christian are about to blast open some history, challenge your assumptions, and remind us all what it means to build something extraordinary when the world needs it most.
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Redefining Pain’s Purpose with Traver Boehm
09/05/2025 Duration: 53minThis 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, and years later, a man who spent a month alone in complete darkness to confront the deepest parts of himself. In between he navigated professional heartbreak, devastating personal loss, and a year devoted to living as if it were his last. If you’re ready to challenge your own assumptions about pain, healing, and the human spirit—or searching for a map to navigate your own tough terrain—this episode promises insight, inspiration, and true no-barriers wisdom.
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Tara Dower Beyond Endurance
25/04/2025 Duration: 54minLet'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 attempt to hike the whole thing… with only fraction finishing. Last year 1 of those finishers did it faster than anyone else. Thru-hiking the AT typically takes about 4-7 months, Tara Dower did in just 40 days.Tara shares the highs and lows of her journey. She opens up about what drives her to keep moving forward, the importance of curiosity and confidence, and the value of learning to suffer with purpose.
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No Barriers Live Part 2 - Kara & Alice Brouhard
31/03/2025 Duration: 39minThis 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 films and their family caregivers. He explores the challenges and rewards of adopting a “No Barriers Mindset,” and how this mindset and these experiences have affected the lives of not only Kara and Melissa, but everyone around them as well.We couldn’t do this by ourselves. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs people living with disabilities in Englewood, Colorado. The venue and vibe were perfect for this live event. Check it if you’re in the area. PASCO joined us as well. They are Colorado based company dedicated to families with special needs, providing care, support, guidance and resources.
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No Barriers Live Part 1 - Melissa Simpson
19/03/2025 Duration: 42minThis 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 films and their family caregivers. He explores the challenges and rewards of adopting a “No Barriers Mindset,” and how this mindset and these experiences have affected the lives of not only Kara and Melissa, but everyone around them as well.We couldn’t do this by ourselves. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs people living with disabilities in Englewood, Colorado. The venue and vibe were perfect for this live event. Check it if you’re in the area. PASCO joined us as well. They are Colorado based company dedicated to families with special needs, providing care, support, guidance and resources.
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Buddy Levy - Realm of Ice & Sky
28/02/2025 Duration: 55minA 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 latest historical work of author Buddy Levy, where he takes on a gripping journey through the attempts to conquer the North Pole, which — spoiler alert — was not achieved not by dogsled or airplane, but by airship.Why do we care? Well, this accidental historian, as Buddy describes himself says… "That these historical models provide a sort of connective tissue for today’s innovators and thought leaders who will show us the way to do the things we need to do in the future to survive on this big rock.”
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2024 Highlight Reel
05/02/2025 Duration: 55minBy 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!
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Deaf Mountaineers Scott & Shayna Breaking Stereotypes
15/01/2025 Duration: 53minYou 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 ya sideways? Oh you’re not sure? Ah… too risky for you. Better find something else to do…. Our guests heard these questions and concerns over and over again… and you know, they didn’t have the answers. What Scott & Shayna did have was a curiosity and drive to figure it out along the way. And indeed they did, right to the top of the highest mountain in the world, Everest.In this interview you’ll hear their story, from being born profoundly deaf, meeting each other in school, the romance that followed, becoming educators, then mountaineers, and now advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing. They’re especially passionate about making the outdoors more accessible.Get ready for tales of courage, adaptability, and the collaborative spirit that defines the No Barriers mindset.
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Sarah Thomas: Swimming Through Adversity
30/12/2024 Duration: 44minErik’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 with Sarah; she stared into the darkness of English Channel waters crossing it back and forth twice. Oh yeah, she was swimming. And she was battling breast cancer too.Sarah’s journey is both surreal and inspiring. Her feats of sheer endurance go beyond the English Channel, across the world. 104 miles across on Lake Champlain, 80 miles across Lake Powell.. a short 22 miles across the Loch Ness (no monster sightings) and many, many more.She’s on a mission to complete the Ocean's Seven marathon swims.Erik digs into it all, from her motivations, breathtaking encounters with marine life and how she’s thriving post-breast cancer.Sarah's website: https://sarahthomasswims.com/Sarah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahswims04
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Katelyn McKinney: Approaches to Wilderness Therapy
17/12/2024 Duration: 01h29minThere’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: “When our bodies are in a wild space we are simply more at ease.”She’s been busy testing that idea by bringing groups of people into wild settings, creating supportive environments, and encouraging shifts in mindsets. Veterans of the military dealing with post-service challenges related to trauma are a focus for her. She is one herself. .In this episode Katelyn shares her journey helping people navigate difficult life experiences, including complexities of identity, particularly for veterans transitioning to civilian life, the scientific and indigenous wisdom behind connecting with nature, and the overall philosophy of turning personal challenges into sources of strength and purpose—what we call 'alchemy.'www.mountainsandmedicine.comInstagram: @Mountains_and_Medicine_LLCF
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Comedy and Courage: Zach Anner
04/10/2024 Duration: 51minhttps://www.zachanner.com/https://ifatbirthyoudontsucceed.com/Instagram: @zach.annerYoutubeZach Anner is a unique personality, writer, comedian, and media influencer born in America in 1984. He is also a YouTube star who motivates people to make daily positive changes. From an early age, he advocated for positive thinking and self-realization no matter what.He became popular after emerging as the winner of the Oprah Winfrey Show's "Search for the Next TV Star" in 2010, which saw him hosting his travel show, "Rollin' with Zach," on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). His story is remarkable for his endless optimism, thirst for self-knowledge, and creativity that breaks through even physiological barriers.
