The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Natasha Wilch
  • 4.7 (9)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Concussion Nerds Podcast, where we revolutionize concussion care! This show is for passionate clinicians who want to excel in their field, move clients from stuck to excelling, and celebrate life's moments. Join us as we bring you cutting-edge advancements, practical tips, and inspiring success stories. Together, we'll propel concussion care into a new era, blending science with heart and soul. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a fresh face, or an individual on their own healing journey, this podcast is your ultimate resource. Let's build a community that uplifts and empowers one another, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in concussion care. Get ready to laugh, learn, and grow with me, Natasha Wilch, on The Concussion Nerds Podcast!

  1. FEB 2

    EP 106: Empowering Brain Health: A Conversation with Cognitive Protocol with Scott Thomson

    What if the symptoms you've been "living with" for years aren't something you have to accept at all? If you've ever been told to just shake it off, sit in a dark room, or wait out your concussion symptoms—chances are you've been missing one of the most foundational pieces of brain recovery. In this episode, I'm joined by Scott Thomson, co-founder of Cognitive Protocol, to unpack a hard truth: ignoring nutrition (or oversimplifying it) keeps people stuck in inflammation, brain fog, headaches, mood changes, and fatigue—sometimes decades after their last hit to the head. The solution isn't doing nothing… it's reclaiming agency. Strategic, targeted nutrition can calm the storm in the brain, reduce inflammation, and support real healing—without needing 25 different supplements or a full-time job in the kitchen.     BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why brain health was ignored for so long in sports—and how that mistake is still affecting adults today How Scott Thomson's background in professional athletics and nutrition led to the creation of Cognitive Protocol The critical role of omega fatty acids, creatine, and inflammation-reducing nutrients in brain recovery How intentional nutrition gives concussion patients and caregivers back a sense of control and momentum in healing     Brain healing isn't passive—and as Scott Thomson shares, you don't have to live with lingering symptoms forever when you give your brain what it actually needs to recover. Listener Discount Code: CONCUSSIONNERDS20 Website: https://cognitiveprotocol.com/         Let's Connect! @concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/ @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1   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: Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership

    42 min

  2. 12/08/2025

    EP 105: Taking Time for Self-Care and Growth

    Have you ever felt the pull to deepen your healing—but found yourself terrified of what might surface if you actually slowed down long enough to listen? If you're like many people on a concussion or trauma-related healing journey, you might be unintentionally doing the very thing that keeps you stuck: staying in your head, trying to control every outcome, and avoiding the "box" of unresolved experiences you're afraid might burst open. But here's the truth—healing rarely happens in the mind alone. And when you try to logic your way through everything, you disconnect from the very place your healing actually begins: your body. In this episode, Natasha shares a raw and personal update as she heads into a 300-hour somatic-based trauma training in Spain—reflecting on what it takes to be open, curious, and courageous in your own healing… even when you have no idea what might come up. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why staying "in your head" can stall nervous system and concussion recovery The deeper connection between trauma, the body, and persistent symptoms What it really feels like to surrender control and let your healing unfold How you can start reconnecting with your own body in small, safe, meaningful ways Whether you're navigating your own recovery or supporting someone else, this episode is your reminder to slow down, breathe, and come home to yourself—one moment at a time.     Let's Connect! @concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/ @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1   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: Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership

    12 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    EP 104: From Meditation to Mobilization: Engaging the Nervous System

    What if the real reason your nervous system work isn't "working"… is because you've been aiming for the wrong goal? So many people in the concussion and healing space are trying to "feel safe," "stay calm," or "get into parasympathetic mode" — only to end up more frustrated, more dysregulated, or even more disconnected from their bodies. And here's the kicker: It's not that you're doing it wrong… it's that you've been told to chase an outcome you can't physiologically access yet. In this episode, Natasha breaks down the misconceptions around nervous system regulation and exposes the hidden ways our approach may actually be keeping us stuck. From meditation backfiring, to emotional suppression showing up as symptoms, to the importance of meeting your body where it actually is — we go there. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why "feeling safe" is often too big of a first step — and the realistic place to start instead How to know when meditation and calming tools will help… and when they'll make you feel worse What your body is really asking for when you feel snappy, irritable, wired, or "crawly" in your skin Why repressed emotions turn into physical symptoms — and the journaling practice that helps move them out instead of storing them Your nervous system isn't something to "fix." It's something to understand — and today, you get the clarity you've been missing.     Let's Connect! @concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/ @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1   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: Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership

    31 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 4: Healing Paths Explored: Traditional vs. Contemporary Approaches

