On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Evan Schwerbrock, known to many as “The Blind Strongman.” When Evan suddenly lost his vision in 2014 due to a rare genetic disorder, his life was turned upside down. Rather than let blindness define him, Evan found a new purpose—building Cane and Able Fitness, a global platform dedicated to empowering visually impaired individuals through accessible fitness, community, and personal growth. He also competes in strongman competitions and won the title of Illinois’ Strongest Man in 2019.

In this inspiring conversation, Evan opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of adapting to life without sight, the surprising lessons he’s learned about resilience, and the importance of treating people as more than just their disabilities. Together, Scott and Evan explore how the curveballs life throws at us can sometimes lead to unexpected strength, deeper empathy, and bold new paths forward.

Listeners Will Learn:

1. When Evan lost his vision suddenly, he chose to pause and process the news rather than rush into action.
2. Evan describes the emotional shift from focusing on fun in workouts to using exercise as therapy.
3. Evan’s experiences in the strongman community were overwhelmingly positive, with people focusing on adaptation rather than limitation.
4. Cane and Able Fitness was founded to bridge gaps in fitness knowledge and community for the visually impaired.
5. Evan talked about shifting values from pursuing a traditional strength and conditioning career to finding purpose in serving the disabled community.
6. The episode highlights both the kindness of strangers and the misunderstandings people often have about disabilities.
7. Evan calls attention to practical improvements needed in society, like accessible crosswalks and inclusive infrastructure.

Key Moments:

00:00 Adapting to Vision Challenges

05:39 Swing and Miss Moment

09:37 Processing Emotions with Intentional Calm

10:32 Pause After Life's Curveballs

16:42 Finding Connection Amid Division

19:38 Navigating Fitness Spaces

22:43 Passion Beyond Doubts

26:15 Person-First, Not Disability-First

29:36 Abilities Beyond Limitations

32:25 Inclusive Infrastructure for the Blind

38:12 Blindness Inspires Accessibility Changes

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with longevity advocate and "reluctant biohacker" Julie Gibson Clark, whose story is a testament to the power of mindset and personal reinvention. Julie shares her journey from structural engineering to global entrepreneurship, all while navigating health struggles, family changes, and a relentless drive to live well for longer.

This conversation digs into the practical side of longevity—how anyone can start building a healthier, longer life without million-dollar budgets or fancy shortcuts. Julie and Scott explore accessible tools like fasting, supplements, exercise, and most critically, the importance of knowing your "why." Whether you’re looking to make small changes or dramatic pivots, Julie’s lived experience and positive, adventure-driven mindset offer inspiration and clarity for anyone facing their own curveballs.

Listeners Will Learn:

1. Julie describes herself as a “reluctant biohacker.”
2. She experienced several career pivots before finding her passion in longevity.
3. Julie talks about discovering health issues in her early thirties and questioning the mainstream medical approach.
4. Both speakers discuss the concept of “healthspan” versus “lifespan.”
5. Julie emphasizes starting with mindset and knowing your “why” before embarking on a health journey.
6. The episode highlights gradual change—forming habits one small step at a time.
7. Julie participated in the Rejuvenation Olympics with a modest budget compared to others in longevity circles.
8. Fasting and autophagy (the process in which cells clean out damaged components) are discussed as key practices for longevity.
9. Chronic inflammation is mentioned as a major health concern.
10. Both Julie and Scott talk about reframing life’s curveballs as opportunities for adventure and learning.

Key Moments:

07:08 Stress, Health, and a Wake-Up Call

15:25 Longevity and Quality of Life

18:08 Achieving Longevity on a Budget

23:01 Fasting Triggers Cellular Self-Repair

27:17 Biohacking for All Ages

30:03 Prioritize Sleep, Then Wellness

33:18 Small Steps, Big Transformation

35:21 Finding Your Deep Why

39:42 Balancing Adventure and Reflection

41:37 Julie’s Insight on Longevity

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Rachel Goldman, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at NYU, to talk about her new book, When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free.

Together, they explore the science behind how our minds and bodies respond to stress, why we get stuck in unhelpful cycles, and how small mindset shifts can have a big impact on our resilience. Dr. Goldman shares practical, evidence-based tools for breaking procrastination, building self-awareness, and responding with intention rather than simply reacting when life throws the unexpected our way. If you’re looking for ways to manage stress and navigate life’s inevitable curveballs, this conversation is full of relatable insights and actionable advice.

Listeners Will Learn:

1. Dr. Rachel Goldman describes how her initial career path was far from psychology and that witnessing disordered eating behaviors among dancers sparked her curiosity to study clinical psychology.
2. Dr. Goldman explains the core principle of cognitive behavioral therapy: our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all linked, and small shifts in one can impact the others.
3. Scott Reich and Dr. Goldman discuss how sleep quality significantly affects mood, energy, eating habits, and daily motivation.
4. Dr. Goldman shares that people often "get stuck" in patterns due to their thoughts, and the first step to change is acknowledging when something is no longer working.
5. The conversation addresses the challenge of resistance to change, noting that readiness often has to come from within and can’t be forced by others.
6. Regular, intentional self-check-ins—such as asking “What do I need right now?”—are described as simple, yet powerful tools for greater self-awareness and adaptability.
7. Dr. Goldman recommends anticipating potential challenges and having a plan, highlighting that even if things don’t go as planned, being prepared can reduce stress.
8. Scott emphasizes that procrastination and avoidance are natural responses; our brains are wired to prefer familiarity and comfort, especially when facing uncertainty.
9. Both Scott and Dr. Goldman reflect on the importance of breaking down daunting tasks into the smallest possible steps in order to overcome overwhelm and build momentum.
10. The conversation concludes on the note that accepting life’s chaos and unpredictability, practicing self-forgiveness, and focusing on small mindset shifts can foster resilience and positive change.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Exploring Mind-Body Health

(08:03) Readiness for Change

(12:58) Pause, Reflect, Prepare

(14:28) Facing Life's Unexpected Curveballs

(20:05) Just Start for 5 Minutes

(20:51) Overcoming Overwhelm with Action

(25:53) Do the Hard Thing First

(28:13) Listening to Your Inner Needs

(30:57) Embracing Chaos and Optimism

(36:14) Perspective, Priorities, and Self-Grace

(37:05) Ability to Adapt Over Time