Hi everyone. I am very excited for you all to meet Charlie Graffius. Charlie and I met when we were both in undergrad via a class at Colby-Sawyer College. We reconnected when I discovered his podcast, the Movement Fluidity Podcast. The Movement Fluidity Podcast aims to share stories and research related to movement disorders, with a focus on cerebral palsy. The podcast serves as a platform to inspire and educate others.

In our conversation, Charlie shares about his experiences with cerebral palsy. He also shares his motivations to positively impact others through work and research in kinesiology, exercise science, and movement disorders. He is currently pursuing graduate studies in Motor Learning and Motor Control at Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Takeaways

- Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects movement and posture. It is caused by a lack of oxygen to the developing brain, resulting in impaired motor function.

- At the Center for Cerebral Palsy Research, Charlie assisted individuals in improving strength, posture, and motor skills through research and intervention, along with hand-arm bimanual training (HABIT).

- Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. There is discussion that the fascial system stores emotional experiences and traumas which can produce tension and pain.

Chapters

(00:00 ) Introduction and catching up

(05:36 ) Starting the Movement Fluidity Podcast

(13:39 ) Understanding cerebral palsy

(22:20 ) Transitioning to graduate school and research

(31:00 ) Volunteer work at the Center for Cerebral Palsy Research

(39.30) Facing fear and embracing new opportunities

(43:50 ) Looking forward and resources

Resources

The Movement Fluidity Podcast

• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• IG: charlie.graffius
• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
• One More Step: My Story of Living with Cerebral Palsy, Climbing Kilimanjaro, and Surviving the Hardest Race on Earth.
• Project Possible: projectpossible.org

Morning with Madi:

• YouTube: ⁠@MorningwithMadi⁠
• IG: ⁠@morningwithmadi⁠ ⁠@madivasq⁠