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Once we understand that pain is an output of the nervous system, the next question becomes:
What do we actually do about it?
In Part 2, Matt Bush takes us beyond theory and into practical application, exploring how practitioners can begin integrating neurological principles into rehabilitation and performance. We discuss chronic pain, nociplastic pain, sensory integration, and why the body consistently chooses the movement strategy that feels safest—not necessarily the mechanically ideal one.
Matt shares remarkable clinical stories demonstrating how small neurological interventions can create dramatic changes in movement, performance, and pain, while explaining why vision, vestibular function, and proprioception deserve a much larger role in our assessments.
We finish with an important discussion about the future of our profession and why embracing applied neurology may represent one of the next major evolutions in rehabilitation and performance.
In this episode we discuss:
• Nociceptive versus nociplastic pain
• Why chronic pain persists after tissues have healed
• Pain neuroscience education and athlete confidence
• Sensory integration and movement efficiency
• How neurological mismatches affect performance
• Practical neurological interventions that create immediate change
• Why the future of rehabilitation is likely to become increasingly brain-centeredWhether you're a therapist, athletic trainer, strength coach, or movement professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on helping people move better, recover faster, and perform at a higher level.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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What if pain isn't simply the result of damaged tissue?
What if movement quality, performance, and rehabilitation are driven by something far more complex than muscles and joints?
In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with performance therapist and educator Matt Bush to explore the neurological foundations of pain, threat, and movement. Together, we unpack why the brain constantly interprets information from our visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems to determine whether movement is safe—and why that process has profound implications for every therapist, coach, and performance practitioner.
Along the way, we discuss why manual therapy is already influencing the nervous system whether we recognize it or not, how previous injuries and life experiences shape pain sensitivity, the role of sensory weighting in chronic tendinopathy, and why understanding the nervous system fundamentally changes the way we assess and treat our athletes.
If you've ever wondered why two people with the same injury can have completely different outcomes, this conversation will challenge the way you think about rehabilitation.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why the nervous system predicts rather than reacts
• The brain's threat detection and salience networks
• Why pain is a protective output—not simply a tissue problem
• Sensory weighting and its role in persistent knee pain
• How previous experiences influence pain sensitivity
• Why therapists are already practicing neurology every dayThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation that explores the future of rehabilitation and performance through the lens of neuroscience.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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This week's EP 482 is a solocast. Just me updating you, the listener on all things life of Scotty. It's been an interesting last three months. Big changes. Just took a role as Head of Rehab for the Cirque du Soleil, and it's been an interesting shift in life and focus. I'm hoping I can still continue to do this podcast with the same level of guests and storytelling, and that you, the listener, will continue to love what you listen to each week. Please enjoy this little update, and we'll be back with another powerful guest next week!
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Garrett Salpeter is an engineer, entrepreneur, author, and founder of NeuFit, best known as the creator of the NEUBIE device and his pioneering work at the intersection of neuroscience, rehabilitation, and human performance.
In this episode of Leave Your Mark, Garrett shares the journey that began with a significant hockey injury and evolved into a lifelong pursuit of understanding how the nervous system influences recovery, movement, and performance. A former collegiate hockey player with a background in physics and engineering, Garrett's curiosity led him beyond traditional rehabilitation models and into the world of functional neurology, motor control, and neuroplasticity.
Together, we explore the lessons hockey taught him about devotion, discipline, teamwork, and personal growth, as well as the pivotal experiences that shaped his professional path. Garrett discusses his transition from academia to entrepreneurship, the challenges of building a company from the ground up, and the development of direct current technologies designed to help people move, heal, and perform at a higher level.
Our conversation dives into the concept of the nervous system as the body's software, the role of compensation in both physical and psychological health, and why addressing root causes often produces more meaningful and lasting outcomes than simply treating symptoms.
Whether you're a coach, therapist, clinician, athlete, or simply fascinated by human performance, this episode offers a thoughtful look at innovation, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of understanding how we adapt and thrive.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Garrett's hockey journey and the lessons sport taught him about excellence and contribution
• How a serious injury led him to functional neurology and neuroscience
• The nervous system's role in movement, pain, and performance
• Leaving academia to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation
• The development of the NEUBIE and direct current technology
• Compensation patterns in rehabilitation and human behavior
• Root cause thinking in performance and recovery
• Building a business while staying aligned with personal values
• The future of neuromuscular rehabilitation and human optimizationEnjoy the conversation.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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This week on Leave Your Mark EP 480, I sit down with Victor Hall, a leader, educator, and coach who has spent more than 25 years helping athletes, coaches, military personnel, and performance professionals reach their potential.
