Posts by: Sean Baumstark

Sean Baumstark

Sean Baumstark lives with Friedreichs ataxia and embodies the mantra "get stuff done." He believes excuses hold us back from being our best. He is the founder of de:terminence, a non profit helping disabled individuals experience the beauty and power of physical achievement. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast, Two Disabled Dudes, encouraging listeners to "live beyond circumstances." He lives and works in Sacramento, CA.

January 14, 2020January 10, 2020

The Bare Minimum: Don’t Stop There

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’ve been thinking about the “bare minimum” in the context of guest or customer service. Many companies would argue that their success, or a healthy amount of it, is ... Read more

January 7, 2020January 3, 2020

Words Matter, So Speak Carefully

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

The start of a new year always seems to bring new goals and commitments. I’m sure you’ve thought about a thing or two, or have created a long list ... Read more

December 17, 2019December 13, 2019

Leave Your Comfort Zone and Try Something New

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I grew up as a picky eater. I was very “basic” in what I liked: graham crackers, mac and cheese, pizza, and popcorn. I didn’t dare venture out to ... Read more

December 10, 2019December 6, 2019

How Do You Approach Friction?

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’ve been contemplating a metaphor of sorts, inspired by festivities of my family’s holiday traditions. I’m not sure if this is a thought process I’ll cling to very deeply, ... Read more

November 26, 2019November 22, 2019

I’m (Mostly) Thankful for Friedreich’s Ataxia

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I recently wrote about my gratitude for the people I’ve been privileged to meet and build friendships with since my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) diagnosis. My frame of mind when ... Read more

November 19, 2019November 15, 2019

I’m Grateful for My FAmily

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I often struggle with two opposing principles of thought: I have a strong animosity toward Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), and I have a deep gratitude for life because of it. ... Read more

November 12, 2019November 8, 2019

I Can’t Let Fear Dictate My Next Steps

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

There is a first time for everything, right? That’s a phrase I often hear and it is true. A baby’s first words, a teenager’s first driver’s license, a first ... Read more

November 5, 2019November 1, 2019

Stubbornness Is Dangerously Close to Determination

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

The difference between determination and stubbornness is becoming more and more clear. With the recent fracturing of my hip and weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, I’ve found myself teetering on ... Read more

October 29, 2019October 25, 2019

Keeping the Endgame in Mind During Physical Therapy

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

If I didn’t know that the endgame for physical therapy is to be fully functional again, it’d be easy to come up with excuses to just stay in bed ... Read more

October 22, 2019October 18, 2019

A Fractured Hip Has Slowed Me Down but I Can Still See the Silver Lining

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

The topic of this column might be my ultimate excuse for not writing. Before I explain, I want to remind readers that I am an advocate for taking care ... Read more

October 15, 2019November 13, 2019

The People We Surround Ourselves With Matter

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

As I write this, I want nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed. Today has been longer and more exhausting than usual. I don’t write about ... Read more

October 8, 2019October 4, 2019

Focus on Results, Not on Excuses

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Once again, this weekly writing exercise is proving to be more beneficial than I ever imagined. In a sense, writing and posting my thoughts for the world to read ... Read more

October 1, 2019October 23, 2019

When Good Intentions Aren’t Enough, We Need to Take Action

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’m currently beating myself up a little, mentally speaking. I’m finding it hard to swallow my own “no excuses” medicine.  I’m sure you already know that preaching the “no ... Read more

September 24, 2019September 25, 2019

Laughter Helps Us Keep a Hopeful Perspective

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I recently attended the Global Genes RARE Patient Advocacy Summit in San Diego. While there, I had the honor of co-facilitating a panel discussion during one of the main ... Read more

September 17, 2019September 19, 2019

We Shouldn’t Let Our Circumstances Justify Our Excuses

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’ve noticed that I often get held up or feel paralyzed by the excuse of not knowing what to do. I label it as an “excuse” because I believe ... Read more

September 10, 2019September 18, 2019

We Shouldn’t Let Distance Weaken Our Bonds with Loved Ones

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I recently traveled to the bona fide destination wedding of some dear friends. The groom has had a significant and recognizable impact on my life so far. It so ... Read more

September 3, 2019September 11, 2019

There Are No Good Excuses for a Bad Attitude

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

There are more than 7 billion different opinions in the world — one for each person on this planet. I’m not an authority on much, but I think many of ... Read more

August 27, 2019September 11, 2019

My Expectations Set a Precedent for How Others Perceive Me

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

When the time came to sit down and write this column, I hadn’t given thought to a specific topic. This doesn’t usually concern me, because I often jot down ... Read more

August 20, 2019September 11, 2019

Placing One Foot in Front of the Other

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I know I have to practice before it is reasonable for me to meet my expectations or achieve what I set out to accomplish. Although practice sessions can be ... Read more

