Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro
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Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients. DISCLAIMER: All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice of doctors or healthcare practitioners. If a listener believes they are suffering from a similar injury to one discussed by the author, please seek medical care of your doctor or physician and do not rely on the author's advice.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Combat Sports and the Integration of AI in Concussion Management with M2MMA General Manager Chris Cannon

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Chris Cannon.  Chris is the General Manager of M2MMA, a combat sports organisation using artificial intelligence to improve athlete wellbeing across physical, psychological, and financial domains. A key focus is reducing major risks in the sport—particularly weight cutting and concussion (mild traumatic brain injury), which is the focus of today’s discussion. 01:14 - Chris’s Journey into M2MMA  05:50 - What is M2MMA & How is AI involved? 08:52 – What Data is Being Collected? 13:40 – Protection of Data 14:50 – Athlete Perception’s to Data Collection 18:00 – Examples of Data Collection 20:40 – Understanding the Whole Issue 26:45 – Outside Perception on AI Tracking from Other Sports 30:45 – Chris’s Favourite Sporting Moment and Moving Forward in Sport M2MMA:  Website: https://m2mma.com IG: @m2mmaofficial and @cccannon10 Facebook: M2MMA Official   Social media: Twitter: @firstconcussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    39 min

  2. 31 MAR

    Motorsport Concussion Policy and Practice with FIM Medical Director Dr David McManus

    Send us Fan Mail Dr McManus is the Medical Director of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, overseeing world-class competitions including MotoGP, motocross, and superbike racing. He also leads the FIM International Medical Commission, driving global standards in medical care and rider safety. With a background in sports and emergency medicine, Dr McManus is a key figure in advancing injury surveillance and concussion management in high-speed motorsport, helping shape best-practice care for elite riders worldwide.   01:30 - Journey into Medicine and Motorsport’s       04:00 - What is FIM? 07:10 – History of Concussion Guidelines in Motorsports 10:55 - What is a concussion and Significance? 16:30 – Acceptance of Concussion Policies Amongst Athlete's 18:40 – Publishing and Implementation of Concussion Guidelines 26:00 – When to Respect Autonomy and When to in Force Protocol  33:45 – Removal from the Track for An Assessment  39:40 – General Things We Should Know About Motorsports and Concussion FIM: https://www.fim-moto.com/en/   Guidelines https://www.fim-moto.com/en/news/news-detail/article/fim-launches-motorcycle-sport-specific-concussion-assessment-and-management-guidelines Professor Jon Patricios – Concussion in Sports Group: Episode 65      Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    47 min

  3. 24 MAR

    From AFL to WAFL and Concussion with Former AFL Player Tom Ledger

    Send us Fan Mail Tom had an outstanding junior career, winning state championships for Western Australia and multiple league best and fairest awards. He was drafted to St Kilda in 2010, spending three seasons at the club and playing with Sandringham in the VFL. He later returned to WA, becoming a key player for Claremont over eight seasons in the WAFL. Off the field, Tom completed a law degree and now works as a Special Counsel at Pragma Lawyers in Perth. 01:30 - Journey into Sports and Experiences of the AFL Draft 04:50 – Process Once Drafted 06:30 – Experience of Being In ‘AFL System’ and First Game  08:12 – Comparison of AFL to State Level 10:28 – Head Injury Assessment and Experiences  12:50 – Confounding Factors of Playing Through Injuries 14:40 – Attitude Now Towards Concussion Now 15:55 – Changes in Playing Style 17:47 – Perception Changed on Concussion? 19:50 - Favourite Memories of Career 21:50 – Transition from AFL to Everyday Life 23:00 – Where to Find Tom Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    24 min

  4. 17 MAR

    Understanding Concussion, Phenotypes and Rehabilitation with Concussion Nerds Founder Natasha Wilch