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Jeffrey Marshall's Mantra: "Close Your Eyes and Jump" to Success
20/09/2024 Duration: 44min“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. The doctors told his parents he would’t live more than a few months. He was born without arms, almost no legs, and given up for adoption. Now, decades later, he’s an accomplished musician and world traveller.Growing up in Nashville was part of his musical trajectory… eventually leading to a moment in front of 20,000 people, performing his soulful style of music where Jeffrey Marshall, that’s our guest today, became known as “the guy who plays bass guitar with his feet."LISTEN & WATCH. 3 minute video. Solo performance singing, playing bass guitar, and harmonica. Jeffrey's WebsiteJeffrey on Instagram
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From Auditions to Advocacy: Jenna Bainbridge’s Insights on Accessibility, Self-Expression, and Diversity in Theater
29/08/2024 Duration: 50minJenna's Website: https://www.jennabainbridge.com/Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainbridgejenna/Episode Highlights
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Shawn Satterfield's Music Revolution
26/07/2024 Duration: 45minShawn 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.With that in mind, we put Erik in the hot seat for a bit, and Shawn asks some pressing questions about his experience growing the No Barriers organization. You’ll hear his ideas and advice on running a nonprofit, leadership, and sustaining a mission-driven organization.So what is this music festival all about? It’s a visionary project that will make you rethink how we approach inclusivity in our communities. Every sensory experience is accessible to all. From colorblind glasses and braille t-shirts to acoustic performances and adaptive technologies, Shawn is revolutionizing how we experience and connect through music.Shine Music Festival promo videoShine Music WebsiteShawn Satterfield LinkedIn
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Brad Synder, From War Zones to Winning Gold
12/07/2024 Duration: 01h09minEpisode Rundown00:00 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.25:33 Grateful for life after near-death experience.29:57 Realized blindness after combat, surgery wasn't successful.34:45 Frustration over unique challenges and solutions.41:27 Supporting network enabled veteran to succeed athletically.43:21 Fear turned to opportunity, life changed completely.51:46 Doubt about value of congratulations for disability.53:33 Paralympics transformed mindset, athletes are incredibly inspirational.01:00:30 Passionate about academia and influencing others positively.01:04:44 Sharing combat and sports experiences to inspire.Brad's Website: https://www.bradsnyder.us/Brad on Instgram. https://www.instagram.com/bradsnyderusa/
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Ben Ayers, From Honey Hunters to Snow Leopard Sisters
13/06/2024 Duration: 56minBen's Website: www.jetbutterflies.comBen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jetbutterflies/
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Quinn Brett & Jason Stoffer
14/05/2024 Duration: 48minThis 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. Jason was injured in a rollover vehicle crash. Quinn, from a fall while climbing a giant wall of granite, the famed El Capitan in California.Their journey, marked by both physical, mental, and bureaucratic challenges, sheds light on wider issues faced by individuals with disabilities, offering insights that are as instructive as they are inspiring.00:25 Adventures and Challenges: Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Experience02:17 Meeting at Craig Hospital: A Bond Formed Through Rehabilitation02:26 Exploring the Differences in Spinal Cord Injuries and Mobility05:25 The Technicalities and Thrills of Hand Cycling and Trikes11:19 The Grand Canyon Adventure: Planning, Teamwork, and Execution17:12 Navigating the Technical Challenges of the Grand Canyon Trails24:14 The Technicalities and Pub
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TetraSki Tanja Kari and Ross Imburgia
25/03/2024 Duration: 45minTanja, 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 cherished are an integral part of this conversation.Ross, an engineer, takes us through the technical strides and the human stories behind the development of the Tetraski. It’s possibly the most advanced ski we’ve ever seen for sure. Is designed for people with complex physical injuries or illness. Don’t have use of your hands or legs? You can control this through your breath, independently. Whatever you’re doing, the ski is responding, you are in command, you’re shredding again or maybe for the first time.TRAILS adaptiveTetraSki website (Tetradapt)
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Gabriel Rodreick,Freaque
14/03/2024 Duration: 44minGabriel Rodreick website: https://gabrielrodreick.com/LISTEN: Freaque https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xmxsU99bvYcGrvdsw3pFkWATCH: 16 min interview covering the basics of his story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lH6xeWghs
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2023 Year End Recap
26/02/2024 Duration: 46minListen to the full episodes referenced in this episode.Episode 178 - Rob Cahill and 4DWNEpisode 177 - Nic NovickiEpisode 173 - Dr. Diva Amon, Behind the BubbleEpisode 172 - Kathy Eldon, the active soul in all of usEpisode 150 - Chasing Dreams with Diana Nyad