Accessibility, MS advocacy, mobility rights, and systemic inequality are at the center of this powerful conversation as Brian sits down with Carmen Lucia Gonzalez to discuss what everyday life looks like for people living with disabilities — and why real change starts with visibility, data, and action.
Please stay for the interview with David Lyons as well from Optimal Body / Optimal Mind who discusses commitment to getting started and continuing in the gym after you've been diagnosed with a chronic disease! https://optimalbody-optimalmind.com/
From navigating inaccessible spaces to pushing for policy reform, Carmen shares how disability advocacy is about more than awareness — it’s about dignity, independence, and equal access. This episode dives into the hidden barriers faced by people with MS and disabilities, the importance of collecting real-world accessibility data, and how community activism can drive meaningful infrastructure and policy change.
“Treat me the same as I was treated in football.”
“Mobility is a right, not a privilege.”
Those words frame a deeper conversation about inclusion, respect, and why accessibility impacts everyone — not just those living with disabilities today.
Brian and Carmen also explore:
• Accessibility challenges for people with MS
• Why data collection matters in disability advocacy
• How policy change happens through community pressure
• Mobility rights and systemic inequality
• Nonprofit initiatives creating real impact
• Building a more inclusive society through awareness and action
Here are your chapter time stamps and titles:
[00:00] – Opening & Introduction
The episode begins with the show's theme and Brian's personal story of being diagnosed with MS in 1997, just five years after playing for Michigan in the 1992 Rose Bowl.
[01:45] – Welcoming Back Carmen Lucia Gonzalez
Brian introduces Carmen, a fellow "MS Warrior" from Arizona, to discuss the major accessibility and mobility barriers they both face.
[03:11] – Accessibility Realities: NY vs. Arizona
Carmen describes the "culture shock" of moving from New York City to Tucson and the lack of respect and infrastructure for disabled individuals in her new home.
[04:52] – Introducing Project S.A.I.D.
Carmen details her new nonprofit, Systemic Accessibility Inequality Documentation (Project S.A.I.D.), which is collecting a year’s worth of data to present in Washington D.C. on July 26, 2030.
[07:08] – Real-World Barriers: Snow Mounds & Grocery Carts
Brian and Carmen discuss everyday frustrations, such as handicap spots being blocked by 12-foot snow mounds and the lack of motorized carts in stores.
[10:35] – Infrastructure & Policy Goals
A look at how Project S.A.I.D. aims to influence future architecture and city planning to ensure ADA standards are treated as a right, not a "bare minimum."
[16:25] – Miss Wheelchair USA & Global Advocacy
Carmen explains how she is using the Miss Wheelchair USA platform to expose mobility barriers and her plans to write a book on the least accessible cities in America.
[23:03] – The "Same Person": Identity Beyond Diagnosis
Brian reflects on the difference in how he was treated as a Michigan football player versus how he is treated now with a disability, emphasizing the need for simple human respect.
[26:44] – Special Feature: David Lyons on Fitness Mindset
David Lyons (Optimal Body Optimal Mind) joins the show to discuss the difference between "fleeting motivation" and "life-saving commitment" when starting a gym routine with a chronic disease.
[31:35] – Making Fitness a Necessity
The episode wraps up with a discussion on treating exercise like essential medication and how to build habits that stick for long-term health.
If you care about accessibility, disability rights, MS awareness, advocacy, public policy, inclusivity, or creating a society where everyone can move freely and safely, this conversation is essential viewing.
What changes do YOU believe would make society more accessible for everyone?
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