    What if "evidence-based" isn't the only correct path — but picking the wrong alternative care could cost your client their recovery? Too many patients and clinicians get stuck in a binary: either "only evidence-based" or "anything that feels good." That leaves vulnerable people chasing unproven fixes, paying lots of money, delaying effective care — or worse, getting harmed. Here's the hard truth: the concussion space is messy and full of gray. Research often lags behind clinical observation, but that doesn't mean anything goes. The solution is evidence-informed, patient-centred care — blend what the best evidence shows, your clinical reasoning, objective outcomes, and informed consent so people safely get the care that actually helps them. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How to tell the difference between helpful complementary care and care that's actively harmful (financial, symptomatic, or delaying effective treatment). Practical flags to watch for in a therapist's approach — e.g., inability to explain the treatment plan, no objective/subjective outcome measures, pressure sales, or discouraging other referrals. Why trauma almost always plays a role in persistent concussion and how addressing it (EMDR, somatic, or other trauma-informed approaches) can unlock rehab progress. How to prioritize and co-manage care (what to measure, how to test and retest in session, when to refer, and how to keep the patient's autonomy and safety front and centre). If you're a clinician: use this episode as a checklist to tighten your referrals and explain your reasoning to patients. If you're on a healing journey: use it as permission to ask tough questions and refuse care that feels coercive, vague, or unmeasured. Let's finish Season One by choosing curiosity over dogma — and by putting patient safety, clarity, and real outcomes first. Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Visit Natasha's Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Thank you to our sponsor Neuronic. Learn more about their photobiomodulation products and save $100 on your order by checking out their website here: https://www.neuronic.online/discount-handler?code=2568457

    44 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    EP 103: Navigating Vision Challenges Post-Concussion with Dr. Paul Rollett

    Have you ever wondered why your vision still feels "off" long after your concussion recovery was supposed to be complete? You're not imagining it — and you're definitely not alone. So many concussion survivors go through the motions of rehab, only to find their eyes still struggle to track, focus, or process movement the way they used to. The problem? Vision issues are often an invisible piece of the concussion puzzle that goes undiagnosed or under-treated. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Dr. Paul Rollett, a neuro-optometrist who understands this struggle on a personal level. After suffering a severe concussion during optometry school, Dr. Rollett experienced the same visual challenges he now helps his patients overcome. His story sheds light on how vision connects deeply to brain recovery — and why addressing it can make all the difference in your healing journey.     BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why vision problems are so common — yet so often missed — after concussion How neuro-optometry bridges the gap between vision and brain healing The signs your eyes may still be struggling post-injury How targeted vision therapy can accelerate your recovery and clarity     KEY TAKEAWAYS: Even in environments focused on vision, post-concussion visual issues can go overlooked — awareness and specialized care matter. Recovery is possible, but it often requires a collaborative approach between neuro-optometrists, physiotherapists, and other rehab professionals. Vision therapy isn't just about the eyes — it's about retraining the brain to process visual information effectively. Personal experience often fuels passionate, patient-centered care — and Dr. Rollett's journey is proof of that.     CONNECT WITH DR. PAUL ROLLETT: 🌐 Website: https://www.vividneurooptometry.com 📸 Instagram: @vividneurooptometry     If your world still feels visually "off" after a concussion, this conversation with Dr. Paul Rollett will help you understand why — and what you can do about it.       Let's Connect! @concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/ @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1   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: Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership         Connect with Dr. Paul Rollett 🌐 Website: www.okanaganvisiontherapy.ca 💬 You can use the contact form on the site to reach Dr. Rollett directly. 🎥 Bonus: Check out their 45-minute YouTube documentary on the main page to learn how vision plays a powerful role in concussion recovery.

    43 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 3: Money Talk in Concussion Rehab

    Have you ever hesitated to recommend a treatment because you weren't sure your patient could afford it — or worried your fees would look like you're putting profit before care? Many private-practice providers freeze at the money conversation: we undercharge out of guilt, over-explain costs, or avoid talking about outcomes and value — and that leaves patients confused, underserved, or worse, exploited. That discomfort is exactly why this episode matters. The Roundtable pulls back the curtain on pricing, billing, and ethical care — we name the tension between value and access, then give you practical ways to hold both at once: clear upfront conversations about outcomes, flexible "plan B" options, warranties/refund approaches for devices, pro-bono funnels, and clinician-level boundaries that protect both patient outcomes and your team's sustainability. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN: How to frame cost conversations around value and outcomes (so patients see spending as investment, not just expense). Concrete strategies for setting and defending fee schedules while staying ethical and compassionate (including transparency, team conversations, and when to push back on insurer-driven rates). A practical, team-based clinical approach for complex concussion cases — what to assess first (vision, vestibular, neck, nervous-system regulation) and how to coordinate referrals. Real ways to increase access without going broke: pro-bono slots, low-cost/online resources, sliding plans, and negotiating efficient treatment doses that still get results. On this episode of The Roundtable we dig into the hard stuff — cost, billing, and caring for people in vulnerable positions — and we walk through a real, messy case study (Michelle's multi-system concussion) so you leave with both mindset shifts and actionable tools.    Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Visit Natasha's Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Thank you to our sponsor Neuronic. Learn more about their photobiomodulation products and save $100 on your order by checking out their website here: https://www.neuronic.online/discount-handler?code=2568457

