Ep. 343: Caregiver Self-Care: A Conversation With Laura Grant

We’re following up with Laura and Jon Grant to discuss Jon’s incredible progress recovering from his traumatic brain injury and to hear from Laura how caregivers can manage their own self care.

She has so much wisdom to share with any caregiver. The emotional burden on the brain of the caregiver is not-surprisingly, quite similar to the signs of actual trauma we see in the individual with the TBI. Overall, Laura and Jon have been able to persevere and grow stronger and happier together as they prioritize love and quality of life.

Links:

Laura’s resource website:www.staystrongjonnygrant.com

Laura’s story on Instagram:
@laurabpilates

Youtube link for full video of podcast.

My site for TBI resources.

Our sponsor:  Rezzimax

Rezzimax is a tool that treats migraines and TMJ.

Use the code Trayford for a $100 discount!

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Ep. 342: Navigating Brain Injury: A conversation with Laura Grant

There is no “How To” book on caring for someone with brain injury once the hospital and rehab facilities are behind you. Laura Grant, wife of Navy Seal and TBI survivor Jon Grant, talks candidly with Dr. Trayford on how she found Functional Neurology and Functional Medicine. Two modalities that have been the focal point of Jon’s long-term recovery. As Jon’s primary caregiver, she has been the driving force in his miraculous recovery this far. Hear valuable advice and tips from both Caregiver and Doctor on what to expect during the recovery process; and, what valuable resources are available to you when most would have you believe recovery is no longer possible.

Links:

Laura’s resource website:www.staystrongjonnygrant.com

Laura’s story on Instagram:
@laurabpilates

Youtube link for full video of podcast.

My site for TBI resources.

Our sponsor Neurosage

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Ep. 339: The Transformative Power of Mindfulness: An interview with Cory Muscara

Train Your Brain Podcast welcomes special guest Cory Muscara onto the show today to discuss mindfulness and mediation. Cory spent 6 months practicing meditation 14 hours a day as a Buddhist monk in South East Asia. Cory is the founder of The Long Island Center for Mindfulness. He is a teacher, speaker and coach, and he’s here with us today to spread the word about the power of mindfulness

Dr. Trayford and Cory Muscara begin discussing why we find it so difficult to sit quietly. For some of us, busy individuals and multi-taskers, it may be quite a shock to the system to sit still and do nothing, attempt to think nothing. As we do engage in mediation we will essentially experience the startling stillness of stepping off of an airport walking conveyor belt. The nervous system is not used to stopping.

Mediation practice should be accompanied by therapy in many cases, as tapping into mindfulness may revisit any form of trauma that may have been stored at the cellular level in the body. Continue reading

Ep. 130 – Identify What’s Stressing You Out

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Welcome to Episode 130 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Now through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 130. Sometimes Dr. Trayford’s tips make so much sense that it just feels right to your soul! This is one of those tips. Identify what’s stressing you out. You might be under so much stress that you don’t stop to figure out exactly what is causing it. Taking this kind of inventory demystifies stress and empowers you to be able to make small changes that will have a huge impacts. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 129 – Sleep Is Way More Important Than Cramming Before a Test

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Welcome to Episode 129 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 129. This tip is all about strategy. Let’s say you have to take a big test or prepare for an important presentation. What would be your strategy to get ready? Would you study a little each day or would you spend the whole night before preparing all at once? Dr. Trayford strongly advises against cramming the night before at the expense of good sleep. You simply won’t be able to retain or efficiently use what you’ve crammed if you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. As he has explained before, sleep is the time when your brain assimilates what you’ve learned. We hope this helps! Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 128 – Get Out of Bed if You Can’t Sleep

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Good morning and welcome to Episode 128 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 128. He advises to get out of bed if you have insomnia. Tossing and turning in bed will not help you fall asleep. Actually continuing to lie in bed when you can’t fall asleep will send mixed messages to your brain about your bed and your ability to realize restorative sleep. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 127 – Brain Games: Do They Exploit the Fear of Memory Loss for Profit?

Good morning and welcome to Episode 127 of the Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. It’s Monday again, so this is our weekly, 30-minute episode. (Tuesday through Sunday we produce five-minute episodes with daily tips.) Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast provides advice for helping you to improve the function of your brain.

Through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

In Episode 127, Dr. Trayford discusses brain training games and the research behind them. There is a debate going on right now as to the ethics behind marketing brain games. Are these companies exploiting those who fear memory loss? Dr. Trayford shares his take on the matter. He also presents brain training tip number 127: Gesturing. Using hand gestures while you’re talking allows you integrate all hemispheres of the brain which means you can be both emotional and analytical at the same time. Statistically, these individuals tested as more intelligent as well. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 126 – Know Your Numbers: MTHFR

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Good morning and welcome to Episode 126 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 126: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. What a mouth-full! The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving forms of the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a molecule called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a molecule called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction is required for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds. Mutations in this gene are linked to numerous cardiovascular and neurological conditions and can be easily treated with appropriate nutritional intervention. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 125 – Hand-Eye Coordination Exercises for Improved Thinking and Social Interaction

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Good morning and welcome to Episode 125 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 125. The brain is fascinating! Today’s tip proves just how amazing the human brain is. Practicing hand-eye coordination exercises will actually improve your thinking and your social interaction! Combining physical activity and motor skills keeps your brain strong and sharp. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 123 – Listen to Your Heart: Heart Rate Biofeedback

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Happy New Year’s Eve and welcome to Episode 123 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 123. In this episode you’ll hear about a tip that will help you learn about the concept of heart rate variability. This is a very simple way to learn how to track and manage your heart rate. There are monitors available in so many different forms these days. There are apps and pulse oximeters, etc. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading