Looking back on ten years

 The Barefoot Autism Challenge has completed its tenth year. And honestly, I couldn't have been more proud. When I started this challenge, I thought nobody's going to want to have anything to do with this, but I was surely mistaken!

I have had the privilege to make new friends just like I have with every year ever since my challenge began. Some I got to know through sharing my challenge and talking about it at different groups. Some friends I got to reconnect with after not seeing for so long. Whatever is in store for the Barefoot Autism Challenge for the coming years is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, I will always be grateful for the opportunities I had to share my challenge, tell my story, and make sure people with autism are seen and heard!

I'm looking forward to more fun opportunities such as meeting Britini D'Angelo from Big Brother 23 at the Fi & Friends Organization Resource Fair in July, or possibly meeting Tanner from Love on the Spectrum at one of the meet and greets at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.

I even got connected with some people who are part of the Stars of the Spectrum group. Maybe I'll share my challenge at one of their events; until then I'll be prepared to share my challenge from years to come.

Barefoot Autism Challenge week 2 and week 3

 The Barefoot Autism Challenge has been having a great 10 year anniversary so far. Here's a rundown

Last weekend I shared my challenge at the Iowa State Greek Week polar plunge. Normally I plunge, but the feels like temperature was very cold so I didn't. That being said I did show support for my team! Also I shared my challenge at the Little Book again with Megan and Alicia from 143 Speech Therapy and TalkPlay Junction respectively. I read the Dr. Seuss ABC book after doing a sensory walk with the kids who came to the event. That was the book that let me regain my speech after I was diagnosed with autism.

That same weekend, I had a dance competition with the Dance Vision Dream Team and the Iowa Events Center. Most of us were barefoot because it was an option for us. Of course a lot of us opted for being barefoot; especially since being barefoot makes it easier to control the turns and all that. It's my first time doing dance so I'm just a rookie at this.

Also on a personal note: I turned 33 years old on April 16th! I was barefoot at my young adult ministry and shared my challenge with them as well as at Smash Park where we had an Eat and Greet after the service. Although that part was scheduled for that day already so that was just a coincidence.

And an update on the Athletes for the Barefoot Autism Challenge event, we have a few new vendors for the event, In The Sticks BBQ, and Sweet Swirls. I'll share another vendor announcement next week.

And tomorrow is the Barefoot Autism Challenge tour at the Des Moines Art Center! I'll post about that later.

Athletes for the Barefoot Autism Challenge

 Are you ready for this? In collaboration with the Barefoot Autism Challenge, the Des Moines Rugby Club and 515 Run Club are teaming up to bring an event of barefoot activities!

On April 28th from 5-8 pm, people can join in for some barefoot rugby and running as well as local vendors, food trucks and more! It'll be at the Des Moines Rugby Club in West Des Moines for anyone who's interested.

Shoutout to my friend Anna for helping put this together

Busy Mom's Boutique is one of the first vendors and will sell dirty sodas and loaded teas

The spots marked in red are the best places to park and the spots marked in blue are where we recommend snagging a spot so you can cheer on runners and rugby players. Bring your own chairs and blankets!

Barefoot Autism Challenge week 1

 April is here! That means the Barefoot Autism Challenge starts! It's been a great week for the Barefoot Autism Challenge so far! I'll give you a rundown of each week this month.

To start, I was interviewed on Hello Iowa on channel 13 by Megan Reuther. I shared highlights from the past few years of my challenge as well as shared an upcoming event that will be put on by the Des Moines Rugby Club and the 515 Run Club. More on that in a future blog post. And with that the Barefoot Autism Challenge officially got underway.

On Autism Awareness Day, I went to Grant Ragan Elementary school in Waukee where they have a whole day showing fun things related to autism to the students. Megan Trader's first grade class had me talk about my challenge and we did a little barefoot walk around the school. We were going to do it outside but for weather reasons had to stay inside.

Even after we did the walk, some of the kids didn't even want to put their shoes and socks back on which I can relate to. But they did have to go back on before lunch. I'll definitely be back for next year.

My friend Alicia from Talk Play Junction was there too

There's still a lot more to come for April but I'm excited to celebrate 10 years of my challenge! Stay tuned for more.

Barefoot Autism Challenge fun coming up

 It's March. And that means it's the start of spring! A time of renewal, a time of change, and a time that makes us want to free our feet! That's right. The Barefoot Challenge is a month away. I have a lot to look forward to next month. The Des Moines Art Center barefoot tour, getting the opportunity to share my challenge on a podcast and at a local school, and sharing it with my young adult ministry. I can't wait to see what April has in store.

But this April, I'll be short of one supporter of my challenge. March 10th, Canadian barefooter Sue Regan Kenney sadly passed away of cancer. Sue's family, friends and everyone in the barefoot community will miss her passion for being barefoot, cold plunges, and just living life to the fullest. 

Rest in Peace Sue.

Valentines Day

 It's Valentine's Day this weekend. I know that a lot of autistic people they want to find love and everything. There's the show Love on the Spectrum showcasing autism and dating. You can find it on Netflix if you want to watch. But what about other Valentine's Day activities? Like other holidays, you can have sensory friendly activities, have exit plans if celebrations get overwhelming, and including special interests.

If you're going on a date with someone who's autistic, it can be a bit tricky at times. Seeing Love on the Spectrum I have seen how tricky it can be. There can be challenges with social cues and managing emotional expressions; that being said people with autism often bring honesty, loyalty and can bring unique experiences to the relationship. If you establish routines, be open about expectations and respect boundaries, I'm sure the relationship will be a success.

I hope you all have a fun Valentines Day! And keep an eye out on the details coming to the 2026 Barefoot Autism Challenge.

Barefoot Autism Challenge 2026

In 2017, I created the Barefoot Autism Challenge as a mere way to get the late, great Barefoot Runners Society more active. As we enter the TENTH year of the challenge, my idea is to look back on the past ten years and honor the legacy the challenge has left.

I have shared the challenge many places throughout Iowa and even in other states through mutual friends and business trips through Wells Fargo. Themed challenges took place in 2020 during a time with much uncertainty and I got that figured out after a trial and error. My challenge was even shared through Special Olympics during the 2022 USA Special Olympics, and in 2024 I did a barefoot tour of the Des Moines Art Center

Barefoot Art Center Tour

Barefoot exercise

Earthing with Olive

MomCast DSM launch party

Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood

Whatever this year has in store for the challenge, I'm excited to see what comes next. Maybe revisiting old events and exploring whole new opportunities. In any case, stay tuned for the new promotional video and put your best "BARE" foot forward for autism awareness. Also keep an eye out for new merchandise from my Zazzle store.