The Pain Free Athlete Podcast

Promising a pain-free life might sound too good to be true, but our guest Gemma McFall, a specialist in pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), shares actionable insights and real-life success stories that reveal how it's possible. Join us as Gemma unpacks her four-step PRT approach, which includes pain education, personal history examination, personality profiling, and practical pain management tips. Li...

What if chronic pain isn't just a physical ailment, but a manifestation of repressed emotions and psychological stress? On the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones shares her personal journey with Physiotherapist, Jessica Webb on Liberation Found Web Episode as they explore the emotional toll of chronic pain and the profound isolation it can cause. Inspired by Dr. John Sarno's "The Mindbody Presc...

Ever wondered how tuning into your body can help alleviate chronic pain and manage stress? This episode of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast promises to enlighten you as we welcome the insightful Laura Haraka, a seasoned somatic experiencing practitioner. We break down the essential difference between somatic tracking and somatic experiencing, highlighting how the latter serves as a transformative the...

What if we told you that a baseball legend could leave an indelible mark on your heart without you ever having met them? This episode of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast takes you on a personal journey through the highs and lows of baseball fandom, as I reflect on the impactful life and recent passing of Willie Mays. From my childhood admiration of greats like Thurman Munson to an unforgettable visit...

This episode of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast unpacks my personal experiences and addresses the often-ignored reality that many women face as they age. From the frustrating lack of support from healthcare professionals to the unexpected physical transformations, we dive deep into the importance of recognizing and managing these changes to lead an active, pain-free life. We'll also explore the crit...

Ever wondered how societal pressures shape our relationships with food and body image? Join me as I celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast by sharing my journey as both a podcast host and a high school teacher. This episode tackles the toxic culture of thinness and the elusive "summer body" concept. I'll open up about my personal struggles with food and body confidence...

 In today’s episode of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast, I share my personal journey of battling a cold and the critical lesson of practicing self-care. Struggling to put workouts on hold can be a challenge, but it's essential for a faster and more complete recovery. You'll hear about my experiences over the past few days, including how I’ve utilized my downtime by diving into Dave Asprey’s e...

I'm thrilled to bring you my conversation with Shaheen Jaffary, a UK-based holistic health practitioner, who shares not just her expertise but her own conquest of chronic pain.  Shaheen's personal narrative of transformation with mind-body techniques offers a dash of hope for those with stress-induced conditions. Shaheen shares her transition from suffering to coaching, illustrating the powerful t...

Tune in to the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast for a treasure trove of insights on maximizing your workouts with minimal equipment. I'll share the ups and downs of creating a personal fitness oasis, ensuring you're equipped with the know-how to craft a space that molds seamlessly into your life and goals. From selecting the perfect yoga mat to achieving peak motivation within your own four walls, I'll g...

Haunted by the echoes of gym class whistles and the sting of dodgeballs, I open the floodgates to a conversation many shy away from. We've all been there – the last one picked for the team, the anxiety of locker room politics, and the sense of defeat that followed us home from school. Within the walls of this episode, I peel back the layers of physical education traumas and dissect how these exper...

Join me as I take you on a journey where the pavement meets personal growth under the rejuvenating sun of spring. I've often associated running with punishment, but as the seasons change, so does my perspective. I'm lacing up to transform running into a mindful pursuit of joy. Together, we'll navigate the tender path of starting slow, setting boundaries, and honoring our bodies to prevent injury—a...

Embarking on a journey through the winding paths of physical pain and emotional turmoil, I reveal the intimate details of my battle with Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Grappling with the realization that my lower back pain and relentless cough were not just random afflictions but signs of deeper psychological stress, I take you through the transformative process of connecting my emotional state...

Embark on an extraordinary exploration of the mind with energy psychology pioneer Dawson Church and discover the transformative effects of EFT Tapping. Our conversation unveils the profound impact this practice has on stress and trauma, offering hope and healing, especially for veterans. Dawson's insights into the default mode network (DMN) reveal how our brains can become our own obstacles and ho...

