The Concussion Coach

Porter Charles is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist, and a workplace therapist. He is also a TBI survivor, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. He is the founder and CEO of Smooth Stone Counseling, where he supports individuals in navigating life and work imbalances. He speciali...

Ali Rheaume is a speaker, author, artist, and accessibility specialist who is deeply passionate about supporting the disability and brain injury community. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Movement Science and a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Ali is the owner of 199 Accessibility Consulting and her art business, Embracing Unique Art. She serves on the Brain Injury C...

Jack Fonderwhite, LAc is the creator of Peak Mind, a novel electroacupuncture approach to neurostimulation, and the founder of Jackupuncture in Hawaii. He is a provider for some of Hawaii’s top talent, including UFC’s BMF champion Max Holloway. A former kickboxing competitor himself, Jack combines nearly a decade of clinical expertise with personal experience to help elite performers—especially co...

Tim Whipple is a financial advisor and part-owner of his own firm from Provo, Utah. He is a husband of nearly 30 years, a father to five boys, and a proud first-time grandpa. Tim is also a former college football and rugby player who has navigated the long-term effects of multiple concussions, including a significant fall several years ago that led to post-concussion syndrome, brain fog, debilitat...

Jordan Slingerland is a recent high school graduate from Gilbert, Arizona, currently in flight school. She has lived with misophonia since the age of 12 and has become a thoughtful advocate for herself and others with the condition. Jordan shares her personal journey of navigating school, family life, friendships, and work while managing intense reactions to common sounds like chewing, sniffling,...

In this returning episode of The Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis (The Concussion Coach) reconnects with Sharik Peck and Katyrra Larson to explore the latest developments with the Rezzimax PainTuner—an external vagus nerve stimulator that uses gentle resonance (in the frequency range of a cat's purr) to calm the nervous system. Sharik shares exciting updates, including a new Philippine...

In this powerful crossover episode, Bethany Lewis (The Concussion Coach), a neurological occupational therapist and certified life coach, joins Bruce Parkman of the Broken Brains podcast to shatter common myths about concussions. Bethany explains that you don't need to be knocked out—or even hit your head—to sustain a concussion, and that the severity of the impact doesn't always predict t...

Michael Flomenhaft, Esq. is the principal of the Flomenhaft Law Firm PLLC in New York, New York. His practice focuses on trying cases for victims of traumatic brain injury and severe chronic pain. Renowned for his vast knowledge of neuroscience—including neuroimaging, neuropsychology, neurobiology, and the neuroanatomy of chronic pain—Mr. Flomenhaft serves on the board of advisors for the Center f...

Amy Stevenson Wilson, MPH, CHWC holds a Master’s in Public Health and is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Born and raised in Fruit Heights, Utah, Amy is an avid runner, reader, and nutrition enthusiast. She earned her political science degree from BYU and has lived around the globe. In 2017, while eight months pregnant, she survived a near-fatal collision with street-racing teens. Now a moth...

Jamie MoCrazy is a former professional freestyle skier, X Games record-setter, and critical traumatic brain injury survivor. Once known for pushing the limits in big air and slopestyle, her life changed dramatically during a competition in Whistler, Canada. Now, she uses her platform to raise awareness about the long-term effects of TBI and the importance of proper diagnosis, treatment, and recove...

Dr. Alicia Reiser, OTD, MS OTR/L is an occupational therapist with over 24 years of experience and the owner of A Rise Above Occupational Therapy Services in the Lehigh Valley, PA. She earned her clinical doctorate from Salus University (Drexel University) with a specialization in vision remediation. An active scholar and adjunct faculty at Drexel, Dr. Reiser bridges the gap between neurological r...

Michael Flomenhaft, Esq. is the principal of the Flomenhaft Law Firm, PLLC in New York. He is a renowned trial lawyer specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and severe chronic pain. With a unique, deep expertise in neurosciences—including neuroimaging, neurobiology, and the neuroanatomy of chronic pain—Michael bridges the gap between complex brain science and the courtroom. He serves on the...

