When you include us,
you include us all.
Get to know the people behind Born to Adapt.
Meet our Founder, Zachary Friedley.
Zach’s personal experience with having a disability and feeling as though his needs were often overlooked inspired him to create Born to Adapt and provide new opportunities and visibility for disabled people around the world.
“I’ve been disabled for over 38 years and have encountered firsthand the challenges of navigating the world with a different ability. When I moved to Northern California, away from my support network, I was hit with the reality of how hard it can be to access healthcare and get a new prosthetic. Months spent on crutches due to a lack of resources shifted my perspective, highlighting the privilege I once had. These transformative experiences, combined with the start of my professional running career, ignited a deep desire within me to create opportunities and open doors for disabled individuals, regardless of their circumstances or abilities.”
Born to Adapt
Board of Directors
In 2025, Born to Adapt brought on 5 new board of directors. We are excited to build upon the work that our founding Board of Directors began, and we thank them for their service, mentorship, and stewardship.
Past Board of Directors
Paul Katzeff, Founding President, Born to Adapt
Born to Adapt
AMBASSADORS
A shout-out to our early volunteers, who helped us become who we are.
Evan Staley, Videographer
Julie Angel, Good vibe event MC
Katy Pieri, Timer & super supporter
Jiro Tulley, All around helpful
changed lives CHANGE LIVES
We know, first-hand, the difference that one step makes. And we know how hard it can feel when you don’t know where to take that next step, literally or figuratively. But as we have found, time and again, when that next step is in community, there is no wrong direction. And that is what Born to Adapt will always do: foster connection through community. We know that we can change our stories, and we know that our stories can change the world. And so below, get to know three of the early stories that shaped who Born to Adapt would become today.
-
“Born to Adapt has provided our son Shaun with a true sense of community and belonging. Shaun feels supported by his peers and that drives his passion to push beyond his physical limitations. His enthusiasm inspires us and Born to Adapt has allowed him to inspire others and promote inclusion.”
— Frank & Jennifer Wahl (Shaun’s parents)
“He's happy to be a participant and glad that he can use his wheelchair and that no one laughs at him.”
—Words from Shaun
-
“I’m a double above knee amputee and traumatic brain injury survivor since 2018. In 2022, I met Zach at EmpowerFest and he described the Born to Adapt event as a celebration of remarkable resilience and adaptability, bringing people together who embrace an active, fun, and adaptive lifestyle.
Born to Adapt recognizes the importance of inclusivity, and through their generous sponsorship, I was able to experience this event and can now share it with others. Hosted by Luis Escobar at an idyllic ranch just outside Santa Barbara, CA, Born to Adapt shows off incredible achievements by athletes, both adaptive and not. This inspirational event brought people together who embrace adaptive living and helped me become more independent and enjoy life.”
— Roman Leykin
-
“I obtained my brain injury back in 2009. I was riding my bike and I got hit by a car. I was put in a coma for 3 weeks. Born to adapt felt really special because it gave me a chance to be with others with simular life experiences. At born to adapt, I was able to be myself without judgment from others. I appreciated the feeling of "Do what you can", there was no expectation of having to accomplish set standards put up. Like you have to do this or that. I was able to be free. Born to adapt is important because it provides opportunities for disabled individuals to show what they are capable of. So many people look down on disabled people and they count us out. Born to adapt gave me the confidence to be comfortable in my own skin.”
— Victor Hugo Hernandez Jr.
We’re Calling on you,
passionate individuals who believe in creating core memories for the disabled community.
Maybe someone close to you has a disability, or your life has been transformed by trail running or you are simply looking for a way to be part of a community and mission that is much larger than yourself. If this sounds like you, we’d love your help at our events.
Becoming disabled can happen to anyone, which is why