Episode 17: Understanding Adaptive Athletes

Summary

Anna Stern, a coach and adaptive athlete, shares her journey of overcoming cancer and living with a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. She discusses the challenges faced by adaptive athletes and the importance of accessibility in fitness spaces. Anna also talks about her experience as an NCAA athlete and her upcoming participation in the Adaptive CrossFit Games. She emphasizes the need for understanding and support for individuals with disabilities. Anna discusses her experience with dystonia and how it affects her hip flexors. She explains that dystonia is an overactivation of signals from the brain to the muscles, causing involuntary muscle contractions. Anna takes medications that reduce electrical activity in the brain to manage her symptoms. She also talks about the challenges of competing in multi-day events like the CrossFit Games and the importance of rest and recovery. Anna is passionate about coaching other people with disabilities and volunteers for Angel City Sports, an organization that provides free access to adaptive sports.

You can reach Anna on her Instagram Page HERE
Strange Strength & Conditioning WEBSITE
Angel City Sports WEBSITE

Wheel WOD WEBSITE
Adaptive Training Academy WEBSITE

Chapters

00:00
Feeling Welcome and Accepted in the Fitness Community

04:10
The Importance of Adaptive Sports and Categorization

09:17
Barriers to Entry for Adaptive Athletes

13:34
The Impact of Cancer on Anna's Life

30:44
Managing the Challenges of Competing as an Adaptive Athlete

35:48
The Challenges of Neurological Fatigue

37:36
The Importance of Rest and Recovery

38:17
Becoming a Coach and Volunteering for Angel City Sports

40:29
The Transformative Power of Functional Fitness

44:18
Coaching Adaptive Athletes

48:17
Adapting and Scaling Movements