Pain to Performance

Bradlee Morgan
  • 5.0 (7)
  • BUSINESS

Pain shows up everywhere. In our bodies, in our work, and in the way we perform every day. Pain to Performance is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth conversations with industry experts across health, pain reduction, sports, and workplace wellbeing. Each episode explores how pain actually functions in the body and mind, why it is often misunderstood, and how reducing it can unlock stronger, more sustainable performance. Hosted by Bradlee Morgan, the show brings together clinicians, performance specialists, and business professionals to examine how physical stress, mental load, movement, and environment impact how we work, move, and live. Sometimes those perspectives align. Sometimes they challenge each other. Always, they provide insight you can apply. This is not a podcast about pushing harder or ignoring discomfort. It is about understanding the signals your body and nervous system are sending and using that information to perform better at work, in sport, and in everyday life. Because when pain is understood, performance follows.

Episodes

  1. APR 8

    The Day a Student Took Everything: One Life Rebuilt

    This conversation includes content related to physical assault and PTSD. If that's heavy for you today, please listen with care. Sarah Alepin was 25 years old, a master's degree in hand, teaching high school photography in a classroom full of students she adored. She was exactly where she was meant to be — until a student fight in the hallway ended with her foot crushed, a nerve dying from her knee to her toes, and a future she'd carefully built quietly slipping out of her hands. This is one of the most important conversations Pain to Performance has hosted to date. In this episode, Sarah walks through the full arc — the assault, the year of misdiagnoses, the surgery that left her with "nothing but three scars," the MRSA infection, and the slow heartbreak of realizing she'd never stand in a classroom the same way again. She talks openly about what it's like to retire from your dream career in your twenties, to face down the rest of your life from a wheelchair you don't yet need, and to rebuild a body and a mind that no longer respond the way they used to. We talk about the PTSD that arrived after the physical injury — the disordered sleep, the hair-trigger anger, the crowds that suddenly felt like threats — and the cognitive behavioral therapy work that brought her back to herself. We get into what nerve injuries actually feel like, why invisible pain so often goes unbelieved, and what it means to find a doctor who finally listens. And we dig into the parallel rebuilding she did emotionally, physically, and creatively — at the same time, every day, for years. Sarah talks about the photography business she had to map around her body's limits, the networking circles that iced her out, and the moment she stopped trying to fit into rooms that weren't built for her and started building her own. That decision became District Bliss — a heart-centered networking community that has helped business owners book tens of thousands of dollars in work and now spans continents. It was born from the exact kind of pain that makes most people give up. One step took everything. One year of grit, therapy, surgery, and stubborn hope rebuilt a whole life. If you're sitting in the rubble of something that wasn't your fault, this episode is proof that the worst chapter doesn't have to be the last one. Connect with Sarah Alepin: District Bliss: districtbliss.comInstagram: @districtblisseventsPhotos from the Harty: photosfromtheharty.com Instagram: @photosfromtheharty Listen to Pain to Performance on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Website: paintoperformancepodcast.com

    1h 5m

  2. APR 1

    Eat Less, Move More Is a Lie

    She cut the carbs, trained for triathlons, did CrossFit at 5:30 a.m., and tracked every calorie. And it worked — until it didn't. The weight came back, the brain fog rolled in, and no matter how hard she pushed, her body just stopped cooperating. The worst part wasn't the scale. It was the voice that said, what's wrong with me? Sue Soha is a physical therapist, women's wellness coach, and founder of Wholey Healed Community. She's also someone who spent years doing everything she was told — and still hit a wall she couldn't push through. After being diagnosed with celiac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, ADHD, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sue had to throw out the old playbook entirely and rebuild her approach to health from the ground up. In this episode, Sue breaks down what actually changed when she flipped the food pyramid upside down, dropped sugar, and stopped treating cardio like the answer to everything. She shares how she lost four dress sizes and 10% body fat — not by pushing harder, but by finally listening to what her body had been trying to tell her all along. We dig into why the "eat less, move more" approach fails women in perimenopause. Why most weight loss research was done on male bodies and younger women — and why that matters more than most people realize. Why lifting heavy won't make you bulky, why your body holds onto fat when you starve it, and why the kitchen matters more than the gym for women navigating midlife. Sue also gets real about perfectionism, people-pleasing, and what happens when your stress response never turns off. We talk about the mind-body connection, how fear shows up physically, and why the body truly does keep the score. If you've been eating less and moving more and wondering why nothing's changed — especially past 35 — this episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself and start playing by the rules that were actually written for you. Connect with Sue Soha: Wholey Healed Community:wholeyhealed.com Special Settings Physical Therapy: specialsettingspt.com Listen to Pain to Performance on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Website: paintoperformancepodcast.com

    50 min

  3. MAR 27

    Make The Decision Already

    You've been there. You had all the information, but you still couldn't pull the trigger. You kept looking for one more opinion, one more data point, one more sign that you were making the right call. And while you were running back and forth between options — the window closed. That's not a confidence problem. It's a process problem. LaKiesha Tomlin is a mechanical engineer turned technical leader and founder of the Profitable Traders Academy. She spent over a decade in aerospace and tech leading global teams — and she used to be the person who couldn't answer "tell me about a time you made a decision with limited information" in a job interview. That frustration sent her on a months-long journey through her own notebooks, career stories, and past decisions to reverse-engineer what actually works when the pressure is on and the data isn't all there. What she built is a six-step decision-making framework rooted in real experience — not theory. In this episode, LaKiesha walks through every step: embracing uncertainty, committing to decide, sorting decisions by actual stakes, executing without second-guessing, knowing when to pivot, and closing the loop with honest feedback. It's the kind of structure that sounds simple on paper — until you realize almost nobody actually follows it. We get into why most people burn level-two brainpower on level-one decisions. Why the classroom habit of needing to be 100% right before raising your hand follows us straight into the boardroom. Why more information and more time almost never lead to better outcomes — and why the real cost of waiting isn't a bad decision, it's the opportunity that disappeared while you were thinking about it. LaKiesha shares the story of a media opportunity she let pass because she didn't feel ready — and how that moment became one of the clearest lessons in her career. We also talk about what it means to be confidently wrong, why that's a better strategy than being quietly right, and how an iterative feedback loop turns every decision into proof that you can trust yourself next time. If you're stuck right now — on a career move, a business decision, or something you've been "sleeping on" for months — this one's for you. You already have the answer. Make the decision already. Connect with LaKiesha Tomlin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chartconfidence/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakieshatomlin/ Listen to Pain to Performance on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Website: paintoperformancepodcast.com

    49 min

  4. MAR 19

    You're Not Bad at Relationships. You're Just Carrying Something That Was Never Yours.

    You've felt it. That slow, creeping distance from the people you love most. The relationship that looks fine on the outside but feels like something is just slightly out of reach on the inside. And somewhere along the way, you decided that meant something was wrong with you. Andrew Wallace wants you to know that it doesn't. Andrew is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in play therapy, family therapy, and trauma-informed care. His work sits at the intersection of generational trauma, attachment theory, and the quiet relationship patterns most of us carry into adulthood without ever realizing it. But what makes this conversation different is not his credentials. It is the way he reframes everything. The cycles you keep repeating in your relationships are not character flaws. They are generational knowledge. Learned. Inherited. And most importantly, changeable. In this episode, Andrew breaks down why real empathy is so rare and what it actually looks like when you get it right, how your childhood attachment style, whether anxious, avoidant, or otherwise, is quietly running your adult relationships, what most parents are getting wrong about discipline and connection, and why the most powerful relationship skill you will ever develop starts with the one you have with yourself. Brad gets personal in this one too, opening up about his own anxious attachment style and what it has looked like to start untangling the nervous system patterns and family of origin wounds he carried into his own relationships without even knowing it. If you have ever felt stuck in a cycle you could not name, this episode will name it for you. This is a conversation about emotional healing, relationship dysfunction, inner child work, and what it actually means to break a generational cycle. Not with a dramatic overhaul, but with one honest inventory at a time. Andrew's closing thought is worth sitting with: the most powerful thing you can do right now is not a new strategy or a new communication skill. It is the courage to look at what is working and what is not. Because you cannot give to the people you love what you have never given to yourself first. About Andrew Wallace: Andrew Wallace is a licensed clinical social worker and play therapist at ATL Well, a group private practice in Marietta, Georgia. He specializes in trauma-informed therapy, identity work, family therapy, and is currently training to become a certified sex addiction therapist. atlwell.com/andrew-wallace

    58 min

  5. MAR 11

    You're Not Lazy. Your Brain Just Hasn't Been Given the Right Framework.

    You made the list. You had the plan. You were ready. And then Friday came and almost none of it got done. And instead of asking what went wrong, you just decided something was wrong with you. That story is one of the most common things Brianna Perry hears when someone walks into her office for the first time. They come in saying they're overwhelmed, they can't focus, they feel like they're failing at everything quietly while the rest of the world thinks they have it all together. And what she finds underneath all of that, almost every single time, is not a lack of discipline. It's shame. And shame, as she explains in this episode, is not just a feeling. It is a neurological event that is actively keeping your brain from doing the thing you desperately want it to do. In this conversation, Brianna breaks down the real science behind why your productivity crashes, what ADHD and dopamine deficiency actually look like in high achievers, and why the to-do list was never the problem in the first place. She introduces her INCUP motivator framework, a practical tool for understanding why certain tasks feel impossible and how to actually get them done without the shame spiral that follows. And she ends with one of the most grounding takeaways this show has ever delivered: get clear on your why, because without it, no system, no habit stack, and no planner is ever going to stick. This one is for the person who has tried everything and still feels stuck. The person who is crushing it on the outside and quietly falling apart on the inside. The person who just needs someone to tell them the truth: you are not broken. Your brain just needs a better framework. About Brianna Perry: Brianna Perry is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Rooted Swan Wellness, a practice dedicated to helping high-achieving individuals break through the cycles of burnout, shame, and chronic overwhelm. She specializes in ADHD, trauma-informed care, and identity-based therapeutic work. RootedSwanWellness.com Instagram: @RootedSwanWellness Topics covered: ADHD in high achievers, dopamine and motivation, shame and the nervous system, INCUP motivator framework, habit stacking, burnout recovery, productivity and focus, therapy for overwhelm, mental health for high performers, licensed clinical social worker, Rooted Swan Wellness, Brianna Perry, Pain to Performance podcast

    1h 6m

  6. FEB 28

    He Survived Two Heart Transplants. What He Did Next Will Change How You Think About Time.

    What happens when your heart fails you not once, but twice, and you still choose to build? Lester E. Crowell Jr. was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition at 13. By 40, he was in full congestive heart failure. By 42, he received his first heart transplant after spending just five days on the waiting list. Nine years later, blockages in all three arteries meant he needed a second. He waited a year and a half for that call. It came at dawn on December 3rd, 2010. Today, Lester is 26 years into life with a transplanted heart. He is the managing partner of 313 Salon Spa and Boutique, a business approaching its 52nd year with 85 employees. He serves on the board of the Georgia Transplant Foundation and founded Angels of Life, an annual charity event now in its 16th year raising awareness and funds for transplant recipients across Georgia. In this conversation, Lester walks us through every stage of his journey: the terrifying 1 AM phone calls from transplant coordinators, the emotional weight of knowing someone else's loss became his survival, the rejection episodes that tested his mental health, and the moment he decided, while still recovering in his hospital bed, to turn his pain into something that helps others. This is not just a medical story. This is about what it means to truly value the time you have, how purpose becomes the ultimate performance driver, and why the choice to be an organ donor is one of the most important decisions a person can make. In this episode, you will learn: - What it is actually like to receive the call from a transplant coordinator and how the body and mind respond - The emotional reality of living with someone else's heart, including rejection, grief, and gratitude - How the recovery process differs between a first and second heart transplant -The role of the Georgia Transplant Foundation in supporting transplant recipients with financial, emotional, and mentor-based resources - How Lester created Angels of Life, a charity event running 16 consecutive years supporting organ donation awareness - Why Lester believes organ donation should be opt-out rather than opt-in About Our Guest: Lester E. Crowell Jr. is the managing partner of 313 Salon Spa and Boutique, a business he has led for over five decades in the Atlanta metro area. A two-time heart transplant recipient, Lester serves on the board of the Georgia Transplant Foundation and founded Angels of Life, now in its 16th year supporting transplant recipients throughout Georgia. Next Angels of Life event: October 25, 2026 at the Marriott Northwest near the Battery in Atlanta. Connect with Lester: three-13.com (Angels tab for event info) Connect with Pain to Performance: Website: paintoperformancepodcast.com Email: hello@paintoperformancepodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pain-to-performance/id1858153077

    51 min

  7. FEB 18

    Why AI Isn't Replacing You | It's the Secret to Unlocking Your Business's True Potential

    Unlock the secret to thriving in a world obsessed with AI—without losing your human edge—by focusing on energy, clarity, and sustainable growth. If you're a business owner feeling overwhelmed or stuck in the grind, this episode is your blueprint to transforming your approach with human-first AI that enhances productivity, preserves your well-being, and boosts your business scalability. Discover how AI is not just about chatbots or automation—it's about empowering your human potential. Tanya Ferguson, founder of Clear Brook AI Solutions, reveals how a human-first strategy keeps you in control, reduces burnout, and turns technology into your top team member. She shares real-world success stories, including a company that added $70K in savings and doubled growth without layoffs, simply by streamlining communication and processes. Learn how to identify bottlenecks and leverage AI to eliminate low-value tasks, freeing up hours and mental space for what truly matters—vision, creativity, and leadership. In this episode, you’ll uncover: Why most business owners are bottlenecked by their own success and how AI can fix thatPractical steps to implement AI smoothly with minimal disruptionThe foundational importance of human relationships in tech-driven environmentsHow to reframe AI as a tool for promotion, not replacementSimple, actionable techniques like brain dumps to gain clarity and reduce overwhelm Whether you're skeptical about AI or curious about its potential, Tanya's approachable, practical insights will shift your perspective. She emphasizes curiosity over chaos—showing how a little understanding and some strategic conversations with your team can unlock exponential growth without sacrificing your purpose. Don’t let fear of change hold you back—this episode will inspire you to harness AI as an ally for sustainable success. Perfect for entrepreneurs ready to protect their energy, elevate their performance, and future-proof their business. Your most human, energized, and scalable self is just one conversation away. About Our Guest: Tanya Ferguson is the visionary founder of Clear Brook AI Solutions, a company dedicated to integrating AI with a human-first approach. With a passion for helping businesses thrive, Tanya offers a complimentary FIT Check—a free 15-minute call to determine if an AI audit is suitable for your company. Connect with Tanya at Clear Brook AI Solutions or reach out via email at tferguson@clearbrookaisolutions.com.

    37 min

  8. FEB 11

    Why Feeling Better Keeps Failing You

    Most people mistake temporary relief for real progress—and end up right back where they started. But what if feeling better was just the beginning, not the finish line? In this eye-opening episode, Bradlee Morgan reveals the crucial difference between symptom relief and systemic change, and why chasing relief alone keeps you stuck in a cycle of recurring pain and setbacks. Imagine understanding why your body reacts the way it does — like antibiotics not just masking an infection but actually changing your body's response. Bradlee shares compelling stories from his own experience with strep, illustrating how stopping treatment early can worsen the problem, and how the body learns over time to respond faster to stress and pain. You’ll discover how temporary fixes—like distracting yourself or relying on support—only quiet symptoms temporarily, without strengthening the system. Without this insight, most are doomed to repeat the cycle, mistaking relief for resolution. We break down: The difference between symptom relief, distraction, support, and true system changeWhy normal isn’t necessarily healthy, and how returning to old habits can reinforce problemsPractical strategies to slow down and create lasting change instead of rushing to feel normalHow pain and discomfort are signals, not enemies, and how to interpret them for growthA powerful shift in mindset: from “getting rid of pain” to “building capacity for resilience” If you’re tired of recurring setbacks and ready to unlock a more capable, resilient version of yourself, this episode is for you. It’s perfect for athletes, health enthusiasts, therapists, or anyone tired of short-term fixes and seeking real transformation. Bradlee Morgan, a healthcare expert known for his insights into system-based healing, guides you through why understanding this shift can redefine the way you approach health and performance. Feeling better is just a moment—it’s the starting point for lasting change. The real question: how do you build a system that thrives long-term? Press play and learn to stop chasing relief and start directing your future toward lasting resilience.

