In this episode, Joseph and Richard sit down with Vinny Crispino, founder of Pain Academy, who went from an eight-time All-American swimmer to a young man told he might need a wheelchair after a surfing accident shattered his back. Instead of giving up, Vinny turned his recovery into a lifelong mission: helping others break free from pain by addressing both body and mind.

The conversation explores the limits of traditional rehab, the surprising ways pain can serve as an unconscious ally, and how breathwork, somatic awareness, and nervous system retraining create lasting change. If you’ve ever struggled with chronic pain, mobility issues, or the stories your body carries, this episode offers profound insights — and practical steps forward.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Pain is not just physical — it’s also emotional, neurological, and relational.
• Chronic pain often rewires the brain to process pain differently than acute injuries.
• Our “story” about pain can amplify its intensity and keep us stuck.
• Mobility blocks are often about nervous system safety, not muscle length.
• Healing requires both physiological retraining and emotional regulation.
• Extinction bursts — painful flare-ups — can be powerful opportunities for growth.
• Meeting pain with compassion, curiosity, and play can radically change outcomes.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Products and Tools Mentioned:

• Pain Academy programs – https://painacademy.net
• Conscious Connected Breathwork (Joseph & Richard’s framework)

Further Reading:

• Research on chronic pain neuroplasticity (fMRI studies)
• John Marchese, Neurological doctor (referenced in episode)
• Previous RUNGA Radio episodes about pain:
  • The Cure for Chronic Pain and Fatigue with Dr Perry Nickelson 
  • Everything You Need to Know About Shoulder Pain with Eric Cressey
  • Dr. Stuart McGill - Lower Back Pain & The New Science of the Golf Swing
  • Dr. Stu McGill - Everything You Need to Know About Low Back Pain

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