Podcast Summary: The Entrepreneur DNA – Episode 75
Title: Fix Your Back Pain Without Surgery: RehabFix Founder Reveals How | Dr. Grant Elliott
Host: Justin Colby, Bleav
Release Date: June 9, 2025
1. Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 75 of The Entrepreneur DNA, host Justin Colby welcomes Dr. Grant Elliott, founder of RehabFix. This episode delves into the pervasive issue of back and neck pain, particularly among entrepreneurs who lead active yet stressful lives. Dr. Elliott shares his expertise on non-surgical rehabilitation methods, emphasizing the power of movement in alleviating pain.
2. Grant Elliott’s Expertise and RehabFix
Dr. Grant Elliott introduces himself as a specialist in back and neck pain rehabilitation. With a massive online presence, including over a million followers on Instagram, RehabFix offers comprehensive programs aimed at helping individuals overcome pain through movement-based strategies.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [02:30]: "Movement is medicine. Motion is lotion. Rest is rust."
3. The Prevalence and Causes of Back Pain
Grant highlights that low back pain is the number one disability worldwide, affecting 80% of people at some point in their lives. He challenges the conventional approach of immediate rest or surgery, advocating instead for movement as the primary solution.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [03:38]: "Low back pain is the number one disability in the world. 80% of people alive will experience low back pain at some point in their life."
4. Personal Stories: Justin's Experience
Justin shares his personal battle with back and neck pain, detailing ruptured discs (C5-C6 and L5-S1) caused by everyday activities like rolling over in bed or exiting a plane seat. His experience underscores the episode's theme: back pain can strike unpredictably and disrupt even the most active lifestyles.
Notable Quote:
Justin [06:23]: "I ruptured my disc while rolling over in bed at 2 in the morning. I literally thought I broke my neck."
5. The Role of Movement in Pain Management
Grant emphasizes that movement, not rest, is crucial for healing. He explains how society often misguides individuals toward rest and medication, whereas proactive movement can resolve the majority of back and neck pain issues.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [01:42]: "Vast majority of individuals, when I'm moving, I feel better. When I go on walks, I feel better. When I'm active, I feel better."
6. Movement Techniques and Exercises
The conversation transitions to practical exercises that listeners can incorporate into their routines. Grant advocates for dynamic movements over static holds, explaining that repetitive loading is more beneficial for disc health.
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Chin Tucks for Neck Pain: Aimed at reducing cervical herniations by retracting the chin to relieve nerve pressure.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [33:11]: "We would do chin tuck motions repetitively. This is literally the gold standard for reducing a cervical herniation."
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Hip Extension and Low Back Extension: Counteracting the prolonged flexion from sitting by incorporating movements that extend the hips and lower back.
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Dead Bug Exercises: Enhancing core stability without straining the spine.
7. Common Mistakes: What to Avoid
Grant warns against fear-avoidance behaviors, where individuals become apprehensive about moving due to pain, leading to chronic issues. He also points out that certain stretches and exercises can exacerbate pain if they involve harmful movements.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [21:38]: "Do not fear movement. Fear of movement leads to rest, which is the fastest way to develop chronic pain."
8. Mindset and Overcoming Fear of Movement
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the importance of mindset. Grant and Justin agree that controlling one’s mindset towards pain and movement is essential for recovery and overall well-being.
Notable Quote:
Justin [05:37]: "If you can control your mindset that 'I no longer want to be in pain,' you can actually change your whole physical outlook on all of this."
9. Rehabilitation and Gym Practices
Justin inquires about integrating rehabilitation techniques into gym workouts. Grant advises that individuals should first address their pain before resuming heavy lifting but encourages maintaining an active lifestyle with appropriate modifications.
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Avoiding Overextension: Recommends modifying exercises that strain the neck and lower back, such as heavy overhead presses or deep squats if they exacerbate pain.
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Core Strengthening Alternatives: Suggests exercises like planks, farmer's walks, and dead bugs to build core strength without harmful flexion.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [43:21]: "There are so many different ways to have neutral-based core workouts. So farmer's walk, suitcase carry, all the different plank variations."
10. Conclusion and How to Access RehabFix
Towards the end of the episode, Grant provides information on how listeners can access his rehabilitation programs. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit RehabFix on Instagram or grant’s website to book consultations and begin their journey to a pain-free life.
Notable Quote:
Grant Elliott [30:23]: "If you go to my website, there's an application that you can submit as well. But yeah, Instagram is our primary hub."
Key Takeaways
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Movement Over Rest: Engaging in specific, repetitive movements is more effective for healing back and neck pain than prolonged rest.
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Mindset Matters: Overcoming pain involves shifting one’s mindset to avoid fear-based movement restrictions.
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Personalized Rehabilitation: Tailored exercises can significantly alleviate pain, and professional guidance is essential for optimal recovery.
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Avoid Common Pitfalls: Steer clear of movements that exacerbate pain, such as excessive flexion in stretches or heavy lifting without proper technique.
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Accessible Resources: Programs like RehabFix offer accessible online support for individuals seeking non-surgical pain management solutions.
How to Follow
To learn more about Dr. Grant Elliott and access his rehabilitation programs, visit RehabFix on Instagram or go to his website to book a consultation.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 75 of The Entrepreneur DNA. By focusing on movement-based rehabilitation and mindset, Dr. Grant Elliott provides valuable strategies for entrepreneurs and individuals seeking to overcome back and neck pain without surgery.
