When you include us,
you include us all.
Get to know the people behind Born to Adapt.
Meet B2A NEW ZEALAND DIRECTOR, MATTHEW BRYSON.
Matthew Bryson is the Peer Support and Event Coordinator at Peke Wainga Artificial Limb Service.
Matt is also the Director of Born to Adapt New Zealand, which takes place each year in February. In 2026, Born to Adapt New Zealand will be hosting two events: in Rotorua (Feb 7) and in Christchurch (Feb 21). As the National Peer Support Leader for Peke Waianga, Matthew oversees a team of 120+ volunteers, who help support amputees in New Zealand as they heal, recover, and transition. You can read more about Matthew’s own personal story and accident here, and you can read about the start and launch of Born to Adapt New Zealand in this article.
Matthew lives in Edgecumbe, New Zealand, is fluent in Japanese, and teaches both kagura (the Japanese flute) and taiko drumming to high school students in New Zealand.
-
“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.”
Meet our Founder, Zachary Friedley.
Zachary Friedley is a professional trail runner whose life mission is to make trails more accessible to people with disabilities.
As a sponsored athlete with On, Zachary is one of a handful above-knee “trailbladers” in the world racing on a professional level, a circumstance he aims to change through his advocacy work. In 2025, Zachary is collaborating closely with On, other major brands and race organizers to develop new adaptive athlete divisions and policies to welcome disabled runners to major trail racing events around the world. Ads an athlete, Zachary raced and finished several UTMB World Series races in New Zealand, France, Spain, and Switzerland. In 2024, he raced and completed Sierre Zinal in Switzerland.
In 2020, Zach founded Mendocino Movement Project, which is the parent nonprofit organization to Born to Adapt, which invites adaptive runners of all abilities to get out on the trails. Zachary lives in beautiful Northwen California where he lives with his wife, Meagan, and their tiny dog, Cleo.
-
“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.”
Meet CO-DIRECTOR, DANI ARAVICH.
Danielle “Dani” Aravich is a Summer and Winter Olympian, public speaker, disability access strategist, and inclusive media guru.
Dani was born without her left hand and forearm. After her time as a Division-I cross-country and track and field athlete, she went on to work in professional sports. She volunteered in adaptive sports and began training in track and field for the Paralympic Games. Her primary events were the 5,000M and 3,000M races. She qualified and competed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in the 400M.
After catching the eye of the U.S. Paralympic Nordic Ski coach, Dani was invited to a developmental camp in December of 2019. Within two weeks of getting on skis, she competed at U.S. Paralympic Nationals, placing first in both of her races. She is now a National Team member and competed at the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games.
-
“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