The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Have you ever felt like you're "doing all the right things" when it comes to your health—but still not seeing results?

Here's the truth: nutrition isn't just about willpower or following a cookie-cutter plan. Many people unknowingly spin their wheels because they're missing the root causes hiding beneath symptoms. That's where today's guest, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner Danielle Blasko, comes in. She blends lab testing with personalized protocols to help clients cut through the guesswork and finally move toward healing.

If you've ever been overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice, stuck in a cycle of quick fixes, or unsure what your body really needs—you'll want to tune into this one.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• What a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner actually does (and why it matters for long-term healing)

• Why so many people are under-eating protein—and simple ways to change that

• How inflammation impacts your recovery (and what nutrition can do to calm it down)

• Practical, beginner-friendly strategies to make nutrition less confusing and more doable in everyday life

Nutrition doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating—it can actually become one of the most powerful tools in your healing journey. Tune in and get a sneak peek of Danielle's upcoming Concussion Nerds Summit talk—you won't want to miss it!

Connect with Danielle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemarie_nutrition_/

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

What if the advice you've been given about concussions is not only outdated—but actually slowing down your recovery?

Far too many people are still told to "sit in a dark room and wait it out" after a concussion. The problem? That approach is not just unhelpful, it can delay healing, increase frustration, and leave people feeling isolated.

The truth is: concussion care has evolved. Access to the right treatment, at the right time, can make all the difference in recovery. And today's guest, Lucas Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Headquarters (a virtual concussion clinic), is on a mission to make high-quality, interdisciplinary concussion care accessible to everyone—without the outdated "just wait" approach.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• The outdated concussion myths that are still being repeated—and why they need to stop

• How Lucas' personal concussion story led him to create a new standard of care

• Why early, structured movement (not rest in a dark room) is key to recovery

• How virtual clinics like Headquarters are breaking barriers and expanding access across the U.S.

If you've ever felt frustrated by the lack of clear, effective concussion care—or you just want to stay on top of the most up-to-date recovery strategies—this episode is packed with hope, science, and innovation.

Connect with Lucas Johnston:

Website: https://www.headquarters.health/

Email: [email protected]

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Ever felt like you're chasing a dream that just keeps slipping through your fingers?

You've given it everything—your time, your energy, even your savings—only to feel like you're still miles away from where you want to be. Maybe you've even convinced yourself it's safer not to dream at all, because disappointment hurts too much.

But what if you could hear from someone who's been there—facing rejection, setbacks, and moments of "this is never going to happen"—and still found a way forward?

In this episode, Natasha sits down with Broadway performer and independent artist Kelsie Watts, whose journey from bartending in Nashville to starring in Six on Broadway and racking up over 60,000 Spotify streams in a month will leave you inspired (and maybe a little teary). Her story is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and daring to believe there's more waiting for you.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why chasing your dream often takes more grit—and more patience—than you expect

• The reality of building a career in a competitive, numbers-driven industry

• How authenticity and vulnerability can open unexpected doors

• The mindset shifts that keep you moving forward when quitting feels easier

Whether you're healing from an injury, building a business, or pushing toward a creative dream, this conversation will remind you: you belong, you matter, and it's never too late to keep going.

Connect with Kelsie Watts:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsiewattsmusic/

Listen to her music: https://lnk.to/KelsieWatts-FITIN?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad98QOBNTR_pm-qCz9DVWyur0kwZo_XisNQDCFp73-zTeSqocbcOoEl0un1kw_aem_aVRZnTuuVbgPKCKNH5p-XQ

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Are you stuck treating symptoms when you know there's something deeper going on?

Here's the truth: too many clinicians are caught in a loop—taking course after course, trying to get "certified," but still walking into treatment sessions unsure how to actually help their concussion clients thrive.

I've seen it. I've lived it. And I knew something had to change.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain and taking you behind the scenes of why this podcast, this community, and this entire movement even exists. Spoiler: it's not just about education—it's about reshaping identities, changing the culture of care, and setting a whole new standard for what concussion rehab should look like.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL FIND OUT:

• Why I'm not here to teach you how to treat a symptom—and what I am here to do

• The personal story that shaped my path into neuro rehab and ultimately led to this work

• Why quality education should never be a privilege and how we're breaking that barrier

• How clinicians in this community are shifting their confidence, their care, and their careers

This is more than a podcast. It's a movement. And if you're here—whether you're brand new or a long-time Nerd—you're part of it.

We're redefining what's possible in this space, and we're doing it one clinician, one client, and one deep conversation at a time.

