# Treat the Athlete, Not the Diagnosis | Ellen Minzner

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parkinson-s-an-athlete-s-journey-7665054/treat-the-athlete-not-the-diagnosis-ellen-minzner
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parkinson-s-an-athlete-s-journey-7665054/treat-the-athlete-not-the-diagnosis-ellen-minzner.md
Podcast: [Parkinson's: An Athlete's Journey](https://stenobird.com/podcast/parkinson-s-an-athlete-s-journey-7665054)
Published: 2026-02-11T16:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9185de76
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/9185de76/7f815edc.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/parkinson-s-an-athlete-s-journey-7665054/episodes/treat-the-athlete-not-the-diagnosis-ellen-minzner
Duration seconds: 3976

## Resource

Adaptive sport asks a simple question: what does the sport require, and how do you build the athlete to meet it. Todd Vogt and Eric Von Frohlich sit down with Ellen Minzner , elite rowing coach and leader in adaptive and Paralympic sport, to discuss coaching athletes with disabilities through standards, structure, and respect. From Parkinson’s to para rowing to the Paralympic Games, the conversation centers on competition, training, and an athlete-first approach. Ellen shares why being treated like an athlete matters, how competition supports development, and why Parkinson’s presents unique challenges in training because it is progressive and unstable. Coaching decisions, sport demands, and measurable progress remain central throughout. What You’ll Learn: Why adaptive athletes don’t want to be “coddled.” They want standards, structure, and the chance to improve. How competition functions as a training tool, not just a finish line. What makes Parkinson’s different from other disabilities in sport and why coaching has to adapt. How elite coaches separate sport demands from limitations. Why the Paralympics normalize disability in a way everyday life often doesn’t. Key Takeaways: ➡️ Treat the person like an athlete, not a diagnosis. Expectations matter, and so does respect. ➡️ Competition drives integration. Skills, nerves, fitness, and mindset have to show up together. ➡️ Adaptive sport requires precision. Progressive conditions like Parkinson’s require constant adjustment. ➡️ Improvement fuels motivation. Athletes need evidence they are getting better, not just “participating.” Key Moments: 00:00 – Introduction to Ellen Minzner and her background in rowing and adaptive sport 03:10 – Why the Paralympic Games are so powerful and surprisingly accessible as a fan experience…

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## Transcript

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