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Spectrum in Camouflage

Spectrum in Camouflage

Von: Tommy Rhine
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 A podcast about navigating life raising a child with autism and the hunt for answers.2024 Beziehungen Elternschaft & Familienleben Hygiene & gesundes Leben Seelische & Geistige Gesundheit
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  • Is It a Pivot or Is It a Change of Plans? A Better Way to Handle Parenting Stress

    Is It a Pivot or Is It a Change of Plans? A Better Way to Handle Parenting Stress
    Feb 27 2026
    Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. We are wrapping up February, which feels crazy to even say. Winter always feels endless after Christmas, but here we are, staring down spring. And I want to talk about two things today that have been heavy on my heart. First, what we can start preparing for as spring comes. Second, the difference between a full change of plans and simply making a pivot. If you’re new here, welcome. I’m a dad to an almost 11-year-old non-speaking autistic son. We are not trying to “fix” our child. We are trying to help him live as full and as well as possible. That is the heart behind everything I share. As the weather starts to shift, I want to challenge you to think about your backyard differently. For us, the backyard became part of Wyatt’s safe space. When all four of us feel overstimulated, stressed, or boxed in, 30 to 40 minutes outside can completely change the tone of our evening. Fresh air, movement, and simple outdoor input regulate his nervous system in ways that nothing inside the house can. We built a large sandbox years ago. It has been one of the most impactful and affordable additions we’ve ever made. Wyatt can be extremely stimulated, and after 15 minutes barefoot in the sand, he is calmer. His entire demeanor shifts. There is something powerful about grounding, about being connected to the earth. I have personally experienced relief from chronic foot pain after sleeping on grounding sheets. I have talked to others who saw inflammation drop. I am not prescribing anything, but I am encouraging you to explore. Spring is coming. Think about how you can make your backyard usable. A fence. Trees. A sandbox. Something simple. Outside time has been a game-changer for us as an autism family. The second part of this episode is about mindset. Recently, I had to adjust major plans due to the passing of our fire chief. He served 67 years in our department. A mentor. A steady leader. A man who said, “I’m going to wear out, not rust out.” I had a speaking engagement at a national convention scheduled. Old me would have treated this as an all-or-nothing decision. Either miss the funeral or miss the convention. That mindset creates anxiety and guilt. Instead, I pivoted. I adjusted flights. I stayed for the ceremony. I still honored my professional commitment. That shift in thinking saved me from spiraling into stress. As parents, especially special needs parents, we deal with decision fatigue constantly. Doctor appointments. Travel. Meltdowns. Illness. School issues. We second-guess everything. Here is what I am learning. It is often not a total change of plans. It is a pivot. We do not have time for “should have.” We do not have time for guilt stacking up in our hearts. We make the best decision we can with the clarity we have. And clarity comes from taking care of yourself. One of the most powerful tools I have added this year is simple: writing things down. The power of the pen is real. When stress stays in your head, it feels massive. When you put it on paper, it becomes manageable. You can break it down. You can breathe. If your mind races at night, write it down. If you feel overwhelmed, write it down. If you are facing a big decision, list your options. It brings peace. I am also working on launching a coaching program focused on mental health, resilience, and stability for parents and business owners. I have spent the last year rebuilding myself so I can show up better for my family and for you. I truly believe you have to have joy to spread joy. You only die once. You live every day. Let’s stop letting every pivot feel like a catastrophe. Spring is coming. There is green on the horizon. There is growth ahead. And there is more life to live. Key Takeaways Getting outside can dramatically reduce stress and overstimulation in autistic children and parents.Creating a safe backyard space can improve regulation and daily family life.Grounding and sensory input from sand and nature may have calming physical effects.Decision fatigue is real in parenting, especially for special-needs families.Shifting from an all-or-nothing mindset to a pivot mindset reduces anxiety.Writing things down helps organize stress and improve mental clarity.You must invest in your own mental health to serve your family well. If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another parent who might be feeling overwhelmed. Leave a review. Send it to a friend. Help us grow this community of families walking similar roads. Visit us at https://spectrumincamouflage.com Email me directly at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com We are in this together. We’re on TikTok : tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflageJoin our Facebook Group : facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357See us on Instagram : instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families.If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@...
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    29 Min.
  • Dr. Matt Hamilton: Chiropractic and Immune Health

    Dr. Matt Hamilton: Chiropractic and Immune Health
    Feb 20 2026

    Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

    Happy Friday, and welcome back to Spectrum in Camouflage. Today I’m joined again by Dr. Matt Hamilton from Maximum Potential, and we’re keeping this one practical and real. We’ve talked before about deeper neurology and chiropractic care, especially with sensory challenges, autism, and complex cases. This time we zoom out and talk about what “healthy living” actually looks like for busy families, especially during winter in Ohio when everyone feels trapped inside and sickness seems to be everywhere.

