The HeadRush Podcast with Paul Frase and Corey Berry

The Cowboy We Lost: Brain Trauma, Suicide & the Truth About CTE

A champion rodeo cowboy. A loving father. A man of faith. Then the memory loss, rage, depression, confusion, and suicidal thoughts began to take over. In one of the most emotional episodes of The HeadRush Podcast, the family of rodeo athlete Pete Kennedy shares the heartbreaking reality of repetitive head trauma, suspected CTE/TES, and the devastating impact brain injuries can have long after the arena lights go dark. This isn’t just about sports anymore. It’s about survival. What happens when repeated head trauma changes the person you love? In this deeply emotional episode of The HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry sit down with the family of rodeo cowboy Pete Kennedy to discuss the devastating realities of brain trauma, suspected CTE, Clinically Diagnosed TES, depression, memory loss, addiction, rage, and suicide. Pete’s son KC and fiancée Kelly openly share the warning signs they witnessed, the personality changes that emerged over time, and the emotional aftermath of losing someone they loved to suicide after years of repetitive head impacts and concussions in rodeo. The conversation also dives into: * CTE and TES symptoms * Brain trauma in rodeo athletes * Suicide ideation and neurological damage * Addiction and dopamine dysregulation * Memory loss, emotional instability, and rage * Faith, recovery, and finding hope * Why awareness and early intervention matter This episode is raw, painful, educational, and necessary. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of brain trauma, depression, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You are not alone. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Paradise Behavioral Health | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | MC Wellness | Ambio Life Sciences 🎧 Learn more about The HeadRush Foundation and support brain trauma awareness. 📲 Follow The HeadRush Podcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

Dr. Daniel Amen: Why Brain Trauma Isn’t Mental Illness (And How to Fix It)

What if depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts aren’t “mental health issues”… —but signs of a damaged brain that can actually heal? This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had. In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, we sit down with world-renowned psychiatrist and brain health pioneer Dr. Daniel Amen—a physician who has analyzed over 300,000 brain scans across 155 countries. His message flips everything you’ve been told: 👉 Mental illness isn’t a “mind problem”… it’s a brain problem 👉 CTE is not always a death sentence 👉 And if your brain is damaged… you can make it better We go deep into: * The real impact of repeated head trauma (NFL, rodeo, military) * Why helmets don’t prevent brain damage * How SPECT scans reveal hidden brain injuries * The link between brain damage and depression, anger, and memory loss  * Why the “CTE is untreatable” narrative is dangerously incomplete  * Practical ways to start healing your brain today Dr. Amen also breaks down: * Neuroinflammation and brain recovery * Supplements, therapies, and lifestyle changes that actually work * The role of faith, purpose, and mindset in healing * Why you should never believe every thought you think And one of the biggest takeaways: “You are not stuck with the brain you have—you can make it better.”  If you or someone you love is struggling with: TBI, CTE, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or brain fog… this episode could change how you see everything.

If Only We Knew: The Hidden Signs of CTE & Brain Trauma Too Late

What if the signs were there… and everyone missed them? In this powerful episode, families who lost loved ones to brain trauma share the moments they now recognize as early warnings—and why awareness alone isn’t enough. This episode of The HeadRush Podcast comes from the M. Parkman Foundation Summit on Repeated Head Impacts—where conversations go beyond headlines and into real-life consequences. Featuring Karen and Doug Zagel of the Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation and Max Gray of CTE News, this discussion pulls back the curtain on what brain trauma actually looks like before it’s too late. Not just in professional athletes—but in high school players, college athletes, and everyday lives. You’ll hear: * The early behavioral changes families dismissed as “normal” * How repeated head impacts can lead to mental health decline and suicide * Why “there is no safe age” when it comes to brain trauma * The dangerous gap between diagnosis and direction * What parents, athletes, and coaches need to start recognizing now This isn’t just about CTE. It’s about awareness, missed signs, and the cost of not knowing. If you’re a parent, athlete, veteran, or someone searching for answers—this episode matters. If you believe in helping people find hope through education, treatment access, and brain health advocacy, support The HeadRush Foundation. Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C] Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness

What If It’s Not PTSD? The Science Behind Brain Inflammation & Healing

What if depression, PTSD, and brain fog aren’t psychological… but biological—and measurable? For decades, brain trauma has been misunderstood. Veterans, athletes, and everyday people have been told their symptoms—depression, anxiety, brain fog—are psychological… or worse, dismissed entirely. But what if the real issue is neuroinflammation—and we’ve just never had the tools to measure it? In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Mark Gordon and Jeremy Bowling join Paul and Corey to break down: -The biological root of brain trauma and why it’s often missed -How new biomarker testing is changing diagnosis and treatment -Why traditional approaches focus on symptoms—not causes -The connection between inflammation, mental health, and recovery -Real stories of veterans finally finding answers after years of struggle This isn’t just a conversation about trauma— it’s about hope, healing, and redefining how we treat the brain. If you’ve ever felt like something was off—but couldn’t prove it— this episode is for you.

Who’s Fighting for Brain Trauma? The Foundations Bringing Hope for CTE, TBI & TES

CTE, TBI, TES, repeated head impacts, and blast exposure aren’t just sports problems—they’re life problems. In this episode, Paul Frase and Corey Berry break down the foundations leading the fight for awareness, treatment, and real hope. Brain trauma doesn’t end when the game is over. In this powerful episode of The HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry shine a light on the foundations and organizations working every day to help people affected by CTE, TES (Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), RHI (Repeated Head Impacts), and repeated blast exposure. They discuss the missions and impact of organizations like the Mac Parkman Foundation, Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation, Concussion and CTE Foundation, Marshalling CTE, RL3 Foundation, Cowboys Helping Cowboys, and the growing mission of the HeadRush Foundation. From youth athletes and veterans to former pros and families navigating the devastating effects of neurological injury, this episode is about education, prevention, advocacy, and action. They also discuss: • why repeated head impacts matter long before the professional level • how families are driving national legislation and awareness • tools like red light therapy, neurofeedback, and precision psychiatry • why finding the right neurologist can change everything • the long-term vision behind the HeadRush Foundation’s neurological retreat center This isn’t just about concussions. It’s about saving lives. How to cope. How to find hope. Please like, subscribe, and share to help raise awareness and support the mission. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness – Cristal Clark | Ambio Life Sciences Donate to the HeadRush Foundation: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C