Unstoppable Strides: Navigating Runner's Dystonia
Join Julie and JoJo for information, exploration, stories of hope and real talk related to running with dystonia.
Runner’s dystonia is a type of repetitive exercise dystonia that is brought on by running. Some are affected by walking and cycling as well.
Dystonias are a class of movement disorders marked by involuntary muscle contractions in one or more parts of the body, depending on the type of dystonia.
Runner’s dystonia is considered task-specific, which means that it only occurs when doing a repetitive motion—in this case, the repetitive nature of the running gait cycle.
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Episodes
28 episodes
Exploring Oral Therapy with Dr. Bernard Ravina of Vima Therapeutics
Julie sits down with Dr. Bernard Ravina, CEO and founder of Vima Therapeutics. His company is developing a drug that looks promising in helping those with dystonia. Vima Therapeutic websiteVi...
Where we are with Dystonia Research with Neurologist Erik van Wensen
Neurologist Erik van Wensen shares his personal story and where we are with current understanding and research in the area of dystonia and specifically task-specific sp...
Cervical Dystonia in a Runner with David Abelson
Julie has a conversation with Boulder, CO runner David Abelson. David has cervical dystonia and has been active in running for more than 30 years. In 2022, he developed dystonia and shares his 4 keys to his path of recovery. "Don't ...
EMDR Explained with Whitney Dittmar
Julie has a conversation with EMDR specialist, Whitney Dittmar, MA, LPC, EMDR Therapist for Athletes, Performance & Trauma SpecialistListed in the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Mental Health Directory (2025) ...
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Julie talks with Stacey Ginesin and Dr. Iahn Cajigas about DBS. We cover a lot of territory ...
Maintaining Hope Despite the Circumstance with Mark Spewak
Julie spends some time with athlete, coach and founder of Spewak Training and Racing, Mark Spewak. Mark is a fellow St. Louisan who recently had heart surgery to repair a PFO (patent foramen ovale), a hole in his heart. in 2025, Mark had two st...
Dystonia and Neuroplastic Recovery with Dr. Dave Clarke
Join us in a conversation with Dr. David Clarke, a retired Doctor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, who found patients with normal labs and diagnostics never were able to resolve their chronic conditions. Through a series o...
Thad Frye on Brainspotting
Julie and JoJo spend some time with Thad Frye, a licensed clinical social worker and brain spotting consultant who specializes in using brain spotting in his practice. In this episode, Thad describes how brain spotting works, who it might benef...
Dr. William Deihl from Doc Hypnosis
Julie sits down with Dr. William Deihl from Doc Hypnosis to discuss and dispel myths about hypnosis. Hypnosis can be used as a neuroplastic tool to help heal a variety of conditions from anxiety, pain, tra...
Chris Phelan shares his long history with dystonia, botox and dbs
Distinguished athlete Chris Phelan talks openly about his dystonia story and diagnosis. Chris has been affected for more than 10 years and has had multiple rounds of botox and dbs (deep brain stimulation). While Chris is not "cured" of dystonia...
Lilibet Kyte shares her MS story
This episode takes a different twist as I talk with Lilibet Kyte who, at age 36, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We talk about treatments, her diagnosis, her team and a host of other things in this insightful episode. Key message - ...
Casandra Oldham on moving forward
Casandra Oldham has had success in her running career that was never intended to be a running career! She shares her knowledge of neurodiverse brains and how thinking outside of the dystonia "box" might be helping through nutrition, functional ...
Kara Goucher shares her Dystonia Story
Julie, JoJo and special guest host Karrie Hamstra-Wright chat with wife, mother, NBC Track and Field Broadcaster, author, World T&F Silver medalist and 2-Time Olympian Kara Goucher. Kara shares her dystonia history, diagnosis, c...
Megan Cohea Physical Therapist Tells Her Dystonia Story
Julie sits down with Megan Cohea, a physical therapist living on the East Coast. Megan has Runner's Dystonia and shares her journey, symptoms and recommendations in this conversation. Apologies for the audio issues at the beginning of the recor...
Lessons in Hope, Healing and Health with Karrie Hamstra-Wright
JoJo and Julie sit down with Karrie Hamstra-Wright, Clinical Professor and Co-Director of the Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab in the Department of Kinesiology an...
Randy Morton - A Vision of Hope
In this episode, JoJo and Julie talk with Runner, turned cyclist, Randy Morton about his dystonia journey through medical in-attention, gaslighting and athletic career. Randy is resilience personified. Give it a listen and we welcome your comme...
The Default Mode Network - Psychadelics and Breathwork
Default Mode Network (dmn) discussion on how to down regulate, how it might be a factor with Dystonia. What things we have tried help to down regulate the DMN. Includes references to breathwork, meditation and psilocybin.
Episode 11 with Kirsten Jackson - on DBS
We talk with Australian runner Kirsten Jackson on her progress with dystonia and DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation). Kirsten had the implant in February of 2025 and considers herself cured from dystonia with this device. Listen to this intriguing tal...
Episode 10 with Roberta Reardon
On this episode, Julie talks with long-time dystonic runner, Roberta Reardon. We discuss modalities that are non-drug as well as how the issues first began. Roberta shares some key insights into how her recovery has progressed to the point of f...
Episode 9 - a Conversation with newly diagnosed Shannon Webb
In this episode, we talk with Shannon Webb, a newly diagnosed runner with dystonia. She shares what she has tried, where she is in her progress and what she hopes to have happen in the future. Here is a link to the Univer...
A conversation with "Dystonic Runner" Victoria Upson
Julie and JoJo are joined by Victoria Upson in this episode to hear her journey with running and Runner's Dystonia. Victoria shares a lot about her symptoms and how her persistence have allowed her to move forward in positive ways. ...
Re+active PT with Bree Williamson
Julie and Joelle sit down with Bree Williamson to learn about her experience with Re+active PT. This is to share information and not to recommend any particular programs. If you are interested, the website for R
Episode 6 - PRI Chat with Maria Winters
Ih this episode, Julie and JoJo chat with fellow Dystonic runner Maria Winters. Maria has successfully used the principles from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) to enhance her healing progress. She shares how symptoms first exhibited, w...
Episode 5 - Dealing with Comments and Questions
Julie and JoJo discuss how they have managed comments, questions and reactions from other people. If you have comments or questions, we would love to hear.
The Farias - Dystonia Recovery Program
In this episode, we do a deep dive into the Farias Dystonia Recovery Program. Benefits, Drawbacks, Cost, etc. The Dystonia Recovery Program (DRP) is an online platform tailored for individuals with various forms of Dystonia, includ...