Optical Delusion

We are so excited to welcome teammate and friend, Keegan Knott, onto the podcast this week! Keegan is a two time Paralympian with lots of firsthand navigating the NCAA, and elite level swimming with her disability. Our conversation delves into honest conversations about identity and success, highlighting the challenges and experiences of Paralympic athletes.Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/Keegan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeganknott/MERCH: https://opticaldelusionpod.etsy.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Optical Delusion and New Merchandise23:53 Adapting to Disabilities41:11 International Swimming Adventures46:21 Competing and Bonding in Different Cities54:44 Unexpected Life Stories

The podcast episode features a conversation with Paralympian Hannah Dederick, a two-time Paralympian in wheelchair racing. The discussion covers Hannah's journey, experiences at the Paralympic Games, and the competitive selection process for the Paralympic team. Hannah Dederick shares her personal journey of being adopted and moving to the United States, as well as the positive impact of the Paralympic movement on her life.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/Etsy: https://opticaldelusionpod.etsy.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Optical Delusion05:16 Hannah's Journey and Training13:56 Competing and Medal Success23:38 The Paralympic Selection Process42:07 Personal Journey and Adoption

The podcast episode features an interview with 4x World Gold Medalist, Paralympic swimmer Katie Kubiak. The conversation covers Katie's experience at NYU, accessibility in New York City, her journey into para swimming. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by para athletes in collegiate athletics, highlighting the lack of representation and resources for these athletes. It also explores the impact of inequity on para athletes and the need for equity and inclusion in collegiate athletics and the film industry!! Our Instagram: instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/Katie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie.kubiak/100metersfilm: https://www.instagram.com/100metersfilm/Our merch!: https://opticaldelusionpod.etsy.comUse code "POD20" for 20% off N-2 water! : https://www.n-2water.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Optical Delusion05:32 Introducing Katie Kubiak11:10 Katie's First Para Meet and Journey into Para Swimming22:06 The Need for Support and Advocacy for Para Athletes27:17 The Impact of Inequity on Para Athletes32:19 Internalized Ableism and Mental Health in Sports39:45 Equity and Inclusion in Collegiate Athletics46:13 The Cost of Disability and Equity55:07 The Journey of Personal Growth

The conversation covers the Winter Paralympic Games experience for the sibling duo of Meg and Spenser Gustafson! We fly into the world of guide skiing in the Paralympics, the challenges of training and competing in Paralympic sports, and the community surrounding athletes! Meg and Spenser were amazing guests and brought so much knowledge!! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

Our conversation covers Gia's Paralympic journey, her experiences in Tokyo and Paris, and the memories from the Team USA house. We also dive into reflections on past competitions, the formation of the S13 Dynasty, and the support and camaraderie among the athletes alongside the importance of mental health!!Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/Gia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gia.pergolini/

The podcast episode features a discussion with members of Team USA's women's sled hockey team, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for women's sled hockey, the impact of para sports and representation, and an introduction to sled hockey and equipment description. Kelsey DiClaudio and Maddy Eberhard have competed in this sport their whole lives and bring a passion into seeing it grow onto the Paralympic stage. Kelsey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey.diclaudio/Maddy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddyeberhard/Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast10:02 Challenges and Opportunities for Women's Sled Hockey17:00 Impact of Para Sports and Representation23:01 Introduction to Sled Hockey and Equipment Description32:17 The Cost of Custom Sleds and Fitted Buckets37:32 Traveling Mishaps and Wheelchair Transportation51:31 The Unexpected Bonds and Sisterhood in Sled Hockey

The conversation transitions into a deeper exploration of Paralympic sport and the importance of representation. The interview with Ali Truwit covers her journey as a Paralympic swimmer, her advocacy work, and the impact of her nonprofit organization, Stronger Than You Think. The conversation delves into Ali Truwit's personal growth and advocacy journey, highlighting the challenges and acceptance in adversity, and the pursuit of equity in the Paralympic movement.TakeawaysRepresentation mattersThe power of community and support Growth through adversityAdvocacy and representationChapters00:00 Introduction and Billboard Experience08:57 Interview with Ali Truwit40:37 Equity in Paralympic Movement

