Discussions on Concussions

by Rachel Coombs Renwick

I founded Discussions on Concussions to create a space that holds a variety of information on brain injuries and chronic migraine from the perspective of those who suffer from them. I personally have suffered through six concussions in my life and still endure the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) to this day. Step-by-step, I’m here to help those who are recovering from brain injuries and help educate their loved one ...   ...  Read more
Health & Fitness
Mental Health

    Podcast episodes

    • Season 5

    • International Women's Day Part Three: The Female Body with a Fragile Noggin

      International Women's Day Part Three: The Female Body with a Fragile Noggin

      S05 E05
      33:25

      In this final part of our International Women's Day Panel, we discuss how our heads feel extra pain during our menstrual cycles and how we adapt to it. Our bodies endure so much pain on the regular that our tolerances have increased drastically.Our conversation then leads to physical body image. We can all relate with how our bodies can easily change while recovering from a brain injury or constantly battling chronic migraine and pain. Our bodies may have been able to physically do more before we became 'fragile noggins' but it's more important to focus on what our bodies CAN do for us vs living in the past.Our Panelists:Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionistMorgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraineErica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymehBeth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrancesRachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions

    • International Women's Day Part Two: A Fragile Noggin in the Workplace

      International Women's Day Part Two: A Fragile Noggin in the Workplace

      S05 E04
      24:33

      Continuing our 3 part series for International Women’s Day, our special panel of women discuss what it is like to be a fragile noggin in the workplace. Suffering from migraine and/or healing from a brain injury can easily impact your career. The next step you should do is evaluating what type of job is right for you and how you and your employer can best accommodate your fragile noggin.Our Panelists:Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionistMorgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraineErica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymehBeth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrancesRachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions

    • International Women's Day Part One: Facing Societal Pressures as a Fragile Noggin

      International Women's Day Part One: Facing Societal Pressures as a Fragile Noggin

      S05 E03
      48:41

      Happy International Women's Day! For the occasion, Discussions on Concussions has gathered up a group of incredible women to participate in a candid discussion of what it is like as a woman with a "fragile noggin".In Part One, we discuss how we handle the pressures to be a "woman who can do it all" while having physical limitations. How we have perfected "masking" and how we can be more honest with ourselves and others.Our Panelists:Kacie ~ Migraine Nutritionist @migraine.nutritionistMorgan ~ Neuroscience Researcher & Migraine Advocate @lifewithmigraineErica ~ TBI Coaching Consultant @ericarwalker878Shruti ~ Migraine and CPTSD Awareness Advocate @chronicallymehBeth ~ Social Worker & Migraine Warrior @bethlouisefrancesRachel ~ (Host) PCS & Migraine Awareness Advocate @discussionsonconcussions

    • Parent's Perspective of a Fragile Noggin

      Parent's Perspective of a Fragile Noggin

      S05 E02
      44:18

      In this episode, our special guests are my parents, Steve & Cindy! We discuss my history of concussions, specifically #5 & #6*, and how they had to constantly learn & adapt to understand what I was going through and support me. During the second half of the episode, we give advice to other parents and those with fragile noggins on how communication & transparency are key. All three of us cried and laughed throughout the making of this episode as we reflected on the impact of my concussions in this candid discussion of what we all went through together throughout my brain injuries.*Trigger Warning: We discuss the car accident my mom & I were in which caused concussion #6

    • Season 4

    • Concussions & Neck Injuries ft. TopSpin Technologies

      Concussions & Neck Injuries ft. TopSpin Technologies

      S04 E03
      30:12

      This episode features our special guest Dr. Theo Versteegh, the Inventor and Co-Founder of TopSpin Technologies. We discuss how neck injuries go hand-in-hand with concussions and the importance of rehab therapy. Also listen in to understand how TopSpin currently helps athletes preventatively train their necks to strengthen and protect their fragile noggins from concussions.