Amy Stevenson Wilson, MPH, CHWC holds a Master’s in Public Health and is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Born and raised in Fruit Heights, Utah, Amy is an avid runner, reader, and nutrition enthusiast. She earned her political science degree from BYU and has lived around the globe. In 2017, while eight months pregnant, she survived a near-fatal collision with street-racing teens. Now a mother of four, she lives in Farmington, Utah, and shares her story of traumatic brain injury, physical recovery, and the power of forgiveness.

In this episode, host Bethany Lewis interviews her neighbor and friend, Amy Stevenson Wilson. Amy shares her harrowing story of being hit by a car traveling 95 mph while she was 35 weeks pregnant. She details the immediate aftermath including emergency C-section, a traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale of 7), a grade 5 kidney laceration, a broken pelvis, and the dramatic rescue by Salt Lake City first responders. She recounts how her daughter, Grace Deliverance, was born not breathing and required 11-12 minutes of CPR, facing a grim prognosis of severe developmental delays. The episode follows their miraculous recovery, the decision to forgive the teenage driver in court, and the ultimate triumph of running a 10k with her father just a few years later. This episode is a powerful testament to hope, faith, and the resilience of the human brain and spirit.

Connect with Amy:

• Email: amystevensonwilson@gmail.com

• Social Media (Facebook): Amy Stevenson Wilson

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Coaching Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Jamie MoCrazy is a former professional freestyle skier, X Games record-setter, and critical traumatic brain injury survivor. Once known for pushing the limits in big air and slopestyle, her life changed dramatically during a competition in Whistler, Canada. Now, she uses her platform to raise awareness about the long-term effects of TBI and the importance of proper diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Grace “Fruit” Mauzy (MA in Psychology, PhD candidate in Mind-Body Medicine) is Jamie’s mother, who played a critical role as both a caregiver and researcher throughout Jamie’s recovery. She brings a unique dual perspective, combining academic expertise with lived experience navigating the complexities of brain injury care.

In this powerful episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis sits down with Jamie and Grace MoCrazy to discuss their remarkable journey through severe traumatic brain injury and recovery. Jamie shares the story of her 2015 skiing accident—which left her in a coma with a death report written before she left the mountain—and how she has no memory of the event or the two months following. Grace describes the harrowing moment she received the call, the breaking of protocol in stimulating Jamie’s system in ways that contradicted hospital protocol (touching, singing, massaging, playing music), and the science that supported those instincts.

Together, they explore the similarities and differences between severe TBI and concussion, and why healing cannot happen when the nervous system is stuck in sympathetic (fight/flight) mode. Grace explains the gut-brain axis, how the microbiome shrinks under stress and craves processed foods, and why nausea is the gut telling the brain it isn’t healing. Jamie introduces her powerful reframing tool: “Let’s stop and look at the view”—a strategy that transforms guilt into grace. The episode closes with details on the MoCrazy Method (a 6-week virtual mind-body therapy program) and the iFly Alive to Thrive in-person event, both designed to help brain injury survivors and their caregivers rebuild connection, joy, and a thriving “2.0” life.

Resources Mentioned

MoCrazy Strong Foundation (Jamie & Grace):

• Website: www.MoCrazyStrong.org

• Email: jamie@mocrazystrong.org | info@mocrazystrong.org

• Instagram: @MoCrazyStrongFoundation

• Facebook: @MoCrazy Strong Brain Injury Foundation

Upcoming Events (as of recording):

1. The MoCrazy Method (6-week virtual mind-body therapy program with psychoeducation)

2. • Starts: April 29, 2026 | Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 PM MT

   • Registration: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/mocrazy-method-spring--2026

3. iFly Alive to Thrive (indoor skydiving + lunch + social connection)

4. • Date: May 14, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM MT (skydiving 9:30–11:00 AM)

   • Location: Ogden, UT (iFly + Ogden Library)

   • Cost: $45 (lunch included; scholarships available)

   • Registration: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/alive-to-thrive

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Coaching Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Dr. Alicia Reiser, OTD, MS OTR/L is an occupational therapist with over 24 years of experience and the owner of A Rise Above Occupational Therapy Services in the Lehigh Valley, PA. She earned her clinical doctorate from Salus University (Drexel University) with a specialization in vision remediation. An active scholar and adjunct faculty at Drexel, Dr. Reiser bridges the gap between neurological rehabilitation, vision therapy, concussion recovery, ADHD care, and nervous system regulation. She is the co-owner of NeurOT Consulting and co-author of 100 Visually Loaded Activities and Occupations.