    Send us Fan Mail Natasha is a registered physical therapist with more than a decade of clinical experience. She holds degrees in Health Science and Kinesiology, along with a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia. Over the course of her career, she has developed specialised expertise in concussion recovery, neurological rehabilitation, chronic pain management, vestibular therapy, and functional neurology. She is the founder of Symphony Brain Performance, a clinic that has become a sought-after destination for individuals seeking specialised care for concussion and brain health. Natasha’s innovative work has earned significant recognition, including Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Physiotherapist Leadership Award of British Columbia, and Vancouver Island’s Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Award. She has also recently been nominated for the Women of Influence Award. In addition to her clinical work, Natasha is the founder and host of the Concussion Nerds podcast and program, where she shares insights and conversations focused on brain health, concussion recovery, and performance.   01:35 - How Natasha Become a Physical Therapist 05:30 - Integration into Concussion Rehabilitation  12:50 - What is a Concussion? 16:40 - What are the Phenotypes of Concussion?  22:00 - Approach in Treating Concussion/ Misconceptions 30:00 – Psychology and Terminology of Concussion 37:35 – Myths Around Concussion 42:55 – Rewards of Natasha’s Job 44:30 - Where Can People Find Concussion Nerds and Natasha     Concussion Nerds – Natasha Wilch  https://www.natasha-wilch.com/concussion-nerds Podcast: The Concussion Nerds Podcast – Spotify/ Apple  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natasha.wilch.concussioncoach/   IG: @natash.wilch & @concussionnerds  YouTube: @NatashaWilch-ConcussionNerd Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightly   Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    59 min

  5. 10 MAR

    NRL Concussion and Head Injury Assessment Process with Former Melbourne Storm Chief Medical Officer Dr Jason Chan (Re-Release From December 2024)

    Send us Fan Mail **This Episode is a Re-Release from Late 2024,  information may have change since recording**    Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we are privileged to have Dr. Jason Chan join us. Dr. Chan recently retired after a distinguished 10-year tenure as the Chief Medical Officer for the Melbourne Storm, where he oversaw the medical management of the team during an era marked by remarkable success. Under his leadership, the Storm appeared in five grand finals, securing two premierships and five minor premierships. Dr. Chan’s tenure also included overseeing nine preliminary finals and managing a total of 249 games. Despite his retirement from the role, he continues to contribute to the club as a medical consultant. Dr. Chan holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Medical Officer in the history of the Melbourne Storm. Beyond his role with the Storm, he has applied his expertise in various high-profile positions, including with the Queensland State of Origin team, the NRL Māori All Stars, and the Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball team, among others. He is also the founder of the Surgical Assistants Group of Victoria. With over 28 years of experience across multiple specialties, including general practice, orthopaedics, and general surgery, Dr. Chan is widely recognized as a highly regarded medical professional within the sporting and medical communities. His diverse experience and contributions to the field make him an invaluable asset in the areas of sports medicine and team health management.   01:34 - Background and the Role of Chief Medical Officer 05:47 - What Happens with An Athlete in Pre-Season & Baseline Testing  12:23 - Time to conduct a HIA and Make a Clinical Decision on Game Day  20:00 - Player Repour on Concussion Diagnosis  23:00 - HIA’s and Recovery Process of Concussion  27:20 - Perceptions of the Media  30:35 - Multifaceted Aspects of Culture and Public Acceptance of Concussion  38:17 - Over Arching Message    Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightly   Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    42 min

  6. 3 MAR

    Head in The Game: Sociocultural Analyses of Brain Trauma in Sport with Dr Stephen Townsend

