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In this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we welcome Dr. Tommy Wood. A neuroscientist and physician, discussing his journey into human optimization and brain health. We explore the complexities of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI), the role of inflammation in brain health, and the nuances of cognitive decline and dementia. Dr. Wood emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes and actionable steps to improve brain health, introducing his 3S model: stimulus, supply, and support. The conversation also highlights the Better Brain Fitness podcast, where listeners can find more resources and insights on brain health.

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Tommy Wood

01:50 - Journey into Human Optimization and Brain Health

07:12 - Understanding Concussions, MTBI and The Egg Analogy: Explaining Brain Trauma

15:00 – Teaching and Conveying the Message About Concussion

19:10 - Inflammation in the Brain: Causes and Effects

23:38 - Understanding Cognitive Decline

33:40 - The 3S Model for Brain Health

39:21 - Exploring the Better Brain Fitness Podcast and Dr Wood’s Up and Coming Book

-Better Brain Fitness Website: https://www.betterbrain.fitness/about

-Better Brain Fitness Podcast: https://www.brainjo.academy/the-better-brain-fitness-podcast/

-Dr Tommy Wood’s Website: https://www.drtommywood.com

-@drtommywood

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**Re-Release Episode with Dr Stephen Townsend. Original air date: July 2nd, 2024**

Welcome to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast In this episode, we are privileged to host Dr. Stephen Townsend as our special guest. Dr. Townsend holds the position of Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queensland University with the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences specializing in sport social studies. Dr Townsend is renowned for his work in sports history, with his extensive academic contributions including multiple journal publications, authored books, and published chapters. Notably, his PhD dissertation titled Becoming Ali: A Digital History, Newspaper Discourse, and America's Most Famous Boxer, 1969-1975 reflects his deep exploration of sports history.

Dr. Townsend brings a unique perspective to our discussion, providing expert opinions and analytical insights into the history of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury. Join us as we explore the intersection of history, sports, and concussion research with Dr. Stephen Townsend.

- What is a concussion and lack of consistent definition? (2:20)

- Earliest reports/ history of concussion/ History of concussion in Australia (6:58)-

- Boxings Role in awareness and Brief NFL History on “Death Harvest of 1905” (9:35)

- Cultural Relationship with Concussion, Societal Perceptions & Possible Sensitization to Violence (13:10)

- World War 1 Divergence Point in Concussion (19:00)

- Historical lessons or insights that can inform our approach to preventing and managing concussions in the future (26:10)

Dr Stephen Townsend:

Article:

“‘The Tragedy of the Punch Drunk': Reading Concussion in Australian Sporting Newspapers, 1843–1954”: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.676463/full

Twitter/X: @historycarb

Instagram: bigcrab_oncampus

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we are joined by Professor Amanda Ellison, a neuroscientist and physiologist at Durham University with more than two decades of experience. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers with close to 3,000 citations, and her research covers areas including the neuroscience of vision, neuronal disruption in migraine headaches, visuomotor systems, and sensorimotor cortical function. Beyond her academic work, Professor Ellison is the author of two well-regarded books, Getting Your Head Around the Brain and Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches, which bring complex neuroscience concepts to a wider audience.

- How Did Dr Ellison Got Involved in Physiology and Neuroscience? (01:51)

- Lobes of the Brain and Their function? (08:00)

- Whys It Called a Stroke (15:49)

- What are Headaches (19:20)

- Big Ticket Items Regarding Headaches (30:00)

- Migraines (34:10)

- Common Myths About Headaches? (51:10)

- Where to Find Dr Amanda Ellison (58:33)

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-z_DSs4AAAAJ&hl=en

Splitting: Inside Story on Headaches (https://www.amazon.com.au/Splitting-Inside-Headaches-Amanda-Ellison/dp/1472971396)

Getting Your Head Around The Brain: https://www.amazon.com.au/Getting-your-head-around-brain-ebook/dp/B09HZ9FVSR?ref_=ast_author_dp

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honor and privilege of welcoming back Dr. Federica Conti, who first joined us in Episode 60. Dr. Conti brings a remarkable background in cognitive neuroscience, holding a Master’s in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing from Oxford University and a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Her research lies at the intersection of sleep science, neuroscience, and nutrition—key areas in optimizing brain health and recovery. Dr. Conti’s work includes influential papers such as:

· Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols

· Dietary Protocols to Promote and Improve Restful Sleep: A Narrative Review

Both highlight how lifestyle interventions—particularly nutrition and sleep—can play a vital role in supporting the brain during recovery.

- Dr Federica Conti Journey into the Field of Sleep and Nutrition (01:54)

- What is Sleep (03:40)

- Sleep Cycles (06:35)

- REM (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) 13:50

- How Much Sleep Should We Get (18:04)

- Sleep Hygiene + UK Sleep Study (20:30)

- Circadian Rhythms (28:10)

- Concussion and Sleep (36:40)

- Melatonin and Sleep (44:10)

- Dietary Protocols to Promote and Improve Restful Sleep: A Narrative Review (50:00)

- Take Home Message (58:05)

Previous Episode: Episode 60 Nutrition and Supplementation Strategies for Concussion, mTBI and Brain Health with Dr. Federica Conti

Dr Conti’s Journal Articles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Federica-Conti-4

Instagram: @fede.rica.conti

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In this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Greener. A lifelong contributor to football as a player, coach, educator, and dedicated advocate for player safety. Ian’s career began in 1970s England with Middlesbrough FC, where he trained alongside legends like Bill Gates. After moving to Australia, he became a key figure in the sport’s development — coaching in the old National Soccer League, co-founding the soccer program at the Victorian Institute of Sport, and serving as the State Director of Coaching.

With over a decade as Head Coach at Rowville Sports Academy and as the founder of AFCAT (now part of Football Coaches Australia), Ian has shaped generations of players and coaches. Now Chair of FCA’s Technical Committee, he leads national coach education initiatives. In recent years, Ian has focused his efforts on concussion awareness, working with Head Safe Football UK to deliver seminars across Australia. He brings a deeply informed and personal perspective to the growing conversation around head trauma and CTE in football.

- Ian’s Football Journey from Middlesbrough to Australia (02:00)

- Sharing Changerooms with Legends of the Game and Around the Grounds (07:00)

- Ian’s Connection with Bill and the Gates Family (14:00)

- What Head Safe Football is about (22:32)

- The Doctrine of Football Coaching (27:00)

- Coronial Inquest (29:10)

- Brain Health, Concussion, CTE and Repetitive Head Impacts at Training (30:30)

- Head Safe Football Game, its meaning and Alternate Training Solutions (36:24)

- What Happens and Outcomes of Repetitive Head Impacts (42:20)

- English and Scottish FA Guidelines (47:48)

- Old vs New Ball Weight/Sizes and Repetitive Head Impacts (50:41)

- Reducing Exposure of Heading (52:33)

- Favourite Moments in Football (56:43)

Head Safe Football:

Head Safe Football: https://headsafefootball.org.uk

Social Media:

Instagram: headsafefootball

Facebook: Head Safe Football

Twitter/X: @headsafecharity

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In this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re honoured to welcome Dr Judith Gates — educator, researcher, and founder of Head Safe Football. With a distinguished career spanning education and strategic planning, including roles at Harvard and Stanford, Dr. Gates now channels her expertise into raising awareness about sports-related brain injuries. Inspired by the legacy of her late husband, former professional footballer Bill Gates, she is a leading voice in the fight to protect athletes from the dangers of repetitive head impacts.

- Bill and Judith Gates Legacy (01:30)

- Repetitive Head Impacts in Bills Playing Career (07:30)

- Noticing the signs and Symptoms of Dementia (09:34)

- Diagnosis (13:00)

- Head Safe Football (18:57) – ‘Think Head Safe, Reduce Heading in Training’

- It’s Not the Old Heavy Footballs Myth (23:29)

- Head Safe Charity Match Results (24:50)

- Cost of Care (29:55)

- Head Safe Football Detail (35:20)

- Favourite Memories (38:00)

Head Safe Football:

https://headsafefootball.org.uk

hello@headsafefootball.org.uk

Twitter: @headsafecharity

IG:@headsafefootball

Facebook: Head Safe Football

Linkedin: Head Safe Football

No-brainer: A Footballer’s Story of Life, Love and Brain Injury

https://www.amazon.com.au/No-brainer-Footballers-Story-Brain-Injury/dp/1914487230

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In this episode, we’re joined by Julie, whose MMA career spans over a decade with appearances in top-tier promotions like EliteXC, Strikeforce, and the UFC. Her 2007 fight with Gina Carano remains a landmark moment in combat sports history, showcasing the skill and legitimacy of women in MMA. After retiring from competition, Julie transitioned to broadcasting and has since become a leading voice in the industry through her insightful analysis with Invicta Fighting Championships. Beyond the cage, Julie has built a diverse career in film and television, with roles in 50 to 1, Transcendence, Bruised, Longmire, and the docuseries Dark Side of the Cage. She also brings a strong academic background to her work, holding a BA in English Literature and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing.

- How Julie Become Involved in Combat Sport’s (02:20)

- Women’s Exposure in Combat Sports (06:00)

- Invicta Fight Championship (09:30)

- Concussion in MMA (17:46)

- Motivation of and Contracts of Combat Athlete (25:00)

- Identify of Combat Athletes and Power Slap (32:30)

- Commentating at Invicta Fight Championship (38:15)

- Donating Brain to Research (43:03)

- Favorited or memorable moments (48:38)

- Where to Find Julie (56:00)

Julie Kedzie:

Invicta FC: https://invictafc.com/?doing_wp_cron=1753280154.2752580642700195312500

Instagram: @julesk_fighter

Blue Sky: @julesk_fighter

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

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Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, Today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Andy Clark.

This week, we’re joined by one of boxing’s most respected voices, Andy Clarke, lead commentator for Sky Sports Boxing. With over two decades in the industry, Andy has earned a stellar reputation for his sharp analysis and eloquent commentary, having called some of the biggest fights across more than 25 countries.

Beyond the ring, Andy’s commentary career spans the Olympic Games, Premier League, UEFA Champions League,Euro 2004, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his versatility across the sporting world.

In this episode, we dive into his book ‘The Knockout: Sports Most Decisive Moment’, a captivating exploration of the knockout in boxing. Andy shares insights from the psychology behind the knockout and why it remains one of the most iconic elements in all of sport.

- Andy’s Introduction into World of Boxing and Commentary? (02:30)

- Hypotheticals and Comparing Generations (06:50)

- Motivation of the book and looking into the knock out? (10:25)

- How Knock-Outs Differs from Other Sports like Soccer/Football (16:35)

- Athlete’s Perceptions and Feelings Around the Knock (20:25)

- How Andy Commentates Around the Knock-Out (31:15)

- Fighters Mentality When Possibly Concussed (38:10)

- What the Knock-Out Dose to a Boxers Career (41:05)

- Favourite and Memorable Moments (50:10)

Andy’s social media and book:

The Knockout: Sport's Most Decisive Moment

https://www.amazon.com.au/Knockout-Sports-Most-Decisive-Moment/dp/1836001592

Instagram: @mrandyclarke

Twitter/x: @MrAndyClarke

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Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com