People say athletes inspire them. But who inspires athletes?
My life forever changed on a Monday night in Cincinnati. One injury ended my football career. But I wouldn’t let that be the end of my story.
Now, I’m meeting others who are living their own comebacks. People who faced tremendous odds. People who showed tenacity and grit. People who kept fighting, no matter the odds.
These people might not be famous, but they are phenomenal — and you should know their stories. Join me for my third season of 50 Phenoms.
—Ryan Shazier
Season 4, Episode 5
50 Phenoms: How Mother Cindi and Daughter Erica Survived Cancer Together
Erica Nix and her mother Cindi Stephenson both faced cancer at the same time. They supported each other through treatments and survived. Learn more about their story in “Ryan Shazier’s 50 Phenoms.” Watch Now
Ryan Shazier’s 50 Phenoms Season 4
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50 Phenoms: How Sara Stays Strong with Brittle Bone Disease
Sara Simpson was born with the condition osteogenesis imperfecta, or “brittle bone disease.” Despite the challenges it causes, she doesn’t back down.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How Kelly Bundridge Kept Fighting After Double Amputation
Kelly Bundridge lost both her legs above her knee after a car crash. But she was determined to walk again. Learn her story in “Ryan Shazier’s 50 Phenoms.”Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How Jared Evans Overcame Addiction and Manages His Scoliosis
Jared struggled with pain from scoliosis and became addicted to painkillers after a failed surgery. Learn how he got the help he needed to overcome both.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How Brain Surgery Saved Ex-Pro Wrestler Chris Hahn
Chris was a professional wrestler who dealt with severe headaches and other symptoms caused by a brain tumor. Learn how he got the care he needed at UPMC.Watch Now
Season 3 Episodes
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50 Phenoms: From Cleft Lip and Palate to Champion Wrestler
Chase Karenbauer was born with cleft lip and palate but has become a youth champion in wrestling and gymnastics. Here’s his story.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How a Veteran Stayed Strong When Facing Leukemia
Jason Mounts was diagnosed with a type of leukemia in November 2019 but was motivated to survive. Read his story here at UPMC HealthBeat.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How a Logger Overcame a Severe Spinal Injury
After suffering a severe spinal injury in a logging accident, Brandon was determined to walk again.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: How an Athlete Returned After Heart Problems
Carrie Deutsch had open-heart surgery at 27 years old, but she was able to return to her sport and excel.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: Boy Receives the Miracle of Transplant — Twice
Luke Maeding underwent a double lung transplant at 9 years old and needed a small bowel transplant a decade later. Learn more.Watch Now
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50 Phenoms: What Inspiration Means to Ryan Shazier
After suffering a spinal injury playing football, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier found a new purpose with “50 Phenoms.”Watch Now
Season 2 Episodes
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Love, Support Help Man Overcome Brain Tumor
Harry Lorusso battled an aggressive, deadly brain tumor, but he wasn’t afraid. He knew he had love and support behind him. Learn more.Watch Now
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How James Conner Continues to Inspire
James Conner overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma to become a Pro Bowl running back. But he continues to inspire people both on and off the field.Watch Now
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How a Pioneering Weightlifter Got Back on Her Feet
Brandi Darby overcame a pair of significant knee injuries to become the first legally blind competitor to place at a USA Weightlifting-sanctioned event.Watch Now
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How a Marathoner Kept Running After Triple Bypass Surgery
Joe Church had four heart attacks and went through open-heart surgery, but he returned to the starting line.Watch Now
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How a Student Overcame a Traumatic Spinal Injury
Ryan Kolonich suffered a severe spinal injury while skiing in high school. But spinal surgery and rehab helped him recover.Watch Now
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How a Woman Overcomes Multiple Sclerosis Every Day
Laurie Denison was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 40 years old but doesn’t let the disease define her.Watch Now
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High School Football Star Turns Injury to Inspiration
A football injury left Baldwin High School’s Jay Morrison unable to lift his right arm and ended his football career. But he didn’t let it stop him.Watch Now
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How an Assistant Principal Beat the Odds to Survive
Kristin Fox had both arms and both legs amputated after complications from the flu. But she remained driven to get back to her family and her job.Watch Now
Season 1 Episodes
A crash. A kidney. A cancer that kept coming back. Experience stories of recovery, resolve, and the power of the human spirit.
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From Trauma to Triumph
Paula Franetti grabbed the wheel and steered through a difficult road to recovery from a devastating car crash.Watch Now
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From Injury to Inspiration
Lindsey Buczkowski wouldn’t let a severe foot injury and grueling recovery end her high school soccer career.Watch Now
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From Training Partners to Transplant Patients
Clay Moorefield knew his best friend Omar Foster needed a kidney, and he saw Omar’s health getting worse. He knew he was the perfect person to help.Watch Now
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From Heart Failure to Happy Family
Brandy Sweeney was pregnant with her third baby—a little girl—when she learned she was in congestive heart failure. “I felt like my life was out of control,” the West Virginia native said.Watch Now
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From Painful Disease to Performing Artist
Julian Cann spent much of his childhood in the hospital. After years of feeling like an outsider, he transformed his life with a passion for music—and a new healthy lifestyle.Watch Now
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From Major Setbacks to Amazing Comebacks
In the span of one year, Joe Aigner experienced enough medical setbacks to last a lifetime. First came stage IV esophageal cancer, then quadruple bypass and back surgeries. “I knew I would do whatever it was going to take to get through this,” Joe says.Watch Now
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From Crushing Accident to Courageous Attitude
First responder Justin Dawson lost both legs after a car hit him while he was helping a stranded motorist on the highway. The support of his family, rehab team, and two prosthetic legs helped him recover, as did his own positive attitude.Watch Now
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From Cancer Treatments to Triathlons
Ann Marie Tarasovitch was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer during her 40’s. She wouldn’t let either disease slow her down.Watch Now
