Krystal (she/her) is a concussion warrior, a storyteller, an improv nerd, a dog mom, and a dietitian 😊 having spent most of her independent adult life dealing with multiple concussions, Krystal tells her story through her blog ‘This Hat Is A Helmet,’ and helps others with concussion and brain injury find healing with food and nutrition through her nutrition platform (@brain.mind.nutrition).Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the ...

Alan is a former professional boxer that now coaches. For years he has told his wife that something still wasn’t right in his head. When his wife and children noticed him becoming more angry, confused, depressed, and showing inappropriate behaviors they took him to the doctor. After numerous doctors, CTs and MRIs he was diagnosed with Dementia Pujulistica and Probable CTE at John Hopkins in 2017. Since then Alan has started writing poems about his experience and continues to fight for his life, ...

Nick is a 2x TBI survivor, currently battling PCS and an online nutritional coach and will be sharing his story and hopefully a few tips and tricks for recovery and managing PCS. We talk about what "in your head" means, about being your own best advocate, documenting recovery and more!Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing strength and hope, to those suffe...

Living with PCS, 3 years ago Ashley’s life was changed forever. What she thought was going to be a simple recreational game with friends on a Monday night, changed her life. Ashley will be speaking about how her positive mindset has become stronger than ever, how celebrating the little wins daily keeps you sane, and overcoming the dread of asking and seeking help. The toughest part was accepting she couldn’t do it all. She will also discuss how asking for help and leaning on friends, family, med...

Bella Paige was just recently on Concussion Chats where she discussed her 10 + concussions! Bella is the owner of Post Concussion Inc., and the host of The Post Concussion Podcast. We talk about her concussions, what she found challenging, what, if anything, were the differences between concussions, what having a concussion focused podcast is like, and helping others on their own concussion journey. Recognizing the uniqueness of each one. Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concuss...

Allison is a therapist, author, wife, mother of 2 teenagers, breast cancer and post-concussion syndrome survivor, volunteer in her community, and now, artist. She lives in a small town north of Boston and enjoys bodysurfing in the cold New England water (more carefully now), occasionally hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and looks forward to getting back into her garden after 4 years of just looking at it from her window. She also, mentors women with PCS through CLF. Through her In...

In this episode Erin and I talk to Ella Sofia, who is a Habit Coach and content creator at www.retrainyourbrain.ca. In January 2008, at age 14, Ella suffered a hemorrhagic stroke due to an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) rupture in her cerebellum. Ella now specializes in the mind's role in habit creation and its benefits for mental health and mental rehabilitation. What is a "habit", and why is it an important tool for rehabilitation? Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussion...

Nick Mercer (that’s me!) is the creator and writer of Concussion Talk blog – since 2010 – and host and producer of Concussion Talk Podcast – since 2015.In August 2003, while in Victoria, B.C., doing his Master’s of Public Administration at UVic, he was severely brain injured while riding his bike. He was in a medically induced coma for two weeks, and in in-patient rehabilitation at home in St. John’s, NL for 6 months learning how to walk and talk. He also spent a lot of time with occupational th...

Bella Paige is the owner of Post Concussion Inc., a website to help brain injury survivors and their families. After sustaining over 10 concussions and experiencing post-concussion syndrome for nearly 9 years, she realized that she could help others. She is also partaking in her Masters of Applied Neuroscience, focusing on mental health, and can't wait to share what she learns. Though Bella still struggles with symptoms, she is now living happily with PCS and believes you can too!Concussion Chat...

On episode 81 Erin and I talk to Ethan O'Brien and Dr. Sasha Blaskovich. Although each have unique concussion stories, and followed different paths, the two came together to co-author, "Dr. B's Concussion Breakthrough" (a #1 Amazon Best Selling Book)! We discuss their stories, concussion symptoms, Dr. Blaskovich's practice and why they wrote a book together. Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussiontalk.com/ for more! Follow and subscribe! @concussiontalk on YouTube, Instagra...

In this special episode, the 'Concussions and Mental Health Student Speaker Series' event that was held on February 18th, 2021, will be released as a podcast. This initiative was organized by the Concussion Legacy Foundation chapters at Laurier, the University of Toronto, and Ryerson, and includes student speakers who share their concussion stories, and the impact their concussions have had on their mental health and well being. The speakers include Nicole Bass, Theadora Verwey, Abdullah Rahimi,...

On episode 80, Erin and I talk to Michael Kaplen of De Caro & Kaplen, a law firm in New York that specializes in brain injury. We talk to Michael about his legal background that lead him to a focus on brain injury, and what he has learned along the way, including his years as president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State. We also talk about the course, Michael Kaplen teaches at George Washington University Law School, about brain injury and the U.S. law. Subscribe and leave a revi...

Jordan is a Personal Trainer and a Chronic Illness Coach who has fully recovered from a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as Chronic Lyme Disease. Jordan uses his social media platforms to show what life can be like post-recovery and how to get there. Jordan believes in the power of the mind and swears by his consistent meditation practice.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is ded...

On the fifth episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, interviews Tate Paul. Tate grew up snowboarding and playing soccer, and has sustained multiple concussions. Tate also speaks to her experience playing soccer in Maine on an athletic scholarship, and how submaximal exercise has contributed to her concussion recovery.Be sure to check out University of Toronto's Concussion Legacy Foundation Chapter's website , Faceboo...

Eryn and Mariah were good friends, then Mariah was brain injured, then Eryn was brain injured. Now they're good friends with a podcast! Inspired by their own, unique, but bonding experiences!Check out Mariah and Eryn on Making Headway Podcast! Subscribe and review! Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussiontalk.com/ for more! Follow and subscribe! @concussiontalk on YouTube, Instagram & Facebook 2014 e-book, Detour: https://leanpub.com/detour Follow Lauren on Instagram @lzia...

…And seeing the positives.Laura Grabe has been playing basketball since she was 10. While playing basketball, she has suffered three concussions. While sometimes it has been tough, there is always a bright side.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing hope and strength to those suffering from concussions through sharing experiences. Join us to hear recording...

Curtis is a motivational speaker, who shares his stories and recovery journey of being an extremely severe traumatic brain injury survivor. On his Instagram, he consistently posts about different activities/challenges that he does to measure his recovery and to motivate others. His Instagram handle is @curtisanderson6Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing ...

In this important podcast, Dr. Angela Colantonio, Lin Haag, Karen Mason, Dr. Paul Van Donkelaar, Lauren Ziaks (Phoenix Concussion Recovery), ABI Reasearch Lab, and the SOAR Project, discuss the intimate partner violence (IPV) and the all-too-often ignored connection with traumatic brain injury (TBI)! Sophia Gutierez - episode 3 of BRANIAC podcast - was instrumental in putting this episode together, and she helps guide the discussion. Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussionta...

Claudia is a human resources professional, diversity and inclusive advocate, longtime volunteer in the Montreal community, and a concussion survivor. In the process of returning to work she’s been faced with some challenges, but has also learned something about reasonable accommodations and disclosure of a medical condition. She hopes others can benefit from her experience, and while it is still an ongoing and learning experience for her as well, she’s also equally interested in the feedback and...

On the fourth episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, interviews Nick Eustace, a graduate of Western University who has extensive experience with concussions. Growing up playing competitive hockey, Nick sustained many concussions, but it was a few major concussions which ultimately led to the end of his hockey career. Years later, Nick is still suffering from concussion symptoms, but has made major strides in his per...

Louis, currently enrolled at Carleton University, is a former Rugby player, and athlete, who retired prematurely due to numerous concussions. He now spends his time playing and listening to music, reading and working out.We discuss acceptance and self-blame after concussion.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing hope and strength to those suffering from co...

On episode 77 Jill Wheatley, Mountains of my Mind, tells the story of how a baseball to her head in Germany has led her to Nepal. Jill's story is about hopes, dreams, and their fluidity. How they change, yet bring even greater joy! Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussiontalk.com/ for more! Follow and subscribe! @concussiontalk on YouTube, Instagram & Facebook 2014 e-book, Detour: https://leanpub.com/detour Follow Lauren on Instagram @lziaks Concussion Talk Podcast discus...

Marc suffered a concussion almost 9 years ago playing basketball. He has been collecting ways of dealing with his symptoms ever since. He is an educator in a learning centre, a part-time professor and a proud father.A short description, but an excellent, inward looking talk. Marc understands that the brain injury journey is not so much about knowing, but about learning. Subscribe and leave a review! Visit https://www.concussiontalk.com/ for more! Follow and subscribe! @concussiontalk on YouTu...

On the third episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, will interview Sophia Gutierrez, a University of Toronto Kinesiology student. Sophia has sustained 2 concussions, and shares her concussion story with listeners. Although Sophia has an extensive sport background, one of her concussions was actually sustained through an assault. Her recovery and her perspective is highly insightful!Be sure to check out University of...