Move It or Lose It | Episode 144 | Mike Studer – "The Brain Chooses Itself"

Host: Kathy Chester
Guest: Mike Studer, Neurologic Clinical Specialist, Author
Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Move It or Lose It" features a lively conversation between host Kathy Chester and neurorehabilitation expert Mike Studer. The discussion centers on neuroplasticity, the evolving science of brain and body rehabilitation, and practical strategies for people with neurological and autoimmune conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Mike shares insights from his distinguished career, his books (notably "The Brain That Chooses Itself"), and emphasizes person-centered therapy, movement's transformative power, and the importance of adapting care to individual motivations and life circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Studer’s Background and Motivation for Neurologic Physical Therapy

Mike is a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (over 30 years) and has been recognized with top awards in his field (National Neurologic Clinician of the Year, APTA Fellow).
Originally motivated by a love for baseball, Mike found deeper meaning in helping people regain lost function due to neurological disorders.

"Helping people with stroke, those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, actually make a difference in their quality of life to me was much more meaningful than helping someone run 90ft faster to first base." – Mike (05:20)

2. The Evolution of Neuroplasticity

In the 1980s, neuroplasticity was not yet acknowledged in clinical settings.
The “Decade of the Brain” (1990s) confirmed through research that the nervous system can make new connections at any age, not just in childhood.
Neuroplasticity includes making new factual, episodic, and procedural (movement) memories.

"There's no end, no timeframe to neuroplasticity. No matter, no age, no condition." – Mike (10:13)

Kathy emphasizes how, when she was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago, neuroplasticity was dismissed, but now it's a vital area of hope and research.

3. Principles of Neurorehabilitation and Movement

Movement and engagement are essential; the “use it or lose it” principle is a core tenet of neuroplasticity.
The approach includes not only retaining but also improving lost functions through use and persistent practice, as well as tailoring therapy intensity and repetition to mimic real life.

“Move it or lose it is, in fact... one of the ten accepted principles of neuroplasticity.” – Mike (11:24)

4. Cognitive Recovery and Breaking Stigmas

Maintaining activities (podcasting, gym management, family life) prevents cognitive decline and builds redundant brain pathways, helping to compensate for disease-related losses.
Stigma in healthcare often discourages proactive rehabilitation for conditions like MS and Parkinson’s.

"If we don't try, it will not happen and we will lose those functions." – Mike (15:44)

5. Purpose-Driven Engagement

Activities should be enjoyable and meaningful to the individual.
Patients don't need to exercise in gyms to reap benefits; everyday activities, hobbies, and cognitive challenges are also powerful.
Losing life purpose due to disease or retirement can lead to emotional decline; it's vital to help individuals reconnect with old passions or discover new ones.

“We need to personalize healthcare, personalize wellness. The big phrase right now is precision medicine... you can’t spell precision without the letters from person.” – Mike (20:07)

6. Building Motivation and Self-Efficacy

Unmotivated patients often haven’t been heard; therapy should be personalized, not cookie-cutter.
Motivation varies (competition, personal bests, enjoyment, therapeutic play, etc.).
Self-efficacy—the belief that one’s efforts matter—is crucial and must be earned through small successes.

"I say people earn self efficacy, they don't learn self efficacy." – Mike (26:18)

7. The Importance of Specialist Care

Seek out therapists who are passionate and specialized in neuro conditions.
Beware of “checklist” or robotic therapy that is not person-centered.

"Be a great healthcare consumer and move on." – Mike (29:45)

Kathy: “If you’re not feeling that, it’s like speed dating—there are a lot of physical therapists and you’ll find a great one. But move on.” (29:54)

8. Summary of 'The Brain That Chooses Itself' and Accessible Tools

Mike’s book “The Brain That Chooses Itself” divides “health span” into five areas: movement, nutrition, sleep/rest/play, social connectivity, and challenging activities for cognitive growth (31:24).
Empower people with options, allowing them to choose health strategies that fit their lives.
Gratitude expressed for bold print and the audiobook to improve accessibility.

9. Patient Story: Luke and Neuroplasticity in Action [35:23]

Mike shares the case of “Luke,” a student-athlete with concussion-induced cognitive and attention issues. By combining dual-tasking, high-intensity activity, and task relevance, Luke eventually regained function and is now entering physical therapy school.

