The Adaptive Athlete Podcast

The Adaptive Athlete
  • 5.0 (13)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Adaptive Athlete Podcast is dedicated to sharing the stories of athletes in the Crossfit space and beyond who have pushed past the limits doctors or others gave them. In these conversations, you'll hear stories of resiliency, adaptation, grit, and determination. You'll also hear about the ways the adaptive space is growing. Whether you are an adaptive athlete, a coach, or you know someone who would benefit from adaptive athletics and adaptive fitness, this podcast is the place to hear stories and build connections.  New episodes drop every Tuesday.

  1. A Championship Mindset and the Brother Behind the Scenes (Feat. Lance King & Kyle King)

    2D AGO

    A Championship Mindset and the Brother Behind the Scenes (Feat. Lance King & Kyle King)

    Mat Hotho sits down with Lance King — three-time CrossFit Adaptive Games champion in the Intellectual Disability without Chromosomal Condition division — and his older brother Kyle King, who serves as Lance's coach, handler, and in-competition strategist.  In this conversation, Kyle breaks down what it actually looks like to coach your brother — the 80/20 split between serious training, how he builds competition strategy down to which direction Lance should face before a sandbag throw, and why calling no reps on your own brother is part of the job. Lance talks about his championship mindset, what keeps him moving even when a workout isn't going his way, and what it means to be himself on the competition floor. Send a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    42 min
  2. The Power of Being Different (Feat. Julia Halberstam)

    FEB 10

    The Power of Being Different (Feat. Julia Halberstam)

    Mat Hotho sits down with Julia Halberstam, who competes in the Upper Two Point division and placed second at the 2025 CrossFit Adaptive Games. Their conversation starts with the hilarious story of how they met at the 2024 Sea Dog competition—when Mat walked up to Julia's tent holding Chick-fil-A and she thought he was going to talk to her about Jesus.  Julia was born with cupped hands, a condition where her fingers were fused together, and shares how doctors created functional hands for her through multiple surgeries.  Beyond CrossFit, Julia's in nursing school working toward becoming a forensic nurse, and she volunteers on a sexual assault victims hotline. She talks about the power of finding community, the beauty of being different, and why adaptive athletes see the world in a way that makes them more human.  It's a conversation that moves from belly laughs about cow tails and sorority hand signs to deep reflections on standing out instead of fitting in—and why the people who see you for who you really are are the only ones worth keeping around. Content Warning: This episode briefly discusses Julia's work supporting sexual assault survivors. We don't go into graphic detail, but if you need to skip that section, it starts around the 33-minute mark. Follow Julia on Instagram: @stayadaptive Get Classified for the 2026 Season Sign up for the 2026 CrossFit Adaptive Open Send a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    41 min
  3. Why Winning Wasn't the Point (Feat. Luke Reeson)

    FEB 3

    Why Winning Wasn't the Point (Feat. Luke Reeson)

    Mat Hotho sits down with Luke Reeson, a former British Army sniper who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was shot three times across two deployments—including twice in the legs during his final tour. What followed was a journey from a wheelchair through para swimming with the GB National Team to becoming the 2025 CrossFit Games champion in the Lower Below Knee division. Luke shares how military charities and sport gave him purpose during recovery, how competing at the Invictus Games led him to para swimming at an international level, and why he eventually traded the pool for the barbell.  He talks about that wild moment at the 2022 CrossFit Games when his swim workout placed him ahead of Jason Hopper and other able-bodied competitors—and what it meant to finally prove himself on their turf.  Luke also opens up about the invisible daily challenges of training with nerve damage and titanium-reinforced bones, what it's like coaching from a body that doesn't always cooperate, and why coming first at the Games wasn't really the point. Follow Luke on Instagram: @luke2522 Send us a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    41 min
  4. Everyone Is an Athlete: Adapting the Open for All Abilities (Feat. Sarah Tucker)

    JAN 27

    Everyone Is an Athlete: Adapting the Open for All Abilities (Feat. Sarah Tucker)

    In this episode, Mat Hotho sits down with Sarah Tucker, founder of Uncharted Adaptive Fitness Virginia, to explore the transformative power of Adaptive CrossFit.  Sarah shares her journey from childhood experiences helping a blind child at T-ball practice to opening her own gym dedicated to adaptive fitness. With a background in physical therapy and a deep understanding of motor development, Sarah brings a unique perspective to coaching athletes with autism, spinal cord injuries, and stroke recovery.  The conversation dives into specific coaching techniques, like teaching a client with dyspraxia to jump by grounding him at the rig and using visual cues, and how she's preparing a stroke survivor to carry his soon-to-be-born baby. Sarah discusses the intersection of mental health and strength training, her approach to adapting CrossFit Open workouts for her athletes, and the importance of building community in the adaptive fitness world.  For coaches and gym owners interested in starting or expanding adaptive fitness programs, the Adaptive Training Academy offers grant funding and guidance to support the creation and operation of adaptive programs. Learn more about their veteran support programs. Send us a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    44 min
  5. It's All Kevin's Fault (Feat. Brandon Mantz)

    JAN 20

    It's All Kevin's Fault (Feat. Brandon Mantz)

