Links:

1. Email Me: daryl@yourlevelfitness.com
2. Check Out My Work Within The Fitness Space: https://yourlevelfitness.com
3. Check Out Everything Else: https://www.darylperry.com

In this episode of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective, I share my personal story growing up with cerebral palsy and how it has shaped the person I am today. From being born three months premature and diagnosed at a young age, to navigating physical therapy, surgeries, chronic pain, and the emotional reality of growing up feeling different, this episode is about perspective, resilience, and identity beyond a diagnosis.

I talk about the role my parents played in supporting me, the medical professionals who helped guide my path, and the early experiences that taught me to see my life as something meaningful and worth building. I reflect on the challenges of wanting to fit in, the impact of how others perceive you, and the importance of learning to connect with yourself regardless of outside opinions.

This episode also explores how fitness became a turning point in my life. What started as a supplement to physical therapy became a foundation for confidence, independence, and purpose. I share how exercise helped me develop consistency, self trust, and appreciation for my body, and how those lessons carried over into becoming a trainer, coach, and eventually building Your Level Fitness.

I talk about failure, rejection, and taking chances even when you are unsure of how things will work out. From coaching running groups to teaching adaptive fitness classes, to building a career in marketing and entrepreneurship, this story is about continuing to lean into curiosity and possibility.

Most importantly, this episode is about understanding that cerebral palsy is part of my story, but it is not the entirety of who I am. You are more than your diagnosis. You are more than your limitations. When you learn to appreciate yourself first and move forward from that place, you create the foundation for a meaningful and fulfilling life.

This is my cerebral palsy story, and I hope it helps you reflect on your own journey and see new possibilities for yourself.

Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it.

Chad’s Links

• Connect with Chad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1
• Get Your Doing Hard Things My Way Gear: https://doinghardthingsmyway.com/
• Contribute to the Doing Hard Things My Way - Adaptive Athlete Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/doing-hard-things-my-way-adaptive-athlete-scholarship-fund

Chad Williams, host of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective, takes a moment to share his personal journey with Cerebral Palsy. Chad was diagnosed at the age of two with hemiplegia, which was caused by a stroke either just before or just after birth. He discusses the challenges of his early life, including missing developmental milestones, having a limp, a difference in leg length, and wearing special shoes. His mother was his biggest advocate, working with him and doctors to understand his differences. Chad recalls having surgery just before fifth grade to break and realign his left foot with pins, as well as a tendon lengthening procedure. He reflects on the isolation and bullying he experienced in school, such as having to take the bus even though he lived close, and teachers setting up a special process for him during fire drills. Chad also shares positive memories, including classmates asking him to play football, and the amazing support he received when he ran modified cross country and played modified basketball, even scoring his two points for the season to a standing ovation.

Later in life, a desk job caused him to be less active, leading to severe tightness and spasticity in his muscles. A specialist advised him to find a gym or return to physical therapy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this lack of activity caused a downward spiral, with extreme pain, stiffness in his hips and hamstrings, and a mental struggle that led to depression. Chad felt his Cerebral Palsy was "winning" for the first time. Inspired by his very active brother, Chad sought a challenge and decided to train for a Spartan Sprint, a three-mile run with 20 obstacles. He worked with a trainer and faced intense self-doubt, but was lifted up by the belief of his support system. A major hurdle was the rope climb, which brought back frustrating memories of not being able to climb the rope in fifth grade. Through persistent training, he was able to successfully climb the rope using only his hands and arms, as his condition prevents the use of traditional foot-hooking techniques.

Chad went on to finish the Spartan, found a new love for running, and has since logged over 900 miles. He discusses the adaptations he uses to run, including custom orthotics, compression, and a hip brace. His experiences led him to connect with the Cerebral Palsy community and launch his brand, "Doing Hard Things My Way". He gives back through organizing a 5K fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy Strong and launching a $500 scholarship for an adaptive athlete. He and Daryl started this podcast to be a resource for others in the Cerebral Palsy community.

Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it. Visit yourlevelfitness.com/cerebral-palsy-perspective for links to the show page on each of the major podcast directories. From there, you can subscribe and share this pod.

SHOW LINKS

Zach’s Links
Purchase Zach’s Books: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/my-books/
Check Out Zach’s Blog: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/blog/
Subscribe to Zach’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/zacharyfenell
Connect with Zach on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfenell/
Purchase “Someone Like Me” by John W. Quinn: https://johnwquinn.com/book/

Chad’s Links
Connect with Chad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1
Get Your Doing Hard Things My Way Gear: https://doinghardthingsmyway.com/
Contribute to the Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/doing-hard-things-my-way-adaptive-athlete-scholarship-fund

Daryl’s Links
Connect with Daryl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry/
For ALL things Your Level Fitness: https://yourlevelfitness.com/

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Welcome to The Cerebral Palsy Perspective, an optimistic look at life, movement, and doing hard things our way. Chad Williams is the host, I am Daryl Perry as the cohost, and today we are joined by our very first guest, Zachary Fenell.

Zach is an author, speaker, blogger, and athlete who lives with cerebral palsy, and he brings a powerful perspective on what it means to keep moving forward with purpose.

This episode is packed with real talk about advocacy, resilience, and the mindset shift that changes everything. Stop asking what, start asking how.

Zach shares how CP Awareness Month in March is a major focus for his work, but also why he believes disability awareness and storytelling should be year round. We talk about his memoirs, his YouTube channel, his blog, and how he uses humor, honesty, and optimism to help people see what is possible.

We also go deep into his running journey, including the early doubts, the frustrations of finishing last in a first 5K, and the support that helped shift his perspective. Zach breaks down why it does not matter if you run, walk, limp, or roll in a wheelchair. Movement is movement, and the real competition is you versus yesterday.

One of the most impactful parts of this conversation is the way Zach talks about self advocacy. He shares what it looked like to ask for accommodations, to get told yes sometimes, to get told no other times, and to keep moving forward either way. We also talk about the difference between someone refusing to help versus an organization genuinely not being able to make an accommodation, and how to handle disappointment without letting it stop you.

Zach tells the story of his first marathon, the obstacles along the course, the unexpected delays, the mental grind, and the support from the community that helped him finish. He also shares what he is working toward next, including upcoming races, another half marathon goal, and the idea of doing another full marathon in the future, especially as part of the bigger conversation around cerebral palsy and aging.

This episode is about optimism without denial, confidence without comparison, and choosing to keep showing up even when things are hard.

Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it.

Visit yourlevelfitness.com/cerebral-palsy-perspective for links to the show page on each of the major podcast directories. From there, you can subscribe and share this pod.