Jessie Rain Anne Smith is a Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher, trained through the University of California San Diego's Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute. She has also completed Dr. David Treleaven’s Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness training, and was one of a select few chosen by Dr. Treleaven for mentorship in 2022.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, Bethany Lewis welcomes Jessie Rain Smith, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher and founder of Mindful Concussion. Following her own car accident and brain injury in 2013, Jessie was advised to use mindfulness but discovered that while some practices were incredibly powerful, others were detrimental, leading to panic and dissociation.
Jessie shares her personal concussion journey and the realization that recovery can be a long, winding path. She and Bethany dive into a crucial discussion on the dual nature of mindfulness for the injured brain. They explore its profound benefits for attention, nervous system regulation, and emotional control, while also highlighting the potential perils of common practices like body scans and intense interoceptive awareness that can be overly cognitive or dysregulating.
Jessie explains her modified approach, which prioritizes "nurturing anchors of attention" and "concentration practices" to build safety and regulation before moving into more challenging work. This episode is an essential listen for anyone in the brain injury community—survivors and caregivers alike—looking to harness the healing power of mindfulness in a safe, effective, and trauma-informed way.
Key Discussion Points:
Jessie's Concussion Story: The onset of symptoms days after her car accident and her journey through the healthcare system.
The Surprise of Prolonged Symptoms: The realization at 2.5 years post-injury that recovery was not linear and required a fundamental shift in lifestyle and activity levels.
The Role of the Nervous System: How a pre-existing state of dysregulation (e.g., from previous trauma) can influence concussion recovery.
Defining Mindfulness: Moving from being "lost in thought" (worries, regrets) to landing in the present moment.
The Power of Mindfulness for brain injury:
Attentional Control: Practicing the muscle of bringing focus back to the present, which is directly beneficial for cognitive fatigue and focus issues.
Nervous System Regulation: Learning that symptoms are not a threat, moving away from the "fight, flight, or freeze" response (faulty neuroception).
Resources Mentioned:
Jessie's Website: www.mindfulconcussion.ca
Sign up for her free bi-monthly Zoom mindfulness sessions for survivors.
Read her blog (including the post on mindful chocolate eating!).
Jessie's Upcoming Book: The Power and Perils of Mindfulness for Brain Injury (To be released). Follow her on social media for updates and to give feedback on drafts.
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: The work of Dr. David Treleaven (davidtreleaven.com), author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing.
Free Guide from Bethany: "The 5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion." Available at www.theconcussioncoach.com.
Bethany's Coaching Program: For a free consultation on her concussion coaching program, visit www.theconcussioncoach.com.
Viktor Frankl quote: "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Connect with the Guest:
Website: mindfulconcussion.ca
Email: jessie@mindfulconcussion.ca
Social Media: Follow Jessie on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates on her book and to participate in her social media feedback campaign.
Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and awareness purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.