Heidi Peters, captain of Team Canada’s sitting volleyball squad, reflects on the 2025 World Cup, sharing insights on team growth, leadership, and high-performance para sport. She discusses integrating new athletes, building team culture, and advocating for better media coverage and professionalization of para sport in Canada and internationally. Learn how athletes balance competition, mentorship, and governance while shaping the future of sitting volleyball.

After nearly a decade representing Team Canada in para cycling, Keely Shaw is officially retiring from competition — and she’s doing it entirely on her own terms. In this honest and emotional conversation with Nathan Clement and Alex Smyth, Keely opens up about why now was the right time to step away, how she rediscovered her love for movement, and what’s next as she transitions from athlete to academic and sport researcher.

This episode of Para Sport Nation dives into the preparation and mindset of Canadian para climber Jeremy Ritchie ahead of the 2025 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup. Jeremy shares insights on his training routine, overcoming injuries, and using adaptive equipment to push his limits. He discusses the mental focus required for elite climbing, the camaraderie within the Canadian para climbing team, and the excitement of competing internationally. Nathan and producer Jeff also reflect on the idea of a “Canadian sports team” in major professional leagues and update listeners on Canada’s para ice hockey team’s preparation for upcoming international tournaments. The episode wraps up with a fun segment on guessing lesser-known Paris 2025 Paralympic sports.

In this episode, Nate Tucker, world champion para-athlete, takes us behind the scenes of elite para-athletics. From his early experiences growing up with a coordination impairment to winning the T-38 1500m World Championship, Nate reveals the mental strategies, creative training techniques, and lifestyle habits that help him stay at the top of his sport. Listeners and viewers will hear about the challenges of balancing life, family, and professional sport, including how he prepares for races, adapts to tough conditions, and leverages support from coaches, sponsors, and his community. Nate also shares his thoughts on the evolution of para-athletics, including record-breaking performances, the rising competitiveness of his class, and the future of the sport leading into the 2028 Paralympics. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a champion: the dedication, resilience, and creativity required to succeed in high-performance adaptive sports—and inspiration for anyone striving to overcome challenges in their own life.

In this episode para rower Stuart Chase opens up about the highs and lows of Canada’s 2025 World Rowing Championship campaign in Shanghai. The team—made entirely of first-time world championship athletes—faced unexpected challenges, including a prosthetic malfunction mid-race. Despite setbacks, the crew showed grit and pride in their final push against Spain. Stu discusses lessons from the season, training on Vancouver’s west coast through the winter, and the importance of finding rhythm both on and off the water. He shares his introduction to rowing after transitioning from para canoe kayak, his first international medal at the Henley Regatta, and his passion for showing the human side of para sport through social media. Listeners also get a glimpse into the unique nature of para rowing—where athletes with different disabilities synchronize perfectly in pursuit of shared motion—and hear about Stu’s favorite training spots across Vancouver, Burnaby Lake, and Whistler’s Green Lake!

After more than two decades in wheelchair curling, Dennis Thiessen opens up about what it feels like to step away from competition. Speaking with Nathan, Thiessen shares powerful memories from the Paralympic Games in Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing, his emotional final tournament, and the teammates and rivals who shaped his journey. He also reflects on how wheelchair curling has evolved — from homemade delivery sticks to world-class adaptive equipment — and what it means to represent Team Canada at the highest level. With honesty and warmth, Thiessen talks about family, mentorship, pride, and the legacy he hopes to leave for future generations of curlers. Plus, Nathan and Producer Jeff draft their ultimate Thanksgiving feast!

Michael Sametz shares his journey from a horrible leg injury just before the Paris Paralympics to a triumphant return on the international cycling stage. He details the emergency surgery, rigorous rehabilitation, and disciplined training that allowed him to return stronger than ever. Michael also reflects on the challenges and excitement of the Belgium World Championships, highlighting the course, competitive dynamics in C3 para-cycling, and the growth of the sport toward higher professionalism and aerodynamics-focused strategies. Beyond racing, Michael discusses his role on the board of Athletes Can, the Canadian organization representing national team athletes, including the upcoming 2025 Athletes Forum in Calgary. He also shares personal insights into training, nutrition, and his favorite coffee routines, illustrating both the dedication and lifestyle behind elite para cycling performance.