Victor currently serves within the Education and Tactical divisions at EXOS, where he helps shape performance systems, coach development, and strategies focused on optimizing readiness, resilience, and long-term performance. His journey, however, began far from elite sport on a family farm in Northern California, where hard work, responsibility, and problem-solving were daily requirements.
In this conversation, Victor shares how the loss of his family's farm shaped his perspective on adversity, the accidental path that led him into strength and conditioning, and the lessons he learned while developing from a quiet, introverted young coach into a respected leader within one of the most influential performance organizations in the world.
We discuss:
• Growing up on a family farm and the lessons that still guide his work today
• The challenges of losing the family farm and rebuilding a new future
• Finding strength and conditioning by accident
• Learning to coach as an introvert
• Building meaningful relationships with athletes and coaches
• Leadership, management, and personal growth
• The impact of parenthood on coaching philosophy
• Working in tactical and military performance environments
• Balancing career ambitions with family life
• The importance of self-awareness and continuous growthVictor brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective to coaching and leadership that will resonate with anyone working in performance, education, sport, business, or life.
Enjoy the conversation.
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This week on Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Chris Chapman, a veteran Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sport Scientist, educator, and outdoor adventurer whose career has spanned eight Olympic quadrennials, multiple sports, and the rapidly evolving world of performance technology.
Chris currently serves as the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for Canada's Slopestyle and Big Air Freeski Team, while also working as a Sport Scientist with WHOOP. Over the course of our conversation, we explore a career that has taken him from traditional Olympic sport environments to startup culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
We discuss:
• Growing up with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, video game tester, and martial artist
• How martial arts shaped his approach to coaching and life
• The role nature plays in his mental health, creativity, and personal growth
• Lessons learned working across eight Olympic cycles
• Building trust and buy-in with athletes in high-risk sports such as freestyle skiing
• Why context matters more than absolutes in coaching
• The transition from high-performance sport to the technology sector
• Product development, innovation, and the realities of bringing new ideas to market
• Mentorship lessons from legendary Canadian coach Chris Delcin
• The importance of humility, kindness, and choosing your battles wisely
• Why innovation often struggles inside large organizations
• His vision for creating a nature-based training and wellness retreat in Northern OntarioChris is thoughtful, reflective, and deeply passionate about helping people perform at their best. Whether you're a coach, therapist, sport scientist, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to build a meaningful career, there are lessons in this conversation for you.
Enjoy the conversation.
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One of the biggest mistakes in ACL rehab is thinking that “return to play” means “return to performance.”
Last week in Ottawa, I spent time with Matt Jordan diving into the use of force deck data, asymmetries, compensations, and how athletes often return to sport while still carrying significant movement adaptations underneath the surface.
That’s the challenge with ACL injuries. The knee is never truly “normal” again. There is a lasting proprioceptive change that athletes need to continue training and reconnecting to long after the rehab process appears complete.
What I’ve seen over decades in sport is that unresolved compensations often become:
• recurrent knee injuries
• opposite side ACL tears
• SI joint irritation
• hip tightness
• low back pain
• movement inefficiency up the entire chainIn this EP, I spend some time just talking about some of the things we need to think about as practitioners if we want to create better outcomes.
Enjoy!
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For almost four decades, Rob Panariello has been one of the most respected voices in strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, and sports performance.
In this episode of the Leave Your Mark podcast, Rob and I dive deep into the evolution of sports medicine, the integration of rehabilitation and performance, and the lessons learned from a lifetime spent coaching, teaching, mentoring, and building.
Rob shares his journey from Brooklyn street sports to becoming a dual-certified athletic trainer and physical therapist, working at the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery, helping pioneer progressive ACL rehabilitation strategies, and eventually building Professional Physical Therapy into one of the largest rehabilitation organizations in the United States.
We discuss:
• The evolution of strength and conditioning over the last 40 years
• Why mentorship and relationships shaped his career
• The importance of critical thinking in rehabilitation and performance
• Balancing entrepreneurship, family, and professional sport
• What young practitioners need to understand about working in elite sport
• The value of intensity, quality, and individualized programming
• Why true success is built on consistency, humility, and doing the right thingRob’s perspective is grounded in science, sharpened through experience, and delivered with the honesty and wisdom that only comes from decades in the trenches.
