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In this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Greener. A lifelong contributor to football as a player, coach, educator, and dedicated advocate for player safety. Ian’s career began in 1970s England with Middlesbrough FC, where he trained alongside legends like Bill Gates. After moving to Australia, he became a key figure in the sport’s development — coaching in the old National Soccer League, co-founding the soccer program at the Victorian Institute of Sport, and serving as the State Director of Coaching.

With over a decade as Head Coach at Rowville Sports Academy and as the founder of AFCAT (now part of Football Coaches Australia), Ian has shaped generations of players and coaches. Now Chair of FCA’s Technical Committee, he leads national coach education initiatives. In recent years, Ian has focused his efforts on concussion awareness, working with Head Safe Football UK to deliver seminars across Australia. He brings a deeply informed and personal perspective to the growing conversation around head trauma and CTE in football.

- Ian’s Football Journey from Middlesbrough to Australia (02:00)

- Sharing Changerooms with Legends of the Game and Around the Grounds (07:00)

- Ian’s Connection with Bill and the Gates Family (14:00)

- What Head Safe Football is about (22:32)

- The Doctrine of Football Coaching (27:00)

- Coronial Inquest (29:10)

- Brain Health, Concussion, CTE and Repetitive Head Impacts at Training (30:30)

- Head Safe Football Game, its meaning and Alternate Training Solutions (36:24)

- What Happens and Outcomes of Repetitive Head Impacts (42:20)

- English and Scottish FA Guidelines (47:48)

- Old vs New Ball Weight/Sizes and Repetitive Head Impacts (50:41)

- Reducing Exposure of Heading (52:33)

- Favourite Moments in Football (56:43)

Head Safe Football:

Head Safe Football: https://headsafefootball.org.uk

Social Media:

Instagram: headsafefootball

Facebook: Head Safe Football

Twitter/X: @headsafecharity

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In this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re honoured to welcome Dr Judith Gates — educator, researcher, and founder of Head Safe Football. With a distinguished career spanning education and strategic planning, including roles at Harvard and Stanford, Dr. Gates now channels her expertise into raising awareness about sports-related brain injuries. Inspired by the legacy of her late husband, former professional footballer Bill Gates, she is a leading voice in the fight to protect athletes from the dangers of repetitive head impacts.

- Bill and Judith Gates Legacy (01:30)

- Repetitive Head Impacts in Bills Playing Career (07:30)

- Noticing the signs and Symptoms of Dementia (09:34)

- Diagnosis (13:00)

- Head Safe Football (18:57) – ‘Think Head Safe, Reduce Heading in Training’

- It’s Not the Old Heavy Footballs Myth (23:29)

- Head Safe Charity Match Results (24:50)

- Cost of Care (29:55)

- Head Safe Football Detail (35:20)

- Favourite Memories (38:00)

Head Safe Football:

https://headsafefootball.org.uk

hello@headsafefootball.org.uk

Twitter: @headsafecharity

IG:@headsafefootball

Facebook: Head Safe Football

Linkedin: Head Safe Football

No-brainer: A Footballer’s Story of Life, Love and Brain Injury

https://www.amazon.com.au/No-brainer-Footballers-Story-Brain-Injury/dp/1914487230

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In this episode, we’re joined by Julie, whose MMA career spans over a decade with appearances in top-tier promotions like EliteXC, Strikeforce, and the UFC. Her 2007 fight with Gina Carano remains a landmark moment in combat sports history, showcasing the skill and legitimacy of women in MMA. After retiring from competition, Julie transitioned to broadcasting and has since become a leading voice in the industry through her insightful analysis with Invicta Fighting Championships. Beyond the cage, Julie has built a diverse career in film and television, with roles in 50 to 1, Transcendence, Bruised, Longmire, and the docuseries Dark Side of the Cage. She also brings a strong academic background to her work, holding a BA in English Literature and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing.

- How Julie Become Involved in Combat Sport’s (02:20)

- Women’s Exposure in Combat Sports (06:00)

- Invicta Fight Championship (09:30)

- Concussion in MMA (17:46)

- Motivation of and Contracts of Combat Athlete (25:00)

- Identify of Combat Athletes and Power Slap (32:30)

- Commentating at Invicta Fight Championship (38:15)

- Donating Brain to Research (43:03)

- Favorited or memorable moments (48:38)

- Where to Find Julie (56:00)

Julie Kedzie:

Invicta FC: https://invictafc.com/?doing_wp_cron=1753280154.2752580642700195312500

Instagram: @julesk_fighter

Blue Sky: @julesk_fighter

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, Today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Andy Clark.

This week, we’re joined by one of boxing’s most respected voices, Andy Clarke, lead commentator for Sky Sports Boxing. With over two decades in the industry, Andy has earned a stellar reputation for his sharp analysis and eloquent commentary, having called some of the biggest fights across more than 25 countries.

Beyond the ring, Andy’s commentary career spans the Olympic Games, Premier League, UEFA Champions League,Euro 2004, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his versatility across the sporting world.

In this episode, we dive into his book ‘The Knockout: Sports Most Decisive Moment’, a captivating exploration of the knockout in boxing. Andy shares insights from the psychology behind the knockout and why it remains one of the most iconic elements in all of sport.

- Andy’s Introduction into World of Boxing and Commentary? (02:30)

- Hypotheticals and Comparing Generations (06:50)

- Motivation of the book and looking into the knock out? (10:25)

- How Knock-Outs Differs from Other Sports like Soccer/Football (16:35)

- Athlete’s Perceptions and Feelings Around the Knock (20:25)

- How Andy Commentates Around the Knock-Out (31:15)

- Fighters Mentality When Possibly Concussed (38:10)

- What the Knock-Out Dose to a Boxers Career (41:05)

- Favourite and Memorable Moments (50:10)

Andy’s social media and book:

The Knockout: Sport's Most Decisive Moment

https://www.amazon.com.au/Knockout-Sports-Most-Decisive-Moment/dp/1836001592

Instagram: @mrandyclarke

Twitter/x: @MrAndyClarke

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Twitter: @first concussion

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Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we're joined by two brilliant minds in neurosurgery and concussion research: Dr. Nitin Agarwal, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Raj Lavadi, Resident Physician and concussion researcher.

Dr. Agarwal brings a wealth of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon, educator, and prolific author with over 300 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Lavadi, currently in residency at Indian University, has already co-authored over 50 papers, with a focus on imaging biomarkers in traumatic brain injury.

Together, we dive into their recent collaborative study: “Video Analysis of Concussion Among Slap Fighting Athletes”

- Dr Lavadi & Dr Agarwal’s Involved in medicine (01:09)

- What is a concussion + Signs & Symptoms (05:20)

- Power Slap: What is the ‘sport’ and its objectives (07:35)

- Video Analysis of Concussion Among Slap Fighting Athletes (10:23)

- Common Injuries (16:51)

- Loss of Conciseness (19:01)

- Facial Dropping and Follow Up Studies (21:19)

- Your research and How Can We Support It (28:00)

Dr. Agarwal:

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitinagarwalmd/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/nitinagarwalmd/

X- https://x.com/NitinAgarwalMD

Websites-

https://nitinagarwalmd.com/

https://scoli.org/

Dr Raj Lavadi:

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajlavadi/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/rajlavadi/

X-https://x.com/RajLavadi

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Peter Jess.

With over 40 years of experience in sports management and personal representation, Peter is a true powerhouse in the industry. As the first accredited AFL player agent in 1980, he helped shape the foundation of modern athlete representation in Australia. Globally respected for his work with high-profile athletes and professionals, Peter has been a key figure in driving industry reform. He co-founded the AFLPA’s Education and Training Board and played a pivotal role in establishing the AFL’s Agent Accreditation system. Today, he’s also a leading voice in player welfare, championing reform in concussion protocols and advocating for better long-term health outcomes for athletes.

- How Become Involved in Player Management (01:25)

- Involvement in AFLPA (02:15)

- What is Concussion and Traumatic Axonal Injury)? (04:42)

- Concussion Protocol Stand Down Times (06:40)

- Unpacking AFL litigation (09:12)

- Concussion Passports (14:19)

- Neurological Disease’s and Repercussions (16:25)

- The Role of AFL/ AFLPA in Concussion (18:59)

- Peters Lived Experience (25:06)

- Litigation Against the Club and Doctors (27:00)

- TES (30:08)

- How Do They Count Concussions (32:45)

- Where to Find/ Help (35:57)

EPISODE 70: The History of Rugby Union’s Concussion Crisis, Concussion in Sports Group and Evolution of Concussion Protocols with Professor Tony Collins

**Paul McCrory and Concussion in Sports Group Foundations (23:50)

Peter Jess:

https://www.pjaaccountants.com.au/about/

https://www.athletica.management/about-us/

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Today, we’re joined once again by Professor Alan Pearce, returning from Episode 21. A Clinical Neurophysiologist, Professor Pearce is internationally recognized for his work in sports-related concussion, employing techniques such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to investigate neurophysiological responses to brain injury.

He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and several key texts in the field, with his research cited over 5,000 times. In addition to his academic contributions, Professor Pearce is a prominent advocate for concussion education in media and public discourse.

- What is a concussion (01:35)

- Update on Dr Pearce Research (03:20)

- Run It Straight (07:30)

- Mixed Messaging (11:41)

- How Do You Keep Advocating the Message (18:17)

- Ways We Can Help the Message and Changing Sports For Kids(21:32)

- How to Support and Help Your Work?

Alan Pearce

@alanpearcephd

https://neuropearce.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Stephen Casper, first featured in Episode 30. A globally respected medical historian, Dr. Casper is Professor of History and Associate Director of Honors at Clarkson University, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His groundbreaking research has profoundly influenced how we understand the cultural and intellectual history of neuroscience—especially in relation to concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Casper is also a prolific author, with numerous acclaimed publications including The Neurologists and his upcoming book Punch Drunk and Dementia: A Cultural History of Concussion, 1870–Present. He has published over 100 articles, chapters, and reviews throughout his distinguished career.

- Historical Concepts and Activities of Brain Injury (02:00)

- Low Risk to High Risk ‘Vocational’ Activities (05:10)

- Normalisation of Dangerous Acts (09:06)

- Run It Straight/ Dwarf Throwing – Concussion Alliance (11:30)

- Consent and Bodily Autonomy Versus Fiduciary Duties (18:15)

- Socioeconomical Aspects of Dangerous Activities (27:37)

- Favourite Historical Aspects When Researching (34:00)

Stephen Casper:

- Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Casper

- Run It Straight:

https://www.concussionalliance.org/blog/runit-a-historical-perspective-from-stephen-casper-phd

- Run it straight white paper: https://www.repercussiongroup.com/white-paper

- Muhammad Ali in Atlanta:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mohamada+aali+1996+alanta+olympics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#cobssid=s&fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7c1b4c5c,vid:80wMMFAcweQ,st:0

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Twitter: @first concussion

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Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com