Invisible Impact: A Post-Concussion Podcast

In September 2019, Noelle Foley suffered a concussion and neck injury after the sudden whiplash of a roller coaster ride. What started as a fun day at an amusement park quickly turned into a years-long battle with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Although she immediately sensed something was wrong, it took nearly a month for her to realize she had sustained a concussion. Noelle is the daughter of Hall of Fame wrestler Mick Foley and grew up seeing concussions happen in the wrestling ring but never imagined one could come from a rollercoaster. “When I think of suffering a concussion, I think of being in a car accident, being punched in the face, getting knocked out, or being thrown off a Hell in a Cell… not riding a rollercoaster.” In this episode of Invisible Impact, host Julia Manning sits down with Noelle to reflect on her six-year recovery journey. Despite debilitating headaches, noise sensitivity, and countless setbacks, Noelle refused to give up. Her story is one of patience, resilience, and determination. By taking what she calls “in-the-womb steps,” she has slowly but steadily reclaimed her life.👤 About the guest: Noelle Foley is an actress, model, and social media influencer who shares lifestyle content while openly documenting her personal health journey. After sustaining a concussion in 2019, she has spoken candidly about living with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), using her platform to raise awareness and remind others facing similar challenges that they are not alone. Connect with Noelle: Instagram: @noellefoley TikTok: @Noelle_FoleyFacebook: @OfficialNoelleFoley 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

In this episode of Invisible Impact, our host Julia Manning sits down with poet, surfer, and model Kyla Jamieson for an honest and deeply personal conversation about life with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Kyla shares her nearly decade-longjourney navigating recovery, identity, and resilience after concussion. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked factors that can shape concussion recovery or stand in the way, including financial barriers, access to healthcare, and the role of social support. Kyla opens up about the hidden realities of living with an invisible disability, shedding light on challenges that are rarely seen but deeply felt. As she poignantly describes it, living with PPCS can feel like your house is on fire while no one notices. This conversation offers insight into the complexities of concussion recovery and the systemic factors that influence healing. 👤 About the guest: Kyla Jamieson is a Ucluelet-based poet, surfer, and model. She is the author of Body Count (Nightwood Editions). Find her online or in the ocean. Connect with Kyla: Instagram: @kyla__jamieson 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

On a freezing winter day in Chicago, architecture critic and writer Kate Wagner slipped on the ice — a fall that left her with a concussion and a long, difficult recovery. What followed was a struggle with persistent post-concussion symptoms, heightened anxiety and depression, and difficulty sleeping. In this episode of Invisible Impact, Kate joins CLF’s Julia Manning to share how an unexpected injury forced her to confront questions of identity and purpose when the work that had always defined her suddenly became impossible. 👤 About the guest: Kate Wagner is the architecture critic for The Nation Magazine. She is also a writer and purveyor of the blog and social account McMansion Hell. Kate has struggled mightily since suffering a concussion in January of 2025, which she detailed in an essay which is linked below. Read Kate’s essay here: https://www.late-review.com/p/the-hairshirt-doldrums Connect with Kate: Instagram: @KateGWagner & @McMansionHell 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation Website: ConcussionFoundation.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

Two concussions in one summer led to post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and a new normal for CarmenRose Fiallo. Just before her senior year of college, what was supposed to be an exciting time turned into months of recovery and uncertainty. Living with PCS and chronic migraines meant pressing pause on school and learning how to navigate a world full of triggers. In this heartfelt conversation, CarmenRose sits down with CLF’s Julia Manning to share her story — from the tough decision to take a semester off to the small wins and daily challenges of living with an invisible injury. She opens up about how documenting her journey on social media has helped her find community, bring visibility to the often-unseen struggles of life after concussion, and remind others that they’re not alone. With warmth, honesty, and hope, CarmenRose offers a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear, and that sharing our stories can make all the difference. 🔑 What you will hear in this episode: CarmenRose’s story of sustaining two concussions in one summer and how it changed her senior year of college (1:05) Realizing it was PCS and symptoms were persistent (6:45) Pushing through wasn't an option (8:32) Seeing a neurologist and learning to advocate for yourself (11:20) Navigating a new reality and taking brain injury recovery seriously (14:49) Impact on social life and personality changes (21:00) Journey with chronic migraines & finding community by sharing experience online (26:15) Strategies for managing symptoms & avoiding triggers (32:18) Communication and honesty led to improved understanding among friends & family (38:41) Healing isn’t linear & honoring your own journey (42:33) Message of hope for those struggling (45:00) 👤 About the guest: CarmenRose (she/her) is a queer Latina disability advocate and digital storyteller. Her work has led to features with CBS Mornings, VICE, Healthline, and more. CarmenRose is passionate about building community while raising awareness around her experience with Chronic Migraine and Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms. Beyond her professional and advocacy work, she finds joy in long walks or bike rides through Central Park with her fiancée, a fresh set of acrylics, and catching the latest film on the big screen. Connect with CarmenRose: Instagram: @CarmenRoseFiallo TikTok: @CarmenRoseFiallo 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation Website: ConcussionFoundation.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

In this episode, CLF’s Julia Manning is joined by professional soccer player Kennedy Faulknor of the Vancouver Rise. Kennedy opens up about the concussion that sidelined her for over a year and a half—not just from soccer, but from most all activities of her daily life.Though she had endured multiple concussions throughout her athletic career, it was her most recent brain injury that changed everything. Kennedy faced persistent post-concussion symptoms that lingered for months, taking a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally. Beyond the headaches and fatigue, she shares the deeper, often invisible challenges of recovery: the identity crisis, the isolation, and the uncertainty about her future.As someone who has experienced PCS herself, Julia brings empathy and insight to this vulnerable conversation. Together, they explore what it truly means to heal from an invisible injury—and why it’s so important to talk about it.👤 About the guest:Kennedy Faulknor is a professional soccer player from Toronto, a UCLA graduate, and the youngest center back ever to play for the Canadian women’s national team. After three concussions, she aims to raise awareness and offer guidance to those affected by post-concussion syndrome. Connect with Kennedy:Instagram - @kennedyfaulknor📞 Need support after a concussion?If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine.Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.💬 Connect with us:Instagram - @concussionfoundation Website - ConcussionFoundation.org⭐ Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

Stuntwoman and parkour champion Sydney Olson opens up about her journey through multiple concussions, how recovery reshaped her mindset, and the surprising ways slowing down made her stronger. She shares hard-earned lessons on brain health, resilience, and hope for anyone navigating post-concussion syndrome. 🔑 What you will hear in this episode: Slowing down all aspects of life to recover (9:42) The role of meditation, journaling, and nutrition in her healing (19:47) Her message of hope for anyone navigating post-concussion syndrome (24:14) 👉 Core Message from Sydney: Healing takes time. Slowing down isn’t failure — it’s how you get better. 👤 About the guest: Sydney Olson is a SAG/AFTRA stuntwoman, actress, mindset coach, professional parkour champion, and podcast host. She has performed around the world, competed in events like the Red Bull Art of Motion, and doubled actors in major productions. Through her podcast Collecting Scars, Sydney shares powerful stories of resilience, and today she brings that same openness to her own concussion journey. Connect with Sydney: Website: sydneyolson.com Collecting Scars podcast: ⁠Listen here⁠ Instagram: @sydneyolson1 YouTube: youtube.com/sydneyolson 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation ⁠ConcussionFoundation.org⁠ ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

For about 20% of people who suffer concussion, symptoms don’t resolve within a month, and they are left navigating life with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Those symptoms are often invisible and debilitating. The recovery journey can be challenging and incredibly difficult to navigate alone. This is a podcast for those people. We see your struggles and understand what you’re going through. Each episode, we’ll sit down with someone who has been there and knows what it’s like to have their life dismantled by an invisible injury. We’ll tackle the emotional, cognitive, and physical toll of a brain injury and share the real struggles, and incredible stories of resilience. We’re here to share relatable experiences, coping strategies, inspiration, and a reminder that healing is possible.Invisible Impact is hosted by CLF’s Julia Manning and produced by Katelyn Walker.