In this episode, Dr. Alicia Reiser explains the critical but often overlooked connection between vision and the brain following a concussion. She discusses how visual inefficiencies (such as convergence insufficiency, double vision, and blurry vision) can mimic or worsen ADHD symptoms, hinder recovery, and cause chronic symptoms like headaches and dizziness. Dr. Reiser highlights the unique role of Occupational Therapy in vision remediation, the importance of interdisciplinary care with neuro-optometrists, and her work to establish a national Community of Practice within AOTA to standardize vision rehabilitation. She also provides actionable advice for patients and families navigating concussion recovery.

Resources Mentioned by Dr. Reiser

1. Find a Neuro-Optometrist: College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) – www.covd.org (Look for the "board certified in vision therapy" box)

2. Book (Co-authored by Dr. Reiser): 100 Visually Loaded Activities and Occupations (Available for pre-order via NeurOT Consulting: https://neurotconsulting.com/)

3. Textbook Mentioned: Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists by Dr. Mitchell Scheiman, ODhttps://www.routledge.com/Understanding-and-Managing-Vision-Deficits-A-Guide-for-Occupational-Therapists/Scheiman/p/book/9781032882871

4. Continuing Education Course: Vis Con (through CiaoSeminars) – https://www.ciaoeminarss.com

5. AOTA Community of Practice (CoP) for Vision Rehabilitation:

6. • Enrollment Survey Link: https://forms.aota.org/forms/vision_cop_enrollment_survey_copy

Original Discussion Board Request: https://communot.aota.org/discussion/vision-remediation-community-of-practice-interestWebsites & Social Media

• Dr. Reiser’s Practice: www.ariseaboveoccupationaltherapyservices.com

• Instagram: @ariseaboveot

• Facebook: @ariseaboveot

• Consulting & Book (with Megan Schneider): www.neurotconsulting.com

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Coaching Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Michael Flomenhaft, Esq. is the principal of the Flomenhaft Law Firm, PLLC in New York. He is a renowned trial lawyer specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and severe chronic pain. With a unique, deep expertise in neurosciences—including neuroimaging, neurobiology, and the neuroanatomy of chronic pain—Michael bridges the gap between complex brain science and the courtroom. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Neuroscience and Law at Fordham Law School and was a director of Neurolaw for the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences at Columbia University. A graduate of Boston University School of Law and the Trial Lawyers College, he is passionate about advocating for clients whose brain injuries are often unrecognized or minimized.

In this powerful episode, host Bethany Lewis (The Concussion Coach) sits down with attorney Michael Flomenhaft to uncover the challenging legal realities of living with a concussion. They discuss why standard ER scans (CAT scans, MRIs) often miss the white matter damage that causes persistent symptoms, and how this medical gap creates major hurdles in legal cases. Michael explains why a "normal" scan does not mean a normal brain, the progressive nature of brain atrophy, and the invisible emotional burdens of grief, shame, and fear that clients carry. He also introduces advanced imaging (DTI, NeuroQuant) and hopeful therapies like neurofeedback.

Resources Mentioned by Michael Flomenhaft

Contact for Legal Help (New York/New Jersey & Nationwide Referrals):

• Email: mflomenhaft@brainjusticeny.com

• Phone: 917-359-8023

• Website: www.brainjusticeny.com

Key Medical & Legal Concepts Discussed:

• DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging): Specialized MRI that evaluates white matter integrity (introduced into US jurisprudence by Mr. Flomenhaft in 2004).

• SWI (Susceptibility Weighted Imaging): MRI sequence sensitive to microscopic bleeds (hemosiderin).

• NeuroQuant: FDA-cleared computerized program to evaluate brain atrophy.

• Neurofeedback: Described as "going to the gym for your brain," a highly effective intervention for re-establishing white matter connectivity and recovering function.

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Coaching Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Alyssa Chang is a neuroscience health coach and the creator of The Regulation Method, a framework designed to help people rewire the patterns behind chronic stress, anxiety, pain, and fatigue. Her work integrates applied neuroscience with a trauma-informed lens, shifting the focus from fixing symptoms to creating safety in the body. A former athlete who personally struggled with chronic fatigue, vertigo, and brain fog after extreme training, Alyssa now helps others move beyond temporary relief towards sustainable, nervous-system-driven results.

