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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Peter Jess.

With over 40 years of experience in sports management and personal representation, Peter is a true powerhouse in the industry. As the first accredited AFL player agent in 1980, he helped shape the foundation of modern athlete representation in Australia. Globally respected for his work with high-profile athletes and professionals, Peter has been a key figure in driving industry reform. He co-founded the AFLPA’s Education and Training Board and played a pivotal role in establishing the AFL’s Agent Accreditation system. Today, he’s also a leading voice in player welfare, championing reform in concussion protocols and advocating for better long-term health outcomes for athletes.

- How Become Involved in Player Management (01:25)

- Involvement in AFLPA (02:15)

- What is Concussion and Traumatic Axonal Injury)? (04:42)

- Concussion Protocol Stand Down Times (06:40)

- Unpacking AFL litigation (09:12)

- Concussion Passports (14:19)

- Neurological Disease’s and Repercussions (16:25)

- The Role of AFL/ AFLPA in Concussion (18:59)

- Peters Lived Experience (25:06)

- Litigation Against the Club and Doctors (27:00)

- TES (30:08)

- How Do They Count Concussions (32:45)

- Where to Find/ Help (35:57)

EPISODE 70: The History of Rugby Union’s Concussion Crisis, Concussion in Sports Group and Evolution of Concussion Protocols with Professor Tony Collins

**Paul McCrory and Concussion in Sports Group Foundations (23:50)

Peter Jess:

https://www.pjaaccountants.com.au/about/

https://www.athletica.management/about-us/

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Today, we’re joined once again by Professor Alan Pearce, returning from Episode 21. A Clinical Neurophysiologist, Professor Pearce is internationally recognized for his work in sports-related concussion, employing techniques such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to investigate neurophysiological responses to brain injury.

He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and several key texts in the field, with his research cited over 5,000 times. In addition to his academic contributions, Professor Pearce is a prominent advocate for concussion education in media and public discourse.

- What is a concussion (01:35)

- Update on Dr Pearce Research (03:20)

- Run It Straight (07:30)

- Mixed Messaging (11:41)

- How Do You Keep Advocating the Message (18:17)

- Ways We Can Help the Message and Changing Sports For Kids(21:32)

- How to Support and Help Your Work?

Alan Pearce

@alanpearcephd

https://neuropearce.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Stephen Casper, first featured in Episode 30. A globally respected medical historian, Dr. Casper is Professor of History and Associate Director of Honors at Clarkson University, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His groundbreaking research has profoundly influenced how we understand the cultural and intellectual history of neuroscience—especially in relation to concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Casper is also a prolific author, with numerous acclaimed publications including The Neurologists and his upcoming book Punch Drunk and Dementia: A Cultural History of Concussion, 1870–Present. He has published over 100 articles, chapters, and reviews throughout his distinguished career.

- Historical Concepts and Activities of Brain Injury (02:00)

- Low Risk to High Risk ‘Vocational’ Activities (05:10)

- Normalisation of Dangerous Acts (09:06)

- Run It Straight/ Dwarf Throwing – Concussion Alliance (11:30)

- Consent and Bodily Autonomy Versus Fiduciary Duties (18:15)

- Socioeconomical Aspects of Dangerous Activities (27:37)

- Favourite Historical Aspects When Researching (34:00)

Stephen Casper:

- Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Casper

- Run It Straight:

https://www.concussionalliance.org/blog/runit-a-historical-perspective-from-stephen-casper-phd

- Run it straight white paper: https://www.repercussiongroup.com/white-paper

- Muhammad Ali in Atlanta:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mohamada+aali+1996+alanta+olympics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#cobssid=s&fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7c1b4c5c,vid:80wMMFAcweQ,st:0

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Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com