HEADCHECK Health Talks

About HEADCHECK Health Talks

From the field to the boardroom: Expand your knowledge on how to put injury protocols into practice. Join host Eric VanderHelm (5+ years of experience collaborating with sports organizations) as he chats with leading concussion experts, researchers, medical professionals, administrators, sports executives, and more. Get expert insights, best practices, and real-world strategies to implement effective injury protocols, with a specific focus on concussions. Send us any questions or feedback to info@headcheckhealth.com (mailto:info@headcheckhealth.com) Learn more about HEADCHECK here: https://www.headcheckhealth.com/ (https://www.headcheckhealth.com/)

Publisher

HEADCHECK Health

Category

health & fitness · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Aug 2025

Latest episode

14 May 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 May 2026

   Building Safer Junior Football - Randy O'Shaughnessy (CJFL)

   Randy O'Shaughnessy has spent nearly 25 years in junior football — co-founding the Regina Thunder, rising through the ranks, and eventually becoming President of the Prairie Football Conference. In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, Randy talks about what volunteer league leadership actually looks like day-to-day, how he pushed all six PFC clubs onto a unified concussion protocol, and the remarkable story of a team that cut its concussions in half after HEADCHECK data traced the problem to a single practice drill. He also shares why mental health is the next conversation junior football can't afford to avoid.

2. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Inside Virtual Concussion Care - Matt Campbell (Midwest Concussion Clinic)

   On this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, we’re joined by Matt Campbell, concussion expert and owner of Midwest Concussion Clinic. Matt breaks down how he conducts full concussion evaluations remotely and why recovery is far more complex than just resting in a dark room. He also discusses his multi-system treatment approach, the role of nutrition and supplements in brain healing, and why educating patients is just as important as treating them.

3. 

   5 Feb 2026

   Life as a Minor Hockey Association President - Kiara Jefferies (North Bay & District Girls Hockey Association)

   On this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, we’re joined by Kiara Jefferies, President of the North Bay & District Girls Hockey Association. Kiara discusses minor hockey leadership, putting player safety first, and building a strong, respectful culture. She also touches on day-to-day operations, volunteer burnout, tough board decisions, and balancing long-term vision with immediate challenges.

4. 

   15 Jan 2026

   Risk, Responsibility, and Prevention in Concussion Management - Braeden McKenzie & Kaleigh Pennock

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talk, researchers Kaleigh Pennock and Braeden McKenzie join the show to discuss their new study on concussion (mis)education, youth athlete responsibility, and why knowing the signs and symptoms doesn’t always lead to safer choices. We dig into fear-based messaging, ethical implications, and what meaningful, equitable concussion prevention in sport should actually look like.

5. 

   11 Dec 2025

   Running a Successful Hockey League - Marc Franche (EOJHL)

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, we're joined by EOJHL Commissioner Marc Franche. Marc discusses his career journey, daily responsibilities as a league commissioner, and tough decisions he has to make. We cover league leadership, player safety, concussion protocols, handling discipline, and how he stays passionate about his work.

6. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Re-inventing Self Help - Ben Fanelli (Heroic Minds)

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks (http://headcheckhealth.com/podcast), host Eric VanderHelm is joined by former OHL player Ben Fanelli to share his remarkable journey from a near-fatal head injury to becoming a leading voice in athlete well-being. After rebuilding his life beyond hockey, Ben founded the Heroic Minds platform, pursued psychotherapy, and now supports players across major Canadian leagues as an Advisor of Player Well-Being. We explore resilience, identity, concussion recovery and how to build a healthier culture in youth sport. Ben opens up about the pressures young athletes face, the hidden emotional toll of injuries, and what it truly takes to become the hero of your own story. Discover Heroic Minds here: https://www.heroicminds.live/ (https://www.heroicminds.live/)

7. 

   6 Nov 2025

   Insights from a Professional Athletic Therapist - Tristan Sandhu (Athletic Therapy Job Network)

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, host Eric VanderHelm sits down with athletic therapist and educator Tristan Sandhu. We talk with Tristan about his experience working as an athletic trainer in the CFL, his approach injury prevention and treatment, advice for future ATs, and how HEADCHECK helped make his job easier. ✅ Join Tristan for an amazing educational conference the Impact to Recovery: Concussion in Sport Virtual Conference Presented by HEADCHECK HEALTH! ⬇️ 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/9eu3u9dn (https://tinyurl.com/9eu3u9dn) 📆 Sunday Dec 14th 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EST 🧠 The conference will be a day of learning from experts in their fields 🚀 Designed to give you practical skills to use with your patients 💵 High Quality, Low Cost CEU Opportunity Agenda (All Times EST) 10:00 am - 10:30 am - Speaker 1: Melissa Biscardi - A Look Inside: Eye Movements in Concussion Assessment and Rehab 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Speaker 2: Dr. Bob McCormack - Concussions in Sport, What You Need to Know & What Is New 11:00 am - 11:30 am - Speaker 3: Kosta Ikonomou - Beyond the 7-10 Days, When Concussion Symptoms Persist 11:30 am - Noon: Speaker 4: Dr. Johna Register-Mihalik - Innovations and Iterations in Concussion Rehabilitation Noon - 12:15 pm - Break 12:15 pm - 12:45 pm - Speaker 5: Sonia Vovan - The Dizzy Brain: Vestibular Considerations Post-Concussion 12 45 pm - 1:15 pm - Speaker 6: Dr. Katie Mitchell - Topic: (Re)Integrate: Multimodal progressions for return to sport and physical activity following concussion 1:15pm - 1:45 pm - Speaker 7: Harrison Brown - Topic: Concussions in Context: What Every AT Should Know from the Data

8. 

   1 Oct 2025

   Biomarker Variability Following Concussion - Sophie Prosser (University of Birmingham)

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, host Eric VanderHelm sits down with research fellow Sophie Prosser from the University of Birmingham to discuss biomarker variability following concussion. We talk with Sophie about her latest study on NfL and GFAP biomarkers in university athletes post-concussion and how these proteins could shape future return-to-play decisions. Additionally, Sophie discusses the role of HEADCHECK in her work, and how the MoveWell Clinic is changing the game in concussion care. Timestamps: 0:31 - Intro to Sophie and her research 3:05 - What are NfL and GFAP proteins? 5:32 - What do the study results tell us about concussion recovery? 13:18 - How close are we to being able to supplement sideline tests with objective data? 16:21 - How can considering different factors such as menstrual cycle refine concussion diagnosis? 18:30 - How does using HEADCHECK help current or future research? 19:54 - What is the MoveWell clinic? 21:30 - What is the goal of the clinic? 24:12 - What makes MoveWell unique? 25:28 - Is there a correlation between Alzheimer's and concussions? 31:18 - Final thoughts from Sophie Send questions or feedback: pod@headcheckhealth.com (mailto:pod@headcheckhealth.com) Learn more about HEADCHECK Health: https://www.headcheckhealth.com (https://www.headcheckhealth.com) Get started with a free HEADCHECK account: https://www.headcheckhealth.com/produ (https://www.headcheckhealth.com/produ)... What is HEADCHECK Health Talks? From the field to the boardroom: Expand your knowledge on how to put injury protocols into practice. Join host Eric VanderHelm (5+ years of experience collaborating with sports organizations) as he chats with leading concussion experts, researchers, medical professionals, administrators, sports executives, and more. Get expert insights, best practices, and real-world strategies to implement effective injury protocols, with a specific focus on concussions. About HEADCHECK Health HEADCHECK launched in 2013 from a concussion research lab to tackle a critical challenge: simplifying the implementation of concussion protocols. Since its inception, HEADCHECK’s digital platform has been embraced by thousands of organizations and their expert medical personnel, including Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League, and USA Cycling. HEADCHECK is a trusted partner of the Concussion in Sport Group (CISG) and includes the officially approved digital SCAT6® tools to enhance concussion management.

9. 

   3 Sept 2025

   Critical Gaps in High School Concussion Care - Dr. James Stavitz (Kean University)

   In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, host Eric VanderHelm sits down with Dr. James Stavitz from Kean University to discuss critical gaps in concussion care at the high school level. With growing awareness around brain injuries in youth sports, why do so many schools still lack proper protocols, staffing, or resources? Dr. Stavitz shares insights from his research and experience, highlighting where schools are falling short, and what needs to change to better protect student-athletes. Whether you're a parent, coach, healthcare professional, or educator, this episode offers a crucial look into the state of concussion care and what we can do to improve it. Timestamps: 2:58 Current state of concussion management in high school athletics 5:09 Balancing standardization with AT autonomy 6:38 External forces impacting AT's ability to manage concussions 9:02 Is concussion education enough? 10:34 How schools can build better relationships with HCPs 14:45 Practical steps for schools with limited resources 17:16 The psychological impact of having a clear protocol 18:46 How a multifaceted approach improves outcomes 21:28 What policy changes should be implemented 25:10 Message to Athletic Directors Send questions or feedback to pod@headcheckhealth.com (mailto:info@headcheckhealth.com) Learn more about HEADCHECK Health: https://www.headcheckhealth.com (https://www.headcheckhealth.com) Get started with a free HEADCHECK account: https://www.headcheckhealth.com/products/ (https://www.headcheckhealth.com/products/) What is HEADCHECK Health Talks? From the field to the boardroom: Expand your knowledge on how to put injury protocols into practice. Join host Eric VanderHelm (5+ years of experience collaborating with sports organizations) as he chats with leading concussion experts, researchers, medical professionals, administrators, sports executives, and more. Get expert insights, best practices, and real-world strategies to implement effective injury protocols, with a specific focus on concussions. About HEADCHECK Health HEADCHECK launched in 2013 from a concussion research lab to tackle a critical challenge: simplifying the implementation of concussion protocols. Since its inception, HEADCHECK’s digital platform has been embraced by thousands of organizations and their expert medical personnel, including Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League, and USA Cycling. HEADCHECK is a trusted partner of the Concussion in Sport Group (CISG) and includes the officially approved digital SCAT6® tools to enhance concussion management.

10. 

    29 Aug 2025

    Trailer - Is Concussion Education Enough?

    A preview of our first episode where Dr. James Stavitz joins us to discuss the critical gaps in high school concussion care uncovered in his research.