Sports 305: Cane and Able: Building Strength, Confidence, and Independence

1) Episode Summary Kim Wardlow welcomes Evan Schwabrock, founder of Cane and Able Fitness, for a practical and encouraging conversation about getting started with strength training and gym fitness as a blind or low-vision person. Evan shares his story of losing most of his vision due to Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, how his background in kinesiology and disability studies shaped his work, and why he created Cane and Able Fitness to challenge the idea that disability means inability. This episode focuses on real-world fitness basics rather than extreme performance. Evan breaks down the confidence, independence, and resilience that strength training can build, both inside and outside the gym. He offers encouragement for listeners who may have fallen off their goals, emphasizing that progress does not require perfection, only consistency, good systems, and sustainable habits. Kim and Evan also walk through common misconceptions about blind and low-vision people in gyms, the difference between working out at home versus in a gym environment, how often someone really needs to work out to make progress, and what to do on that first day walking into a gym. Evan gives clear, accessible advice on gym safety, interacting with staff, using spotters, building around foundational strength movements, and understanding when it is time to increase weight or difficulty. The conversation closes with myth-busting around fitness excuses, practical thoughts on working out with injuries or joint issues, and encouragement for listeners to stop waiting for the “perfect” time and simply begin in a way that works for them. It is a grounded, motivating episode for anyone wanting to get stronger, feel more capable, and approach fitness with vision loss in a way that is accessible and sustainable. 2) Contact Info Guest / Organization Evan Schwabrock Founder, Cane and Able Fitness Website: caneandablefitness.com Socials: Cane and Able Fitness on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Aftersight Website: Aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer Jonathan Price Podcast and Program Producer, Aftersight 3) Show Credits Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Evan Schwabrock Producer: Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight 4) Chapter Markers 00:03 — Kim introduces the sports series and today’s focus on gym basics and strength training 01:35 — Evan shares his vision loss journey and the founding of Cane and Able Fitness 04:04 — Why strength training builds confidence, capability, and momentum beyond the gym 05:44 — Restarting fitness goals after falling off track and setting sustainable habits 07:23 — Misconceptions about blind and low-vision people working out in gym spaces 09:06 — How beginners can start small and ease into fitness without overwhelm 12:16 — Gym workouts versus home workouts: community, mobility, and accountability 15:10 — How often to work out when starting and why consistency matters more than volume 18:18 — First-day gym advice: asking staff for help, tours, and building support systems 19:27 — Safety in the gym, owning your space, and reducing avoidable hazards 22:16 — Foundational strength movements and how they connect to everyday function 25:07 — Machines versus free weights and why both have value in a training plan 26:27 — Coaching form with vision loss through tactile, sensory, and audible feedback 27:42 — Knowing when to increase weight, difficulty, or training challenge 29:48 — Fitness myths, excuses, and the fear of being judged or getting “too bulky” 35:20 — Working out with injuries, arthritis, balance issues, or joint limitations 39:35 — Stretching, mobility, and building movement quality into the workout itself 41:31 — Evan’s final encouragement on finding what works and building positive momentum 43:02 — Where listeners can find Cane and Able Fitness online 43:47 — Kim closes the episode and encourages listeners to keep moving forward (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0