In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen sits down with Stanley Cup NHL champion Erik Johnson for a groundbreaking look inside Erik's concussion recovery. Using advanced SPECT imaging, Dr. Amen scans Erik's brain to reveal the hidden impact of his traumatic brain injury and maps areas of damage, dysfunction, and remarkable resilience that standard imaging often misses.
Together, they walk through the results in real time, translating complex brain scans into a clear picture of what TBI actually does to blood flow, activity, and function. Erik gets an unflinching look at his own recovery — the progress made, the challenges still ahead, and what the science says is possible from here.
This isn't just a conversation about brain injury. It's a rare, visual journey into what healing looks like from the inside out — offering hope, clarity, and actionable insight for anyone navigating their own recovery.
00:00 Trailer
01:07 Ad
01:44 Intro
02:49 1000 NHL Games
04:28 Growing Up
05:42 Supportive Parents
06:52 Wanting to be in NHL
09:15 Hardest Part of Playing Hockey
11:32 Concussions
16:28 Major Injury on the Ice
20:24 Spect Scan
21:32 General Anesthesia and The Brain
23:33 Diets and Head Injuries
25:11 Treating Concussions
26:02 Ad
26:39 Seeing Dr. Amen for Brain Health
28:50 Hope for CTE Victims
29:50 Solutions That Made the Biggest Difference
31:13 Brain Health Should be Everywhere
32:27 Being Proactive about Brain Health
35:07 Brain Health Should be Accessible to Everyone
36:57 Brain Health Takes a Backseat
38:11 Brain Reserve
39:28 "Follow the Protocol, You Will Improve"
41:10 Justify the Horse Example
42:44 Proving People Wrong or Right
44:42 Culture of Alcohol in Hockey
46:28 Can You Smoke Pot in the NHL?
47:26 Peak Energy for Hockey Players
48:21 Alter Egos in Sports
50:14 Most Aggressive Position in Hockey
52:18 Message About CTE and Sports
54:14 Ad
54:49 How to Follow Erik Johnson
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