Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 032, I'm Drew Niemann.

Today on A BATTLE WITHIN I got to spend some time chatting with Marc Macialek. He is TBI survivor in California from an accident in 2012. 

He has since taken to starting his own webpage, offering coaching and courses to help to others having their own battle. 

Marc offers some unique perspectives about recovery and the New Normal that are worth considering. We touch on some of these topics during the conversation.

Marc also has a generous offer for A BATTLE WITHIN listeners so be sure to stick around!

Marc's work is very much in alignment with what we are trying to achieve at A Battle Within, so it was a pleasure having him on the program.

A BATTLE WITHIN is about our life experiences and those of our guests managing and healing from Post Concussion Syndrome.(PCS) The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from the survivor, caregiver medical perspective.

It is our desire that this platform be a useful way to create awareness around the invisible injury and help those in the battle, whether that is you the patient or you the caregiver. One way to do this is to share! So please share!

As always, we hope you find the info offered here to be useful.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 031

Today we look to find out from the Kendigs what their life experiences are like since Greg's brain injury. Greg fell off a ladder at work and has been recovering for the last 4 years.

Greg is one of the owners of a great local brew pub to us, The Mad Chef.  The food and beer is fantastic. So if you are local or ever visiting Lancaster, PA. Be sure to check it out!

A BATTLE WITHIN is about our life experiences and those of our guests managing and healing from Post Concussion Syndrome.(PCS) 

It is our desire that this platform be a useful way to create awareness around the invisible injury and help those in the battle, whether that is you the patient or you the caregiver. One way to do this is to share! So please share!

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

Today, Terry and I are back for another episode of "Terry's Takes". This is where I bring up 3 topics to Terry around Traumatic Brain Injuries and we get to hear initial responses and reactions.

In this particular session we talk about an upcoming conference that Terry and I will take part in. How does she feel about doing it? What does she hope to gain?

We also speak to the fact that many children are misdiagnosed each year when they really have concussions. What can we do to get teachers to understand better what is happening so they can help their students?

Lastly we review an excellent article I came across by Mandy over at How to Brain, on Sensory Overload. Terry gives us some thoughts and perspectives from her own experiences.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Terry and I explore what her Self-Perception is now and how she views the world after the concussions and recoveries. She just past her third anniversary from the last one so I thought it would be good to reflect.

We explore topics that include OCD, lack of patience for stupid, not giving up on dreams and "stuff". Terry recognizes that she sees things differently in herself as compared to before the injuries.

Aside from that, Terry offers some of her thoughts on how she views the world after experiencing these traumas. What she thinks of politics, purpose and dreams to name a few.

For most experiencing a significant head injury that impacts their life, there is a "before and after" the incident. This acts as a life marker and it has been no different for us.

Listen intently to hear some of Terry's thoughts on her life, her world and her surroundings as it stands today.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

Today's Notes from the Battlefield we offer some thoughts and insight on the upcoming football season as it relates to head injuries in general. We also talk about youth sports and some of the changes over the years to aid in protecting young athletes.

Every 8-10 episodes we to offer a "Notes From the Battlefield". episode in an effort to create more awareness.

It is built around things we discover and feel is worth passing along. Some of the topics can and will include our perspectives and opinions too.

It is important to note that we are not medical professionals and the information and perspectives here should not be taken as medical advice.

Connect with us at abattlewithin.com and on Facebook at A Battle Within.

We are now on Instagram as well at A Battle Within. 

Show notes and resources for this episode are available at 

abattlewithin.com/notes3

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Terry and I explore a pets and service dogs. How having them offers benefits that have helped her in the healing process.

Terry spends a good amount of time explaining what they have done to help her personally. 

Some of the ways include laughter, a sense of responsibility and believe it or not, pain relief.

She also speaks to the Service Dog perspective, her experience in training our own dog for this and the fact that we need to do better validating and policing them in society.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Dr. Collins a NeuroVision Specialist explains why it is so important to get your vision tested after hitting your head, getting a concussion, or having your neck jerked. 

Over 70% of concussions involve vision concerns.

She also talks about sports injuries and protocols, why she got into the Neurovision specialty in the first place, and why is it a struggle at times with the insurance companies.

This topic and the work she does is still so grossly misunderstood or not understood at all. Please be sure to listen intently as you will get quite a bit of value out of it. 

In the show notes we provide website information for Dr. Collins practice. She sees patients from near and far so keep that in mind. If you or a loved one needs help reach out!

Dr. Collins is clearly a passionate doctor who cares greatly about what she is doing. She graciously offered to come onto A Battle Within because she believes in what we are doing and has been following along. 

We are grateful that she feels this way and that she offered us so much of her time. 

I promise you, in this conversation, she does not disappoint.

***One thing of note- Dr Collins also speaks to her use of Essential Oils with some of her patients. The brand she is speaking to is Young Living and this is important to know when speaking to its application.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Nicole and Cheona offer us their story and offer us some new perspectives on recovery and being kind to yourself.

Nicole was injured in a classroom and has been trying to recover for the past 5 months. We get to hear some of the obstacles faced, what the are doing to overcome and how their children are faring as well. 

As we all know, any injury like this affects the entire family. Despite this they talk about smiling together and laughing at yourself. 

Let's see what they mean.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice. Click Here to see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Terry and Drew explore CBD Oils. The discussion begins with what is CBD oil in the first place, the differences in production practices and the sudden explosion in popularity. 

As the conversation progresses Terry tells us a little about the experiment she did with multiple different brands and what it has done to aid her own in the healing process.

Terry is clearly very passionate about CBD oil, but most specifically in using the right ones. She has two great rants during the conversation that clearly indicate this. One is about Profit over People and the other about the American-Band Aid Society.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  on Facebook  and on Instagram 

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show

We are here to telling stories about what Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) has meant to us and our guests. The conversations are around the trails, the challenges, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

The conversations are real, raw and uncensored from both the survivor and caregiver perspectives.

Through the podcast we aim to:

1. Help to others going through Post Concussion Syndrome and develop community through our stories and those of our guests.
2. Provide a greater sense of awareness with the "Invisible Injury". Living through this has clearly indicated that American society has very little understanding.
3. Get help ourselves! We hope to learn by doing this and hopefully it will lead to further understanding.

In today's episode Terry and I will touch base on how Terry fared with her recent trip to Utah with our daughter Brooke. 

It was a trip that involved taking a plane, going to a convention involving 12-16 hour days, with 40,000 plus people, visiting a farm for hours in the middle of the day, in the desert, and nights filled with speakers and concerts.

For some listening, I may have just pointed out a few triggers that you may struggle with. Let's see how Terry did. What did she do to try to keep the symptoms down? Did she set aside time to recover in quiet places? Was the airport and venue staffs helpful? Did her anxiety flare up? What could she have done better?

The goal of this conversation is two-fold. Keep battling and you will be able to do things you couldn't do before. Secondly, we hope through Terry's experience you get a few ideas and insights on traveling while healing from a brain injury.

Let's find out how it all went. It is important to note that Terry is almost 3 years out at the time of this recording and is very active in trying to heal. If she went on this trip 6 months or a year ago she would have probably fared quite differently. 

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.

Join us each week for the conversation!

Check us out at abattlewithin.com  and on Facebook at A Battle Within.

Show Notes and Resources are here.

If you are interested telling us your story for an upcoming episode- reach out at abattlewithin.com/contact or via Facebook. We would be happy to consider it!

Keep Battling!

Support the show