In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete, Dana Jones sits down with Shamekka Marty, founder of Beyond the Game Health, to talk about the hidden side of athlete wellness, health equity, and what happens when the game ends but the body still carries the cost. Shamekka shares her personal journey living with lupus and multiple autoimmune conditions, her experience as a patient advocate, and how those challenges helped shape her mission to support athletes and high performers with better health education and resources. She also explains why so many athletes are dealing with invisible struggles behind the scenes, including physical pain, mental health pressure, and the stress of navigating the healthcare system.

The conversation digs into the gaps in athlete care, especially around college sports, NIL, transition planning, and the need for stronger support systems around healthcare literacy, mental health services, and financial preparedness. Shamekka makes the case that taking care of athletes means going beyond performance and creating real access to education, comprehensive physicals, wellness events, and practical planning for life after sports. She also shares why she believes every athlete should understand supplemental insurance, healthcare resources, and the importance of protecting both their body and their future.

About Shamekka:

Shamekka Marty is a globally recognized patient advocate, health equity leader, and Founder & CEO of Beyond the Game Health, a sports-anchored health equity consultancy and event platform. A kidney transplant recipient and caregiver to multiple family members with chronic kidney disease, she has dedicated her career to amplifying patient voices and creating community-driven solutions to improve healthcare outcomes.

Through Beyond the Game Health, Shamekka has built national partnerships with sports leagues, health organizations, and community groups to deliver impactful events—integrating health screenings, mental wellness resources, and education into major sporting stages such as the Super Bowl (NFL), NCAA Final Four, WNBA All Star Weekend, and upcoming FIFA 2026 activations.

Shamekka’s Links:

http://www.beyondthegamehealth.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/prettysicklupuschick

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, Dana Jones talks with Alexa Ryan, a functional medicine practitioner, neurotherapist, clinical nutritionist, and founder of It Comes Naturally, about what it really means to heal from the root. Alexa shares her personal story of dealing with migraines, nervous system overstimulation, and inflammation, and how those struggles pushed her to become her own patient and pursue a deeper approach to healing. She explains how her work connects the brain, gut, nervous system, and whole-body wellness in a way that goes beyond symptom management.

The conversation also dives into the realities of athletic fueling, hydration, nervous system regulation, and why many people — especially women — struggle with fasting, blood sugar instability, and burnout. Alexa breaks down practical strategies for feeling better, including prioritizing protein, fat, and complex carbs, supporting sleep, using magnesium glycinate, and choosing warm, calming foods and beverages that help the body feel safe. She also shares how her personal experience shaped her mission to help others build healthier, more balanced lives through functional medicine and practical nutrition.

Alexa’s Links:

Website: www.itcomesnaturally.com

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

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

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, Dana Jones talks with Vernon P. Davis Jr., health educator, author, speaker, and founder of Morsel Medicine, about how a major health scare changed his life and led him to create practical nutrition tools for healthier living. Vernon shares how poor habits, emotional eating, and sugary drinks contributed to his type 2 diabetes diagnosis, and how he was able to turn things around through food choices, lifestyle changes, and daily discipline.

He explains the story behind Morsel Medicine, including its origins as the title of his second book and its evolution into a nutrition education company focused on portion awareness and balanced eating. Vernon also breaks down his simple plate method: 50% fruits and vegetables, 30% protein, and 20% carbs, along with the role of movement, hydration, sleep, and reducing inflammation in long-term health. He closes by sharing his progress, including a major drop in A1C, blood sugar improvement, and weight loss after committing to the process.

Links for Vernon

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonpdavisjr/
  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernon-p-davis-jr-msol-1971a2128
  
• X: https://x.com/vernonpdavisjr
  
• Website: www.morselmedicine.org

Vernon’s Books:

Uncomfortable Peace: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone to Naturally Beat Type 2 Diabetes

Morsel Medicine: I Just Need A Small Portion Of Food To Heal

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, Dana Jones sits down with licensed professional counselor, EMDR therapist, and neurofeedback provider Eileen Borski to explore the powerful connection between the brain, body, and performance. Eileen shares how her work helps athletes and high performers reduce stress, improve focus, and support recovery by addressing the nervous system at its root.

