In this episode of Off the Beaten Path, Dave sits down with Steve Baskis for a thoughtful conversation about adaptive sports, leadership, and what it takes to keep moving forward when life changes.

The discussion explores how mindset, trust, and well-designed equipment shape the way blind and low-vision individuals navigate both rugged terrain and everyday environments. Dave and Steve talk candidly about problem-solving, mentorship, and the role of movement in building confidence and resilience.

Together, they reflect on how adaptive sports create opportunities not just for physical challenge, but for leadership, teamwork, and personal growth—on the trail and beyond.

About Steve

Steve Baskis is a blind veteran, athlete, author, and founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation. After completing Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2007, Steve deployed with the U.S. Army’s distinguished 4th Infantry Division, a unit with deep historical roots dating back to World War II. In 2008, while serving in Baghdad, Iraq, Steve sustained catastrophic injuries when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. The blast took his eyesight and caused extensive shrapnel injuries, hearing loss, loss of smell, and nerve damage. For his courageous service, Steve was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

In the years following his injury, Steve rebuilt his life through movement, resilience, and purpose. More than fifteen years later, he has become a nationally recognized advocate for the blind and adaptive community. He is an accomplished athlete, having earned medals at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and in 2013 he received the prestigious Louis Braille Award for his contributions to the blind and visually impaired community.

Steve is the founder of Blind Endeavors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people of all abilities to explore life through movement, leadership, and adventure. Through Blind Endeavors, Steve works in schools, military communities, and institutions across the country to promote awareness, adaptive equipment education, and bold, unconventional programs that challenge perceptions of disability.

An experienced public speaker and motivator, Steve has appeared on The Today Show, in documentaries, and at events worldwide. His adventures include hiking Kilimanjaro, cycling across the United States, kayaking the Colorado River, and summiting four of the world’s tallest peaks. Steve often says, “While I may have lost my physical ability to see, I gained a new vision for what’s possible,” a perspective that continues to inspire others to move forward—no matter the terrain.

Connect with Steve

Website: https://stevebaskis.com/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebaskis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevebaskis

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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