In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Lyubim Kogan, former Olympic ski jumper, 9/11 survivor, and founder of Wings for Heroes. Lyubim shares his powerful journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to building a life in the United States, where inclusion became a defining theme. He reflects on resilience, the importance of community, and how adventure sports like paragliding can transform the lives of veterans and people with disabilities. This conversation dives deep into what it means to keep promises, push past fear, and create true belonging for those often left out.
Key Takeaways:
Early Inclusion – Lyubim felt welcomed in the U.S. through skiing, shaping his lifelong view of belonging.
Resilience in Adversity – From surviving 9/11 to Olympic training, perseverance defined his journey.
Redefining Strength – Adaptive sports like paragliding level the playing field for people with disabilities.
Honoring Veterans – Wings for Heroes fills the gap for amputees and veterans excluded from systems.
Practical Inclusion – True inclusion starts with empathy and simple daily acts of support.
Lyubim Kogan’s definition of inclusion:
Inclusion is the opposite of exclusion. It's about not buying into the ideas and structures that exclude people.
Lyubim Kogan’s Bio:
Our guest today is Lyubim (pronounced Loo-beem) Kogan — a five-time first-generation immigrant, Winter Olympian, NYU Stern graduate, 9/11 survivor, and founder of Wings4Heroes.org, a mission helping amputee veterans reclaim dignity, purpose, and joy through paragliding and adventure.
His journey spans Wall Street trading desks, kitchen tables across Main Street America, crisis leadership in war zones, and humanitarian missions across continents. He’s a national bestselling co-author with Steve Forbes and has shared the stage at the United Nations with Brian Tracy.
Connect with Lyubim Kogan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wings4heroes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wings4heroes
Website: https://wings4heroes.org/
SPAM© Count:
Host:
Yes
Current Guest:
No
Cumulative Guest Stats:
Yes - 52
No - 77
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