Power to Push: A Journey Towards Inclusion

I first met Simon Freeman in 2016 during a brief stint in San Francisco, working as a regional tech and sales rep for ASICS. At the time, Simon and his wife, Julie, were only a few years into publishing Like the Wind—a quarterly magazine dedicated to exploring the culture, history, and social aspects of running.

In an era dominated by digital content and short-form media (RIP Vine), Simon and Julie set out to create something different—a beautifully crafted print magazine featuring long-form storytelling, photography, and illustrations contributed by runners worldwide. For me, it was a refreshing alternative to the clickbait-heavy running articles flooding the internet, and I’ve been a subscriber ever since.

Fast forward to this past November at The Running Event in Austin. I found myself catching up with Simon and a few members of the ASICS team, and after years of searching for an authentic and meaningful way to collaborate, the stars finally aligned in the kind of serendipitous moment that only a trade show like TRE can produce. 

Less than 30 minutes later, we had a handshake agreement—ASICS would sign on as a brand partner for Like the Wind in 2025, with tentative plans for the June magazine issue to feature the incredible story of Shaun and Shamus Evans, one of the first-ever wheelchair duo teams to run the Tokyo Marathon.

Four months later, what unfolded over six days in Tokyo earlier this month will be hard to top as my career in visual storytelling progresses. I had the privilege of spending the entire week with the Evans family—capturing behind-the-scenes content from their airport arrival to race day—to accompany Simon’s article in the June issue. 

The experience gave me a profound understanding of what it’s like to navigate the world in a wheelchair, offering a firsthand perspective on the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that come with it. I gained a deep appreciation for the daily obstacles faced, from accessing public spaces to encountering unexpected barriers in environments that are not designed for full inclusivity- all magnified by the fact that this was Shamus' first international trip.

This journey opened my eyes to how often people with disabilities are overlooked or underestimated in a society that doesn’t always prioritize accessibility. It also allowed me to witness the resilience and strength required to live with a disability and how individuals like the Evans family adapt, persevere, and constantly push for change.

Watch the short documentary, Power to Push: A Journey Towards Inclusion

Read more in Like the Wind Magazine Issue 45