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Are your symptoms being brushed off as "just anxiety" when you know something deeper is going on?

If you've been told your labs are "normal," but your body feels anything but — you're not alone. So many people with complex, overlapping symptoms like fatigue, GI issues, dizziness, brain fog, and medication sensitivities are stuck in a loop of misdiagnosis and dismissal. And it's exhausting.

In this episode of the Concussion Nerds Podcast, Dr. Zachary Spiritos — neurogastroenterologist and founder of Ever Better Medicine — pulls back the curtain on two highly misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions: POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). These aren't "rare unicorn" illnesses — they're just rarely understood.

🧠 By the time you finish listening, you'll discover:

• What a neurogastroenterologist actually does — and why it matters in treating complex conditions

• How MCAS and POTS are often connected (and why most people with POTS have some form of MCAS)

• What clues to look for if your symptoms span multiple systems (hint: it's not all in your head)

• Why a true healing partnership between patient and provider is non-negotiable for chronic illness

This conversation is jam-packed with hope, real talk, and validation — especially if you've been gaslit or ignored by the medical system. Dr. Zach brings humor, humility, and a whole-person approach that will make you feel seen and supported.

If you haven't found your support system yet, keep looking. They're out there — people who want to listen, fight for you, and have your back. I've met them. I talk to them every day. Stay curious, stay connected, and don't give up on finding your team.

🎧 Tune in and feel less alone — you're not imagining it.

🩺 Connect with Dr. Zach Spiritos: Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/drzacspiritos/?hl=en Clinic: Ever Better Medicine https://everbettermedicine.health/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaePOrwSFCWk8_tsMToFIZPy-oTJX-MW0Mwxkjt20j7BQYZ9Phv4Dm8jqgT0-Q_aem_Po5biQLOr1TPEmRLVGv5NQ

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Is sound sensitivity slowing down your concussion recovery—more than you even realize?

For many people on a healing journey (and the clinicians who support them), sound sensitivity becomes an exhausting, confusing hurdle. Whether it's struggling to be in noisy environments, feeling constantly overstimulated, or relying on earplugs 24/7, this issue doesn't just make life harder—it often gets overlooked or misunderstood altogether.

But what if sound sensitivity is more than just an annoying symptom… and instead, a clue pointing to deeper dysregulation in the nervous system? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on what's really going on—and how to start shifting it.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why sound sensitivity is not just about your ears—and how the brain and nervous system play a huge role

• The connection between auditory processing and cognitive function after a concussion

• Why noise-canceling headphones are management, not treatment (and what to do instead)

• A step-by-step framework for gently retraining your tolerance to sound using the "Sound Sensitivity Pyramid"

This episode blends practical tools with empowering education—for clinicians and healing humans alike. Whether you're new to concussion recovery or feeling stuck in the middle of it, this conversation will help you better understand your body, your brain, and your next steps forward.

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Most people think of concussion treatment as pacing, physio, maybe some cognitive rehab… but what if we've been missing a powerful, science-backed tool this whole time?

Let's be real: Photobiomodulation sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi film. And if you're a clinician or someone on a healing journey, you might be wondering—how could a helmet that shines light on your head actually make a difference?

In this episode of the Concussion Nerds Podcast, Natasha is joined by Chris Garvin from Neuronic, a cutting-edge neurotech company that's changing how we support the brain using light. Together, they break down the science of photobiomodulation in a way that's actually understandable—and explore how it's being used to help people with persistent concussions, cognitive decline, and more.

• What photobiomodulation actually is—and how Neuronic's device is using it to improve brain function

• How red light therapy has evolved beyond skincare to support concussion recovery and neurodegenerative care

• The real-life stories of patients and families seeing life-changing shifts through this technology

• What new research says about boosting BDNF (aka brain fertilizer) without needing intense aerobic exercise

This episode is a must-listen for clinicians who want to stay on the cutting edge of evidence-informed care—and for anyone on a healing journey who's curious about non-invasive tools that can support real recovery. If you've never heard of Neuronic or photobiomodulation before, prepare to have your mind (and brain) blown.

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

What if you could see how your nervous system is responding in real time—right in your clinic?

Most practitioners are doing their best with the tools they've got. But let's be honest: when you're only tracking symptoms, you're often flying blind. There's a huge gap between what a patient feels and what's actually happening in the brain—and without objective data, it's easy to miss what truly needs to be addressed.

Now imagine if you had technology that not only helped track brain activity and nervous system responses in real time… but did it in a simple, accessible, and fast way. That's exactly what today's guest, Dr. Trevor Colm, is building—right at the intersection of chiropractic care, neuroscience, and innovation.