Ever wondered how something as simple as breathing could dramatically shift your health and athletic prowess? Prepare to be enlightened as I, Dana Jones, team up with the insightful Danika Munro to unpack James Nestor's "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art." We'll take you on a laughter-filled but eye-opening tour of how your breath, a basic life function, is a game changer for managing pain, op...

When Alec Kassin shared his story of how chronic back pain almost stole his college years, it struck a chord with me, Dana Jones, your host of the Pain-Free Athlete Podcast. We weave a tale of struggle, introspection, and ultimately triumph as we unpack the complex relationship between chronic pain and the pivotal moments of life. Alec's insights into mind-body principles and Tension Myositis Synd...

Ever wondered how to tackle your next race season with the gusto of a champion while still savoring every step? I'm Dana Jones, and I'm here to guide you through the maze of athletic training and racing, tailored to your personal intensity. In this episode, we dissect the psyche of various athlete archetypes – from the ultra-detailed warriors to the casual fun-run enthusiasts – offering you the pl...

Ever wondered how changing your daily habits can transform your life goals? Tune in as I dissect my tailored daily reading routine, influenced by Jim Kwik's wisdom, where I match book genres with my energy peaks throughout the day—fueling creativity in the morning with gems like "Atomic Habits," sharpening practical skills in the afternoon, and winding down at night with the thrilling Jack Reacher...

Have you ever felt the pulsing energy of a story that resonates with your own search for wholeness? Our guest, Jessica Webb, a relentless explorer of the world's diverse mind-body healing practices, returns with tales that promise to ignite a flame of curiosity within you. Embarking on a narrative odyssey, we traverse the common threads of healing across cultures and the transformative power that...

Stepping into Disneyland for the first time nearly a decade past half a century, I, Dana Jones, was met with more than just childhood nostalgia. The physical toll was a surprise contender for the most memorable aspect of my visit, as the extensive walking and lengthy queues easily rivaled the toughest moments from my half marathons and triathlons. Today, I candidly recount the adventure and the mi...

Ever wondered how a whisper from your body can become a guide toward ultimate wellness? Join me, Dana Jones, as we explore the transformative insights of Reflective Wellness with the remarkable Courtney Hawk Angel. Our conversation touches on deep self-awareness, the power of asking the right questions, and turns the concept of pain into a pivotal acronym: "Pay Attention Inward Now." It's an enric...

Ever zipped through a stack of books with newfound speed only to stumble upon a story that's like looking into a heartwarming, hilarious mirror? That's exactly what happened to me with "The Slow AF Run Club" by Martinus Evans. The latest episode is a rollercoaster of laughs and earnest moments as I recount the lessons and laughter in Martinus' odyssey as a plus-size runner. From his sharp wit in t...

When Grete Strunz, a remarkable therapist in pain reprocessing therapy, joined me on the show, we didn't just recount our triumphs over chronic pain—we dissected the intricacies of the mind-body synergy that led us there. As Grete narrated her pivot from a different career into healing others and overcoming her own back pain, and I opened up about my migraine battles, it became evident that stress...

I'm Dana Jones, your host and late-bloomer in the swimming world, here to share a laugh about the universal struggle with resolutions and then take a deep plunge into how I went from splashing around to mastering the art of total immersion swimming. On the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, we talk about not just overcoming the challenges of picking up swimming later in life, but how the discipline can tr...

Join forces with me, Dana Jones, as we uncover the heartfelt mission of Sonya McVay on the latest episode of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast.  Sonya is the founder of The Six Foundation where she  provides First Responders, Police Officers, Firefighters and Veterans with a safe place to work out. This facility offers Post traumatic fitness and rehabilitation.  As we discuss her mission, Sonya's empa...

When my father finally extinguished his last cigarette after decades of a pack-a-day habit, I became a believer in the profound power of hypnosis. That belief turned into curiosity, and now, I'm thrilled to share a conversation with Bernard Tewes, a hypnotherapist and brainchild behind HypnoBox, who unveils the transformative potential of hypnotherapy for pain management and habit change. Our conv...