Blind Fitness Q&A: Stories of Strength, Adaptation & Inclusion

Featuring Panelists: Adelaide Ortega & Matias Salgado
Hosted by: Dan Broz
Santa Barbara Half Marathon & 5K • Pre-Race Lunch Panel

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Introduction
Every year, the Santa Barbara Half Marathon & 5K brings together blind and low vision athletes, sighted guides, volunteers, and community partners in a powerful display of inclusion and teamwork. During this year’s pre-race lunch, we hosted a special Q&A panel featuring two inspiring athletes, Adelaide Ortega and Matias Salgado, moderated by Blind Fitness Lead Volunteer Trainer and Community Outreach Director Dan Broz.

Their stories capture resilience, rediscovery, and the profound impact of community support. Whether you’re visually impaired, sighted, an athlete, or simply someone looking for inspiration-this conversation offers meaningful insight into what it means to step forward, adapt, and thrive.

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Q&A Panel Conversation

Q1: What inspired you to become more active and pursue fitness while living with vision loss?

Matias Salgado: I have to give credit to Brianna Pettit, who was my original O&M instructor. She helped me understand that I could be active and independent - that I didn’t have to stay stuck in avoidance or procrastination. She showed me that movement was not only possible, but empowering.

Adelaide Ortega: I had never raced before and honestly never imagined I could participate in something like this. When I finally checked it out, seeing other people with disabilities running and walking was incredibly inspiring.

Living close by made it accessible, but what really surprised me was how many people came out and how supportive the atmosphere was. I’m not a runner, but I can walk - and you don’t need to run to be part of this. There’s really no excuse not to try.

Q2: What challenges or obstacles have you overcome in becoming more active - either for this race or in daily life?

AO: It took me a long time to get here. When I first lost my eyesight, I shut down. I stayed home for about nine months, depressed, afraid to go outside. My family did everything for me, which was loving, but it kept me isolated.

Then I discovered Blind Fitness, and everything changed. They showed me that I didn’t have to be afraid anymore - that I could move, participate, and belong. Now I look back and barely recognize that earlier version of myself. I’ve rediscovered my happiness.

MS: After being sighted for many years, losing my vision meant re-learning nearly everything. Every task becomes a challenge at first. But if you decide to thrive, you eventually overcome.

Think about something you love doing - and now imagine re-learning it without sight. It’s tough. But once you adapt, life gets easier. You start to see what you're capable of again.


Q3: Is there a proud moment or milestone in your fitness journey that stands out?
AO: When I first lost my sight, I gained weight and felt completely disconnected. But after joining Blind Fitness, everything shifted. I started walking, moving, meeting incredible visually impaired people who inspired me every day.

I started losing weight, eating a little healthier (maybe!), but most importantly - I found community again. The friendships, the confidence, the joy… it changed everything for me.

MS: My turning point happened after training with Brianna. One day, I just decided to take the bus from Ventura County all the way to Santa Barbara - completely on my own.
After that, I said yes to almost every opportunity. Now when people ask, “How do you do it?” my response is, “How do you not?”

Gaining independence and the confidence to participate fully in life - that’s what I’m most proud of.

Q4: What advice would you share with someone - visually impaired or sighted - who wants to be more active or spend more time outdoors?

AO: Well, to put it simply - with the race tomorrow, you won’t know whether you’ll win or lose unless you run or walk the race.

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Closing Thoughts
Adelaide and Matias’s stories are powerful reminders that:
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• Adaptation is possible.
  
  
• Community makes the journey easier.
  
  
• Movement builds confidence and connection.
  
  
• Inclusion isn’t just an idea - it’s an experience we create together.
  
  
  

We are honored to have all three individuals as part of our team of strong, united, and thriving athletes.