Explore every episode of the podcast The NeuFit Undercurrent Podcast

Most of us were told that running is the purest path to leanness, heart health, and a long life. Mark Sisson spent a career as an elite endurance athlete, becoming a sub-2:18 marathoner and top finisher at Ironman, before his own body forced him to question all of it. In this conversation, he makes the case that – for many people – "chronic cardio" quietly breaks the body down more than building it up, and that the movement your body is actually engineered for is one that we have stopped respecting: walking.

In this episode, we get into:

• The broken promises of running for exercise, including injury rates, the fat loss myth, hormonal dysfunctions, and more
• Real aerobic training and why the fastest marathoner on earth trains 80% of the time at an easy, conversational pace
• Why persistence hunting was never a steady-state jog, but more of an alternating walking-climbing-sprinting endeavor
• How modern shoes "brace and encase" our feet, dulling our connection to the ground and setting up injuries
• What a fitness routine looks like when it aligns with evolutionary biology

Mark is 73 and, by his own account, fitter than he's ever been. This makes him one of the rare voices on aging who is living the message in real time. If you want to understand a sustainable framework for fitness and longevity, this episode will clarify how you think about it.

As a physical therapist and creator of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Gray Cook has spent more than 30 years changing how we think about human movement. In this episode, recorded at the Functional Movement Systems headquarters in Chatham, Virginia, Garrett sits down with Gray for a wide-ranging conversation on what "functional" actually means, why most of us are chasing symptoms instead of causes, and how to build a body that moves well for life. If you've ever wondered why your training isn't translating into real-life movements or why pain keeps coming back, this episode is for you. 

We cover:

• Why Gray defines "functional" as simply meaning "good enough" in the most important areas that influence musculoskeletal health.
• How movement screening is a status check for the musculoskeletal system, just like we take blood pressure for the cardiovascular system and use an eye chart for the visual system.
• The value of "regressing to progress" by working through the developmental phases: roll → crawl → kneel → squat → stand → walk → run
• The difference between calibration and conditioning (and why most warm-ups are wasted)
• Reclaiming physical culture for everyone from kids in school to adults who have "given up" on regular movement practices
• A real-life example in Gray's assessment of Garrett's movement during their time together
  

If you check a wearable every day to see your readiness and recovery, what are you doing to check your movement system? In this episode, you will learn a clear framework for running that same type of diagnostic on your musculoskeletal health. And underneath all of this is a deceptively simple principle. As Gray puts it, the sustainable path to health, fitness, and vitality is to "first move well, then move often." 

Imagine being a speech therapist and waking up in an ICU, unable to speak, swallow, or move your head and neck. That's what happened to Vanessa Abraham, MS, CCC-SLP, seven years ago when she was paralyzed by the pharyngeal-cervical-brachial (PCB) variant of Guillain-Barre. In this episode, she shares the full story from ventilator, tracheostomy, G-tube, and eye gaze boards through her path to eventually rebuilding her voice, her ability to swallow, and her clinical practice. 

We cover:

• The PCB variant of Guillain-Barre and what recovery actually looks like
• How Vanessa found the Neubie, which turned out to be the missing link in her recovery
• The ways she uses electrical stimulation on the head and neck in her speech-language pathology practice, and how she dials in for swallowing and vocal cord function
• Polyvagal theory, why the body can't heal in a state of fight-or-flight, and how Vanessa uses the Master Reset
• Her frameworks for working with children with autism, adults with neurodegenerative conditions, and people experiencing PICS (post-intensive care syndrome)

Vanessa is now one of the first SLPs in the world using the Neubie and has become a passionate educator through her book Speechless, her various talks and appearances, and her clinical practice. Her story is a very powerful pain-to-purpose conversation.

When Dr. Ted Arkfeld started as a team chiropractor in the early 2000s, the standard sideline concussion test was a whiff of smelling salts and a question: "Feel okay? Get back in." Twenty-plus years later, he's built one of the most rigorous neurological assessments in the field, and is one of the only chiropractors in the country presenting concussion research alongside the world's foremost authorities. In this episode, he walks us through what changed, what's still broken, and a better way to treat concussions from the nervous system up. We cover:

• Why you cannot have a concussion without a cervical spine injury and why mainstream concussion medicine has been late to catch on
• The Neuro Sports Performance Evaluation that combines autonomic testing, sensorimotor function, and Neubie mapping
• The 3x increase in lower-extremity injury risk after a concussion and how to prevent it
• Why even gentle treatment can metabolically overwhelm a concussed brain and how a $20 pulse oximeter solves it
• The layered treatment protocol Dr. Arkfeld uses: Cox flexion-distraction, Master Reset, Normatec, BrainTap, and progressive neuro rehab

If you treat athletes – or you're the parent of one – this conversation will change how you think about concussion management.

In this episode of The Undercurrent Podcast, Garrett sits down with Dr. Trent Nessler, a physical therapist, biomechanics researcher, and founder of The Athlete Lab in Franklin, Tennessee. Over 28 years in practice, Trent has built one of the most comprehensive movement-data engines in the world: the ViMove+ AMI wearable sensor system, which has now captured over 4,700 data points per assessment on more than 490,000 athletes across five countries. What he's learned from that dataset is rewriting how we think about injury risk, ACL rehab, and return to play. In this conversation, we cover:          

• The profound role of pelvic stability and dynamic valgus speed in predicting ACL injury
• Fatigue-state training and why the ACL Play It Safe program works best after practice                                                                                   
• How Trent integrates NEUBIE, BFR, biologics, red light therapy, and nutrition into a truly holistic rehab model                                                        
• Lessons from assessing thousands of firefighters, police, and Special Operations personnel                                                      
• The role of mindset, hope, and a warrior ethos in recovering from catastrophic injury       

Whether you're a clinician, coach, athlete, or tactical operator, this conversation offers a rare look inside the mind of someone who has spent nearly three decades measuring, questioning, and refining what it actually takes to move – and heal – at the highest level.

Most golfers are chasing a better swing. But what if the real limitation isn't your technique, but your body? In this episode with Mike McDonnell, we break down the Golf Performance Pyramid and discuss why most players are building their game on an incomplete foundation. We cover:

• The Golf Performance Pyramid: mobility → stability → strength → power
• Why hip mobility (especially internal rotation) is a major limiter of speed and consistency
• How skipping foundational movement leads to compensation and injury
• The difference between training muscles vs training movement
• How to structure training year-round, including during competitive seasons

If you want more distance, consistency, and longevity, don't just work on your swing … Fix the foundation it's built on.

We often treat movement like a one-way equation: Brain → Body → Performance. 

But in reality, it's a feedback loop. The body is constantly sending information back to the brain, and that information shapes how we move, perform, and recover. 

In this conversation with Harry Worrow, we talk about his frameworks for working with everyone from athletes to individuals with neurodegenerative conditions, and how he uses biomechanical analysis paired with functional neurology. Specifically, we cover:

• The two-way relationship between neurology and biomechanics
• Why better sensory input leads to better movement output
• A deeper look at working with the visual and vestibular systems
• Why movement quality should come before load and intensity
• Strategies for long-term progression in neurodegenerative cases

Movement is a blend of hardware and software, mechanics and neuroscience. Ultimately, it's shaped by how the nervous system interprets and responds to the world – and the good news is that this you can influence this process with the right techniques and strategies.

What happens when physician referrals start disappearing? For Chad Madden, it forced a complete reinvention of how his practice attracted patients. That shift ultimately led to scaling his clinic to seven locations and co-founding Breakthrough to help hundreds of practices do the same.

In this episode we discuss:

• The New Patient Pipeline and how it works
• The difference between clinician messaging and patient messaging
• Why direct response marketing works for healthcare
• The systems that turn cold leads into paying patients
• How cash-pay services are reshaping the economics of private practice

The takeaway: Great care alone doesn't guarantee growth. You also need a system to create demand, and Chad shows us that system.

Most healthcare is built around managing symptoms. A little treatment here. A quick intervention there. "Let's try this and see how you respond." But what if the real problem isn't the pain – it's the system treating pain?

In this episode, Dr. Mike Carberry and Colleen Carberry, PT, the founders of Advanced Medical Integration break down:

• Why symptom-based care keeps patients on the "train to drugs and surgery"
• How integrating physician care, chiropractic, and PT, compresses recovery time
• Why frequency and coordinated team care matter more than isolated visits
• How structured treatment plans drive measurable functional outcomes
• The systems that allow practices to scale without sacrificing results

If you want better outcomes, you don't just need more visits. You need a better model.

What separates a good practice from a top 10% practice? In this episode with Brian Gallagher, PT, we unpack the mindset shifts, leadership frameworks, and operational discipline that consistently show up in the highest-performing clinics. This isn't about hacks, it's about how elite operators think.

Specifically, we discuss:

• The identity shift required to move from clinician to true business leader
• Why culture must be built intentionally, not accidentally
• The role of systems and accountability in sustainable growth
• How top practices approach hiring, retention, and performance standards
• The top few ways successful practices outsource to improve efficiency

If you're a practice owner (or aspire to be one), this conversation will challenge you to raise your standards – not just clinically, but strategically. As you'll learn from Brian, the top 10% don't get there by luck. They build differently.

Healing is rarely about fixing a single tissue or structure. In this episode, Lisa Chase, PT, shares the frameworks from her new book, Be Responsible, Because the System Isn't, and describes why true recovery depends on the health of the entire system – from the nervous system and sleep to lifestyle, resilience, and capacity. When the whole system is robust, healing becomes possible. When it's not, symptoms simply move around.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why pain and injury are often downstream expressions of system overload
• How nervous system regulation shapes recovery, inflammation, and resilience
• The Pyramid of Healing and moving beyond symptom management
• What it means to rebuild health instead of chasing relief
• How tools like movement, lifestyle changes, and technology fit into a whole-system model

This episode is an invitation to rethink healing. It's not something that's done to you, nor is it something done in isolation. Rather, healing is something that emerges when the whole system is supported.

What happens when a child suddenly loses the ability to walk – and the answers aren't structural, surgical, or pharmaceutical? In this episode, Garrett sits down with George James and Katie, the mother of 9-year-old Jodie, to share an extraordinary and deeply human story of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), resilience, and recovery. In this conversation, we explore:

• Jodie's sudden onset of FND after fainting during a field hockey game, and the loss of walking, speech, and confidence
• The emotional and logistical journey of navigating a misunderstood condition
• George's decision to travel from the UK to Kenya for a 5-day intensive
• The clinical framework for approaching FND, including an emphasis on sensory input, play, and nervous system retraining 
• Broader takeaways from this story and what it teaches us about neuroplasticity, graded exposure, "deconstructing" movement patterns like gait, and more

This story is an inspiring example of patience, trust, and the remarkable adaptability of the human nervous system, with some extremely valuable clinical insights mixed in.

