{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong","title":"Showing Up Authentically: Amanda Steijlen on Confidence, Connection & Care","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/0dd7e400\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3358,"description":"\nAmanda Steijlen is a therapist, lifestyle creator, and founder of Wheelie Big Dreams, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities pursue their goals. She also leads True Bloom Therapy, supporting clients through life transitions with strategies that are both practical and grounded.\nIn this episode, Amanda shares her path to mental health work, the ways we misunderstand independence, and how caregiving can be reciprocal. She speaks candidly about online self-image, burnout, and the importance of showing up as your real self especially when people expect you to hide what you’re going through.\nAmanda also reflects on Disability Pride Month and how it intersects with mental health, personal growth, and finding purpose. Whether she's guiding clients through the five core human needs or cultivating supportive friendships, Amanda emphasizes the power of real connection and redefining what success looks like.\n\nKey Moments\n\n02:46 Redefining independence and interdependence\n10:48 Becoming a therapist after anxiety and loss\n16:18 Balancing Disability Pride with grief\n25:39 Managing self-image as a content creator\n33:00 Finding community with other disabled creators\n41:36 Rethinking mental health care in schools\n47:43 Know the facts: 1 in 4 people are disabled\n\nConnect with Amanda Steijlen\n\nInstagram: @amandasteijlen\nWebsite: https://www.truebloomtherapy.com\nNonprofit: https://www.wheeliebigdreams.org","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/SoFcUOomOBz8oXfQlV4EmcUMIXb59wqW1asAyjGr6VQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kNWQx/NjAyNmY1YjFkNjIx/NjdkZmQyMDNmYTRh/MDQ0OS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}