The Real Cause of Back Pain and What Actually Works
Lead on Purpose with James Laughlin
How the brain creates and modulates pain
Antony shares striking cases showing how attention, context and threat perception shape pain experiences.
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former Olympic Team Physiotherapist and author of The Back Fix, Antony Bush, to explore some big questions.
Why do one in five of us suffer chronic pain?
Why is back pain now the world’s greatest disability?
How does movement and strength shape our pain, happiness and even mortality?
Antony breaks down what it means to be an analog creature struggling in a digital age and how we can reclaim our health through simple, science backed habits.
What we cover:
- Why modern living has turned back pain into the world’s number one disability and how sitting, screens and stress drive chronic pain
- How movement, walking, micro exercise and the Big Six strength moves reduce pain, improve mood and extend lifespan
- How the brain creates pain, why MRIs often show harmless “wrinkles,” and why movement outperforms passive treatments
- The mindset side of recovery, including the wishbone, backbone and funny bone model for resilience and why movement is medicine
If you want to reduce pain, boost your energy and future proof your health, this conversation will shift how you move and how you live.
- Learn more about Antony here - https://thebackfix.com/about-1
- Connect with Antony on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-bush/
- Grab your copy of The Back Fix here - https://thebackfix.com
- If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com
Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/
James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com
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