Bending Over Backwards
What does it take to bend over backwards and change the game—whether in medicine, business, or life? Dr. James Adkins has spent over 27 years doing just that, breaking barriers in spine care and beyond. Now, he’s pulling back the curtain to bring you bold, no-holds-barred conversations with visionaries, risk-takers, and trailblazers from all walks of life. From life-changing breakthroughs to unfiltered stories of success and struggle, this podcast will leave you stretched, inspired, and standing taller than ever. Get ready to discover how bending over backwards can change everything.
Episodes
29 episodes
Ep. 29 - She Nearly Died Trying to Be Heard by Doctors | Kelsey Zakino
At just 10 years old, Kelsey Zecchino had spinal fusion surgery. By 26, she was stuck in a wheelchair, on fentanyl, and nearly took her own life.Doctors told her the pain was “just in her head.”They gave her meds, then judged ...
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Episode 29
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43:57
Ep. 28 – What a Chiropractor Learned After Living With Real Back Pain | Dr. Eric Neufang
What happens when a spine expert becomes the patient?In this episode, I talk with Dr. Eric Neufang—a chiropractor who went from treating back pain to living through it. After a serious spine injury, two surgeries, and yea...
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Episode 28
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30:46
Ep. 27 – How She Escaped War and Built a New Life With Only $400 | Alina Sbitnev
How do you start a new life with only $400?In this episode, James talks with Alina Sbitnev—a war refugee who escaped to the U.S. and started over from scratch. With just $400 in her pocket, she built a life, learned new skills, an...
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Episode 27
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59:05
Ep. 26 – From Broke to Arizona’s Top Realtor | Scott Grigg
How do you go from broke to selling Arizona’s most expensive homes?In this episode, Dr. James Adkins talks with Scott Grigg—one of Arizona’s top luxury realtors. Scott shares how one real estate deal changed everything, what it took to g...
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Episode 26
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27:23
Ep. 25 – How She Turned Pain Into a Media Company That Helps People | Carey Pena
Carrie Pena went from being a news anchor to launching her own media company—and now she’s creating powerful documentaries inside prisons.In this episode, Dr. James Adkins talks with Carrie about how trauma shapes our lives, how women c...
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Episode 25
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33:41
Ep. 24 - How She Made a Beauty Brand That People Trust | Melissa Langberg
How do you go from working in a tiny 200 sq ft boutique…To building one of the most trusted clean skincare destinations in the Southwest?In this episode, Dr. James Adkins sits down withMelissa Langberg, founder of Citrine Natura...
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Episode 24
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26:33
Ep. 23 - The Real Reason So Many Pain Patients Are Still Suffering | Dr. Paul Lynch
Dr. Paul Lynch couldn’t save his own brother from an overdose.So he built a clinic to save others.In this episode, we dive into Paul’s story—from growing one of Arizona’s biggest pain practices to launching a mission that could sa...
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Episode 23
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47:43
Ep. 22 – How a Near-Death Experience Made Him a Better Entrepreneur & Servant of God | Jason Lanham
When Jason Lanham faced a near-death experience, it didn’t just challenge his body — it changed his soul, his business, and his purpose.In this episode, we unpack Jason’s incredible story: how ulcerative colitis nearly took his life, how...
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Episode 22
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51:03
Ep. 21 – From Dishwasher to World-Class Chef: The Truth About Food & Business | Mark Tarbell
In this episode, James talks with chef and restaurant owner Mark Tarbell.They go deep into Mark’s life—from washing dishes as a teen to running one of Arizona’s best restaurants.You’ll hear stories about:→ Cooking in...
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Episode 21
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45:14
Ep. 20 - From Broke Welder to Global CEO: The Hard Truths About Success | Aaron Hodson
What does it really take to go from broke welder to global CEO?In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Hodson—business strategist, keynote speaker, and former $2B real estate broker—to unpack the raw truths behind building a life that wo...
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Episode 20
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49:56
Ep. 19 – Why He Left Extreme Sports to Heal His Brain, Body, and Life | Clayton Lindley
Clayton Lindley made a name doing things most people wouldn’t even try.But behind the insane tricks and viral clips were broken bones, mental crashes, and a growing fear he didn’t talk about—until now.In this episode, we get int...
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50:07
Ep. 18 - She Left a Safe Job to Become a Successful Artist | Laura Madden
One decision can change everything.For Laura Madden, it was walking into a frame shop with a painting she made just for herself.What happened next? It led to a whole new career.In this episode, Laura shares her journey f...
