Georgia Zadow, an Australian speech pathologist working in brain injury rehabilitation, witnesses the devastating effects of brain trauma daily in her professional practice. This firsthand experience has made her acutely aware of the hidden dangers lurking in seemingly ordinary activities. In a recent TikTok video that garnered over 64,000 views, she revealed four specific things she would never do, emphasizing the severe risks they pose to brain health.
The Four Activities to Avoid
1. Riding Bikes, Motorbikes, or E-scooters
Georgia stated unequivocally that she would never ride a bicycle, motorcycle, or electric scooter, particularly on busy urban roads. "This is probably the most obvious, but I would never ride a bike, motorbike, or e-scooter... Let alone on a busy road in a busy city, on the street with cars—that is just a no-go," she explained. While she strongly advocates for helmet use, she clarified that helmets do not offer complete protection against all types of brain injuries. "I'm absolutely pro-helmet. Helmets can prevent some head injuries and reduce the severity of others," she said. "My point is simply that they can't prevent all brain injuries, especially those caused by the brain moving inside the skull. Wear a helmet, but be cautious."
2. Climbing Tall Ladders
Georgia also avoids climbing tall ladders, especially for household tasks like roof repairs. "I will never climb a tall ladder, especially to do some sort of housework task at home on the roof—that is just not happening. Neither will my partner be doing anything like that," she asserted. She has worked with numerous patients who suffered severe injuries from falls while attempting DIY projects, underscoring the importance of hiring professionals for such jobs.
3. Playing Contact Sports
Contact sports are off-limits for Georgia and her children due to the alarming research linking repeated head impacts to long-term brain damage. "I would never play any sort of contact sport, nor will I let my kids play any contact sport," she declared. She highlighted conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma, and Post-Concussive Syndrome (PCS), which can result from even a single concussion. "These symptoms are often quite debilitating and can stop people from being able to work and do things day to day," she noted, adding that the risks simply aren't worth it.
4. Taking Life for Granted
Finally, Georgia emphasized the importance of not taking life for granted. "I think the main thing that this job has taught me is that life is too short," she reflected. "No matter how healthy you are, there can always be freak accidents that lead to a head injury, and they can just totally change the trajectory of your life. So if there's something that you want to be doing, this is your sign. Just go and do it because life is way too short."
Reactions from Health Professionals
Her video resonated strongly with other healthcare workers, who shared their own experiences and agreements in the comments. One speech pathologist commented, "Yes to all of this! I'm also a speech pathologist, and I am constantly talking about how to keep our brains safe. People don't understand how devastating traumatic brain injuries are." Another revealed, "Speechie here too, and I love to watch the footy but also have told my husband there's no way our kids are ever playing footy." A spinal injury nurse agreed, while a physiotherapy student shared a personal story: "Physio student here and absolutely agree. My boyfriend rides motorbikes and he came off two weeks ago and concussed himself even though he wore a helmet. I'm terrified."
Georgia Zadow's insights serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of brain health and the need for heightened awareness in everyday activities. By sharing her professional perspective, she aims to promote safer choices and a greater appreciation for life's unpredictability.
