Cameron Ayala & Shannon Suoffoletto on coaching the competitive adaptive athelete after an amputation using bartenieff fundamentals

In this conversation I talk with Cameron Ayala and Shannon Suffoletto about their work together after Cam's recent above-knee amputation.   We discuss Cam's childhood diagnosis on Lymphadema, his athletic drive, and the support he found through Shannon's bodymindcombine sessions. In 2001, Cam was diagnosed with primary lymphedema that has affected his right leg since he was 11-years old. Despite several bouts of infection and over 17 surgical procedures, Cam continues to fight through the daily challenges that this disease presents even with his recent above-knee-amputation. He was put in the public spotlight in 2019 as a contestant on ABC’s The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. Despite having his lymphedema testimony edited out from every episode, Cam decided to use this public notoriety to bring awareness to lymphedema and other lymphatic disorders. To see Cam play in the recent tournament, visit https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiMOejFALIh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The BodyMindCombine System is an intersection of twenty years worth of experience in athletics, mental health, dance/movement therapy, movement observation and higher education administration.  Shannon Suffoletto has over twenty years of mental health experience both broadly and with athletes. How injury,  family and/or life circumstances, team dynamics and many other factors effect athletes mental well-being must be incorporated holistically in order to achieve peak performance.  Strategies for maintaining emotional balance are key to the integrative mental performance approach.   As a trained ballet and modern dancer with a dance and psychology undergraduate degree and a Master's Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy Shannon understands the dedication, discipline, pressure and physical and mental fatigue athletes face.  She also understands passion and love of the sport.  She also recognizes the hard work and art created in each moment of practice and competition.  She knows how to help athletes manage stress off the court to perform optimally on