"He received dopamine and brain fertilizers and created the neural pathways that restored his capacity to think and attend in class." – Mike (36:22)

“That is powerful. And sometimes you do need to go backward to go forward.” – Mike (37:51)

10. Exercise, "Exercise Snacks," and Practical Movement Tips

Modern wisdom: exercise can be brief, adapted, and integrated into daily living if traditional workouts aren’t accessible.
“Exercise snacks”: small, frequent bouts of movement (e.g., stand up/sit down several times instead of once, practice balance while brushing teeth, etc.).
“Vilpa” (Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity): Find opportunities for intensity in normal activities (e.g., walk a few steps quickly to the mailbox).
Tailor movement to what is enjoyable and suited to current capacity.

"When we can help someone engage in movement that they prefer, that movement is actually superior to the best exercise." – Mike (42:39)

11. Kathy's Perspective on Movement and Relapsing-Remitting MS

Kathy attributes her relative stability to perpetual movement and not accepting early myths that “rest is best.”

"There's nothing I'm willing to lose, so whatever I have to do… I think I've stayed in relapsing, remitting [MS] and not gone on to worsen." – Kathy (39:55)

12. Crisis and Resilience: ‘My Facebook’

Mike discusses his second book, “My Facebook: Looking beyond what the Mirror Shows Us in Crisis,” inspired by his own bout with Bell’s palsy.
The book encourages reflection and avoiding crisis-driven decision making.

"It helps people learn how to get through crises without making the crisis worse." – Mike (47:05)

Notable Quotes

On neuroplasticity: "There's no end, no timeframe to neuroplasticity. No matter, no age, no condition." (10:13)
On losing function: "If we don't try, it will not happen and we will lose those functions." (15:44)
On personalized care: "It's my job... to find the person in there and find meaning so that I can tap into that." (24:17)
On movement: “When we can help someone engage in movement that they prefer, that movement is actually superior to the best exercise.” (42:39)
On self-efficacy: “People earn self efficacy, they don’t learn self efficacy.” (26:18)
On healthcare consumerism: “Be a great healthcare consumer and move on.” (29:45)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Mike’s career background, awards, and distinction in neuro PT | | 05:20 | Why Mike chose neurosciences; meaning in neuro PT | | 08:04 | Evolution of neuroplasticity in clinical practice | | 11:24 | Principles of neuroplasticity; “move it or lose it” | | 12:54 | Cognitive recovery and stigma in healthcare | | 18:44 | Purpose and re-engaging life after diagnosis/retirement | | 20:37 | Personalizing therapy; learning from patients’ healthcare experiences | | 23:56 | Motivation, self-efficacy, and engagement in therapy | | 28:23 | The importance of specialist care, avoiding “robotic” PT | | 31:24 | Summary of "The Brain That Chooses Itself," five pillars | | 35:23 | Luke’s story: concussion recovery through dual-tasking & movement | | 39:10 | Movement, disuse, and disability in MS | | 42:39 | “Exercise snacks,” vilpa, and integrating movement into daily life | | 46:10 | “My Facebook” – book on crisis and resilience inspired by personal experience |

Memorable Moments

Mike’s analogy of neuroplasticity as building “redundant highways” in the brain (14:52).
Candid discussion about the emotional loss of life-purpose and how to “replace the stimulus” after life changes (e.g., moving to a one-story home or retirement).
The humorous and poignant story of Mike’s own Bell’s palsy experience leading to a new book on resilience (46:10).
An acknowledgment of how patient-led choices and interests should guide rehabilitation, and the practical tip: “You can’t spell precision without person” (20:07).

Resources & Mentions

Books by Mike Studer:
- “The Brain That Chooses Itself” (2024, also available as audiobook)
- “My Facebook: Looking beyond what the Mirror Shows Us in Crisis” (2025, large print)
TED Talk: Mike’s TED Talk on neuroplasticity and patient empowerment
Find a Neuro PT: findapt.org to locate a specialized therapist
Vital concept: “Exercise snacks” & “vilpa” – integrating varied movement into ordinary activities

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by neurological or autoimmune disorders or those caring for them. Mike and Kathy's combined experience brings optimism, practical tips, and a call to person-first, purpose-driven therapies that can truly impact lives.