In this episode, Bethany Lewis interviews neuroscience coach Alyssa Chang about the critical link between the nervous system and concussion recovery. Alyssa shares her personal journey from competitive athletics and chronic illness to becoming a brain-based practitioner. They discuss why "foundational" elements like nutrition and hydration are essential for neuroplasticity, how to interpret symptoms (like pain and brain fog) as the brain’s attempt to protect you, and why setbacks are not failures but data points. Alyssa also offers practical, at-home strategies for regulating the nervous system and provides specific advice for loved ones and caregivers on how to offer support without increasing the patient's "threat bucket."

Resources Mentioned

• The Regulation Method: Alyssa’s framework for rewiring chronic patterns.

• Adrenal Mocktail Recipe: A combination of orange juice, cream of tartar, sea salt, coconut milk, and collagen/bone broth powder for hydration and blood sugar stabilization. https://open.substack.com/pub/coachalyssa/p/the-adrenal-mocktail?r=54h223&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

• Z-Health Education: The neuroscience-based training system Alyssa studied.

• Pinhole Glasses: A tool used to reduce light input and downshift a stressed nervous system.

• Palming Technique: Rubbing hands together and covering eyes to reduce visual stimulation.

• Podcast Episode about Grief: https://youtu.be/WydQqgU1mlU

• Books by Norman Doidge: The Brain That Changes Itself and The Brain's Way of Healing (recommended for understanding neuroplasticity).

• Spoon Theory / Threat Bucket Theory: Metaphors for understanding energy capacity and nervous system load.

Guest Contact & Resources

• Website: www.coachalyssachang.com

• Instagram: @coachalyssachang

• Free Masterclass: "Heal Stubborn Pain With Your Brain"

• • Link: https://www.coachalyssachang.com/masterclassoptin

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

Good Mood Method is a nervous system therapy program designed for individuals recovering from physical and emotional trauma. The approach combines music, movement, and meaning to help clients rebuild biological safety in their nervous system and feel like themselves again after traumatic experiences.

Founded by Gilad Miller, a Polyvagal and Logotherapy Practitioner, Foundation Training Specialist, and Trauma-Informed Somatic Coach who recovered from a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), Good Mood Method leverages clinically-proven somatic practices to create sustainable healing. By emphasizing recovery at home between appointments, the program helps the nervous system anchor itself in safety and presence—the foundation for a meaningful recovery.

Summary of the Episode

In this episode, host Bethany Lewis (The Concussion Coach) speaks with Gilad Miller about his journey of recovery from a moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in a skateboarding accident. Gilad shares his experience of being discharged from the hospital and later being told he was “medically fine,” despite battling debilitating symptoms like insomnia, sensory overload, and depression.

The conversation explores the critical gap between physical recovery and holistic healing, emphasizing the need to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Gilad introduces his integrative approach, the Good Mood Method, which is built on three pillars:

1. Music: Using the Safe and Sound Protocol (a Polyvagal Theory-based listening therapy) to retune the nervous system and reduce sensory sensitivity.

2. Movement: Utilizing a trauma-informed version of Foundation Training to restore the body’s structural integrity and teach the nervous system that it is safe.

3. Meaning: Employing Logotherapy (inspired by Viktor Frankl) to help individuals define what “getting better” truly means to them and anchor their recovery in a sense of purpose.

Gilad and Bethany discuss the importance of social connection for co-regulation, how to build a compassionate relationship with one’s own body, and the necessity of moving at a pace that feels safe to the nervous system.

Resources Mentioned

• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): A five-hour listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve social engagement.

• Foundation Training: A bodyweight movement practice focused on restoring the posterior chain (spine, hips, and head carriage) to build structural stability.

• Logotherapy: A therapeutic approach developed by Viktor Frankl focused on finding meaning in all forms of existence, even suffering.

