EP 81: Concussion in Sport: Treating Athletes and Returning Safely to Play with Dr. Rachel Parker
Release Date: 03/31/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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What if the advice you’ve been given about concussions is not only outdated—but actually slowing down your recovery?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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outlineAre You Rushing Back to Sport Too Soon After a Concussion? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Getting back in the game after a concussion can feel like a race against time. But are you risking long-term damage by returning too soon? Too many athletes rely solely on their symptoms to determine if they’re ready—when in reality, their brain may not have fully healed.
Ignoring the proper return-to-play protocols can set you up for chronic issues, prolonged recovery, or even more severe injuries. The good news? There’s a better way to navigate recovery safely and confidently.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into cutting-edge strategies with Dr. Rachel Parker, an expert in brain health and rehabilitation. From concussion recovery to optimizing brain function, Dr. Rachel shares science-backed tips to help you or your clients thrive.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
-
Why relying only on symptom resolution is a major mistake.
-
The hidden pressures athletes face—from coaches, teammates, and even parents—that push them back too soon.
-
What an ideal return-to-play process should actually look like.
-
The critical role of early intervention in speeding up recovery and preventing long-term issues.
Returning to sport after a concussion isn’t just about feeling fine—it’s about making sure your brain is truly ready. Tune in to learn how to protect yourself (or your athlete) and make a smart, safe comeback.
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 workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1
Join the Clinician’s Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge
Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership!
Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery:
-
Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school
-
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.