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 hear her story, her hard-earned wisdom, and her incredibly positive perspective on navigating the concussion recovery journey.

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Emily shares her experience of sustaining a concussion from a surfing accident nearly a year and a half ago. She opens up about the initial confusion surrounding her injury, the frustration of not getting clear answers from the medical system, and the daunting reality of a recovery that lasted far longer than the "couple of weeks" she was initially told to expect.

Emily talks about the wide range of symptoms she faced, from physical challenges like dizziness and jaw pain to the overwhelming emotional and mental fatigue. She discusses the importance of finding the right help, which for her so far has included a chiropractor trained in cranial work, a physical therapist, and coaching with Bethany, and how she learned that recovery often takes a village of providers.

Most importantly, Emily shares how she found hope and practical strategies through the Concussion Coach Podcast and one-on-one coaching. She dives deep into the lessons she's learned about pacing, the critical balance between rest and activity (like exercise and socializing), and the power of self-compassion. Emily’s faith and her ability to find grace for herself through understanding her nervous system are central themes. This conversation is a beautiful, honest look at "in-process" healing and a powerful reminder that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Cognitive FX: Emily mentioned an article from Cognitive FX that her friend sent her immediately after the injury. It was an early resource that listed things not to do after a concussion. www.cognitivefxusa.com

• The "Gage" or "Zone" System: Emily and Bethany discuss the immense value of having a common language (like using colors: green, yellow, red) to communicate energy levels and symptom triggers with loved ones. This system helps family and friends understand when to support you in resting or leaving a situation before a setback occurs. The "gage system" discussed in this episode was originally introduced in a previous podcast episode. Link to the "Gage System" Episode: [CLICK HERE]

• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Emily highlights how incorporating sub-threshold, high-intensity interval training became a game-changer in her recovery, emphasizing that exercise is a crucial form of medicine for the brain.

Connect with Emily Waechtler:

• Email: emily.bluecorduroy@gmail.com

• Website/Business: bluecorduroy.com (Check out her adorable sun hats!)

• Instagram: @emily_bluecorduroy (She loves connecting with people via DM!)

Bethany Lewis & The Concussion Coach:

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" - Download at www.theconcussioncoach.com

• Concussion Coaching Program: For personalized mentorship in recovery. Sign up for a free consultation HERE

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 the executive director of a trauma-informed therapeutic residential program for teens, witnessing firsthand how past struggles shape present behavior. This experience ignited his passion to understand the brain's role in trauma and resilience.

Rick is a renowned speaker and developer of programs used by schools, businesses, and community organizations, including the Certified Trauma-Informed Specialist micro-credential. He now focuses on writing, teaching, and designing training that applies neuroscience to leadership, learning, relationship-building, and culture, helping people move from being trauma-informed to what he calls "neuro-informed."
Summary / Key Takeaways:

In this enlightening conversation, Rick Griffin explains the core concept of the brain as a prediction machine. Our experiences aren't direct recordings of reality, but constructions created by our brain based on sensory input and past experiences. Its primary job is to keep us safe by asking: "Is this a threat, or is this a resource?"

Key Insights:

• Prediction Over Perception: We don't just react to the world; our brain constantly predicts what will happen next based on past patterns to conserve energy and ensure survival.

• The Threat Bias: The brain's default setting leans toward predicting potential threats (e.g., "Is that something that will eat me?"). This is the root of the stress/trauma response.

• From Trauma-Informed to Neuro-Informed: Understanding behavior shifts from "What happened to you?" to "How is your brain preparing you for what's happening right now?" This removes blame and focuses on the brain's protective, biological function.

• Healing Through Prediction: Recovery—from trauma or concussion—involves helping the brain make new, safer predictions. By intentionally introducing safe, positive sensory experiences (sights, smells, sounds, connection), we can create predictions that update the brain's model of the world.

• Agency & The "Sensory Buffet": With 11 million sensory inputs processed every second, we have immense power to influence our state. We can "stamp" resilience into simple cues (a mint, a coin, a song) and use them to ground ourselves or others.

• Application to Concussion Recovery: Symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and anxiety are not signs of a "broken" brain, but of a brain in protection mode, reallocating energy to heal. Recognizing this allows for self-compassion and intentional practices (like rest and calibrated sensory input) to support the healing process.

  Resources Mentioned by Rick:

• Book: How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. This book was Rick's gateway into understanding the predictive brain.

• Website: Neuro-LA.com (Home of the NeuroLeadership Academy)

• Newsletter/Substack: Neuro Notes – Weekly articles on neuro-informed practices. Subscribe at: https://rickgriffin894.substack.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rick-griffin-nla

• Email: Rick@neuro-LA.com (He welcomes engagement and questions)

• Services: Rick offers keynote speaking, virtual and in-person training, workshops, and consulting for organizations. He also has a series of eBooks available. Contact him via email or his website for more information.

Bethany Lewis & The Concussion Coach:

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" - Download at www.theconcussioncoach.com

• Concussion Coaching Program: For personalized mentorship in recovery. Sign up for a free consultation HERE