Brian Bushway has been described as "probably the world's best completely bind mountain biker". In this incredible conversation we discuss losing his vision at 14 years old, the mental health impact, redefining his identity, how hearing is underutilized by so many, echo location, the power of active listening, how his company Acoustic Athletics can help the tactical communities and so much more. Brian Bushway graduated from Pepperdine University in 2005 with a degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Non-Profit Management. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Special Education and was one of the few blind persons after Daniel Kish to earn his COMS (Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist) National Certification. While at Pepperdine, Brian produced and hosted a college talk radio show which included commentary on current events and featured comedy bits. He was also instrumental in shaping the Non-Profit Management course at Pepperdine. He worked hand in hand with business professionals in the greater Los Angeles area to create the first Community Partners Board. Brian also studied abroad in Lyon, France and then in London, England which provided a foundation of skill sets regarding cultural sensitivities. Brian delivers Activational workshops and presentations to a broad educational, corporate, and non-profit audiences, focusing on embracing life experience and maximizing the opportunities that life has to offer, with an insight to personal growth. He engages and activates audiences with strategies to think and act like successful navigators of life. Through his life story and personal demonstrations, he shares his insight into finding the opportunities that are located in peoples “blind spots”. “It is in our blind spots”, he says, “where lies the untapped potential of additional growth. Once recognized that there is more to gain in all of us, the trick becomes acting on it and moving forward.” Brian has taught the “Power of Positive Thinking” for the past several years at the Braille Institute of America. In Feb 2010, Brian served as the Master of Ceremonies and Keynote speaker for the regional Braille Challenge, attended by more than 200 participants and their families. Brian has appeared in Men’s Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and an acclaimed popular science book, “See What I’m Saying” by Prof. Lawrence Rosenblum, about the power of human senses. In 2019, Brian and Lead Visioneer Daniel Kish consulted for SONY corporation, participating in a panel on inclusive product design at the SONY WOW Studio at SXSW 2019 in Austin, Texas.
