TicFit: Training & Tourette Syndrome

Episode 18 - Dr. Jeff Spencer: Resilience can be Learned

Episode 18 - Dr. Jeff Spencer: Resilience can be Learned Raquel Cunningham In this episode, host Raquel Cunningham sits down with Dr. Jeff Spencer; Olympian, performance coach, and mentor behind 8 Tour de France winning teams and over 40 Olympic gold medals. Dr. Spencer shares his unique perspective on the mind-body connection, explaining the difference between a rigid "mindset" and an adaptable "champion's mind". Drawing from his own experience as a cyclist in the 1972 Munich Olympics and his work with elite athletes, he explores the biology of fear-based versus seeking-based instincts, the power of breath work, and why understanding our nervous system is essential before psychology can take hold. This conversation offers practical frameworks for anyone seeking to understand their body's responses. No one can “think their way out” of a neurological condition, but you can learn to understand your own unique biology. https://www.drjeffspencer.com [https://www.drjeffspencer.com] Resources Mentioned: * Stephen Porges – Creator of Polyvagal Theory (1996); https://www.stephenporges.com [https://www.stephenporges.com] * Peter Levine, PhD – Clinician and trauma expert: https://www.somaticexperiencing.com [https://www.somaticexperiencing.com] * James Oschman – Author of Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis; https://energymedicineuniversity.org/faculty/oschman.html [https://energymedicineuniversity.org/faculty/oschman.html] * Emily Conrad – Dancer and movement pioneer; https://continuummovement.com/founder-emilie-conrad-bio/ [https://continuummovement.com/founder-emilie-conrad-bio/] * Jill Miller – Author of Body by Breath; https://www.tuneupfitness.com [https://www.tuneupfitness.com] * James Nestor – Author on the importance of breathing; https://www.mrjamesnestor.com [https://www.mrjamesnestor.com] Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 17 - Kathy Giordano: Education Specialist — Rage, Rhythm, and Education

Episode 17 - Kathy Giordano: Education Specialist — Rage, Rhythm, and Education Raquel Cunningham In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Tourette Syndrome with Kathy Giordano — a dedicated educator with over 35 years of experience as a Tourette Education Specialist, middle school teacher, mother, and now Global Education Committee Chair for TTAG. Kathy opens up about her work educating others on Tourette and its often-misunderstood co-occurring conditions — including rage and disinhibition. She shares both professional insight and personal experience, revealing how her family turned moments of chaos into creativity. When her son, who grew up with Tourette and rage attacks, discovered that drumming helped him regulate, it sparked an incredible innovation: a wearable device that mimics the calming rhythm of drumming without making a sound. You can explore this breakthrough at MyEchoLife.com. Together, Kathy and her son also co-authored A Family’s Quest for Rhythm, a powerful story of resilience, rhythm, and finding harmony through understanding. Links & Notes: * https://MyEcholife.com [https://MyEcholife.com] * Dr. Ross Green: https://livesinthebalance.org [https://livesinthebalance.org] * When we said “snack break,” we actually meant “movement snack” — those quick, energizing movement breaks that help reset the body and mind. A phrase coined by Katy Bowman, creator of Nutritious Movement. * We’d like to clarify that Dr. Christine Conelea is a clinical psychologist, not a neurologist as mentioned in the episode. * It's not mentioned in the episode but we find the Rage Bag by FUNPUNCH to also be a good tool for regulation if you don’t have access to drums. Learn more about them here. https://funpunch.com/products/funpunch®-rage-bag [https://funpunch.com/products/funpunch®-rage-bag] Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 16 - Just Remember LUKE

Episode 16 - Just Remember LUKE Raquel Cunningham LEARN how you UNDERSTAND movement, KEEP going and it will be EFFECTIVE. How do we develop new movement patterns? Do we copy what others do, listen for intricate instructions, just try it out, or do we dive into the mechanics? The big four learning styles in the gym are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and conceptual. Do you know which one you rely on the most? If you’re a coach, do you assume everyone learns the way you do? The best cues are the simplest. For the highest impact, the simplicity lies in matching how that person learns. I will be forever grateful to Luke for making me a better coach. He taught me a lifelong lesson in the gym that extends far beyond the ticcing community. We can take this lesson to learning new lifts, learning how to swim, or in how we guide others through the process. Tics or no tics, we all need to have movement literacy for longevity and quality of life. To build that movement literacy, just remember LUKE: Learn how you Understand movement, Keep going, and it will be Effective. Neuro artists: * Greg Dunn: https://www.gregadunn.com Athletes mentioned: * Stephen Nedoroscik (The Pommel Horse Guy): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i7yGO9pYDc8 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/30/team-usas-stephen- nedoroscik-visualized-his-way-to-a-bronze-medal.html * Simone Biles: https://fortune.com/well/article/simone-biles- mindset-mental-training/ * Michael Phelps: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/michael-phelps- ravens-visit-teach-players-swim-training-camp Study: * Visualization study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5351796/

Episode 15 - Katie St Clair: Empowered Performance

Episode 15 - Katie St Clair: Empowered Performance Raquel Cunningham Muscles move our bones and bones move our bodies. In this conversation with strength and conditioning coach Katie St.Clair, we explore the fluidity of rotational movement and how each individual can expand their movement options. Tics are anything but fluid, however, by understanding movement mechanics we can develop a more personalized toolbox to pull from when our muscles adapt to our tics or if tics impact function. We also discuss joint hypermobility and strategies to manage joint laxity. Tics or no tics, we look at movement from an inside out approach and discuss the more influential muscles in the body. (Spoiler: it’s the diaphragm). Ultimately, whether simple or complex, vocal or motor, our uniquely ticcing movements move our muscles and bones. Dive into the anatomy of how we move with Katie St.Clair, creator of Empowered Performance, and play with some new movements. IG: @katie.stclair.fitness [https://@katie.stclair.fitness] Website: https://www.katiestclairfitness.com [https://www.katiestclairfitness.com] Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book. [https://www.amazon.com/90s-Music-Nostalgia-Coloring-Book/dp/B0DJTDMVPK/] Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.

Episode 14 - Meghann Koppele Duffy, Co-founder of The Neuro Studio

Episode 14 - Meghann Koppele Duffy, Co-founder of The Neuro Studio Raquel Cunningham What is the difference between a tremor, a spasm, and a tic? They are all neurological symptoms so what influence do voluntary movement choices have on each one? How do we create sensory safety in the body when your body moves without you asking it to? In this discussion with Meghann Koppele Duffy, co-founder of the Neuro Studio, we take movement principles and challenge them when used with neurological conditions. Meghann is a doctoral candidate and movement specialist pioneering brain-based training for people with neurological conditions. With her co-founder, the Neuro Studio blends science-backed and studio-tested workouts to help each individual adapt to their own brain’s unique response. This is for everyone, all movement is neurological. Website: https://www.theneurostudio-online.com Instagram: @theneurostudio and @megkoppeleduffy Support TicFit: The Podcast, buy our coloring book [https://www.amazon.com/90s-Music-Nostalgia-Coloring-Book/dp/B0DJTDMVPK/] Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. By listening to this podcast you agree to not use any of the information from TicFit or any guests on the podcast as a diagnosis or treatment.