Disabled Voices Matter! As an award-winning intellectual disability advocate and host of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Daniel Smrokowski tells special needs stories from an insider’s perspective. “PodmanDan” is himself a person with special needs. As your weekly guide to finding joy and acceptance, Special Chronicles offers entertaining and informational disability conversations.
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Disabled Voices Matter! As an award-winning intellectual disability advocate and host of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Daniel Smrokowski tells special needs stories from an insider’s perspective. “PodmanDan” is himself a person with special needs. As your weekly guide to finding joy and acceptance, Special Chronicles offers entertaining and informational disability conversations.
Running for Inclusion: Matthew Gorski’s Chicago Marathon Journey
Special Chronicles Podcast
1 hour 21 minutes
1 week ago
Running for Inclusion: Matthew Gorski’s Chicago Marathon Journey
In this powerful episode of The Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Matthew F. Gorski, Athlete Leader with Special Olympics Illinois, to talk about his incredible journey running the 2025 Chicago Marathon.
Matthew takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to train for 26.2 miles — from early training runs and mental preparation to race day excitement and the unforgettable moment he crossed the finish line. He also shares how representing Special Olympics at the marathon embodies leadership, inclusion, and perseverance.
🔸 In This Episode:
Matthew’s Special Olympics journey and love for running
How he trained for the marathon
Race day highlights and favorite moments
Overcoming challenges and staying motivated
What inclusion means to him as an Athlete Leader
Future goals and advice for first-time marathoners
🕒 Timestamps for Podcast
00:00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:20:30 – Matthew’s Special Olympics Journey: “Inclusion Has No Limits”
00:41:30 – Training for the Marathon
00:57:00 – Motivation
01:05:45 – Future Goals & Advice
01:12:45 – Closing & Call To Action
Episode ShowNotes & Links
📲Find Special Olympics Near You: specialolympics.org🎧 Listen and follow this podcast at: SpecialChronicles.com/Pod📺 Watch the full episode (video) on YouTube HERE❤️ Support the mission of Special Chronicles by donating at SpecialChronicles.com/Give or joining the PLUS membership at SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS👕 Shop our ‘Disabled Voices Matter’ merch: SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP📱 Follow us on socials: @SpecialChronicles (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)📰 Subscribe to the newsletter for early access, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes: SpecialChronicles.com/NEWSLETTER
Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.
About the Podcast Host:
Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning podcaster, columnist, and disability advocate who is best known as the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a groundbreaking podcast platform with over 800 episodes across 17 years. Through storytelling and journalism, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read MORE about Daniel here.
Special Chronicles Podcast
Disabled Voices Matter! As an award-winning intellectual disability advocate and host of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Daniel Smrokowski tells special needs stories from an insider’s perspective. “PodmanDan” is himself a person with special needs. As your weekly guide to finding joy and acceptance, Special Chronicles offers entertaining and informational disability conversations.
