Sam Bloom on Struggle and Salvation with a Special Bird

Rachel Zoeller is a person who is very engaged with life. They are an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast, endurance athlete, yoga practitioner, former pediatric physical therapist, writer, occasional model, partner, and highly intelligent individual. Following an accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and paralysis a few years ago, they are now moving through space and life in a different way. Our conversation was a meditation on many things more than a telling of any one aspect of Rachel's story. After we spoke, I found myself intentionally slowing down and sitting with  more uncomfortable emotions. It was not easy at first, then it was deeply cathartic. I hope you may feel moved to do the same.Guest info:@holazoella@rollmobilityAdditional Resources:rollmobility.comContact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Jason Stoffer is an outdoor enthusiast, musician, and a former wildland fire fighter, EMT, search and rescue volunteer, and federal law enforcement officer. He lives with his wife and teenage kids in Montana and now works for Unite 2 Fight Paralysis alongside two time Unexpected Journey guest, Quinn Brett. Jason and Quinn met in the hospital after their accidents resulting in spinal cord injuries. They have also embarked on many impressive adventures together. Jason shares his story and more about the very impactful work he is doing with Unite 2 Fight Paralysis.Guest info:@js_rollingAdditional Resources:@u2fp - Unite 2 Fight ParalysisContact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Quinn Brett first came on The Unexpected Journey in Season 1, Episode 7. She was four years out from her climbing accident resulting in paralysis and shared her story in a profoundly beautiful, honest, and raw manner. Three years later, we reconnected to learn about her advocacy work, get an update on her recent adventures, and hear how life is treating her. Louis Arevalo, our editor, coproducer, and previous cast - and I were both struck with the calm and contentedness in Quinn's voice. From this place of greater peace, she continues to push the envelope as an advocate and adventurer, always true to herself.Guest info:@quinndalinaAdditional Resources:@dovetail_trail_consulting @u2fp - Unite 2 Fight ParalysisContact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Chris Waker is a former professional snowboarder and snowboard coach. He was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident in Colorado nearly 4 years ago. Chris's accident and spinal cord injury are very similar to my own, and he is a fellow board sport enthusiast. He now lives in San Diego county where he focuses on adaptive surfing, public speaking, and his physical health and recovery. We met up in his accessible apartment for a conversation that explores fear, vulnerability, and moving forward.  Guest info:@cwakerAdditional Resources:highfivesfoundation.org https://adaptivesurfingprofessionals.com/Contact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Fellipe Kizu Lima is a waterman in the truest sense of the word. His life, both professionally and personally, is closely tied to the ocean. At home, in Brazil, he works on the water. Abroad, he travels the world as a professional adaptive surfer and is a 6X ISA World Adaptive Surfing Champion, 3X Professional World Tour Champion, 3X Brazil National Champion, and 5X Hawaii Adaptive Surf Champion. Felipe is also a kind and reflective person who is greatly admired and respected in the adaptive surf community.  Guest info:@fkizuAdditional Resources:highfivesfoundation.org https://adaptivesurfingprofessionals.com/Contact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Tara Shetterly is certifiably famous in our community. She has over 200,000 followers on Instagram, a YouTube page, and she uses her influencer status to combat ignorance by educating about spinal cord injury and wheelchair use and advocating for more inclusivity – all with her signature, intelligence, sass, and irreverence. She also makes spoke covers for wheelchairs, is in school to be an occupational therapy assistant, plays adaptive sports, travels, and is increasingly involved with spinal cord injury and disability events.She is young, was injured at a young age, and is just getting started with her life! Guest info:@tara_shett @YouTube: Para TarraAdditional Resources:https://sportable.orghighfivesfoundation.org Contact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

David McCauley is an internationally renowned artist, a sailor and board member of The Impossible Dream organization, a traveler, a partner, an activist, and many other things. He is also one of my first friends also living as a quadriplegic with spinal cord injury. We met sailing from Boston to Newburyport, Massachusetts on The Impossible Dream several years ago. David came on The Unexpected Journey for back-to-back episodes in season one. This past winter I visited him and his partner, Lily, in their bohemian bungalow in St. Petersburg, Florida and we caught up on life. Guest info:@davidmccauleyartdavidmccauleyart.comAdditional Resources:theimpossibledream.orghighfivesfoundation.org Contact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Sierra, Chris, Jack, and Arlo Rehrer live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Sierra is a physical therapist and Chris is a physician assistant. When Chris and Sierra met and fell in love, they dreamt of traveling the world and using their medical skills to serve rural communities. That changed when their first child, Jack, was diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus while Sierra was pregnant. Although their family life is different than they initially imagined, they travel the world, and they continually learn how to be the best parents they can for their son Jack, and their daughter Arlo. Guest info:@therehrers.hawaiisierrarehrer.comAdditional Resources:highfivesfoundation.orgContact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

Sam Bloom is a world champion adaptive surfer, a competitive kayak racer, a public speaker, world traveler, and a wife and a mother to three boys. The story of her accident resulting in spinal cord injury and the recovery process for Sam and her family is the inspiration for the feature film Penguin Bloom starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln. Sam is fortunate to have many opportunities in her life, and for that she is grateful. She also refreshingly candid and unafraid to share the challenges she experiences and the duality of living with a spinal cord injury. Guest info:@samjbloomsambloom.com.auAdditional Resources:highfivesfoundation.orgadaptivesurfingprofessionals.com Contact us: Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: [email protected] Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Louis ArevaloOriginal theme music by Jesse LaFountaineEpisode cover art by Lewis Falconer Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt and Lewis Falconer

First episode of Season 4 dropping Thursday, August 8!