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today Back by popular demand, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephen Townsend. A Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queensland University’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Dr. Townsend is a leading voice in sport social studies and concussion history. His acclaimed book Head in the Game explores the cultural and social history of concussion in sport—and sets the stage for today’s conversation.   01:30 - Head in The Game: Sociocultural Analyses of Brain Trauma in Sport 04:35 – Sociology of Concussion in Sport 08:35 – Main Message of ‘Head in The Game’ 14:30 – Sport/ War Nexus; Why Do We Always Compare the Two? 20:50 - Punch-Drunk Murderer: Boxing, Brain Trauma, and the Murder of Hilda Meek 34:55 - Cricket Is a Contact Sport 46:40 - Favourite Aspects of Researching History   Dr Stephen Townsend  Twitter/X: @historycarb Instagram: @headknockhistorian  Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-townsend-446369b3/?originalSubdomain=au     Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

    53 min

  7. 24 FEB

    The Physiology of the Action Potential and Neuronal Signaling with Professor Amanda Ellison

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re honoured to be re-joined by Professor Amanda Ellison who disced all things about the brain and headaches on episode 92, Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches  Professor Ellison has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, earning close to 3,000 citations, with research spanning visual neuroscience, sensorimotor systems, and neuronal disruption in conditions such as migraine and headache disorders. Her work provides valuable insight into how the brain functions—and malfunctions—following injury or dysfunction. Alongside her academic research, Professor Ellison is a passionate science communicator and the author of Getting Your Head Around the Brain and Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches, two widely respected books that translate complex neuroscience into accessible, real-world understanding. 02:00 - The Love for Action Potentials 04:20 – What is Neuron and Why are the Special? 07:30 – It Does Not Like the Text Book 11:00 – What is an Action Potential and What is the Physiology Behind it? 24:30 –How Neurons Communicate  29:35 - The Story of Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramón Cajal  34:35 – Chemical Signals of Action Potentials  43:50 – Mitochondria, ATP and Sodium Potassium Pumps 47:00 – Conceptualizing it All 54:10 – Fatigue, ATP and mTBI 59:00 – Calcium’s Role 01:08:54 – Favourite Thing About Professor Ellison’s Work Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-z_DSs4AAAAJ&hl=en Splitting: Inside Story on Headaches (https://www.amazon.com.au/Splitting-Inside-Headaches-Amanda-Ellison/dp/1472971396)  Getting Your Head Around The Brain: https://www.amazon.com.au/Getting-your-head-around-brain-ebook/dp/B09HZ9FVSR?ref_=ast_author_dp   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly  Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    1hr 11min

  8. 17 FEB

    Concussion, Autonomy and Care Giver Burden of Neurodegenerative Disease with Dr Deana Simonetto and Dr Daniel Sailofsky

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Deana Simonetto is a sociologist and Assistant Professor of History and Sociology at UBC Okanagan. Her research examines crime and deviance, gender, families, and sport, with a focus on how women navigate public identities while married to professional athletes.  Dr. Daniel Sailofsky is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto. A sociologist with a background in law and sport management, his work explores violence, gender, social harm, and the political economy of sport. He is the author of Playing Through Pain: The Violent Consequences of Capitalist Sport.     01:40 - How Dr Simonetto Become Involved in Concussion, Sociology of Sport & gender 04:10 - How Dr Sailofsky Become Involved in Concussion, Sociology of Sport & gender 09:55 – What is a Concussion/ CTE (Dr Simonetto) 13:50 - What is a Concussion/ CTE (Dr Sailofsky) 17:20 – Athlete’s as a Commodity, Fans as the Consumer and Sporting Work Place Injuries 21:15 – Athlete’s Identity and Cognitive Decline Post Career 29:00 – Impact of Neurodegenerative Disease 32:15 – Autonomy and Informed Consent of One’s Decisions 36:45 - Care Giver Burden of Neurodegenerative Disease and Inter Personal Violence 46:00 – The CTE Defence and Removal of Blame For Inter Personal Violence 50:15 – Relationship Breakdowns  Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly  Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion   Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

    1hr 3min
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About

Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients. DISCLAIMER: All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice of doctors or healthcare practitioners. If a listener believes they are suffering from a similar injury to one discussed by the author, please seek medical care of your doctor or physician and do not rely on the author's advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast
  • Show Website
    Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast