Introducing Invisible Impact!
For about 20% of people who suffer concussion, symptoms don’t resolve within a month, and they are left navigating life with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Those symptoms are often invisible and debilitating. The recovery journey can be challenging and incredibly difficult to navigate alone.
This is a podcast for those people. We see your struggles and understand what you’re going through.
Each episode, we’ll sit down with someone who has been there and knows what it’s like to have their life dismantled by an invisible injury. We’ll tackle the emotional, cognitive, and physical toll of a brain injury and share the real struggles, and incredible stories of resilience. We’re here to share relatable experiences, coping strategies, inspiration, and a reminder that healing is possible.
Invisible Impact is hosted by CLF’s Julia Manning and produced by Katelyn Walker. Subscribe to the podcast on the following platforms:
🎙️ Episode 1: Melissa Urban
A game of laser tag in 2017 changed Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban’s life. She suffered a concussion that led to post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and persistent symptoms she still manages today. In this powerful conversation, Melissa sits down with CLF’s Julia Manning, who also developed PCS in 2017, to share the profound impact PCS has had on her life – from her role as a mother and leader, to her relationships and mental health.
Through honesty, vulnerability, and insight, Melissa opens up about the challenges of navigating an invisible injury, and what has helped her cope and heal along the way.
💬 About the guest:
Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30 and an authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is an eight-time New York Times bestselling author and has been featured by People, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
🎙️ Episode 2: Sydney Olson
Sydney Olson has built her career defying gravity — as a world champion parkour athlete, Hollywood stuntwoman and mindset coach. But behind the flips, falls, and fearless performances is a personal journey with concussion recovery that many would never know. In this conversation, Sydney opens up about the injuries that changed her perspective, the lessons she learned about slowing down, and why she’s grateful for the scars she carries.
💬 About the guest:
Sydney Olson is a SAG/AFTRA stuntwoman, actress, mindset coach, professional parkour champion, and podcast host. She has performed around the world, competed in events like the Red Bull Art of Motion, and doubled actors in major productions. Through her podcast Collecting Scars, Sydney shares powerful stories of resilience, and today she brings that same openness to her own concussion journey.
🎙️ Episode 3: Anthony Bartley
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Anthony Bartley, a Chicago-based visual artist who transforms personal pain into creative expression. Anthony opens up about the life-altering concussion he suffered during high school soccer and the long, difficult journey that followed. From persistent post-concussion symptoms to mental health struggles and isolation, Anthony shares the unseen challenges that many brain injury survivors face every day.
Through acceptance, vulnerability, and artistic expression, Anthony found a path forward—and a community that helped him heal. His artwork now serves as a beacon for others navigating invisible injuries, and his voice adds an important perspective to the growing conversation around mental health and traumatic brain injuries.
💬 About the guest:
Anthony Bartley is a Chicago-based visual artist whose art is rooted in healing, honesty, and community. Following a severe concussion in high school, Anthony’s life took a dramatic turn—one that ultimately led him to explore art as a means of healing and connection. Today, he uses his platform to raise mental health awareness and to make others feel seen and less alone.
Last spring, Anthony had his debut solo art exhibition, Words I’ve Never Said. He’s gearing up for a pop-up exhibition at this year’s Miami Art Week, which aims to bring video gaming and community to the fine art world.
🎙️ Episode 4: Kennedy Faulknor
In this episode, CLF’s Julia Manning is joined by professional soccer player Kennedy Faulknor of the Vancouver Rise. Kennedy opens up about the concussion that sidelined her for over a year and a half—not just from soccer, but from most all activities of her daily life.
Though she had endured multiple concussions throughout her athletic career, it was her most recent brain injury that changed everything. Kennedy faced persistent post-concussion symptoms that lingered for months, taking a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally. Beyond the headaches and fatigue, she shares the deeper, often invisible challenges of recovery: the identity crisis, the isolation, and the uncertainty about her future.
As someone who has experienced PCS herself, Julia brings empathy and insight to this vulnerable conversation. Together, they explore what it truly means to heal from an invisible injury—and why it’s so important to talk about it.
💬 About the guest:
Kennedy Faulknor is a professional soccer player from Toronto, a UCLA graduate, and the youngest center back ever to play for the Canadian women’s national team. After three concussions, she aims to raise awareness and offer guidance to those affected by post-concussion syndrome.
If your concussion symptoms persist longer than a month, you may have Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). Learn about PCS and what you should do if you are concerned you or a love one may have it.
Looking for some inspiration? Inside, you’ll find a gallery of stories of loss, recovery, community and hope to help patients and families who are struggling.