August 13, 2019September 11, 2019

If You Want to Get Better at Something, You Need to Put in the Practice

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

In my previous column, I focused on the thought processes that prevent us from doing our best. This subject has been on my mind a lot recently. In a ... Read more

August 6, 2019September 4, 2019

Excuses Are Built on the Foundation of ‘Good Enough’

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’m learning to be cautious of the commitments I make, big or small. I don’t like to wear myself out for reasons I can’t get excited about or when ... Read more

July 30, 2019August 28, 2019

Fears Should Drive Us, Not Derail Us

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I appreciate the consistent mindset this column helps me employ. With every new day, new challenge, or new opportunity, I quickly find myself coming up with new excuses as ... Read more

July 23, 2019August 27, 2019

Small Steps Help Curtail Excuses

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I am finding that change is so much easier when I tackle the changes I want to make with small, short-term goals in mind. I’ve heard that advice in ... Read more

July 16, 2019August 26, 2019

Choosing a Season of Rest and Rejuvenation

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Sometimes I wish that life would slow down, and some days, I convince myself that it will. That’s probably not true, though. I tend to take on projects and ... Read more

July 9, 2019August 9, 2019

Skip the Excuses and Make Your Own Pullup Bar

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

In a recent column, “Accountability Can Change Everything,” I gave credit to this column for helping me raise the bar in my personal performance by improving my awareness of ... Read more

July 2, 2019October 2, 2019

Nothing Important Happens by Accident

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I have this phrase in my head that seems to be on constant repeat. I can’t tell you exactly where it’s from or if perhaps I put these words ... Read more

June 25, 2019August 7, 2019

Excuses Keep Us from Being Ourselves

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Last week, I had the privilege of co-hosting a panel discussion centered around living with a rare disease. Biotech company Amicus Therapeutics invited my podcast co-host, Kyle Bryant, and me ... Read more

June 18, 2019August 22, 2019

Excuses Keep Us from Doing the Right Thing

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Some months ago, I went looking for a new apartment for my friend and me to rent together. Since I’m pickier than he is, we settled on a price ... Read more

June 11, 2019August 2, 2019

Reassessing Is Often Better than Surrendering

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

We are just about halfway through 2019. I think this is a great time to evaluate my habits, my routines, and especially my goals. I usually start every calendar ... Read more

June 4, 2019May 31, 2019

Missing Targets with FA: I Don’t Allow Failure to Derail My Life

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Have you ever done something from which you thought you couldn’t turn back or move forward? Have you made a huge mistake that you believed had irrevocably messed up ... Read more

May 28, 2019May 24, 2019

As a Patient, My Contributions to Research Are Important

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I recently visited my neurologist and FA clinical team at UCLA. I am participating in a clinical trial, and UCLA is my nearest study site. Oftentimes, clinical trials are ... Read more

May 21, 2019May 20, 2019

My Planning Approach Allows Me to Prioritize My Health Needs

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I was sitting on a plane yesterday thinking about some of my deadlines when I recognized that I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. While I wasn’t frustrated and my ... Read more

May 7, 2019May 3, 2019

I Need the Support of Others Now More Than Ever

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Others. Community. Support. Help. Cheerleaders. These are the words that have been flooding my thoughts over the last couple of weeks. If you consider my writings, the podcast that ... Read more

April 30, 2019April 26, 2019

The Balancing Act of Health and Limitations

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I love productivity. I have a strong disdain for being passive, or slow to move. If something needs to be done, I like to get after it quickly. There ... Read more

April 23, 2019June 28, 2019

Learning to Be Satisfied with Our Reasons

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I met up with my best friend for lunch last week, and he noticed I was in a bit of a funk. I could feel I was a little ... Read more

April 16, 2019June 21, 2019

Accountability Can Change Everything

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I want to give credit to this column, and the writing habit I have developed because of it, for some of the recent improvements in my personal performance. Writing ... Read more

April 9, 2019June 21, 2019

It Starts with Responsibility

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Recently, a topic of conversation on the podcast I co-host, “Two Disabled Dudes,” revolved around this column and the idea of excuses versus reasons. My co-host, Kyle Bryant, and ... Read more

April 2, 2019June 3, 2019

Why I Don’t Wait for the Right Time Anymore

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

Is there ever a “right” time? I’d argue that this idea is mentally comforting, but the “right time” doesn’t exist. You can wait all you want, but that’s where ... Read more

March 19, 2019March 18, 2019

Introducing ‘No Good Excuse,’ a New Friedreich’s Ataxia Column

Columns, No Good Excuse - a Column by Sean Baumstark

I’m convinced that we all think we’re unique in the following regard: Something about who we are, or our circumstances, excuses us from being better or from being the best ... Read more