At 41 years old, Lisa Marsh’s life changed in an instant when a devastating motorcycle accident left her with a shattered T9 vertebra and an uncertain future. After a complex 12-hour surgery to reconstruct and stabilize her spine, Lisa faced months in a brace, nearly a year away from work, and the difficult process of rebuilding her independence.

But recovery was only the beginning.

In this episode of Get Back to It, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Lisa to talk about the accident that changed her life, the challenges of spine surgery and recovery, and the unexpected transformation that followed. Once someone who never considered herself an athlete, Lisa went on to complete a half marathon, multiple road and obstacle races, a Tough Mudder, and years of CrossFit training and competitions.

More than two decades later, Lisa faced another chapter in her spine journey when the hardware from her original surgery began causing problems, leading to another operation. Once again, she found her way back.

Lisa shares what she has learned about resilience, staying active, adapting as your body changes, leaning on the people who support you, and appreciating the ability to move. Her story is a powerful reminder that recovery doesn’t always mean returning to who you were before—it can mean discovering just how strong you can become.

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

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After a delayed diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome left her with permanent neurological damage, Claire Thornber faced a life forever changed. Once a busy business owner and mother of two, she suddenly found herself navigating chronic pain, mobility challenges, and the emotional toll of an invisible disability.

In this episode of Get Back to It, Claire shares her powerful journey from patient to advocate, discussing the warning signs of cauda equina syndrome, the importance of timely diagnosis, and the long road to recovery. She also shares how her personal experience inspired her to found Cauda Equina Champions Charity, an organization that now provides education, support, and advocacy for thousands of patients around the world.

Join Dr. Rita Roy and Claire for an inspiring conversation about resilience, finding purpose after adversity, and how one person's voice can spark meaningful change for an entire patient community.

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

Learn more about the Cauda Equina Champions Charity: https://www.championscharity.org.uk/

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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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