Have you ever started making progress with your fitness, only to be stopped by skin irritation, socket discomfort, phantom pain, fatigue, or an injury? As an above-knee amputee who loves working out, hiking, skiing, and staying active, I understand how frustrating it can feel when your body suddenly forces you to pull back.

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m talking about how we can pursue adaptive fitness without burning ourselves out physically or mentally.

As amputees, our journey is rarely a straight line. It often feels like two steps forward and one step back. We may receive a new prosthesis, begin walking confidently, and think everything is finally falling into place, only to experience discomfort, skin breakdown, pain, swelling, or a change in socket fit. These setbacks do not mean we have failed. They are part of learning how to live, move, and grow in a body that continues to change.

Burnout is not always caused by a lack of motivation. Sometimes it comes from the physical demands of walking with a prosthesis, protecting our sound limb, managing phantom sensations, and constantly thinking through every movement. The mental load of being an amputee is real. Curbs, ramps, stairs, uneven ground, exercise machines, and even getting onto a bicycle can require additional thought and energy.

That is why recovery must be considered part of training.

In this conversation, I share the importance of sleep, hydration, nutrition, stretching, rest days, and regularly checking the skin on our residual limb. I also discuss the danger of comparing ourselves to people on social media. Our progress should not be measured against someone else’s body, abilities, or journey. The better questions are: Am I stronger than I was yesterday? Is my balance improving? Am I walking with more confidence? Is everyday life becoming easier?

Adaptive fitness should support our independence. It can begin with practical movements such as standing longer, carrying groceries, getting up from the floor, playing with children or pets, or walking around the house with greater intention. These small accomplishments build confidence, momentum, and a positive mental attitude.

I also talk honestly about respecting our prosthesis. Some days the fit will feel great, and other days it will not. Heat, sweat, swelling, weight fluctuations, and activity levels can all affect how our socket feels. Listening to those warning signs is not weakness. Pulling back when necessary may prevent an injury or wound that could keep us out of our prosthesis for weeks.

My challenge to you this week is simple: choose one positive, adaptive goal. Take a few more steps, practice your balance, stand a little longer, or give yourself the recovery day your body needs.

The goal is not to prove how hard you can push today. The goal is to build the strength, wisdom, and confidence to keep moving forward for years to come.

Move forward, Warriors, even if that means that today you rest! Tomorrow is a new day, rest and rise up with even more conviction!

Have a beautiful week, and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

Have you ever looked at a goal and felt overwhelmed before you even started? Whether you’re learning to walk with a prosthetic, chasing a lifelong dream, beginning a new career, or simply trying to make it through a difficult season, sometimes the destination feels impossible. In this episode, I share a personal story that reminded me why the biggest accomplishments in life are built one step at a time.

1000 Step Challenge

While attending a family wedding in Washington, I decided to tackle Suncadia’s famous 1,000 Step Challenge-500 steps down to a breathtaking river and 500 steps back up. As an above-knee amputee, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. Every step required focus, balance, patience, and determination. Going down meant carefully riding each step on my prosthetic. Coming back up demanded grit, controlled breathing, and the willingness to stop when I needed to, not because I was failing, but because I was resetting for the next stretch.

That challenge became a powerful reminder that life works the same way. We often become so focused on the size of our goals that we forget success is built in the small, consistent decisions we make every single day. Instead of becoming intimidated by the entire staircase, I focused on the next step in front of me. Sometimes I paused to catch my breath, look around, and appreciate how far I’d already come. Those pauses weren’t setbacks, they were opportunities to realign, refocus, and keep moving forward.

In this episode, I encourage you to stop comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel. Every accomplishment you admire was earned through countless unseen moments of perseverance, setbacks, adjustments, and resilience. The people accomplishing incredible things didn’t avoid obstacles, they simply chose to keep taking the next step.

The view is always better on the other side of a challenge

I also share how returning to complete the challenge a second time pushed me even further. Instead of simply finishing, I challenged myself to climb all 500 steps without stopping. Competing only against the person I was yesterday reminded me that growth isn’t about being better than someone else-it’s about becoming stronger than you were before.

No matter what mountain you’re facing today, remember this: break the goal into smaller pieces, keep your eyes on the next step, and trust the process. Progress isn’t measured by perfection; it’s measured by persistence. One step becomes another, and before you know it, you’ll look back from the top and realize you’ve accomplished something you once believed was impossible.

If you’re ready to stop standing at the bottom of your own mountain and start moving forward, I’d love for you to join me. Together, we’ll keep taking the next step—one step at a time.

Figure out what your goals are, and begin b simply breaking them down into smaller chunks.

Remember greatness isn’t accomplished overnight, and it isn’t accomplished without setbacks. Keep the big picture in mind, but remember to break it down into smaller steps/goals that are doable each day.

Also, If you are a female amputee and would like to join myself and other likeminded women on achieving your goals, come join my first ever Momentum group. Space is limited so jump on today and sign up for Momentum

Don’t forget how amazing you are!

Have a blessed week and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

Have you ever felt completely alone—even while surrounded by people who love you?

For many amputees, loneliness isn’t about the absence of family or friends. It’s about carrying a journey that very few people truly understand. In this heartfelt episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I share an honest conversation about isolation, fear, healing, and the courage it takes to build meaningful community.

Drawing from my own experiences and countless conversations with amputees, I explore why loneliness often becomes one of the greatest hidden challenges after limb loss. The mental load of navigating everyday life, the quiet nights when phantom pain and anxious thoughts seem the loudest, and how fear can slowly convince us that staying home feels safer than stepping back into the world are all a part of our journey.

But healing was never meant to happen in isolation.

Throughout the episode, I talk about how community becomes one of the most powerful tools in recovery. Whether it’s sharing your story, joining an amputee support group, striking up a conversation at the gym, or simply reaching out to one other person who understands your journey, every connection becomes another step toward healing. Remember that telling your story doesn’t make you weak, it helps release the weight you’ve been carrying while encouraging someone else who may feel just as alone.

This episode also explores the importance of boldness. Community doesn’t magically appear; someone has to take the first step. Whether that’s sending a text, attending a virtual support group, introducing yourself to another amputee, or simply saying hello to a neighbor, courage opens the door to belonging.

As I prepare to launch my new Faith Through the Fire series, I have been reflecting on how faith, resilience, and community often come together when we choose to move beyond fear. I want to encourage you to embrace this new chapter after amputation—not as the end of life, but as the beginning of a richer, more connected one.

If you’ve been struggling with loneliness after amputation, phantom pain, fear of falling, or simply wondering if anyone truly understands what you’re going through, this episode serves as a reminder that you are not alone. There is hope, there is healing, and there is a community waiting to welcome you.

This week, take one brave step.

Reach out to one person. Send one text. Join one support group. Attend one Zoom meeting. Introduce yourself to another amputee. Healing begins when isolation ends, and community starts with one courageous decision.

If you’re looking for connection, visit WarriorGround.org to learn more about the BAWarrior Podcast, Amped Women virtual gatherings, Warrior Circle, and other opportunities to connect with people who truly understand the amputee journey.

Connect with another amputee

Get outside, bring a friend

Surround yourself with those who want to see you succeed as much as they want to, and love you for who you are!

Remember: You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

Have a beautifully blessed week,

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,