Shows
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastFrom Sidelines To Success: Concussion Rehab That Reduces Reinjury Risk | E42Send us a textA faster return isn’t always a safer one. We sit down with physiotherapist Kosta Ikonomou to unpack why musculoskeletal injuries spike two to three times after a concussion and how to build a recovery plan that restores performance, not just symptom reduction. From elite level athletes to everyday patients navigating concussion rehab, Kosta shares hard-earned lessons on testing, training, and the psychology of change.Kosta is a clinical specialist physiotherapist with over a decade of experience in sports medicine and concussion. He has worked in acute neuro hospitals and specialized co...
2025-11-2444 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastDr. Adam Harcourt Explains Why Migraine Treatments Fail After Head Injury | E41Send us a textIf “migraine” meds aren’t touching your headaches after a concussion, you might be chasing the wrong problem. Dr. Wolf sits down with Dr. Adam Harcourt, a board-certified functional neurologist and fourth-generation chiropractor, to unpack why post-traumatic headaches so often get mislabeled as migraine—and how objective neuro exams flip the outcome. From eye movement control and gaze stabilization to neck proprioception and autonomic integrity, Dr. Harcourt explains the tests that reveal brainstem dysfunction you can actually measure rather than guess. You’ll hear a powerful case: a 10-year-old with “intractable migraine” that...
2025-11-1854 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastSeeing the Unseen: How Vestibular Rehab Can Transform Your Recovery w/ Dr. Helena Esmonde (Vestibular First) | E40Send us a textDo you still feel dizzy, off-balance, or disoriented months—or even years—after your concussion? You’re not imagining it. In this episode, Dr. Ayla Wolf sits down with Dr. Helena Esmonde, founder of Vestibular First and creator of the innovative infrared goggles that are changing how clinicians diagnose and treat vestibular disorders.Together, they uncover what your eye movements can reveal about your inner-ear and brain connection, why symptoms alone rarely tell the full story, and how new diagnostic tools are helping patien...
2025-11-1056 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastTransformation is the Therapy: Rewriting Life After Concussion with Kevin Donahue | E39Send us a textA motorcycle crash in Ecuador set off a chain reaction Kevin Donahue couldn’t name at first: anger out of nowhere, brain fog, exhaustion, and a life that stopped making sense. When a friend connected the dots to concussion, everything changed—awareness unlocked a roadmap to real recovery.We explore how Kevin turned survival into transformation with several practical pillars: awareness, listening to his body, sharing honestly to open the doors for helpful people, eating for brain healing, prioritizing rest, creating meaningful goals, and serving others. He details the therapies that move...
2025-10-2759 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastThe Missing Element in Concussion Prevention AND Recovery: Dr. Theo Versteegh Explains Topspin360 | E38Send us a textWhat if the fastest path to fewer concussions and better performance starts with how we train the neck? We sit down with physiotherapist, inventor, and researcher Dr. Theo Versteegh to unpack a novel training device that targets rapid, eccentric stabilization—the exact kind of control impact sports demand. Instead of slow, single-plane moves, his device builds rate of force development in rotational and multiplanar directions, then tracks progress with clear metrics. The results are hard to ignore: multiple teams across genders report zero head and neck injury seasons after adoption, and many go on...
2025-10-1354 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastThe Body Keeps the Score—of Concussions: How the Nervous System Reveals Hidden Trauma | E37Send us a textThink your “sinus headache,” tight hamstring, or random insomnia is unrelated to your head? We trace surprising symptom chains back to the nervous system and show how hidden concussions often sit at the center of stubborn pain, sleep issues, tinnitus, and gut flare‑ups. With returning guest Dr. Clayton Shiu, we unpack real cases where elbow or knee pain turned out to be brain-driven—and why delayed symptoms after a fall or car crash are more physiology than mystery.We walk through the moment-to-moment clues that shift a diagnosis: eyes that won’t tr...
2025-10-0728 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastBeyond Food: The Missing Nutrient Transforming Brain and Gut Health with Sarah Turner | E36Send us a textWhat if the missing element in your health isn't another supplement or diet change, but something as fundamental as light? In this illuminating conversation, Sarah Turner reveals how our modern indoor lifestyle has created a profound deficiency in specific wavelengths of light that our bodies evolved to require.Turner, founder of CeraThrive and creator of an innovative red light therapy device, explains the fascinating science behind photobiomodulation – how red and near-infrared light penetrate human tissue to activate cellular healing mechanisms. Her journey from pharmaceutical research to developing light therapy technology highlights a...
