From Hiding to Impact: Chris Ruden on Disability, Ableism, and Building a World Without Limits Through Curiosity

In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with Chris Ruden (he/him) - keynote speaker, powerlifter, disability advocate, and competitor on The Rock’s Titan Games. Born with a limb difference and later diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Chris shares how he spent years perfecting the art of hiding - keeping his hand in his pocket, wearing a glove, and meticulously planning ways to blend in. He talks about the weight of ableism, both external and internal, and how unlearning it required facing layers of shame and self-protection he didn’t know he carried. What followed wasn’t a sudden transformation, but a steady reclamation - and the belief that difference itself can be a source of power. Chris also shares how curiosity - his own and others’ - opens the door to inclusion, connection, innovation, and unlocking the best version of ourselves.

Chris Ruden is a transformational keynote speaker, change management expert, author, and disability inclusion advocate. He leverages his story of overcoming adversity to help organizations build trust and resilience - bringing his message of “creating your world without limits” to impact people around the world.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment here to get clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact.

Other stories shared by Shanti and Chris at the campfire:

• Exploring how lasting change grows from small, winnable moments that build confidence - encouraging risk-taking and opening the door to possibilities.
• Recounting the middle-school moment when a classmate’s cruel taunting set off years of hiding and self-doubt.
• Discussing that habits are not identity - and the freedom that comes from knowing we can choose differently at any moment.
• Reflecting on a period of numbing that ended with a little girl’s unfiltered love - sparking a cascade that led Chris to share his disability publicly.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for stories and insights on navigating your career as an outsider — and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t Shared at storieswehaventshared.com   

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 3:43 Sharing on YouTube: Like Getting Ready for a High Dive
• 5:17 Professional Highlights / Mission and the Power of Curiosity
• 8:59 Personal Interests and Hobbies
• 10:58 Chris' Outsider Journey
• 12:13 Hiding, Creating Distractions - and the Power of the Curiosity to Change
• 13:13 Chris Discusses His Disability and Ableism
• 15:42 Hiding His Hand for 17 Years
• 16:33 The Middle School Humiliation that Started His Hiding Journey
• 18:03 Survival Mode and the How Chris Actively Went About Hiding
• 20:09 Hiding Has Many Layers and Impacts
• 22:45 Playing Drums Opens Up New Community and Possibilities
• 25:43 The Intersection of Chris' Disability and Masculinity
• 27:50 Creating Distractions Through Achievement
• 29:17 A Dark Period of Escaping, Numbness and Living a Split Existence
• 31:12 A Little Girl's Unconditional Love - the Backstage Moment that Sparked the Turnaround
• 34:33 Thrive Takeaway: Face the Elephant in the Room with Curiosity
• 36:31 Winning the Moment and Learning to Change
• 39:00 Music Share: Where There's Hope, There's a Way
• 40:15 The Power of Free Will and Learning to Separate Habit from Identity
• 42:18 Where to Connect with Chris, Thank You, and Final Thoughts