amputee podcast – Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior

The Thousand Step Challenge

By bawarrior | July 15, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:39 — 16.5MB)

One Step at a Time: The Power of Small Steps Toward Big Goals

Have you ever looked at a goal and felt overwhelmed before you even started? Whether you’re learning to walk with a prosthetic, chasing a lifelong dream, beginning a new career, or simply trying to make it through a difficult season, sometimes the destination feels impossible. In this episode, I share a personal story that reminded me why the biggest accomplishments in life are built one step at a time.

1000 Step Challenge

While attending a family wedding in Washington, I decided to tackle Suncadia’s famous 1,000 Step Challenge-500 steps down to a breathtaking river and 500 steps back up. As an above-knee amputee, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. Every step required focus, balance, patience, and determination. Going down meant carefully riding each step on my prosthetic. Coming back up demanded grit, controlled breathing, and the willingness to stop when I needed to, not because I was failing, but because I was resetting for the next stretch.

That challenge became a powerful reminder that life works the same way. We often become so focused on the size of our goals that we forget success is built in the small, consistent decisions we make every single day. Instead of becoming intimidated by the entire staircase, I focused on the next step in front of me. Sometimes I paused to catch my breath, look around, and appreciate how far I’d already come. Those pauses weren’t setbacks, they were opportunities to realign, refocus, and keep moving forward.

In this episode, I encourage you to stop comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel. Every accomplishment you admire was earned through countless unseen moments of perseverance, setbacks, adjustments, and resilience. The people accomplishing incredible things didn’t avoid obstacles, they simply chose to keep taking the next step.

The view is always better on the other side of a challenge

I also share how returning to complete the challenge a second time pushed me even further. Instead of simply finishing, I challenged myself to climb all 500 steps without stopping. Competing only against the person I was yesterday reminded me that growth isn’t about being better than someone else-it’s about becoming stronger than you were before.

No matter what mountain you’re facing today, remember this: break the goal into smaller pieces, keep your eyes on the next step, and trust the process. Progress isn’t measured by perfection; it’s measured by persistence. One step becomes another, and before you know it, you’ll look back from the top and realize you’ve accomplished something you once believed was impossible.

If you’re ready to stop standing at the bottom of your own mountain and start moving forward, I’d love for you to join me. Together, we’ll keep taking the next step—one step at a time.

Figure out what your goals are, and begin b simply breaking them down into smaller chunks.

Remember greatness isn’t accomplished overnight, and it isn’t accomplished without setbacks. Keep the big picture in mind, but remember to break it down into smaller steps/goals that are doable each day.

Also, If you are a female amputee and would like to join myself and other likeminded women on achieving your goals, come join my first ever Momentum group. Space is limited so jump on today and sign up for Momentum

Don’t forget how amazing you are!

Have a blessed week and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

The Warrior Movement Begins Here

By bawarrior | May 20, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:54 — 17.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Join the Warrior Effect-Get Involved Today

What if one story had the power to help someone walk again?

After seven powerful weeks of interviews during Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, this episode of BAWarrior podcast becomes more than a reflection-it becomes a movement.

In this heartfelt finale to the “Survivors to Warriors” series, I take listeners back through the incredible stories shared throughout the past seven weeks. These were not just interviews about limb loss. They were deeply personal conversations about fear, trauma, cancer, grief, PTSD, faith, family, resilience, and the decision to keep moving forward when life changes forever.

From children facing amputation at a young age to young adults rebuilding their confidence and independence, every guest brought honesty and courage to the table. While each story was unique, one thing tied them all together: resilience. Warriors are not born-they are built through impossible moments, painful setbacks, and the daily choice to rise again.

As an above-knee amputee myself, I share openly about how some days I feel strong and empowered, while other days limb loss completely knocks me down. That reality is something many amputees understand deeply. But what inspired me most about these guests was watching people so young choose courage, faith, and perseverance despite everything they had faced.

This episode introduces what I call The Warrior Effect-the ripple effect created when one person’s story, kindness, or support helps change someone else’s life. When someone shares their story, another person feels less alone. When someone donates to organizations like Limbs For Humanity, another person gains the opportunity to walk again. When companies like Stride Robotics innovate and create more affordable, lightweight prosthetic technology, they help restore independence, dignity, and hope to amputees around the world.

Co-Founder, Randy West, of Limbs For Humanity with one of their youngest patients

Co-Founder and CEO, Revanth Damerla, Stride Robotics

Throughout this episode, I discuss why mobility is about far more than simply walking. Mobility impacts emotional health, confidence, mental well-being, freedom, and quality of life. I share the mission behind Limbs For Humanity and their efforts to provide prosthetic care and mobility to underserved communities globally. I also highlight the groundbreaking work Stride Robotics is doing to create lightweight, waterproof powered prosthetics designed with real amputees and real-world accessibility in mind.

But this episode is not meant to simply inspire listeners for a moment before moving on. It is a call to action.

The time to act is now!

I challenge listeners to become part of the movement by supporting the limb loss community in whatever way they can. Whether that means volunteering, fundraising, donating, becoming an ambassador, spreading awareness, investing in adaptive innovation, or simply listening and learning-everyone has a role to play.

I also introduce the new ambassador program for Limbs For Humanity, encouraging listeners across all fifty states to help spread awareness and become part of something bigger than themselves. This movement is not about competition between nonprofits or organizations. It is about collaboration, compassion, and filling the gaps for communities that are underserved and often forgotten.

*Become an Ambassador for Limbs For Humanity here

*Find ways to help bring nobility to those without access here

*Or check out how to become a part of the innovative side with Stride Robotics here

This powerful finale reminds listeners that healing and resilience grow stronger when people come together. The “Survivors to Warriors” series may be ending, but the mission is only beginning.

The Warrior Effect is real-and now it’s your turn to become part of it.

Have a beautifully, blessed week and as always,