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Our Last Practice Before States: A Day Filled With Hard Work, Heart, and a Big Surprise
There’s something special about the energy of a final practice before a big competition: anticipation, nerves, pride, and most of all, teamwork. This week, our team gathered for our last practice before States, and it might have been one of our most memorable sessions yet. We kicked off the afternoon with a full warm-up together, moving as one big team before splitting into our levels. Each group headed to its apparatus and began running routines. We polished details, built c

Nikol Astakhova
Nov 14, 20251 min read


First Day Back: Broward County Special Olympics Gymnastics
Today, the Broward County Special Olympics gymnastics season officially began, and the moment I walked into the gym, I felt the buzz....

Nikol Astakhova
Aug 10, 20252 min read


The Power of Words.
Words are powerful. They can be the reason someone smiles, or the reason someone feels small. When we talk about athletes with...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 27, 20251 min read


Change the View; View the Change
On seeing differently, living fully, and turning struggle into strength. There’s a quiet kind of power in learning to see the world...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 22, 20252 min read


Dear Future Athlete: A Letter To Kids With Disabilities Who Just Want to Play
Dear Future Athlete, I see you. I see the way you light up when the game starts: that spark, that curiosity, that want to be part of...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 16, 20252 min read


Not Just a Game: Why Inclusive Sports Are a Civil Rights Fight
We don’t talk enough about the civil rights crisis happening in our school gyms. While athletics are seen as a vital part of youth...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 12, 20252 min read


Day 9 of Disability Pride Month: 9 Ways to Make Life More Inclusive
July is Disability Pride Month: a time to celebrate, uplift, and push for inclusion. But accessibility isn’t just ramps or parking spots,...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 9, 20252 min read


Adaptive Sports Inclusion Toolkit
Inclusion doesn’t just happen. It takes real action. This Inclusion Toolkit is a simple, free resource, ready to make sports accessible...

Nikol Astakhova
Jul 5, 20251 min read


My Game, My Voice: Why I'm Here
I've spent the last few years learning what it means to help people find their voice: in humid pastures, quiet barns, classrooms, and on...

Nikol Astakhova
Jun 26, 20252 min read
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