Libsyn Directory

EP 81: Concussion in Sport: Treating Athletes and Returning Safely to Play with Dr. Rachel Parker

Release Date: 03/31/2025

EP 106: Empowering Brain Health: A Conversation with Cognitive Protocol with Scott Thomson

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

What if the symptoms you’ve been “living with” for years aren’t something you have to accept at all? If you’ve ever been told to just shake it off, sit in a dark room, or wait out your concussion symptoms—chances are you’ve been missing one of the most foundational pieces of brain recovery. In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Thomson, co-founder of Cognitive Protocol, to unpack a hard truth: ignoring nutrition (or oversimplifying it) keeps people stuck in inflammation, brain fog, headaches, mood changes, and fatigue—sometimes decades after their last hit to the head. The...

EP 105: Taking Time for Self-Care and Growth

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Have you ever felt the pull to deepen your healing—but found yourself terrified of what might surface if you actually slowed down long enough to listen? If you're like many people on a concussion or trauma-related healing journey, you might be unintentionally doing the very thing that keeps you stuck: staying in your head, trying to control every outcome, and avoiding the “box” of unresolved experiences you’re afraid might burst open. But here’s the truth—healing rarely happens in the mind alone. And when you try to logic your way through everything, you disconnect from the very...

EP 104: From Meditation to Mobilization: Engaging the Nervous System

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

What if the real reason your nervous system work isn’t “working”… is because you’ve been aiming for the wrong goal? So many people in the concussion and healing space are trying to “feel safe,” “stay calm,” or “get into parasympathetic mode” — only to end up more frustrated, more dysregulated, or even more disconnected from their bodies. And here’s the kicker: It’s not that you’re doing it wrong… it’s that you’ve been told to chase an outcome you can’t physiologically access yet. In this episode, Natasha breaks down the misconceptions around nervous system...

Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 4: Healing Paths Explored: Traditional vs. Contemporary Approaches

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

What if “evidence-based” isn’t the only correct path — but picking the wrong alternative care could cost your client their recovery? Too many patients and clinicians get stuck in a binary: either “only evidence-based” or “anything that feels good.” That leaves vulnerable people chasing unproven fixes, paying lots of money, delaying effective care — or worse, getting harmed. Here’s the hard truth: the concussion space is messy and full of gray. Research often lags behind clinical observation, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. The solution is evidence-informed,...

EP 103: Navigating Vision Challenges Post-Concussion with Dr. Paul Rollett

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Have you ever wondered why your vision still feels “off” long after your concussion recovery was supposed to be complete? You’re not imagining it — and you’re definitely not alone. So many concussion survivors go through the motions of rehab, only to find their eyes still struggle to track, focus, or process movement the way they used to. The problem? Vision issues are often an invisible piece of the concussion puzzle that goes undiagnosed or under-treated. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Dr. Paul Rollett, a neuro-optometrist who understands this struggle on a personal level....

Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 3: Money Talk in Concussion Rehab

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Have you ever hesitated to recommend a treatment because you weren’t sure your patient could afford it — or worried your fees would look like you’re putting profit before care? Many private-practice providers freeze at the money conversation: we undercharge out of guilt, over-explain costs, or avoid talking about outcomes and value — and that leaves patients confused, underserved, or worse, exploited. That discomfort is exactly why this episode matters. The Roundtable pulls back the curtain on pricing, billing, and ethical care — we name the tension between value and access, then...

Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 2: Is your concussion clinic legit? The questions we need to ask

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Could the clinic you’re trusting with your brain actually be doing more harm than good? Too many people assume “concussion clinic” on a website means expert care — and they end up getting one-size-fits-all treatments, vague reassurance, or worse: passive “symptom management” that stalls recovery. That confusion is costing people time, money, and progress. In this episode we pull back the curtain on what realconcussion care looks like, how to spot red flags (and good signs), and why an integrated, multi-system screen — not a single weekend course — matters. We also meet...

EP 102: Concussion Recovery: Exploring Neurofeedback Techniques

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Have you ever wondered what’s actually happening in your brain after a concussion—and why some symptoms just won’t quit? You’ve probably tried the usual: rest, therapy, supplements… but your sleep is still off, your focus is fuzzy, and your mood swings are confusing everyone (including you). That’s where neurofeedback comes in—a powerful yet often misunderstood approach that can retrain your brainwaves and support true, lasting recovery. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Lisa Cramer, licensed professional counselor, neurofeedback provider, and owner of MindBody Neurotherapy...

Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 1: The Shocking Truth About Concussions (and Why Recovery Needs to Change)

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

What really happens when concussion care goes beyond silos and clinicians start collaborating? If you’ve ever felt like concussion care is disjointed—with one provider treating symptoms in isolation—you’re not alone. Too often, patients are left bouncing between professionals, trying to piece together their own recovery while struggling to understand what’s actually happening in their brain and body. That’s exactly why The Roundtable exists—to change that. In this first episode of Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable, host Natasha Wilch, along with Dr. Rachel...

101. What CTE Can Do to the Mind — A Hard but Necessary Conversation

The Concussion Nerds Podcast

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of suicide and recent shootings in relation to CTE. What happens when the body of an elite athlete breaks down—and the mind begins to follow? So many athletes push through pain, assuming that grit and discipline can outlast anything. But what happens when the symptoms you’re feeling—confusion, depression, vertigo, and memory loss—aren’t something you can train your way out of? In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, former Team USA Bobsled athlete William Person shares his journey from Olympic-level competition to...

More Episodes

Are 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: hello@natashawilch.com
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

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