Bending Over Backwards

Most people think trauma is just something that happened in the past. A bad memory. Something you "move on" from. But what if it’s not in your head? What if it’s sitting in your nervous system, shaping how you think, how you react, even how your body feels? That’s what we’re talking about today. Chelsey Valeri has spent years helping people untangle the effects of deep trauma—the kind th...

Growing up in a modest Kansas trailer in 1968, I faced poverty, rejection, and a past I wasn’t proud of. From nearly being expelled from a high-society fraternity to hustling guerrilla marketing in grocery stores and bowling alleys, I learned early on that every setback was a setup for a comeback. A high school football coach’s words lit a spark, and I began a relentless pursuit to turn my trouble...

Chrissy Sayare never planned to start a luxury consignment empire—until one day, 11 unexpected boxes showed up at her door, packed with Chanel, Gucci, and Valentino. That moment changed everything. With zero retail experience, she took a risk, built a thriving business, and went on to discover a $300,000 Hermes collection that needed MOVERS. But behind the success is a story of resilience, identit...

What if everything you thought was the end was actually just the beginning? Pastor David Friend has been through it all—fighting in the Vietnam War, battling PTSD, surviving cancer linked to Agent Orange, and being told multiple times that he had only months to live. But instead of giving in, he chose faith over fear—and his life became a testimony to resilience, healing, and miracles. In this gri...

From surviving the streets of South Side Chicago to mentoring future NBA stars and changing lives around the world, Coach John Fleming is the definition of resilience and leadership. In this gripping episode of Bending Over Backwards with Dr. James Adkins , Coach Fleming dives into his tough-love coaching philosophy, the role of faith in overcoming adversity, and the life-changing power of mentors...

What’s really happening behind the scenes with your health insurance? On this week’s episode of Bending Over Backwards , host James Adkins exposes the shocking tactics used by UnitedHealthcare to deny medically necessary care. From AI tools with error rates as high as 90% to clawback payments that leave doctors and patients in the lurch, we’re diving deep into the troubling intersection of technol...

What if every rejection brought you closer to your biggest breakthrough? On this episode of Bending Over Backwards , Dr. James Adkins sits down with Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Nick Lowry to uncover the lessons behind his legendary career and life of service. From being cut by eight NFL teams to becoming a three-time Pro Bowler, Nick shares his strategies for building mental toughness, embrac...

What happens when a seemingly small decision transforms into a life-altering health battle? In this powerful episode of Bending Over Backwards, Dr. James Adkins welcomes his wife, Emanuelle Adkins, for a raw and intimate conversation. Emanuelle shares her journey of navigating years of unexplained illness, uncovering the truth about breast implant illness, and reclaiming her health through courage...

What drives someone to turn a fifth-grade fascination with smoker’s lungs into a pioneering career in pain management? In this jam-packed episode of Bending Over Backwards with James Adkins , Dr. Azmi Nasser joins his partner and longtime friend, Dr. James Adkins, to reflect on his journey, from med school surprises to the latest advancements in spine care. Hear about the evolution of ultra-minima...

What happens when a spine doctor becomes the patient? In this candid and captivating episode of Bending Over Backwards with Dr. James Adkins , we take you on a two-decade journey through the highs and lows of battling a herniated disc, chronic pain, and the lessons learned along the way. Dr. Adkins shares his personal story of overcoming debilitating nerve pain, navigating outdated treatments, and...

Get ready for a heart-pounding adventure as Bending Over Backwards with Dr. James Adkins welcomes extreme sports icon and entrepreneur Clayton Lindley! From freestyle scooter stunts on mega ramps to skydiving, base jumping, and scaling cliffs, Clayton has lived a life most only dream (or fear) of. In this episode, Clayton reveals his journey from a small-town Texas kid to a globe-trotting athlete,...

When a viral scandal could have ended her career, Melissa Rein Lively turned it into a defining moment. In this riveting episode, the PR visionary takes us inside her journey of redemption, resilience, and reinvention. With unflinching honesty, Melissa reveals how she navigated the fallout of public scrutiny, rebuilt her reputation, and used her expertise to turn the media narrative in her favor....

Is spine care stuck in the past, or are we rewriting the rules? In this engaging episode, Dr. Rafath Baig, Dr. Azmi Nasser, and Dr. Adkins unpack the latest breakthroughs in endoscopic spine surgery, explore the transformative power of regenerative medicine, and tackle the big question: How do we provide care that’s truly different? From minimizing invasiveness to empowering patient recovery, this...

In this debut episode, host James Adkins sits down with Dr. Nasser, an interventional spine specialist with a fascinating personal story. From surviving a dive roll over a car to battling debilitating nerve pain, Dr. Nasser shares how his own injuries shaped his approach to diagnosing and treating spine conditions. Discover the truth about nerve pain, why it’s often misdiagnosed, and how innovativ...