This is a masterclass in longevity, leadership, and high-performance thinking.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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EP 476 of the Leave Your Mark podcast features entrepreneur, esports founder, and lifelong sports enthusiast, Caleb Cousens.
Caleb Cousens grew up in a passionate soccer family and developed an early fascination with sport, performance, and business. From becoming employee number one alongside the CEO at Fortius and helping build one of Canada’s premier high-performance environments, to moving to Germany in pursuit of love and starting over in a new culture, Caleb’s story is one of growth, adaptability, and entrepreneurship.
Over the last eight years, Caleb has built businesses in the esports space while navigating the intersection of sport, technology, media, and leadership. In this episode, we dive into his upbringing in a homeschooled entrepreneurial family, lessons learned from building companies and teams, and the realities of raising children in a technology-driven world.
We also explore:
• The evolution of esports and gaming
• Leadership and relationship building
• Parenting and screen time in the modern era
• The value of live experiences and meaningful human connections
• Confidence, culture, and personal growth through entrepreneurship
• Building businesses with integrity and purposeThis was a thoughtful conversation about sport, business, technology, fatherhood, and the importance of staying grounded while building in a rapidly changing world.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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In this solo episode of Leave Your Mark, I reflect on the deeper meaning of action, possibility, and the danger of waiting too long to live the life we know we are capable of living.
Inspired by Mother’s Day weekend and a walk through old photographs and memories, I explore the reality that most meaningful things in life begin long before we ever feel fully ready. Parenthood, relationships, creative pursuits, career shifts, difficult conversations, and personal reinvention all require us to move before certainty arrives.
This episode is a reminder that life is not simply about outcomes or achievements. It is about participation. Exploration. Experience. The joy, heartbreak, frustration, growth, and meaning that come from fully engaging with the opportunities life presents to us.
Throughout the conversation, I reflect on the importance of presence, the illusion of “better timing,” and why action itself is often the pathway to clarity and purpose.
If you’ve been hesitating on something important in your life, this episode is for you.
Because eventually, time runs out for all of us.
The question is:
What will you do today?If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
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What does it truly mean to build relationships that matter?
In this episode, I sit down with David Homan, founder and CEO of Orchestrated Connecting, Orchestrated Opportunities, and SOAR CONNECT. David has spent over a decade developing a powerful methodology around what he calls Orchestrated Connecting—a system designed to create meaningful, trust-based relationships that extend far beyond traditional networking.
From his early roots in music and composition to becoming a global “connector of connectors,” David shares how his unique path shaped his perspective on community, trust, and contribution. We explore why most people misunderstand connection, how transactional relationships erode trust, and what it really takes to build something enduring in both life and business.
This conversation goes deep into the human side of performance—where generosity, curiosity, and patience become the real drivers of opportunity.
We also touch on:
Why trust takes years to build—and how to accelerate it the right way How to identify one-sided relationships before they cost you The difference between networking and genuine connection Why success without contribution ultimately falls short How small acts of generosity can open unexpected doorsIf you care about building a meaningful career, a strong network, and a life grounded in purpose, this one will resonate.
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In this episode, I sit down with Darrin Smith, clinical athletic trainer at Colab Concierge Physicians, to explore what it really means to help people move forward with clarity.
Darrin’s work sits at the intersection of musculoskeletal care, movement programming, and human connection. His approach is simple in principle but powerful in execution: meet people where they are, bring them into the process, and build plans that reflect their goals, their lifestyle, and what truly matters to them.
We unpack his journey from higher education to integrated healthcare, including over two decades as a clinician, professor, and program leader. Along the way, we explore the evolution of his thinking, from traditional models toward a more individualized, needs-based approach to care.
This conversation goes deeper than systems and strategies.
We talk about burnout and the importance of boundaries in a profession that often demands too much. We discuss mentorship and why developing thinkers is more important than producing technicians. And we explore how personal adversity, including Darrin’s experience with chronic illness, reshaped his perspective on health, teaching, and life.
We also delve into the practical side of his current work, including the development of an integrated screening and care model that brings assessment, rehabilitation, and performance together under one roof.
This is a conversation about growth, adaptation, and staying curious enough to evolve.
Because in the end, better outcomes come from better questions.
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Over the past few years, something has been shifting.
Not all at once. Not loudly. But steadily enough that it became impossible to ignore.
