Chris Nowinski is a former football player at Harvard University and professional wrestler with WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment. 

After enduring a career-ending head injury, Chris has dedicated his professional life to serving patients and families affected by brain trauma, particularly Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that develops after repeated head injuries.

Jay and Chris discuss the state of head injuries in American athletics, the difference between advocating for head safety at youth and professional levels, Chris’ newest research, and much more.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(00:50) changes in the culture around concussions in the past two decades

(02:39) padded helmet technology

(03:55) concussion reporting in the NFL

(10:35) Chris’ career path and concussion history

(14:52) connecting with activists who haven’t themselves suffered a traumatic brain injury

(17:42) SHAAKE - a new sign to identify concussions

(20:53) Unions can help players advocate for safety policies

(23:10) final thoughts and goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

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LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com.