TicFit: Training & Tourette Syndrome

Episode 20 - Anna Gieselman of Beyond Functional: What do we know about how we move

Raquel Cunningham

In this episode, Anna Gieselman of Beyond Functional shares her personal journey from resisting conventional medicine to blending it with applied neurology and functional range conditioning in order to manage her own critical health diagnosis. She also shares how her decades of professional experience in the healing arts have helped her guide clients to work with their own individual needs, help them understand how their nervous system predicts the world around them "safety vs threat", and how sensory input (like vestibular exercises, eye movements, breath work) can influence pain, anxiety, and movement.

It's a nerdy, heartfelt discussion for anyone curious about the deeper connections between movement, the nervous system, the brain, and living with chronic pain; including pain from the repetitive tics of Tourette Syndrome.

The people that find Anna are the ones that need her. Have a listen.

Links:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_functional/

Website: https://www.beyondfunctional.net

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 19 - Dr. Kevin Black: Movement Disorders Neuropsychiatrist on Tourette

Raquel Cunningham

Dr. Kevin Black is a neuropsychiatrist recognized for his expertise in Tourette syndrome and related movement neuropsychiatric disorders, with a career dedicated to advancing research and improving patient care. His work integrates clinical practice and neuroimaging to better understand and treat the complex neurological and behavioral aspects of Tourette syndrome.There is still so much that is unknown about this particular condition but Dr. Black catches us up on what has changed in what we know about the Tourette brain.

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 18 - Dr. Jeff Spencer: Resilience can be Learned

Raquel Cunningham

In this episode, host Raquel Cunningham sits down with Dr. Jeff Spencer; Olympian, performance coach, and mentor behind 8 Tour de France winning teams and over 40 Olympic gold medals. Dr. Spencer shares his unique perspective on the mind-body connection, explaining the difference between a rigid "mindset" and an adaptable "champion's mind". Drawing from his own experience as a cyclist in the 1972 Munich Olympics and his work with elite athletes, he explores the biology of fear-based versus seeking-based instincts, the power of breath work, and why understanding our nervous system is essential before psychology can take hold. This conversation offers practical frameworks for anyone seeking to understand their body's responses. No one can “think their way out” of a neurological condition, but you can learn to understand your own unique biology.

https://www.drjeffspencer.com

Resources Mentioned:

• Stephen Porges – Creator of Polyvagal Theory (1996); https://www.stephenporges.com

• Peter Levine, PhD – Clinician and trauma expert: https://www.somaticexperiencing.com

• James Oschman – Author of Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis; https://energymedicineuniversity.org/faculty/oschman.html

• Emily Conrad – Dancer and movement pioneer; https://continuummovement.com/founder-emilie-conrad-bio/

• Jill Miller – Author of Body by Breath; https://www.tuneupfitness.com

• James Nestor – Author on the importance of breathing; https://www.mrjamesnestor.com

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 17 - Kathy Giordano: Education Specialist — Rage, Rhythm, and Education

Raquel Cunningham

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Tourette Syndrome with Kathy Giordano — a dedicated educator with over 35 years of experience as a Tourette Education Specialist, middle school teacher, mother, and now Global Education Committee Chair for TTAG.

Kathy opens up about her work educating others on Tourette and its often-misunderstood co-occurring conditions — including rage and disinhibition. She shares both professional insight and personal experience, revealing how her family turned moments of chaos into creativity.

When her son, who grew up with Tourette and rage attacks, discovered that drumming helped him regulate, it sparked an incredible innovation: a wearable device that mimics the calming rhythm of drumming without making a sound. You can explore this breakthrough at MyEchoLife.com.

Together, Kathy and her son also co-authored A Family’s Quest for Rhythm, a powerful story of resilience, rhythm, and finding harmony through understanding.

Links & Notes:

• https://MyEcholife.com

• Dr. Ross Green: https://livesinthebalance.org

• When we said “snack break,” we actually meant “movement snack” — those quick, energizing movement breaks that help reset the body and mind. A phrase coined by Katy Bowman, creator of Nutritious Movement.

• We’d like to clarify that Dr. Christine Conelea is a clinical psychologist, not a neurologist as mentioned in the episode.

• It's not mentioned in the episode but we find the Rage Bag by FUNPUNCH to also be a good tool for regulation if you don’t have access to drums. Learn more about them here. https://funpunch.com/products/funpunch®-rage-bag

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 16 - Just Remember LUKE

Raquel Cunningham

LEARN how you UNDERSTAND movement, KEEP going and it will be EFFECTIVE. How do we develop new movement patterns? Do we copy what others do, listen for intricate instructions, just try it out, or do we dive into the mechanics? The big four learning styles in the gym are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and conceptual. Do you know which one you rely on the most? If you’re a coach, do you assume everyone learns the way you do? The best cues are the simplest. For the highest impact, the simplicity lies in matching how that person learns. I will be forever grateful to Luke for making me a better coach. He taught me a lifelong lesson in the gym that extends far beyond the ticcing community. We can take this lesson to learning new lifts, learning how to swim, or in how we guide others through the process. Tics or no tics, we all need to have movement literacy for longevity and quality of life. To build that movement literacy, just remember LUKE: Learn how you Understand movement, Keep going, and it will be Effective.

