Press Release – Pwn4Pwn

PWN4PWN Founder Jane Powell Featured in Barron’s on the Reality of Narcolepsy

Jane Powell — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:01 +0000

PWN4PWN Founder Jane Powell was recently featured in Barron’s, bringing national attention to the lived reality of narcolepsy and the urgent need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and support.

In the article, Powell reflects on her experience navigating narcolepsy even in high-level professional environments.

“I remember sitting with CEOs of billion-dollar companies after lunch, trying hard not to fall asleep and digging my nails into my hands just to stay awake.”

“The excessive daytime sleepiness was very hard. I didn’t go out on weekends. I didn’t want to see people.”

These moments highlight a reality many people living with narcolepsy face. The condition is often invisible, misunderstood, and significantly underdiagnosed, even among high-functioning professionals.

While the Barron’s article focuses on the evolving treatment landscape and investment perspective, it also reinforces a critical truth: behind every data point is a real person navigating a complex, life-altering condition.

At PWN4PWN, we are committed to ensuring those voices are heard across healthcare, research, and industry conversations.

We invite you to read the full article below.

PWN4PWN Partners with Narcolepsy Life Academy to Reignite Health & Wellness 360 with Rise Up Program

Jane Powell — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:46:44 +0000

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PWN4PWN Partners with Narcolepsy Life Academy to Reignite Health & Wellness 360 with Rise Up Program

Tampa, FL – September 15, 2025 — PWN4PWN Corp, a patient-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), today announced a new partnership with Narcolepsy Life Academy (NLA) and its Rise Up Program, led by CEO Paul Poulos.

Launching November 1, this collaboration breathes new life into PWN4PWN’s Health & Wellness 360 initiative, expanding support for patients through evidence-based wellbeing education, structured coaching, and stronger community connection.

The Rise Up Program, based on the internationally recognized PERMAH framework (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, Health), will be delivered in 26-week cohorts and fully integrated into Health & Wellness 360. Participants will gain access to guided sessions, practical tools, and personalized coaching to improve daily energy, build resilience, and create sustainable wellness habits.

“Narcolepsy Life Academy was founded on the belief that people with sleep disorders can live fully and thrive when they are equipped with the right tools,” said Paul Poulos, CEO of Narcolepsy Life Academy. “Through Rise Up and this partnership with PWN4PWN, we are creating a supportive, practical pathway for patients to feel better, function better, and reclaim confidence in their daily lives.”

Key features of the updated Health & Wellness 360 powered by Rise Up include:

Weekly wellbeing sessions aligned to PERMAH principles, covering topics like positive emotions, resilience, and purpose-driven habits
Interactive coaching and peer support delivered via PWN4PWN’s secure, enterprise-grade platform
Patient-centered resources, including toolkits and self-guided workbooks developed by Narcolepsy Life Academy
Equitable access through scholarships and outreach, ensuring participation is not limited by geography or financial barriers
Data-driven outcomes, with measurable improvements in energy, vitality, and overall wellbeing

“This partnership delivers on the vision we had when Health & Wellness 360 was first conceived,” said Jane E. Powell, CEO & Executive Director of PWN4PWN. “By joining forces with Narcolepsy Life Academy, we are moving beyond awareness into measurable wellbeing impact that patients can feel in their daily lives.”

The first Rise Up cohort within Health & Wellness 360 begins November 1, 2025.

📄 For more information or to apply, visit:
👉 https://www.pwn4pwn.org/health-wellness-360/

📣 Media Contact:

PWN4PWN Programs Team
📧 programs@pwn4pwn.org
🌐 www.pwn4pwn.org

PWN4PWN and Udemy Partner to Expand Career Pathways for People with Narcolepsy & Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Jane Powell — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:38:45 +0000

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tampa, FL – September 15, 2025 – Nearly one in four people with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) are unemployed, despite many holding college degrees. To help close this gap, PWN4PWN Corp, a patient-led nonprofit, today announced a new partnership with Udemy, the leading online skills marketplace, to expand its flagship JOBS Project.

Why This Partnership Matters

Through this collaboration, JOBS Project participants will gain free access to more than 25,000 online courses — including career-advancing certifications across technology, healthcare, business, and creative industries.

Flexible, self-paced learning ensures that people managing unpredictable symptoms can build skills and pursue sustainable careers on their own terms.

What Participants Gain Through the JOBS Project

With Udemy integrated into the JOBS Project, participants now have new opportunities to:

✅ Earn career-relevant certifications that strengthen employability and entrepreneurial skills
✅ Access flexible, on-demand learning that adapts to varying energy levels and health needs
✅ Leverage AI-powered workshops and coaching for resumes, interviews, and job applications

“This partnership is a game-changer for our community,” said Jane E. Powell, CEO & Executive Director of PWN4PWN. “By removing barriers to high-quality education, we’re equipping people with the tools, certifications, and confidence they need to succeed. Whether that means advancing in a career, launching a business, or pursuing a new professional path.”

