Episode 20: What Makes an Athlete? Power Soccer, Physical Therapy & the Future of Adaptive Sports

What makes someone an athlete? A physical therapist assistant instructor and the founder of a competitive wheelchair soccer program say it's not what you'd expect. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Jim Irvin, Lead Instructor in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute, and Tony Jackson, founder of Ability360's Power Soccer program, a competitive team sport played entirely in power wheelchairs. Tony is also a player, head coach, and advocate who just returned from the 2026 US Power Soccer Association Nationals in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Together they unpack what physical therapy looks like day to day, why "mobility" means something completely different on the Power Soccer pitch than it does in a clinic, and how a sport most people have never heard of is pushing toward the Paralympics. In this episode: What physical therapy really involves, beyond exercise and pain management Why Tony describes Power Soccer as total freedom The moment in 2009 that turned Tony from a patient into an athlete A physical therapy patient's story of learning to walk again in the pool What separates elite athletes from everyday patients, in training, discipline, and drive The overlooked skill every Power Soccer player needs (hint: it's not what you think) How Tony founded the Ability360 Power Soccer program in 2012 Inside the 2026 US Power Soccer Nationals: 44 teams, one gym, in Fort Wayne, Indiana The moment from Nationals Tony is most proud of Why the Paralympics is the next frontier for Power Soccer Advice for anyone considering a career as a physical therapist assistant Whether you're interested in physical therapy, allied health careers, adaptive sports, disability advocacy, rehabilitation, mobility, Paralympic sports, or sports performance, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on movement, resilience, and human potential. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. 0:00 What makes an athlete? 1:09 Welcome to Voices of Vital Care 1:40 What physical therapy really means 3:23 Mobility means freedom 4:38 The moment Tony became an athlete 6:37 A patient's story of learning to walk again 8:22 What actually makes someone an athlete 9:20 Discipline: athletes vs. everyday patients 12:34 The overlooked skill every Power Soccer player needs 13:41 Founding the Ability360 Power Soccer program (2012) 16:46 Building a community, not just a team 25:41 Inside the US Power Soccer Association 26:11 2026 Nationals: Fort Wayne, Indiana 30:09 The moment Tony was most proud of 3 4:45 What's next: the push for the Paralympics 37:05 Advice for future PTAs 37:51 Tony's message to anyone who hasn't found their "Power Soccer" yet Voices of Vital Care is a podcast exploring the people and stories behind healthcare, from physical therapy and adaptive sports to the professionals who help others reach their full potential. Guests: Jim Irvin, Lead Instructor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Pima Medical Institute Tony Jackson, Founder, Ability360 Power Soccer Program | Ability360 Phoenix Rising Player | Ability360 United Head Coach #PowerSoccer #PhysicalTherapy #AdaptiveSports #WheelchairSports #Paralympics #Ability360 #PTA #VoicesOfVitalCare #worldcup