The Most Painful Podcast

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We're continuing our Live from Invictus series, bringing you exclusive conversations straight from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC. I n this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Marie-Cécile Boeuf, a French athlete with an incredible story to tell. Competing in Skeleton , one of the most extreme winter sports, she shares a hair-raising accou...

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We're continuing our Live from Invictus series, bringing you exclusive conversations straight from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC. In this episode, I had an unexpected but incredible reunion with Bruce Thompson—we discovered that we had served together in the same unit years ago. Bruce is now dedicating his time to supporting fellow Veterans thro...

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We're continuing our Live from Invictus series, bringing you exclusive conversations straight from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC. In this episode, we sit down with Clara John from the Liìote Nation, who carries a deep-rooted background in traditional medicine passed down from her uncle. Clara shares her personal experiences with the effects of t...

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We're continuing our Live from Invictus series, bringing you exclusive conversations straight from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC. In this episode, we sit down with Igor Khoeodylo, the medic for the Ukrainian Invictus team. As a former combat medical lead and past Invictus athlete, Igor brings a unique perspective on both the battlefield and the...

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We're continuing our Live from Invictus series, bringing you exclusive conversations straight from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC . In this episode, we sit down with Senator Rebecca Patterson , a former Rear Admiral with the Canadian Armed Forces and now a Senator focusing on defence and Veteran policy . Join us as we discuss her transition from...

Welcome to a special edition of The Most Painful Podcast! We're coming to you live from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC , bringing you exclusive conversations with leaders, athletes, and changemakers. In this episode, recorded on the first day of competition , we sit down with Helen Helliwell, CEO of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, UK . Join us as we discuss the impact of the Games...

Can cold water therapy improve conditions like chronic pain or inflammation, which impact overall health? Emerging studies suggest it may have benefits for physical recovery and wellness. To explore this topic, we’re joined by Andrew Thomas, a former Canadian Forces physiotherapist and now a civilian practitioner, who has both used and studied the effects of cold-water therapy. For more about the...

A 2020 study by Megan Nichole Poole, published in the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, highlighted that Canadian female veterans face distinct physical and mental health challenges compared to their male peers and women in the general population. Despite these findings, gender-specific issues remain under-researched, echoing long-standing anecdotal evidence. In June 2024, the Invisi...

Many people living with chronic pain often feel isolated and misunderstood, even by those closest to them. But what happens when your family doctor doesn't fully grasp or believe your experience? This can add frustration to an already challenging journey. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Andrea Furlan, a renowned pain specialist based in Toronto and author of 8 Steps to Conquer Chronic Pain. D...

In past seasons, we spoke about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the impacts it can have on the body. A similar issue that people may be aware about is brain fog. But what is brain fog and how does it impact quality of life? Ronessa Dass, who just completed a research project on brain fog, joins Tom Hoppe today to discuss this topic. For more about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence visit https...

In this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Caelin Nadin to discuss how adaptability, acceptance and self regulation can help manage chronic pain. Caelin will discuss how understanding and identifying signs of dysregulation can help you regain control over your body and mind. As well, Caelin will talk about how to discover the importance of developing a personalized set of strategies to promote balanc...

Welcome back to season five of The Most Painful Podcast! In this episode, we dive into a topic that's crucial not only for Veterans but also for clinicians, researchers, and Veteran families. Accessing health benefits for service-related injuries requires Veterans to have an approved pension condition with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and the process can be overwhelming. Joining Tom Hoppe on thi...

Research shows exercise is the best medicine for a healthy body and longevity. In past episodes, we have had experts say “motion is lotion” as being active is important to help with pain and they have talked about the importance of strength training to allow a person to do more activities in their life. Cardio and respiratory fitness are very important for health and longevity, but what is the bes...

In past episodes, we had discussed the topic of osteoarthritis. Similar to that topic is arthritis. Arthritis has an impact on a lot of people and we have had many requests from our audience for more information about arthritis and how to better manage it. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Max Sun, Professor at the University of British Colombia and a Pain Specialist.  For more about the...

On the podcast, we have had many experts talk on topics of pain, wellness, fitness and many other topics. Much of what they talk about comes from research. If you are looking online for information to help manage your pain, how do you know if that information is correct and how does research information get to the end users? Knowledge mobilization is a method to disseminate research information. O...

Suffering from chronic pain can be a lonely journey that can impact our mental and emotional health. Peer support has proven to help people connect, exchange ideas, improve mental health, and establish a community. Today, Tom Hoppe is joined by Virginia McIntyre, President of People in the Pain Network to speak to us about how their peer program can help people suffering from chronic pain. People...

Opioids are one treatment for post-surgery pain management. As we have heard in the media, opioids may have a negative impact on a patient. That sparks the question; what other treatments are available to help manage post-surgical pain? One such treatment is the use of hypnosis. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Brittany Rosenbloom, a clinical and health psychologist and associate scient...

Purpose and identity are important in the biopsychosocialspirtitual model of chronic pain. In previous seasons, we spoke about the similarities between military Veterans and professional athletes, especially when it comes to identity, mindset and transition when leaving the service or sport. But what are some organizations doing to help their athletes transition and deal with chronic pain manageme...

In previous seasons, we have covered the topic of yoga and how yoga can help manage pain. But what about trauma-informed yoga? How can it help people who struggle with emotional stress from past traumatic events. On this episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Lori Taylor, a trauma informed yoga and fitness instructor. Lori Taylor - https://loritaylor.ca/ For more about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellen...

In most of our previous episodes, we have had experts talk about chronic pain in adults, but what about chronic pain in children? There is a high number of children suffering from pain, but what resources are available for children? One organization is Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP). On today's episode Tom Hoppe is joined by Katie Birnie, an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and...

On this episode of The Most Painful Podcast, Tom Hoppe speaks with Dr. Andrea Furlan, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Staff Physician and Senior Scientist at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Furlan has a book called "The Eight Steps to Deal with Chronic Pain" which helps patients climb and conquer that mountain of chronic pain. Dr. Andrea Fur...

On today's show, Tom Hoppe is joined by Randy Turner, a former Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) Assaulter, retired Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitor and currently a coach for strength and conditioning. Randy will speak about the importance of personalized strength training for everyday conditioning and improved mobility as well as what is a tactical athlete.\ More information on Direct Action - https:/...

This episode of The Most Painful Podcast focuses on post surgical pain. What is post surgical pain, rates of post surgical pain, psychological interventions, and some helpful tips for those who are going through post surgical pain. Joining Tom Hoppe for this topic is Dr. Max Slepian, Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto. Also, Dr. H...

Welcome back to season four of The Most Painful Podcast! We are excited to bring you some exciting guests and topics for this upcoming season. Today's episode we are going to talk about occupational therapists (OT) and what their role is in pain management. If someone is struggling with pain, what does an occupational therapist do to help people improve their well being and overall health? Tom Hop...

Many Veterans suffer from transition, chronic pain, finding new purpose, losing community, and losing hope. We also see similarities with civilians who live with chronic pain. To aid with these problems, programs have been designed to help Veterans. On today's episode, Tom Hoppe will discuss a program he is involved with called the Military Veteran Alpine Challenge. He will be joined by three part...