A Patient-Led Solution for Employment Barriers

The JOBS Project already provides AI-powered career workshops, coaching, and job readiness support. By integrating Udemy’s global platform, participants will now connect new skills with tangible, career-building credentials.

The JOBS Project also collaborates with Pura Vida Partners, led by IT recruiting and AI thought leader Sam Velu, to deliver Basic and Advanced AI for Job Seekers workshops. Udemy’s expansive course library adds strength to this ecosystem by broadening both skill-building and certification opportunities.

About the JOBS Project

The JOBS Project is part of PWN4PWN’s broader suite of patient-driven programs — including:

Health & Wellness 360
NapChat Digital Community
N & IH Registry

All programs are designed to advance equity, wellbeing, and inclusion for people living with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

For more information or to enroll in the JOBS Project, visit www.pwn4pwn.org/jobs or email jobsproject@pwn4pwn.org.

About PWN4PWN

PWN4PWN is a patient-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia through education, advocacy, and peer support. Its initiatives — including the Patient Toolkit Program, NapChat Digital Community, NapChat Webinar Series, Health & Wellness 360, the JOBS Project, and the N & IH Registry — advance equity, wellbeing, and inclusion for the sleep disorder community worldwide.

Media Contact

PWN4PWN Programs Team
📧 programs@pwn4pwn.org
🌐 www.pwn4pwn.org

PWN4PWN and TSA Partner to Launch Toolkit Supporting Travelers with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy — First Step in Larger Accessibility Roadmap

Jane Powell — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:08:45 +0000

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tampa, FL – September 15, 2025 — PWN4PWN Corp, a patient-led nonprofit, today announced a historic collaboration with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to launch the TSA Toolkit for Traveling with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy, the first nationwide initiative designed to equip airport staff with practical guidance and compassionate awareness for supporting travelers with neurological sleep disorders.

This milestone emerged after a June 2025 incident when a PWN4PWN volunteer returning from the SLEEP 2025 conference experienced a cataplexy episode during airport screening. The event underscored the urgent need for greater awareness and resources to prevent misinterpretation and ensure traveler safety.

The toolkit, developed with input from TSA Cares, will be distributed across all U.S. airports in the fall of 2025. To support awareness, PWN4PWN’s Napchat Webinar Series this December will include a dedicated session on TSA disability support programs, including TSA Cares and Passenger Support Specialists.

What’s Inside the Toolkit

Cataplexy, a sudden, temporary loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions, is a hallmark symptom of Narcolepsy Type 1. During an episode, individuals remain fully conscious but may be unable to move or speak—often misinterpreted as intoxication or non-compliance.

The toolkit provides:
✅ Clear explanations of narcolepsy and cataplexy symptoms
✅ Guidance on how airport staff should respond (and what not to do)
✅ Practical steps for safe, respectful interactions
✅ Resources for TSA’s existing disability support, including TSA Cares and Passenger Support Specialists

Building a Patient-Centered Accessibility Roadmap

The TSA Toolkit is the first release under PWN4PWN’s newly renamed Patient Toolkit Program, which will expand to cover other hidden and neurological disabilities. Planned initiatives include:

ADA Toolkit (developed with Dr. Andrew Colsky, psychiatrist and former ADA lawyer) to help patients navigate workplace, school, and travel accommodations.
Integration with the Sunflower Lanyard system, combined with PWN4PWN’s Cataplexy Medical Info Cards for travelers seeking added visibility and support.
Expanded TSA education, with PWN4PWN engaging in ongoing collaboration and public sessions such as the Napchat Webinar Series to increase disability awareness.
Digital self-advocacy tools, including QR code stickers that let patients discreetly share medical or accommodation information.

The Patient Toolkit Program will be available inside the Napchat Digital Community, while public-facing education will continue through the Napchat Webinar Series, where TSA will be featured this December.

“Air travel should be safe and accessible for everyone,” said Jane E. Powell, CEO & Executive Director of PWN4PWN. “This toolkit is just the beginning. Our Patient Toolkit Program lays out a roadmap for empowering patients to advocate for themselves, while educating institutions like TSA to respond with empathy and respect.”

The TSA Toolkit rollout represents a significant step toward building airports that are prepared, informed, and inclusive for travelers with hidden disabilities, today and in the future.

About PWN4PWN

PWN4PWN is a patient-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia through education, advocacy, and peer support. Its initiatives; including the Patient Toolkit Program, Napchat Digital Community, Napchat Webinar Series, Health & Wellness 360, the JOBS Project, and the N & IH Registry—advance equity, wellbeing, and inclusion for the sleep disorder community worldwide.

Media Contact:
PWN4PWN Programs Team
📧 programs@pwn4pwn.org
🌐 www.pwn4pwn.org