The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing

The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Daily

Introduction: Welcome to "The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing," your gateway to the world of health, wellness, medical breakthroughs, and inspirational journeys. Join us on an exciting adventure as we explore the boundless possibilities of human healing and recovery. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals on their healing journeys, offering insights, expertise, and the latest developments in the fields of spinal cord injury, stroke recovery, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, ALS, PLS, and more.

  1. Sep 1

    A Seat at the Table: Making Health & Fitness Accessible to Everyone with Mike Goscinski, Chief of Staff, Health & Fitness Association

    A Seat at the Table: Making Health & Fitness Accessible to EveryoneWhat does it take to make physical activity and wellness truly accessible to everyone? In this episode of Pathways to Healing, Hal Hargrave Jr. sits down with Mike Goscinski, Chief of Staff at the Health & Fitness Association, for a conversation about the intersection of health, fitness, public policy, advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion. Mike represents an industry serving an incredibly diverse population—from the everyday fitness consumer to older adults, individuals managing chronic conditions, and people living with disabilities. Their conversation explores why those voices all deserve representation as the role of physical activity continues to grow within America's broader health conversation.  In this episode: Mike's path from youth sports and Capitol Hill to national fitness advocacy How relationships, education, trust, and credibility create meaningful policy change Why physical activity needs a louder voice in America's health conversation The work being done to position fitness as part of our preventive-health infrastructure Making health, wellness, and physical activity more accessible to people of all abilities How the fitness industry can better reflect the diversity of the communities it serves Why advocacy isn't limited to Washington—and how anyone can begin creating change in their own community  This episode is ultimately about something bigger than fitness: creating a healthier future where everyone has the opportunity—and a voice—to participate. 🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode of Pathways to Healing now.

    A Seat at the Table: Making Health & Fitness Accessible to Everyone with Mike Goscinski, Chief of Staff, Health & Fitness Association

  2. Aug 28

    Your Story Is Your Power: Turning Lived Experience into Advocacy with Annie Streit

    In this relaunch episode of Pathways to Healing, host Hal Hargrave sits down with Annie Streit, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for United Spinal Association, for a powerful conversation about life after spinal cord injury, finding purpose through adversity, and turning lived experience into meaningful change. Annie shares her journey from sustaining a C5 spinal cord injury in 2005 to becoming an educator, author, speaker, and national disability advocate—and why she believes everyone has the ability to advocate for themselves and others. In this episode, we discuss: Annie's spinal cord injury and the process of rebuilding her lifeFinding purpose, identity, and opportunity after injuryWhy your lived experience is one of your greatest advocacy toolsWhat grassroots advocacy actually looks like—and how anyone can participateThe caregiver crisis and importance of community-based supportAccessibility challenges in transportation and air travelGaps between healthcare, rehabilitation, fitness, and lifelong wellnessWhy representation of people with disabilities matters in decision-makingHow individuals and organizations can work together to create lasting change You don't have to know everything to make a difference. Sometimes advocacy simply begins with being willing to use your voice.

    Your Story Is Your Power: Turning Lived Experience into Advocacy with Annie Streit

  3. Feb 3

    You’re not broken — you’re being rebranded.

    What happens when the life you planned disappears — and you’re forced to rebuild from the ground up? In this candid conversation, we explore what it truly means to navigate life after a spinal cord injury — not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.💬 Key reflections from this video: Losing parts of your old life doesn’t end you — it invites you to rebuild something more intentional. You are not broken; you’re being rebranded. Growth takes time, patience, and permission to evolve. Moving forward isn’t just personal — it shows others what’s possible after everything changes. This message is for anyone newly navigating SCI, disability, or a major life shift — and for anyone learning how to redefine purpose when the path looks different than expected.

  4. 12/06/2025

    It DOES Get Better: Jerry Robin on Injury, Hope & Not Giving Up on Yourself

    In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Robin to talk about resilience, mindset, and what it truly takes to rebuild your life after a major injury. Jerry opens up about the most surprising part of his journey — discovering his ability to stay relatively positive even through some of the darkest moments. With honesty and humility, he shares how surrounding himself with good people and a solid environment has been one of the biggest keys to staying grounded and hopeful. He also offers heartfelt advice for others new to their injury: it really does get better. Even when it feels like your world is spiraling, there are still meaningful things ahead. Jerry encourages listeners to take moments for themselves, reflect on both the good and bad, and appreciate what is still possible. We also explore Jerry’s powerful “why”: not giving up on himself. Whether it’s therapy, exercise, work, or creating content to inspire others, Jerry goes to bed every day knowing he put effort toward becoming a better version of himself — and that fulfillment keeps him moving forward. In this episode, Jerry shares:• How positivity became a survival tool during his recovery• Why your environment matters more than you think• Advice for anyone newly injured and feeling overwhelmed• How effort — big or small — builds fulfillment• His passion for sharing content to inspire others on their journey If Jerry’s story resonates with you, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to help amplify his message.

