Enock Glidden is an unstoppable outdoorsman and athlete whose story is nothing short of extraordinary. Born with spina bifida—a condition that affects the spinal cord—left him paralyzed from the waist down. Enock, however, didn’t just refuse to let his disability define him—he practically obliterated the idea of what it means to live with limitations, and his insights are the kind of things we can all build more joyful lives around. 

It all comes down to one simple question that Enock has always lived by: 

“How can I?” 

It’s not just his personal motto, it’s a philosophy that has shaped his entire life. 

The Man Who Climbs Mountains—Literally

Enock’s love for the outdoors and adventure began early. Growing up in rural Maine, nature was always at his doorstep, and his passion for sports and adventure bloomed despite his physical challenges. Hiking, skiing, kayaking—you name it, he’s done it, and if you ask him why he pushes himself to these extremes, he’ll likely flash you a grin and say something along the lines of, “Why not?”

Instead of saying “I can’t,” or asking “could I?” —which would force him to focus on his own limitations—Enock flips the script, making it a matter of problem-solving, determination, and creativity. 

“How” questions, like “How can I get up this mountain?” or “How can I make it through this challenge?” ask us, not to consider our own limitations, but to think instead of our strengths and abilities—including those that others may not have. This little tweak in mindset has propelled Enock Glidden through some of the most jaw-dropping achievements you could imagine—even things most people with full mobility would never attempt.

For example: Enock Glidden climbed El Capitan: the iconic, 3,000-foot vertical rock face in Yosemite National Park—a daunting challenge for even the most experienced climbers. Using adaptive climbing techniques, he tackled the cliff face, hand over hand, pull after pull, alongside a team of climbers who believed in his mission as much as he did. 

Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: People succeed in groups.

A Champion for the Adaptive Sports Movement

Enock’s achievements haven’t just been personal wins; they’ve been victories for an entire community. He’s become a beacon in the adaptive sports world, advocating for inclusion and pushing the boundaries of what people with disabilities can achieve. By sharing his story and taking on some of the toughest physical challenges imaginable, he’s shown the world that limitations are often just in our heads.

He’s a public speaker, a mentor, and a role model. Enock has shared his experiences with everyone from school kids to corporate execs, always driving home the same point: The key to overcoming challenges isn’t about whether or not you can—it’s about asking yourself how you’re going to do it. And the thing is, Enock isn’t out here trying to be an inspiration just for the sake of it. He’s living his life to the fullest because that’s how he’s wired, and in doing so, he’s taking all of us along for the ride. We’re all better for it.

That’s not all, either; he’s teamed up with organizations like Adaptive Adventures, and he now works at Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation  helping people achieve the athletic feats they’re determined to. He’s worked with trailblazers (literally, as in the people who create and maintain nature trails) to make them more accessible. He’s also been featured in films like Enock, which documents the incredible stories of athletes like him. 

Through it all, Enock has remained humble, and is always quick to point out that he’s just doing what he loves, and is figuring things out as he goes, just like everyone else.

Turning ‘Can I?’ Into ‘How Can I?’

Enock Glidden is living proof that the biggest limitations are the ones we place on ourselves. His “How can I?” philosophy isn’t just about climbing mountains or kayaking rivers; it’s about how we approach every challenge in life. Whether it’s a physical obstacle, a career hurdle, or a personal goal, or an emotional challenge, the mindset we bring to the table makes all the difference.

The part of his perspective that I find most powerful is this ability to consider any obstacle a puzzle to solve, rather than a barrier to entry. From cycling to climbing, every new sport he tries presents a fresh challenge, and his drive to figure it out has opened doors for not only him, but also countless others in the adaptive sports community.

The magic of Enock’s mindset lies in how he reframes obstacles. Many of us get hung up on the word “can’t”—“I can’t do this,” “I can’t go there,” or “I can’t achieve that.” But Enock doesn’t see the world through that lens. He asks, “How can I?” It’s a question loaded with potential, with possibility, and it’s a mindset anyone can adopt. He’s proof that when you change the question, you change the answer—and the future (often many others than just yourself.).

So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge, big or small, take a page out of Enock’s book. Instead of asking if you can, ask yourself how you can. Chances are, you’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself on top of your own version of El Capitan.

• Enock’s Website
• Adaptive Adventures
• Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation 
• The Maine Land Trust Network
• The Nature Conservancy

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 02:43 – Overcoming Spina Bifida and Personal Philosophy
• 07:43 – Say “How Can I?”
• 13:12 – Outdoor Adventures and Making Accessibility Possible
• 17:05 – Break
• 19:21 – Adaptive Sports and Expanding Possibilities
• 24:38 – El Capitan Climb and Personal Strength
• 31:10 – Saying Yes and Encouraging Curiosity
• 38:47 – Understanding and Empathy in Offering Help
• 46:43 – What Enock Wishes People Knew
• 47:55 – Closing