Get Back To It

What happens when a young scoliosis patient turns her own recovery journey into a source of hope for others?  In this inspiring episode of Get Back To It , host Dr. Rita Roy welcomes Dr. Robert Brady , orthopedic spine surgeon and founder of the Straight Caribbean Spine Foundation *, along with Payton Simms , a teenage scoliosis survivor whose life-changing experience led her to join Dr. Brady&apo...

Scoliosis Awareness Month Special: Diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 12, Necia B. underwent life-changing spinal surgery and spent years navigating pain, fear, and isolation. Today, she uses her voice to inspire others facing similar challenges. In this episode, Necia shares her journey of resilience, recovery, and learning that a diagnosis doesn't define who you are. Hear how movement,...

At 77, Betty is still playing tennis — but getting there wasn't easy. In this episode, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Betty to talk about her decades-long journey with osteoporosis: two foot fractures, a vertebral compression fracture, years of DEXA scans, and the medications that helped her rebuild her bones. Along the way, they discuss why a fracture can tell you more than any scan, how menopa...

Amanda Rosen’s story is one of relentless determination, unexpected setbacks, and ultimately, transformation. Diagnosed with spondylolisthesis at just seven years old, Amanda grew up managing chronic pain—but never letting it define her. She went on to become a Division I lacrosse player at Rutgers University and later pushed her limits even further as an Ironman competitor.  But in 2016, while tr...

In this episode of Get Back To It , Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Platoon Sergeant Jonathan Carter, whose spine condition began as mild shoulder blade discomfort during his early years of military service and gradually progressed into cervical degenerative disc disease with nerve involvement. What initially seemed like a posture related issue evolved over several years into radiating pain, hand clumsin...

In this episode of Get Back To It , Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and...

A Spine Surgeon’s Journey: Seeing the Operating Room From Both Sides What happens when a spine surgeon becomes a patient? In this powerful episode of Get Back To It, Dr. David Polly shares his deeply personal journey of moving from the surgeon’s chair to the patient’s bed. After years of treating complex spine conditions, Dr. Polly experienced firsthand what it’s like to navigate pain, uncertainty...

Silver Alkhafaji’s journey through chronic back pain began when she was a teenager and intensified during her PhD studies at UCSF. Misdiagnoses, escalating symptoms, and delayed imaging prolonged her suffering until an MRI finally revealed L5–S1 spondylolisthesis caused by a bilateral pars defect. After conservative care failed, Silver underwent a spinal fusion with laminectomy in December 2023. R...

In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast, we hear the inspiring journey of 14-year-old athlete Maeve Danaher from Chicago, Illinois. A dedicated competitive swimmer, Maeve’s life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with double scoliosis — one curve measuring 70 degrees and another at 60. Facing a 10-hour spinal fusion surgery, Maeve’s determination and courage were tested in ways she...

In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast, we hear the remarkable story of Dawn Lissy, a biomedical engineer in the spine industry who found herself on the other side of care as a patient. After decades of helping others through spinal implant design and testing, Dawn was faced with her own diagnosis of degenerative spine conditions. She shares her deeply personal journey of navigating pain, u...

Years of chronic pain led Daniel Ramia to multiple surgeries, countless therapies, and ultimately, a life-changing spinal reconstruction. Diagnosed with multilevel degenerative disc disease, Daniel endured five years of debilitating spasms and setbacks before finding the right team and the right solution. Now, he’s back to gardening, biking, and living fully again. His story shows that with persev...

A simple fall revealed something life-threatening, a spinal tumor she didn’t even know she had. What followed was an 11.5-hour surgery, months of rehab, and a community that never left her side; she fought her way back to independence. Now walking, working, and full of gratitude, she calls herself “the luckiest woman on earth.” Hear how one unexpected fall transformed her life forever. Support the...