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Episode 18
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29:08
Ep. 17 - The Truth About Being a Doctor (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Ken Ota & Dr. Azmi Nasser
What happens when the healthcare system stops working—for both the patient and the doctor?Dr. Ken Ota quit the insurance grind and now runs a small, personal practice. Dr. Azmi Nasser works in the traditional system but adds a private ca...
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Episode 17
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41:14
Ep. 16 - The Hockey Injury That Stole His Career (And How He Came Back) | Scotty Scheller
What happens when your entire identity is ripped away in an instant?Scotty Scheller was on the fast track to a pro hockey career—until a brutal injury shattered his future overnight. What followed was years of unexplained pain, misdiagno...
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Episode 16
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35:25
Ep. 15 - 85-Year-Old Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro—TWICE | Anne Lorimer
Most people dream of adventure. Anne Lorimer actually lives it.At 85, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. At 89, she did it again—with broken ribs.Anne isn’t a professional climber. She didn’t grow up wealthy or p...
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Episode 15
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36:05
Ep. 14 - How Trauma Changes Your Brain & Body (And What to Do About It) | Chelsey Valeri
Most people think trauma is just something that happened in the past. A bad memory. Something you "move on" from.But what if it’s not in your head? What if it’s sitting in your nervous system, shaping how you think, how you react,...
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Episode 14
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36:54
Ep. 13 - From Kansas Trailer To Clinic Titan: My Unfiltered Journey Of Rejection, Resilience, And Reinvention
Growing up in a modest Kansas trailer in 1968, I faced poverty, rejection, and a past I wasn’t proud of. From nearly being expelled from a high-society fraternity to hustling guerrilla marketing in grocery stores and bowling alleys, I learned e...
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18:06
Ep. 12 - The 11 Boxes That Built A Luxury Resale Empire with Chrissy Sayare
Chrissy Sayare never planned to start a luxury consignment empire—until one day, 11 unexpected boxes showed up at her door, packed with Chanel, Gucci, and Valentino. That moment changed everything. With zero retail experience, she took a risk, ...
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35:03
Ep. 11 - How Pastor David Friend Found Faith & Fought Back
What if everything you thought was the end was actually just the beginning? Pastor David Friend has been through it all—fighting in the Vietnam War, battling PTSD, surviving cancer linked to Agent Orange, and being told multiple times ...
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39:39
Ep. 10 - Breaking Barriers And Building Men: Coach John Fleming’s No-Nonsense Guide To Success
From surviving the streets of South Side Chicago to mentoring future NBA stars and changing lives around the world, Coach John Fleming is the definition of resilience and leadership. In this gripping episode of Bending Over Backwards with D...
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36:10
Ep. 9 - Dirty Deeds In Healthcare: How AI And Insurance Are Failing Patients
What’s really happening behind the scenes with your health insurance? On this week’s episode of Bending Over Backwards, host James Adkins exposes the shocking tactics used by UnitedHealthcare to deny medically necessary care. From AI t...
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15:00
Ep. 8 - NFL Chiefs Hall Of Fame Nick Lowry Reveals The Secret To Overcoming Rejection, Tackling Injustice, And Kicking Through Life’s Challenges
What if every rejection brought you closer to your biggest breakthrough? On this episode of Bending Over Backwards, Dr. James Adkins sits down with Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Nick Lowry to uncover the lessons behind his legendary...
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33:15
Ep. 7 - From Hidden Illness To Timeless Grace: Emanuelle Adkins On Reclaiming Health And Living With Purpose
What happens when a seemingly small decision transforms into a life-altering health battle? In this powerful episode of Bending Over Backwards, Dr. James Adkins welcomes his wife, Emanuelle Adkins, for a raw and intimate conversation. Emanuelle...
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29:19
Ep. 6 - From Anatomy Fairs To Life-Saving Innovations: Dr. Azmi Nasser On Medicine, Mishaps, And Meaning
What drives someone to turn a fifth-grade fascination with smoker’s lungs into a pioneering career in pain management? In this jam-packed episode of Bending Over Backwards with James Adkins, Dr. Azmi Nasser joins his partner and longti...
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35:25
Ep. 5 - From Pain To Power: My Two-Decade Journey To Spine Recovery And Game-Changing Health Insights
What happens when a spine doctor becomes the patient? In this candid and captivating episode of Bending Over Backwards with Dr. James Adkins, we take you on a two-decade journey through the highs and lows of battling a herniated disc, ...
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13:55