In this episode, Dr. Jess speaks with Aaron, a PhD researcher and mountain biker who sustained a concussion that left him with persistent symptoms affecting every aspect of his life.

Aaron shares his raw experience of struggling with noise sensitivity, motion sickness, debilitating headaches, and concentration difficulties that made completing his PhD feel impossible.

He discusses the isolation of having an "invisible" injury, the challenge of explaining his symptoms to friends and family, and how his identity as someone who finds meaning through active sport was completely upended.

This conversation explores the intersection of ADHD, mental health, identity, neurodivergence, and mild traumatic brain injury.

Aaron also introduces Heady, the app he co-founded with his concussion specialist to democratise access to evidence-based rehabilitation.

Find out more about the Heady App: www.headyrehab.com

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr Jess explores mild traumatic brain injury and sports-related concussion with world-renowned neuropsychologist Dr Nigel King.

Although most people recover from mild brain injury within weeks, a small percentage develop persistent post-concussion symptoms that can last months or years.

Nigel explains the complex interplay between subtle brain injury and psychological factors like anxiety, PTSD, and stress that can mimic or exacerbate symptoms.

The conversation traces the history of concussion research, from dismissing persistent symptoms as "purely psychological" to the current landscape shaped by CTE discoveries in professional athletes.

Nigel shares insights on return-to-play protocols, the importance of metabolic recovery beyond symptom resolution, and how public perception of concussion has shifted dramatically.

Links:

Overcoming Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Symptoms: https://overcoming.co.uk/614/Overcoming-Mild-Traumatic-Brain-Injury-And-Post-Concussion-Symptoms---King

Head injury, concussion and return to activity and sport – adults: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/ny0b5exs/head-injury-concussion-and-return-to-activity-and-sport-adult-_jun24.pdf

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr Jess welcomes Andrew Jenkins to the Wired for Hope podcast.

Andrew survived a devastating car accident 25 years ago that left him in a coma for four weeks.

He shares his raw and honest journey from silently struggling with shame, identity loss, and toxic masculinity to finding self-compassion and purpose.

He discusses the turning point of meeting the surgeon who saved his life, working through 24 years of grief, and ultimately becoming a mental health advocate.

Andrew offers powerful insights on the importance of involving family in your recovery, the value of lived experience working alongside professionals, and practical tools for recovery.

Before we jump into the conversation with Andrew, Dr Jess explores mental health after brain injury, first examining the biological, social, and psychological factors that contribute to emotional difficulties following a brain injury.

In 'What's New in Neuroscience', we examine research on the gut-brain axis and how nutrition impacts neuroinflammation and cognitive function.

Links:

The Gut-Brain Axis and Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Headway

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.