Welcome to the HeadRush Podcast where we talk about everything related to brain trauma, and more specifically, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome, Repetitive Head Impacts (RHI).
Talking about everything from genetics and hormones to vitamins, testosterone, and brain inflammation. Our guests, Dr. Mark Gordon—featured six times on the Joe Rogan Experience—and Dr. Mizyl Damayo, share expert insights on optimizing health and recovery. “There’s always HOPE, sometimes it takes a village.”
To give Hope and Awareness to those suffering and the caregivers of Suspected CTE, Post Concussion, Repeated Head Impacts and all things relating to Brain Injury.
Pete Kennedy experienced the thrill of the ride of rodeo. From a young age to adulthood, he portrayed the love of the western life, and importance of family and friends. Learn how repeated Head Impacts and concussions affected his psyche and probably led to his ultimate choice.
Through the tragedy of suicide. These two foundations found away to bring Awareness and Hope to Repeated Head Impacts and CTE. They ARE the Pioneers and the Catalysts to bring a much needed change to the world of Contact sports for our youth and veterans.
Hear what Kevin Stevens, the former power forward from the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, and former Harvard football player and WWF star Chris Nowinski who co-founded the Concussion Legacy Foundation and Boston University’s CTE Center have to say about TBI, CTE, repeated Head Impacts and addiction, and how they relate to head trauma!
Learn how a bronc rider still competes in his 40’s and maintains brain health and wellness through diet and exercise. In this episode, we focus on insulin sensitivity and increased oxygenation through healthy blood flow in the brain. To find out more about our sponsors, visit:
https://paradisebehavioral.com/
#BrainTrauma #CTEAwareness #MentalHealth #HeadRushPodcast #TBIRecovery #longlivecowboys #BrainInjury #AmenClinics #SaddleBroncRider #BrainHealthMatters #CTESupport #TraumaticBrainInjury #NeuroRecovery #PodcastInterview #StopCTE
Dr. James Kelly is the Chief Medical Officer of Oragenics, Inc. Dr. Kelly will navigate Oragenics through phase 2 clinical trials for an intranasal application to reduce inflammation post concussion. Among many things, Dr. Kelly served as the Executive Director of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH), serving our military veterans. #DrJamesKelly #ConcussionCare #Oragenics #BrainHealth #IntranasalTherapy #ClinicalTrials #VeteranHealth #Neuroinflammation #PostConcussion #MilitaryMedicine #MIBH #MedicalInnovation #BrainRecovery #HealthcareLeadership #ConcussionResearch
Join us for a deep-dive discussion on TES, with Bruce Parkman, Green Beret of 18 years. Bruce has great expertise to share, and a fascinating story that you don’t want to miss! Find More about our guests at: @TheMacParkmanFoundation
To find out more about our sponsors, visit: https://stopcte.org/ https://paradisebehavioral.com/ https://tbihelpnow.org/ #headrushpodcast #Millinniumhealth #StopCTE.org #Paradisebehavioral #Stopsuicide #CTEAwareness #BrainHealth #ConcussionPrevention #YouthSports #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthMatters #TBI #SuicidePrevention #SportsSafety #AthleteWellness #BrainInjury #CTEResearch #FootballSafety #ProtectOurAthletes #EndCTE
Dave Zabriskie wore the yellow shirt at all 3 European tours; Italy, France and Spain, and talks about his daily struggles after his RHI, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and braking helmets from a life time of Cycling. Scott also suffers RHI’s and concussions from Rugby, American Football and wrestling. Now their passion is Cognitive Protocol supplements. To find out more about our sponsors, visit: https://stopcte.org/ https://paradisebehavioral.com/ https://tbihelpnow.org/ #DaveZabriskie #BrainHealth #TBIRecovery #CognitiveProtocol #ConcussionAwareness #CyclingInjuries #RHI #SportsInjuries #BrainWellness #ScottThompson #ProCyclist #TraumaticBrainInjury #SupplementsForBrainHealth #AthleteRecovery #NeuroHealth
Dr. Victor Kaytser talks about Traumatic Brain Injury like you've never heard before. Get the Real Story from the experts about Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Repeated Head Impacts, and Repeated Blast Exposure from Dr. Kaytser- Dr. of neurology and psychiatry. #braininjuryawareness #repeated #traumaticencephalopathysyndrome #Risha #millinniumhealth #patrickrishacteawarenessfoundation #stopcte #braininjury #Patrick #stopsuicide #repeatedheadimpacts #cte #head #tbirecovery #repeatedblastexposure #headrushpodcast
David Kano, director of Concussed, The American Dream.
Introduces us to the family of Tyler Sash, and follows Tyler’s sports career starting from pee wee football to the pinnacle of the football world; A trip to the Super Bowl. This story is both riveting and tragic. It discusses the dangers of playing concussive sports and more importantly, the dangers of repeated head impacts and CTE.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre joins Paul and Corey to discuss the realities of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) through his experiences in football. With candid insights into the lasting effects of head trauma, Favre shares his personal journey, the challenges of brain health, and the importance of raising awareness for CTE. #BrettFavre #CTE #NFL #HeadTrauma #ConcussionAwareness #HeadRushPodcast #BrainHealth #LifeAfterFootball #PaulFrase #CoreyBerry #AthleteHealth #PlayerSafety
Join us as we hear the ravages of war first hand with Dr Donnelly Wilkes, retired US Navy Officer. We explore how traumatic experiences and Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE) affect the well being of our soldiers physically and emotionally, through PTSD and mental health issues.
To find out more about our sponsors, visit: https://stopcte.org/ https://paradisebehavioral.com/ https://tbihelpnow.org/
#Veterans #PTSD #MilitaryTrauma #DrDonnellyWilkes #MentalHealth #CombatStories #NavyVeteran #BlastExposure #RBE #VeteranCare #WarInjuries #TraumaAwareness #InvisibleWounds #MilitaryLife #VeteranSupport
Follow Alison Rockett through the labyrinth of rare disease, pharma, and a potential cure for a deadly disorder. This episode of the Headrush Podcast discusses how a therapy might one day be developed for CTE.
For more information, visit: https://joshuafrase.org https://myotubularmyopathy.org https://alisonrockett.com https://alwaysforthechildren.org https://pleasedonate.org To find out more about our sponsors, visit: https://stopcte.org/ https://paradisebehavioral.com/ https://tbihelpnow.org/ #joshuafrasefoundation #gamechanger #RareDisease #AlisonRockett #HeadrushPodcast #CTE #HealthPodcast #RareDiseaseResearch #Pharma #MedicalResearch #PatientAdvocacy #Healthcare #RareDisorders #SciencePodcast #HealthAwareness
Neurologist Dr. Victor Kaytser, Vestibular Therapist Samantha Johnson, and Cognitive Speech Therapist Kristi Ferguson join the HeadRush Podcast to discuss overstimulation, invisible illness, and brain flooding. During this episode, cohost Corey Berry personally experiences brain flooding, showing just how real and disruptive this condition can be. His healthcare team explains what happens in the brain and how these challenges impact daily life.
#CoreyBerry #HeadRushPodcast #BrainFlooding #Overstimulation #InvisibleIllness #Neurology #SpeechTherapy #VestibularTherapy #SensoryOverload #BrainHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #NeuroHealth #HealthcareProfessionals #PodcastInterview #LivingWithInvisibleIllness
Real Science: Predictable, Measurable, and able to be Replicated. Hear Andrew Marr’s journey of freeing himself from relying on 13 pharmaceutical medications after suffering from repeated blast exposures, following 3 tours as a Special Forces soldier. Witness first hand how anecdotal evidence is used for objective and factual results. #AndrewMarr #SpecialForces #TBIRecovery #VeteranStories #BrainHealing #BlastInjury #TraumaticBrainInjury #NeuroRecovery #MilitaryHealth #MedicationFree #MentalHealth #ScienceBased #RecoveryJourney #BrainHealth #VeteranSupport
Meet Nate Pope, cofounder of NCX Brain Recovery and Cristal Clark, Corey's Therapist.
Learn how experts in the field of post-concussion syndrome meet the difficulties of mild TBI and post-concussion syndrome head-on with a system called the multi-sensory integration approach. We are excited for this episode!
#Concussion #TBI #PostConcussionSyndrome #ConcussionRecovery #ConcussionAwareness #BrainHealth #BrainInjury #SensoryIntegration #NeuroTherapy #AthleteHealth #SportsInjury #BrainRecovery #AthleteRecovery #MultisensoryIntegration #TraumaticBrainInjury
Bruce and Perri Parkman lost their son, Mac Parkman when he took his own life. Mac had brain damage and mental health issues which were caused by Repeated Head Impacts from playing concussive sports for 10 months out of every year. Bruce and Perri speak about their tragedy, so no parent in the future will have to experience the same thing, IF they listen to the message. #MacParkman #CTEAwareness #ConcussionPrevention #BrainHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #YouthSportsSafety #AthleteWellness #Spo
When you hear “psychiatry,” you probably think mental health — not brain injury. But the truth is, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) doesn’t just hurt the brain… it changes how we feel, think, and connect with the world. Depression, apathy, addiction, even unprovoked anger — these aren’t just emotional struggles; they’re symptoms of an injured brain trying to heal. In this powerful episode, two leading doctors share what’s really happening inside the injured brain.
We talk about: Ray Lewis III’s life, spirit, and athletic journey. The symptoms and struggles that often go unnoticed before a CTE diagnosis. The emotional and mental toll on families. The urgent need for education, research, and safer sports practices. The creation and mission of the RL3 Foundation at RL3Foundation.com, dedicated to protecting and supporting athletes.
This episode honors Ray Ray’s life while pushing forward the fight for athlete mental health and brain-injury awareness.
In this powerful episode of the HeadRush Podcast, we sit down with Brandi Winans, wife of former NFL player Jeff Winans, and Susan Berry, wife of former professional Bareback Bronc rider Corey Berry, as they open up about the emotional, physical, and daily realities of being caregivers to loved ones living with brain injuries, CTE, TES, chronic pain, and the long-term effects of repeated head impacts.
Can we win the battle against demyelinating diseases? In this episode of the HeadRush Podcast, we sit down with Helen McCormack, Founder and CEO of Viotheia Biosciences, to explore the rapidly evolving world of precision medicine. Helen shares groundbreaking insights into diagnostic innovations and re-myelination techniques that could transform how demyelination diseases are detected and treated. This conversation offers hope, science, and a glimpse into the future of neurological care.
In this powerful episode of the HeadRush Podcast, we sit down with Trip Harlan, CEO of the Bio Optimization Institute in Tampa, Florida, to explore groundbreaking approaches to brain injury recovery and high-performance optimization. Trip breaks down how the Bio Optimization Institute uses five clinically proven modalities—including one that earned a 2019 Nobel Prize—to enhance neurological recovery, cognitive performance, and rehabilitation for both the brain-injured population and elite athletes.
We discuss: How bio-optimization accelerates recovery from brain injury Performance enhancement without shortcuts or gimmicks The science behind Nobel Prize–winning technology Bridging the gap between rehabilitation and peak human performance
What do professional cowboys and an NFL player have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of the HeadRush Podcast, Nick LaDuke, Corey Berry, and Paul Frase sit down for a wide-ranging, honest conversation that connects brain health, regenerative agriculture, neurodiversity, and faith — and why all of it matters for families, communities, and future generations. This discussion explores: How regenerative agriculture supports healthier land, healthier food, and healthier people The role of brain health, neurodiversity, and SPECT imaging in performance and recovery What elite athletes and ranchers understand about discipline, responsibility, and stewardship Why God, family, and community remain foundational values — on the field, on the ranch, and in everyday life Rather than chasing trends or talking points, this episode focuses on long-term thinking: how we care for our minds, our bodies, our land, and each other. Whether you’re an athlete, rancher, parent, coach, or someone searching for deeper purpose beyond performance, this conversation offers perspective, humility, and insight grounded in lived experience.
A full recap of 2025 and a look ahead to what’s coming in 2026. In this episode, Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S, NBCC, CEAP, SAP (MC Wellness) joins Paul Frase and Corey Berry to reflect on a year of growth in awareness, hope, and community building around brain health — including: 🔹 TBI, concussions, and repeated head impacts 🔹The official launch of the HeadRush Foundation — applying for 501(c)(3) status to expand access to support, education, and therapies not always covered by insurance
This week, HeadRush goes across the pond with Roy Heaney and Rich Coates from the UK’s Marshalling CTE Foundation—former rugby players turned advocates confronting the realities of repeated head impacts (RHI), TBI, TES, and probable CTE. Roy and Rich share what happens when elite and grassroots athletes hit a breaking point and are told it’s “just anxiety” or “just depression,” despite years of collisions, concussions, and sub-concussive hits. They break down the differences between rugby league and rugby union, the cumulative damage of contact sports, and why so many players—and their families—are left without answers or support. This conversation goes beyond sport. It addresses the families, spouses, and caregivers who carry the weight alongside those suffering, and why the Marshalling CTE Foundation was created as a support-first community when institutions, leagues, and healthcare systems fall short. If you’ve experienced brain fog, rage, depression, anxiety, memory loss, or personality changes after head trauma—and felt dismissed or unheard—this episode is for you. You are not weak. You are not alone. And this is not just in your head. Mantra of the episode: Stronger together. If you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” but you know something is wrong—listen closely.
Mike was inside the World Trade Center complex when the first plane hit. Minutes later, near Tower One, he was knocked unconscious as the second plane struck—suffering a fractured skull and internal bleeding. What followed wasn’t just survival. It was years of navigating PTSD, memory loss, brain fog, vertigo, executive function challenges, and the terrifying experience of not recognizing your own brain.
Brain injury can isolate people fast. Tyler, a Peer Support Coordinator at the Concussion & CTE Foundation explains why support, community, and hope can change everything. When brain injury makes people feel isolated, support can become survival. Brain injury can isolate people fast. Tyler explains why support, community, and hope can change everything. When brain injury makes people feel isolated, support can become survival.
The equipment meant to protect young athletes might be the reason we’re missing the real danger. Most “protective” sports gear isn’t solving the problem—it may be hiding it. In this episode of the HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase and Corey Berry break down the truth about concussions, repeated head impacts, and why products like Guardian Caps may create a dangerous false sense of safety in youth sports. From football and hockey to wrestling and rodeo, the conversation explores how brain trauma actually occurs—and why reducing surface impact does not equal protecting the brain from TBI or long-term conditions like CTE. They dive into: Guardian Caps and “safer” equipment claims • Concussion risk vs. repeated head impacts (RHI) • Youth football and early exposure to contact • Why limiting contact in practice may matter more than gear • The growing market of “solutions” that miss the root cause If you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or advocate for brain health, this episode challenges what you think you know about protection, safety, and risk in contact sports.
25+ concussions. Years of silence. Then everything collapsed—this is how Rico Petrini fought his way back. What happens when decades of repeated head impacts finally catch up—and your brain starts to break down? In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase (11-year NFL veteran) and Corey Berry (former professional rodeo athlete) sit down with Rico Petrini, a former Oregon State linebacker who endured 25+ concussions and thousands of subconcussive hits before experiencing a life-altering neurological crash. Years after football, Rico’s symptoms hit hard: severe depression, suicidal ideation, memory loss, sleep disruption, tremors, tinnitus, explosive anger, cognitive decline, and sensitivity to light and sound. What looked like a normal post-athletic life turned into a fight for survival. Rico opens up about: Living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and suspected CTE The delayed impact of repeated head trauma (RHI) Neuroinflammation and its role in brain dysfunction Brain scans, white matter damage, and nervous system breakdown Why so many athletes feel dismissed or misdiagnosed Diet, sleep, and anti-inflammatory recovery strategies His experience with photobiomodulation (red light therapy) through a University of Utah study Most importantly—he shares what actually helped him start rebuilding his brain, restoring function, and finding hope again. This episode is for: Athletes (football, hockey, rodeo, wrestling, rugby, etc.) Veterans and anyone exposed to repeated head impacts People struggling with post-concussion symptoms Families and caregivers navigating behavioral or cognitive changes Anyone dealing with depression, brain fog, or emotional instability after trauma If you’ve ever been told “you’re fine” but know something isn’t right—this conversation matters.
What do you do when the system fails you… and your brain is paying the price? Brain trauma doesn’t just disappear—and for millions of people, real help is still out of reach. Corey Berry and Paul Frase break down the reality of living with repeated head impacts, TBI, TES, and long-term neurological symptoms—and why they stopped waiting for solutions and started building their own. In this episode, they dive into: The truth about repeated head impacts and brain injury Why so many people are misdiagnosed or ignored The mission behind the HeadRush Foundation (501c3) Real recovery conversations around TMS, red light therapy, neurofeedback, and more What hope actually looks like when you're living it—not reading about it This isn’t theory. This is lived experience. If you or someone you love is dealing with brain fog, memory loss, depression, anxiety, rage, or neurological symptoms after head trauma—this conversation matters.
Learn more: 👉 headrushfoundation.org 👉 headrushpodcast.com Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | McWellness – Cristal Clark
Most mental health treatments fail—not because patients are broken, but because the root cause is being missed. Dr. Mizyl Damayo, Medical Director of Paradise Behavioral Health, returns to The HeadRush Podcast to break down why traditional psychiatry often fails—and what it actually takes to create lasting healing. After a decade in conventional practice, Dr. Damayo saw the same pattern over and over: patients cycling through medications with little to no long-term improvement.
A major shift just hit the medical and mental health world. In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase and Corey Berry react in real time to a newly signed executive order from Donald Trump directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to accelerate the review and research of psychedelic therapies—specifically focusing on Ibogaine. For decades, substances like Ibogaine and psilocybin have been heavily restricted. Now, with federal funding, expedited clinical pathways, and renewed scientific attention, the conversation has shifted from prohibition… to possibility. Paul and Corey break down: What the executive order actually does (and what it doesn’t) Why Ibogaine is gaining attention for PTSD, addiction, and brain trauma The role of veterans and real-world case stories in pushing this forward The science behind neuroplasticity, dendritic growth, and brain recovery Why traditional treatments like SSRIs often fall short ⚠️ Important: This conversation is for awareness and discussion only. The risks, safety concerns, and why this is NOT a free-for-all solution What this means for the future of mental health treatment in the U.S. This episode is raw, real, and grounded in lived experience—from two men who understand the long-term effects of repeated head trauma. Paul and Corey are not doctors and are not recommending or prescribing any treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional. If this research delivers on its promise, it could reshape how we approach brain health, addiction recovery, and trauma healing. But the question remains… Is this the beginning of a breakthrough—or just the first step into unknown territory?
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