Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast

Ayla Wolf, DAOM
  • 5.0 (16)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast. This podcast is the go-to podcast for actionable information to help people recover from concussions, brain injuries, and post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Ayla Wolf does a deep dive in discussing symptoms, testing methods, treatment options, and resources to help people troubleshoot where they feel stuck in their recovery. The podcast brings you interviews with top experts in the field of concussions and brain injuries, and introduces a functional neurological mindset to approaching complex cases. For those feeling lost, hopeless, or abandoned let this podcast be your guide to living your best life after impact. Subscribe now and start your journey to recovery!

  1. From TBI to The River Why to Empathic AI: Cameron Scott's Epic Journey | E52

    5D AGO

    From TBI to The River Why to Empathic AI: Cameron Scott's Epic Journey | E52

    Send us Fan Mail A childhood head-on collision. A life shaped by traumatic brain injury. A moment of waking up after a suicide attempt and deciding, with total clarity, to choose life. Cameron Scott joins me for a raw, grounded conversation about what concussion recovery can really look like when the symptoms are not just physical, but emotional, relational, and spiritual too. (This conversation includes reference to suicide. Listener discretion is advised.) We talk through the long arc: multiple TBIs, missing memories from “before,” the overwhelm that makes crowds feel unbearable, and the way alcohol can become a shortcut to numb the nervous system until it turns into its own injury. Cameron shares what helped him rebuild, including sobriety, daily meditation, journaling, yoga, and a simple hand-on-heart practice that brought him out of self-judgment and back into his body. We also explore a powerful reframe for mental health after brain injury: the “dark” part of you may not be the enemy, and integration can quiet the fight inside. Then we go deep on transformational and holotropic breathwork, why it can feel like years of talk therapy compressed into minutes, and how breath can clear stored stress before closing with love and gratitude. We also connect healing to modern work, including Cameron’s emotionally intelligent AI project for wellness coaches and his Coherence Codex custom GPT designed to help you pause, regain clarity, and make better decisions when you are triggered or overwhelmed. If you know someone dealing with post-concussion syndrome, TBI mental health, anxiety, or burnout, share this with them. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what small daily practice helps you come back to center? EQ Intelligence: www.eqintelligenceai.com Cameron Scott: LinkedIn   Coaching Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    59 min
  2. The Hidden Habits That Can Speed Up — or Sabotage — Brain Recovery with Alex Lombardi | E51

    MAR 17

    The Hidden Habits That Can Speed Up — or Sabotage — Brain Recovery with Alex Lombardi | E51

    Send us Fan Mail Your brain doesn’t heal on your appointment schedule. It heals in the messy middle of real life, the mornings where you can’t think straight, the afternoons where your energy falls off a cliff, and the nights when you wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again. I sit down with Alex Lombardi, founder of The Brain Edit, to talk about lifestyle-based concussion recovery and post-concussion syndrome through a lens most people miss: the 23 hours a day outside the doctor’s office. Alex shares what she learned after three traumatic brain injuries, including the grief of realizing some old paths won’t reopen, and the relief that comes from building new ones that actually support your nervous system, hormones, and brain energy. Then we get practical. We unpack decision fatigue after brain injury and how tiny systems can remove dozens of draining choices. We dig into nutrition for brain health, including a surprisingly simple glucose strategy: eat greens first, protein and fat next, and carbs last to reduce blood sugar spikes that can worsen brain fog, fatigue, and irritability. We also talk about “optimized rest” (not doom-scrolling), hydration without sugar-loaded electrolytes, sunlight in the morning to support circadian rhythm, and why high achievers sometimes need fewer therapies, not more, so the brain can integrate. If you’re looking for actionable concussion recovery tips, non-toxic living edits, and a realistic way to move forward without blaming yourself for needing rest, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating an invisible injury, and leave a review with the one lifestyle edit you’re trying this week. Alex Lombardi: website: https://alexlombardiofficial.com/ Instagram: @alexlombardiofficial Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    1h 10m
  3. Fueling A Healing Brain with Natalie Gavi | E50

    MAR 3

    Fueling A Healing Brain with Natalie Gavi | E50

    Send us Fan Mail We talk with registered dietitian Natalie Gavi about how to use simple, evidence-led nutrition to support concussion recovery and long-term brain health. We trade myths for practical steps, from Mediterranean staples to smart supplements and steady meal timing. • the acute energy mismatch after concussion and what to eat first • practical meals when appetite is low • mediterranean and MIND diet foundations • omega-3s, polyphenols, and fermented foods • pitfalls of overusing supplements and how to choose safely • meal timing for cognition and headaches • targeted picks: magnesium, riboflavin, creatine • add-in mindset instead of restriction Find Natalie: Instagram @NatalieGavi.nutrition • Email: Natalie@Gavinutrition.com • Website: Gavinutrition.com Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    28 min
  4. Ibogaine For Brain Injury Recovery with Navy Veteran Lorna Sturchio | E49

