What happens when a young scoliosis patient turns her own recovery journey into a source of hope for others?

In this inspiring episode of Get Back To It, host Dr. Rita Roy welcomes Dr. Robert Brady, orthopedic spine surgeon and founder of the Straight Caribbean Spine Foundation *, along with Payton Simms, a teenage scoliosis survivor whose life-changing experience led her to join Dr. Brady's medical mission in Jamaica.

Dr. Brady shares how his foundation has provided life-changing scoliosis surgery to more than 400 children across the Caribbean over the past two decades, while Payton reflects on her own scoliosis journey—from bracing and spinal fusion surgery to returning to the sports she loves. Together, they discuss the powerful impact of peer-to-peer support, the realities of delivering specialized spine care in resource-limited settings, and how one young patient helped ease the fears of children preparing for surgery.

This heartfelt conversation explores resilience, gratitude, service, and the extraordinary difference that compassionate care can make in transforming lives.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the Straight Caribbean Spine Foundation is changing lives through scoliosis care
• Payton's personal journey through scoliosis surgery and recovery
• Why peer support is so important for patients facing spine surgery
• The challenges and rewards of providing specialized care in Jamaica
• How service to others can create lasting impact for both patients and caregivers

Whether you're a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply someone inspired by stories of hope and healing, this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery doesn't just change lives—it can help change the world.

Visit spinehealth.org/podcasts for more stories and spine health resources.

* Learn more about the Straight Caribbean Spine Foundation by watching this inspiring video: https://vimeo.com/72563707?fl=pl&fe=sh

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Scoliosis Awareness Month Special: Diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 12, Necia B. underwent life-changing spinal surgery and spent years navigating pain, fear, and isolation. Today, she uses her voice to inspire others facing similar challenges. In this episode, Necia shares her journey of resilience, recovery, and learning that a diagnosis doesn't define who you are. Hear how movement, community, and self-expression helped her get back to the life she loves.

Visit spinehealth.org/podcasts for more stories and spine health resources.

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At 77, Betty is still playing tennis — but getting there wasn't easy. In this episode, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Betty to talk about her decades-long journey with osteoporosis: two foot fractures, a vertebral compression fracture, years of DEXA scans, and the medications that helped her rebuild her bones.

Along the way, they discuss why a fracture can tell you more than any scan, how menopause accelerates bone loss, and why staying active may be the best thing you can do for your skeleton at any age.

Betty's story is proof that with the right care and attitude, you can keep moving for decades to come.

Visit spinehealth.org/podcasts for more stories and spine health resources.

Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

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Amanda Rosen’s story is one of relentless determination, unexpected setbacks, and ultimately, transformation. Diagnosed with spondylolisthesis at just seven years old, Amanda grew up managing chronic pain—but never letting it define her. She went on to become a Division I lacrosse player at Rutgers University and later pushed her limits even further as an Ironman competitor.

But in 2016, while training for a qualifying race for Kona, everything changed. A sudden progression of her condition left her in debilitating pain—unable to walk, care for her family, or continue the active life she had always known. After exhausting conservative treatments, Amanda made the difficult decision to undergo spinal fusion surgery.

In this episode, Amanda shares her journey from lifelong athlete to patient, navigating insurance challenges, surgery, and recovery with resilience and perspective. Her story is not just about healing physically, but about redefining identity, asking for help, and finding strength beyond performance.

Today, Amanda is pain-free and living life on her terms—reminding us all that recovery is possible, and that even in our hardest moments, we can find a way forward.

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In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Platoon Sergeant Jonathan Carter, whose spine condition began as mild shoulder blade discomfort during his early years of military service and gradually progressed into cervical degenerative disc disease with nerve involvement. What initially seemed like a posture related issue evolved over several years into radiating pain, hand clumsiness, and loss of function, symptoms that were easy to dismiss while meeting the physical and leadership demands of military life.

After extensive conservative treatment, a sudden worsening of symptoms led to advanced imaging and a definitive diagnosis. Jonathan ultimately underwent a two level cervical fusion to relieve nerve compression and stabilize his spine.

While surgery quickly resolved many of his neurological symptoms, recovery required patience, discipline, and a renewed focus on rebuilding strength and confidence in his body. Jonathan reflects on navigating injury while serving as a leader, the pressure to push through pain, and the importance of advocating for your health, even in high performance environments like the military.

Now returning to endurance training, competing in triathlons, and preparing for an ultra marathon, Jonathan’s story highlights that resilience is not just about pushing through, but recognizing when to act, trusting your care team, and rebuilding both physical and mental strength.

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In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.

While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.

Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.

Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks.

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A Spine Surgeon’s Journey: Seeing the Operating Room From Both Sides

What happens when a spine surgeon becomes a patient?

In this powerful episode of Get Back To It, Dr. David Polly shares his deeply personal journey of moving from the surgeon’s chair to the patient’s bed. After years of treating complex spine conditions, Dr. Polly experienced firsthand what it’s like to navigate pain, uncertainty, and recovery from the other side of the operating room.

Through honest reflection, he explores how this experience reshaped his understanding of healing, empathy, and patient care—and how it continues to influence the way he practices medicine today. This conversation offers valuable insight for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals alike, reminding us that recovery is not just physical, but profoundly human.

🎧 Tune in for a story of resilience, perspective, and what it truly means to Get Back To It.

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Silver Alkhafaji’s journey through chronic back pain began when she was a teenager and intensified during her PhD studies at UCSF. Misdiagnoses, escalating symptoms, and delayed imaging prolonged her suffering until an MRI finally revealed L5–S1 spondylolisthesis caused by a bilateral pars defect. After conservative care failed, Silver underwent a spinal fusion with laminectomy in December 2023. Recovery was far from linear—marked by setbacks, medication trials, physical therapy challenges, and emotional hurdles—but through perseverance, self-advocacy, and creative expression, she reclaimed her life. Today, Silver embraces healing through writing, community, and continued strength-building. Her story exemplifies the power of persistence, proper diagnosis, and listening to one’s body.

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