Bending Over Backwards

Clayton Lindley made a name doing things most people wouldn’t even try.

But behind the insane tricks and viral clips were broken bones, mental crashes, and a growing fear he didn’t talk about—until now.

In this episode, we get into:
→ The hidden cost of chasing adrenaline for a living
→ How he knew his brain was no longer working the same
→ His go-to strategies for rebuilding focus and clarity
→ What fear really is—and how to stop it from running your life
→ Life after extreme sports: creativity, calm, and control
→ The one mindset shift that helped him move forward

If you’ve ever felt burned out, foggy, or lost, this episode gives you a new way to think about recovery.

One decision can change everything.

For Laura Madden, it was walking into a frame shop with a painting she made just for herself.

What happened next? It led to a whole new career.

In this episode, Laura shares her journey from health coach to full-time artist—using forgotten materials to create bold, beautiful pieces.

You’ll learn:
— Why did she leave her “normal” job after 15 years
— The creative moment that flipped her mindset
— What it’s like building a brand later in life
— How she turned self-doubt into a strength

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to take a chance, this is the episode for you.

Stick around until the end to hear Laura’s advice for artists just starting out.

If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to begin again, this episode might flip the switch.

What happens when the healthcare system stops working—for both the patient and the doctor?

Dr. Ken Ota quit the insurance grind and now runs a small, personal practice. Dr. Azmi Nasser works in the traditional system but adds a private care touch when patients need more.

In this episode, we talk about:

🔹 Why more people are paying out-of-pocket to skip the wait

🔹 How being a doctor has changed—and why it’s not always good

🔹 What it really looks like when you give patients your cell number

🔹 How jiu-jitsu helps them manage stress and avoid burnout

🔹 The simple routines they use to stay grounded as doctors and dads

We also get into their backstories—punk rock bands, immigrant parents, and how they found meaning in medicine.

If you’ve ever felt rushed at the doctor’s office or wondered what better care could look like, this one’s worth your time.

Hit play, and if you like talks that feel real and unfiltered, subscribe for more.

What happens when your entire identity is ripped away in an instant?

Scotty Scheller was on the fast track to a pro hockey career—until a brutal injury shattered his future overnight. What followed was years of unexplained pain, misdiagnosis, and a battle with depression that nearly cost him everything.

But Scottie didn’t just survive—he rebuilt his life from scratch.

• In this episode, we talk about:The injury that changed everything—and how he found purpose in the aftermath
• The dark side of misdiagnosis & why doctors kept failing him
• How hitting rock bottom led him to faith, personal growth, and a new path
• The surprising secret to resilience when everything feels lost
• Why success isn’t about having a plan—but adapting when life forces a new one

If you've ever felt lost, like you're starting over with nothing—this conversation is for you.

Hit play, take notes, and if this episode moves you, tap subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on resilience, mindset, and rebuilding from zero.

Most people dream of adventure. Anne Lorimer actually lives it.

At 85, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. At 89, she did it again—with broken ribs.

Anne isn’t a professional climber. She didn’t grow up wealthy or privileged. She’s faced poverty, homelessness, and obstacles most people wouldn’t recover from.

But she never quit.

In this episode, Anne shares:

• How she went from struggling to survive to setting world records
• What kept her moving forward—even in the hardest times
• Why she believes staying active is the key to a long, happy life
• Her mission to help disadvantaged kids break the cycle of poverty
• Her next adventure—because at 95, she’s still going

If you’ve ever thought you were too old or too late to chase a big dream, this episode will change you!

Most people think trauma is just something that happened in the past. A bad memory. Something you "move on" from.

But what if it’s not in your head? What if it’s sitting in your nervous system, shaping how you think, how you react, even how your body feels?

That’s what we’re talking about today. Chelsey Valeri has spent years helping people untangle the effects of deep trauma—the kind that doesn’t just go away with time.

We dive into:

• Why your body might be stuck in fight-or-flight mode (and how to break the cycle)
• The reason some people never heal—and what they’re missing
• Why therapy alone isn’t enough for deep trauma
• The healthcare system’s blind spots when it comes to pain and mental health

This episode isn’t just about trauma—it’s about finally understanding what’s really happening inside you.

