Wellness, Health & Everything Else: A NCHPAD Podcast

Episode 24: WINNERS and Wellness with Dr. Christen Mendonca

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Christen Mendonca, a postdoctoral researcher with the School of Health Professions Research Collaborative at University of Alabama at Birmingham. His work centers on exercise and wellness for people with disabilities, rehabilitation, and creating more inclusive approaches to health and physical activity. In 2025, he was named the inaugural WINNERS Postdoctoral Fellow, where he leads translational research aimed at improving quality of life for individuals with Rett syndrome and their families. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Christen is also an accomplished adapted athlete whose lived experience informs his research, advocacy, and dedication to advancing inclusive, person-centered care. A full episode transcript is available below or on Buzzsprout. Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nchpad], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nchpad/], X [https://x.com/NCHPAD] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-center-on-health-physical-activity-and-disability] to stay updated with new episode announcements. To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

Episode 23: Every Body Blooms with Daniel Grier

In this episode, we talk with Daniel Grier, Creative Director and Adaptive Stylist for the recent Every Body Blooms fashion event presented by NCHPAD and UAB Arts in Medicine. Held on April 2, 2026, the event highlighted individuals with physical disabilities and mobility limitations as artists, models, and collaborators, celebrating self-expression, individuality, and creativity. Daniel Grier is the Founder and Managing Partner of Magic City Fashion Week, a platform focused on elevating emerging designers and growing Birmingham’s fashion ecosystem. Since its launch in 2017, he has led efforts that blend fashion, education, and economic development, helping position the city as a rising force in the Southern fashion scene. With nearly 13 years as an artist and designer, and as the creative mind behind the label Splashed by DKG, Daniel is known for producing impactful fashion experiences and creating platforms that amplify diverse talent while connecting art, community, and industry. Visit the Every Body Blooms page [https://www.nchpad.org/every-body-blooms/] on NCHPAD's website to visit all the content and information related to the show. A full episode transcript is available below or on Buzzsprout. Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nchpad], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nchpad/], X [https://x.com/NCHPAD] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-center-on-health-physical-activity-and-disability] to stay updated with new episode announcements. To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

Episode 22: Coffee Club Convo with NCHPAD's Stephanie Ward

In this episode we talk with Stephanie Ward, Program Coordinator for the NCHPAD Coffee Club. Stephanie’s role at NCHPAD focuses on community engagement, building meaningful connections, and helping create positive change while empowering people to live healthier lives. Twice each month, she hosts the NCHPAD Coffee Club, an engaging virtual program where people with disabilities connect, build friendships, and learn about health and wellness. We wanted to highlight the impactful work happening through Coffee Club and share more about the program’s history and goals. Visit the NCHPAD Connect [https://www.nchpad.org/nchpad-connect/] and Coffee Club [https://www.nchpad.org/nchpad-connect/coffee-club/] pages to become a participant and join the NCHPAD community of participants. A full episode transcript is available below or on Buzzsprout. Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nchpad], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nchpad/], X [https://x.com/NCHPAD] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-center-on-health-physical-activity-and-disability] to stay updated with new episode announcements. To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

Episode 21: University Accessibility with Allison Solomon

In this episode, we chat with Allison Solomon, Executive Director of Disability Support Services (DSS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She joined UAB in 2002 as a Disability Specialist, later serving as Director of DSS for more than a decade before stepping into her current role in 2022. Since 2015, she has also served as UAB’s ADA Compliance Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education disability services, Allison is actively engaged in initiatives both across campus and beyond. She joins us to share the impactful work happening at UAB and to explore how other universities can strengthen accessibility and better support students with disabilities. A full episode transcript is available below or on Buzzsprout. Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nchpad], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nchpad/], X [https://x.com/NCHPAD] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-center-on-health-physical-activity-and-disability] to stay updated with new episode announcements. To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

Episode 20: Research and Reimagining Youth Cardio Exercise with Dr. Byron Lai

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Byron Lai. Dr. Lai is an Assistant Professor in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Division of Rehabilitation Medicine. He has 10 years of experience in exercise research for people with disabilities. From 2014 to 2021, Byron joined Dr. James Rimmer under the UAB School of Health Professions Research Collaborative, where he completed his PhD and two postdocs. His research interests shifted toward a focus on utilizing telehealth and innovative technology to improve the health and function of a variety of different disability groups. Byron’s research interests focus on incorporating technology to provide enjoyable and accessible, evidence-based exercise programs for people with disabilities. Particular areas of interest include active video gaming, wearable monitoring devices, and therapeutic exercise with music. A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website! Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements.  To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.