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The Pain Free Athlete Podcast

The Pain Free Athlete Podcast

By: Dana Jones
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Ready to break free from pain and take control of your recovery? Whether you're bouncing back from surgery or simply want to stay active without discomfort, this is the place for you! I'll share proven tips and strategies to help you move safely and confidently while working out. Plus, you’ll hear from top experts in fitness, rehabilitation, and pain management who are here to inspire and empower your journey to a pain-free, active lifestyle. Let’s get started!Dana Jones Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Pelvic Floor Health in Athletes: The Structural Fix You Haven't Tried (ep 145)

    Pelvic Floor Health in Athletes: The Structural Fix You Haven't Tried (ep 145)
    Jun 26 2026
    In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones welcomes back Esther Gokhale, founder of the Gokhale Method, for a deep dive into one of the most common (and least understood) issues athletes face: pelvic floor dysfunction. Most of us have heard "do your Kegels," but Esther explains why that advice misses the root cause entirely. The real issue isn't muscular — it's architectural.In this episode, we cover:Why a tucked pelvis — not weak muscles — is the true driver of pelvic floor problemsHow modern furniture, car seats, and even ergonomic chairs are training us to tuck from infancyWhy Kegels can actually backfire and create a too-tight pelvic floorThe connection between pelvic position, sciatica, and piriformis syndromeWhat "pelvic anteversion" means and why it protects your organs, your discs, and your performanceThe L5S1 distinction — why not all "forward pelvis" positions are the sameHow C-section recovery affects pelvic architecture and what muscles to focus onLeg length discrepancies — what's real vs. what's a tight QLFREE WORKSHOP — July 3rd at noon:Pelvic Freedom: A Tucked Pelvis is a Stuck PelvisRegister Pelvic Freedom: A tucked pelvis is a stuck pelvis | Gokhale Method® - Move like you are meant to. (recording available if you can't attend live)About Esther:Esther Gokhale (GO-clay) has been involved in integrative therapies all her life. As a young girl growing up in India, she helped her mother, a nurse, treat abandoned babies waiting to be adopted. This early interest in healing led her to study biochemistry at Harvard and Princeton and, later, acupuncture at the San Francisco School of Oriental Medicine.After experiencing crippling back pain during her first pregnancy and unsuccessful back surgery, Gokhale began her lifelong crusade to vanquish back pain. Her studies at the Aplomb® Institute in Paris and years of research in Brazil, India, Portugal and elsewhere led her to develop the Gokhale Method, a unique, systematic approach to help people find their bodies’ way back to pain-free living.Gokhale's book, 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into ten languages. In 2010, Gokhale hosted the nationally-televised program Back Pain: The Primal Posture™ Solution (available on DVD and streaming). The Gokhale Method continues to grow as dozens of qualified teachers, each personally trained by Gokhale, now teach the method worldwide.Esther’s Links:Register for a Free Pelvic Floor Workshop: https://gokhalemethod.com/civicrm/event/info?id=14167&online=1&reset=1&utm_campaign=freeyourpelvis&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=dana_jonesWeb: https://gokhalemethod.com/Email: info@gokhalemethod.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GokhaleMethod/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gokhalemethod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GokhaleMethodDana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
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    21 mins
  • How to Stay Pain Free and Strong After 50 (ep 144)

    How to Stay Pain Free and Strong After 50 (ep 144)
    Jun 19 2026

    In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana sits down with Micki Woodford, founder of MASE Fitness in Jacksonville, Florida. Micki is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Yoga Instructor, Paddleboard Instructor, and endurance athlete with a master's in exercise science from Liberty University. Her studio is located inside St. John Sports and Spine Chiropractic — an NASM partner facility.


    Micki's Bio:

    Micki Woodford is a certified personal trainer with a master's in exercise science and a focus in nutrition Wellness. As a military spouse, she has experienced a variety of physical moves and changes. The only area of her life that has been more varied has been her professional experience. Mickey started her career after receiving her undergrad from Indiana University on the air broadcasting in Christian radio. She has been a video editor for ABC NBC News stations, high school media teacher, Camp director, and after years of reinventing herself, she fell in love with the world of Fitness. A friend talked her into getting her 200-hour yoga certification and she immediately added more certifications, including group fitness instructor, paddle board, trx certified trainer and countless other certifications. She started her fitness business Mase Fitness in Jacksonville about 5 years ago and it has been a joy and a challenge. It was working with clients that inspired her to write a book. She homeschools her daughter and loves spending time with her family. As family. They love working out, hiking, shooting their bows and climbing together. Mickey is from Indiana, currently lives in Florida and calls home wherever the Navy takes them.


    Micki’s Links:

    Website: www.masefitness.com

    Email: micki@masefitness.com

    Instagram: @m_a_s_e_fitness

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitnesswithMicki#

    App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mase-fitness-personal-training/id6755548733

    Mase Fitness Personal Training

    Book: https://a.co/d/07RQwRFK

    Facebook group for book: 180 You Turn


    Dana’s Links:

    ⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠


    ⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠


    Podcast Disclaimer:

    The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
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    27 mins
  • From Medical Discharge to Gold: David Jarvis on Resilience, Diabetes, and the Invictus Games

    From Medical Discharge to Gold: David Jarvis on Resilience, Diabetes, and the Invictus Games
    Jun 12 2026

    In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones sits down with David Jarvis, a former British Army communications engineer, Invictus Games gold medalist, keynote speaker, and community champion. David opens up about being medically discharged after more than two decades of service, the identity loss that followed, and the difficult transition back to civilian life.


    He also shares the life-changing moment when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while preparing for the Invictus Games. David explains what it took to learn his condition quickly, adapt his training, and keep moving forward when the stakes were incredibly high. His story is a powerful reminder that resilience is not just about pushing through—it’s about adjusting, learning, and taking control of what you can.


    Dana and David also discuss the role of family support, the structure and purpose the Invictus Games provided, and how his experience led him into motivational speaking and community impact work. This conversation is an inspiring look at pain-free performance, mental toughness, and the power of rebuilding after major life disruption.


    David’s Bio:


    Once known as the unluckiest man in NATO, medically discharged from the British Army after two decades of service and then hit with a life threatening, life changing medical condition whilst preparing for international sports competition.


    Now better know as the walking definition of resilience, a multi award winner, keynote and activational speaker, Invictus games gold medalist, para-athlete and community champion.


    David’s Links:

    https://speakingsbc.com/


    Dana’s Links:

    ⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠


    ⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠


    Podcast Disclaimer:

    The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
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