EP 77: Jessica Ciampini on Concussions, Recovery, and Reclaiming Your Life
Release Date: 02/17/2025
EP 96: Breaking Through Chronic Pain: Insights from Dr. Becca Timko
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Are you or your patients still struggling with lingering pain long after a concussion or injury? Too often, people are told their symptoms are “just in their head” or that they’ll have to live with chronic pain forever. Clinicians may treat the obvious issues but miss what’s really fueling the pain—and patients are left frustrated, exhausted, and stuck in survival mode. But what if the missing link isn’t just about the body, but the brain? In this episode, Dr. Becca Timko shares how she built her clinic, Clarity Brain and Body, around functional neurology and a patient...
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EP 95: The Power of Nutrition Healing: A Discussion with Danielle Blasko
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Have you ever felt like you’re “doing all the right things” when it comes to your health—but still not seeing results? Here’s the truth: nutrition isn’t just about willpower or following a cookie-cutter plan. Many people unknowingly spin their wheels because they’re missing the root causes hiding beneath symptoms. That’s where today’s guest, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner Danielle Blasko, comes in. She blends lab testing with personalized protocols to help clients cut through the guesswork and finally move toward healing. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by...
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EP 94: Accessibility in Action: How Headquarters is Changing Concussion Treatment with Lucas Johnston
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
What if the advice you’ve been given about concussions is not only outdated—but actually slowing down your recovery? Far too many people are still told to “sit in a dark room and wait it out” after a concussion. The problem? That approach is not just unhelpful, it can delay healing, increase frustration, and leave people feeling isolated. The truth is: concussion care has evolved. Access to the right treatment, at the right time, can make all the difference in recovery. And today’s guest, Lucas Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Headquarters (a virtual concussion clinic), is on a mission...
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EP 93: Standing out in a World of Fitting in with Kelsie Watts
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Ever felt like you’re chasing a dream that just keeps slipping through your fingers? You’ve given it everything—your time, your energy, even your savings—only to feel like you’re still miles away from where you want to be. Maybe you’ve even convinced yourself it’s safer not to dream at all, because disappointment hurts too much. But what if you could hear from someone who’s been there—facing rejection, setbacks, and moments of “this is never going to happen”—and still found a way forward? In this episode, Natasha sits down with Broadway performer and independent artist...
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EP 92: Breaking Boundaries: Redefining Concussion Treatment with Passion and Purpose
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Are you stuck treating symptoms when you know there’s something deeper going on? Here’s the truth: too many clinicians are caught in a loop—taking course after course, trying to get “certified,” but still walking into treatment sessions unsure how to actually help their concussion clients thrive. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And I knew something had to change. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and taking you behind the scenes of why this podcast, this community, and this entire movement even exists. Spoiler: it’s not just about education—it’s about reshaping...
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EP 91: Understanding POTS and Mast Cell Activation with Dr. Zachary Spiritos
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Are your symptoms being brushed off as “just anxiety” when you know something deeper is going on? If you've been told your labs are “normal,” but your body feels anything but — you’re not alone. So many people with complex, overlapping symptoms like fatigue, GI issues, dizziness, brain fog, and medication sensitivities are stuck in a loop of misdiagnosis and dismissal. And it’s exhausting. In this episode of the Concussion Nerds Podcast, Dr. Zachary Spiritos — neurogastroenterologist and founder of Ever Better Medicine — pulls back the curtain on two highly misunderstood and...
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EP 90: Unlocking Relief: Addressing Sound Sensitivity in Concussion Recovery
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Is sound sensitivity slowing down your concussion recovery—more than you even realize? For many people on a healing journey (and the clinicians who support them), sound sensitivity becomes an exhausting, confusing hurdle. Whether it’s struggling to be in noisy environments, feeling constantly overstimulated, or relying on earplugs 24/7, this issue doesn’t just make life harder—it often gets overlooked or misunderstood altogether. But what if sound sensitivity is more than just an annoying symptom… and instead, a clue pointing to deeper dysregulation in the nervous system? In this...
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EP 89: Unlocking Brain Power: Discovering Photobiomodulation with Chris Garvin
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
What if healing the brain wasn’t just about rest and rehab—but light? Most people think of concussion treatment as pacing, physio, maybe some cognitive rehab… but what if we’ve been missing a powerful, science-backed tool this whole time? Let’s be real: Photobiomodulation sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi film. And if you’re a clinician or someone on a healing journey, you might be wondering—how could a helmet that shines light on your head actually make a difference? In this episode of the Concussion Nerds Podcast, Natasha is joined by Chris Garvin from Neuronic, a...
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EP 88: Transforming Brain Health: The Secret Behind Cortex Revealed!
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
What if you could see how your nervous system is responding in real time—right in your clinic? Most practitioners are doing their best with the tools they’ve got. But let’s be honest: when you’re only tracking symptoms, you’re often flying blind. There’s a huge gap between what a patient feels and what’s actually happening in the brain—and without objective data, it’s easy to miss what truly needs to be addressed. Now imagine if you had technology that not only helped track brain activity and nervous system responses in real time… but did it in a simple, accessible, and...
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EP 87: Challenging Migraine Myths: A Conversation With Dr. Thompson Maesaka
The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Is it really just a headache—or is your brain trying to tell you something deeper? If you've ever shrugged off recurring headaches or mislabeled your pain as a "migraine" without really knowing the difference, you're not alone. The truth is, many people—and even some clinicians—still don’t fully understand what makes a migraine different from a headache. And that misunderstanding? It leads to missed diagnoses, mistreatment, and a whole lot of people suffering in silence, thinking, “This is just my new normal.” But what if the pain isn’t your final story? In this episode, we’re...
info_outlineHow Do You Rebuild Your Life After a Concussion Turns Everything Upside Down?
Imagine waking up in a hospital, confused, unable to remember most of your life, and realizing everything has changed. For many concussion survivors, the struggle isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, mental, and deeply tied to identity. Are you unintentionally holding onto your old self, making recovery even harder?
The truth is, healing from a concussion isn’t just about rest—it’s about rebuilding your life, your habits, and even your sense of self. If you're stuck trying to force your way back into the life you had before your injury, you might be missing the key to real progress.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
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How a concussion can completely shift your identity—and why that’s not necessarily a bad thing
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The importance of intentional recovery and why energy management is your new superpower
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The crucial mindset shifts that make all the difference in post-concussion healing
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Why putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for your long-term health and happiness
Jessica Ciampini’s journey from athlete and high-achiever to concussion survivor and psychologist is nothing short of inspiring. Her story will remind you that healing isn’t just about getting back to where you were—it’s about evolving into who you’re meant to be next.
Press play now to rethink how you approach concussion recovery!
Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ciampini/
Let’s connect!
Instagram:
@concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/
@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com
Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbook https://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1
🎤 Did you hear? The next live Rethink Rehab workshop is happening February 28th at 9 AM PT! If you’re a PT, chiro, AT, acupuncturist, or health professional looking to build confidence in concussion care, this is your chance. You’ll get a deep dive into my Concussion Nerds Framework with lifetime access to the replay! Grab your spot here: https://www.natashawilch.com/offers/bZpLjsjs/checkout
Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership!
Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery:
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Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school
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Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership
Episode Sponsor: JANE APP
To learn more about how Jane’s intake forms can help, head to jane.app/guide to book a 1-on-1 demo with a member of their team. If you’re ready to get started, you can use the code SYMPHONY1MO at the time of sign-up to get a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.