In this episode of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast, host Roy Kessel welcomes Brian Swift, founder of Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (SOAR), to share his powerful story of resilience and purpose. After a football accident at age 17 left him a C6 quadriplegic, Brian refused to let his injury define him. Through faith, determination, and a lifelong love of sports, he rebuilt his life and founded SOAR, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities experience the freedom and healing of outdoor recreation. Tune in to hear how Brian’s journey from athlete to advocate is inspiring others to overcome obstacles and rediscover the joy of living an active life.
Brian Swift
Brian Swift is a lifelong athlete, motivational speaker, and founder of Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (SOAR), a nonprofit dedicated to making outdoor activities and adaptive sports accessible for individuals with disabilities. Born and raised in Chicago, Brian grew up surrounded by sports, spending his childhood in city parks playing basketball, football, and Chicago’s classic 16-inch softball. His love for competition and teamwork shaped his outlook on life and taught him the value of perseverance, camaraderie, and community.
At just 17 years old, Brian’s life changed forever when a football accident left him a C6 quadriplegic. Despite the devastating injury, he refused to let it define his future. With the encouragement of his family and a mindset built on resilience, he completed college and law school, rediscovered his competitive drive through adaptive sports like quad rugby and racing, and became a powerful advocate for people with disabilities. His father’s early message that it was Brian’s responsibility to stay positive and lead by example became the foundation of his life’s philosophy.
Through SOAR, Brian now helps others experience the same sense of freedom and empowerment that sports once gave him. The organization provides adaptive equipment, outdoor recreation opportunities, and community partnerships for individuals who might otherwise be limited by cost or accessibility barriers. Whether helping someone fish again, ski for the first time, or simply enjoy nature, Brian’s mission is rooted in hope, inclusion, and the belief that the human spirit is capable of extraordinary things.
SOAR
Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (SOAR) is a nonprofit organization founded by Brian Swift with a mission to make outdoor activities and adaptive sports accessible for individuals with disabilities. Built on Brian’s own journey of resilience after becoming a C6 quadriplegic at age 17, SOAR was created to bridge the gap between people with disabilities and their ability to experience the joy, freedom, and healing power of nature. The organization believes that access to outdoor recreation is not a luxury but an essential part of physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
SOAR provides financial assistance, adaptive equipment, and collaborative opportunities for individuals who wish to participate in activities such as fishing, cycling, hunting, skiing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. Many of these adaptive tools, like specialized wheelchairs, hand cycles, or accessible fishing gear, are costly and often not covered by insurance. By removing these financial and logistical barriers, SOAR empowers people with disabilities to live active, engaged lives and reconnect with the natural world around them.
Through partnerships with other accessibility-focused organizations, corporate sponsors, and community supporters, SOAR continues to expand its reach and impact. Whether helping someone catch their first fish, return to a favorite hobby, or simply enjoy the outdoors with family, the organization embodies the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to play, explore, and thrive. At its heart, SOAR is more than a nonprofit; it is a movement dedicated to inclusion, empowerment, and the limitless potential of the human spirit.
0:03 – 0:30 | Intro – “Sports Philanthropy Podcast”
Host Roy Kessel welcomes Brian Swift, founder of Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (SOAR), to discuss his mission to make outdoor and adaptive sports accessible for people with disabilities.
0:37 – 2:29 | Childhood – Growing Up in Chicago Parks
Brian shares how his father’s job with the Chicago Park District allowed him to spend his childhood in gyms and parks, playing basketball, volleyball, and softball with people of all ages and backgrounds, teaching him early lessons about teamwork and inclusion.
4:25 – 6:19 | Organized Sports – From Little League to 16-Inch Softball
He recalls playing Little League, basketball, and football while growing up in Chicago’s Gage Park area, as well as 16-inch softball, a uniquely Chicago sport that fostered competition and community without barriers of age or ability.
8:09 – 10:07 | Tragic Accident – “The Day Everything Changed”
At 17, during a casual holiday football game with friends, Brian suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a C6 quadriplegic. He spent months in recovery at Christ Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where doctors told him he would likely never walk again.
11:05 – 13:33 | Recovery & Mindset Shift
Despite the difficult reality, Brian stayed focused on therapy and rebuilding his life, inspired by his parents’ faith and determination. He committed to progress, refusing to let his injury control his happiness or future.
14:39 – 16:34 | A Father’s Message – Turning Point
A pivotal moment came when his father told him it was his responsibility to stay positive and lead the family through his example. That message gave Brian a new sense of purpose and helped him push forward with strength and optimism.
17:09 – 19:22 | Rediscovering Competition – Adaptive Sports
After returning to school, Brian found healing through adaptive sports such as quad rugby, track, and swimming. Competing reignited his passion for athletics and reminded him that the competitive spirit transcends physical limitations.
20:10 – 22:56 | Founding SOAR – Mission of Accessibility
After years in school, coaching, and corporate work, Brian recognized the lack of access to adaptive recreation and created SOAR, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities participate in outdoor sports like fishing, hunting, cycling, and archery by providing specialized equipment and support.
23:03 – 25:40 | Barriers to Participation – The Cost of Adaptive Equipment
Brian explains how specialized sports equipment—such as wheelchairs for basketball and rugby or adaptive fishing rods—can cost thousands of dollars and are rarely covered by insurance, preventing many from participating. SOAR bridges that gap through fundraising, collaboration, and equipment donations.
25:45 – 31:43 | How to Support SOAR & “Commissioner Question”
Brian encourages people to support SOAR by donating, sharing on social media, or connecting corporate sponsors. When asked which sport he’d lead as commissioner, he chooses football and proposes rule changes to eliminate automatic first downs and spot-of-foul penalties on uncatchable passes.
