Category Archives: Guest Interview

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

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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!

Continue reading →

Ep. 341: How Exercise Can Transform Your Brain. An Interview With Dr. John Ratey, Author of Spark

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today the Train Your Brain Podcast welcomes very special guest Dr. John Ratey, MD onto the show.

Dr. Ratey is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He’s the author of SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

Dr. Ratey has been promoting exercise as a cognitive tool for over 30 years. He explains that physical activity is a positive stressor to the brain and body. It’s only when we challenge and stretch ourselves that we can grow. The neuroscience around exercise is overwhelmingly supportive. Main examples include increased production in the Hippocampus and increased production of Gaba.

Dr. Trayford and Dr. Ratey discuss the Naperville Experience to illustrate the effects of exercise on academics where physically active students in Illinois are outscoring there peers all over the world.

Additionally, this podcast covers in depth the connections between exercise and Anxiety, Depression, Addiction Recovery, Longevity, and Heart Health. Thank you for joining us for this fascinating and important topic. Continue reading →

Ep. 340: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction: An Interview with Maia Szalavitz; Author of Unbroken Brain

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today the Train Your Brain Podcast welcomes special guest Maia Szalavitz onto the show. Maia has spent decades researching addiction recovery and is the author of Unbroken Brain.

The sponsor for our podcast today is Muse. You can visit ChooseMuse.com to receive a $70 discount off of their $249 Meditation Headband Device to help you learn how to meditate and also, how to meditate daily. Use code APEX and you’ll also receive a free hard case for the Muse meditation headband.

Dr. Trayford and Maia Szavalitz discuss these revolutionary shifts in understanding addiction. The first step is seeing addiction as a learning or neuro-developmental disorder. Continue reading →

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

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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. 338: Childhood Developmental Disorders and Their Influence on Learning and Behavior in Adulthood: An Interview with Dr. Robert Melillo

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Train Your Brain Podcast is proud to bring you a fascinating interview today with Dr. Robert Melillo: clinician, educator, researcher, author and trail-blazer. He is the hardest working man in childhood neuro-developmental disorders and a friend and mentor to Dr. Trayford for better part of 20 years.

Dr. Trayford and Dr. Melillo begin their discussion on neuro-
developmental disorders by addressing the largest influencers. These can be pre-natal, genetic, nutritional, environmental, etc. At birth the brain is still not yet fully developed and so these factors, we’re learning, play a major role in disorders than may present much later in life.

For example, certain regions of the brain involved addictive tendencies correspond to some of these factors like sugar, technology and lack of impulse control. As we compare these effects in children and adults we are able to learn more and more about causes. Perhaps most relevenatly, Neuro-scientists are studying links in childhood medications and later adulthood additions. Continue reading →

Ep. 337: Addiction Recovery – The Power of Behavioral Change: An Interview With Todd Weatherly, Treatment Consultant

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

After a long hiatus, the Train Your Brain Podcast has finally returned and will now be releasing on a bi-weekly schedule. In Episode 337, Dr. Michael Trayford and Jason Pyles the producer welcome special guest Treatment Consultant Todd Weatherly (pictured at right) to discuss Addiction Recovery, the Power of Behavioral Change. You can learn more at Weatherly & Associates and Widening Circles. And at the end of the show, we bring you tip No. 337 is “Get Back on the Horse.”

Don’t forget our seminar on October 14-15, 2017. And be sure to check out our addiction recovery alternatives ebook.

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. Continue reading →

Ep. 267 – Insights on Successful Aging: Interview With Larry, a Lifelong Learner

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Happy Monday Train Your Brain Podcast listeners! Dr. Trayford is here with a special guest Larry Harden to discuss lifelong learning and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Developing Neuro-plasticity will truly enrich your years.

For more information on Free Memory Improvement Webinars from Apex Brain Centers click here!

Albert Einstein said “If your stop learning, you start dying.” It is so important to continually learn new things throughout life regardless of age. This promotes self-motivation and keeps your mind young.

The tip for today, tip number 267 is to never stop learning new things!

Thanks for listening and join us! For your own free copy of Dr. Trayford’s E-book visit Apex Brain Centers.com.

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. 260 – Interview With Kevin Jameson: Founder of The Dementia Society of America

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Happy Monday Train Your Brain Podcast listeners! We are bringing you another fantastic guest interview today. Dr. Trayford is talking with Kevin Jameson founder of the Dementia Society about this great cause. Kevin shares how Dementia impacted his life personally. It is a story that will hit close to home for many of us of have seen a loved one suffer from Dementia or head trauma.

Kevin has organized a campaign to proceed from Mother’s Day until Father’s Day every year to spread awareness and centralize support and resources. If you want to get involved visit Steps2Raise. If you have any concerns you can reach a helpful volunteer at the Dementia Hotline: 1-844-Dementia.

The tip for today, tip number 260 is to join a board. Sitting on a board gives you a unique opportunity to develop socially, remain sharp mentally and give service all at the same time. Find a way to share your skills and your time and your brain will see the benefit!

For more information on Free Memory Improvement Webinars from Apex Brain Centers click here!

Thanks for listening and join us! For your own free copy of Dr. Trayford’s E-book visit Apex Brain Centers.com.

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. 246 – Concussion Success Story: Dr. Patricia DeJoy

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Good morning listeners! You are definitely in for a treat today as Dr. Trayford brings you a special interview with his guest Dr. Patricia DeJoy who shares her brain training success story after multiple concussions. Listen to her experience and you’ll hear about the confident, productive individual she was before her accidents and her journey to find that identity again. She had completely lost the ability to retain information that she had read. Even her handwriting was very indicative that something was not right. Dr. Trayford and his staff at APEX Brain Centers treated her concussions and she feels brand new again.

The tip for today, tip number 246 is to practice a figure 8 exercise with the arms and palms. Listen in and give it a try!

Thanks for listening and join us! For your own free copy of Dr. Trayford’s E-book visit Apex Brain Centers.com.

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. 148 – An Interview With Ariel Garten, Creator of Muse

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Good morning and welcome to Episode 148 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 148, Dr. Trayford has arranged for us to hear from an incredible guest Ariel Garten who is the Creator of Muse. Ariel believes in the power that comes from truly knowing oneself and she has developed a mindfulness tool to help others achieve that goal. Ariel is offering a $50 discount to Train Your Brain Podcast listeners. It is simply remarkable to be able to track the state of your brain through stress, focus and relaxation. Usually we are far too distracted by our world to even notice how we feel in our own mind let alone coach ourselves in improving our mental state. You’ll love hearing about what this device can do for you.

The 148th brain training tip is to practice mindful meditation. Meditation will absolutely change your life and it will change your brain. You’ll be a more centered person who is more in control of themselves and more at ease. Your brain will literally age better if you practice meditation. Thanks for listening. Continue reading →