In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones welcomes Erica Marcano, a seasoned certified athletic trainer and strength coach, for an in-depth discussion on the changing landscape of athletic training and rehabilitation.

The conversation centers on the importance of adopting a biopsychosocial approach to recovery—one that recognizes the interconnected roles of physical health, mental well-being, and social support in an athlete’s rehabilitation journey. Erica emphasizes how community and support systems can profoundly influence outcomes, advocating for athletes to actively participate and take ownership of their recovery process.

Key topics include the high prevalence of ACL injuries among women, with Erica shedding light on both the physiological and societal factors contributing to this trend. The episode also explores the growing challenge of tendinopathies in modern sports, highlighting the need for up-to-date, evidence-based strategies in both prevention and treatment.

Throughout the discussion, Erica stresses the significance of advocacy—not only for athletes’ immediate recovery but for their long-term health and well-being. She encourages athletes and practitioners alike to champion a more holistic, empowering approach to rehabilitation, ensuring that recovery is not just about returning to play, but thriving beyond it.

Erica's links:

Website: https://www.thenotoriousatc.com

Instagram: @notorious.atc

Dana’s Links:

https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones interviews Chris Toto, a primal health coach who specializes in helping women with Hashimoto's disease. Chris shares his personal journey of battling Hashimoto's, the lifestyle changes that led to his recovery, and his mission to empower women to overcome autoimmune symptoms. The conversation covers the importance of proper medical support, dietary approaches, and the significance of self-education in health management.Cris' links:https://cristoto.com/register-ig - masterclasshttps://www.facebook.com/ThePrimalItalianhttps://www.instagram.com/the.primal.italian/https://x.com/Coach_Toto7https://theprimalitalian.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cris-toto72/Dana’s Links:https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.comPodcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones interviews Georgie Oldfield, a pioneering physiotherapist and founder of SIRPA. Georgie shares her journey into the world of chronic pain treatment, her discovery of Dr. Sarno's work, and how it transformed her approach to pain management.

The conversation delves into the establishment of SIRPA, the evolution of training programs, and the importance of emotional awareness in chronic pain recovery. Georgie emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in treatment, as well as the connection between unresolved emotions and chronic pain.

BIO:Georgie Oldfield MCSP is a UK Physiotherapist who initially specialised in Respiratory Care, before changing direction in 1990, in order to be able to work part-time, after starting a family. Over the years she gained experience working with patients with varied conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological and auto-immune conditions.Coming across Dr Sarno and visiting him in 2007 was an epiphany for Georgie, completely changing her professional life, as well as her own health. After starting out by working with her own patients, Georgie felt the calling to do more to raise awareness of this life-changing concept and approach. As a result of this she set up SIRPA in 2010 as a training organisation for health professionals and coaches, creating the first training in this field. This moved online in 2018 and in September 2024, SIRPA launches an exciting, new 3part online course. SIRPA’s membership runs alongside the courses, providing a strong community of practitioners. The membership provides support and guidance as practitioners evolve in this field, as well as providing ongoing peer support and clinical supervision.In 2011, Georgie also launched SIRPA’s first online recovery programme, which was completely redeveloped in 2022, and in 2014 she published her book, ‘Chronic Pain: Your Key to recovery’. Georgie continues to work to raise awareness of the concept of psychophysiological conditions. This has included being invited to give a TEDx talk in 2019, speaking at numerous events and being interviewed as a Specialist on the Tonight programme on ITV in the UK, about chronic pain. Since 2015, SIRPA has also organised and hosted international conferences in London, to which some of our US colleagues kindly came over to support us. The next conference will be in May 2025.

Georgie's Links:

Website: SIRPA

Facebook - /SIRPAUK

Instagram - sirpa_uk

Linked In - /georgieoldfield/

Dana’s Links:

https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Charlie Merrill, a physical therapist and founder of Merrill Performance. They discuss the integration of mind-body therapy in treating pain, particularly for athletes. Charlie shares his journey into this field, influenced by the works of John Sarno and Howard Schubiner, and emphasizes the importance of belief in recovery. The conversation explores the psychological aspects of pain, the role of neuroplasticity, and the need for athletes to unlearn harmful narratives about their bodies. Charlie also highlights the significance of understanding the emotional impact of training and racing, and how this knowledge can empower athletes to manage their pain effectively.takeaways

• Charlie Merrill emphasizes the importance of creating a niche in physical therapy.
• Belief in recovery is crucial for positive outcomes.
• Pain is a normal part of athletic life and serves as a protector.
• Neuroplasticity allows for change in how we perceive pain.
• Athletes often prefer physical explanations for pain over psychological ones.
• Understanding the emotional aspects of training can help manage pain.
• The brain plays a key role in regulating physical sensations and pain.
• Unlearning harmful narratives about pain is essential for recovery.
• Nutrition and mental state significantly impact athletic performance.
• The rise of ultra-endurance sports highlights the need for mental resilience.

Charlie's Bio:

Charlie Merrill is a Physical Therapist and the founder of Merrill Performance in Boulder, CO. He's synthesized treatment of the mind and body for over 25 years to support people in returning to a high level of performance in their lives. In his practice, Charlie combines traditional hands on manual therapy and movement with a novel mind-body approach to treat a wide range of clients including some of the best runners, cyclists, rock climbers, and CrossFitters in the world. In addition to being a master clinician, Charlie is an educator, clinical mentor, clinical consultant with Lin Health, and a content creator and influencer in the chronic pain space.

Charlie co-created the course "Beyond Pain Education" with Dr Howard Schibiner, MD to educate and mentor clinicians who are traditionally body oriented how to transition toward a more psychosocially informed approach to pain and function. He runs a 12 week immersive course for athletes looking to unlearn and overcome chronic symptoms called Unlearning Pain For Athletes. Charlie created and teaches a 6 week course for body oriented clinicians in collaboration with the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center. He’s a content creator appearing on Podcasts, his channel on YouTube, and is active on Instagram supporting people in pain. Charlie is actively involved in clinical research and consults in the digital health technology space. He also serves on the medical advisory board for "The Better Mind Center". Charlie is a lifelong competitive athlete in a variety of disciplines and lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and three teenage kids.

Dana’s Links:

https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Stephen Hicks about his journey from athletics to wellness. Stephen shares his personal experiences with injury and recovery, emphasizing the importance of overall wellness and the mind-body connection. He discusses the concept of holistic fitness, common misconceptions, and his nutritional practices aimed at supporting a healthy lifestyle. The conversation concludes with Stephen's future plans and an offer for listeners to access mindset resources.takeaways

• Stephen Hicks transitioned from athletics to wellness after a significant injury.
• Wellness is about participating in life, not just physical limits.
• The mind-body connection is crucial for overall health.
• What has been made can be remade through cellular regeneration.
• Holistic fitness encompasses mindset, nutrition, and environment.
• Nutrition should support energy and longevity.
• Common misconceptions about holistic fitness often stem from its spiritual connotations.
• Self-image plays a vital role in achieving wellness goals.
• Endurance athletes need to practice their nutrition strategies.
• Stephen is developing an online community and podcast for wellness education.

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  Steven's Links:

  
  

  https://thrivingbody.fit/

  
  

  Dana’s Links:

  https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

  
  

  
  

  Podcast Disclaimer:

  The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones interviews Ernest Allen, a former professional football player turned strength and conditioning coach. They discuss Ernest's journey from college football to the NFL, the rigorous training and nutrition regimens athletes undergo, and the transition from athlete to coach. Ernest shares insights on the importance of proper nutrition, the evolution of training methods, and his coaching philosophy that emphasizes encouragement and communication. The conversation also touches on the significance of mentorship in the coaching profession and the need for athletes to maintain their natural movement patterns to prevent injuries.

Takeaways

• Ernest Allen played professional football for 13 years.
• Training camps were intense and demanding, focusing on player safety.
• Nutrition and hydration are crucial for athlete performance.
• There is no perfect movement; each athlete has their unique style.
• Building athletes is essential for both sports and general fitness.
• Mentorship is vital for aspiring coaches.
• Encouragement and communication are key in coaching.
• Athletes need to maintain their natural movement patterns.
• Strength training is important for all athletes, including golfers.
• Marketing is essential for coaches to reach their audience.

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  Ernest's Links:

  https://www.atlasprotraining.com/

  
  

• 
  

  Dana’s Links:

  https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

  
  

  
  

  Podcast Disclaimer:

  The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

  
  

  
  

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones interviews Otis Collier Jr., a human engineer coach who shares his inspiring journey of overcoming significant life challenges, including a birth defect and the loss of his mother. Otis discusses how these experiences shaped his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of building connections with clients and focusing on behavioral changes rather than strict macro counting. He offers valuable insights for anyone looking to start their fitness journey, highlighting the need for intrinsic motivation and personal goal setting.takeaways

• Otis was born with a leg discrepancy and faced numerous health challenges.
• He learned to rehab himself after a hernia surgery at 17.
• Coaching became a passion when he realized he could help others.
• Building rapport with clients is essential for effective coaching.
• Clients buy the trainer, not just the training.
• Behavioral coaching is more effective than strict macro counting.
• It's important to connect with clients on a personal level.
• Intrinsic motivation is key to long-term success in fitness.
• The journey of fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Setting personal goals is crucial for motivation.

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  Otis’ links:

  https://www.instagram.com/rehab.restore.renew.86/?hl=en

  
  

  https://www.facebook.com/otis.collier/

  
  

  https://rrrstrong.com/

  
  

  Dana’s Links:

  https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com

  
  

  
  

  Podcast Disclaimer:

  The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.