2025-09-2946 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastGut Feelings: How Concussions Affect Your Digestion | E35Send us a textHave you ever wondered why your digestion seems to have gone haywire after a concussion? You're not alone, and there's a neurological explanation behind those new food sensitivities and stomach troubles.The brain-gut connection is far more profound than most of us realize. Through the vagus nerve—a critical communication pathway—your brain and digestive system maintain constant dialogue. When a concussion disrupts this delicate system, the consequences ripple throughout your entire digestive process. Your vagal nerve signaling weakens, stomach acid production falters, and gut motility becomes irregular. What's particularly fascinating is h...
2025-09-1625 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastNew Frontiers in Concussion Research with Dr. Ioannis Mavroudis | E34Send us a textThe quest to understand persistent brain symptoms after concussion has puzzled doctors and researchers for decades. What happens when the brain doesn't heal as expected? Why do some patients develop long-term problems while others recover completely?Dr. Mavroudis, consultant neurologist and pioneering researcher, pulls back the curtain on these mysteries by revealing surprising connections between post-concussion syndrome, functional neurological disorders, and even long COVID. At the heart of his research is a revolutionary perspective: these seemingly different conditions share fundamental mechanisms related to neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to adapt and form ne...
2025-09-0946 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastConcussion Rehab with Creator of the Brain Tool Kit App - Melissa Biscardi | E33Send us a textThe nervous system after concussion often remains stuck in fight-or-flight, making traditional rehabilitation challenging at best. Melissa Biscardi, an osteopathic therapist, registered nurse, and PhD candidate, reveals why gentle manual therapy creates a critical foundation for healing visual dysfunction after brain injury.Drawing from over a decade of clinical experience, Biscardi explains how cranial work can release tension patterns affecting the extraocular muscles and create a parasympathetic shift that prepares the brain for more active rehabilitation. She shares fascinating insights into the subtle nuances of visual dysfunction that standard assessments often...
2025-09-0158 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Brain Injuries with Dr. DeepSea - Dr. Joe Dituri | E32Send us a textWhat happens when a decorated Navy commander and world-record holder for living underwater becomes a traumatic brain injury patient himself? Dr. Joe Dituri's extraordinary journey from elite military diver to pioneering hyperbaric medicine researcher offers groundbreaking insights into brain injury recovery that challenge everything we thought we knew.Having spent 100 days living at pressure beneath the ocean's surface for Project Neptune 100, Dr. Dituri was already studying the effects of hyperbaric conditions on human physiology. Then life delivered a devastating blow – a car accident that left him with a severe TBI, unable to...
2025-08-2545 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastThe Hierarchy of Healing: Understanding Complex Neurological Recovery with Dr. Matt Antonucci | E31Send us a textContact Dr. Antonucci: WebsiteDr. Antonucci's Neurobytes Blog - (totally worth reading in IMO)Eliminate your hiccoughs in seconds! Blog post as promised :)Carrick InstituteShow Description:Ever wonder why your concussion symptoms persist despite seeing multiple specialists and undergoing countless tests? In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Matthew Antonucci reveals the systematic approach that's transformed the lives of thousands of patients with complex neurological conditions.Dr. Antonucci approaches each patient like a d...
2025-08-1851 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastConcussions, Superior Canal Dehiscence, and Hyperacusis with Dr. Glen Zielinski | E30Send us a textDr. Glen Zielinski from Northwest Functional Neurology explores commonly missed vestibular lesions that can develop after head impacts, focusing on Superior Canal Dehiscence (SCD) as a frequently overlooked cause of debilitating hyperacusis and other post-concussion symptoms. He shares diagnostic insights including a simple tuning fork test that can identify potential SCD cases.• SCD creates a resonant cavity near hearing apparatus when the thin bone covering semicircular canals is damaged• Simple tuning fork test on the knee can identify SCD when patients hear rather than just feel the vibration• Proper diagno...
2025-08-1126 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastAdvanced TMS for Concussion and Brain Dysfunction with Dr. Glen Zielinski | E29Send us a textDr. Glen Zielinski from Northwest Functional Neurology in Lake Oswego, OR, joins us to talk about how he’s using cutting-edge, image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technology to treat more than just depression. With neuro-navigated TMS, he's able to target specific brain regions with millimeter precision—and he's not stopping there.Dr. Zielinski walks us through how he customizes every treatment using detailed neurodiagnostic testing, identifying exactly where and why the brain isn't functioning properly. Instead of using generic protocols, he fine-tunes TMS treatment plans based on individual brain mapping.We...
2025-08-0435 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastAs the World Turns: Navigating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) | E28Send us a textNavigating the complex world of inner ear disorders, Dr. Ayla Wolf and Sophia Bouwens discuss the mechanics and causes of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and what contributes to re-occurring BPPV.• Difference between true vertigo and general dizziness • How the semicircular canals and otolithic organs in our inner ear detect all head movements• Infrared goggles essential for accurate BPPV diagnosis • Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and B vitamin deficiencies linked to recurring BPPV• Thyroid disorders, hormonal fluctuations, and certain antibiotics can trigger vestibular problems• COVID infections associated with increased...
2025-07-2934 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastNeuroplasticity in Action: Dr. Brody Miller’s Journey from TBI to PhD | E27Send us a textDr. Brody Miller, PhD, is a 2x best selling, author, researcher, speaker, and pioneer in brain health recovery. Having recovered from severe brain trauma, drug and epileptic seizures, he created a unique, and holistic approach, called the REBOUND method (TM) with his Mind Gym Starter Course. He focuses on helping high-level, heart led, athletes and leaders from all around the world overcome brain injuries so that they can get back to their life's mission.The invisible nature of brain injuries creates a unique kind of suffering. When Dr. Brody Miller was...
2025-07-2242 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastResetting Your Brain: How Cereset Combats Post-Concussion Fatigue with Dr. Ala Lysyk | E26Send us a textDr. Ayla Wolf interviews Dr. Ala Lysyk about Cereset technology, an innovative approach using acoustic feedback to help the brain reset itself after concussion or trauma. They discuss how this engineering-based technology creates a real-time acoustic mirror therapy that allows the brain to recognize and correct harmful patterns causing persistent fatigue and other symptoms.• Dr. Ala's journey from chiropractor to functional neurologist after being inspired by Dr. Carrick's paradigm-shifting approach• How persistent post-concussion fatigue led Dr. Ala to search for better solutions for her patients • The development of Cereset by Lee...
2025-07-1446 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastBeyond Tachycardia: The Misunderstood World of POTS | E25Send us a textDr. Ayla Wolf and Sophia Bouwens dive deep into the complexities of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), explaining how this autonomic dysfunction manifests and why proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Dr. Wolf breaks down the different subtypes, testing methods, and treatment approaches while emphasizing the importance of looking beyond symptoms to find root causes.• Different subtypes include hyperadrenergic POTS, hypovolemic POTS, and POTS with mast cell activation• Approximately 70% of POTS cases occur in females between ages 15-45• Many POTS patients have interoception issues, feeling disconnected from bodily...
2025-07-0845 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastThe Forgotten 30%: Navigating Life with Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms | E24Send us a textChaandani Khan's story begins with a life derailed. Six years ago, a car accident left this high-achieving event planner with a concussion that transformed her world overnight. The woman who once thrived on 70-hour work weeks, constant travel, and a packed social calendar suddenly couldn't make a sandwich or find matching shoes. The cognitive fog was so thick that even basic tasks became mountains to climb.What unfolds in this raw, vulnerable conversation is a journey through the challenging landscape of persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS). Chaandani shares how she navigated years...
2025-06-3054 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastCold Plunge, Ketones, and Creatine - Yay or Nay in Concussion Recovery with Dr. Mike T Nelson | E23Send us a textDr. Mike Nelson explains how ketones and lactate can serve as alternative fuel sources for the brain after concussion when glucose metabolism becomes impaired. This metabolic insight opens new possibilities for recovery support and symptom management.• Concussions disrupt glucose metabolism in the brain but don't affect ketone and lactate pathways• Parasympathetic nervous system activation techniques help balance autonomic disruption after brain injury• Breathing with longer exhales, wide-gaze relaxation, and gentle walking promote parasympathetic tone• Cold water therapy can be beneficial but should start "warm" (55-60°F) and focus on time o...
