Pain Science Education
Finding Flow, Being in the Zone, and Meditation in Sports
During a recent training call I attended, the teacher likened the meditative state to experiencing flow or being in the zone. Further, he went on to explain that both of these concepts reference an altered state of consciousness. Essentially, no matter what you call...
Why We Can’t Stop Exercising Despite Pain and Injuries
Athletics can be an addictive behavior. The addiction is as powerful as drinking alcohol, working, shopping, eating, and other similar actions that can be overdone with negative consequences. Similar to all of these behaviors is the desire to tune out and escape the...
Sports Throughout the Lifespan
At the start of August 2024 the Tour de France, a grueling 21-day road cycling race, had recently ended and the Summer Olympics had begun in Paris. What a great time to be a sports fan! When I was young, I dreamed of being in the Olympics. Maybe you did, too! I...
Am I okay to move and play?
This is a question many of us ask ourselves and may struggle to answer. Put more simply, we might say, should I go out and [fill in the blank with your planned exercise/sport] today, or should I stay home and take it easy? Our response depends on the origin of the...
4Islands MTB Croatia: No Pain No Gain?
4Islands MTB Croatia is the fourth cycling stage race I have completed. It all started In 2016 when my husband Ken suggested going to South Africa for a nine-day mountain bike stage race to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We loved it! So we continued the...
Join the Pain Revolution!
The Pain Revolution is a grassroots movement that strives to change people’s understanding of chronic pain. The genesis of this evolution in our understanding of pain is based in Australia. Specifically, the Pain Revolution started in South Australia, in the city of...
Racing: Chase Results or Enjoy the Experience?
After a two-year delay due to Covid-19, my husband and I were excited to finally be on the start line for the 2022 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder (OTGG). The OTGG is a 5-day stage race in the Cascade mountains. Our trek included nearly 350 miles and more than 30,000 feet...
Prevent Injuries: Ease Back Into Exercise
Let’s say you’re a runner, because the person who inspired this blog is, and this is her story. I’ll call her Kate, although it’s not her real name. In a nutshell, Kate took a week off of running, then she went back to it at the same intensity and duration as before....
Which shoes do I recommend?
Shoes, shoes, shoes! There are so many to choose from, making it hard to select the right pair. As a result, I am often asked for advice on this purchase. So, here’s what I usually say: Your shoes provide the interface between your feet and the ground. Good posture...
Clamshells and Balancing the Gluteus Medius
The clamshell is a classic exercise that’s typically given to strengthen the gluteus medius through external hip rotation. Unfortunately, many people often perform the exercise without proper positioning, muscle integration, and breathing. Something I often tell my...
Membership Website Launching in October
I am excited to announce the pre-launch of The Pain Free Athlete membership website. The site officially launches on October 1, 2021. The creation of this website is one of the benefits of Covid-19. A year and a half ago, I moved all of my in-person classes to Zoom....
Athletic Toughness at the Tokyo Olympics
American artistic gymnast Simone Biles displayed athletic toughness last week at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, chose not to compete in multiple events during the games due to mental concerns. Ok. I...
How to “Be Careful” and Excel After Injury
A client recently remarked to me that I probably have to "be careful" with my athletics since I have been injured and have had multiple joint surgeries. This blog is in answer to her statement. If you Google the topic, the idea of being careful regarding pain...
What does it mean to be a Pain Free Athlete?
You are an athlete! An athlete is anyone who desires to be active and challenge themselves. In my definition, competition and organized sports are not required to be an athlete. However, in the era of Covid-19, there aren’t many, if any, events to participate in...
Recover While You Run
When we think of running and recovery, we generally visualize stretching, massage, rolling, or other post-workout activities. These are all excellent activities, but they only happen after the running workout is complete. Instead of recovering only after you've...
Meet Jessica!
I believe we are designed to move and play throughout our entire lives. I don’t buy into the idea that we should slow down with age, or that pain, injury and physical restrictions are unavoidable aspects of growing older. So, here’s my philosophy. Our mental mindset, combined with the physical position and condition of the body that we bring into any activity (from walking to skiing to everything in between), determines our chance of hurting when we move. If we have a positive mindset, and if we have proper positioning and move with correct body biomechanics, all activities should be possible.
This is the goal I have for everyone: to overcome pain and limitations so you can Stay in the Game for Life!
Visit The Pain Free Athlete website for additional resources and opportunities.
