The Pain Free Athlete Podcast

Ever wondered how the fitness fads of yesteryear have sculpted the way we sweat today? Step into your time machine with me, Dana Jones, your guide on this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, as we sprint through decades of fitness evolution. Imagine twirling a hula hoop with the same fervor as '58, or feeling the burn with Jane Fonda. We're not just reminiscing; we're understanding the roots...

Navigating the festive season often feels like trying to sprint through a marathon with ankle weights; it's a seasonal struggle we've all faced, and I'm no stranger to it. This episode is a candid reflection on my journey—balancing teaching, staying fit, and forging time for self-care amidst the holiday hustle. I'll share the raw realities of tuning into your body's whispers for rest, the unnecess...

"Are you your own worst critic?" If so, this episode is a must-listen as it offers practical strategies to shift that mindset. I delve into the power of supportive self-talk and its role in building self-confidence. Drawing from personal experiences, I explore the effects of constant apologies on self-esteem and how mindfulness of our words can make a significant difference. I'll als...

Ever wondered why we eat what we eat, and why we exercise how we exercise? Are our food and fitness choices really our own, or are they shaped by societal pressures and norms? I continue my conversation with AMFT, Danika Munro. Together, we explore the importance of listening to our bodies, the impact of trauma on our body perception, and how society often interferes with our relationship with foo...

Ready to elevate your health and fitness game through the power of self-advocacy? I highlight the importance of self-education, clear communication, and finding the right fitness environment that resonates with your personality and goals. I underline the pivotal role of asking questions about recovery timelines and preparation for procedures in the medical world. I hope to empower you to confident...

Join me and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Danika Munro as we have a very candid conversation about the societal standards of beauty and how they influence our perception of body image.  We discuss body positivity and wellness and how they are not determined by size, shape, or ability level.  We share our personal narratives, discuss the detrimental impact of unrealistic beauty standards...

Ever been stuck in that holiday traffic, or argued over the dinner table during a family feast, and felt a twinge of physical pain surging through your body? I have personally been through the grind and am here to discuss the relation between these stressful situations and a condition known as tension myocytus syndrome (TMS). In this talk, I reflect on my past experiences of holiday stress and how...

Imagine being trained by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Better yet, envision an AI that can create workouts inspired by Schwarzenegger's routine, designed to match your fitness level and goals. This episode is all about exploring the awe-inspiring potential of AI in personalized workout designs. I will take a look at how this evolving technology can whip up unique workouts tailored to your fitness lev...

Ever felt like you were going mad because of chronic pain? You're not alone. Join me, Dana Jones, as I reveal the untold story of my journey with chronic foot pain. With my quest to 'fix' my pain, I ended up spending thousands on treatments and supplements. But in this pursuit, I discovered the symptom imperative - a concept rooted in our instinctual need to solve problems, and which p...

Ever wondered why some exercises work better than others? Get ready to have your questions answered! As a certified personal trainer, I've racked up a list of my top 10 favorite exercises that have consistently delivered results for me and my clients. Together, we'll explore each one - from the classic squat (with a twist of the ATG system and knees over toes technique) to dumbbell rows, t...

Ever felt like you're out of sync with your fitness goals? It's easy to lose that spark, especially when life gets in the way. But fear not, this episode is your rescue remedy! I am  diving into the world of fitness motivation, giving you the tools to keep going even when the going gets tough. We'll talk about the importance of setting clear, achievable goals, and how to make a plan th...

Ever felt that the road to fitness is a long, uphill battle? What if we have the right tips to make this journey not just effective but truly enjoyable? As a certified fitness trainer, I, Dana Jones, assure you that fitness can indeed be fun and not just a chore! This episode is a treasure chest of practical, doable tips to turn your workout routine into a seamless part of your daily life. Let's d...

I'm Dana Jones, and in this edition of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, I peel back layers of my own personal story, a journey from a child suppressed of emotions to an adult understanding the neuroplasticity of fear and its influence on chronic pain. The second part of this episode digs into actionable steps to fight anxiety and fear. Based on the book "Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Pan...

