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.

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.

In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones talks with Kelley Tenny, Galloway program director, pacer, educator, and breast cancer survivor, about how the run-walk method has helped her stay active, injury-free, and mentally strong through every season of life.

Kelley shares how she first discovered the Galloway Method while pregnant, why it changed her relationship with running, and how interval-based training helped her complete everything from half marathons to ultras without the typical wear and tear many runners experience.

They also discuss the mental side of running, including how run-walk training can reduce overwhelm, make long distances feel more manageable, and create space for joy instead of dread. Kelley explains how the method gave her a way to keep moving through breast cancer treatment, surgery, and recovery while protecting both her body and her mindset.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• How Kelley first connected with Jeff Galloway and the run-walk method.
  
• Why taking walk breaks earlier can help reduce injury risk and prevent “hitting the wall.”
  
• How the method supported Kelley through pregnancy, postpartum return to running, and breast cancer treatment.
  
• Why running should be about more than pace, medals, or proving toughness.
  
• How interval training can help athletes listen to their bodies and run with more confidence.
  

Kelley also opens up about identity, self-trust, and the pressure athletes often feel to run a certain way. Her story is a reminder that smarter training can be more empowering than pushing through pain.

To connect with Kelley, listeners can find her on Facebook and LinkedIn, and through the Jeff Galloway community and Global Galloway Program.

Kelley’s Bio:

Kelley Tenny is a Galloway Program Director and pacer who has been using the Galloway Method for nearly 15 years. She has completed more than 100 half marathons, marathons, and ultramarathons injury-free, and as a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about keeping people moving without pain. As Director of Education and Global Programs for Galloway Productions, Kelley is an advocate for the run/walk method and for finding joy in crossing the finish line. When she’s not running, she teaches AI inside her Women Who AI community and health education at CSU Long Beach.

Kelley’s Links:

https://www.jeffgalloway.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.

In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones sits down with Alexia Clonda, former world-class squash athlete and high-performance coach, to explore the connection between breath, mindset, and resilience. Alexia shares her remarkable journey from severe asthma and health challenges to competing at the highest levels of sport, and how those experiences shaped her coaching philosophy.

Together, they discuss:

• Why breath is a powerful tool for recovery, regulation, and performance.
  
• How mindset and the questions we ask ourselves can shift outcomes.
  
• The role of nasal breathing, CO2 balance, and nervous system regulation.
  
• How athletes can move from fight-or-flight into calm, clarity, and control.
  
• Why simple habits can create lasting change in health and sport.
  

Alexia also explains how her lived experience with asthma inspired her to help others unlock their own resilience through practical breath and mindset tools. This conversation is especially relevant for athletes, coaches, and anyone looking to improve performance, reduce stress, and feel better in their body.

Alexia’s Bio:

Alexia Clonda is an Australian former elite squash athlete, coach, speaker, and author who helps people perform at a higher level through breathing, mindset, and high-performance habits. Born with life-threatening asthma and faced with chronic health challenges, she defied the odds to become the world’s No. 1 junior squash player and later reached a world ranking of No. 5 as a senior competitor. Today, she brings that lived experience into her coaching and speaking, helping individuals, teams, and organisations unlock resilience, improve emotional well-being, and perform under pressure.

I’m excited to welcome Alexia Clonda to The Pain Free Athlete Podcast. Alexia is a former world-class squash athlete, high-performance coach, and speaker whose story is rooted in overcoming severe asthma and other health challenges to succeed at the highest level of sport. She now helps others use breath, mindset, and practical performance tools to build resilience, stay calm under pressure, and bring out their best.

Alexia’s Links:

https://alexiaclonda.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.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones sits down with Lauren Turner, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker, mental performance coach, former collegiate athlete, and founder of The Turner Practice. Lauren shares powerful insight into the mental and emotional side of injury recovery, chronic pain, athlete identity, and the importance of listening to your body before pain gets worse.

They discuss how athletes often stay in pain long before they admit it, why recovery is rarely linear, and how the injury process can affect confidence, identity, and mental health. Lauren also breaks down the stages of recovery in a way athletes and parents can understand, while offering practical strategies to support young athletes, high performers, and anyone navigating pain, setbacks, or burnout.

