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Brandt McCartney on CTE, The 38 Challenge, and Healing from Invisible Injuries
Manage episode 483746702 series 3579510
In this emotional and eye-opening episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman is joined by Brandt McCartney—founder of The 38 Challenge—for an in-depth conversation about the devastating effects of repetitive brain trauma, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and the mental health crisis among athletes and veterans.
Brandt shares the deeply personal story of his brother, Navy football player and Marine Captain Matthew Brewer, whose tragic passing inspired The 38 Challenge. Together, Bruce and Brandt unpack the link between repeated head impacts, emotional volatility, and CTE, while challenging the silence around mental health struggles.
This episode highlights the critical need for alternative treatment solutions, early intervention, and cultural change in how we view invisible injuries. From actionable solutions to hope-filled recovery stories, this conversation is a call to action for those suffering in silence—and those who support them.
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Support brain injury advocacy and join the conversation about changing the future of sports safety.
Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Repetitive Brain Trauma
02:45 The 38 Challenge: Honoring a Legacy
06:07 Matt's Life and Impact
12:02 Cautionary Tales of Brain Trauma
16:06 The Genesis of the 38 Challenge
20:10 Conversations on Mental Health and CTE
29:13 The Struggles of Athletes with CTE
31:01 Transitioning from Awareness to Action
32:30 Providing Hope and Solutions
33:38 Exploring Alternative Treatments
37:19 The Importance of Patient Feedback
40:02 Cultural Shifts in Health Awareness
44:20 Investing in Brain Health for Future Success
48:55 Stories of Hope and Recovery
https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/
Follow on LinkedIn and follow her on social media today!
LinkedIn: Brandt McCartney
Instagram: brandtmccartney
Website: the38challenge.com
Produced by Security Halt Media
Chapters
1. Introduction to Broken Brains Podcast (00:00:00)
2. Meet Brant McCarthy: Personal Journey (00:01:09)
3. Captain Matt Brewer: A Brother's Legacy (00:06:21)
4. The Genesis of the 38 Challenge (00:17:30)
5. Treating Brain Injuries: Moving Beyond Research (00:26:46)
6. Brain Optimization Lab: Holistic Approaches (00:34:30)
7. Success Stories and Upcoming Events (00:43:12)
8. Closing Thoughts and Resources (00:55:03)
44 episodes
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