More Than Medals

Meet Trinity Lowthian, Canadian wheelchair fencer and a rising Paralympic star. Trinity discovered wheelchair after battling an autoimmune autonomic neuropathy through most of her high school years.

Now balancing elite sport, university studies in nutrition and food science, and advocacy, Trinity uses her platform to expand accessibility and representation through initiatives like TRYumph Gymnastics Academy’s wheelchair fencing program.

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Meet Shelby Newkirk—Paralympic swimming medallist, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the disability community. Diagnosed with dystonia in her teens, Shelby lives with a progressive neurological condition that continues to impact her mobility and daily life.

Shelby shares what it’s like to compete at the highest level while living with a progressive disability—and how she’s turned that challenge into fuel for both performance and advocacy. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and using her voice to push for greater inclusion in and out of the pool.

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Meet Hailey Danz—Paralympic champion, cancer survivor, and all-around amazing human being. At just 14 years old, Hailey faced an unthinkable decision: attempt limb salvage surgery or choose amputation. It was time spent at a camp for kids with disabilities that gave her the clarity and confidence to choose her own path.

Leanne and Hailey explore Hailey’s experience of growing up with a disability, her journey to finding paratriathlon and becoming a world-class paratriathlete, and the emotional toll of high performance, identity, and body image.

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Leanne Taylor welcomes Austin Smeenk, a world-class T34 wheelchair racer from Oakville, Ontario and three-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic medalist.

In their conversation, Austin dives into his early start in adaptive sports, the mental and physical grind behind his podium finishes and world records, and the unexpected—and often hilarious—challenges of dating with a disability.

This episode delivers a refreshingly honest and upbeat look from a guy who’s loud, hilarious, and unapologetically himself

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Jessica Tuomela sits down with host Leanne Taylor to share what it was like growing up with a visual impairment after losing her vision to retinoblastoma at age 3.

Jessica reflects on the unique challenges and experiences she faced as a child, how those early years shaped her, and what daily life is like navigating the world as an adult without sight.

Together, Jessica and Leanne have an honest and open conversation about adapting, finding independence, and how their experiences have shaped who they are today both inside and outside of sport.

Leanne is joined by Lauren Parker, fresh off winning three medals at the Paris Paralympics. From the outside, her success looks unstoppable — but Lauren opens up about the mental struggles she’s faced since her life-altering injury in 2017, and the strength it takes to keep pushing forward.

Together, they dive into the emotional toll of sudden trauma and reinvention, what resilience really looks like behind the medals and why sharing the hard moments matters just as much as the victories

This is an honest, raw, and inspiring conversation between two world-class athletes...

Leanne Taylor sits down with Greg Stewart, a remarkable Canadian Paralympian who has won two gold medals in shot put. Standing at an impressive 7 feet 2 inches tall, Greg's story is one of resilience and determination. Born without the lower part of his left arm, he shares his journey from overcoming personal challenges to achieving greatness on the world stage. Greg discusses his transition from a successful career in sitting volleyball to becoming a world-class shot putter, breaking records and winning medals at the Paralympic Games.

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Kendall Gretsch is a Paralympic champion in both summer and winter sport and although that gives us plenty of reason to fan girl over her, at More Than Medals we love Kendall for being a fierce competitor and a loyal friend.

Listen to Kendall shares stories about growing up with spina bifida, including how she adapted to a loss of motor function she experienced in high school. 

Check out the video episode on YouTube, which includes captions, don't forget to subscribe for the latest episodes from More Than Medals.

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More Than Medals by Crossing The Line is a podcast from Canada's Leanne Taylor, the first woman in Canada's history to medal in paratriathlon, at Paris 2024. "More Than Medals was born from a desire to share with the world, the lessons that my friends in the parasport community have taught me"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.