Most practice owners don't get stuck because they lack tactics – they get stuck because they're still operating with a clinician's identity. In this episode, Garrett sits down with Jamey Schrier, DPT, to unpack why sustainable growth and practice value require a fundamental shift in how owners see themselves and their role. In this conversation, we cover:

• Why clinical excellence alone doesn't build a valuable business
• The identity shift from clinician to true practice owner
• Common traps that keep owners stuck in the day-to-day
• What actually makes a practice "sale-ready"
• How systems and leadership replace owner dependency

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants their practice to create freedom instead of just more responsibility.

Modern pain care often focuses on fixing structures, but what if the real key is changing the signal? In this episode, Garrett and Dan Neff, DPT, dive into the idea of therapeutic input and how precise neurological stimulation can reduce pain, restore function, and build trust with patients – even the ones who've already tried everything else.

You'll learn about:

• Neurological versus mechanical models of pain
• Why less force can sometimes produce better results
• How spinal input influences pain perception
• The nuanced differences between manipulation, adjustment, and neuromodulation
• Integrating Neubie for complex cases of neurological injury and degeneration

If you're a clinician, practice owner, or someone struggling with persistent pain, this conversation offers an insightful perspective on what effective treatment really looks like

Most practice owners start with purpose but get lost in the chaos of growth. In this episode, Garrett sits down with Will Humphreys, PT, and Michelle Bambanek, PT, to explore how leaders can build scalable systems without sacrificing heart, humanity, or culture. Together, they break down the frameworks that help teams thrive as the business grows. You'll learn about:

• The leadership principles that create both profitability and purpose
• How to design culture intentionally, not as an afterthought
• Using frameworks like "Six Working Geniuses" for hiring, communication, and delegation in ways that sustain growth
• Common traps that erode trust as teams expand
• Why scaling "with soul" leads to stronger, freer organizations

This conversation is a roadmap for every owner who wants to grow without losing what made their mission meaningful in the first place.

What happens when physical therapy embraces the tools of diagnostic medicine? In this episode, Garrett talks with Drs. Skye Grayson, Malachi Votaw, and Julia Whitehead from NCEPT (Escondido, California) about how they've built one of the most advanced PT practices in the country by combining EMG, ultrasound, and Neubie neuromuscular reeducation.

You'll learn about:

• How objective diagnostics uncover what's really driving movement limitations
• The difference between structural and neurological dysfunction – and why it matters
• How Neubie integration accelerates nerve recovery and neuromuscular control
• Building a hybrid model that blends insurance-based care with cash-based innovation
• NCEPT's team-driven approach to leadership, mentorship, and excellence

This is a look inside the next evolution of physical therapy, where you'll see a clear and inspiring picture of how technology and teamwork converge to create better outcomes and stronger practices.

True athletic performance isn't built on muscle alone – it's driven by the nervous system. In this episode, Garrett explores how approaching training through a neurological lens can optimize movement, strength, and resilience across an athlete's lifetime. From youth development to elite performance, he breaks down how to train smarter, not just harder.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the nervous system governs strength, coordination, and recovery
• The "Pyramid of Performance" framework from The NeuFit Method
• Why early movement diversity builds long-term athletic capacity
• How End Range Activation (ERA) improves mobility and joint control
• The importance of relaxation speed and eccentric strength for power
• How NeuFit technology enhances neuromuscular re-education and resilience

Athletic development isn't a sprint, it's a neurological journey. And if you want to help yourself or your athletes reach their full potential, this episode will show you how incorporating neuroscience changes the game.

The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our life. And, although many of us know how to lead at work, we struggle to bring that same clarity, purpose, and intention into our homes and our most important relationships. 

In this episode, men's health and leadership coach Joel Evan shares how the same principles that drive success in business can transform relationships, communication, and connection at home. We cover several topics from Joel's book, Limitless: Forge an Unshakeable Marriage and Deepen Your Bond with Your Kids:

• How to apply leadership frameworks to marriage and fatherhood
• The power of extreme ownership in family life
• Why communication is the cornerstone of trust and intimacy
• Overcoming limiting beliefs that block authentic connection
• Building a legacy that lasts through your actions, not just your words

Whether you're a husband, father, or simply someone seeking to deepen relationships with more integrity and purpose, this episode will challenge you to show up where it matters most.

Low back pain is one of the most common – and complex – challenges in healthcare. In this episode, physical therapist Jeff Vitale shares how he applies Dr. Stuart McGill's evidence-based methods to help even the most difficult cases. Part of an elite group personally certified by Dr. McGill, Jeff integrates the McGill Method with other frameworks such as TPI and tools like the Neubie to create breakthrough results for patients who've often tried everything else.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Jeff's personal story with back pain and surgery as a college athlete
• The philosophy and principles behind the McGill Method for detailed assessment, which includes redefining "chronic" back pain
• How detailed assessment identifies pain triggers and guides precise exercise programming
• Balancing stability and mobility in athletic movements like the golf swing
• Where the Neubie fits into the rehab and performance equation

This is an episode for anyone serious about solving back pain at its source. Whether you're a clinician looking for new tools or someone personally battling low back pain, this episode provides a roadmap with practical solutions.

Carbon-60 (C-60) is a molecule that won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for its groundbreaking discovery – and now it's at the center of fascinating research into aging and longevity. In this episode, our guest is Chris Burres and we dig into the story of how a lab material used in industry found its way into the world of health and human performance.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The fascinating history of C60
• Why oxidative stress is central to aging and disease
• How C60 may act as a unique antioxidant without blunting exercise benefits
• Early animal studies describing C60's effects on lifespan, tumors, and inflammation
• Anecdotal reports in humans on sleep, recovery, inflammation, and HRV
• The importance of safety, purity, and scientific rigor in supplementation

Longevity breakthroughs always come with both promise and skepticism. This conversation brings the science, the story, and the open questions to light, so you can better understand where C60 fits in the longevity landscape.

In this solo episode, Garrett dives into the powerful lessons that come from contemplating our own mortality. While it's often uncomfortable to think about, facing the reality that our time is limited can be one of the most practical ways to gain clarity about what truly matters – both in life and in business. The conversation includes:

• Reflecting on our own death as a powerful teacher
• The importance of having a true core purpose independent of external circumstances
• Why directing our energy wisely is the most important decision we make each day
• How "compressing time" exercises can cut through clutter and reveal real priorities

This is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reorient. By compressing time and confronting our own finiteness, we discover focus, alignment, and a clearer path toward leading our best lives.

What if your brain held the keys to living longer and healthier? In this solo episode, I dive into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and longevity, unpacking how the nervous system shapes resilience, recovery, and the aging process. Drawing on both science and personal experience, I'll explore how practices like meditation, nervous system training, and targeted stimulation can help us unlock more years and better years. 

We'll cover:

• Why the autonomic nervous system is the hidden regulator of health and longevity
• How neuroplasticity impacts the body and mind
• The ways foot stimulation impacts the brain to reduce fall risk and extend independence
• What psychoneuroimmunology teaches us about stress, inflammation, and the immune system's role in aging, or "inflammaging" 
• Insights from meditation, HRV tracking, and direct experience of rewiring the nervous system for resilience

This is more than a discussion about just living longer, it's about living better too. Join me as we uncover how neuroscience provides both the framework and the tools to train your brain and body for vibrant health and longevity.

In this episode, we explore how neuroscience reveals what truly makes leaders effective – from how they regulate themselves, lead by example, and the various ways they can influence others and shape a team's culture. You'll learn how emotional safety, trust, and meaning aren't just soft skills but are actually brain-based performance drivers.

• Discover how a leader's role modeling combined with mirror neurons influence your team's mood, energy, and behavior
• Understand why brains in "threat mode" shut down trust, learning, and creativity and why psychological safety is the #1 predictor of high-performing teams
• Learn how to move from individual contributor to team multiplier
• Hear why storytelling activates more of the brain than data – and how to use that as a leader
• Explore how trust, purpose, and vulnerability unlock team engagement

Leadership isn't about control, it's about connection of people with each other and with a sense of shared purpose. And when you lead with safety, clarity, and purpose, you do far more than just manage a team – you multiply its impact.

What if you could get laboratory-grade movement insights with nothing more than your phone? In this episode, Garrett sits down with Jacob Salim, co-founder of G8way Max, to explore how motion capture and biomechanical analysis are becoming more accessible, precise, and effective than ever. Jacob shares the origin of the platform, how it works, and why personalized programming is the missing link for many people dealing with pain or underperforming bodies.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How G8way Max captures and analyzes movement with only a smartphone camera, replicating the joint angle and posture measurements of advanced biomechanics laboratories
• The 8 movement categories the system evaluates to find dysfunction
• How personalized recommendations increase compliance and real-world results
• Why poor standing posture is often the source of deeper dysfunction
• How clinicians and coaches are using this tool in practice today

Whether you're a coach, clinician, or someone who just wants to move better and hurt less, this conversation reveals how tech can accelerate progress – and put true biomechanical insight in your pocket.

Most golfers and baseball players chase speed and distance… but ignore the root cause of why they're stuck. In this episode of The Undercurrent, Dr. Jared Bickle breaks down how to assess, treat, and train the rotational athlete with a precise framework that bridges rehab and elite performance. We cover:

• How the golf swing is more physically demanding than most people realize, and using the TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) framework for assessing and treating the numerous golf injuries that exist

• Why trail-side low back pain is the most common injury in golfers, and the connection to hip and thoracic mobility 

• How to use technology like the Neubie and Proteus for faster recovery and bigger performance gains with rotational athletes

• The hidden "drivers" behind swing mechanics, pain, and performance – and why speed and power do not always translate to a better swing

• Building speed and power the right way, without sacrificing durability

If you treat or train rotational athletes – or if you are one yourself – this episode is for you. You'll walk away with practical insights that shift how you view the body and the ways you can unlock greater performance and longevity.

What if the fear you're avoiding is actually the key to your growth? In this episode, I sit down with Akshay Nanavati, a Marine Corps veteran, ultra-endurance athlete, and author of Fearvana. We explore how fear, suffering, and stillness can become powerful tools for transformation.

• Why fear isn't the enemy – it's fuel for mastery

• The difference between pain, suffering, and unnecessary suffering

• Lessons from 60 days solo in Antarctica

• The power of stillness, and what true stillness reveals about ourselves

This is a raw and real conversation about what it takes to go to your sacred edge … and to come back with something deeper than success: peace and true fulfillment.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Sherr – Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician and leading voice in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – joins us to explore how oxygen under pressure can radically shift outcomes in recovery, rehab, and performance. We break down how HBOT complements neuromuscular reeducation tools like the Neubie, especially for patients with neurological conditions, chronic pain, or mitochondrial dysfunction, plus additional benefits for athletic recovery and performance. If you're looking for cutting-edge strategies to enhance neuroplasticity, energy production, and functional recovery, this conversation is a must-listen.

We cover:
- The science of HBOT and its epigenetic, anti-inflammatory, and vascular effects
- How HBOT and Neubie together can accelerate outcomes in MS, stroke, TBI, and CRPS
- Why timing and metabolic readiness matter before using HBOT, and how not addressing these can have negative consequences
- The role of methylene blue and other mitochondrial enhancers
- Performance, brain function, and recovery for athletes and high-performers
- Health Optimization Medicine as a proactive model for cellular health
- Real case insights from both HBOT and Neubie applications

Dr. Sherr brings a systems-level view that bridges conventional medicine with future-forward technology, and it's a powerful complement to the NeuFit Method. 

Marketing shouldn't feel like a guessing game. Neil Trickett, PT, has helped over 1,000 clinics grow, and in this episode he breaks down exactly what separates top-performing practices from the rest. Whether you're trying to drive more new patients, improve retention, or build a referral engine, this episode gives you the roadmap.

In this conversation, we cover:

• The 3 pillars of marketing success for PT practices

• How to optimize your Google presence using SEO and AEO

• The underrated power of direct mail in a digital world

• Proven strategies for patient referrals and reactivations

• Budgeting for marketing—and knowing your true cost per new patient
  
  

If you want actionable insights from someone who's seen what actually works at scale, this is the episode for you. Pick one strategy, implement it, and start building real momentum in your practice.

103: When the Music Stops: A Lost Voice, A New Identity, and Healing From Long COVID

In this deeply personal episode, Greta Morgan, former member of the band Vampire Weekend and author of The Lost Voice, shares the journey of losing her voice due to Long COVID and finding a new sense of self. From a thriving career on stage to a battle with spasmodic dysphonia, Greta reflects on the emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges that reshaped her life. Through perseverance, therapy, and a deep connection with nature, she's rediscovered not just her voice, but her identity and purpose.

• Discover Greta's early successes as a musician, from starting her first band, The Hush Sound, to joining international headliners Vampire Weekend

• Hear the emotional toll of losing her voice and the identity crisis it sparked

• Learn how Greta's healing journey through Long COVID has reshaped her life

• Explore the various methods and therapies that helped her regain strength

• Understand the profound connection between identity, voice, and self-discovery

Greta's story is a testament to the power of resilience and healing, and how embracing vulnerability can lead to profound transformation. Tune in to hear how she's redefined herself, both as an artist and as a person.

If you work with clients who have pain, movement issues, or developmental challenges, this episode will shift how you think about the brain's role in all of it. Robert Melillo, Ph.D., is the founder of the Brain Balance Centers and Melillo Method and has decades of experience helping kids and adults with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and anxiety overcome challenges thought to be permanent. He joins us to talk about functional neurology, primitive reflexes, and the deep patterns that shape human performance, behavior, and healing. We discuss:

• What retained primitive reflexes tell us about brain development

• Why many chronic issues are rooted in brain asymmetries, not injuries

• How interoception and proprioception affect movement, speech, and emotion

• Tests Dr. Melillo uses to assess brain function and nervous system maturity 

• The surprising overlaps between autism, athletic potential, and chronic pain

Functional imbalances in the brain aren't permanent—and they're more common than most realize. Whether you're working with kids, athletes, or adults in pain, this episode will equip you to see root causes more clearly and give you new tools and hope.

After years of frustrating injuries and failed rehab, George James didn't just walk away from rugby – he walked into a calling.

In this episode, he shares his journey from elite athlete to pioneering physiotherapist, his decision to bring the Neubie to the UK, and what it really means to treat the nervous system. We cover: 

• George's years of failures as an athlete going through traditional rehab, and how it led him to question everything

• The lessons that inspired George to use a neurological framework, and how the NEUBIE plugged into that framework and became an accelerator

• His philosophy on why everyone should be treated like an athlete, including MS and ALS patients

• How he's built a thriving cash-based practice in a country with free healthcare

• Inspiring stories of patients reclaiming lost function, including one who regained movement that had been gone for 10 years … in the first five minutes of her treatment

• How he uses self-care to stay sharp, present, and energized for his clients

George isn't just delivering a different treatment, he's rewriting the standard. And if you've ever felt let down by using the "standard approach" with yourself or your patients,  this conversation will hit home.

Before we can lead teams, patients, or communities, we have to be able to lead ourselves. That's the theme of Part 3 in our 100th episode celebration: the inner game of performance. In this episode, we explore how our mindset influences not just how we feel, but how we lead, make decisions, and grow.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Adam Laraway on staying aligned with your values and adopting a growth mindset while launching a successful practice.

• Dr. Cindra Kamphoff on mental toughness, tactics for reframing thoughts, and the psychology of "grit."

• Aaron Alexander on how bodily movement shapes mood, confidence, and clarity.

• Wesley Kress on how meditation can rewire your nervous system for peace and performance.

• Dr. Shauna Shapiro on harnessing the power of neuroplasticity to "rewire our minds."
  
  

Whether you're a clinician, business owner, athlete, or just striving to be a high-performing human, this episode reminds you that how you show up internally shapes everything you create externally. And there are actionable tactics and tools here that I encourage you to explore on that journey to becoming your best you.

Running a clinic is about more than just great patient care—it's about building a business that's profitable, sustainable, and perhaps even scalable. In Episode 100 Part 2, we're diving into the biggest business lessons from our first 100 episodes, featuring expert insights on branding and marketing, sales, and how to effectively build and lead a team. These are key takeaways that can transform your practice:

• Angie McGilvrey – Why PT should be positioned as a primary care profession and how branding & social media help drive that message.

• Jason Waz – The sales messaging for clinics, including how to craft a clear & compelling message that turns patients into lifelong advocates.

• Mark DeAnda – How to sell cash services effectively, create emotional connections, and transition to a hybrid insurance + cash model.

• Brian Gallagher – Why hiring and leadership is the #1 challenge in growing a business and how to create a thriving team culture.

• Greg Todd– The skills they don't teach in PT school about business, marketing, and how to drive patient referrals.

• Jamey Schrier – The psychology of pricing & perceived value, including why patients will pay more for premium services when positioned correctly.

If you're a clinic owner, PT, chiropractor, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real-world strategies to help you scale your business and maximize your impact.

100 episodes in, and we're just getting started. Over the years, we've covered groundbreaking insights into neuroplasticity, biomechanics, recovery, and human performance. For Episode 100, I'm bringing together some of the most powerful clinical breakthroughs we've learned—straight from the experts who are using these strategies every day.

• Neuroplasticity & Regenerative Medicine – How Michele Harris, PT, combines Neubie with stem cells & exosomes for a holistic approach to both the "hardware" and "software."
   

• Brain-Driven Assessment – Dr. John Marchese on why the nervous system is paramount to movement, performance, and preventing injury.
  
  

• Resolving Chronic Pain – Logan Cooper, PT on how he approaches headaches, jaw pain, and stubborn movement issues.
   

• Manual Therapy + Neubie – Lisa Chase, PT, explains how Neubie reintegrates movement patterns after manual therapy.
   

• Transforming Lives in Rural Healthcare – Jacqui Broering, PT, shares an emotional case of using Neubie for a rare neuro condition.
   

• Chiropractic Meets Neuromuscular Training – Dr. Alex Lee blends passive assessments with active neuromuscular interventions.
  
  

• Hypertrophy & Strength for Elite Athletes – Brad Rowe on training legends like Dexter Jackson and the power of activation.

These insights aren't just theories—they're changing the way clinicians, athletes, and everyday people approach rehab and performance.

In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking neuropathy study that's redefining treatment options for patients suffering from nerve damage. With special guests Joe McGilvrey (Apex PT) and Ramona von Leden (NeuFit VP of Research), we explore the power of direct current (DC) stimulation and how it's achieving results that no other treatment has before. Specific discussion topics include:

• Neuropathy affects millions, yet standard treatments only manage symptoms.

• A recent study in the Journal of Diabetes Research demonstrates that the Neubie's direct current stimulation can actually improve nerve function–and is superior to TENS.

• Describing and understanding the objective measures used in this study, like EMG and nerve conduction velocity. 

• How this research paves the way for new protocols in neuropathy, radiculopathy, and nerve regeneration.

Could this be the new gold standard for neuropathy treatment? Tune in to hear the science, real patient stories, and what this means for the future of rehab and recovery.

Did you know that chronic stress is at the root of most modern diseases? From heart disease to diabetes, poorly managed stress can wreak havoc on your body. Fortunately, in this episode Dr. Torkil Færø teaches us how to measure stress in real-time and make adjustments to stay in peak condition. That's exactly what HRV tracking allows you to do.

We discuss:

• Dr. Fær�'s bestselling book, "The Pulse Cure"
• The difference between functional and dysfunctional medicine
• Why wearables like Whoop, Garmin, and Oura are like having a "doctor on your wrist" that can help you make immediate changes (rather than having to wait for your next blood test)
• How alcohol and food sensitivities affect your HRV, health, and resilience
• The best lifestyle habits to improve HRV and longevity

We break down the science of resilience in a way that's easy to apply. Whether you're treating patients, an athlete, or someone who just wants to feel and perform better—this episode is a must-listen!

Explore the intersection of functional medicine and performance optimization in this episode with James "Jim" LaValle. Among other things, Jim is the Academic Co-chair of A4M, Chief Science Officer for LifeTime Fitness, creator of the "Metabolic Code" system, consultant to numerous professional sports teams, and author of more than 20 books. He shares clear insights connecting health with injury rehabilitation, recovery, and performance. From understanding blood sugar regulation to leveraging peptides and supplements, you'll walk away with powerful tools to transform your health. We cover: 

• How insulin resistance is the #1 driver of aging and cardiovascular disease, and why it matters even for elite athletes, too (not just diabetics)

• The bi-directional relationship between inflammation and blood sugar

• How to optimize your nutrition/supplementation for injury recovery, longevity, and performance

• The role of recovery in athletic success—and why it's often overlooked

• Practical applications of peptides for healing and repair

Whether you're seeking to recover faster, train smarter, or simply live better – or help your patients do the same – this episode is your guide to cracking the metabolic code. Enjoy these clear and powerful insights!

Motherhood is an incredible journey, but it comes with unique challenges during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Lauren Adamski and Anna Bales from Bump and Beyond Chiropractic to discuss the ways they're empowering moms through every stage—especially when it comes to recovery and healing from diastasis recti. Whether you're a mom, mom-to-be, or a practitioner, this conversation will equip you with the tools to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Why pregnancy isn't a disease—it's an opportunity for strength and optimization.

• What diastasis recti is, how to identify it, and effective ways to repair it.

• Why active movement during pregnancy reduces pain and supports easier postpartum healing.

• How Dr. Lauren and Anna combine chiropractic care and exercise physiology for optimal results.

• Practical tips for managing postpartum recovery and improving core health.

Tune in for actionable insights and an uplifting approach to motherhood!

What happens when traditional physical therapy ends, but the recovery journey is far from over? Melanie Brennan, founder of EA Therapeutics, has an answer. In this episode, we discuss how her organization is addressing the critical need for ongoing care with neuro-activity-based training, giving patients the tools to continue their progress and regain their quality of life. We discuss:

• Why many patients struggle when physical therapy benefits end

• How neuro activity-based training helps neurological patients thrive

• The economics of running this type of clinic, and why Melanie chose to turn her business into a nonprofit 

• The ripple effect of better neurological care on patients' lives and communities

• Several treatment success stories mixed in

Join us as we explore what's possible when innovation and compassion collide in the world of neuro-rehabilitation.

What makes effort feel worthwhile? In this reflection on the past year, I explore the connection between energy, alignment, and the neuroscience behind how we perceive and sustain effort. Balancing adrenaline pushing us forward with dopamine giving us a sense of reward, effort is only sustainable when it aligns with what truly matters to us.

Key Insights Include:

• How the nervous system acts as an internal compass for making decisions, helping us feel the "expansion vs. contraction" nature of possible choices.

• The ways compensatory and protective neurological patterns affect movement and how similar patterns show up in our thoughts and behaviors. 

• Why meditation isn't about "performing" a certain end state, but about meeting reality as it is—even if it includes grief, anger, self-judgment, or anything in between.

• Lessons from some of my favorite books of this past year, including Waking Up (Sam Harris), No Bad Parts (Richard Schwartz), The Psychology of Money (Morgan Housel), and Discipline is Destiny (Ryan Holiday).

Tune in to discover how neuroscience and awareness can help you align your effort, release limiting patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose.

Jamey Schrier's inspiring journey from clinician to successful business owner holds the blueprint for transforming your practice into a thriving business. He shares his proven strategies for creating a scalable, profitable clinic that allows you the time to focus on what matters most – your life and goals. In this episode, you will: 

• Learn how Jamey transitioned from being overwhelmed in patient care to achieving true practice freedom.

• Discover why it's worth positioning your clinic as the "Ritz Carlton" of rehabilitation – and the mindset that will allow you to do it.

• Explore practical ways to integrate cash-based services and maximize revenue.

• Hear actionable advice on building a business strategy that balances profitability and reduced workload.

• Gain insight into how coaching and mastermind groups drive accountability and results.

This episode is packed with insights for any practice owner looking to reclaim their time, scale their impact, and love their business again. Whether you're looking to grow, sell, or reinvigorate your practice, Jamey's expertise will guide you to the next level.

In this episode, Garrett welcomes Phillip Parker, OTR/L, and founder of Omni Rehabilitation in Harlingen, Texas and recent winner of the Neubie Grant Program. Phillip shares his journey from paramedic to occupational therapist and the drive that led him to return to his hometown to provide elite care in a place he calls a "therapy desert." His passion for bringing high-quality rehab to the Rio Grande Valley, where advanced care options are limited, offers valuable insights for practitioners and patients alike. We discuss:

• Challenges and gaps in healthcare for rural and underserved communities

• Phillip's unique approach to bringing big-city therapy quality to smaller markets

• The NeuFit Grant Program and the impact of the Neubie on patient outcomes, especially with the high incidence of stroke patients in the community he serves

• How a competitive mindset can drive excellence in healthcare

Phillip's commitment to providing cutting-edge care to his community is an inspiring story of dedication, vision, and resilience. Tune in to hear how he's transforming lives and raising the bar for therapy in South Texas!

In this episode we explore a "holistic physical therapy" model. Dr. Jessica Tranchina of Generator Athlete Lab walks us through her approach of blending traditional PT with fitness and cutting-edge recovery tools like sauna, contrast baths, and compression therapy to accelerate results and add an entire recovery, optimal health, and longevity service line to her practice. We discuss:

• Dr. Jess's journey from solo PT practice to creating the Generator Athlete Lab

• The specific Generator protocol, which combines sauna, contrast, compression, and more to enhance recovery and optimize health

• The value of biometric data from various wearable devices

• How she's growing her business in the local market

Whether you're a PT, athlete, or recovery enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights to help you elevate recovery and performance. Hear why Dr. Jess's approach is part of the future of physical therapy!

Joining us for the second time is Jason Waz, the first physical therapist to integrate the Neubie device into a PT private practice back in 2017. Since then, he has transformed his clinic, scaling beyond day-to-day operations to the point where he now coaches other practice owners on how to achieve similar success. In this episode, you'll hear:

• Jason's experience introducing this game-changing device, which revolutionized his approach to patient care.

• How focusing on strategy allowed Jason to transition from clinician to business leader, improving clinic efficiency and profitability.

• The value of complementary technology, like HRV measurement that provides immediate feedback on the success of treatments.

• The strategic partnership in which NeuFit has invested to provide access to Jason's MVP Coaching Program, allowing PT practice owners to receive business implementation training that complements their clinical training on the Neubie. 

Jason's story highlights the power of innovation, technology, and the right coaching to take a clinic from good to great. Ready to follow in his footsteps?

