72. Healing Chronic Pain as an Athlete with Charlie Merrill

In this episode, Grace welcomes Boulder-based physical therapist Charlie Merrill for a deep dive into how chronic pain shows up in athletes—and why it’s often misunderstood. They unpack the science behind pain, how emotional stress plays a role, and what it really takes to heal.Covered in this episode:Why athletes are often overlooked in chronic pain treatmentHow Charlie shifted from traditional PT to a mind-body approachThe brain’s role in interpreting pain (hint: it’s not all about injury)Why MRI results can create fear—even when they don’t match symptomsHow identity and perfectionism play into athletic painWhat “sacred symptoms” are and how pain can guide deeper insightTips for reconnecting to joy and movement without fearConnect with Charlie WebsiteInstagramYouTubeXHow to work with Grace:Practitioner Training-Mind Body Integtration Method Founding Cohort Mind-Body Healing Method Course - Regulate your nervous system nowFree Masterclass: How to Know If Your Nervous System Is Behind Your SymptomsWork with us in private mind-body coaching Subscribe to my Substack for the deeper how-to'sConnect with GraceConnect on InstagramCheck out my website