Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Joson.
Hi Kelsey , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At my core, I’ve always been driven by the belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, loved, and welcomed. That belief is what led me to this work. Wellness should not be a luxury and it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.
My journey into this space started unexpectedly. I took a part-time job when I was 18, helping students with disabilities get to and from their transition programs. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I quickly grew attached to the individuals I supported. As they neared 21 and prepared to age out of the school system, I started asking simple questions: What happens next? Where do they go? Who helps them stay healthy? What do wellness services look like for them?
The answers weren’t reassuring. The more I looked, the more I realized how few options existed—especially when it came to holistic, preventative care. We all talk about making healthy choices when it comes to movement, food, and emotional wellbeing. But adults with disabilities are rarely given the same resources or expectations. That gap didn’t sit right with me. It still doesn’t.
That experience sparked something in me. I didn’t have a background in business, but I knew I had to do something. So I immersed myself in learning—about health, about disability services, about systems and where they fall short. And when I couldn’t find a solution that felt right, I set out to build one.
Today, InControl exists to close that gap. We focus on wellness that’s actually accessible—movement, nutrition, emotional support, and a sense of community—for adults with disabilities. This journey has been anything but easy, but it’s been guided every step of the way by faith, purpose, and the people we serve. We’ve grown because of deep partnerships, supportive mentors, and a community that shows up for one another.
InControl has doubled in revenue each year since we launched in 2021—not because we’re chasing growth, but because the need is real and the impact is felt. We’ve partnered with local gyms, collaborated with mission-driven leaders, and stayed focused on our goal: making wellness something that everyone can access.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. The path has been filled with challenges.
Offering preventative wellness services to adults with disabilities in a space dominated by reactive care has been very difficult. Most funding, recognition, and systems are still geared toward traditional medical models or crisis response, so it was hard to find clear lanes for the kind of support we offer. Add to that the fact that many of the people we serve can’t afford to pay out of pocket, and we’ve had to work creatively to navigate state and county funding to be able to provide.
Some of the biggest hurdles have ultimately come down to access—access to funding, to decision-makers, and to systems that openly welcome what we offer. But every challenge has taught us something. We’ve learned to focus less on fitting into old boxes and more on building strong partnerships that share our values. Collaboration has become one of our greatest strengths. Instead of waiting for permission, we’ve gotten in the habit of introducing ourselves as change-makers and letting the results speak for themselves.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been deeply clarifying. The roadblocks have shaped our approach and sharpened our purpose. We’ve learned how to be flexible, creative, and deeply connected to community—and that’s made all the difference.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
InControl is committed to solving the quality of life crisis for adults with disabilities. We promote wellness at home and aim to improve the quality of life for adults with disabilities by educating, engaging, and empowering our clients through preventative wellness programs. Our holistic model is built around four key pillars: Physical, Emotional, Social, and Nutrition. We want wellness to be a way of life—something our clients can access and practice with as much independence as possible. Our ultimate goal is to equip adults with disabilities with the resources they need to live a full, abundant life.
One thing that makes InControl truly different is our mindset around collaboration. In most industries, you’re encouraged to size up your competition and carve out your lane in isolation. But that’s just not how we operate. We believe in community over competition. Especially in the disability services world, the truth is—no one provider can meet every need. The system is already complex and overwhelming. So when a family comes to us with a need we can’t meet, we like to make direct introductions to companies who can. We’ve built real relationships with others in this space, and I lean on those connections because I believe we are stronger when we work together.
We also take pride in cultivating a culture of experimentation and innovation within our team. Our coaches are encouraged to take risks, be creative, and have a willingness to try new things. We have created an environment that celebrates both the wins and the lessons learned because we know that pushing boundaries is what moves this work forward.
We are also proud of our unwavering commitment to quality of life beyond wellness. Quality of life also includes equity, justice, and vibrancy in Minnesota’s disability community. We’re working to break down the barriers to wellness that so many people face in the broader health and wellness landscape, which often overlooks inclusivity altogether. As we do this work, advocacy naturally becomes part of our role. Civic engagement is deeply connected to wellness—because living a life of abundance means having a voice in the decisions that shape your world.
Ultimately, InControl exists to reimagine what is possible when adults with disabilities are empowered, included, and supported in every area of life.
What were you like growing up?
I’ve always been a people person—so much so that I was voted “Most Friendly” in middle school, and honestly, that still tracks. I was the kid who made it a point to talk to everyone, especially those who were off to the side or often overlooked. Including people, making them feel like they belonged—it just came naturally to me. That’s a thread that’s run through my entire life.
I was also incredibly driven. In high school, I was an All-State triple jumper all four years and went on to the University of Minnesota, where I competed for five years as a triple jumper. I pushed myself hard—not just in athletics, but in leadership, too. While I was at the U of M, I was one of two student-athletes selected to attend the NCAA Leadership Conference, which was a huge honor and opened my eyes to how leadership can shape communities.
Around that same time, I founded a nonprofit called Gopher Global. I wanted student-athletes to have the chance to volunteer outside of Minnesota—and still stay compliant, of course. We we able to take a group of student-athletes over the years to serve in Chicago, South Dakota and Winnipeg. I guess I’ve always had a soft spot for creating opportunities where they didn’t exist before.
And then there’s the lifelong learner in me. As a kid, I used to force my siblings into playing “school” where, of course, I was the teacher. Fast forward to adulthood, and that love for learning and educating never left. Whether it’s helping others grow, building systems that support ongoing education, or just staying curious about how to make things better—I’ve always believed growth is non-negotiable.
I’ve always had a big heart and big energy to match. If I see a gap, I feel a pull to fill it. That’s just how I’m wired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.incontrolmn.com
- Instagram: @InControlMN, @kfj_15
- Facebook: @InControlMN
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseyjoson/
