Great coaching has the power to change lives, and for adaptive athletes, the right coach can unlock strength, confidence, and purpose that extend far beyond sport. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, Soldiers To Sidelines hosted an in-person Adaptive Athlete Workshop at the Adaptive Training Foundation in Carrollton, Texas. Powered by the Wounded Warrior Project, this impactful experience brought together coaches and leaders committed to better serving adaptive athletes and the military community. Millions of veterans live with service-connected disabilities, many of which can present challenges to maintaining physical and mental wellness. Access to knowledgeable, empathetic coaching plays a critical role in helping individuals with both visible and invisible impairments thrive. This workshop was designed to equip leaders with the tools, perspective, and confidence to meet that need.
Led by Soldiers To Sidelines Founder Harrison Bernstein and Adaptive Athlete Director Emily Kramer Throckmorton, the day centered around meaningful conversations on motivation, leadership, and the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Through the lens of adaptive sport and service, participants explored how resilience and purpose can shape not only athletic performance but leadership in all areas of life.
Throughout the workshop, attendees gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be an adaptive athlete and how to create inclusive, empowering environments. The experience emphasized practical coaching strategies alongside personal reflection, allowing participants to connect theory with real-world application.
Participants didn’t just learn, they put their knowledge into action. Everyone had the opportunity to practice coaching an adaptive exercise with their classmates, gaining hands-on experience in delivering clear, effective instruction. This component was critical in helping coaches understand how to communicate with intention and ensure each exercise creates a meaningful impact for the athlete.
More than just a learning opportunity, the workshop served as a reminder that coaching is a powerful vehicle for transformation. Coaches from a variety of backgrounds left inspired to continue their journey in coaching mastery and better support athletes with disabilities in reaching their full potential.
This in-person workshop was possible because of the generosity of our sponsors and donors. We are proud to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project, whose support continues to make these experiences accessible to the military community.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Adaptive Training Foundation for hosting us and for their continued commitment to empowering adaptive athletes and leaders. We look forward to continuing this important work and welcoming more coaches and leaders to future workshops.
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