{"podcast":{"title":"Springs and Things: Your Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs Culture & Community","slug":"springs-and-things-7088548","podcast_index_feed_id":7088548,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/springs-and-things","website_url":null,"image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/zy_pWZInQ-ysPPjw7H_DLAwYDfUJJb7SGygHCmjNwVg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81YTM4/MjRmYjM5NGEyMjI5/OWQ5YzI5NWUxN2Zm/ZDBjZS5wbmc.jpg","author":"Lauren Ferrara and Carly Ries","episode_count":92,"summary":"Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs! From culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore, we’ve got it covered. Join us as we sip our coffee (or maybe something stronger) and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our fun, light-hearted, and always entertaining take on the quirks, hot topics, and insider tips will keep you coming back for more. Discover what’s really happening in the Springs—beyond the mountains and parks!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-28T22:21:20.784137+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/springs-and-things-7088548"},"episode":{"title":"68. Meet The Colorado Springs Paralympian Who Turned Her Darkest Moment Into Triumph","slug":"68-meet-the-colorado-springs-paralympian-who-turned-her-darkest-moment-into-triumph","published_at":"2026-02-17T12:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/springs-and-things-7088548/68-meet-the-colorado-springs-paralympian-who-turned-her-darkest-moment-into-triumph","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/springs-and-things-7088548","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/aac94ebb","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/aac94ebb/e08f2cb3.mp3","summary":"In this powerful episode of Springs & Things , we sit down with U.S. Army veteran, Paralympic bronze medalist, and world champion Melissa Stockwell to hear the extraordinary story of how she rebuilt her life after losing her leg while serving in Iraq. Melissa became the first American woman to lose a limb in active combat, and instead of letting that moment define her limits, she used it to redefine what was possible. She went on to represent Team USA in multiple Paralympic Games, earned a bronze medal in paratriathlon, and became a multiple-time world champion, proving that resilience isn’t about what happens to you, it’s about what you do next. This conversation explores the mindset, determination, and perspective that carried Melissa from one of the hardest moments of her life to standing on the Paralympic podium, and how those lessons continue to shape the way she lives today. In this episode, you’ll hear: The moment that changed Melissa’s life forever (and how she responded) How she found the courage to pursue elite athletics after her injury What it feels like to represent the United States on the Paralympic stage The mental resilience required to compete at the highest level Why adversity can become the foundation for something even greater Melissa’s story isn’t just about athletic achievement. It’s about identity, perseverance, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. It’s a reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments, a new path forward is always possible. PICK OF THE WEEK Ashley's Attic WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Just In Case Workshop by Sonderwin This April, Sonderwin is hosting a thoughtful and surprisingly empowering end-of-life planning workshop right here in Colorado Springs. You’ll hear from trusted experts like a CPA and estate plannin…","meta_description":"In this powerful episode of Springs & Things , we sit down with U.S. Army veteran, Paralympic bronze medalist, and world champion Melissa Stockwell to…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2179,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/springs-and-things-7088548/episodes/68-meet-the-colorado-springs-paralympian-who-turned-her-darkest-moment-into-triumph/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/springs-and-things-7088548/68-meet-the-colorado-springs-paralympian-who-turned-her-darkest-moment-into-triumph.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}