 At just 11 years old, a young dancer was diagnosed with scoliosis—a condition that progressed rapidly, eventually requiring a 15-level spinal fusion. In this inspiring episode, she shares her journey through bracing and the challenges of adolescence, all while holding onto her dream of dancing. Hear how she reclaimed her strength, rediscovered her rhythm, and now performs on some of the world’s b...

A high school athlete faced an unexpected diagnosis—rapidly progressing scoliosis that threatened the life she loved. From intense bracing to spinal fusion surgery, she endured months of pain, setbacks, and sacrifice. But through it all, she found strength she didn’t know she had. Now six months post-op, she’s back on her feet and discovering new passions beyond the cheer mat. Tune in to hear how...

A young athlete faced the unthinkable—a spinal injury that left her immobile. But with expert care and determination, she not only regained her mobility but also found a new purpose in helping others. Now, as a medical assistant and aspiring physician assistant, she inspires patients facing similar challenges. Tune in to hear her powerful story!  Support the show

On this episode of Get Back to It , we’re sharing the inspiring journey of a lifelong fighter who refused to let scoliosis define her. After years of pushing through pain and limitations, she made the life-changing decision to undergo reconstructive surgery—and it transformed her world. Now, she’s back to doing what she loves, from skiing to keeping up with her grandkids!  Tune in to hear her powe...

This competitive athlete refused to let scoliosis define his life. After years of unbearable pain, he faced a grueling recovery, but refused to let his condition define him. Tune in to hear how his resilience, the right surgeon, and unwavering determination helped him reclaim his strength. Support the show

A Muay Thai class, a sharp twinge in the back, and a then shocking diagnosis—what seemed minor turned out to be a spinal fracture caused by osteopenia, the silent precursor to osteoporosis. Hear how an active 60 year old woman underwent a transformative kyphoplasty procedure and reclaimed her life. This story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bone loss, the importance of fracture prevention, an...

At age 14, Henry Drury was already a two-time national champion in figure skating with Olympic aspirations. But everything changed when he herniated two discs in his spine, leaving him with chronic pain for years. Listen now to hear his inspiring story of recovery, becoming a professional racecar driver and racing for a cause! Support the show

At just 18 years old, Scott Smith woke up one day unable to walk. Hear how he battled decades of nerve damage, multiple spine surgeries, and countless challenges to compete on the Mr. Universe stage — one of the most prestigious bodybuilding competitions in the world. Support the show

What happens when life knocks you down, not once, but twice? Kasey Sutherlin broke her back twice—first in a cliff-jumping accident at just 19 years old, and then again a decade later while rock climbing. Her struggle with an undiagnosed eating disorder led to low bone density, making her more susceptible to these severe injuries. Despite these life-altering injuries, Kasey’s story is one of extra...

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary story of Emilya Semchuk, a woman who faced one of the most severe cases of scoliosis her doctors and chiropractors had ever seen. Diagnosed after a routine school screening, Emilya's condition was already at a point where non-surgical options were no longer viable. After years of enduring pain and discomfort, Emilya's journey to reclaim her...

Kerri Webb is a lifelong athlete who defied all odds after sustaining a spinal injury at just eight years old. Despite being warned to stop playing sports to preserve her ability to walk, Kerri refused to quit. She pushed through years of chronic back pain, spondylolisthesis, flare-ups from Lyme disease, and sepsis from meningitis, all while continuing to compete in basketball and triathlons.  She...

As a collegiate field hockey player, Jenna’s overtraining resulted in a torn L5-S1 disc. After an eight month journey seeing many providers including doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturist, and physical therapists to relieve her pain, she turned to non surgical treatments.  These included epidurals, SI injection, facet injection, nerve ablation, and a second SI injection. The pain subsided for four...

For Scoliosis Awareness Month , our “Get Back to It” podcast highlights a tale of resilience and perseverance on a Scoliosis Journey. Our host and CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, engages in a candid and eye-opening conversation with Broadway dancer and Spine Health Ambassador, Paige Fraser-Hoffman, who confronted scoliosis at the young age of 13.  Paige shares her journey of overcoming fear and the challenges...