The Path Back To Work After a Concussion with Nate Pope (Part 1) | E46

2026-01-12

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Send us a textYour brain isn’t broken; it’s rerouting. We sit down with neuro‑occupational therapist Nate Pope to unpack why so many people with post‑concussion syndrome get stuck despite doing “all the right therapies.” Nate explains how functional MRI reveals a network problem—under-fueled pathways and overworked compensations—and why isolated sessions can accidentally train the detours instead of restoring efficient routes. If headaches spike during vision drills or screen time wipes you out, this conve...

Send us a text

Your brain isn’t broken; it’s rerouting. We sit down with neuro‑occupational therapist Nate Pope to unpack why so many people with post‑concussion syndrome get stuck despite doing “all the right therapies.” Nate explains how functional MRI reveals a network problem—under-fueled pathways and overworked compensations—and why isolated sessions can accidentally train the detours instead of restoring efficient routes. If headaches spike during vision drills or screen time wipes you out, this conversation will reframe what effective rehab looks like.

We walk through a practical model of whole‑brain, multi‑sensory integration that engages visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and executive systems at once. Picture standing balance work while tracking targets and answering questions—tasks that block unhealthy shortcuts and demand true coordination. Nate shows how intensity and variety drive neuroplastic change that holds up outside the clinic. You’ll hear why once‑a‑week tune‑ups fall short and how a two‑week intensive plus eight weeks of aftercare creates momentum.

The toughest bridge is getting back to work. We outline a smarter ramp that prevents relapse: simulate job tasks in therapy, expand screen time and cognitive load only when symptoms stay stable, and follow the golden rule that slow is fast. For many, the difference comes down to advocacy—clear communication with employers about reduced hours, planned breaks, moderated visual demand, and why that approach gets employees back to full capacity sooner. If you’ve felt unseen because your symptoms are invisible, this episode offers language, tools, and a roadmap for real progress.

If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone navigating concussion recovery, and leave a review so others can find these strategies. Got topics you want us to tackle next? Email lifeafterimpact at gmail.com.

Nate Pope and NCX Brain Recovery: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/

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