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.

In this episode of The Pain Free Athlete, Dana Jones talks with Alexa Ryan, a functional medicine practitioner, neurotherapist, clinical nutritionist, and founder of It Comes Naturally, about what it really means to heal from the root. Alexa shares her personal story of dealing with migraines, nervous system overstimulation, and inflammation, and how those struggles pushed her to become her own patient and pursue a deeper approach to healing. She explains how her work connects the brain, gut, nervous system, and whole-body wellness in a way that goes beyond symptom management.

The conversation also dives into the realities of athletic fueling, hydration, nervous system regulation, and why many people — especially women — struggle with fasting, blood sugar instability, and burnout. Alexa breaks down practical strategies for feeling better, including prioritizing protein, fat, and complex carbs, supporting sleep, using magnesium glycinate, and choosing warm, calming foods and beverages that help the body feel safe. She also shares how her personal experience shaped her mission to help others build healthier, more balanced lives through functional medicine and practical nutrition.

Alexa’s Links:

Website: www.itcomesnaturally.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itcomesnaturally/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenaturalwonder

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 talks with Vernon P. Davis Jr., health educator, author, speaker, and founder of Morsel Medicine, about how a major health scare changed his life and led him to create practical nutrition tools for healthier living. Vernon shares how poor habits, emotional eating, and sugary drinks contributed to his type 2 diabetes diagnosis, and how he was able to turn things around through food choices, lifestyle changes, and daily discipline.

He explains the story behind Morsel Medicine, including its origins as the title of his second book and its evolution into a nutrition education company focused on portion awareness and balanced eating. Vernon also breaks down his simple plate method: 50% fruits and vegetables, 30% protein, and 20% carbs, along with the role of movement, hydration, sleep, and reducing inflammation in long-term health. He closes by sharing his progress, including a major drop in A1C, blood sugar improvement, and weight loss after committing to the process.

Links for Vernon

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonpdavisjr/
  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernon-p-davis-jr-msol-1971a2128
  
• X: https://x.com/vernonpdavisjr
  
• Website: www.morselmedicine.org

Vernon’s Books:

Uncomfortable Peace: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone to Naturally Beat Type 2 Diabetes

Morsel Medicine: I Just Need A Small Portion Of Food To Heal

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.