Hot Seat With Cognizant Clay

Episode 26 - Katie Hoffman

I had the pleasure of chatting with Katie Hoffman. Katie is diagnosed with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele. She had three college degrees. An Associate's in Assistive Technology, a Bachelor of General Studies with minors in Social Work and Sociology, as well as an Administrative Assistant Diploma. Katie is writing a book about her life story in the hopes of helping people overcome mental health challenges. Shoutout to Dylan Sessler for connecting me with Katie! Katie's Instagram: https://instagram...

Episode 25 - Alexandre Bilodeau

I had the honour of chatting with former Canadian professional skier Alexandre Bilodeau. His discipline was freestyle moguls. in 2010 at the Vancouver Winter Olympics he became the first Canadian to win a gold medal on home soil. He defended his Olympic title in 2014 at the Sochi games. His brother Frederic is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He is Alex's main inspiration and motivator in life. Alexandre holds several charities dear to his heart including The MAB-Mackay Foundation, The Cerebral Pa...

Episode 24 - Perry Esler

I had the privilege of chatting with Perry Esler. Perry is a former news and sports anchor for CTV London. After several years in the broadcast journalism industry, he started working in the non-profit industry. He has worked with various organizations including The Children's Miracle Network and The Children's Health Foundation. He is currently the Executive Director at Jessie's Journey, a charity that raises awareness and funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research.

Episode 23 - David Onley

I had the honour of chatting with David Onley. He was diagnosed with Polio at 3 years old. David is the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. He served from 2007 until 2014. He is the only disabled Lieutenant Governor in Canadian history. He is also a former TV personality who worked for CityTV, recording and producing several programs. He was also on Breakfast Television for a number of years. He is now a lecturer of social sciences at University of Toronto Scarborough.

Episode 22 - Samantha Tokita

I had the pleasure of chatting with Samantha Tokita. Samantha is diagnosed with fibular hemimelia. As a result her right leg was amputated just below the knee. She has worn prosthetics her whole life. Samantha is a Muay Thai practitioner and a photographer. Just to add, the question Sam asked is very important. She asked me how I deal with people staring at me. I usually ignore it and I mentioned that one time when I was 12 a lady was staring at me. My friend looked at her and said "Take a pictu...

Episode 21 - Caroline Casey

I had the honour of interviewing Caroline Casey. She is one of the leading disability advocates in the world. Caroline is diagnosed with Ocular Albinism. She founded the company The Valuable 500. It was founded to revolutionize disability inclusion through business leadership and opportunity. Caroline and her team hope to get 500 signatures from the world's most influential CEO's and their brands to empower the disabled community in the business sector. The Valuable 500: https://www.thevaluable5...

Episode 20 - Cabbie Richards

I had the pleasure of chatting with Cabbie Richards. He is best known for his work at The Score and TSN in Canada. Cabbie conducted his interviews with a unique spin. His entertain first, inform second approach was admired by many Canadians. He is also a former ambassador for Motionball, a charity that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

Episode 19 - Kelsey Hartman

I had the pleasure of chatting with Kelsey Hartman. Kelsey was born with one arm due to limb difference. She is a cheerleader, singer and YouTuber. Kelsey is also a nursing student. She founded the BeYOUtiful Campaign which promotes body positivity.

Episode 18 - Sarah McConnell

I had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah McConnell. Sarah is the mother of a little boy named Dennis who is diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She founded the Instagram blog called Menace to Duchenne, which provides awareness and support for those living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. https://instagram.com/menacetoduchenne?igshid=g1gwrixn1c4y

Episode 17 - Brad Bowden

I had the pleasure of chatting with Brad Bowden. Brad is a Paralympic athlete who has represented Canada in both wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey. He is one of the only athletes to win gold in both Winter and Summer Paralympics.

Episode 16 - Melanie Hawtin

I had the pleasure of chatting with Melanie Hawtin. Melanie is a member of the Canadian National Wheelchair Basketball Team. She has represented Canada at the Paralympics as well as several World Championships. We talked about her career, accomplishments, training regiment and more!

Episode 15 - Craig Cunningham

I had the honour of chatting with former NHLer Craig Cunningham. Due to sudden cardiac arrest while playing for the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, he was forced to retire from the game early. Craig shares his incredible story of how he overcame this tragic event. We talked about his career, idols, overcoming challenges and more!

