https://simplecast.com Life Takes Muscle Podcast This award-winning podcast features focused discussions on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with host Diana Castro, MD, and fellow SMA experts. We'll discuss current unmet needs, impacts of progressive muscle weakness, myostatin as a potential target in SMA, and more. Intended for US HCPs en Wed, 6 Aug 2025 13:39:02 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:52:05 +0000 https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com Life Takes Muscle Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ccf83802-5557-46d1-a87a-dee982075d8e/4dea0810-334f-49c4-b181-10b92b924ecd/3000x3000/spotify-1520x500.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com episodic This award-winning podcast features focused discussions on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with host Diana Castro, MD, and fellow SMA experts. We'll discuss current unmet needs, impacts of progressive muscle weakness, myostatin as a potential target in SMA, and more. Intended for US HCPs Scholar Rock false https://feeds.simplecast.com/tp8Cxre7 Scholar Rock Podcasts@scholarrock.com cc6c9a69-389d-4341-b916-d82958504f6e Ep. 7: From Surviving, to Thriving, to Optimizing in SMA: A Conversation with Crystal Proud, MD & Diana Castro, MD Progressive loss of motor function is an ongoing concern in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given the relentlessly degenerative nature of the disease. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, is joined by Crystal Proud, MD, Director of Neuromuscular Medicine at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. They discuss the importance of optimizing long-term motor function, particularly as individuals living with SMA transition from childhood to adulthood. Actions today impact outcomes tomorrow.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Wed, 6 Aug 2025 13:39:02 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-7-from-surviving-to-thriving-to-optimizing-in-sma-a-conversation-with-crystal-proud-md-diana-castro-md-Vj43mqFx Progressive loss of motor function is an ongoing concern in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given the relentlessly degenerative nature of the disease. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, is joined by Crystal Proud, MD, Director of Neuromuscular Medicine at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. They discuss the importance of optimizing long-term motor function, particularly as individuals living with SMA transition from childhood to adulthood. Actions today impact outcomes tomorrow.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 7: From Surviving, to Thriving, to Optimizing in SMA: A Conversation with Crystal Proud, MD & Diana Castro, MD Scholar Rock 00:30:21 Progressive loss of motor function is an ongoing concern in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given the relentlessly degenerative nature of the disease. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, is joined by Crystal Proud, MD, Director of Neuromuscular Medicine at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. They discuss the importance of optimizing long-term motor function, particularly as individuals living with SMA transition from childhood to adulthood. Actions today impact outcomes tomorrow. Progressive loss of motor function is an ongoing concern in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given the relentlessly degenerative nature of the disease. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, is joined by Crystal Proud, MD, Director of Neuromuscular Medicine at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. They discuss the importance of optimizing long-term motor function, particularly as individuals living with SMA transition from childhood to adulthood. Actions today impact outcomes tomorrow. false full 7 58ae8993-ab49-422d-b2fb-afdb490d4646 Ep. 6: People Living with SMA Discuss the Impacts of Progressive Muscle Weakness In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, leads a discussion with three adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Listen in as Andrew, Lyza, and Doug share their firsthand experience on how SMA not only impacts their daily lives, but their future goals. They shed light on the nuances of progressive muscle weakness and loss of motor function, and the need for more in SMA to help maintain their independence.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:33:16 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-6-people-living-with-sma-discuss-the-impacts-of-progressive-muscle-weakness-QY3z7XYe In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, leads a discussion with three adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Listen in as Andrew, Lyza, and Doug share their firsthand experience on how SMA not only impacts their daily lives, but their future goals. They shed light on the nuances of progressive muscle weakness and loss of motor function, and the need for more in SMA to help maintain their independence.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 6: People Living with SMA Discuss the Impacts of Progressive Muscle Weakness Scholar Rock 00:28:02 In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, leads a discussion with three adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Listen in as Andrew, Lyza, and Doug share their firsthand experience on how SMA not only impacts their daily lives, but their future goals. They shed light on the nuances of progressive muscle weakness and loss of motor function, and the need for more in SMA to help maintain their independence. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, leads a discussion with three adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Listen in as Andrew, Lyza, and Doug share their firsthand experience on how SMA not only impacts their daily lives, but their future goals. They shed light on the nuances of progressive muscle weakness and loss of motor function, and the need for more in SMA to help maintain their independence. false full 6 6a90594a-05d6-4c7b-8027-b906e9f26d2d Ep. 5: How SMA Impacts Their Loved Ones’ Independence with Caregivers Amy, Kevin, and Soraya Treating neurologists see snapshots of their patients’ lives. But caregivers to those living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) see the impact of progressive muscle weakness day in and day out. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, speaks with Amy, mother to 16-year-old Mckenna; Kevin, father to 10-year-old Bear; and Soraya, a professional caregiver to 23-year-old Lyza, about the remaining unmet needs in SMA, and their hopes for more.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Wed, 2 Apr 2025 13:23:15 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-5-how-sma-impacts-their-loved-ones-independence-with-caregivers-amy-kevin-and-soraya-D8nlqnNu Treating neurologists see snapshots of their patients’ lives. But caregivers to those living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) see the impact of progressive muscle weakness day in and day out. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, speaks with Amy, mother to 16-year-old Mckenna; Kevin, father to 10-year-old Bear; and Soraya, a professional caregiver to 23-year-old Lyza, about the remaining unmet needs in SMA, and their hopes for more.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 5: How SMA Impacts Their Loved Ones’ Independence with Caregivers Amy, Kevin, and Soraya Scholar Rock 00:27:03 Treating neurologists see snapshots of their patients’ lives. But caregivers to those living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) see the impact of progressive muscle weakness day in and day out. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, speaks with Amy, mother to 16-year-old Mckenna; Kevin, father to 10-year-old Bear; and Soraya, a professional caregiver to 23-year-old Lyza, about the remaining unmet needs in SMA, and their hopes for more. Treating neurologists see snapshots of their patients’ lives. But caregivers to those living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) see the impact of progressive muscle weakness day in and day out. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, speaks with Amy, mother to 16-year-old Mckenna; Kevin, father to 10-year-old Bear; and Soraya, a professional caregiver to 23-year-old Lyza, about the remaining unmet needs in SMA, and their hopes for more. false full 5 9f7988b0-235d-4d43-8247-8aaddcd2f0a8 Ep. 4: The Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Approach to SMA Care with Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, and Jason Howard, MD In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses the interdependence between specialties in multidisciplinary care for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, and Jason Howard, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to discuss how they and their colleagues work together to pursue the best outcomes, including issues relating to muscle strength, for those living with SMA.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:40:53 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-4-the-benefits-of-a-multidisciplinary-approach-to-sma-care-with-timothy-estilow-otr-l-and-jason-howard-md-JG_Pyv_o In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses the interdependence between specialties in multidisciplinary care for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, and Jason Howard, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to discuss how they and their colleagues work together to pursue the best outcomes, including issues relating to muscle strength, for those living with SMA.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 4: The Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Approach to SMA Care with Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, and Jason Howard, MD Scholar Rock 00:30:03 In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses the interdependence between specialties in multidisciplinary care for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, and Jason Howard, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to discuss how they and their colleagues work together to pursue the best outcomes, including issues relating to muscle strength, for those living with SMA. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses the interdependence between specialties in multidisciplinary care for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Timothy Estilow, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, and Jason Howard, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to discuss how they and their colleagues work together to pursue the best outcomes, including issues relating to muscle strength, for those living with SMA. false full 4 ac1c42b6-1e14-4a5d-b24d-8c650d71ee37 Ep. 3: Myostatin Review with Jena Krueger, MD, Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD New research approaches in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now targeting muscle. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses myostatin—a new potential target in SMA. She is joined by Jena Krueger, MD, a pediatric neurologist, and Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD, researchers from Scholar Rock, to talk about what myostatin is, why it matters in muscle, and why it’s such an important focus for future developments in SMA.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Thu, 5 Dec 2024 15:29:47 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-3-myostatin-review-with-jena-krueger-md-leslie-cortes-phd-and-adam-fogel-phd-vLMlZcy8 New research approaches in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now targeting muscle. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses myostatin—a new potential target in SMA. She is joined by Jena Krueger, MD, a pediatric neurologist, and Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD, researchers from Scholar Rock, to talk about what myostatin is, why it matters in muscle, and why it’s such an important focus for future developments in SMA.

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 3: Myostatin Review with Jena Krueger, MD, Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD Scholar Rock 00:19:40 New research approaches in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now targeting muscle. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses myostatin—a new potential target in SMA. She is joined by Jena Krueger, MD, a pediatric neurologist, and Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD, researchers from Scholar Rock, to talk about what myostatin is, why it matters in muscle, and why it’s such an important focus for future developments in SMA. New research approaches in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now targeting muscle. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, discusses myostatin—a new potential target in SMA. She is joined by Jena Krueger, MD, a pediatric neurologist, and Leslie Cortes, PhD, and Adam Fogel, PhD, researchers from Scholar Rock, to talk about what myostatin is, why it matters in muscle, and why it’s such an important focus for future developments in SMA. false full 3 22840a75-f721-42b8-8bca-1139e0902b97 Ep. 2: The Role of Physical Therapy with Jacqueline Montes, PT, EdD and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, PT, DPT In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center discusses the role of physical therapists in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Jacqueline Montes and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, physical therapists and colleagues at Columbia University, for their perspectives on how progressive muscle weakness impacts people living with SMA. 

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:57:10 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-2-the-role-of-physical-therapy-with-jacqueline-montes-pt-dpt-and-ralph-rodriguez-torres-pt-dp-kOA7qbvu In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center discusses the role of physical therapists in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Jacqueline Montes and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, physical therapists and colleagues at Columbia University, for their perspectives on how progressive muscle weakness impacts people living with SMA. 

Learn more at www.LifeTakesMuscle.com

]]> Ep. 2: The Role of Physical Therapy with Jacqueline Montes, PT, EdD and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, PT, DPT Scholar Rock 00:21:37 In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center discusses the role of physical therapists in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Jacqueline Montes and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, physical therapists and colleagues at Columbia University, for their perspectives on how progressive muscle weakness impacts people living with SMA. In this episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center discusses the role of physical therapists in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She is joined by Jacqueline Montes and Ralph Rodriguez-Torres, physical therapists and colleagues at Columbia University, for their perspectives on how progressive muscle weakness impacts people living with SMA. false full 2 7715cc04-7268-4cf7-8f61-846d4af7a2e0 Ep. 1: The Unmet Need in SMA with Jackie Glascock, PhD Wed, 29 May 2024 16:57:11 +0000 Podcasts@scholarrock.com (Scholar Rock) https://the-life-takes-muscle-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-life-takes-muscle-podcast-4qCMbZY7 Ep. 1: The Unmet Need in SMA with Jackie Glascock, PhD Scholar Rock 00:17:50 In our first episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center in Denton, Texas, talks about the current unmet need in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from her firsthand experience with SMA patients. Featuring guest Jackie Glascock, PhD, Vice President of Research at Cure SMA. In our first episode, host Diana Castro, MD, of the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center in Denton, Texas, talks about the current unmet need in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from her firsthand experience with SMA patients. Featuring guest Jackie Glascock, PhD, Vice President of Research at Cure SMA. false full 1