Riding the roller coaster of life - on a skateboard! - with Steve Lyons

23rd March 2026

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Steve Lyons—a pioneer, community growth champion, and a man who truly embodies resilience. Steve’s story is one of profound shifts, both physical and internal. Born without legs and navigating the world on four wheels, Steve shared the deeply personal journey of becoming "Steve 2.0".

The Journey to "Steve 2.0"

One of the most striking parts of our conversation was Steve’s reflection on his mid-30s. Deciding he was no longer happy being the "happy fat guy," he embarked on a grueling weight loss journey. Because traditional exercise wasn't an option, he turned to the Optifast program to rebuild his relationship with food. This wasn't just about the scales; it was about allowing the "real Steve" to emerge and building the confidence to seek the relationships he truly desired.

Defining Inclusion: The "Nana" Analogy

We spent a significant amount of time discussing the concept of inclusion. Steve’s definition is perhaps the most beautiful I’ve heard: "Inclusion is like a big warm hug from your nana—just unconditional and whatever you need".

He challenged the idea that access is a matter of "entitlement," a word he believes has been weaponised. Instead, Steve argues that true inclusion means:

• Participation without worry: Ensuring everyone can "eat" at the party, regardless of their specific needs.

• Seamless Integration: When done correctly, inclusion shouldn't feel like a "special effort"; it should simply feel like everyone can enjoy the space the same as anyone else.

Resilience and Reality

Steve was incredibly candid about the harder moments of his life—from caring for his mother through cancer at age 15 to the "stark awareness" of loneliness that many men face. He shared that one of his hardest moments wasn’t related to his disability at all, but rather the universal, terrifying experience of driving his partner and newborn daughter home from the hospital for the first time.

What’s Next for Steve?

Steve is a man of many passions, from building scale model aircraft to playing Dungeons and Dragons. Looking ahead, he has several exciting projects in the works:

• Perhaps a YouTube channel focused on scale model building!

• And Wheelie Dads: A prospective podcast with a friend focused on the unique experiences of fathers who use wheelchairs.

Steve’s perspective reminds us that while we may not all share the same lived experience, we can all share a passion for removing inequalities and having the difficult conversations necessary to build a more inclusive world.

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