• Viktor Frankl’s Book: Man’s Search for Meaning

Guest Contact Information

• Website: http://goodmoodmethod.ca

• Social Media: @goodmoodmethod (Instagram)

• Free Class: https://www.goodmoodmethod.ca/no-cost-class

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: www.theconcussioncoach.com

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

Don Watenpaugh, PhD, D, ABSM, is a scientist, sleep consultant, and data artist. He earned his PhD in Physiology at UC Davis and is board-certified in sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM). He directed a large urban sleep clinic for 13 years and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

In this episode, Bethany Lewis welcomes back her uncle, Dr. Don Watenpaugh, for a third deep dive into the science of concussion recovery. The conversation focuses heavily on the physiological underpinnings of common post-concussion symptoms. Dr. Watenpaugh explains the role of the vestibular system (specifically the "rocks in your head" called otoliths) in causing dizziness and vertigo, and how this relates to Dysautonomia (autonomic nervous system imbalance). He also explores cutting-edge therapies for sleep disruption, including neurofeedback and transcranial stimulation. The episode concludes with a critical discussion on the under-recognized risks of concussion in the elderly population and a valuable "internet hack" for finding reliable, peer-reviewed research.

Key Topics & Resources Mentioned

1. Vestibular System & BPPV

• Concept: The otoliths (calcium carbonate crystals) in the inner ear help the body sense gravity and movement. A concussion can dislodge these "rocks," leading to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) , dizziness, and disorientation.

• Impact: Increases fall risk (leading to re-injury), causes sensitivity to movement (e.g., elevators, bending down), and can disrupt sleep by altering spatial awareness.

• Treatment: Specialized vestibular physical therapists use specific maneuvers (like the Epley maneuver) to reposition the crystals and "re-educate" the system.

2. Dysautonomia (Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance)

• Concept: The concussion can cause an "adrenergic storm," leading to a dominance of the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). This makes it difficult for the body to switch to the parasympathetic state (rest and digest), which is necessary for healing.

• Symptoms: Random heart rate spikes while resting, profuse sweating, feeling faint upon standing (POTS-like symptoms), and digestive or hormonal issues.

• Treatment: Sub-threshold exercise (exercising up to the point of symptom onset and then stopping) and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can help retrain the nervous system's resilience. Listen to The Concussion Coach Podcast episode 37 for more information on how to implement effective HIIT training: 37. Post Concussion Syndrome, Dysautonomia, & Intervals: An Interview with Dr. Mark Allen, PhD

3. Sleep & Advanced Therapies

• Concept of Brain Fog: Delta waves (slow waves associated with deep sleep) appearing during wakefulness, which is counterproductive to cognitive function.

• Therapies Discussed:

• • Neurofeedback: Training the brain to reduce inappropriate delta waves during the day to improve wakefulness and potentially improve sleep drive at night.

  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): A non-invasive therapy that uses small electrical currents applied to the scalp during sleep to encourage Delta (slow wave) sleep.

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to treat post-concussion depression and headaches, which indirectly improves sleep.

  • Near-Infrared Light (Red Light Therapy): A therapy mentioned for overall brain recovery (also listen to a previous episode on the Neuronic device: Episode 120: https://youtu.be/Juoz5SApHUg).

Today’s guest is Ben Reubenstein, a brain injury survivor, entrepreneur, and Colorado local. In 2023, what was initially diagnosed as a concussion after a snowboarding fall turned out to be a subdural hematoma requiring emergency brain surgery. Two years post-operation, Ben joins us to share his raw and honest journey—from the missed signs and the life-saving surgery to the long road of recovery, the frustration of lingering symptoms, and the mindset shifts that are helping him get back to the life and sports he loves.

Episode Summary: Ben Rubenstein was doing everything right—wearing a helmet while snowboarding, and seeing a doctor, and seeking therapy after a fall and hit to his head. But when his concussion symptoms didn't improve, the truth was far more serious: a slow brain bleed that required two brain surgeries. In this powerful episode, Ben walks us through his entire experience, including the critical mistake of not getting an initial scan, the helicopter ride to the hospital, and the "denial phase" that followed his release. He discusses the importance of building a care team, the turning point he found in a book about healing chronic pain, and how he reframed his relationship with fear to finally get back on the mountain. This is a story of resilience, the power of vulnerability, and the importance of advocating for your own health.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Book: The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain by Alan Gordon

• App: Brain HQ (cognitive training program)

• Connect with Bethany:

• • Website: www.theconcussioncoach.com

  • Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

  • Free Consultation: Link in show notes or on the website

Connect with Ben Reubenstein:Bluesky: @benr.eu