This conversation is especially valuable for athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone who wants to better understand the connection between the body, mind, and long-term performance.

Lauren's Bio

Lauren Turner is a licensed clinical social worker, mental performance coach, and former collegiate athlete. She founded The Turner Practice in 2019 with a commitment to expanding access to culturally responsive mental health and performance care.Her work integrates therapy, mindfulness, and performance coaching, supporting athletes and high performers in building focus, resilience, and confidence both on and off the field. Lauren leads with a trauma-informed and body-based approach, creating spaces where individuals can strengthen mental skills while deepening overall well-being.

She is licensed in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsin and serves as a clinical supervisor, mentoring emerging practitioners. Lauren is also a published author, speaker, and co-host of the Hey Boo Podcast, exploring mindfulness, performance, and the lived experiences of athletes and high performers.

Lauren’s Links:

https://www.theturnerpractice.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theturnerpractice/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenturnerlcsw

https://www.tiktok.com/@theturnerpractice

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.

In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Dana Jones speaks with former NBA All-Star James Donaldson about the turning points that shaped his life on and off the court. James shares how a career-ending injury, emergency heart surgeries, major personal losses, and a mental health crisis led him to become a powerful advocate for suicide prevention and emotional honesty.

They discuss the pressure athletes face to perform, the stigma around asking for help, and why men in particular often struggle to speak openly about what they’re going through. James also talks about the value of journaling, surrounding yourself with a trusted inner circle, and finding the right support before things reach a crisis point.

James also shares the story behind his book, Celebrating Your Gift of Life, and explains how he uses writing, counseling, and community outreach to help others. He closes by discussing his blog, Standing Above the Crowd, and how he continues to spread awareness about mental health and suicide prevention through daily content.

About James

James Donaldson is a former NBA All-Star, entrepreneur, author, and community leader who enjoyed a 20-year professional basketball career with teams including the Seattle SuperSonics, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz, as well as international teams in Europe and the Harlem Globetrotters. A Washington State University graduate and 1988 NBA All-Star, James was inducted into both the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Beyond basketball, he founded The Donaldson Clinic and has dedicated much of his life to community service, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention through his Gift of Life Foundation. He is also the author of the books Celebrating Your Gift of Life and Standing Above the Crowd.

Content note

This episode includes discussion of mental health, suicide, and suicidal ideation.

James’ Links:

https://yourgiftoflife.org/

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/

https://a.co/d/09OiVFHG

https://sites.libsyn.com/421739/site

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.

In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete, Dana Jones sits down with Shamekka Marty, founder of Beyond the Game Health, to talk about the hidden side of athlete wellness, health equity, and what happens when the game ends but the body still carries the cost. Shamekka shares her personal journey living with lupus and multiple autoimmune conditions, her experience as a patient advocate, and how those challenges helped shape her mission to support athletes and high performers with better health education and resources. She also explains why so many athletes are dealing with invisible struggles behind the scenes, including physical pain, mental health pressure, and the stress of navigating the healthcare system.

The conversation digs into the gaps in athlete care, especially around college sports, NIL, transition planning, and the need for stronger support systems around healthcare literacy, mental health services, and financial preparedness. Shamekka makes the case that taking care of athletes means going beyond performance and creating real access to education, comprehensive physicals, wellness events, and practical planning for life after sports. She also shares why she believes every athlete should understand supplemental insurance, healthcare resources, and the importance of protecting both their body and their future.

About Shamekka:

Shamekka Marty is a globally recognized patient advocate, health equity leader, and Founder & CEO of Beyond the Game Health, a sports-anchored health equity consultancy and event platform. A kidney transplant recipient and caregiver to multiple family members with chronic kidney disease, she has dedicated her career to amplifying patient voices and creating community-driven solutions to improve healthcare outcomes.

Through Beyond the Game Health, Shamekka has built national partnerships with sports leagues, health organizations, and community groups to deliver impactful events—integrating health screenings, mental wellness resources, and education into major sporting stages such as the Super Bowl (NFL), NCAA Final Four, WNBA All Star Weekend, and upcoming FIFA 2026 activations.

Shamekka’s Links:

http://www.beyondthegamehealth.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/prettysicklupuschick

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.