"If you had chosen an alternate route for your profession, the space that you fill would be void and empty." – Mike to Kathy (48:02)

Move It or Lose It | Episode 144 | Mike Studer – "The Brain Chooses Itself"

Host: Kathy Chester
Guest: Mike Studer, Neurologic Clinical Specialist, Author
Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Studer’s Background and Motivation for Neurologic Physical Therapy

Mike is a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (over 30 years) and has been recognized with top awards in his field (National Neurologic Clinician of the Year, APTA Fellow).
Originally motivated by a love for baseball, Mike found deeper meaning in helping people regain lost function due to neurological disorders.

"Helping people with stroke, those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, actually make a difference in their quality of life to me was much more meaningful than helping someone run 90ft faster to first base." – Mike (05:20)

2. The Evolution of Neuroplasticity

In the 1980s, neuroplasticity was not yet acknowledged in clinical settings.
The “Decade of the Brain” (1990s) confirmed through research that the nervous system can make new connections at any age, not just in childhood.
Neuroplasticity includes making new factual, episodic, and procedural (movement) memories.

"There's no end, no timeframe to neuroplasticity. No matter, no age, no condition." – Mike (10:13)

Kathy emphasizes how, when she was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago, neuroplasticity was dismissed, but now it's a vital area of hope and research.

3. Principles of Neurorehabilitation and Movement

Movement and engagement are essential; the “use it or lose it” principle is a core tenet of neuroplasticity.
The approach includes not only retaining but also improving lost functions through use and persistent practice, as well as tailoring therapy intensity and repetition to mimic real life.

“Move it or lose it is, in fact... one of the ten accepted principles of neuroplasticity.” – Mike (11:24)

4. Cognitive Recovery and Breaking Stigmas

Maintaining activities (podcasting, gym management, family life) prevents cognitive decline and builds redundant brain pathways, helping to compensate for disease-related losses.
Stigma in healthcare often discourages proactive rehabilitation for conditions like MS and Parkinson’s.

"If we don't try, it will not happen and we will lose those functions." – Mike (15:44)

5. Purpose-Driven Engagement

Activities should be enjoyable and meaningful to the individual.
Patients don't need to exercise in gyms to reap benefits; everyday activities, hobbies, and cognitive challenges are also powerful.
Losing life purpose due to disease or retirement can lead to emotional decline; it's vital to help individuals reconnect with old passions or discover new ones.

“We need to personalize healthcare, personalize wellness. The big phrase right now is precision medicine... you can’t spell precision without the letters from person.” – Mike (20:07)

6. Building Motivation and Self-Efficacy

Unmotivated patients often haven’t been heard; therapy should be personalized, not cookie-cutter.
Motivation varies (competition, personal bests, enjoyment, therapeutic play, etc.).
Self-efficacy—the belief that one’s efforts matter—is crucial and must be earned through small successes.

"I say people earn self efficacy, they don't learn self efficacy." – Mike (26:18)

7. The Importance of Specialist Care

Seek out therapists who are passionate and specialized in neuro conditions.
Beware of “checklist” or robotic therapy that is not person-centered.

"Be a great healthcare consumer and move on." – Mike (29:45)

Kathy: “If you’re not feeling that, it’s like speed dating—there are a lot of physical therapists and you’ll find a great one. But move on.” (29:54)

8. Summary of 'The Brain That Chooses Itself' and Accessible Tools

Mike’s book “The Brain That Chooses Itself” divides “health span” into five areas: movement, nutrition, sleep/rest/play, social connectivity, and challenging activities for cognitive growth (31:24).
Empower people with options, allowing them to choose health strategies that fit their lives.
Gratitude expressed for bold print and the audiobook to improve accessibility.

9. Patient Story: Luke and Neuroplasticity in Action [35:23]

Mike shares the case of “Luke,” a student-athlete with concussion-induced cognitive and attention issues. By combining dual-tasking, high-intensity activity, and task relevance, Luke eventually regained function and is now entering physical therapy school.

"He received dopamine and brain fertilizers and created the neural pathways that restored his capacity to think and attend in class." – Mike (36:22)

“That is powerful. And sometimes you do need to go backward to go forward.” – Mike (37:51)

10. Exercise, "Exercise Snacks," and Practical Movement Tips

Modern wisdom: exercise can be brief, adapted, and integrated into daily living if traditional workouts aren’t accessible.
“Exercise snacks”: small, frequent bouts of movement (e.g., stand up/sit down several times instead of once, practice balance while brushing teeth, etc.).
“Vilpa” (Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity): Find opportunities for intensity in normal activities (e.g., walk a few steps quickly to the mailbox).
Tailor movement to what is enjoyable and suited to current capacity.