    17 min

  9. FEB 3

    When Your Body Speaks Before Your Mind Does

    Unlock the hidden power of your mind-body connection and discover how trauma silently resides in your body, sometimes revealing itself as scars or physical tension during your healing journey. If you're tired of superficial therapy approaches that overlook this deep link, this episode is your essential guide to understanding the subconscious signals your body is constantly sending, and how they can transform your healing process. Dr. Kyrstin Lokkesmoe, a trauma-informed psychologist, shares eye-opening stories of scars reappearing during therapy sessions and explains scientifically backed concepts about how trauma impacts more than just your mind. You'll discover how emotional trauma is often stored in the hips, shoulders, and other parts of the body—manifesting as knots, tension, or even visible scars—and how processing trauma can physically bring these marks to the surface. We break down the critical difference between intellectual understanding and subconscious awareness, revealing powerful techniques to access and heal the parts of you that are often hidden from conscious thought. In this episode, you'll learn practical tools for recognizing emotional triggers in your body—such as tense shoulders or restless hips—and how shifting your mindset from resistance to awareness accelerates your healing. Dr. Kyrstin discusses the importance of “backdoor” subconscious work through immediacy and mindfulness, showing you how to bring hidden trauma into conscious awareness through simple yet profound exercises. We explore the misconceptions surrounding trauma, the role of neuro-linguistic programming, and how to gently challenge the negative beliefs that keep you stuck in cycles of stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their own mind or body or who yearns for a deeper, more integrated approach to health and wellness, this episode empowers you to listen to your body's silent language and take actionable steps toward holistic healing. If you're ready to stop fighting your body and start harmonizing your mind and body for lasting change, this conversation with Dr. Kyrstin will not only educate but also inspire you to trust your body's wisdom and begin a more conscious journey to well-being. Takeaways Mind-Body ConnectionPerfectionism and Self-Worth MetacognitionChallenging negative self-talk Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background08:02 Misconceptions and Psychoeducation14:59 Functioning vs. Alignment21:59 Perfectionism and Self-Worth28:21 Metacognition and Self-Reflection

    50 min

  10. JAN 28

    You Are Not Falling Apart. You Are Responding Exactly as Designed.

    Summary In this conversation, Bradlee Morgan discusses the relationship between pain, belief systems, and performance. He emphasizes that pain is not merely a sign of damage but a response from the nervous system. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain and the importance of belief in recovery, individuals can transform their experiences from pain to performance. Brad encourages listeners to recognize their adaptive nature and to take proactive steps towards improvement. Takeaways If your body hurts, it doesn't mean something is wrong.Pain is an output of your nervous system.Sleep deprivation and stress increase pain sensitivity.The story you believe determines how you behave.High performers read signals differently and adapt accordingly.Pain is inevitable, but we can interact with it.You can change your internal dialogue to improve your situation.Some people are psychologically addicted to their pain.Clarity creates relief, which allows for trust and change.You are adaptive, not broken. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Pain and the Nervous System05:27 High Performers and Pain Signals08:48 The Role of Beliefs in Pain Management11:43 Transforming Pain Into Performance

    15 min

  11. 12/19/2025

    Pain Is Not The Problem

    Pain shows up in more places than we like to admit. In our bodies, in our work, and in the way we push ourselves to perform. In this teaser episode of Pain to Performance, host Bradlee Morgan introduces the core idea behind the show. Pain is not something to ignore or push through. It is information. This episode sets the stage for the conversations ahead, bringing together insights from health professionals, performance experts, and business leaders to explore how pain affects the way we move, work, and live. It is an invitation to rethink discomfort, understand the signals your body is sending, and discover how reducing pain creates space for clarity, strength, and sustainable performance. If you have ever felt stuck, worn down, or disconnected from how your body supports your performance, this is where the conversation begins.

    3 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Pain shows up everywhere. In our bodies, in our work, and in the way we perform every day. Pain to Performance is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth conversations with industry experts across health, pain reduction, sports, and workplace wellbeing. Each episode explores how pain actually functions in the body and mind, why it is often misunderstood, and how reducing it can unlock stronger, more sustainable performance. Hosted by Bradlee Morgan, the show brings together clinicians, performance specialists, and business professionals to examine how physical stress, mental load, movement, and environment impact how we work, move, and live. Sometimes those perspectives align. Sometimes they challenge each other. Always, they provide insight you can apply. This is not a podcast about pushing harder or ignoring discomfort. It is about understanding the signals your body and nervous system are sending and using that information to perform better at work, in sport, and in everyday life. Because when pain is understood, performance follows.

Information

  • Creator
    Bradlee Morgan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Bradlee Morgan