In this solo episode, I share a more personal reflection on where I’ve been, what I’ve been feeling, and the decision to step into a new chapter of life and work. It’s a conversation about isolation, purpose, and the tension between building something meaningful and feeling connected in the process.
I talk about the evolution of our work in education, the changing landscape of how people learn and connect, and the reality of navigating a world that moves faster than ever. But more importantly, I explore what happens when you start asking yourself better questions. Questions about alignment, about community, and about what you actually want your life to feel like.
This episode is not about having all the answers.
It’s about being willing to move forward without them.
It’s about recognizing when it’s time for a change, and having the courage to take that step.
And it’s about the opportunity to begin again in a way that feels true to who you are now.
If you’ve been reflecting on your direction, your work, or your sense of purpose, this conversation may resonate.
This is the next adventure.
As always, this episode is brought to you by ReconditioningHQ.com, where we help you own the grey area between rehab and performance.
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This week’s solocast is a personal one.
A reflection on a stretch of time where everything seemed to converge at once.
A return to places and people that shaped my early career.
A realization that something in my current life needed to change.
A family decision to step into a new chapter.
And a moment that brought it all together in a way I didn’t expect.Over the course of a single weekend, I found myself reconnecting with old colleagues and mentors, revisiting the environments that helped define who I am today, and being reminded of something easy to lose sight of when you’re deep in the work…
Connection matters.
Being around people who are striving, learning, and growing matters.
And if we’re not careful, even the best intentions can slowly lead us into isolation.
I also share the experience of watching Raye live in concert, and how her message of resilience, honesty, and hope landed at exactly the right moment.
Sometimes the message finds you when you need it most.
This episode is about recognizing when something is off, having the courage to make a change, and trusting that even in uncertain moments, you are being pointed in the right direction.
It is also a reminder of something simple, but powerful:
Never give up.
Everything is going to be alright.
If you’ve been feeling like something needs to shift in your life, this conversation may resonate.
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What does it take to carve out a place in professional sport when your profession isn’t yet fully accepted?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alan Palmer, a chiropractor whose career has spanned nearly four decades and whose work has helped shape the role of chiropractic care in professional sports.
From a back injury that changed his path…
to working with organizations like the San Francisco Giants and Phoenix Coyotes…
to founding and leading the Professional Baseball Chiropractic Society and Professional Hockey Chiropractic Society…Alan’s story is one of persistence, professionalism, and playing the long game.
We talk about:
• How one injury led him into chiropractic and sports medicine
• The realities of earning trust inside professional sport environments
• The importance of staying in your lane while contributing at a high level
• Building organizations that outlast your own career
• Balancing family, practice, and ambition over decades
• What it really takes to elevate a profession within elite sportThis is a conversation about more than chiropractic.
It’s about credibility.
It’s about relationships.
And it’s about doing the kind of work that quietly moves an entire field forward.If you’re a practitioner working in the grey area between rehab and performance… this one will resonate.
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EP 469 of Leave Your Mark features a conversation with Brian Anderson, a leader who has spent his career building and guiding companies across industries many of us live and work in every day… wellness, fitness, sport, outdoor, and travel.
Brian’s journey has taken him through both founder-led businesses and private equity environments, wearing many hats along the way: CEO, chairman, advisor, and coach. But beyond the titles, what stands out is his ability to bring people together, build strong cultures, and help teams move toward something meaningful.
In this episode, Brian shares the evolution of his career… from early ambitions and corporate beginnings to a life in entrepreneurship and leadership. He speaks candidly about decision-making, the balance between logic and instinct, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. He also reflects on the realities of building businesses in passionate industries, where optimism can be both a strength and a blind spot.
We also explore how fatherhood shaped his perspective, how risk tolerance evolves, and why he ultimately values quality of life over pure career success.
At his core, Brian is a builder… of businesses, teams, and environments where people can do their best work. And just as importantly, he’s a proud father of three daughters, something that grounds everything he does.
This is a thoughtful conversation on leadership, growth, and what really matters over the long haul.
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In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Coach Johnny Parker, a true pioneer in the world of strength and conditioning whose career has shaped generations of athletes and coaches alike.
From his beginnings as a high school football coach in rural Mississippi to becoming the first strength coach in the Big Ten, and eventually spending two decades in the NFL with organizations like the New York Giants, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers, Johnny’s journey reflects the evolution of an entire profession.
But what stands out most is not the titles or the championships.
