From NHL Stardom to Brain Trauma: Ales Hemsky's Story of Hope | HeadRush Podcast

From NHL Stardom to Brain Trauma: Ales Hemsky's Story of Hope | HeadRush Podcast

What happens when the cheering stops—but the brain injuries don't? Former NHL All-Star Ales Hemsky spent 16 seasons at the highest level of professional hockey, represented the Czech Republic on the world stage, and competed in a Stanley Cup Final. Behind that success was a different story. Repeated concussions. Memory problems. Vertigo. Depression. Addiction. Thoughts of giving up. In this deeply personal conversation, Ales shares what life looked like after hockey, the struggles few people saw, and the journey that helped him begin finding hope again. Former NHL star Ales Hemsky joins Paul Frase and Corey Berry for one of the most honest conversations ever featured on the HeadRush Podcast. After 16 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and Montreal Canadiens, plus representing the Czech Republic at the Olympics and World Championships, Ales achieved what many athletes only dream about. But repeated head impacts came with a cost. In this episode, Ales discusses: • Growing up in the Czech Republic and reaching the NHL • Playing in the Stanley Cup Final • Living through multiple concussions and post-concussion symptoms • Vertigo, memory loss, depression, addiction, and the difficult transition into retirement • How brain trauma affected his family and daily life • His experience searching for answers after traditional treatments fell short • Why hope matters for athletes, veterans, first responders, and anyone living with brain injury This conversation reminds us that brain trauma is often invisible—but no one has to face it alone. Special thanks to our sponsors: • Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation • Millennium Health Centers • Millennium Health Store • Paradise Behavioral Health – Brain Well Program • MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S • Ambio Life Sciences • Vielight, Inc. – Learn more about photobiomodulation (red light therapy) and save with discount code HEADRUSHVL ➡️ Subscribe for more conversations bringing awareness, education, and hope to athletes, veterans, first responders, and families affected by brain trauma.

CTE Isn't the Only Risk: How Repeated Head Impacts Increase the Risk of ALS, Parkinson's & Dementia

Everyone has heard about CTE. But what if that's only one piece of the puzzle? In this episode, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry examine growing research connecting repeated head impacts and blast exposure to neurodegenerative diseases including ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and more. From football and rodeo to soccer, boxing, hockey, rugby, military service, and domestic violence, they discuss why brain trauma isn't confined to one sport—and why education may be the greatest form of prevention. If you're an athlete, parent, coach, veteran, first responder, caregiver, or simply want to better understand brain health, this conversation could change how you think about repeated head impacts forever. Everyone knows about CTE—but far fewer people realize that repeated head impacts may also increase the risk of ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions. In this episode of the HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry explore the expanding body of research surrounding repeated head impacts (RHI), repeated blast exposure (RBE), and long-term brain health. The discussion covers: • Why CTE is only part of the brain injury conversation • The connection between repeated head impacts and ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia • Why football isn't the only sport at risk • Brain trauma in soccer, rodeo, hockey, rugby, boxing, military service, and domestic violence survivors • Why age of first exposure matters • Genetics, hormones, inflammation, and recovery • Personal stories from decades in professional sports • Hope through education, research, treatment, and faith The HeadRush Podcast exists to educate, raise awareness, and provide hope for individuals and families affected by brain trauma. Please Follow, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Leave a Review. Every share helps someone learn that brain injuries are treatable, brain health matters, and hope is real. Thank You to Our Sponsors The HeadRush Podcast is made possible through the generous support of: • Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation • Millennium Health Centers • Millennium Health Store • Paradise Behavioral Health – Brain Well Program • MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S • Vielight, Inc. — Learn more about photobiomodulation (PBM) and save 10% by using discount code HEADRUSHVL. • Ambio Life Sciences

Can Light Heal the Brain? Dr. Larry Carr's Groundbreaking Football & Brain Recovery Research