Episode 14 - Alex Walls

I had the pleasure of chatting with Alex Walls. He is paralyzed due to Transverse Myelitis, a virus he contracted as a baby. Alex is a gamer who plays under the name DisabledGuyPlays. He is a data analyst and also plays wheelchair rugby.

Episode 13 - Ben Fanelli

I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Fanelli of Heroic Minds. He shared the story of his traumatic brain injury he sustained while while he was playing for the Kitchener Rangers. After 2 years of extensive rehab and testing he was cleared to play again. When he returned, he was named captain in Kitchener. Following his recovery he founded Headstrong, Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness. Later on he founded Heroic Minds, an organization that takes science, philosophy and ancient wisdom and applie...

Episode 12 - Jack McCormick

I had the pleasure of chatting with Jack McCormick. He works in the Human Resources Department at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Jack is diagnosed with Leber Congenital Amaurosis. He is the co-founder of Eye to Eye, a student organization foundes at Laurier to promote inclusion and accessibility. Jack is also a Vice Chair at the CNIB.

Episode 11 - David Shannon

I had the pleasure of chatting with David Shannon. He is a disability rights activist, lawyer, adventurer and much more! David has received the Order of Ontario as well as the Order of Canada for his dedication to the disabled community across the country. He is the first quadriplegic to go across Canada in a powered wheelchair. He also planted a handicap parking sign on the North Pole to promote inclusion.

Episode 10 - Patrick DeCrescenzo

I had the pleasure of chatting with Patrick DeCrescenzo. Patrick is an adaptive snowboarder who is currently in training to try out for the 2022 Paralympics. He is diagnosed with left Hemiplegia.

Episode 9 - Mark Tarnopolsky

I had the pleasure of chatting with my Neuromuscular specialist Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky. He has an MD and PhD in cell biology and metabolism. Mark is an endowed chair at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation in Neuromuscular Diseases and is a Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine.

Episode 8 - Rory Cooper

I sat down with Dr. Rory A Cooper. He is FISA & Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Professor and Distinguished Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, and professor of Bioengineering, Physical Med & Rehab, and Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Rory has invented several assistive devices and has over 20 approved or pending patents. Special thanks to his assistant Heather for assisting and supervising us during the call!

Episode 7 - Rick Mercer

I had the honour and privilege of chatting with the one and only Rick Mercer. Rick has been a prominent figure in Canadian pop culture for several years. We talked about his career, disability awareness and more!

Episode 6 - Joe Logue AKA DystrophyDad

I sat down with Joe Logue. He is from Johnstone, Scotland. Joe is diagnosed with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. He is a writer, father of one and a disability awareness advocate. You can find him on Instagram under @dystrophydad

Episode 5 - Steve Dangle

I sat down with Steve Dangle. Steve is a YouTuber and Sportsnet employee. He is best known for his LFR (Leaf Fan Reaction) videos on YouTube. He has been making the videos since 2007. Since then, Steve has written a book called "This Team is Ruining My Life". His Sister, Rachel, is diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy and developmental disorders.

Episode 4 - Brandon Winfield

I sat down with Brandon Winfield. He is from Atlanta, Georgia. Brandon is the founder and CEO of the iAccess Life App. It is an app designated to review tourist attractions based on accessibility. Shoutout to Woody Belfort for recommending him as a guest!

Episode 3 - Garrison Redd

I sat down with Garrison Redd. He is from Brooklyn, New York. Garrison is a Paralympic powerlifter and is the founder of The Garrison Redd Project which promotes inclusivity in the disabled community and workplace. Shoutout to Woody Belfort for recommending him as a guest! The Garrison Redd Project: https://www.thegarrisonreddproject.org/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/garrisonredd?igshid=1h7yykn2fjjxi

Episode 2 - Brent Key

I sat down with Brent Key. He is from Houston, Texas. Brent sells modified wheelchair vans and driving aids. Shoutout to Woody Belfort for recommending him as a guest!

Hot Seat With Cognizant Clay (Trailer)

Episode 1 - Chris Kyle of Cautious Clay and Lip Talk

I sat down with Chris Kyle. He is the guitarist for Cautious Clay and Lip Talk. Chris's nephew Conner is diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We touched on disability awareness, charity work and his music career!