Trevor's journey from musician and athlete to concussion survivor to chiropractor—and now tech creator—offers powerful insight into why we must question what we've always done, especially in healing professions. Because what if there's a better way? A smarter, more integrated, tech-supported way?

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• How a single chiropractic adjustment radically changed Trevor's life after his concussion—and what it taught him about healing

• The difference between structural vs. tonal chiropractic techniques (and why it matters for the nervous system)

• Why current tools in concussion and brain-based care often fall short—and how Cortex is bridging that gap

• The role of curiosity, lived experience, and real-time data in creating meaningful, measurable change in clinical outcomes

This one's for the clinicians, the curious minds, and anyone who's ever asked "But why is this working?"—or better yet, "How can we do it even better?"

🎉 ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't forget—Rethink Rehab Live is happening June 27th! This hands-on workshop is for clinicians who are ready to lead the future of concussion care. You'll walk away with the confidence and clarity to treat complex cases with skill—and start creating epic outcomes. Click here to learn more + save your spot.

Until next time, keep being the forward-thinking provider your clients need. 💥

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

How to Connect with Trevor Colm: Visit cortexbrain.com to learn more about the Cortex technology. You can also connect with Trevor on LinkedIn by searching Trevor Colm or visiting his company page, CCNS Technologies.

They've been in stealth mode, but big things are coming soon—so keep an eye out!

Is it really just a headache—or is your brain trying to tell you something deeper?

If you've ever shrugged off recurring headaches or mislabeled your pain as a "migraine" without really knowing the difference, you're not alone. The truth is, many people—and even some clinicians—still don't fully understand what makes a migraine different from a headache.

And that misunderstanding? It leads to missed diagnoses, mistreatment, and a whole lot of people suffering in silence, thinking, "This is just my new normal."

But what if the pain isn't your final story?

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Thompson Maesaka of The Neural Connection—a specialist with deep personal and clinical experience in neurological healing—who's here to break down what's really happening inside the brain during a migraine. From misunderstood symptoms to game-changing interventions, he's sharing what he's learned after years of clinical work and his own healing journey from concussion, Lyme disease, and chronic neurological dysfunction.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• The key differences between a migraine and a headache (and why that matters)

• What's actually happening in the brain during a migraine episode—spoiler: it's more like a seizure than a headache

• The outdated beliefs that are still holding patients (and practitioners) back

• Why "this is your new normal" is one of the most harmful things a clinician can say—and what should be said instead

This episode is a call to curiosity, compassion, and a completely different way of looking at migraine care. Tune in—you'll never think about head pain the same way again.

🎉 ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't forget—Rethink Rehab Live is happening June 27th! This hands-on workshop is for clinicians who are ready to lead the future of concussion care. You'll walk away with the confidence and clarity to treat complex cases with skill—and start creating epic outcomes. Click here to learn more + save your spot.

Until next time, keep being the forward-thinking provider your clients need. 💥

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

Connect with Dr. Thompson:

Email: [email protected]

Tiktok: @headache_whisperer

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your client's concussion recovery by doing too much too soon—or doing the wrong "right" thing?

Here's the hard truth: even the best rehab tools fall flat when clients lack the capacity to actually use them. And far too often, clinicians mistake "more" for "better," piling on protocols without pausing to ask if the nervous system can actually handle it.

In this episode of The Concussion Nerds Podcast, we're diving into the 3 biggest mistakes that keep both clinicians and clients spinning their wheels—mistakes that leave progress stalled and everyone frustrated. If you've ever wondered why someone "should" be getting better… but isn't? This episode is your lightbulb moment.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why your client's perceived capacity may not match their actual nervous system capacity—and why that matters

• The common therapist trap of doing too much, too soon (and how to course correct without losing momentum)

• How "just keep doing it" exercise advice can backfire—and what to do instead

• Real-world examples of misdiagnosed exercise intolerance and the nuanced rehab strategies that actually helped

Whether you're a clinician or someone walking your own healing path, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach, slow down with intention, and start working with the nervous system instead of steamrolling it.

🎉 ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't forget—Rethink Rehab Live is happening June 27th! This hands-on workshop is for clinicians who are ready to lead the future of concussion care. You'll walk away with the confidence and clarity to treat complex cases with skill—and start creating epic outcomes. Click here to learn more + save your spot.

Until next time, keep being the forward-thinking provider your clients need. 💥

Let's connect!

Instagram:

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool