When a fighter is told surgery is the only option, the decision can feel career-defining. In this episode of the CPI Podcast, host Scotty Nelson sits down with UFC flyweight Juliana “Killer” Miller to discuss her experience navigating a torn labrum ahead of competition—and why she chose regenerative medicine instead of another operation.
“For me it was the difference between life and death. And not only am I just living, I’m thriving and becoming the best version of myself.”
A torn labrum weeks before a fight
Juliana explains she felt her shoulder was injured but believed the structure was still intact. An MRI confirmed a labral tear, and with time working against her, she pursued care quickly.
- MRI confirmed a torn labrum
- She came to CPI shortly after imaging
- She returned to training reporting full recovery and readiness to compete
“A week after I got the MRI… came down here about 2 weeks later, got it stem celled and healed 100%… and I’m ready to fight.”
“They told me I needed surgery twice.”
Juliana shares that this wasn’t her first serious shoulder injury. After one earlier tear led to surgery and a long recovery, she approached her next injury differently—seeking a non-surgical option when the tear was not complete.
“When I tore the other side… I was like, ‘Put me into stem cells as fast as possible.’”
Even when skepticism remained, a second opinion validated what she was experiencing clinically.
“He did all the tests and he’s like, ‘You don’t need surgery. Why are you in here?’”
Follow-up imaging: “They can no longer trace a tear.
One of the most notable points in the episode is Juliana’s description of follow-up imaging after treatment. She reports that subsequent MRIs no longer showed a traceable tear, and that some improvements occurred in a relatively short time window.
“Upon the new MRIs, they can no longer trace a tear.”
“Some of them were fast within 3 months.”
Recovery is a protocol, not a hope
Juliana is clear that her results weren’t accidental—she treated recovery as part of her job. In addition to rehabilitation and training management, she describes consistently investing in recovery modalities.
Tools she mentions include:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
- Red light therapy
- PEMF
- Structured rest + physical therapy progression
Her philosophy is simple: stack small advantages.
“If you do 10 things that make you 1% better, 10% is a huge advantage at the top level.”
Beyond the joint: performance, cognition, and long-term focus
Juliana also discusses her long-term goal of protecting cognitive performance as a professional fighter. She references ongoing annual testing and reports improvements in reaction time and brain function while continuing to train and compete.
“My brain function has actually went up. My reaction time has went up… my brain is growing, which is insane.”
Juliana’s message to other athletes
For Juliana, the shoulder recovery story is inseparable from the bigger picture—mental resilience, support systems, and choosing a path forward when life feels limited.
“All you need is one person that believes in you or one mentor.”
And the line that frames the entire episode:
“For me it was the difference between life and death.”
Watch the CPI Podcast episode
To hear Juliana’s full story—including the injury details, how she approached recovery, and what she’s preparing for next— CLICK HERE to watch the complete CPI Podcast episode featuring Juliana “Killer” Miller with host Scotty Nelson.