    48 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable EP 2: Is your concussion clinic legit? The questions we need to ask

    Could the clinic you're trusting with your brain actually be doing more harm than good? Too many people assume "concussion clinic" on a website means expert care — and they end up getting one-size-fits-all treatments, vague reassurance, or worse: passive "symptom management" that stalls recovery. That confusion is costing people time, money, and progress. In this episode we pull back the curtain on what realconcussion care looks like, how to spot red flags (and good signs), and why an integrated, multi-system screen — not a single weekend course — matters. We also meet Seira, whose post-concussion picture includes POTS and complex vision issues, and dig into how you actually treat those drivers instead of just masking symptoms. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN: How to tell a legitimate concussion clinic from a marketing label — the one question that reveals everything. The 7 concussion profiles every competent clinic should be able to screen for (and why that matters for recovery). Which questions to ask reception and your therapist so you don't get handed a hot pack and sent home. The difference between managing POTS symptoms and treating underlying drivers (plus what Seira's case teaches us about integrated care). Need a quick checklist? Grab the your guide in Choosing the Right Concussion Clinic  with the exact questions to ask before you book an appointment HERE: https://www.natashawilch.com/choosing-the-right-concussion-clinic   Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom  here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Visit Natasha's Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Thank you to our sponsor Neuronic.  Learn more about their photobiomodulation products and save $100 on your order by checking out their website here:https://www.neuronic.online/discount-handler?code=2568457

    52 min

  8. 11/03/2025

    EP 102: Concussion Recovery: Exploring Neurofeedback Techniques

    Have you ever wondered what's actually happening in your brain after a concussion—and why some symptoms just won't quit? You've probably tried the usual: rest, therapy, supplements… but your sleep is still off, your focus is fuzzy, and your mood swings are confusing everyone (including you). That's where neurofeedback comes in—a powerful yet often misunderstood approach that can retrain your brainwaves and support true, lasting recovery. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Lisa Cramer, licensed professional counselor, neurofeedback provider, and owner of MindBody Neurotherapy in Colorado and Illinois. Lisa breaks down how neurofeedback works, why it's such a game-changer for lingering concussion symptoms, and how it fits into an integrated recovery plan.     🧠 BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: What neurofeedback really is (and how it retrains your brainwaves) Why symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, and poor sleep often persist after concussion How EEG brain mapping helps guide personalized neurofeedback treatment The difference between systems like LENS and traditional neurofeedback When to start neurofeedback after a concussion—and what to expect during the process How combining neurofeedback with photobiomodulation and other therapies can accelerate healing     🔍 Key Takeaways: No two concussions are alike. Neurofeedback helps target your unique brainwave patterns rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan. The EEG comes first. Always look for a provider who does a QEEG brain map before starting any neurofeedback protocol. Healing is possible. Even years after an injury, the brain can change—and neurofeedback helps it do exactly that. Don't wait. If your child (or you) still isn't "back to normal" after a head injury, there are safe, proactive steps you can take now.       Let's Connect! @concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/ @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1   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: Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership         🧩 Connect with Lisa Cramer 🌐 Website: www.mindbodyneuro.com 📍 Serving clients in Colorado and Illinois IG: https://www.instagram.com/mindbodyneuro/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/mindbodyneuro/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cramer-lcpc-bcn-qeeg-dl-02304174/  🔗 Find certified practitioners near you at: Board Certified Neurofeedback Practitioners https://www.bcia.org/ Board Certified QEEG Practitioners https://iqcb.org/     🧠 Final Thoughts from Lisa: "Don't wait. You can do so much to correct brain function after a concussion. Get the help, get the support, and start retraining your brain—it's worth it."

    33 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Concussion Nerds Podcast, where we revolutionize concussion care! This show is for passionate clinicians who want to excel in their field, move clients from stuck to excelling, and celebrate life's moments. Join us as we bring you cutting-edge advancements, practical tips, and inspiring success stories. Together, we'll propel concussion care into a new era, blending science with heart and soul. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a fresh face, or an individual on their own healing journey, this podcast is your ultimate resource. Let's build a community that uplifts and empowers one another, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in concussion care. Get ready to laugh, learn, and grow with me, Natasha Wilch, on The Concussion Nerds Podcast!

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