Rico Petrini: 25+ Concussions, Suspected CTE & TBI Recovery Breakthrough | Red Light Therapy & Hope

25+ concussions. Years of silence. Then everything collapsed—this is how Rico Petrini fought his way back. What happens when decades of repeated head impacts finally catch up—and your brain starts to break down? In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase (11-year NFL veteran) and Corey Berry (former professional rodeo athlete) sit down with Rico Petrini, a former Oregon State linebacker who endured 25+ concussions and thousands of subconcussive hits before experiencing a life-altering neurological crash. Years after football, Rico’s symptoms hit hard: severe depression, suicidal ideation, memory loss, sleep disruption, tremors, tinnitus, explosive anger, cognitive decline, and sensitivity to light and sound. What looked like a normal post-athletic life turned into a fight for survival. Rico opens up about: Living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and suspected CTE The delayed impact of repeated head trauma (RHI) Neuroinflammation and its role in brain dysfunction Brain scans, white matter damage, and nervous system breakdown Why so many athletes feel dismissed or misdiagnosed Diet, sleep, and anti-inflammatory recovery strategies His experience with photobiomodulation (red light therapy) through a University of Utah study Most importantly—he shares what actually helped him start rebuilding his brain, restoring function, and finding hope again. This episode is for: Athletes (football, hockey, rodeo, wrestling, rugby, etc.) Veterans and anyone exposed to repeated head impacts People struggling with post-concussion symptoms Families and caregivers navigating behavioral or cognitive changes Anyone dealing with depression, brain fog, or emotional instability after trauma If you’ve ever been told “you’re fine” but know something isn’t right—this conversation matters. At The HeadRush Podcast, the mission stays the same: cope and find hope. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation Millennium Health Centers Millennium Health Store Paradise Behavioral Health McWellness – Cristal Clark 🎧 Watch the full conversation: 👉 https://headrushpodcast.com 📲 Follow HeadRush Podcast on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn 👍 Like | 🔁 Share | 💬 Comment to help amplify conversations that matter