  5. 11/05/2025

    The Power of Persistence: Chris’s Story of Growth and Advocacy

    Chris has discovered something powerful about himself — he’s no longer afraid to put himself out there. Once quiet about his goals, he’s now using his voice to advocate for others and spread awareness about cerebral palsy. His message to parents of children with CP is simple but strong: never stop asking questions, seeking resources, and learning what works best for your child — because every journey is unique. At the heart of it all, Chris’s “why” is clear: to educate others and inspire young minds to see ability, not disability. 💚 #ThePerfectStep #BePerfectFoundation #BuildingBridgesOfAccessibility #CerebralPalsyAwareness #Advocacy #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #NeverStopLearning

  6. 09/26/2025

    Living With Purpose: Lorie Hargrave’s Journey Through Faith, Resilience, and her son's SCI Recovery

    When tragedy struck and Hal’s (Founder of TPS) life changed in an instant, Lorie Hargrave, Hal's mom, found herself facing a journey she never could have imagined. In this episode, we hear her perspective on what it means to walk through the darkest moments while holding onto faith, strength, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Lorie shares how the most surprising thing she discovered about herself was her own resilience—the ability to keep herself together and remain strong even when the weight of circumstances felt overwhelming. She credits her faith as the anchor that carried her through. For families and individuals newly navigating life with a spinal cord injury, Lory offers heartfelt advice: hold on, embrace each moment, and seek the purpose within the pain. She believes every challenge carries opportunities—not only to grow personally but to use those experiences to help others along their journey. At the heart of Lorie’s message is her ultimate “why”: to live life with purpose, make a difference, and remain present in each moment. Through Hal’s recovery, Lory has found that purpose isn’t just about her own healing, but about the ripple effect—how one person’s story, strength, or encouragement can profoundly impact another. This is more than just a story of survival; it’s a story of faith in action, resilience in practice, and the power of living each day with meaning.

  7. 08/28/2025

    Cory Hahn: From ASU SCI Injury to Diamondbacks Exec | Project 34, Recovery, & Baseball Trailblazer

    In 2011, Cory Hahn's life changed forever after sustaining a spinal cord injury while playing baseball at Arizona State University. But that moment didn’t end his journey — it reshaped it.In this powerful interview, Cory reflects on his baseball career, the day everything changed, and how he found new purpose beyond the field. Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013, Cory went on to earn his business degree, serve as a scout, and now plays a key role as a front office executive.We dive into his recovery, his unwavering love for the game, the challenges and rewards of staying close to baseball, and the incredible work he’s doing through Project 34, the nonprofit he co-founded with MLB pitcher Trevor Williams to support individuals with spinal cord injuries.Cory was recently honored with Baseball America’s 2024 Trailblazer Award, and this conversation shows exactly why.🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of sports.📌 Topics covered:Cory’s ASU baseball careerLife after spinal cord injuryBeing drafted by the DiamondbacksBecoming a scout and executiveStarting Project 34Lessons in perseverance, leadership, and impact#CoryHahn #Project34 #BaseballStories #MLB #ASUBaseball #Diamondbacks #Inspiration #Trailblazer

  8. 08/06/2025

    Alexis Evans: From Rock Bottom to Resilience After Spinal Cord Injury

    In this moving episode, Alexis Evans and her father, Jerald, share the hardest and most transformative journey of their lives — navigating the aftermath of Alexis’s spinal cord injury.When Alexis first began physical therapy, the progress was slow, and the process often felt pointless. There were days she wanted to give up entirely. But with Gerald by her side — encouraging her through every grueling session — she began to see small victories. Each improvement not only strengthened her physically but also shifted her mindset, helping her discover a resilience she never knew she had.Gerald’s presence wasn’t just emotional support — he was her advocate. Together, they fought the uphill battles of the healthcare system, from pushing insurance companies to cover essential medications and equipment, to insisting on second opinions when something didn’t seem right. Gerald taught Alexis the power of self-advocacy, and their united front became an unshakable force in her recovery.While her family’s love and support have been a constant anchor, Alexis’s determination ultimately comes from within. Her stubbornness, competitive spirit, and refusal to let her injury define her have fueled her fight to keep pursuing her dreams, no matter the obstacles.This is more than a story about injury — it’s a father and daughter’s journey of strength, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond that turns challenges into victories.💬 Share this video to inspire others facing challenges in their own lives.📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more stories of hope and perseverance.#Resilience #SpinalCordInjury #SCIRecovery #FromParalysisToPurpose #DisabilityAwareness #NeverGiveUp #MindsetIsEverything #SelfAdvocacy #WheelStrong #FamilyStrength

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Introduction: Welcome to "The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing," your gateway to the world of health, wellness, medical breakthroughs, and inspirational journeys. Join us on an exciting adventure as we explore the boundless possibilities of human healing and recovery. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals on their healing journeys, offering insights, expertise, and the latest developments in the fields of spinal cord injury, stroke recovery, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, ALS, PLS, and more.

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