What if the chronic pain you've been carrying isn't just physical, but deeply rooted in your emotions? Join me as I navigate the groundbreaking work of Dr. John Sarno and his pioneering concept of the Mind-Body connection. Together, we'll explore book-based healing, and the journey that led me to uncover my own deeply repressed feelings. Through diving into Dr. Sarno's transformative books, The Mi...

Ever pondered about the omnipresent diet culture and its impact on our body image? Join me, Dana Jones, as I converse with Kelli Ruderman, a registered dietitian turned intuitive eating counselor about the pervasive fatphobia and diet industry's influence. We dissect the multi-billion dollar wellness industry, and Kelli shares her journey from a dieter to an ardent advocate for anti-diet and healt...

Get ready to unlock the hidden benefits of stretching. Prepare to be astounded by the power of this simple fitness practice that can transform your physical and mental wellbeing. Focusing on various stretching techniques, from the commonly used static and dynamic methods to the specialized isometric and PNF stretching, this episode provides you with a roadmap to make stretching an integral part of...

Prepare for an enlightening discourse with Carrie Jackson, our esteemed guest and a powerhouse of knowledge in the realm of performance and mental training. Carrie, co-host of the Injured Athletes Club podcast, is a beacon in the athletic world, helping sportspeople at all levels navigate their mental and emotional hurdles. Her unique insights into sports psychology and strategies for overcoming r...

What is it like to bounce back from COVID and get back into your fitness routine? Well, let me, Dana Jones, take you through my personal journey battling the virus, and more importantly, my recovery process. From being bedridden to restarting a light exercise routine based on guidelines from the Cleveland Clinic, this journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. The physical challenges...

In this episode, Host Dana Jones  discusses how people pleasing has deep roots. Struggling with a constant urge to be the perfect patient and the illogical guilt of unproductivity, she found herself sinking deeper into the cycle of pleasing others. This episode unravels the profound impact of people-pleasing on our mental and physical health – an issue many of us grapple with but seldom recognize....

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones discusses the importance of mobility for athletes. She differentiates between flexibility and mobility, emphasizing that while she was always flexible, she found she was not very mobile. She highlights the benefits of mobility, including better mechanics, agility, balance, strength, and improved posture. She also suggests that a lac...

In this episode, Dana discuss the topic of motivation and its fleeting nature. She shares her personal experiences growing up in a time where emotions were not openly discussed and her own struggles with motivation, particularly in relation to fitness and exercise.  Dana highlights the importance of understanding one's motivations and finding activities that align with personal interests and value...

In this episode, host Dana Jones interviews Andrea Hall Miller, a HeartMath trainer and author. Andrea discusses the science behind HeartMath, a practice that uses breathing and visualization to bring the heart and brain into coherence. She explains how HeartMath can help people to reduce stress, improve resilience, and increase their overall well-being. As the medical community explores new ways...

In this podcast, Dana  talks about how she has experienced anxiety and nervousness before events and also while preparing for a trip to a recent conference. She provides some interesting insights on fear and how it often robs us of our memories and experiences. Here are some key takeaways from the podcast: Anxiety is a common experience. It is possible to overcome anxious feelings and stay present...

In this episode, Dana  discusses the concept of 'No pain, no gain', its origins, and its implications in the fitness world. She also emphasizes that pain should be seen as a warning signal, not a sign of progress. Show Notes: No Pain, No Gain -  Wikipedia definition Ben Franklin -  Fitness Idioms and Origins -  No Pain, No Gain Rhabdomyolsysis -  Link Podcast Disclaimer: The Pain-Free Podcast is p...

In the podcast, Dana hosts Jessica, a physiotherapist from London. Jessica shares her journey from being an actor to a physiotherapist and her experiences in the NHS musculoskeletal outpatients. She discusses her introduction to chronic pain and TMS, and her belief in addressing patients' emotional needs. Jessica also shares her plans about her goal of creating a global community to share differen...