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This is Part 2 of my conversation with Nate Pope from NCX Brain Recovery. Recovery stalls when life gets smaller. We’ve all seen it: light hurts, noise overwhelms, screens drain, so routines narrow and the brain doubles down on workarounds. We open up a different route—structured, supportive challenges that reengage vision, balance, attention, and memory together. Instead of chasing one symptom at a time, we train the whole system to find easier, more efficient pathways.

We talk through the surprising number of career pivots after concussion and the practical ways others adapt their existing roles: short movement breaks, fresh air, and task rhythms that reset the nervous system. We also explore where AI can actually help—offloading busywork and cognitive clutter so people can focus on the tasks that matter. Along the way, we address a common pitfall: labeling new attention problems as ADHD. True ADHD starts in childhood; post-concussion attention issues are different, and stimulants can amplify anxiety and dysautonomia. By coordinating with prescribers, prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and targeted cardio, and using intensive therapy, many patients regain focus without medication.

The heart of our approach is multi-sensory integration and cognitive flexibility. We layer eye movements, vestibular input, executive tasks, and conversation, then change the rules to build adaptability. That steady stream of achievable wins releases dopamine, rebuilds confidence, and breaks rigid patterns. Sound exposure enters when ready: mechanic shop clatter, playground chaos, crying infants—whatever mirrors real life. It’s not about flooding; it’s about training selective attention under realistic stress. fMRI findings back it up: underactive regions normalize after two weeks, and memory improves as the brain stops detouring.

If you’ve been dealing with symptoms for months or years, there’s real hope. We offer free virtual consults to map your history, goals, and fit for our two‑week intensives and eight weeks of aftercare. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a path forward, and leave a review to help others find these tools. Your brain can do this—one smart step at a time.

Nate Pope and NCX Brain Recovery: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

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Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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Your brain isn’t broken; it’s rerouting. We sit down with neuro‑occupational therapist Nate Pope to unpack why so many people with post‑concussion syndrome get stuck despite doing “all the right therapies.” Nate explains how functional MRI reveals a network problem—under-fueled pathways and overworked compensations—and why isolated sessions can accidentally train the detours instead of restoring efficient routes. If headaches spike during vision drills or screen time wipes you out, this conversation will reframe what effective rehab looks like.

We walk through a practical model of whole‑brain, multi‑sensory integration that engages visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and executive systems at once. Picture standing balance work while tracking targets and answering questions—tasks that block unhealthy shortcuts and demand true coordination. Nate shows how intensity and variety drive neuroplastic change that holds up outside the clinic. You’ll hear why once‑a‑week tune‑ups fall short and how a two‑week intensive plus eight weeks of aftercare creates momentum.

The toughest bridge is getting back to work. We outline a smarter ramp that prevents relapse: simulate job tasks in therapy, expand screen time and cognitive load only when symptoms stay stable, and follow the golden rule that slow is fast. For many, the difference comes down to advocacy—clear communication with employers about reduced hours, planned breaks, moderated visual demand, and why that approach gets employees back to full capacity sooner. If you’ve felt unseen because your symptoms are invisible, this episode offers language, tools, and a roadmap for real progress.

If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone navigating concussion recovery, and leave a review so others can find these strategies. Got topics you want us to tackle next? Email lifeafterimpact at gmail.com.

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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What if the most powerful medicine after a brain injury is feeling truly seen? We sit down with Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs and Research at the Love Your Brain foundation, to explore how connection, mind‑body practices, and practical education can restore confidence, calm, and everyday momentum for people with TBI and their caregivers.

Kyla shares the story behind the foundation, launched after pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s traumatic brain injury, and the gap they set out to close: the lonely, confusing stretch after acute care. We unpack how free programs—delivered in person, online, and in hospital settings—blend yoga, mindfulness, brain health nutrition, and resilience education to address mental, physical, and social needs. You’ll hear how groups are designed to be both trauma‑informed and TBI‑informed, with predictable structure, sensory‑aware cueing, and space for honest conversation. We also break down the core class arc: targeted breathwork, chair‑based movement for balance and mobility, guided meditation, and a resilience lesson like realistic optimism that ties skills to daily life.

Evidence matters here. Kyla walks through their large pre‑post studies showing significant gains in quality of life, mood, cognition, resilience, and behavioral regulation among community participants. That real‑world data helps clinicians refer with confidence and gives families a bridge from discharge to long‑term living. We also look ahead to March 20–22, 2026, when Love Your Brain hosts a three‑day online summit featuring leaders in functional neurology, mindfulness science, habit formation, and photobiomodulation. Expect candid, research‑grounded conversations about what works, what’s emerging, and how to navigate device hype, dosing, and trade‑offs without getting lost.

If you or someone you love is recovering from concussion or TBI, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and concrete next steps—from nature‑based retreats and caregiver programming to accessible online groups you can join from home. Explore the lineup and join the community at loveyourbrain.com/summit, then subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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We share practical ways to enjoy the holidays while protecting a healing brain, focusing on blood sugar, hydration, sleep, and realistic boundaries. We reframe FOMO, practice gentle resets, and stack small wins so recovery feels doable and meaningful.

• stabilizing blood sugar with planned meals and snacks
• hydration strategies with minerals and travel tips
• pre-event resets, breathing, and transition time
• scouting quiet zones and setting exit plans
• honoring sleep schedules over social pressure
• scripts for showing up differently and saying no
• mindset shifts away from FOMO toward self-respect
• win stacking, gratitude, and tracking progress
• using cues and lists to manage overload

Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com with your tips for self-care during the holidays.