    In this episode, Mat Hotho sits down with Brandon Mantz, a seated athlete who secured a third-place podium finish at the CrossFit Games for four consecutive years. Brandon shares the story of his "pivot point" in December 2018, when a skiing accident in Breckenridge resulted in a T6 spinal cord injury and three liters of internal bleeding. Following his recovery at Craig Hospital, Brandon discovered CrossFit Watchtower through the influence of Kevin Ogar, where he regained his independence by mastering essential skills like the floor transfer. The conversation also covers Brandon's recent invitation to a US Para Track and Field talent identification camp, where he explored competitive throwing and learned about the complexities of para-sport classification. Beyond elite competition, Brandon discusses his passion for accessible adventure sports, such as handcycle mountain biking and Nordic skiing, which allow him to remain active alongside his wife and friends. Finally, he explains the personal mantra that guides his life: Love, Generosity, Adventure, and Joy. Follow Brandon on Instagram: @brandon.mantz Watch Roderick (@memesfortime) run Brandon through a crowd of confused CrossFitters. Send us a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    55 min
  6. Fund Your Season: A Simple Framework (Feat. Candice Arnone)

    JAN 13

    Fund Your Season: A Simple Framework (Feat. Candice Arnone)

    Candice Arnone joins Mat Hotho for a practical conversation about fundraising and sponsorships for adaptive CrossFit athletes without the awkwardness, guilt, or “I’m asking for a handout” mentality. Candice is a Neuromuscular Major adaptive athlete with right-side hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and she works professionally as a grant officer for a major nonprofit, managing large foundation and corporate funds on the grant management side. She brings a simple nonprofit framework into the athlete-sponsorship world: link, interest, ability—create a real connection, build shared interest in the mission, and then make an ask that matches someone’s ability to give. They talk about why relationship-building matters more than assumptions, how corporate sponsorship differs from asking an individual, how to avoid the comparison trap, and why telling your story is only step one. Candice also shares tactical advice: build a real budget, start early, don’t spam your campaign daily, and consider a simple (and attainable) challenge to create momentum. Read more about the L.I.A. method. Prior fundraiser Candice mentions in the episode: NEHP Adaptive Athlete Scholarship Program Kickoff Connect with Candice on Instagram: @sky7285. Send us a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    34 min
  7. From Competitor to Commentator (Feat. Amy Bream)

    12/29/2025

    From Competitor to Commentator (Feat. Amy Bream)

    In this bonus episode of The Adaptive Athlete Podcast, Mat Hotho is joined by adaptive athletes Amy Bream and Brett Palser for a wide-ranging conversation on competition, community, and the evolving landscape of adaptive fitness. Amy reflects on her final season competing, and what it meant to return to the floor one last time. The discussion then turns to Amy’s role with the World Fitness Project, where she is a commentator. She explains the Project’s Pro and Challenger structure, its season-long approach to competition, and why adaptive inclusion must be built deliberately rather than rushed. Together, the group wrestles honestly with fairness, visibility, and the tension between competing to win and competing to grow the sport. Throughout the episode, Amy offers a grounded perspective on what it means to show up when things are imperfect, why adaptive athletes benefit from being seen first as athletes, and how community (more than podiums) has shaped her journey.  Follow Amy: @oneleggedstallion Follow the World Fitness Project: @worldfitnessproject Send a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    46 min
  8. 720 Laps and a World Record (Feat. Mike Egan)

    12/08/2025

    720 Laps and a World Record (Feat. Mike Egan)

    In this bonus episode of the Adaptive Athlete Podcast, I sit down with wheelchair athlete, coach, and new dad Mike Egan to unpack his 24-hour Guinness World Record attempt at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio. Mike wheeled 152.36 miles on the same loop used for Event 1 of the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games, navigating more than 2,800 turns, a brutal overnight cold snap, and the mental strain of pushing through 24 hours with no sleep. Mike walks through the “NASCAR-style” logistics behind the record: a dedicated pit crew tightening casters, managing equipment, and handling Guinness documentation; his coach George on headset guiding pacing and fueling; fellow athletes Tom Miazga and Andrea Wilson logging miles behind him as a relentless force keeping him moving; friend and athlete Brett Palser handling logistics; a massive community running with him. Beyond the numbers, Mike reflects on a decade of living with disability, finding purpose through coaching and the adaptive community, and what it meant to finish the record surrounded by athletes, friends, and families. He shares the core message behind his effort—that pain is only a chapter, not the whole story—and hints at an even bigger, still-secret endurance goal on the horizon.  Follow Mike on Instagram: @mj_egan Send a text Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Adaptive Athlete Podcast is dedicated to sharing the stories of athletes in the Crossfit space and beyond who have pushed past the limits doctors or others gave them. In these conversations, you'll hear stories of resiliency, adaptation, grit, and determination. You'll also hear about the ways the adaptive space is growing. Whether you are an adaptive athlete, a coach, or you know someone who would benefit from adaptive athletics and adaptive fitness, this podcast is the place to hear stories and build connections.  New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The Adaptive Athlete
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Adaptive Athlete Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Adaptive Athlete Podcast