2025-06-2330 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastNavigating Exercise Intolerance After Concussion with Dr. Mike T Nelson | E22Send us a textDr. Mike Nelson shares his expertise on exercise intolerance after concussion, explaining that neurological limitations, not metabolic fatigue, are the primary barrier to resuming physical activity. The key difference is that your nervous system acts as a brake on performance, preventing your body from accessing its existing physical capabilities.• Exercise testing should be individualized, focusing on symptoms rather than rigid heart rate parameters• Different exercise modalities (rowing, biking, walking) can produce dramatically different symptom thresholds• Morning heart rate variability (HRV) measurements provide objective feedback on recovery and exercise tolerance•...
2025-06-1653 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastMore Than Meets the Eye: Troubleshooting Visual Symptoms After Concussion with Dr. Paul Brewer | E21Send us a textDr. Brewer brings his expertise as a neuro-optometrist to explain how visual processing problems are often overlooked in concussion recovery despite causing significant symptoms. He shares insights on integrating visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems to create lasting improvements for patients with post-concussion syndrome.• 20/20 vision only measures clarity, not eye tracking or binocular function• Many post-concussion symptoms stem from poor integration between sensory systems• Light sensitivity can come from multiple causes including dry eyes• Cervical (neck) issues can cause visual problems and vice versa• Too many sensory errors overwhelm...
2025-06-0956 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastEMDR Adaptations for Brain Injuries with Dr. Michelle Morrissey | E20Send us a textDr. Michelle Morrissey of the Morrissey Institute explains how she has adapted EMDR therapy to safely and effectively treat patients with concussions and brain injuries. She details the eight phases of EMDR treatment and shares her approach of clearing small traumas first to create capacity for healing bigger ones.• Dr. Morrissey has 20+ years of experience as a trauma-informed mental health professional specializing in EMDR therapy.• Traditional EMDR with fast eye movements are not indicated for people with brain injuries, but there are ways to adapt the therapy.• Adaptations include slowin...
2025-06-0257 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastWhat Concussions Do to Women’s Hormones with Dr. Tatiana Habanova (Part 2) | E19Send us a textDr. Ayla Wolf and Dr. Tatiana Habanova discuss the neuroendocrine changes post-concussion, particularly the impact on thyroid and adrenal function. Dr. Habanova explains that hypothyroidism often results from pituitary dysfunction rather than direct thyroid issues. She emphasizes the importance of assessing hormone levels immediately post-concussion or after a few weeks. They highlight the need for regular re-evaluation of thyroid medication dosage as the brain heals. Dr. Habanova also advocates for annual brain health assessments to monitor cognitive function and overall brain health, stressing the importance of early intervention and comprehensive neurological evaluations.
2025-05-2737 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastWhat Concussions Do to Women’s Hormones with Dr. Tatiana Habanova (Part 1) | E18Send us a textThe hormonal ripple effects of concussions are often overlooked in recovery, creating frustrating plateaus for patients despite their best rehabilitation efforts. These hidden disruptions in the endocrine system can dramatically impact recovery and require a nuanced approach to care.• Dr. Tatiana Habanova brings together functional neurology and functional medicine to address post-concussion hormone disruption• The hypothalamus is the only location in the brain where immune, hormonal and neurological systems all interconnect• Recent research from 2023-2025 provides clearer evidence of specific hormonal disruptions following concussion• Many concussion symptoms closely mirror h...
2025-05-1936 min
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery PodcastWhen Life Changes in an Instant: A Father Shares His Son's Brain Injury Journey | E17Send us a textWhen Shane Swenson's car was struck by a drunk driver traveling 90mph in a 30mph zone one February morning in 2019, life as he knew it changed forever. His 12-year-old son Brady suffered a traumatic brain injury that would launch the family on an unexpected journey through emergency surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and a complete reimagining of their future.Shane vividly recalls the moment of impact—feeling "like an explosion" that momentarily paralyzed him before he turned to find Brady unconscious. What followed was a parent's worst nightmare: emergency craniectomies to relieve da...
2025-05-1337 min