In this episode of ListenABLE, hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Carly Salmon – athlete, teacher, and captain of the Para Matildas. Carly opens up about her journey with cerebral palsy, how sport shaped her identity, and why representation in disability sport matters now more than ever.

From her early years in athletics to leading Australia’s Para Matildas, Carly shares the highs and lows of competing, teaching, and empowering others. She reflects on the impact of women’s football, the importance of mental health in sport, and her mission to inspire young people to see their disabilities as strengths.

Follow their journey:

Carly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlysalmon

ParaMatildas: https://www.instagram.com/paramatildas/

Para Volley: https://www.instagram.com/ausparavolley/

Key Takeaways

• Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months, Carly has grown into a leader in sport and education.

• Represented Australia in athletics before transitioning into football.

• Captain of the Para Matildas, leading by example on and off the field.

• Teaching is central to her advocacy – showing kids that disability doesn’t limit potential.

• Women’s football’s rise has created more visibility and momentum for para athletes.

• Advocates strongly for funding and support to grow para sports in Australia.

• Believes sport is a powerful way to build identity, community, and empowerment.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
03:09 – Carly Salmon's Journey with Cerebral Palsy
05:55 – Teaching and Impact on Students
08:59 – Realizations of Disability in School
11:43 – Finding Strength in Disability
14:46 – Transitioning from Athletics to Football
17:49 – Leadership in Team Sports
20:44 – The Rise of Women's Football and Its Impact
23:49 – Pride in Disability Beyond Sports
26:37 – Future Goals for the Para Matildas
29:56 – Addressing Funding and Support for Para Sports

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. In this episode of ListenABLe, we explore the complex and often overlooked connection between disability and sexuality with guest Oliver Morton Evans, a leading disability and sexuality advocate. Oliver shares his personal story of growing up with cerebral palsy, the unique challenges of navigating intimacy, dating, and relationships, and how accessibility barriers continue to shape the lives of people with disabilities. The conversation dives into the role of sex work, the impact of recent NDIS funding changes, and the importance of advocacy to ensure equal rights to intimacy, connection, and inclusion.

Hire him to model your clothes or brand: https://theright.fit/talent/oliver-m-1

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivermorton-evans

Get your ‘Sambrella’ here: https://sammysworldofcolour.com/products/sambrella

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/HqevPrCAUNo

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

Key Takeaways

• Conversations around disability and sexuality should be normalised and accessible.

• Oliver Morton Evans is a passionate advocate for inclusion in dating, relationships, and intimacy.

• Growing up with cerebral palsy created significant barriers to forming intimate connections.

• In pursuit of learning intimacy, Oliver once joined a meetup group that revealed itself as a sex cult.

• Accessibility in both social and sexual spaces remains a major challenge.

• Recent NDIS restrictions limit funding for sexual services, affecting many in the disability community.

• Sex work can play a vital role in providing connection, intimacy, and advocacy for people with disabilities.

• There is a pressing need for better sex education that is inclusive of people with disabilities.

• Oliver has produced erotic film content showcasing disabled bodies and intimacy to challenge stigma.

• Advocacy continues for the right of people with disabilities to access sexual expression and services.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Disability and Sexuality Conversations
02:11 – Oliver's Journey and Advocacy in Disability
07:19 – Navigating Intimacy and Dating as a Person with Disability
12:50 – Accessibility Challenges in Social and Sexual Spaces
18:59 – The Role of Sex Work in Disability Advocacy
23:46 – Funding and Support for Sexual Services in Disability
26:04 – Future Aspirations and Ongoing Advocacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the ListenABLE podcast, hosts Angus and Dylan sit down with Sara Shams — a pharmacist, model, and disability advocate — to share her inspiring journey as a bilateral above-knee amputee living with the rare genetic condition tibial hemimelia.

Sara opens up about her early life and multiple surgeries, how advances in prosthetics technology have shaped her independence, and the confidence she’s built through advocacy and representation in media. The conversation dives into cultural perspectives on disability, the impact of the Shift 20 initiative on increasing authentic representation, and how brands can move beyond tokenism to embrace true inclusion.

From breaking into the modelling industry to launching consultancy work for accessible runways, Sara shares the importance of personal choice in mobility aids, resilience in the face of stigma, and the power of visibility in changing perceptions.

What You’ll Learn:

• How prosthetic advancements are transforming independence and mobility.

• Why authentic representation matters for the disability community.

• The business and social impact of the Shift 20 initiative.

• How to address tokenism through education and cultural change.

• The role of confidence, resilience, and personal choice in disability advocacy.

Get in contact with Sara: https://sarashams.au/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarashams

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/ux5keqFJjTM

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
03:00 Sara Shams: A Journey Through Disability
05:53 Understanding Tibial Hemimelia and Its Impact
08:56 Surgical Journey and Early Life Experiences
12:04 Evolution of Prosthetics and Technology
15:01 Building Confidence and Embracing Disability
17:54 Cultural Perspectives on Disability
18:25 The Journey into Modeling
21:37 Advocacy through Shift 20 Initiative
22:42 Navigating Tokenism and Authentic Representation
26:51 Launching her Consultancy
30:16 The Balance of Representation and Tokenism

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.