Alyssa Chang is a neuroscience health coach and the creator of The Regulation Method , a framework designed to help people rewire the patterns behind chronic stress, anxiety, pain, and fatigue. Her work integrates applied neuroscience with a trauma-informed lens, shifting the focus from fixing symptoms to creating safety in the body. A former athlete who personally struggled with chronic fatigue,...

Good Mood Method is a nervous system therapy program designed for individuals recovering from physical and emotional trauma. The approach combines music, movement, and meaning to help clients rebuild biological safety in their nervous system and feel like themselves again after traumatic experiences. Founded by Gilad Miller, a Polyvagal and Logotherapy Practitioner, Foundation Training Specialist,...

Don Watenpaugh, PhD, D, ABSM, is a scientist, sleep consultant, and data artist. He earned his PhD in Physiology at UC Davis and is board-certified in sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM). He directed a large urban sleep clinic for 13 years and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health...

Today’s guest is Ben Reubenstein, a brain injury survivor, entrepreneur, and Colorado local. In 2023, what was initially diagnosed as a concussion after a snowboarding fall turned out to be a subdural hematoma requiring emergency brain surgery. Two years post-operation, Ben joins us to share his raw and honest journey—from the missed signs and the life-saving surgery to the long road of recovery,...

Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30 and a renowned authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is an eight-time New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Melissa has been featured by major outlets like the New York Times , The Wall Street Journal , People , Forbes , Good Morning America , and CNBC. Beyond her work in nu...

In this conversation, Bethany and Dr. Don Watenpaugh, PHD, D, ABSM, address some listener questions and dive deeper into the intricate relationship between concussions and sleep. They explore practical strategies for managing sleep when faced with non-traditional schedules, unpack the vicious cycle of insomnia, and discuss the pros and cons of sleep aids. Dr. Watenpaugh provides science-backed adv...

Today, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the wonderful Emily Waechtler to the podcast! Emily is a small business owner, a devoted wife of almost 27 years, and a mother to two daughters in their early twenties. She and her family live on the beautiful central coast of California, where they cherish their time together at the beach. Emily is a true ray of sunshine, and I’m so excited for you to he...

Julia Manning is the Chief of Staff of Communications at the Concussion and CTE Foundation, where she directs all storytelling and media content. She is a four-time Emmy Award-winning television producer and the host of Invisible Impact , a podcast dedicated to sharing authentic, unfiltered stories of life after concussion. Julia's own concussion story began in 2017 with what seemed like a min...

Guest Introduction Rick Griffin is the founder and CEO of the Neuro Leadership Academy, an organization dedicated to demystifying neuroscience and making it actionable for everyday life, leadership, and healing. With a master's degree in education, Rick is known for translating complex brain science into engaging, usable concepts. Before launching Neuro Leadership Academy, he spent decades as...

Kellianne Arnella, MS, OTD, OTR/L, is a passionate occupational therapist with nearly 15 years of experience specializing in adult neurological rehabilitation. Recently earning her doctorate, she is committed to expanding access to care through innovative, tech-enabled, and community-based service delivery models. Kellianne has designed and led programs that integrate patient needs with current pr...

Today's guest is Meghan Schneider, OTD, MS OTR/L, a neurological occupational therapist, brain injury specialist, and concussion recovery expert. As both a clinician and a TBI survivor, Meghan brings a powerful dual perspective to her work. She is a certified brain injury specialist, a certified functional vision rehabilitation specialist, and co-owner of NeurOT Consulting. In 2024, she was ho...

Dr. Don Watenpaugh is a scientist, sleep clinician, data artist, and poet with a PhD in physiology. His extensive career spans academia, NASA, and the U.S. Navy, focusing on human sleep, exercise, and environmental physiology. As a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, he directed a large urban sleep clinic for over 13 years, caring for patients and educating healthcare providers. Dr. Watenpa...

Alyson Lim is an 18-year-old student from Singapore who sustained a concussion and whiplash after a car accident at age 15. Over the past three and a half years, she has navigated persistent post-concussion symptoms while adapting her education, relationships, and goals. Alyson’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, reframing adversity, and finding growth in the face of an often misunderst...