Fresh off the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, Danielle Dorris chats with Nathan to break down her latest achievements in Singapore. She opens up about setting a new championship record in the 50m butterfly, her silver medal in the 100m backstroke, and how she balances personal expectations with the pressure of international competition. The conversation highlights Danielle’s long-standing partnership with coach Ryan Allen, offering a rare look at the trust and bond that has carried her career from age 12 to becoming a world champion. Danielle also reflects on the team’s successful training camp in Phuket, the strength of the Canadian para swimming squad, and how these results fuel momentum heading into LA 2028. Plus, Producer Jeff quizzes Nathan on a mini edition of “Guess That Para Sport”!

This conversation dives into the world of Showdown—a tactile, sound-based sport where athletes compete on a table using wooden paddles, a ball filled with bearings, and blackout eye shades for an even playing field. Jerri Mather and Millie Britton from the Sheffield Strikers share how they discovered the game through their local blind centre and how it helped them navigate vision loss, build confidence, and connect with others. They explain equipment essentials like gloves, bats, and eye shields, describe the UK’s emerging Showdown scene, and talk about training sessions that balance fun and high-level skill development. The athletes also discuss international tournaments, the sport’s growth across Europe, and the possibility of Showdown becoming a future Paralympic event. Their stories highlight the camaraderie, empowerment, and joy that adaptive sports bring to their community. Plus, the guys have a little fun as they go back and forth debating which are the best sport cities in the world!

Brianna Hennessy shares the intense highs and lows of elite sport—from the pride of representing Canada to the frustration of a world-title race disrupted by a critical equipment mishap. In this candid conversation with Nathan and Alex, she details how a loose foam block and strong crosswind nearly disqualified her mid-race, yet she still powered to silver. Brianna opens up about the mental battle of staying focused when her boat threatened to drift, how lessons from her boxing background helped her adapt on the fly, and why this setback fuels her determination to win gold in Los Angeles. She also talks about her multi-sport life in wheelchair rugby, upcoming training camps in Florida and California, and her passion for advocating accessibility and athlete support. The episode wraps with a spirited “Would You Rather” segment, revealing Brianna’s competitive mindset, love of team culture, and the legacy she hopes to leave for Canadian sport.

Canada’s para ice hockey program is zeroed in on the 2026 Winter Paralympics, and this episode gives an inside look at the drive, talent, and personalities fueling that pursuit. Alex sits down with stars Liam Hickey and Dominic Cozzolino during the CPC Media Summit to reflect on the lessons from their 2024 World Championship win, the impact of the team’s evolving coaching staff, and the mental and physical preparation needed to chase gold in Milano-Cortina.

On this episode of Para Sport Nation Paralympian Trinity Lowthian recounts how a love of niche sports led her to wheelchair fencing and a record-breaking result for Canada at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She reflects on a quiet but rewarding competitive season, including a bronze medal at the Brazil World Cup and a top 10 finish at the 2025 World Championships in South Korea.

Alex Hayward shares his journey leading up to his first World Championship title. After choosing to train from home in New Brunswick, Alex balanced work, life, and rigorous cycling training—completing every planned workout in the eight months leading up to the competition. Despite a back injury and equipment challenges on race day, his discipline and mental resilience carried him through, culminating in an unforgettable victory.

On this episode, Rob Shaw breaks down his latest US Open experience—from a dramatic three-set first-round win to a tough singles loss and the demands of doubles play with longtime partner Heath Davidson. He discusses the physical toll of a near year-round international schedule, the importance of mental resilience, and how pursuing a PhD helped him stay grounded as a full-time athlete. Rob also offers an inside look at the growing movement to integrate wheelchair tennis with ATP and WTA events, the need for equal access across divisions, and his hopes for the future of the sport. Along the way, he shares lessons in consistency, courage, and finding balance beyond competition. Plus, The NHL Media Tour recently wrapped up in Las Vegas, where Canadian Blind Hockey’s Luca DeMontis promoted the sport and shared its story. He stops by the show to talk about his experience in Vegas and how NHL players and media responded to blind hockey.

