Finding Strength, Advocacy & Identity in Midlife with Jenna Udenberg

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Kim sits down with Jenna Udenberg—accessibility educator, nonprofit founder, author, and lifelong advocate—to explore what it truly means to navigate life, identity, and purpose in midlife while living with a disability.

Jenna shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age seven, transitioning into life in a wheelchair, and ultimately transforming personal challenges into a mission-driven life of advocacy and education.

From losing her long-time teaching career during COVID to building a nonprofit that’s changing conversations around accessibility, Jenna’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and courage.

 Key Takeaways

• Midlife is not an ending—it’s a powerful pivot point.
• Accessibility benefits everyone.
• Advocacy starts with awareness.
• There is strength in using your voice.

Jenna Udenberg is an accessibility educator, speaker, and founder of the nonprofit Above & Beyond With U, where she works with organizations, businesses, and communities to create more inclusive environments.

She is also the author of her memoir Within My Spokes and a columnist sharing her perspective as a woman living fully and boldly with disability.

You can connect with Jenna through her website aboveandbeyondwithu.org or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.