What if the future of treating brain injuries isn't another medication—but light? Former BYU Hall of Fame linebacker Dr. Larry Carr shares how brain trauma nearly destroyed his life before an experimental light therapy changed everything. Today, he's helping lead groundbreaking research showing measurable improvements in brain inflammation, cognition, mood, and athletic performance. From football and CTE to PTSD, depression, and the future of brain recovery, this conversation explores why many experts believe we're entering a completely new era of brain health. For decades we've been told that brain injuries simply have to be managed. What if that isn't true? In this powerful episode of the HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase and Corey Berry sit down with former BYU Hall of Fame linebacker and exercise physiologist Dr. Larry Carr to discuss his remarkable journey—from debilitating symptoms believed to be related to repetitive head trauma to becoming part of groundbreaking research into photobiomodulation (near-infrared light therapy). Dr. Carr shares: • His football career and the cognitive demands of elite athletes • The devastating symptoms that forced him to retire • Meeting Dr. Ann McKee and Dr. Robert Stern at Boston University • How photobiomodulation changed his own life • The University of Utah research • The BYU football study showing remarkable MRI findings • What inflammation really means after repetitive head impacts • Why athletes, veterans, first responders, and others living with brain trauma deserve hope Whether you're an athlete, veteran, first responder, caregiver, or simply interested in brain health, this episode offers an honest discussion about emerging science and the future of recovery. Please Like, Subscribe, Follow and Share. Every share helps us reach someone who may be searching for hope. A special thank you to our incredible sponsors: • Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation • Millennium Health Centers • Millennium Health Store • Paradise Behavioral Health • MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S • Ambio Life Sciences • Vielight, Inc. Interested in photobiomodulation? Visit Vielight, Inc. and use discount code: HEADRUSHVL to receive your exclusive HeadRush community discount.

Before We Judge: Brain Injury, CTE & The Human Behind the Headlines

When former NFL player Aldon Smith passed away, public conversation quickly shifted toward his past struggles.  But is that the complete story? In this episode of the HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase, Corey Berry, and former Oregon State linebacker Rico Petrini explore the growing tendency to blame character before considering brain health. Together they discuss repeated head impacts (RHI), CTE, addiction, impulsivity, mood changes, and why neurological injury deserves serious consideration—not dismissal. The conversation also examines recent public comments questioning CTE, why broad assumptions can harm families seeking answers, and why compassion and scientific investigation should come before judgment. This episode isn't about excusing harmful behavior. It's about recognizing the complex relationship between brain injury, mental health, addiction, and the lives of former athletes. Special thanks to our sponsors who help make these conversations possible: • Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation • Ambio Life Sciences • Millennium Health Centers • Millennium Health Store • Paradise Behavioral Health – Brain Well Program • MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S Together, we remain committed to one mission: How to Cope. Find Hope.

When Brain Trauma Changes Everything: The Symptoms of CTE, TES, TBI & Repeated Head Impacts

What happens when memory loss, depression, brain fog, impulsive behavior, balance problems, and even suicidal thoughts start becoming part of everyday life? In this episode, Paul Frase and Corey Berry break down the symptoms commonly associated with CTE, TES, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and repeated head impacts (RHI). Drawing from their own experiences and current research, they discuss how these symptoms can affect thinking, emotions, relationships, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. More importantly, they explore the question many people are asking: Are these symptoms simply mental health struggles—or could they be signs of brain injury? Memory loss. Brain fog. Depression. Mood swings. Difficulty concentrating. Suicidal thoughts. Balance problems. Are these simply mental health challenges—or could they be connected to a history of brain trauma? In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry discuss the symptoms commonly associated with: 🧠 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) 🧠 Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) 🧠 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 🧠 Repeated Head Impacts (RHI) 🧠 Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE) Using research from institutions like Boston University and the Mayo Clinic, alongside their own lived experiences, Paul and Corey explore how brain injuries can affect memory, executive function, emotional regulation, impulsivity, depression, addiction, movement disorders, Parkinsonism symptoms, and overall brain health. They also discuss the therapies, treatments, and strategies that have helped them continue moving forward while living with the long-term effects of brain trauma. If you're dealing with brain injury symptoms—or supporting someone who is—this episode is for you. The HeadRush Podcast's mission remains simple: How to Cope and Find Hope. This episode is made possible by the support of: • Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation [https://stopcte.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • Millennium Health Centers • Millennium Health Store [https://millenniumhealthstore.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • Paradise Behavioral Health & BrainWell Program [https://paradisebehavioral.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S • Ambio Life Sciences Subscribe for more conversations about brain health, recovery, education, and hope. #CTE #TES #TBI #BrainInjury #BrainHealth #Concussion #MentalHealth #NeuroHealth #HeadRushPodcast