#065- Matt Downing on the Growth of Adaptive Sports and Concussion Research
AdaptX Podcast · AdaptX
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (content.rss.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Today’s guest Matt Downing is the Program and Events Coordinator at the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Prior to that he spent the last 3 years working in the Olympic and Paralympic movement planning and executing large scale events and tournaments at organizations such as U.S. Soccer, USA Triathlon, and USA Football. He is committed to making sports safer and accessible for all. He discusses how sports helped him overcome the challenges of cerebral palsy and become the person he is today. Matt highlights the differences and similarities between the Olympic and Paralympic movements, emphasizing the passion and camaraderie shared by athletes in both. He also discusses the importance of accessibility in event planning and the need for inclusive programming in the fitness industry. Matt concludes by sharing upcoming projects and initiatives of the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
To learn more about Matt and the Concussion Legacy Foundation, check out the links below,
Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-downing493/
Concussion Legacy Foundation Website: https://concussionfoundation.org/
Keywords: inclusion, accessibility, sports, cerebral palsy, Olympic, Paralympic, event planning, fitness, Concussion Legacy Foundation
Takeaways
- Sports can be a catalyst for personal growth and overcoming challenges, even for individuals with disabilities.
- The Olympic and Paralympic movements share similarities in terms of camaraderie and teamwork among athletes.
- Event organizers should prioritize accessibility and inclusion by involving people with disabilities in the planning process.
- The fitness industry should focus on creating inclusive and accessible spaces for individuals of all abilities.
- The Concussion Legacy Foundation is working on raising awareness about concussions and traumatic brain injuries, as well as promoting safer sports practices.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:20 Sports as a Catalyst for Personal Growth
05:25 Differences and Similarities Between the Olympic and Paralympic Movements
11:01 Prioritizing Accessibility in Event Planning
18:47 Creating Inclusive and Accessible Fitness Spaces
26:29 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Resilience
33:16 Connecting with the Concussion Legacy Foundation