This is another episode where we get to share other, complementary technologies that are working well in the field. My guest, Dr. Scott Dickenson, is the physical therapist who created NecksLevel. His journey began with frustration, when he realized there weren't any good ways to reliably load neck exercises during rehabilitation. After lots of thought and many iterations, he finally launched his product and company. In this episode, you'll hear:

• What NecksLevel is and how it allows clinicians to reliably load neck rehabilitation exercises;

• Scott's entrepreneurial journey and how he transitioned out of the clinic to lead his company; 

• How his product ended up becoming one of Patrick Mahomes' go-to products and made an appearance on the Netflix documentary, Quarterbacks. 

If you've ever been frustrated by the limitations of current neck rehab tools or are just curious about innovative therapies, this episode offers valuable insights from a clinician-turned-inventor who's changing the game.

In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Barnwell, a documentary filmmaker turned Stress Resilience Coach, who has dedicated herself to helping people process trauma through body-based approaches. After witnessing profound trauma in her career, Carolyn turned to Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (T.R.E.), a method she's been using for 18 years to reset the nervous system by inducing natural tremors. Carolyn shares the science behind 'neurogenic tremors' and how they help humans and other mammals release the effects of stress and trauma.

You'll learn:

• Why stress and trauma are stored in the body and why traditional talk therapy may not be enough

• How tremoring works neurologically to help the body process stress and trauma

• The strategic use of T.R.E. to induce tremors and promote healing

• How T.R.E. has helped people struggling with PTSD, chronic pain, and other challenges

• Carolyn's personal journey from documentary filmmaker to Stress Resilience Coach

Join us to explore how the body's natural mechanisms can promote healing and resilience, and discover how Carolyn is helping others 'Shake Away Stress' in her powerful work.

In this episode, Bert Massey and I dive deep into the strategies for using the Neubie to enhance sensory-motor competencies across all populations—whether you're recovering from an injury, training athletes, or improving general fitness. 

You'll learn:

• How to apply the principles of Postural Restoration Institute (P.R.I.) in training

• Specific Neubie pad placements for enhancing movement in each plane of motion

• How to approach injuries, general fitness, and athletic performance

• The crucial role of the ribs in efficient movement

• And more…

These practical insights and actionable techniques can transform your approach to training, no matter where you or your clients are on their fitness journey.

Dr. Pat Davidson joins us to discuss the fine details of exercise science and how to effectively implement these concepts into training routine. Dr. Davidson offers a masterclass in classifying exercises and using that information to optimize workouts, providing listeners with actionable strategies to improve fitness outcomes. This episode is packed with valuable information that can help you train smarter and more effectively. We cover:

• Dr. Pat's "7 Pillar" system for categorizing all possible exercises

• How exercise selection can be as precise as a physician prescribing medication, and the ways Dr. Pat's system allows us to choose the right "medicine" every single time

• How breathing is a microcosm of whole body movement and the ways we can use breathing to affect movement everywhere else

• Reducing subjectivity in evaluating movement by using objective standards

• How to approach working with general populations, athletic populations, and special populations

If you want to understand movement at a deeper level, this episode is for you!

You can learn more about Dr. Pat Davidson on Instagram @dr.patdavidson. And you can view the "Grand Unified Theory" paper he mentions at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26725372/

Are you curious about the applications of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) in a physical therapy practice? If so, this episode with Steven Coen, co-founder of SaRa Health, will answer all your questions. 

Steven shares his journey from a frustrated patient to a healthcare innovator, detailing how RTM bridges the gap between clinic visits, enhancing patient engagement and outcomes. Learn how this innovative platform not only improves patient care but also boosts clinic efficiency and revenue through smart automation and real-time data insights. We'll cover:

• Co-Founder Steven Coen's entrepreneurial origin story

• What 'Remote Therapeutic Monitoring' ("RTM") is

• How RTM can help nurture relationships with patients, improve outcomes, and add to clinic revenue

• The SaRa Health platform and how it adds automation and intelligence to the RTM process

Tune in to discover how RTM is benefiting many practices and get some ideas for ways to increase your own patient engagement. And if you're interested in SaRa Health, please visit sarahealth.com to learn more about their platform.

Follow along on the journey of Cristy Steinberg, DPT, as her treatment approach has evolved over the years to where she's now helping people who had previously failed physical therapy at her former clinic. Cristy shares how she evolved from a corporate staff PT to owning the innovative Kinesio Lab in Highland Park, Illinois. Her story is a testament to the power of embracing neuroscience in rehabilitation and the remarkable outcomes it can achieve for patients.

Cristy's experiences highlight the potential to bridge the gap in traditional therapy, helping patients achieve that elusive final 15% of recovery. Her passion for integrating cutting-edge technology with time-tested PT practices offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals looking to elevate their own practice and patient care.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Cristy's transition from traditional PT settings to mobile therapy, and finally to opening her own Neubie-powered clinic

• Real-world success stories, including treating older neuropathy patients and helping athletes return to play faster

• The importance of addressing the nervous system, even in orthopedic rehabilitation

• How NeuFit technology allows therapists to push patients safely beyond their comfort zones, leading to better adaptations

• Cristy's call for physical therapists to expand their knowledge of neuroscience and its applications in therapy

Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone interested in the latest advancements in rehabilitation, this episode offers a fascinating look at the future of physical therapy. Tune in to hear Cristy's passionate plea for embracing neuroscience and discover how she's pushing the boundaries of rehabilitation to unlock new potential for her clients!