    FEB 23

    Ibogaine For Brain Injury Recovery with Navy Veteran Lorna Sturchio | E49

    Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Navy veteran and transformational trauma coach Lorna Sturchio to unpack how medically supervised ibogaine can catalyze rapid change for PTSD, addiction, and traumatic brain injury. Lorna’s story moves from combat trauma and MST to overprescription and crisis, then into carefully prepared plant medicine work that helped her taper off meds, restore sleep, and rebuild a future. Together, we demystify what ibogaine is, how it differs from ayahuasca or psilocybin, and why its metabolite noribogaine may extend neuroplastic gains for months. Safety takes center stage. You’ll hear about labs, urinalysis, serial 12-lead EKGs, QT monitoring, magnesium support, and 24/7 clinical oversight during dosing and the demanding “grace day.” We walk through the two-phase experience—an acute wakeful-dream period followed by deep introspection where insights become practical steps. That practicality matters for recovery: improved REM and deep sleep, steadier mood, fewer tremors, and better balance can anchor a comeback for people with TBI and post-concussion syndrome. Lorna’s coaching framework adds the scaffolding—preparation sessions, onsite workshops, community support, and multi-week integration so the window of change stays open. We also confront fears and myths head-on: concerns about faith, reliving trauma, and unrealistic “magic pill” expectations. Many clients find the medicine’s “loving intelligence” reframes memories without re-wounding and strengthens personal beliefs rather than challenging them. On access and policy, we explore Texas’s major research funding, standard-setting efforts, and a realistic runway for U.S. availability, all while prioritizing intentional growth and dedicated cohorts for veterans, first responders, spouses, and women veterans who are too often underserved. If you or someone you love is wrestling with trauma, dependency, or brain injury symptoms that won’t budge, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a roadmap. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the one question you’d ask if your brain could start fresh tomorrow. Beond Ibogaine: website Beond Service - Mental health programs for veterans: website Athletes journey Home: website  Lorna Sturchio  Instagram:  @experienced_by_lorna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-sturchio-85a93a338/ Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    47 min
  5. Breathwork After Concussion: How 5 Minutes of Breathing Can Calm Your Nervous System | E48

    FEB 2

    Breathwork After Concussion: How 5 Minutes of Breathing Can Calm Your Nervous System | E48

    Send us Fan Mail What if five minutes of the right breathing could calm a racing heart, clear morning fog, and steady your balance after a concussion? Dr. Ayla Wolf sits down with chiropractic neurologist Dr. Jonathan Chung to unpack the science and the how-to of using breath as a lever for healing. We dig into why the brainstem’s respiratory centers are vulnerable in acceleration-deceleration injuries like concussions, how dysautonomia and anxiety reshape breathing patterns, and where slow, resonance-frequency breathing fits into a practical recovery plan. You’ll hear how breathing can be assessed in the clinic—spotting neck-driven, shallow mechanics, rib asymmetry, and diaphragm tension. Dr. Chung explains why he often starts care with HRV biofeedback and a simple 4–6 pacing strategy, then builds tolerance gently for POTS patients or anyone prone to overstimulation. The focus is on the exhale: longer, controlled exhales increase vagal tone, reduce resting tachycardia, and give patients an immediate tool to interrupt spiraling anxiety. We also explore nasal breathing’s cognitive advantages, the role of CO2 tolerance in air hunger, and how mindful breath practices enhance cortical entrainment and neuroplasticity. From manual care to improve rib motion, to five-minute daily routines that create durable habits, the theme is empowerment. Control your breath to influence your physiology, stabilize your autonomics, and unlock clearer thinking and calmer days during concussion recovery. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone navigating post-concussion symptoms, and leave a review so others can find these tools too. Dr. Jonathan Chung: website Instagram: @drjonathanchung Tik Tok: @drjonathanchung For healthcare providers - continuing education course: The Neuroscience of Breathwork Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    53 min
  6. The Path Back To Work After a Concussion with Nate Pope (Part 2) | E47

    JAN 26

    The Path Back To Work After a Concussion with Nate Pope (Part 2) | E47

    Send us Fan Mail This is Part 2 of my conversation with Nate Pope from NCX Brain Recovery. Recovery stalls when life gets smaller. We’ve all seen it: light hurts, noise overwhelms, screens drain, so routines narrow and the brain doubles down on workarounds. We open up a different route—structured, supportive challenges that reengage vision, balance, attention, and memory together. Instead of chasing one symptom at a time, we train the whole system to find easier, more efficient pathways. We talk through the surprising number of career pivots after concussion and the practical ways others adapt their existing roles: short movement breaks, fresh air, and task rhythms that reset the nervous system. We also explore where AI can actually help—offloading busywork and cognitive clutter so people can focus on the tasks that matter. Along the way, we address a common pitfall: labeling new attention problems as ADHD. True ADHD starts in childhood; post-concussion attention issues are different, and stimulants can amplify anxiety and dysautonomia. By coordinating with prescribers, prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and targeted cardio, and using intensive therapy, many patients regain focus without medication. The heart of our approach is multi-sensory integration and cognitive flexibility. We layer eye movements, vestibular input, executive tasks, and conversation, then change the rules to build adaptability. That steady stream of achievable wins releases dopamine, rebuilds confidence, and breaks rigid patterns. Sound exposure enters when ready: mechanic shop clatter, playground chaos, crying infants—whatever mirrors real life. It’s not about flooding; it’s about training selective attention under realistic stress. fMRI findings back it up: underactive regions normalize after two weeks, and memory improves as the brain stops detouring. If you’ve been dealing with symptoms for months or years, there’s real hope. We offer free virtual consults to map your history, goals, and fit for our two‑week intensives and eight weeks of aftercare. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a path forward, and leave a review to help others find these tools. Your brain can do this—one smart step at a time. Nate Pope and NCX Brain Recovery: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/ Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    28 min
  7. The Path Back To Work After a Concussion with Nate Pope (Part 1) | E46