Para archery is a sport of precision, strategy, and resilience. In this in-depth conversation, Team Canada’s Kyle Tremblay explains the structure of para archery competitions, from qualification rounds and elimination matches to the intense pressure of single-arrow shoot-offs. Kyle opens up about his journey into para archery after an accident, the challenges of competing in a sport where focus and consistency are everything, and how he rebuilt his confidence after returning from injury. He reflects on highlights like winning a Parapan Am bronze in a dramatic shoot-off and setting a personal best at the Paris Paralympics. The discussion also dives into the mental game, training under pressure, and the technical side of archery—from equipment tuning to handling environmental factors like wind and heat. Kyle shares his sights on future competitions, including the 2026 Pan American Championships, the World Championships in Australia, and the road toward LA 2028. Plus, with the NFL season officially underway Alex and Dave have a para sport fantasy draft to create the best Paralympic Games!

The Mobility Cup is Canada’s premier adaptive sailing competition, bringing together athletes of all abilities to compete on equal terms. In this conversation, René Dallaire shares the history of the event, its roots in Vancouver in 1991, and its tradition of moving from city to city each year. From the unique challenges and opportunities of hosting in Montreal, to the technology that makes sailing possible for athletes with varying disabilities, the episode highlights the power of sport, inclusion, and innovation. Dallaire also discusses standout performances, including winners Brian Pickover, Tracy “Unstoppable” Schmidt, and Andrew Davis, while reflecting on the lasting legacy of the Mobility Cup across Canada. The discussion closes with a look ahead to Vancouver’s 2026 hosting and Dallaire’s personal dream destinations for future sailing adventures. Also, Alex and Dave discuss the recently concluded inaugural Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships!

In this episode of ParaSport Nation, Alex Smyth and guest co-host Kelly MacDonald dive into the latest in Canadian para sport. The show begins with big news from Canadian Blind Hockey, announcing three new programs across Victoria and Edmonton — a clear sign of the sport’s national growth. Next, Paralympic sit skier Kurt Oatway joins the conversation to discuss his breakout 2024–25 season, the technical details behind his customized sit ski, and why he thrives in speed events like downhill and Super-G. Kurt opens up about the financial and logistical hurdles of off-season training, his love for hard, compact snow, and why he competes without music — a rarity in elite sport. Then, Paralympic snowboarder Tyler Turner reflects on a season of hard lessons and renewed motivation. Despite setbacks, he captured both the Crystal Globe and World Championship titles. Turner explains how fierce competition from U.S. and Japanese riders is raising the bar, why snowboard cross is his true passion, and how skydiving, base jumping, and mountain biking keep him in peak form year-round. Finally, Alex and Kelly wrap up with a spirited round of “Blind Power Rankings,” ranking Paralympic winter sports from ice hockey to alpine skiing.

In this episode of Para Sport Nation, host Alex Smyth and guest co-host Kelly MacDonald speak with Cindy Burwell, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. Cindy reveals what it takes to plan an international competition with over 300 athletes, from booking venues and transportation to ensuring every detail meets accessibility standards. The conversation dives into how Ottawa is working with tourism, hospitality, and local businesses to create a welcoming environment for athletes and fans with disabilities. Cindy also highlights the legacy programs already in motion, including introducing wheelchair basketball in schools and creating permanent practice courts to grow adaptive sports in Ottawa.

On this episode of Para Sport Nation, Alex shares interviews with Four para-athletes competing at the 2025 Summer Games. Christel Robichaud, team captain and veteran competitor, shares her thoughts on the bittersweet emotions of her final Canada Games. From leading teammates to chasing podium finishes, she reflects on lessons learned and what comes next. A record-setter in discus and shot put, Rémi Ouellette also competes in para ice hockey. He reflects on training, resilience, and what drives him to excel in multiple sports. At just 17, Addisyn Franceschini has already broken the Canadian F64 women’s discus record and is competing in both discus and shot put at the 2025 Canada Games. She opens up about representing Team Ontario, her Paralympic dreams, and her fast-rising journey in para-athletics. Already a medalist at Nationals and the Canada Games, Tai Young shares his journey of growth as a wheelchair racer. From weather challenges to tactical racing, gear setup, and balancing school and media work, Tai opens up about life on and off the track. Hear how they prepare, what motivates them, and their goals for the future — on and off the field!

The 2025 Canada Games are just about wrapped up, and CEO Karen Sherriffs reflects on what it takes to host the country’s biggest multi-sport event. From overcoming unexpected challenges—including nearby wildfires and an airline strike—to ensuring athletes can still compete at the highest level, the Games have been a story of resilience and teamwork.