Growing up in a modest Kansas trailer in 1968, I faced poverty, rejection, and a past I wasn’t proud of. From nearly being expelled from a high-society fraternity to hustling guerrilla marketing in grocery stores and bowling alleys, I learned early on that every setback was a setup for a comeback. A high school football coach’s words lit a spark, and I began a relentless pursuit to turn my troubled beginnings into a future defined by purpose.

But the journey wasn’t smooth—financial crises, academic hurdles, and even a debilitating personal crisis during COVID nearly broke me. With faith, grit, and an unwavering determination to prove that your past doesn’t define you, I built one of the nation’s first multidisciplinary pain practices. My story is a testament to the power of resilience and the belief that no matter how low you start, you can rise to change the game.

Contact Dr. James Adkins:
Website: Arizona Pain Treatment Centers
Website: Endoscopic Spine Treatment in Phoenix - Escape Spine Surgery
Phone Number: 602-265-8800
Instagram: @drjamesadkins
Instagram: @azptc
Instagram: @escapespinesurgery
YouTube: @Dr.JamesAdkins

Chrissy Sayare never planned to start a luxury consignment empire—until one day, 11 unexpected boxes showed up at her door, packed with Chanel, Gucci, and Valentino. That moment changed everything. With zero retail experience, she took a risk, built a thriving business, and went on to discover a $300,000 Hermes collection that needed MOVERS.

But behind the success is a story of resilience, identity, and breaking barriers. Chrissy opens up about growing up as the daughter of Greek immigrants, hiding a scoliosis brace as a teenager, and how she still battles imposter syndrome despite running a multi-million dollar company. She shares insider secrets on authenticating designer bags, the hardest lessons she’s learned in business, and why staying comfortable is the biggest risk of all. If you love fashion, entrepreneurship, and a story about turning unexpected moments into massive success, this episode is for you!

Contact Dr. James Adkins:
Website: Arizona Pain Treatment Centers
Website: Endoscopic Spine Treatment in Phoenix - Escape Spine Surgery
Phone Number: 602-265-8800
Instagram: @drjamesadkins
Instagram: @azptc
Instagram: @escapespinesurgery
YouTube: @Dr.JamesAdkins

What if everything you thought was the end was actually just the beginning? Pastor David Friend has been through it all—fighting in the Vietnam War, battling PTSD, surviving cancer linked to Agent Orange, and being told multiple times that he had only months to live. But instead of giving in, he chose faith over fear—and his life became a testimony to resilience, healing, and miracles.

In this gripping episode of Bending Over Backwards, Dr. James Adkins sits down with Pastor Friend to uncover the raw truth about his journey—from the jungles of Vietnam to the pulpit, where he now helps others overcome their own battles. He reveals the mindset shift that helped him defy medical odds, the power of prayer in the darkest moments, and how giving to others became the key to his own strength. This is not just another survival story—it’s proof that purpose, faith, and perseverance can rewrite any ending.

Contact Dr. James Adkins:
Website: Arizona Pain Treatment Centers
Website: Endoscopic Spine Treatment in Phoenix - Escape Spine Surgery
Phone Number: 602-265-8800
Instagram: @drjamesadkins
Instagram: @azptc
Instagram: @escapespinesurgery
YouTube: @Dr.JamesAdkins

From surviving the streets of South Side Chicago to mentoring future NBA stars and changing lives around the world, Coach John Fleming is the definition of resilience and leadership. In this gripping episode of Bending Over Backwards with Dr. James Adkins, Coach Fleming dives into his tough-love coaching philosophy, the role of faith in overcoming adversity, and the life-changing power of mentorship.

Discover how he uses basketball as a platform to teach young men the skills they need to succeed on and off the court. Hear firsthand accounts of his transformative work in Africa, where he combined ministry, humanitarian efforts, and community building to make an indelible impact. If you’re ready to learn the truth about discipline, preparation, and breaking through life’s toughest challenges, this episode is a must-listen.

Contact Dr. James Adkins:
Website: Arizona Pain Treatment Centers
Website: Endoscopic Spine Treatment in Phoenix - Escape Spine Surgery
Phone Number: 602-265-8800
Instagram: @drjamesadkins
Instagram: @azptc
Instagram: @escapespinesurgery
YouTube: @Dr.JamesAdkins