"When we can help someone engage in movement that they prefer, that movement is actually superior to the best exercise." – Mike (42:39)

11. Kathy's Perspective on Movement and Relapsing-Remitting MS

Kathy attributes her relative stability to perpetual movement and not accepting early myths that “rest is best.”

"There's nothing I'm willing to lose, so whatever I have to do… I think I've stayed in relapsing, remitting [MS] and not gone on to worsen." – Kathy (39:55)

12. Crisis and Resilience: ‘My Facebook’

Mike discusses his second book, “My Facebook: Looking beyond what the Mirror Shows Us in Crisis,” inspired by his own bout with Bell’s palsy.
The book encourages reflection and avoiding crisis-driven decision making.

"It helps people learn how to get through crises without making the crisis worse." – Mike (47:05)

Notable Quotes

On neuroplasticity: "There's no end, no timeframe to neuroplasticity. No matter, no age, no condition." (10:13)
On losing function: "If we don't try, it will not happen and we will lose those functions." (15:44)
On personalized care: "It's my job... to find the person in there and find meaning so that I can tap into that." (24:17)
On movement: “When we can help someone engage in movement that they prefer, that movement is actually superior to the best exercise.” (42:39)
On self-efficacy: “People earn self efficacy, they don’t learn self efficacy.” (26:18)
On healthcare consumerism: “Be a great healthcare consumer and move on.” (29:45)

Key Timestamps

Memorable Moments

Mike’s analogy of neuroplasticity as building “redundant highways” in the brain (14:52).
Candid discussion about the emotional loss of life-purpose and how to “replace the stimulus” after life changes (e.g., moving to a one-story home or retirement).
The humorous and poignant story of Mike’s own Bell’s palsy experience leading to a new book on resilience (46:10).
An acknowledgment of how patient-led choices and interests should guide rehabilitation, and the practical tip: “You can’t spell precision without person” (20:07).

Resources & Mentions

Books by Mike Studer:
- “The Brain That Chooses Itself” (2024, also available as audiobook)
- “My Facebook: Looking beyond what the Mirror Shows Us in Crisis” (2025, large print)
TED Talk: Mike’s TED Talk on neuroplasticity and patient empowerment
Find a Neuro PT: findapt.org to locate a specialized therapist
Vital concept: “Exercise snacks” & “vilpa” – integrating varied movement into ordinary activities

Final Thoughts

"If you had chosen an alternate route for your profession, the space that you fill would be void and empty." – Mike to Kathy (48:02)

Move It or Lose It | Episode 144 | Mike Studer - The Brain Chooses Itself

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Summary

Move It or Lose It | Episode 144 | Mike Studer – "The Brain Chooses Itself"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Studer’s Background and Motivation for Neurologic Physical Therapy

2. The Evolution of Neuroplasticity

3. Principles of Neurorehabilitation and Movement

4. Cognitive Recovery and Breaking Stigmas

5. Purpose-Driven Engagement

6. Building Motivation and Self-Efficacy

7. The Importance of Specialist Care

8. Summary of 'The Brain That Chooses Itself' and Accessible Tools

9. Patient Story: Luke and Neuroplasticity in Action [35:23]

10. Exercise, "Exercise Snacks," and Practical Movement Tips

11. Kathy's Perspective on Movement and Relapsing-Remitting MS

12. Crisis and Resilience: ‘My Facebook’

Notable Quotes

Key Timestamps

Memorable Moments

Resources & Mentions

Final Thoughts

Summary

Move It or Lose It | Episode 144 | Mike Studer – "The Brain Chooses Itself"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Studer’s Background and Motivation for Neurologic Physical Therapy

2. The Evolution of Neuroplasticity

3. Principles of Neurorehabilitation and Movement

4. Cognitive Recovery and Breaking Stigmas

5. Purpose-Driven Engagement

6. Building Motivation and Self-Efficacy

7. The Importance of Specialist Care

8. Summary of 'The Brain That Chooses Itself' and Accessible Tools

9. Patient Story: Luke and Neuroplasticity in Action [35:23]

10. Exercise, "Exercise Snacks," and Practical Movement Tips

11. Kathy's Perspective on Movement and Relapsing-Remitting MS

12. Crisis and Resilience: ‘My Facebook’

Notable Quotes

Key Timestamps

Memorable Moments

Resources & Mentions

Final Thoughts