Neuro artists:

• Greg Dunn: https://www.gregadunn.com

Athletes mentioned:

• Stephen Nedoroscik (The Pommel Horse Guy): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i7yGO9pYDc8 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/30/team-usas-stephen- nedoroscik-visualized-his-way-to-a-bronze-medal.html

• Simone Biles: https://fortune.com/well/article/simone-biles- mindset-mental-training/

• Michael Phelps: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/michael-phelps- ravens-visit-teach-players-swim-training-camp

Study:

• Visualization study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5351796/

Episode 15 - Katie St Clair: Empowered Performance

Raquel Cunningham

Muscles move our bones and bones move our bodies. In this conversation with strength and conditioning coach Katie St.Clair, we explore the fluidity of rotational movement and how each individual can expand their movement options. Tics are anything but fluid, however, by understanding movement mechanics we can develop a more personalized toolbox to pull from when our muscles adapt to our tics or if tics impact function. We also discuss joint hypermobility and strategies to manage joint laxity. Tics or no tics, we look at movement from an inside out approach and discuss the more influential muscles in the body. (Spoiler: it’s the diaphragm).

Ultimately, whether simple or complex, vocal or motor, our uniquely ticcing movements move our muscles and bones. Dive into the anatomy of how we move with Katie St.Clair, creator of Empowered Performance, and play with some new movements.

IG: @katie.stclair.fitness

Website: https://www.katiestclairfitness.com

Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book.

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 14 - Meghann Koppele Duffy, Co-founder of The Neuro Studio

Raquel Cunningham

What is the difference between a tremor, a spasm, and a tic? They are all neurological symptoms so what influence do voluntary movement choices have on each one?

How do we create sensory safety in the body when your body moves without you asking it to? In this discussion with Meghann Koppele Duffy, co-founder of the Neuro Studio, we take movement principles and challenge them when used with neurological conditions.

Meghann is a doctoral candidate and movement specialist pioneering brain-based training for people with neurological conditions. With her co-founder, the Neuro Studio blends science-backed and studio-tested workouts to help each individual adapt to their own brain’s unique response. This is for everyone, all movement is neurological.

Website: https://www.theneurostudio-online.com

Instagram: @theneurostudio and @megkoppeleduffy

Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 13 - Robert Linkul, Training the Older Adult

Raquel Cunningham

Robert Linkul is no stranger to adversity, and his journey—both personal and professional—has fueled a powerful mission: combating sarcopenia in older adults. Tourette Syndrome is still largely thought of as only a youth neurological condition, which is a misconception. In reality, many adults continue to experience tics throughout their lives, often without proper recognition or support. In this episode, we explore how Robert’s program, Training the Older Adult, not only addresses age-related muscle loss but our conversation also sheds light on the long-term physical impact of tics, bridging two often-overlooked health topics in a insightful and actionable way.

Robert Linkul on IG

Training the Older Adult

Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 12 - Dr. Kelly Starrett & Juliet Starrett: We are built to move

Raquel Cunningham

Why do we even care about mobility work? Kelly and Juliet offer rich, deep explanations on the influence of your "non-training" hours. Our training hours should allow us to move and do the activities that we love throughout our lifetime, especially those activities we love outside of the gym. Every human experiences pain whether they have tics or not. In this back and forth discussion, we bring together the worlds of The Ready State and living a life that is "Built to Move" with Tourette syndrome.

Oh, and Kelly is obsessed with hip extension...

Website: https://thereadystate.com

Instagram: @thereadystate and @julietstarrett

Books referenced:

Built to Move
Becoming a Supple Leopard

Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 11 - Jill Miller: Fascia, tics, muscles, and breath!

Raquel Cunningham

Fascia, tics, muscles, and breath! Whether you have tics, are a clinician in the Tourette and tic community, or are fascinated by movement; both voluntary AND involuntary, this discussion helps drive that narrative that tics can be intriguing but they are not entertaining. Jill Miller brings tactility to breath work for all movers and we pull out components that can be wildly beneficial to the Tourette community. Backed by research in the fast moving landscape of fascia and breath, we take a look at breath from sensation to nervous system and everything in between. Enjoy.

Jill Miller:

Founder of Tune-up fitness

Author of Body by Breath

Links:
Quanta Magazine

Abdominal Churning Video

Nasal Respiration Study

Role of the autonomic nervous system in TS

Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book

Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.