Episode 10: Justin Martino, DPT - Exercise and mental health, pain, and much more!
This was a huge episode with someone I have connected with online for quite some time now, Justin Martino, DPT. Before I intro this episode and Justin, the audio got a little spotty in the first 5mins, but we sorted it and the rest was back to normal audio quality. In this ep, we set out to chat exercise and mental health, which we did... but we also covered much more. We chatted about the psychosocial side of pain, siloed research, BJJ, pragmatic exercise options in the context of pain management, and of course all about Justin's journey to where he is today. In the context of mental health and exercise, Justin takes us through the evidence and some breadcrumbs as to how we can set out to engage people we are working with in this exercise in meaningful and achievable ways. Justin is a full-time clinician (see below) but also puts out some great research in really cool areas and at the end of the episode gives some insight to what he is currently working one.This was an absolute pleasure to record, and I highly encourage everyone to check this one out - there are a tonne of golden nuggets in there from Justin. Justin's Bio: "Justin Martino is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist with Duke University Health System in Durham, North Carolina in the United States. He emphasizes evidence-based care and shared decision-making to empower patients through movement optimism—helping them recognize their body’s resilience and the benefits of conservative care. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from High Point University in 2024 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wake Forest University in 2019. When he's not at work or doing research, Justin enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and goldendoodle, Brazilian jiu jitsu, lifting weights, and cooking."Research discussed by Justin:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35416941/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36731907/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38355154/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34398577/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36369663/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33497853/
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Episode 9: Dr Millie Mardon - @PelvicPain_Researcher
It was great to chat with Dr MillieMardon about her journey into academia, her brilliant work around pelvic pain and pain education, and her current post-doctoral work. This was a super enjoyable one to record and there are lots of gems in there as well - be sure to have a listen!Millie's bio"Dr Amelia Mardon is a postdoctoral research fellow in reproductive health at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. She has a PhD in pelvic pain and a research interest in the conservative management of endometriosis and pelvic pain, including pain education. Through her research she hopes to reduce the stigma associated with the pelvis and improve the wellbeing of those living with pelvic pain."Papers discussed:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38452219/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39968159/
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Episode 8: Claire Samanna & Chris Neason - Effects of running on low back pain and intervertebral discs - the ASTEROID trial
Was great to sit down with Claire and Chris and talk about the ASTEROID trial. We get into the self-report outcomes, the objective IVD outcomes, and the qualitative outcomes of the trial. Claire and Chris are both PhD candidates (at the end of their candidature) at Monash. Their Bios, where to find them, and links to the trial and protocol are below:Claire Samanna:Claire Samanna is a PhD Candidate from Monash University and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for the last eight years. Claire’s desire to continually grow and learn tied in with her deep passion for understanding andhelping those experiencing chronic low back pain led her to undertake a PhD in low back pain and specifically in how intervertebral discs respond to exercise. She is a member of the Australian Pain Society and recently presented herresearch findings at the Australian Pain Society conference and the Exercise Sports Science Research to Practice conference. Claire’s hobbies include keeping active with race walking and running and traveling as much and as oftenas she can. Claire’s personal experiences with her own injuries drive her desire to improve the healthcare standards and narratives patients in pain receive, to create better pathways for those experiencing chronic pain. Instagram: Claire_thelowbackpain_epX: @ClaireLSamannaChris Neason:Chris Neason is an exercise physiologist and the owner of the Healesville Wellness Factory. He is passionate about helping people with back pain overcome pain and injuries and is currently undertaking a PhD exploring running in people withlow back pain. Chris also teaches and supervises students at Deakin University. X: @chris_neasonASTEROID: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/2/99.fullProtocol: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001524
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Episode 7: Dr Imtiaz Desai - Lessons learned from a PhD looking at creatine, resistance training, and the gut microbiome
This was a fantastic chat with newly minted PhD, Dr Imtiaz Desai. Imtiaz has recently finished his PhD at UNSW looking at some really cool research around the effect of resistance training and creatine on the gut microbiome. He is now a post-doctoral researcher and trial manager at the Centre for Pain Impact working on the Capacity trial. Imtiaz also recently published a systematic review on the effect of creatine on RT-based body composition changes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074168/). Imtiaz provides some great insights to academia and we get into some cool chat around his research. Enjoy the show!Imtiaz's bio:“Imtiaz is a health and performance expert with global experience in the management and development of small businesses—who loves being on two wheels—and has PhD-level experience in managing clinical research. He has a passion for guiding people and organisations to success and is dedicated to improving human health.”
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Episode 6: Dr Alex Engel - How to make the most out of placement: Advice for students & supervisors
This was a great chat about all things placement in exercise-based degrees. Alex gives some practical advice for both students and supervisors!Alex's bio:"I am an Accredited Exercise Scientist and Exercise Physiologist and Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health. . I was awarded my PhD from UNSW Sydney in 2020 in the area of Fundamental Motor Skills in Preschool Children. My clinical and teaching expertise concern the role of exercise for the management and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. I am also the Clinical Practice Lead for Exercise Science & Exercise Physiology, where I oversee all work-integrated learning/placement activities for the discipline."
Brasil