Eileen also shares her personal journey from corporate finance to counseling, and how a desire to help people on a deeper level led her to brain-based therapy. She explains how neurofeedback can support athletes dealing with anxiety, attention challenges, and pain, and why a holistic, individualized approach is essential for meaningful change.

Together, Dana and Eileen discuss:

• Why the nervous system plays such a big role in pain and performance.

• How neurofeedback supports focus, recovery, and emotional regulation.

• The impact of stress, pressure, and choice on young athletes.

• How pain can be influenced by both physical and emotional factors.

• Why a whole-person approach leads to better outcomes.

Eileen also shares memorable client success stories, including athletes and high performers who found relief from anxiety, improved focus, and greater confidence through neurofeedback and brain-body work. Her perspective offers a hopeful reminder that healing and performance are often connected in ways we can learn to influence.

About Eileen:

Eileen Borski is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Neurofeedback Provider, and holds a Certification in Neuropsychotherapy specializing in brain-based approaches to mental health and peak performance. As the founder of Authentic Brain Solutions, she works with individuals—including athletes and high performers—to optimize nervous system function, improve focus, enhance recovery, and break through mental barriers. With a background in corporate leadership and advanced training in neurocounseling, Eileen bridges the gap between brain science and real-world performance, helping clients build resilience, regulate stress, and perform at their best—both mentally and physically. She offers in person care, including neurofeedback and EMDR, at her office in Conroe, Texas. In addition, she provides telehealth counseling, including EMDR, throughout Texas, Florida, South Carolina and New Hampshire.

Eileen's Links:

Follow Authentic Brain Solutions:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/authenticbrainsolutions

Instagram: https://instagram.com/authenticbrainsolutions

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/authenticbrainsolutions

Website: https://authenticbrainsolutions.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthenticBrainSolutions

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 Dr. Tawny Kross, a physical therapist and pain and wellness coach, for an in-depth conversation on the integration of psychology into physical therapy. Together, they explore how understanding pain from a psychological perspective can transform treatment, the impact of stress on pain management, and how pain perception evolves over time. Dr. Kross shares her experiences working with veterans and highlights the unique challenges they face with chronic pain. The discussion underscores the importance of a holistic approach to pain management—one that embraces emotional healing, body awareness, and the mind-body connection for lasting wellness.

• Podcast Website: painfreeathletepodcast.com
• Guest: Dr. Tawny Kross
• • Website: drtawnykross.com
  • Instagram: @dr.tawny.kross

• • Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/dr.tawny.kross⁠

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.

Replay ep 89: Run Smarter, Stay Stronger – Injury Prevention & the Mind-Body Connection with Denise Smith

What if the key to running stronger, longer, and pain-free had less to do with mileage—and more to do with how you move?

In this replay episode, I sit down with physical therapist and movement expert Denise Smith to break down what most athletes are missing when it comes to performance and injury prevention.

With over 20 years of experience, Denise shares how analyzing movement patterns, improving balance, and training reaction time can completely change the way you run—and help you avoid the injuries that sideline so many athletes.

But we didn’t stop there…

This conversation goes deeper into the mind-body connection, the role of mental health in performance, and why athletes—especially endurance athletes—need more than just a training plan to truly thrive.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why most runners are undertraining balance (and why it matters more than you think)
• How learning to fall safely could actually prevent serious injuries
• The difference between overuse vs. misuse injuries
• Simple ways to improve reaction time and agility (no fancy equipment needed)
• What ultra runners can teach us about grit, identity, and mental toughness
• Why building a support team (PT, mental health, nutrition) is a game-changer
• How fear, pain, and mindset can keep you stuck—and how to break that cycle

Denise's Bio:

Denise Smith has been a physical therapist for over 20 years and has spent her years obtaining certifications that allow her to treat each patient as an individual with a focus on hands-on manual therapy techniques, functional movement patterns, and advanced treatment of athletes of all levels. She specializes in treating runners with a focus on running technique teaching with the use of video analysis and individualized drills to teach proper movement to help runners run faster, run longer, and run without pain. Denise believes our bodies were made to move and sitting is a disease that will cause long term damage to our bodies.

Denise's Links:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠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.