The Eyes Free Sports Podcast

In Episode 128 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we have a returning guest, Ricky Castaneda (previously a guest on Episode 77). A member of the U.S. national blind soccer team, Ricky discussed the recent 2024 USA Blind Soccer International Cup. He spoke about: His background and various adaptive sports for the blind he has playedHow blind soccer worksThe recent 2024 USA Blind Soccer International Cup held in Chula Vista, CAHow the U.S. team fared in the tournament against England and JapanWhat the team learned from this experienceLooking ahead to the 2028 Paralympics in which the U.S. will field a blind soccer team for the first timeHow people can learn more about blind soccer Learn more about blind soccer at https://www.usaba.org/clubs-sports/blind-soccer/. Check out the Metro Blaze Blind Athletes of Texas website at https://www.metroblazeblindsoccer333.com/.

In Episode 127 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we feature a conversation with guests who are highly active in blind baseball. They are Kiana Glanton, co-captain of the U.S. blind baseball team, along with Ed Plumacher, president of the U.S. Blind Baseball Association (USBBA) and former guest on Episode 104 of Eyes Free Sports. During the conversation, they talked about: Their personal backgrounds and low vision journeysHow they got into blind baseball and how the sport worksTheir initial experience competing in the 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Blind Baseball International Cup in The NetherlandsCompeting in the 2024 WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup in LondonHow the U.S. team performed in the tournamentConnections they made with players from blind baseball teams in other countriesThe current state of blind baseball in the U.S. and future plans to continue to grow the sportHow to learn more about blind baseball Learn more about blind baseball at http://blindbaseball.org/. Contact Ed Plumacher, president of the U.S. Blind Baseball Association, at edplumacher@usbba.us. Check out one of the live streams from the finals of the 2024 WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgqg4mwrpSw.

In Episode 126 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Richie Flores, the current president of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) who has competed in beep baseball and goalball for many years. During the interview, Flores spoke about: His childhood and visual impairmentHis educational journeyHis professional careerHow he got involved in adaptive sports and who introduced him to beep baseballMemorable moments throughout his beep baseball career, including a World Series championshipHis work with the NBBA off the field and his current role as presidentHis hopes and dreams for the future of the NBBA and beep baseball in generalHis various roles with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), including its sports and recreation divisionHis guide dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind Learn more about the National Beep Baseball Association at http://nbba.org. Contact Richie Flores at rflores@nbba.org.

In Episode 125 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by two representatives from OneCourt Technologies. These include Antyush Bollini, the COO and co-founder, as well as Bree Fraser, the program manager of business development. This startup company based in the Seattle, WA area has developed a device for blind and visually impaired sports fans to help them follow the action when attending or viewing sporting events. During the conversation, they discussed: Their professional backgrounds and how they got involved in OneCourtThe inspiration for launching OneCourt and the meaning behind the name of the companyAn overview of the device they have developed for blind sports fansThe specific sports and sports leagues they have focused on for the deviceHow the device can be used at stadiums, in sports bars, or at homeFeedback they have gotten from visually impaired sports fansWhether the device could be used for fans attending Paralympic events, goalball matches, beep baseball games, etc.Future plans and other potential applications for the deviceHow to learn more about OneCourt and how to sign up to try the device at sporting events around the U.S. Learn more about OneCourt at http://onecourt.io. Follow OneCourt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/onecourt.io/.

In Episode 124 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Ivan Castro from Orlando, FL. The Army veteran and highly accomplished endurance athlete discussed: His early years and educationWhat inspired him to enlist in the U.S. Army and his 28-year military careerHow he went blind while serving and how he was able to continue to serve on active duty in spite of his blindnessHis achievements in marathons, hikes, and other endurance adventures he has tackled around the worldThe U.S. presidents and other celebrities he has met throughout his lifeThe book he co-authored about his journeyHis message about living life to the fullest Check out Castro’s book, Fighting Blind, on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Blind-Berets-Extraordinary-Courage/dp/1250076544.

In Episode 123 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is David Rosenkoetter. The longtime adaptive athlete and fitness guru has also competed in blind chess for many years. During the discussion, Rosenkoetter spoke about: Where he is from and his childhoodHis visual impairmentHis educational journey and professional careerHow he got into adaptive sports for the blind and the sports he has competed inHow he got into blind chess and his journey competing in tournamentsHow chess is adapted for the blind and visually impaired communityAn overview of the United States Blind Chess Association (USBCA) and the current state of blind chess in the U.S. and internationallyOver-the-board blind chess tournaments and those held virtuallyHow fitness has helped him when playing the mental game of chess Learn more about the United States Blind Chess Association at https://usblindchess.org/. Check out Rosenkoetter’s website at http://boldlyblind.blog. His soon-to-be-published book is called Jag.

In Episode 122 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Drew Garza and Josh Schneider, two of the founders of The Dented Puck Foundation who are both highly active in blind hockey in the U.S. During the conversation, they talked about: Their early yearsTheir low vision journeysHow they discovered blind hockeyTheir experiences in blind hockey both on and off the iceWhy they started The Dented Puck Foundation and its missionThe current state of blind hockey in the U.S. and looking aheadThe possibility of getting blind hockey into the Paralympics somedayHow to learn more about blind hockey and their contact info Learn more about The Dented Puck Foundation and blind hockey at http://thedentedpuck.com/.

In Episode 121 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Sonya Chapnick from the Los Angeles, CA area. The founder and CEO of Yoga Gently spoke about: Her early years and educationHer unique career prior to losing her visionHow she got into yoga and her professional certificationsWhat inspired her to launch Yoga GentlyThe yoga programs she offers and how she adapts them to blind and visually impaired clientsHow she got into tandem cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activitiesHer advice on the benefits of getting involved in sports and recreation Learn more about Yoga Gently at http://yogagently.com.

In Episode 120 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet David Benney. The longtime beep baseball player and advocate for the sport spoke about: His early years growing up in ChicagoHis visual impairment and how it has impacted his lifeHis education and careerHow he got into playing beep baseball and his lengthy career with multiple teamsHis role as a color commentator and media team member for the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)An overview of the 2024 NBBA seasonRecapping the 2024 NBBA World Series held in the St. Louis, MO areaPlayers who stood out to him during the World SeriesHis overall observations on how the World Series was put on and looking ahead Learn more about the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) and the sport of beep baseball at http://nbba.org.

In Episode 119 of the Eyes Free Sports Podcast, Liz Bottner joins the conversation. A native of Delaware, Bottner has gone on to a successful professional career along with lots of involvement in several adaptive sports. During the podcast, Bottner talked about: Being a triplet and her two sistersHer eye conditionHer education and graduate studiesHer career working for a few major government organizationsWhat led her to try adaptive sports for the blindHer experience competing in blind hockey with the Hartford BraillersHer experience as an adaptive runner and her running guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the BlindHer volunteer workHer advice for anyone in the blind community who has thought about trying sports and recreational activitiesSome important resources for those interested in adaptive sports programs Learn more about the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) at http://www.usaba.org. For more information on blind hockey, check out https://unitedstatesblindhockeyteam.com/.   Contact Liz Bottner at pennyforward@pennyforward.com.

In Episode 118 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Alvin Suarez from New York City. During the conversation, the longtime adaptive athlete and coach spoke about: His early years growing up in New York CityHis visual impairmentHis education attending both mainstream schools and a school for the blindHis day job and unique side hustleHis experience playing adaptive sports as a youngster and what drew him back to participating in them well into adulthoodHis journeys in goalball and beep baseballHis experience as a goalball coach for a women’s teamHis band with other visually impaired musicians and the music they’ve produced Learn more about beep baseball and the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) at http://nbba.org. Check out his band, Los Ciegos del Barrio, on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/losciegosdelbarrio. Suarez is involved in a fundraiser with the New York Association of Blind Athletes on Wednesday, July 17 at Reif’s Bar at 302 East 92nd Street, Manhattan, NY. For more info, check out the NYABA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/New-York-Goalball-Sport-for-the-Blind-Visually-Impaired-100063486644438/.

In Episode 117 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Wynter Pingel from the Boston, MA area. The beep baseball player, runner, and musician talked about: Her childhood and attending both mainstream schools and a blind schoolHer education and career, including a job she had with National Braille Press (NBP)How she got introduced to adaptive sports for the blind as an adultHer experience playing beep baseball and tournaments she has competed inHer experience as an adaptive runner and her goals for future racesHer background in music and her current career as a gigging musician Learn more about beep baseball at http://nbba.org. Check out one of the bands Pingel plays in, Connacht, at https://connachtband.com/.

In Episode 116 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with longtime goalball player and disability sports leader Murray Elbourn. The native of Australia now operates Amerability Services in Washington State. During the interview, Elbourn talked about: His early years growing up in AustraliaHis vision loss journey and how he had some vision restored as an adultHow he was introduced to adaptive sports for the blindHis career and achievements playing goalballWhat led him to move to the United States, back to Australia, and then back to the U.S.How he got into blind tennis and his current role with the U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA)His coaching experience and why he thinks sports and recreation are essential for members of the blind community, especially childrenWhy he started Amerability Services and how this company combines training in independent living skills with blind sports opportunities Contact Murray Elbourne at amerabilityservices@gmail.com. Learn more about the U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) at https://playtennis.usta.com/usbta.

In Episode 115 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Charles Catherine. A native of France, Catherine has become a highly talented para-triathlete who was recently named as one of the captains of the U.S. men’s blind soccer team. During the conversation, Catherine discussed: His childhood growing up in FranceHis eye conditionHis education and career, including his current role with the National Organization on Disability (NOD)His journey to the United StatesHow he got into endurance sports, specifically the triathlonHow he got into blind soccer and his journey moving up the ranksHow blind soccer worksWhat it means to represent the U.S. as a blind soccer playerLooking ahead to the 2028 Paralympics in Los AngelesHis musical interests and achievementsWhy he recommends all blind and visually impaired individuals find opportunities to pursue in sports and recreation Learn more about blind soccer at https://www.usaba.org/clubs-sports/blind-soccer/. Follow Charles Catherine on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/charles.daddio/.

