KEEPING IT REAL: Steve’s Story, Part II

Keeping It Real: Steve's Story, Part II

We interviewed nonprofit leader, motivational speaker, and TikToker extraordinaire Steve Ferreira.* This is the second of two blogs featuring his story and you can also find him on Faces of CP.

What made you get started on TikTok? Why do you think your posts resonate so deeply with millions of people?
When I started posting videos, I was only posting them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.  Then a friend of mine encouraged me to make a TikTok account because people need positivity and motivation in the world, especially during Covid.  The clips on TikTok are very short and I post either a workout video or a quick motivational pep talk.

How has social media changed the way you approach your life?
Social media is a great avenue to get the message out quickly to a large and diverse group of people.  It is interesting because people on the street have come up to me because they recognize me from my videos.  Also, there are people in other states and other countries who follow me.  It makes me feel fulfilled because I’m doing something positive.  It is my passion to motivate others.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
My biggest accomplishment has been staying the course since the age of 15 and building on my motivational speaking for the past 17 years.  It started small, but I’ve been able to grow my business and created the nonprofit Beyond Disabilities about 9 years ago.

Do you have anything else you'd like to share?
I compete in Track and Field and won the Gold medal in 2010 in the Czech Republic in discus.  I also won the Bronze medal in Shot Put in 2009.

_{*Steve's story is part of KEEPING IT REAL — a series of personal stories that will take you deeper into the lives of people with CP. Each person makes different choices based on what works for them, and we’ll showcase that — highlighting what life is like for them on a daily basis, what they care about, and the ways CP impacts them.} 

_{The KEEPING IT REAL blog is intended solely to raise awareness about the varied human experience with cerebral palsy and shouldn't be read or construed to contain any medical advice, medical endorsement, or other endorsement by Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. Only you and your doctor know what's best for you. Please consult your doctor for medical advice.}