    Dr. Matt breaks down a core idea that kept coming up all episode: health is built by choices you repeat, not luck. We talk about stress, sleep, food, movement, community, and how the nervous system connects to immune function, digestion, hormones, and resilience. He shares what his family does, what he teaches other parents, and why he thinks symptoms like fever and congestion are often the body doing exactly what it was designed to do.

    We also get into real dad-life moments, like how noise can trigger your brain when you’re already overstimulated, and why parents need their own “reset” time so we can show up better for our kids.

    Key Takeaways
    • Health is something you build over months and years, it usually does not show up overnight.
    • Your nervous system influences immune function, digestion, and hormones, stress can throw all of that off.
    • You need a “happy place” to reset, something that helps you release stress. Dr. Matt mentioned things like church community, nature, hunting, surfing, and simple walks.
    • Parents tend to put themselves last, but when we are running on empty, the whole family feels it.
    • Dr. Matt and his wife did Dry January, and they also cut out sugary drinks for their kids during the month. He said they noticed changes in behavior and emotions.
    • Symptoms are not always the enemy. Dr. Matt used a camping example, you boil water to kill what is in it, and he compared that to why fevers happen.
    • He explains ear and sinus issues like “plumbing”, fluid needs to move. When it is stagnant, problems build.
    • He warns about chasing quick fixes, especially when it stops the body from doing what it is trying to do.
    • His “core three” supplements for many people in Northeast Ohio are omega-3s, vitamin D, and probiotics.
    • He says vitamin C can be less useful if you keep eating sugar, and he shared a caution about using immune boosters like elderberry when you are not actually fighting something.
    • Dr. Matt also talks about measuring progress. He likes scans and objective data so the nervous system is not treated like a mystery.
    Resources
    • Dr. Matt Hamilton, Maximum Potential Chiropractic, Email: info@mpchiro.com
    • PX Network (to find a neurologically focused pediatric and family chiropractor)
    • Dr. Tony’s free webinar (early March, mentioned in the episode)
    • 1st Phorm (mentioned as a supplement company that promotes whole foods first)

    If you got something out of this episode, do me a favor and share it with another parent who feels worn down right now. Also, take one small step this week that supports your health. Something simple, something realistic, something you can repeat.

    Visit spectrumincamouflage.com
    Email me anytime: tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com

    Follow Us!
    • We’re on TikTok: tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage
    • Join our Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357
    • See us on Instagram: instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage

    Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

    Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.
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    56 Min.
  • Dad Talk: Staying in the Fight with Zack Ponder from the UnSpecial Podcast

    Dad Talk: Staying in the Fight with Zack Ponder from the UnSpecial Podcast
    Feb 13 2026

    Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

    In this episode, I’m sitting down with my new close friend, Zack Ponder from The UnSpecial Podcast. Zack is one of those guys you meet online and instantly think, man, I get him. He has a heart for profoundly affected families, even though he did not come into this space as a special needs parent. He came into it through calling, compassion, and a real desire to make sure families feel seen and supported.

    We get real fast. We talk about faith, contentment in hardship, and how easy it is to chase comfort when life gets brutal. Zack shares pieces of his family’s cancer journey, including how he and his wife have spent extended time in Mexico for treatment, how he’s been traveling back and forth from Idaho, and what it is like doing all of that while raising four little kids. That part hit hard.

    We also talk about mental health, the dark “what if” thoughts that can creep in, and why these conversations can genuinely be life-saving. We cover sobriety, accountability, the pressure of being visible online, and the idea that you have to fill your own cup if you want to help other people.

    This one is honest, hopeful, and packed with the kind of perspective that makes you want to keep moving forward, even if you are tired.

    Key Takeaways
    • Philippians 4:13 is not about hype, it’s about contentment when life is hard.
    • “Shut up and serve” is a simple phrase, but it can pull you out of the victim spiral.
    • Sharing your story can help someone stay alive, even if you never find out about it.
    • Being public about purpose adds accountability, it forces you to live what you say.
    • You can’t pour into everyone else if your own mental strength is empty.
    • One day equals day one, that mindset can change everything, especially with sobriety.
    • Hope is powerful, and sometimes hope is the first step before anything else changes.
    • Healing takes time, consistency, and commitment, not quick fixes.
    • Dads need other dads, and conversations like this create community for the ones who feel alone.
    • Faith does not remove pain, but it gives you something solid to stand on inside the pain.
    Zack Ponder
    • The UnSpecial Podcast (search on your podcast app)
    • https://www.unspecialllc.com/
    • Zack Ponder on Instagram: @zack.ponder

    If you’re a dad carrying a heavy load, or you’re a parent trying to stay strong through autism, medical battles, or just the pressure of daily life, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. Keep moving. Keep showing up. Help the one in front of you.

    Visit spectrumincamouflage.com for more episodes and updates.Follow Us!

    • We’re on TikTok : tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage
    • Join our Facebook Group : facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357
    • See us on Instagram : instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage

    Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

    Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.
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    1 Std. und 4 Min.
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