Connect with Chaandani at www.returntolife.ca and discover how her work is helping bridge the gap between patients and practitioners in the concussion recovery journey.

Email Chaandani: hello@returntolife.ca

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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Holidays can feel like a sensory obstacle course when you’re healing from a concussion or navigating post-concussion syndrome. We unpack a clear, compassionate plan to trade overwhelm for ease—without opting out of the moments that matter. With returning guest Chaandani Khan, we explore how to choose fewer, more meaningful events, set time limits that prevent crashes, and skip the infamous "Minnesota goodbye" by aligning expectations with your host. You’ll get practical boundary scripts that don’t feel awkward, plus mindset shifts that protect identity and fuel progress.

We go deep on managing sensory load in real time. Learn how to claim the best seat in the room and use casual strategies to reach quieter corners without missing out. If masking drains you, we talk through honest check-ins and how to leave before your system tips into a multi-day setback.

Food and drink play a bigger role than most realize. We break down how gut permeability and a stressed blood-brain barrier can turn sugar and alcohol into headache and brain fog triggers. Get solutions you can use immediately: eat before you go, bring safe snacks and non-alcoholic options, and answer dietary questions simply—no long explanations needed. By combining sensory smarts, recovery-day buffers, and steady nutrition, you’ll keep your energy for connection, not recovery spirals.

If this conversation helps, tap follow, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review—it’s the best holiday gift you can give our show. What strategy will you try first?

Connect with Chaandani at www.returntolife.ca and discover how her work is helping bridge the gap between patients and practitioners in the concussion recovery journey.

Email Chaandani: hello@returntolife.ca

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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A 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 concussion clinics, treating persistent symptoms. In sports, Kosta collaborated with Chelsea Football Club Academy, Olympic GB diving, Vancouver Bandits Basketball (CEBL), CIS rugby, and ice hockey teams.

Beyond a Physiotherapy degree, Kosta holds a Master's in Sports Medicine from University College London, a FIFA Sports Medicine Diploma, and certifications in Vestibular Rehabilitation and visual-vestibular postgraduate training for concussion rehabilitation from Duke University. His research findings on the effects of fatigue on the vestibular oculomotor screen was presented at BASEM in Leeds in 2018 and the 2023 Concussion Consensus statement in Amsterdam.

We break down the modern assessment toolkit—VOMS, force plates, reaction time training, neurocognitive scores, and cervical motion mapping—and why baselines matter when pressure mounts. You’ll hear how to test under fatigue to expose hidden deficits in reaction time and visual motor speed, and why neck strength is a keystone that only works when vestibular and ocular systems are trained alongside it. We get practical about exercise timing too: relative rest for 24–48 hours, then progressive aerobic work that raises brain-derived neurtrophic factor (BDNF), stabilizes the autonomic system, and reduces fear-based immobility. For sedentary listeners, microdosing workouts and “never miss twice” habits create momentum without flare-ups.

We also zoom out to the culture of concussion care: the gap between North America and Europe in awareness and access, the role of rule changes in rugby, and how youth and grassroots programs need better education. Throughout, the theme is consistent—return to performance requires objective data, deliberate progressions, and a team

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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If “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 failed multiple hospital treatments until one overlooked detail surfaced—a basketball to the face the day before symptoms began. With targeted visual-vestibular and cervical work, her pain cleared within days and she returned to school and dance. That theme of foundations-first threads through the hour: build basic stability before intensity, or great rehab stalls. We share simple, surprising tools too—like rhythmic ear insufflation that can abort some migraines in minutes; sublingual ginger oil (Migraine Ginger Relief - MGR) that reduces reliance on triptans; and MQ7, a comprehensive migraine nutrient formula that streamlines evidence-based prevention without a cupboard full of bottles.

We also tackle the big lifestyle levers without fluff. Caffeine: cutting down rarely helps; going to zero often does, because caffeine raises neuronal hyperexcitability. Diet: most people have sensitivities, not instant triggers, and a short, structured reset—including high-histamine foods—clarifies the few that matter. For medication overuse, we map a path out of rebound by lowering allostatic load and widening the “bucket” so weather swings, hormones, and daily stress don’t overflow into attacks. And if your symptoms look like vestibular migraine, hemiplegic migraine, or even “abdominal migraine,” you’ll learn how the same hyperexcitability model guides customized rehab for balance, facial motor, and lower brainstem pathways.

If you’ve felt dismissed, bounced between triptans, Botox, and endless supplements, this conversation gives you a practical framework, specific tests to request, and at-home strategies to try now. Subscribe, share with someone stuck in the migraine maze, and leave a review to help more people find clear, evidence-informed care.

Dr. Adam Harcourt: Clinic Website

Instagram: @migrainedoctors

Biogenic Nutrition:

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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Do 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 patients finally understand why they’re dizzy—and what to do about it.

💡 You’ll learn:

• The difference between central vs. peripheral vestibular issues—and why it matters for treatment.
• How infrared goggles reveal hidden patterns of nystagmus and help pinpoint the true cause of dizziness.
• Why some patients develop “learned dizziness” even after their BPPV has resolved.
• Practical, creative balance and sensory-integration exercises.
• How to find a qualified vestibular therapist and what red flags to watch for when seeking help.

Whether you’ve been told “everything looks normal” or you’ve just learned about vestibular rehab for the first time, this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical next steps for your healing journey.

Vestibular First: website

Helena Esmonde: LinkedIn, email: helena@vestibularfirst.com

Instagram: @vestibularfirst

REGISTER for the online global Love Your Brain Summit on March 20th-22th 2026: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit

Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link.

Support the show

Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at lifeafterimpact@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.