It is the standard.
Johnny shares the defining moments that shaped his philosophy, including an early coaching failure that forced him to confront the responsibility that comes with leading others. From that point forward, he committed himself to mastery, not just of training, but of people.
We explore his model of leadership, built on progression from fear, to respect, to belief, and ultimately to self-driven excellence. He reflects on lessons learned from iconic figures like Bill Parcells and Bob Knight, and offers a grounded perspective on what truly separates good coaches from great ones.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that coaching is not about control; it is about connection, accountability, and helping people become more than they believed possible.
If you work with people in any capacity, this one will stay with you.
On a personal note, this was one of the great honors of my life in human performance. Johnny influenced me when I was a young S&C coach, and he didn't even know it. I never knew the man; I just knew the legend, and to finally speak with him was a great privilege. Johnny is in the battle of his life, and if this session or his personal impact on you has meant anything, letting him know would surely mean a lot to this incredible man.
Scotty
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Nine years ago this April 3rd, I pressed record on my first podcast episode.
At the time, I had no idea it would become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
Sometime this year, I’ll cross the milestone of 500 conversations with people from all walks of life: athletes, coaches, leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers.
What I’ve discovered through those conversations surprised me.
Most people didn’t have a perfect plan.
Most didn’t know exactly where life would take them.Instead, they responded to opportunities, navigated setbacks, and allowed circumstance, faith, and persistence to shape their path.
And in the end, almost everyone wants the same thing.
To be remembered not for their achievements…
But for how they treated the people they loved.This week’s podcast is a reflection on what nearly a decade of podcast conversations has taught me about life, growth, and becoming.
I hope you enjoy the reflection.
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This week on Leave Your Mark, I’m joined by Andrea Carter, Canada’s go-to Belonging Expert and an Organizational Scientist helping leaders turn culture into a true competitive advantage.
For nearly two decades, Andrea has worked at the intersection of neuroscience, organizational psychology, and leadership. She is the founder of Andrea Carter Consulting and creator of the Belonging First Methodology™, a data-driven framework designed to repair disconnection, reduce toxicity, rebuild trust, and create environments where both people and performance thrive.
In this powerful conversation, we explore:
• Why belonging is not just a feeling but measurable and buildable
• The three critical indicators of organizational success: comfort, connection, and contribution
• Why psychological safety is about intelligent risk, not softness
• The nervous system’s role in performance regulation
• The rise of “The Great Detachment” and hidden disengagement in today’s workplaces
• How leaders can create clarity, predictability, and shared accountability
• Why resilience is not a solo sportAndrea shares insights from her groundbreaking research, including large-scale industry studies, her work as an Adjunct Professor at Adler University, and the personal experiences that shaped her passion for understanding real belonging, not just fitting in.
If you care about performance, culture, leadership, or building teams that truly thrive, this episode will challenge and elevate your thinking.
Listen now and leave your mark.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
You can find all things LYM at www.LYMLab.com, download your free Life Lab Starter Kit today and get busy living https://lymlab.com/free-lym-lab-starter/
Please take the time to visit and connect with our sponsors, they are an essential part of our success:
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This week on Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Sonya Weigle, Founder of Next Stage BioAdvisors and The Catalytic Collective.
Sonya has spent more than 25 years advising biotech CEOs and senior executives through high-stakes leadership moments. From early-stage CEO preparation to organizational scale, she has guided science leaders as they step into bigger roles and greater responsibility.
But her story is more than corporate strategy.
We talk about:
Transitioning from engineering to political science, then building a consultancy while still at Carnegie MellonTurning down prestigious law school offers to follow a different pathBeing the only woman in the room and learning to speak truth to powerBalancing high-performance consulting with motherhoodHelping executive women redefine success in their next chapterSonya shares how she overcame childhood shyness to develop a powerful voice, why intuition matters in leadership, and how setting clear non-negotiables can transform both career and family life.
This is a conversation about reinvention, courage, authenticity, and building a life that works on your terms.
If you are navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, or your own next chapter, this episode will resonate deeply.
Listen now to EP 365 of Leave Your Mark.
If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston.
You can find all things LYM at www.LYMLab.com, download your free Life Lab Starter Kit today and get busy living https://lymlab.com/free-lym-lab-starter/
Please take the time to visit and connect with our sponsors, they are an essential part of our success:
www.ReconditioningHQ.com
www.FreePainGuide.com - Show more