    JAN 12

    The Path Back To Work After a Concussion with Nate Pope (Part 1) | E46

    Send us Fan Mail Your brain isn’t broken; it’s rerouting. We sit down with neuro‑occupational therapist Nate Pope to unpack why so many people with post‑concussion syndrome get stuck despite doing “all the right therapies.” Nate explains how functional MRI reveals a network problem—under-fueled pathways and overworked compensations—and why isolated sessions can accidentally train the detours instead of restoring efficient routes. If headaches spike during vision drills or screen time wipes you out, this conversation will reframe what effective rehab looks like. We walk through a practical model of whole‑brain, multi‑sensory integration that engages visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and executive systems at once. Picture standing balance work while tracking targets and answering questions—tasks that block unhealthy shortcuts and demand true coordination. Nate  shows how intensity and variety drive neuroplastic change that holds up outside the clinic. You’ll hear why once‑a‑week tune‑ups fall short and how a two‑week intensive plus eight weeks of aftercare creates momentum. The toughest bridge is getting back to work. We outline a smarter ramp that prevents relapse: simulate job tasks in therapy, expand screen time and cognitive load only when symptoms stay stable, and follow the golden rule that slow is fast. For many, the difference comes down to advocacy—clear communication with employers about reduced hours, planned breaks, moderated visual demand, and why that approach gets employees back to full capacity sooner. If you’ve felt unseen because your symptoms are invisible, this episode offers language, tools, and a roadmap for real progress. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone navigating concussion recovery, and leave a review so others can find these strategies. Got topics you want us to tackle next? Email lifeafterimpact at gmail.com. Nate Pope and NCX Brain Recovery: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/ Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    32 min
  8. How the Love Your Brain Foundation Turns Isolation Into Community For TBI Survivors And Caregivers | E45

    JAN 8

    How the Love Your Brain Foundation Turns Isolation Into Community For TBI Survivors And Caregivers | E45

    Send us Fan Mail What if the most powerful medicine after a brain injury is feeling truly seen? We sit down with Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs and Research at the Love Your Brain foundation, to explore how connection, mind‑body practices, and practical education can restore confidence, calm, and everyday momentum for people with TBI and their caregivers. Kyla shares the story behind the foundation, launched after pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s traumatic brain injury, and the gap they set out to close: the lonely, confusing stretch after acute care. We unpack how free programs—delivered in person, online, and in hospital settings—blend yoga, mindfulness, brain health nutrition, and resilience education to address mental, physical, and social needs. You’ll hear how groups are designed to be both trauma‑informed and TBI‑informed, with predictable structure, sensory‑aware cueing, and space for honest conversation. We also break down the core class arc: targeted breathwork, chair‑based movement for balance and mobility, guided meditation, and a resilience lesson like realistic optimism that ties skills to daily life. Evidence matters here. Kyla walks through their large pre‑post studies showing significant gains in quality of life, mood, cognition, resilience, and behavioral regulation among community participants. That real‑world data helps clinicians refer with confidence and gives families a bridge from discharge to long‑term living. We also look ahead to March 20–22, 2026, when Love Your Brain hosts a three‑day online summit featuring leaders in functional neurology, mindfulness science, habit formation, and photobiomodulation. Expect candid, research‑grounded conversations about what works, what’s emerging, and how to navigate device hype, dosing, and trade‑offs without getting lost. If you or someone you love is recovering from concussion or TBI, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and concrete next steps—from nature‑based retreats and caregiver programming to accessible online groups you can join from home. Explore the lineup and join the community at loveyourbrain.com/summit, then subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show. Brain Ritual Commercial Get 20% off your first order of Puori protein with code LIFEAFTERIMPACT by following this link. Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359 Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon! Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact Website: lifeafterimpact.com Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

    47 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast. This podcast is the go-to podcast for actionable information to help people recover from concussions, brain injuries, and post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Ayla Wolf does a deep dive in discussing symptoms, testing methods, treatment options, and resources to help people troubleshoot where they feel stuck in their recovery. The podcast brings you interviews with top experts in the field of concussions and brain injuries, and introduces a functional neurological mindset to approaching complex cases. For those feeling lost, hopeless, or abandoned let this podcast be your guide to living your best life after impact. Subscribe now and start your journey to recovery!

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