In this episode, Grace and Olivia welcome Morgan Ray as the first guest they ever recorded an interview with, setting the stage for an authentic conversation about the realities of life as a Paralympic athlete. With a blend of humor and insightful reflections, the trio explores the importance of sharing untold stories and connecting through shared experiences.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticaldelusionpod/

The Winter Paralympics bring forth not only incredible athletic achievements but also the power of human spirit. These are not just competitions; they are narratives that inspire and unite.In this episode, we deep dive into the stories thus far in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. There is already so much to cover and we hope you are as tuned in as we are!!VIDEO RETURNING NEXT EPISODE

The Winter Paralympics often remain in the shadow of their Summer counterpart, leaving many unaware of the incredible stories and athletes involved. So, what does it really take to compete at this level? In this episode, we'll explore insights from Paralympian Dani Aravich as she discusses her journey into cross-country skiing and the unique aspects of the Winter Games.Dani Aravich is a dedicated athlete training for her third Paralympics, having transitioned from summer sports to the world of winter sports. With a background in track and field, Dani has embraced her role as a cross-country skier and biathlete. She was born without her left hand and forearm, which adds a unique perspective to her athletic journey. Dani not only competes but also co-founded Culxtured, showcasing her passion for the Paralympic movement and adaptive sports.Dani's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan?igsh=MWFzc2ZncWUxejgyOQ==Culxtured's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culxtured?igsh=MWllbXQ0djZyc2h5bw==

In this conversation, Sydney shares her journey from able-bodied skiing to becoming a Paralympic athlete, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. The discussion covers her experiences at the Beijing Games, the importance of community in sports, and the balance between her PhD studies and training. Sydney also highlights the significance of research in rare diseases and the classification system in Nordic skiing, while looking forward to a more engaging experience at the upcoming Milan Games.

In this episode of Optical Delusion, hosts Grace and Olivia welcome Paralympic swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger. They discuss Ahalya's journey as a swimmer, her experiences in college athletics, and her current studies in the UK. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by para athletes, the importance of inclusion in sports, and Ahalya's aspirations to innovate in assistive technology. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, laughter, and insights into the world of Paralympic sports.

In this episode of Optical Delusion, hosts Grace Luper and Olivia Chambers introduce the complexities of Paralympic sports, focusing on classification systems that categorize athletes based on their abilities. They welcome guest Liza Corso, a two-time Paralympian, who shares her journey as a visually impaired athlete and her experiences in both track and field. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by Paralympic athletes and aims to tell their stories authentically, without the usual clichés. In this conversation, Liza shares her experiences as a T13 para-athlete, discussing the complexities of classification in para athletics, the recent merger of USA Track and Para Track, and the challenges of balancing NCAA and para athletics. She also reflects on her future aspirations in sports psychology and the unexpected journey that led her to embrace adaptive sports, highlighting the importance of community representation.Instagram: @opticaldelusionpod

In this inaugural episode of "Optical Delusion," hosts Grace Nuhfer and Olivia Chambers share their personal journeys into the world of Paralympic swimming. They discuss the challenges and triumphs they faced as athletes with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of community and connection within the Paralympic movement. Grace recounts her transition from able-bodied swimming to embracing her identity as a blind athlete, while Olivia shares her experience of losing her sight and finding her place in para swimming. The episode is filled with laughter, relatable anecdotes, and a genuine passion for sharing the untold stories of Paralympic athletes. The hosts aim to create a platform that highlights the depth and richness of experiences beyond the medals and accolades, inviting listeners to join them on this journey of discovery and empowerment.KeywordsParalympic swimming, disability sports, athlete stories, community, personal journeys, para swimming, empowerment, identity, podcastChapters00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup04:30 Welcome to Optical Delusion08:02 Grace's Journey to Paralympic Swimming10:44 Olivia's Story14:23 Finding Community in Paralympic Sports19:59 The Purpose of Our Podcast23:57 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes