In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Andrea Hall, a pain recovery coach, about her journey from chronic pain to recovery. Andrea shares her experiences with pain reprocessing therapy, the emotional and structural aspects of pain, and the importance of a supportive medical team. They discuss neuroplasticity, tools for managing pain, and the significance of enjoying life despite challenges. Andrea emphasizes that no one should have to live in chronic pain and encourages listeners to seek help and find joy in their lives.

Andrea's Bio:

Andrea Hall is a registered nurse, health coach, and community leader who blends medical expertise with a passion for fitness, spirituality, and whole-person wellness. Born and raised in Santa Rosa as the youngest of twelve children, Andrea grew up in a family of faith and service. Inspired by her mother, also a nurse, she spent countless nights following her on hospital rounds—experiences that sparked her lifelong calling to care for others.

At Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa, Andrea has worked across maternity, newborn, and women’s health. Beyond the hospital, she’s led community programs with Trinity Fitness and LIN Health, and she shares inspiration online as the “Fitness Nurse,” offering practical tips on movement, mindfulness, and everyday health. Her background spans nursing, multicultural studies, metaphysics, and physical fitness, giving her a unique, holistic perspective.

Now, as she looks ahead to new adventures, Andrea continues to write, teach, and inspire—bringing together her love of health, spirituality, and family to help others live fuller, more balanced lives.

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones sits down with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae, co-founders of The Inactive Company, to explore why quality sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer. They share the story behind their innovative Inactivator Sleep Mask, break down the science of sleep and recovery, and reveal why even elite athletes are turning to simple tools for better rest. Tune in to discover how upgrading your sleep can transform your training, recovery, and everyday energy.

Bios: Lori Oliver, Co-Founder & CEO of The Inactive Company, a sleep performance brand dedicated to developing technology and tools that enhance rest and recovery for everyone. Its innovative sleep mask, Inactivators™, is a scientifically backed solution to improve sleep.She has spent over 25 years as a veteran in brand and product building, driving business for corporate, consulting, and entrepreneurial companies from global to grassroots. Lori is also the founder of Birth, serving as a consultant to consumer goods startups. Previously, Lori was a member of the Spanx executive leadership team and the General Manager of Sara Blakely’s incubator. In addition to leading The Inactive Company and advising and investing in the Atlanta startup community, Lori is a long-time supporter and volunteer leader in education and efforts for girls' and women's development. Lori holds a Journalism degree from the University of Georgia.

Jill MacRae is a marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in building businesses and brands across B2B, B2C, and non-profit sectors. She is the founder and principal of JMACRAE GROUP, a boutique consulting firm that advises and collaborates with companies to formulate and implement strategic initiatives for growth and sustainability. Additionally, she is a co-founder of The Inactive Company, a sleep performance brand dedicated to developing technology and tools that enhance rest and recovery for everyone. Its innovative sleep mask, Inactivators™, is a scientifically backed solution to improve sleep. Before founding JMACRAE GROUP, Jill held various roles at SPANX, Inc., where she ultimately served as Executive Vice President of Global Commerce, establishing new retail distribution to expand product offerings and category channels. While there, Jill also held the positions of Vice President of Marketing and National Director of Sales. Before joining SPANX, Inc., Jill worked for major consumer product companies such as Starbucks Coffee Company, Darden Restaurants, Dunkin’ Brands, ClubCorp, and Planet Hollywood International. Jill has received numerous honors in her field, including Share Our Strength’s “Most Innovative Cause Marketer.” She is also passionate about leadership and giving back at both national and local levels. Ms. MacRae serves as an executive mentor for the Young Women’s Leadership Forum of Atlanta and the National Heart Association’s Go Red for Women.

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones welcomes Cathy Spaas, a former elite international show jumper turned HSP advocate and coach. Cathy shares her journey from the pressures of high-level competition to empowering highly sensitive individuals to embrace their unique strengths. Discover how Cathy helps top professionals worldwide step into the spotlight with calm, confidence, and clarity. Tune in to learn about the superpowers of highly sensitive people and how to harness them for personal and professional success.

Cathy's Bio

Cathy Spaas is an HSP advocate and world-renowned coach for professional performers.

She is known as the creator of the term Spotlight Stress.

As a former elite international showjumper, Cathy is no stranger to the spotlight herself and the unique pressures faced by those ascending to the upper echelons of their profession.

Cathy has appeared on tv, top 10% podcasts, and in renowned media. She is a thought leader, bestselling author, and public speaker who has coached hundreds of clients through her groundbreaking Claim Your Shine modality.

She has 2 small kids and a big heart for animals - horses in particular.

Have a look at the website to discover how you, too, can thrive in the spotlight with our free 3-minute calm hack. ✨

https://yoursuccesstrainer.com

https://www.instagram.com/yoursuccesstrainer/

https://www.facebook.com/Cathy.Spaas

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAog4RYvujlfmgjfZNPqoyzmqqSxzxFw3

Free giveaway - 3 minute calm reset -https://yoursuccesstrainer.com/reset

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Elite mental performance coach Reanna Karp joins Dana Jones to discuss her holistic, human-first approach to empowering female athletes. Reanna shares insights from her decade of mental health and sports psychology experience, including her strategies for building self-worth, resilience, and joy through visualization, breathwork, and emotional training. The conversation dives into performance culture, burnout, the importance of fun, and practical mindset shifts for athletes, coaches, and parents. Reanna and Dana explore how reframing pressure, fostering self-expression, and prioritizing emotional well-being lead to happier, stronger athletes on and off the court.Reanna's Bio:Reanna Karp is a Mental Performance Coach for elite female basketball players, typically starting in high school and up. A former college and semi-pro player with a Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology, she blends over a decade of mental health work with years of personal on-court experience as a player, and as a coach. Taking a spiritual, humanistic approach, Reanna focuses on the whole person—long before the athlete—helping players build self-worth, identity, and confidence through visualization, breathwork, imagery, emotional awareness, and thought training.

Reanna's Links:

Instagram: @reannakarp_

Web: https://www.reannakarp.com/

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Join host Dana Jones and a panel of experts as they delve into the science behind effective recovery for athletes. This engaging roundtable explores evidence-based strategies, debunks common myths, and shares practical advice to optimize recovery and performance.Key Takeaways:Recovery is not just rest; it's a critical component of athletic success. The importance of sleep, mindset, and personalized recovery techniques. Insights into mental performance and the role of mindfulness in recovery.Guests:Dr. Matthew Cifellihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-cifelli-pt-dpt-cscs-712358229/As early as high school, Matthew Cifelli had a fascination with the mechanics of the human body. When presented with the opportunity to spend four weeks shadowing a local physician, he jumped at the chance — but the experience wasn’t as he hoped. The practitioner, a leading orthopedic surgeon, viewed his patients as simply an x-ray, a prescription and a diagnosis.For Dr. Cifelli, this wasn’t what medicine was all about. He wanted to improve lives and make a difference, and chose physical therapy as his vehicle.Dr. Cifelli is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and holds additional certifications in the following treatment modalities: ART (Active Release Technique), NKT (Neurokinetic Therapy), Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).Dr. Raleigh Clinton Duncan - Founder, and CEO of Clearlight

Spokesperson*LP, Falling Away, now live on Spotify.

Dr. Duncan is a Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and started Clearlight 28 years ago. Today, Clearlight is the industry leader in infrared sauna and pioneer in innovative health and wellness solutions. The Berkeley-based wellness-based company designs, manufactures, and distributes infrared saunas and other complementary healing devices worldwide. Dr. Duncan has held the position of CEO for nearly three decades. https://infraredsauna.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/raleigh-duncan-a691a510/https://www.facebook.com/saunaworkshttps://www.instagram.com/clearlightsaunasCoach Cydni ColeAs a current women’s college basketball coach and former Division I athlete with a deep passion for mental performance coaching, I combine firsthand experience as a competitive athlete with evidence-based strategies to help athletes optimize performance. I earned my BS in Psychology from Appalachian State University and a Master’s in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Leeds Beckett University.During my time overseas, I had the privilege of supporting European athletes and teams, guiding them through mental skills development, stress management, and performance enhancement strategies. Now, I work with a variety of student- athletes at Roanoke College to help them develop the mental tools to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and unlock their full potential. I am currently pursuing my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) designation to further enhance my ability to help athletes reach their peak performance.Don't miss out on future discussions! Subscribe now to stay updated on the latest insights in athlete recovery.Dana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Rachel Heath-Porsz, founder of Rebound Athletic, about her journey with long COVID and how it inspired her to create a movement coaching platform for those with chronic illnesses. Rachel shares her personal experiences, the emotional challenges of losing her athletic identity, and the mind-body techniques that aided her recovery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy in coaching, the skepticism surrounding alternative healing methods, and the integration of traditional and alternative approaches to health. Rachel explains the structure of her programs designed to help clients safely rebuild strength and fitness while fostering a supportive community.

Rachael's Links:

https://www.rebound-athletic.com

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Jennifer Schwartz, a neuromuscular therapy expert, about her journey in fitness and injury recovery. They discuss the importance of muscle activation techniques, the role of hydration and isometrics in recovery, and the need for a holistic approach to fitness that includes emotional well-being. Jennifer emphasizes the significance of feet in athletic performance and shares practical tips for managing joint pain and mobility. The conversation highlights the importance of self-directed fitness and enjoying the process for long-term success.

Jennifer's Bio:

Jennifer Schwartz fell in love with strength training at age 16, but suffered multiple knee injuries as a competitive athlete. Because of this, she developed a curiosity for fusing athletics and fitness - eventually moving on to stoke that passion boundlessly. Jennifer spent the last 10 years of her career working holistically with the integrating recovery, fitness and the neuromuscular therapy into her practice. Her passion for the nervous system stemmed from her desire to save it from the degeneration that ALS takes from individuals like her mother, Joan Kelly.

Jennifer achieved her Master of Science in Health Management, is a published author for licensed medical professionals and became the Creator and director of injury prevention and fitness program for Alexandria Soccer Association 2013-2019. Over the years since then, she has helped hundreds of athletes in the studio, on the field and remotely with her virtual educational content with their goals of moving without pain and achieving their fitness goals to their fullest potential.

Websites:

• jennifersimoneschwartz.com
• impactyourfitness.net

Podcast:

• Think Fit. Be Fit.

Social Media:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Jennifer Moore, a global leader in prenatal and postnatal wellness. They discuss Jennifer's journey into prenatal yoga, the importance of preparation for childbirth, and the impact of stress on health. Jennifer shares her insights on the physical changes postpartum, the 4D breath method, and how integrating breath with movement can aid recovery. The conversation emphasizes the mind-body connection and the need for trauma-informed care in women's health.

Jennifer Bio:

Jennifer More is a global leader in prenatal and postnatal wellness, with over 30 years of experience as a yoga teacher, doula, childbirth educator, and clinical and medical hypnotherapist. She is the creator of The Dolphin Method, an integrative approach to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery that weaves together yoga, corrective movement, hypnosis, and nervous system education. She is also the Executive Director of Prenatal International, a nonprofit supporting pregnant and postpartum people through trauma-informed care, with ambassadors in nine countries.

Jennifer's signature training, Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga, grew from her bestselling prenatal yoga DVD series and has made a global impact. She has taught in over 20 countries—including China, France, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, and the U.S.—and her online teacher training has reached students in more than 50 countries. She is the developer of 4D Breath, a powerful method for rebuilding the core and regulating the nervous system after birth. A certified Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES), Jennifer blends yoga, functional movement, somatic practices, and hypnosis tools to support deep, lasting postpartum healing.

She is also the author of A Better Birth Experience, a practical and empowering guide that helps reduce fear, pain, and the likelihood of unnecessary cesareans through a mind-body approach to childbirth.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prenatalyoga

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Prenatalyoga/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prenatalvinyasayoga

Web: https://prenatalinternational.org/

https://dolphinmethod.teachable.com/

www.dolphinmethod.com

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.