DiscoverAdulting with AutismAutistic Balance Hacks: 7 Pillars for Mobility Recovery | Dan Metcalfe
Autistic Balance Hacks: 7 Pillars for Mobility Recovery | Dan Metcalfe

Autistic Balance Hacks: 7 Pillars for Mobility Recovery | Dan Metcalfe

Update: 2025-11-03
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Autistic mobility challenges? Dan Metcalfe (Total Balance Company creator, 70K+ transformations) shares recovery hacks: From stage paralysis (Andrew Lloyd Webber show) & 2018 brain death to full healing, his 7 pillars (oxygen/breathing, hydration, sleep, nourish nutrition, fun exercise, believe mindset, big challenges) build brain-body neuroplasticity—safe play over gym fear for conditions like Parkinson's/stroke/TBI/MS. For autistic/ND adults wobbly in transitions, parents preventing falls (#1 senior killer), or OTs fostering independence, this convo's your toolkit—no limits, just pathways.

Timestamps:
 0:00 - Intro: Dan's Paralysis-to-Pathways Journey
 1:57 - Balance from Brain, Not Just Body
 5:59 - Total Balance System for Autism
 9:19 - Pillar 1: Oxygen & Breathing Basics
 11:27 - Pillar 2: Hydration's Brain Impact
 14:14 - Pillar 3: Sleep for Recovery
 16:58 - Pillar 4: Nourish Over Eat Mindset
 19:33 - Pillar 5: Fun Exercise Neurochemicals
 22:49 - Pillar 6: Believe Over Hope Action
 25:54 - Pillar 7: Big Challenges for Growth
 30:42 - Mom's 84-Year-Old Ballet Success
 34:38 - Evidence-Based Balance Classes

Subscribe on Apple/Spotify for weekly neurodivergent adulting tools—rate/review if pillars sparked your step! Resources/books in notes. Squad, share w/ a wobbler (tag 'em below—let's steady up!). Merch: 'Dynamite' tees for balance days (Linktree in notes). #AutisticBalance #NeurodivergentMobility #7PillarsHealth #AdultingWithAutism #BTSNeurodivergent #PodMatch


Struggling with autistic balance/mobility? Dan Metcalfe unpacks neuroplasticity for recovery: Paralyzed on stage (spine fracture), brain death crash—he rebuilt via brain-body focus (not muscles alone). 7 pillars: 1. Oxygen (deep breaths vs. shallow stress); 2. Hydration (75% dehydrated adults—brain uses 25% water/O2); 3. Sleep (detox/inflammation fight); 4. Nutrition ("nourish" mindset flips cravings); 5. Exercise (fun/dance releases serotonin/BDNF > gym); 6. Mindset ("believe" = action, hope = wait); 7. Challenges (Derby dreams inspire steps—MLK: Measure in trials). Total Balance System (rocking board/300 exercises) for safe play—Orange Grove autism success. From Adulting with Autism podcast: OT-aligned for ND transitions, falls prevention, independence. Tools for young adults/parents/OTs.

Links:

  • Full Episode: Buzzsprout/Apple/Spotify (subscribe!)
  • Dan's Site: totalbalancecompany.com (free YouTube/classes/books)
  • Instagram: @danmetcalfeofficial (DM for tips)
  • Books:

Autistic adulting chaos? My MFish Dragon Charger slays—sleek, bold design with soul (no Apple boredom!), powers phone/laptop through BTS sessions. Daily obsession for my neurodivergent brain—ordering more! Quick pre-roll from Adulting with Autism. Affiliate link below (I earn from purchases—thanks!)

Get fierce for fall with the Empowerment Collection and Power in the Frequency! Bold colors, ultimate comfort, and designs made for neurodivergent pride. Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.

mfish: Organize. Simplify. Win
Eco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and life

Find Your Fierce This Fall: Empowerment
Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Autistic Balance Hacks: 7 Pillars for Mobility Recovery | Dan Metcalfe

Autistic Balance Hacks: 7 Pillars for Mobility Recovery | Dan Metcalfe

April Ratchford MS OT/L