Zac’s Voice | Back on the Slopes, Back in His Voice

ElevenLabs| 00:05:23|Apr 21, 2026

Chapters6

A lifelong passion for skiing and the fear of losing the ability to ski as ALS emerges.

Zachary Braun shares how ALS transformed his life, and how ElevenLabs voice tech keeps his true voice alive on and off the slopes.

Summary

Zachary Braun—a former banker diagnosed with ALS in March 2024—recounts a life-long love affair with skiing and the heartbreak of losing his natural speech. He describes the intense emotional impact of the diagnosis and the way ALS progressed, eventually stealing his ability to talk. The family’s response centers on preserving Zach’s voice through ElevenLabs’ voice technology, plus support from loved ones who keep him connected. A highlight is a family ski trip to Steamboat, where the STARS adaptive ski program provided an adaptive sled, letting Zach ski again and experience the wind, cheers, and shared joy of being on the mountain with Ari, Ethan, and Linda. The voice app becomes a lifeline, letting Zach communicate in a way that feels normal to him and to the people who know him best. Throughout, the emphasis is on love, resilience, and the practical and emotional power of preserving a voice that remains central to identity. Zac’s story blends medical reality with family memory and the thrill of reclaiming a cherished activity, proving that adaptation can preserve dignity and connection even when life changes dramatically.

Key Takeaways

ALS diagnosis in March 2024 sharply shifted Zach’s ability to speak, heightening the emotional stakes for him and his family.
ElevenLabs’ voice technology is described as preserving Zach’s sound and identity, enabling him to communicate as himself despite speech loss.
The STARS adaptive ski program in Steamboat provided an adaptive ski sled, allowing Zach to ski again with his wife Linda and sons Ari and Ethan.
A family ski trip became a powerful symbol of resilience, illustrating how adaptive options can restore shared joy and normalcy.
Zach’s voice preservation is framed as a gift that brings a sense of normalcy and continuity for how loved ones hear and remember him.
The support network around Zach—family and friends—plays a crucial role in maintaining morale and practical help during ALS progression.

Who Is This For?

Essential viewing for families affected by ALS, professionals working in assistive tech, and anyone interested in how voice preservation and adaptive sports can sustain identity and connection.

Notable Quotes

"I was diagnosed in March 2024 with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, and I was formerly a banker for 21 years."

—Zach introduces his diagnosis and background.

"The sound of my voice is not lost. The voice app it was amazing."

—Zach explains the impact of preserving his voice with the technology.

"My name is Zachary Braun. I was diagnosed in March 2024 with ALS."

—Introduction of the speaker and the illness.

"The STARS adaptive ski program there, they brought me an adaptive ski sled, and I learned how to ski using it."

—Describes the adaptive ski experience and program.

"Was it how I envisioned myself skiing? Not in a million years. But I set that aside and allowed myself to accept this new reality."

—Zach Reflects on redefining his skiing identity with ALS.

Questions This Video Answers

How does ElevenLabs voice technology help people with ALS communicate more naturally?
What is the STARS adaptive ski program and how does it work for ALS patients?
How can families preserve a loved one's voice after a neurodegenerative diagnosis?
What was Zachary Braun’s career before ALS and how does family support influence his journey?
What impact does adaptive skiing have on mood and quality of life for people with mobility limitations?

ALSLou Gehrig's diseaseZach BraunElevenLabsvoice preservationadaptive skiingSTARS SteamboatRush Hospital ChicagoALS progressionfamily resilience

Full Transcript

I've skied practically my whole life. I love [music] the feeling it gives me deep in my soul. My dad instilled his passion of skiing in me at a very young age, which I in turn did with my two sons, [music] Ari and Ethan. The thought of not being able to ski as I had for the majority of my life was a very difficult reality [music] to face, and one I was not prepared for. It didn't feel real. It felt like a terrible dream that I wanted to wake up from. [music] My name is Zachary Braun. I was diagnosed in March 2024 with ALS, Lou Gehrig's [music] disease, and I was formerly a banker for 21 years. I was dealing with strange [music] symptoms with my speech and throat that continued to worsen over the course of 2 years. We saw doctor after doctor who could not provide answers [music] until a doctor at Rush Hospital in Chicago suggested I may have ALS. The world stood [music] still, yet it was swirling around us as we grasped the news that had just been delivered. A million thoughts [music] flying in and out, and you are in complete disbelief. And truthfully, [music] 2 years later, we still are. When he got diagnosed, you could immediately see [music] like progressively over the next year it just like getting worse and worse and worse until the point where he just isn't able to talk anymore, which is really hard to watch, especially as like the oldest son, [music] like you're losing your dad. It was sad [music] because were we not going to hear his voice again? And the thought of that [music] um was hard. Um Zach lost his father. I lost my father, and one thing we often talk about is always remembering their voice and not forgetting what they sound like. So, [music] that was something that I think this technology brings to life is that when he talks to us and communicates, we still hear Zach. [singing] [laughter] I went to Austin and Nashville with my high school friends. [music] And they're super patient with me. It shows. He was like My 11 [music] Labs voice is my lifeline to communicate. I am in awe that the sound of my voice is preserved, how much it sounds like me, and that it allows me to communicate as myself. To hear my actual voice when communicating provides me with [music] some sense of normalcy. And I think those I am communicating with appreciate hearing me [music] in the voice they have always known. I hate that I can no longer speak, but having not lost the sound of myself is [music] a gift that I am so grateful to have. While our lives have become complex and difficult with many adjustments needed to be made, [music] it's one thing that we've been able to preserve and and feels normal because it's me. The sound of my voice is [music] not lost. The voice app it was amazing. I mean, [music] just putting together I know my mom talked about it, putting together, you know, the clips of the voices it's [music] I almost started crying just hearing it cuz he wasn't able to talk while we were doing that. And it was just like hearing [music] how he used to sound was so amazing. And now that I can hear that every day when he types on his phone [music] it's just incredible. Linda and I are so fortunate to be surrounded by so much love and support from our [music] friends and family. They have not only stepped up during this time, but they have stepped in without hesitation. They show up and they show up big. They find ways to brighten our days and bring light into our home. We went on a family ski trip to Steamboat last March, and my wife Linda connected [music] with a adaptive ski program there, STARS. They brought me an adaptive ski sled, and I learned how to ski using it. I found myself smiling, laughing, and feeling that [music] wind in your face exhilaration I felt before as [music] I took in the beautiful blue skies and mountains around me. I could hear people cheering [music] me on from the chairlifts above me as I skied down. Ari and Ethan joined Linda and I, and we were back skiing as a family again. Was it how I envisioned myself skiing? Not in a million [music] years. But I set that aside and allowed myself to accept this new reality because my love for skiing is instilled [music] in me forever. It was exhilarating. Right when we finished, I asked if we could do it again.