Brain Mastery

Welcome to our special feature of Clinical Provider’s Month on the podcast! This week, guest host Scott Rintoul sits down with Jason Cruickshank, BEARS cognitive facilitator at ECHOS . Jason discusses how he got into the field of brain health and shares experiences from his career working with people who have different types of cognitive challenges, from learning disabilities to brain injury and c...

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Scott Goldman, Ph. D., sport psychologist for the Golden State Warriors and owner of Athletic Intelligence Measures . Listen as Dr. Goldman shares his insights from working with top athletes in a range of sports around the world. Dr. Goldman also discusses athletic performance and intelligence evaluation and how his work enables athletes to achieve improved res...

Why is it important to combine physical and cognitive training to prevent and recover from sports injury? In this episode, we are joined by Nicole Pederson, a kinesiologist and BEARS cognitive facilitator at Sea to Sky Sports Physio in Squamish, BC. Listen as Nicole discusses how mental fatigue can increase the likelihood of injury with extreme sports and shares her experience as a cognitive train...

We have a bonus episode for you this week! In this episode, Doug Nelson, President of The Discovery Group , sits down with host Mark Watson to discuss his work with social profit organizations. Listen to hear Doug’s take about sharing your mistakes to connect with others and learn together. Brain Mastery is hosted by the CEO of ABI Wellness , Mark Watson. He is an expert on brain injury recovery a...

This week we are joined on the podcast by John Shamoon, a rehabilitation support worker at Stride Rehabilitation Services who works with people after brain injury or spinal cord injury as well as those with developmental disabilities, addiction, and mental health struggles. In this episode, John shares how he takes a compassionate, person-first approach to rehab services, individualizing support f...

This week we are switching it up to give you better insight into ABI Wellness and how we are changing the field of brain healthcare! Scott Rintoul, professional sports broadcaster, takes over hosting to interview Mark Watson, our very own CEO and regular host of Brain Mastery. Listen to Mark share his insights into brain injury and concussion recovery, and how a blended care model based in neuropl...

"What can you do everyday as a brain injury survivor, or anyone else, to improve cognition? This week, René Mills shares practical advice for increasing your cognitive reserves and taking care of your brain health. René is a speech pathologist and program director at Learning Services , specializing in post-acute rehabilitation services in brain injury care. In this episode, René discusses how...

How can virtual reality technology impact healthcare? This week, we are joined by Veena Somareddy, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Neuro Rehab VR , which provides a virtual reality therapy solution to enhance physical therapy treatments and outcomes for patients. In this episode, Veena describes how her company developed their innovative virtual reality system and how it helps patients...

In this week's episode, we are joined by neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Sumner from the Kaizen Brain Center . Join us to hear Dr. Sumner's perspective on interdisciplinary care, and how better communication can support a patient's health journey. Listen as Dr. Sumner also shares her insight into the importance of seeing patients as individuals first and really listening to their storie...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Marc Saab, founder and managing director of BML Technology , a company that helps organizations develop digital health solutions to improve patient outcomes, and one of ABI Wellness ’ scientific advisors. Tune in to hear Marc discuss the progression of medical technologies to give patients more understanding and control of their health. In the episode, Marc...

Why do healthcare providers need to be more proactive in helping patients take care of their brain health? In this week’s episode, we hear from Dr. Teona Amble, clinical psychologist, about the importance of taking the time to listen to a patient’s stories, empowering people to advocate for their health, and taking a preventative approach to brain and mental health challenges. She discusses the ne...

This week, we are joined by Peter Wicher, who discusses his thoughts on neuroplasticity-based cognitive therapies and how he has seen them help people with both developmental and acquired cognitive deficits. After enrolling his daughter in the Eaton Arrowsmith School, Peter was able to see firsthand how learning disabilities can be addressed through a focus on enhancing cognition. Listen now to he...

How can TBI survivors find greater social support in their recovery? In this episode we hear from Lindsey Black, the Executive Director of Jodi House, a brain injury support center in southern California. Join us as Lindsey discusses the organization’s mission to ensure that brain injury survivors thrive as part of a community and have the social support they need to achieve their greatest possibl...

