The Story of Catalyst Sports

Our first ever adaptive climbing clinic in Atlanta - 2012!

Before Catalyst began in 2012, athletes with physical disabilities in the Southeast lacked access to adventure. At the time, Atlanta had the largest climbing gym in the country, but no one with a disability was climbing there. Catalyst founder and visionary, Eric Gray, knew from his time working with the VA how physically, emotionally, and socially therapeutic climbing could be and wanted to offer the sport to more people.

Once Eric and his team recognized the overwhelming interest and need for adaptive sports in Atlanta, the goal for Catalyst became to create opportunities for kayaking, mountain biking and climbing in every city in the Southeast.

Now, Catalyst Sports hosts adaptive experiences in 13 cities and has transformed thousands of lives through historic and inclusive programming for athletes with physical disabilities.

For the first time, adaptive hiking in the Smoky Mountains is a possibility.

For the first time, adaptive mountain biking is accessible in the Southeast.

For the first time, there are adaptive kayaking programs on the Chattahoochee and Tennessee Rivers.

For the first time, athletes with disabilities can participate in overnight adventures.

“I never imagined we’d come this far,” Eric reflects. “I still can’t believe the willingness of our community to create such impactful experiences for our athletes. Catalyst continues to surprise me with what it is capable of doing.”

Your contribution makes first-time, adaptive adventures possible

for athletes with disabilities in the Southeast.  

Give Now

P.S. Thanks to the generosity of Gatorade, every donation will be

matched up to $10,000 until the end of the year!