We were lucky to catch up with Jerod Nieder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jerod, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

When I broke my neck in 2011, my life shifted dramatically. While I survived, 99% of who I was before felt like it died. I grew up in a small family business, so intertwining life and work always made sense to me. After my accident, I had the idea to create a business around my new reality—documenting my life, showing other paralyzed people how I navigate the world, and sharing my experiences with research. But at first, those close to me didn’t fully understand or believe in the idea.

It wasn’t until I moved to Louisville for spinal cord injury research, with a lot of idle time, that I began developing my online presence. That’s when Positively Paralyzed was born, and I realized how much interest there was in the research, especially epidural stimulation. Though I played with social media for years, it wasn’t until I turned 40 and panicked about being on disability that I fully committed to earning my own living. That’s when I started teaching fitness classes.

Saying ‘yes’ to opportunities—even low-paying ones—was a turning point. Now, I’m busier than ever, navigating how to grow my businesses enough to replace disability income. The biggest challenge is finding a clear path forward, as the system pulls you in and keeps you dependent. But I’m determined to leap toward financial freedom, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Jerod Nieder, founder of Positively Paralyzed and Positively Fit, and I’m passionate about making the world more accessible for people with disabilities. After becoming a quadriplegic in 2011, I turned my focus to improving research and accessibility, particularly for people like me who are often overlooked. Research studies don’t always consider the real-life challenges we face, like the logistics of getting to the study site or the role of our caregivers. I’m proud of the work I do to make these studies more efficient, considerate, and affordable for everyone involved.

I’m also incredibly proud of the free fitness services I offer through Positively Fit. I know resources in the paralysis community are often limited, so I make sure my classes are completely free. Accessibility isn’t just about making things physically available—it’s also about affordability. If someone can’t afford it, then it’s not truly accessible, and that’s something I work hard to change.

Ultimately, I want people to know that I’m committed to improving the lives of those in the paralysis community, whether it’s through better research, free fitness classes, or consulting on how to make places more accessible. What sets me apart is my firsthand experience and my determination to make things better for others in the same situation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My entire journey is a testament to resilience. No matter what I do, it seems I always end up taking the hard road—hitting every wall, making every mistake. But I keep coming back because the work I’m doing is too important to stop. Whether it’s facing government barriers, being shut out of services, or being told I can’t do something, I refuse to give up. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about pushing through them, and that’s what I do every single day.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

After I broke my neck, I was taught to rely on others. At first, it made sense—everyone told me I needed help, and I believed them. But that mindset quickly turned into a vicious cycle. I started leaning on people for everything, letting go of the independence I once had. It was easier to ask for help than to fight through the challenges myself.

But I realized something: relying on others wasn’t getting me where I wanted to go. It was a hard lesson to unlearn, but I had to hold myself accountable again, even when it felt impossible. Relearning independence was tough, but breaking free from that cycle was the only way forward. It wasn’t just about survival anymore—it was about taking my life back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://positivelyparalyzed.org
• Instagram: @positivelyparalyzed
• Facebook: positively paralyzed
• Linkedin: Jerod Nieder
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@positivelyparalyzed?si=GN_xb0MaCyvA1Cp1