Nine years ago, Katherine Webb sustained a severe concussion in a car accident. The long-term symptoms of her brain injury completely changed her life. In this week’s episode, Katherine is joining us to talk about her journey of brain injury recovery. She discusses trying every treatment available and seeing remarkable improvements after learning to build new neuropathways with neuroplasticity-bas...

Why do clinicians need to pay attention to the caregivers of their patients? This week we're switching it up by bringing you an episode from the TBI One Love Podcast with host and non-profit founder James Durham. This episode features Dr. Noelle Carlozzi, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, director of the Center for Clinical Outcomes Development and Application at...

How does neuroplasticity programming work in a physical therapy setting to enable patients to be their best selves? This week we hear from Shannon O’Kelley, president of IRG Physical & Hand Therapy a group with clinics throughout the Northwest. Join us as Shannon talks about how innovation serves individuals and communities and discusses how neuroplasticity creates more opportunities for effec...

What recovery options are there for people who have sustained brain injuries and are now living with the long-term symptoms? Joining us this episode are Mia Burgess and Laura Plummer from BrainTrust Canada . Passionate about advocating for and providing services for ABI and concussion survivors, Mia and Laura discuss their person-centered approach to their work in brain injury treatment and preven...

How can you stay motivated to achieve better health and fitness? In this episode, Sharon McDowell-Larsen, exercise physiologist and endurance athlete, discusses the importance of prioritizing your physical health and staying consistent with exercise and nutrition. She shares her insights from helping top executives perform at their best by focusing on the benefits of a healthy body and mind with t...

Jessie is a brain injury survivor, a mediation practitioner and educator, who throughout her journey of rehabilitation, felt compelled to share her struggles and success with others. Understanding that mindfulness is very beneficial to brain injury rehabilitation, Jessie experienced feelings of symptom aggravation and being overwhelmed in her journey. She developed mindfulconcussion.ca to help edu...

This week, we are bringing you an episode of the Warrior Mind Coach Podcast: LEARNING TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS Some of us have great control over our emotional responses, and some of us struggle.  Doing or saying the wrong thing in the midst of an emotional meltdown could have very negative effects.  Say something your boss doesn’t like and you could be out of a job. https://www.warriormindcoach.c...

How can advancement and progression be maximized while treating brain injuries in occupational therapy? In this episode, we hear from Shannon Orr, an occupational therapist and partner at Complex Injury Rehab , about the importance of using a research-based approach in brain injury recovery. Shannon talks about combining neuroplasticity research and therapeutic techniques to challenge clients in a...

What does the long road of brain injury recovery look like for survivors and their caretakers? In a car accident on the way to work over five years ago, Ryan Jones suffered a brain injury and heart attack. With doctors unsure whether he would survive, Ryan received cutting-edge treatment at Vancouver General Hospital, becoming the first cardiac arrest patient to receive a brain bolt procedure . Mo...

What cognitive challenges can neuroplasticity help you overcome? In this episode, Sue Hollis, Life Coach and author of Riding Raw , and Jason Cruickshank, Cognitive Coach at ECHOS , share how they've witnessed neuroplasticity change the lives of the people around them. With a background in teaching with Eaton Arrowsmith , Jason talks about his experience helping children and adults with learni...

How can brain injury awareness affect a community? This week, we are joined by the dream team, Lauren Hill and David Minor, from the TBI Washington State Advisory Council . David and Lauren work together to address systemic problems surrounding those living with a TBI and to bring brain injury support and awareness to a wider community. In this episode, we hear from David and Lauren about their ef...

After a brain injury, how do you articulate your experience to medical professionals and loved ones so that you get the right care for you? We are joined this episode by Kim Justus, host of Recovery Now on Brain Injury Radio and author of In a Flash: Miracles Here and Beyond . In 1995, Kim had a ruptured brain aneurysm and nearly died. Without support groups or understanding in the field of tradit...