In Episode 114 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Tyler Cashman, a college student who has collected several titles competing in blind golf and has also played beep baseball and other adaptive sports. During the conversation, Cashman discussed: Where he was born and grew upHis visual impairmentHis education and current studies at the University of RichmondHis athletic career and how he got into playing blind golf through the United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA)How blind golf worksMemorable tournaments and moments in his golf careerHow he got into playing beep baseball and tournaments he has competed in through the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)The fundraising work he and his family have done to help kids with disabilities Learn more about the U.S. Blind Golf Association at http://blindgolf.org. Learn more about beep baseball and the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) at http://nbba.org/. Follow Tyler on Instagram at http://instagram.com/tycashman1114.

In Episode 113 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, our guest is Katy Boyd, founder of Twin Cities Blind Sailing (TCBS) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. During the interview, Boyd spoke about: Her childhood and visual impairmentHer education and career history and goalsHow she got introduced to adaptive sports for the blind, specifically blind sailingWhat inspired her to start Twin Cities Blind Sailing (TCBS)How blind sailing actually works and how it can be customized to the visually impaired sailor’s abilities and goalsThe programs she offers to both youth and adultsHow blind sailing has positively impacted many people she has met over the yearsHer future plans with Twin Cities Blind Sailing and how she hopes to launch many blind sailing programs around the United StatesHow you can learn more about Twin Cities Blind Sailing Check out http://twincitiesblindsailing.org/ to learn more about the TCBS organization and how to get involved. Contact Katy Boyd at kboyd@twincitiesblindsailing.org.

In Episode 112 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we discuss audio description for live sporting events and other live events provided by MindsEye, a nonprofit in the St. Louis, MO area. Two members of the organization, Magan Harms (MindsEye arts and culture director) and Liam McCoy (MindsEye quality control specialist), join the discussion. They spoke about: How Magan got involved in the blind community and audio descriptionHow she prepares to describe a live event for blind and visually impaired patronsExamples of verbiage she uses to describe sporting events and other live eventsHow her role compares to that of a play-by-play announcer for a sporting eventThe technology involved in providing audio description of live eventsHer experience as an audio describer for the 2022 Winter Paralympic GamesLiam’s background and visual impairmentHow he got involved in attending MindsEye events and participating in its adaptive sports programs for the blindHis experience attending audio-described sporting events, musicals, and museum toursThe feedback he provides to Magan and the audio describers to help improve the experience for visually impaired patrons Learn more about MindsEye and its adaptive sports and audio-described programs at https://mindseyeradio.org/.

In Episode 111 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Mike Royal, an accomplished adaptive athlete in running, water skiing, and other sports who resides in the Houston, TX area. Royal talked about: Where he was born and grew up in the heartland of AmericaHis visual impairmentHis education, career, and familyHow he was introduced to sports for the blindHis achievements as a runner and several major marathons he has run inHis career in adaptive water skiing and records he has attainedOther sports he has triedHis guide dog journey and how this inspired him to launch the Blind Canine Sports project, along with its missionContact info Check out Mike’s website on Blind Canine Sports at http://blindcaninesports.com/.

In Episode 110 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Francesco Magisano, an accomplished endurance athlete and para-triathlete who also serves as the Director of the New York City Metro Region for Achilles International. During the interview, Magisano discussed: Where he was born and grew upHis eye condition and vision loss journeyHow he got connected to Achilles International through a random conversationAn overview of the Achilles International organization and its chapters around the world, along with his current roleHis career as a runner and para-triathleteCompeting in the extremely challenging Ultraman Florida eventHis take on guides and tethers for blind endurance athletesHis athletic goalsHis advice to blind and visually impaired individuals on the benefits of participating in sports and recreationContact info for Achilles International Learn more about Achilles International and find a local chapter near you at http://achillesinternational.org.

In Episode 109 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Calahan Young joins the conversation. The native of Irwin, PA in the Pittsburgh area is the captain of the U.S. men’s national goalball team and a highly successful goalball player. Young spoke about: His childhood and sports he played with sighted peers as a youngsterHis visual impairment and how his vision has changed over timeHow he was introduced to sports for the blindHow he felt playing goalball for the first time and who encouraged him to keep at itHis journey up the goalball ranks to eventually join Team USA and the U.S. men’s national teamHis experience competing in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021Other goalball tournaments he has competed in and looking ahead to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris this summerOther blind sports he has tried and one in particular he would like to pursueThe pros and cons of being 6-foot-7His involvement in multiple roles with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) Follow Calahan Young on Instagram at http://instagram.com/calahanyoung. . Learn more about goalball and USABA at http://usaba.org.