The Concussion Coach

Concussion Coach Bethany Lewis loves sharing uplifting and helpful information for those struggling with Post Concussion Syndrome. Her goal is to increase awareness of concussions and the impact they can have on a person’s life, and to bring hope to people who have suffered a concussion and those who love them. sharing stories and knowledge about concussions will bring important light and understanding to this misunderstood and often-invisible injury. This podcast was previously called Life Inspired Coach.

The Concussion Coach is a education podcast hosted by Bethany Lewis, with 148 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Bethany Lewis hosts The Concussion Coach, a education show with 148 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #150

  150. Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Teens, Interview with Sarah Mireles, LPCC, CLC

  Aug 14, 202656 minS5

  Sarah Mireles, LPCC, CLC is a therapist and the founder of Sarah Mireles Therapy. She is a neurodivergent professional with over 10 years of experience helping neurodivergent teens and their families. Her clinical experience spans intensive hospital, residential, and outpatient settings. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, OCD, autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. Central to her work is the belief that if the home environment isn't built for neurodivergent functioning, progress rarely lasts, which is why she created a parent training program to teach families the skills they need to support long-term change. In this episode of the Concussion Coach podcast, host Bethany Lewis and therapist Sarah Mireles discuss the significant overlap between post-concussion syndrome and neurodivergence. Sarah explains that concussions can either create or exacerbate symptoms like emotional dysregulation, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and rigidity. The conversation focuses on how parents and caregivers can create a supportive home environment to foster recovery. Sarah introduces four core principles for parents: Emotional Regulation : Learning foundational skills to manage one's own emotions and model calm, regulated behavior. Radical Openness : Being open to new experiences, vulnerability, and feedback to help teens step outside their comfort zones. Mental Flexibility : Pivoting and improvising when plans change or a teen is struggling, rather than adhering to rigid expectations. Healthy Relationships : Prioritizing connection and teaching communication skills to help teens maintain at least one healthy relationship. The episode emphasizes that symptom relief is temporary, but sustainable change comes from building foundational skills in both the teen and the family. Sarah provides practical tips like using check-ins, and utilizing self-regulation techniques (e.g., self-compassion, breathing) before difficult conversations. Resources Mentioned: Websites: Sarah Mireles Therapy (Individual Therapy for CA residents): www.sarahmirelestherapy.com Parent Training Program Website: www.parentsofneurodiverseteens.com Guest's Social Media & Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmirelestherapy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahMirelesTherapy/shorts Podcast: Spotify Link Contact Email: sarah@sarahmirelestherapy.com Connect with Bethany: Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/ Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

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  Episode #149

  149. The Jackie Lithgow Foundation: Providing Support to TBI Survivors on Their Road to Recovery

  Aug 7, 20261h 15mS5

  Jackie Lithgow is a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor, advocate, and the founder of the Jackie Lithgow Foundation. His journey is a powerful testament to resilience, having overcome a life-altering assault that left him with the most severe classification of brain injury. Jackie’s mission is to give back to the community that supported him by providing resources and hope to other survivors, especially those who may not have the same level of support. In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis welcomes Jackie Lithgow, a severe TBI survivor whose story is one of incredible perseverance. Jackie shares the harrowing details of the assault that changed his life in 2014, his nine-month hospital stay, and the long road to recovery. He discusses the various therapies he underwent, including aquatherapy, equestrian therapy, and music therapy, and horticultural therapy. The conversation covers his decision to return to college after his injury, the accommodations that helped him succeed, and his eventual graduation with a degree in Mass Communications. Jackie also opens up about the founding of his nonprofit, the Jackie Lithgow Foundation, which provides scholarships and funding to support other TBI survivors and their families. The episode is a raw and honest look at the invisible struggles of brain injury, the importance of mental health, and the power of faith, positivity, and small victories. Jackie leaves listeners with a powerful message of hope, encouraging them to be patient with themselves and to always look for the light, even in the darkest moments. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Organization Website: www.Lithgowfoundation.org Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/187AuF422c/?mibextid=wwXIfr Jackie's Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DtXHFm4wR/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: @jackie_lithgow Connect with Bethany: Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/ Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

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  Episode #148

  148. From NFL Dad to CTE Advocate: An Interview with Lee Schwartz

  Jul 31, 202635 minS5

  Today's guest is Lee Schwartz , a speaker, author, advocate, and proud father of two former NFL players. In his book Raising Giants , Lee shares the real-life story of how love, discipline, and vision helped shape his sons, Jeffrey and Mitchell, into elite athletes and grounded men. He serves on the West Coast Advisory Board of the Concussion and CTE Foundation , which is dedicated to researching the causes of CTE. Lee joined the podcast to share his powerful story and advocacy. In this episode, Lee discusses his family’s journey with football and his growing passion for CTE advocacy. Lee shares his "sobering" experience attending the CTE summit, which inspired him to join the advisory board of the Concussion and CTE Foundation. He discusses the difficult reality that CTE is currently only diagnosable postmortem and the importance for parents to be aware of the risks to their children of playing contact sports when young. Key Topics Discussed: Lee’s Journey: How writing the book Raising Giants led him to the Concussion and CTE Foundation. Youth Sports & CTE: The critical need for parents to educate themselves about the risks of contact sports, emphasizing the statistic that approximately 1.1 million high school football players exist, yet only about 11 go on to play 10 years in the NFL. The Science of CTE: An explanation of how the brain moves and sustains damage from both concussive and sub-concussive hits. A recent study mentioned in the episode found that "neurodegenerative mortality was nearly four times higher in NFL players." Warning Signs: Symptoms to watch for (like memory issues, headaches, depression, and personality changes) and a reminder that the youngest case of CTE diagnosed so far was in a 15-year-old. Relevant Prior Episodes: Interview with Julia Manning from the Concussion and CTE Foundation . Interview with Laura Dyer (personal story of a brother diagnosed with CTE) . Resources Mentioned Lee's Book: Raising Giants: My Extraordinary Journey with TWO NFL Sons Author Website: www.raisinggiantsbook.com Social Media: X (Twitter): @RaisingGiants_ Instagram: @raising_giants_book Facebook: Raising Giants Foundation: Concussion and CTE Foundation (formerly Concussion Legacy Foundation) Website: concussionfoundation.org Free Support: Available via the CLF HelpLine (free, personalized support via phone, text, or email): https://concussionandcte.org/helpline/ Connect with Bethany: Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/ Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

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  Episode #147

  147. PCS: The Gift Wrapped in Suffering; Clare Sharpen, The Brain Health Coach UK

  Jul 23, 20261h 20mS5

  Clare Sharpen is a registered health coach and founder of The Brain Health Coach UK. Based in London, Clare spent over two years recovering from post-concussion syndrome following a fall in June 2023. During her recovery journey, she discovered the profound impact of nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and nervous system regulation on brain health. Now she runs the Post-Concussion Wellbeing Course, a group program supporting people through post-concussion recovery using a holistic approach alongside any clinical care they may be receiving. Clare describes her experience as "a gift wrapped in suffering" and is passionate about helping others turn their post-concussion struggles into opportunities for becoming more health-filled, self-compassionate, and attuned to their bodies. In this powerful episode, Clare Sharpen shares her three-year journey through post-concussion syndrome, offering hope and practical wisdom for anyone navigating this invisible injury. Clare's concussion occurred when she fainted in a restaurant and fell headfirst down a set of wooden steps. Despite being unconscious for 5-10 minutes, she declined ambulance transport. She saw multiple medical specialists over 10 weeks—including a cardiologist—and not one mentioned the word concussion, instead focusing on her low blood pressure and heart rate. While listening to a podcast about the gut-brain connection, Clare heard the term "brain injury." When she googled post-concussion syndrome, she found a list of symptoms that matched her experience perfectly. "I literally nearly fell out of the hammock," she recalls. Key Recovery Strategies 1. Nervous System Regulation (The Foundation) 1. Nervous System Regulation (The Foundation) Clare describes this as the most important element of her recovery. Early on, she was driven by fear—frantic to "fix" herself—which actually slowed her healing. When she learned to let go of striving and trust her body's healing process, her chronic neck tension dramatically decreased. She explains: "If you're carrying around a whole load of fear... that holds you back." 2. The Neuroscience of Pain Clare read "The Way Out" by Alan Gordon and began using the Curable app, which teaches how the brain creates pain based on nervous system signals. This approach essentially eliminated her daily headaches. 3. Vestibular Physiotherapy & Graded Exercise Once she received proper vestibular physiotherapy (5 months post-injury), and later worked with a concussion physio on a graded return to exercise using the Buffalo treadmill test, she began making significant progress. 4. Nutrition & Lifestyle Clare emphasizes "blood, guts, fat, and water" —blood sugar balancing, gut health, healthy fats, and hydration. She notes that our bodies don't come to brain injury as a "clean sheet," and nutrition helps reduce overall inflammation. 5. Hypnotherapy for Lingering Light & Noise Sensitivity After 2.5 years of dealing with light and noise sensitivity, Clare worked with a hypnotherapist for a single session. The therapist helped her subconscious mind understand she was safe around light and noise, effectively resolving this lingering issue. "It's like the world turned the lights down." The Setback & What It Taught Her At 10 months, Clare experienced a crushing relapse. She had pulled back too much out of fear. The lesson: don't stop living. If you're managing driving, keep driving. If you're swimming, swim more gently—but don't stop. Living as though you're already coming out of the hole helps you actually come out of it. Advice for Loved Ones Clare's most important advice? Get professional help for the person with concussion. She wishes her family had sought a concussion coach sooner rather than trying to figure everything out alone. You don't need to become an expert—let experts guide you.

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  Episode #146

  146. Insomnia & PCS: An Interview with Steve Clapp

  Jul 16, 20261h 5mS5

  Steve Clapp is a retired marketing and finance professional from the Chicago area who suffered a concussion in January 2025 after falling on an icy driveway. His injury led to persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS) that affected nearly every aspect of daily life—visual overload, screen intolerance, sleep disruption, and visual vertigo made even ordinary environments difficult to navigate. Through self-advocacy, persistence, and finding the right providers, including NCX Brain Recovery and neuro-optometrist Dr. Devin Duvall, Steve has made remarkable progress in his recovery journey. In this inspiring episode, Steve Clapp shares his concussion journey and the challenges of navigating a healthcare system that often felt confusing and inconsistent. He discusses how a seemingly minor setback during vestibular therapy triggered a major flare that launched him into full-blown PCS, and how his world became increasingly smaller as symptoms worsened. Steve emphasizes that self-advocacy became one of the most important parts of his recovery—learning to advocate for himself, find the right providers, and not give up hope. Key topics covered include: The initial injury and lack of concussion education at the ER The emotional toll of losing meaningful activities and his part-time job: his world ‘getting smaller’ The importance of finding providers who specialize in concussion patients His experience at NCX Brain Recovery's two-week intensive program Working with neuro-optometrist Dr. Devin Duvall for vision therapy, which also helped with his sleep Managing insomnia and nervous system dysregulation Finding balance between monitoring symptoms and taking breaks from thinking about recovery The importance of support from loved ones and finding a talk therapist PCS is non-linear. Recovery happens in phases, and progress is rarely a straight line. Self-advocacy is critical. Patients need to take an active role in finding answers and evaluating treatment options. The right providers exist. Finding practitioners with deep experience treating PCS makes a tremendous difference. Improvement often becomes visible only when you look backward. Recovery can feel frustratingly slow when measured day to day, but meaningful progress and healing are possible. The emotional component of PCS is often underestimated. Managing fear, uncertainty, setbacks, and nervous system activation is an important part of the recovery process. Steve's story is also a reminder that healing isn't just about treatment—it's about learning to navigate uncertainty, manage the emotional side of recovery, and continue moving forward even when progress isn't always obvious. His experience offers practical lessons and encouragement for anyone trying to find their way through post-concussion syndrome. Resources MentionedNCX Brain Recovery Intensive concussion rehabilitation program offering occupational therapy, multi-sensory integration, and brain enhancement. Steve attended their two-week intensive program. Website: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/ Location: Springville, Utah Dr. Devin Duvall, OD - Neuro-Optometrist Board-certified neuro-optometrist specializing in vision therapy and vision rehabilitation for concussion patients. Steve completed an intensive vision therapy program with Dr. Duvall. Website: https://www.newsightvt.com/ Location: Provo, Utah (also offers virtual consultations) Dr. Duvall Podcast Episodes EPISODE 28: How Vision Therapy Can Help With Concussions: Interview with Dr. Devin Episode 111: Unlocking Concussion Recovery with Light: A Deep Dive into Syntonics with Dr. Devin Duval EPISODE 116: Primitive Reflexes, Sleep, and Setbacks in Concussion Recovery: Interview with Dr. Devin Guest Contact Information Steve Clapp Email: sclappmail@yahoo.com Steve has graciously offered to be available to answer questions from listeners who may be on their own concussion recovery journey.

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