Discussions on Concussions: Recent Episodes
Rachel Coombs Renwick
I founded Discussions on Concussions to create a space that holds a variety of information on brain injuries and chronic migraine from the perspective of those who suffer from them.
I personally have suffered through six concussions in my life and still endure the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) to this day.
Step-by-step, I’m here to help those who are recovering from brain injuries and help educate their loved ones.
Our podcast features the stories of those who have suffered from a brain injury or chronic migraine, as well as the knowledge of health professionals.
In this final part of our International Women's Day Panel, we discuss how our heads feel extra pain during our menstrual cycles and how we adapt to it. Our bodies endure so much pain on the regular that our tolerances have increased drastically.
Our conversation then leads to physical body image. We can all relate with how our bodies can easily change while recovering from a brain injury or constantly battling chronic migraine and pain. Our bodies may have been able to physically do more before we became 'fragile noggins' but it's more important to focus on what our bodies CAN do for us vs living in the past.
Our Panelists:
Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionist
Morgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraine
Erica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878
Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymeh
Beth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrances
Rachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions
Continuing our 3 part series for International Women’s Day, our special panel of women discuss what it is like to be a fragile noggin in the workplace.
Suffering from migraine and/or healing from a brain injury can easily impact your career. The next step you should do is evaluating what type of job is right for you and how you and your employer can best accommodate your fragile noggin.
Our Panelists:
Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionist
Morgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraine
Erica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878
Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymeh
Beth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrances
Rachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions
Happy International Women's Day! For the occasion, Discussions on Concussions has gathered up a group of incredible women to participate in a candid discussion of what it is like as a woman with a "fragile noggin".
In Part One, we discuss how we handle the pressures to be a "woman who can do it all" while having physical limitations. How we have perfected "masking" and how we can be more honest with ourselves and others.
Our Panelists:
Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionist
Morgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraine
Erica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878
Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymeh
Beth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrances
Rachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions
In this episode, our special guests are my parents, Steve & Cindy! We discuss my history of concussions, specifically #5 & #6*, and how they had to constantly learn & adapt to understand what I was going through and support me. During the second half of the episode, we give advice to other parents and those with fragile noggins on how communication & transparency are key. All three of us cried and laughed throughout the making of this episode as we reflected on the impact of my concussions in this candid discussion of what we all went through together throughout my brain injuries.
*Trigger Warning: We discuss the car accident my mom & I were in which caused concussion #6
In our first episode of 2022, I talk with Steven Zeppieri who endured a traumatic brain injury by a disturbing car accident in 2016. Steven was flown by helicopter on the site of the accident to Sunnybrook Hospital, which is a very cool connection as we fundraise for their TBI Clinic there!*
Steven shares with us his TBI recovery journey, accompanied by some very hilarious stories. His cheery demeanour and positive outlook on life is inspiring - tune in to hear his story and advice he has for fellow fragile noggins!
*TW for those who find it hard to listen to car accident stories
This episode features our special guest Dr. Theo Versteegh, the Inventor and Co-Founder of TopSpin Technologies. We discuss how neck injuries go hand-in-hand with concussions and the importance of rehab therapy. Also listen in to understand how TopSpin currently helps athletes preventatively train their necks to strengthen and protect their fragile noggins from concussions.
It’s been too long since the last episode but sometimes life just gets in the way! In this episode I explain why I haven’t been consistent the past few months and how important it is to pace yourself and prioritize your health when you have a Fragile Noggin 🧠
A short and sweet 11 min episode that features tips and advice for other fragile noggins out there who havent had their first dose of the covid-19 vaccine yet.
Here is the final part of Love Your Fragile Noggin featuring Beth Aerts-Ives 💗 Beth & I discuss what it means to truly love your fragile noggin; changing your mindset, focusing on self-love and embracing the ‘new’ you!
In the episode we have special guest Susannah Juteau, a Registered Dietitian and Headache Nutritionist. Susannah shares with us her story of battling headaches (and even a benign brain tumour), as well as the 5 steps to cutting inflammation for headache relief. You will definitely want to take a listen and take notes!
✨NEW PODCAST EPISODE✨ In this episode, I have my husband Matt join me to discuss the impact concussions have on relationships. We’ve been together for almost 8 years, which I’ve had 5/6 concussions during.We discuss how we have both adapted to my new life and how we have to plan things around my head. Near the end Matt gives advice to those who’s partners have post-concussion syndrome.
I spoke with Dr. Matthew Burke about Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's TBI & Concussion Clinic! 21% of proceeds from our shop will be donated to the clinic this month (February 2021) so take a listen to learn more about what they do! He also provides knowledgeable insight and advice for those who have post-concussion syndrome. We are very honoured that he joined us on the podcast!!
Happy Last Day of January! But like actually...congrats you made it through what can be a hard month! In honour of that I recorded a new podcast episode. This one doesn’t have a guest... it’s just me. I decided to share about a really difficult time of my life, last January. It’s raw. It’s honest. And I hope you take the time to listen. We need to talk more about the mental health side of suffering from a concussion and what feelings and thoughts they can lead to. Please remember, you’re never alone.
Ryan Daniel, a University of Toronto med student, is back on our podcast! He talks about his time studying concussions during his undergrad at the University of Ottawa. Ryan spent time in the research lab as well as treatment time with patients recovering from post-concussion syndrome.
The holidays can be hard on everyone, especially those with post-concussion syndrome and/or chronic migraines. Listen in to our first podcast episode of the year where Beth Aerts-Ives and I discuss helpful tips on how to bounce back for the new year!
On this episode Lea, a physiotherapist for children, shares her concussion story and how she's been struggling with post-concussion syndrome for the past year and a half. We discuss how it's important to have a great treatment team during recovery and a support system.
Ryan and I discuss the hockey world with concussions, the importance of having a strong support system during recovery and how he’s now in med school!!
In this Episode, we hear Taylor's story of her three concussions and how she is still coping with PCS over a year after her latest concussion. We discuss how depression and suicidal thoughts are very common with PCS as well as social anxiety. Tune in!
Thank you to our special guest Kacie Ferguson, the Migraine Nutritionist for sharing her story about coping with migraines for the past 16 years. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who provides services geared to those who also suffer from migraines 🍎🧠
We discuss the struggles of migraines, migraines in the workplace, and she shares her top 3 migraine tips!!!
Special thanks to our first guest Beth Aerts-Ives for sharing her story 🧠 We discuss how she got her first concussion at age 5, had the strength to get her Masters in Social Work, and how both our lives have changed through post-concussion syndrome.