One of the most fulfilling parts of working with neurodivergent young adults at Intrepid is finding ways to connect through shared passions—both theirs and mine.

Every July—except the year I was sidelined by a brutal case of COVID—my brother and I take on a personal challenge: ride either 1,000 miles or 1,000 kilometers in a single month. Over the years, my mom has joined in too, sometimes riding 1,000 kilometers, other years tackling 500 miles. It’s become our summer ritual—pushing our limits, celebrating movement, and marking each year with a gold bike part: first a custom stem cap, then gold pedals, and so on.

This year, I had the chance to share that tradition with one of our young adults at Intrepid. He had just gotten a new bike, so I challenged him to ride 100 miles in July. By coincidence, Trek was running a similar challenge—if he completed it, he’d earn a free T-shirt and a coupon. I promised him an extra reward, too.

We rode side-by-side, knocked out a few 10-mile rides, learned to change both bike and car tires, and—most importantly—enjoyed moving our bodies outdoors. When he hit his goal, I surprised him with a stem cap of his choice. He picked a bright red one engraved with the words EJECT BUTTON. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked better myself.

Moments like this are why I love this work. Mental health work can be demanding—for both clients and staff—but when we lead with joy, passion, and human connection, we make space for real growth, real connection, and real celebration.