Staying Relevant: The Future of Rehab & Peformance

Heat is one of the biggest hidden performance killers in sport — and most athletes, coaches, and clinicians completely misunderstand how to manage it. Ice baths, cold plunges, and wearables dominate the conversation, but very few tools address real-time heat regulation when it matters most. In this episode, former professional hockey player turned mechanical engineer Braeden Ostepchuk explains the...

Burnout in sports medicine is more common than people admit. Long hours, travel, constant availability, and identity tied to performance roles quietly push many athletic trainers and clinicians out of the profession. If you work in high-performance environments and feel the strain, this conversation matters. In this episode, Vince Fedorowich — athletic trainer, former Latin American Medical Coordi...

Most clinicians and coaches still misunderstand what actually drives muscle growth. They chase metabolic stress, fear loading in rehab, or rely on outdated hypertrophy models — and their patients and athletes plateau because of it. If you don’t understand mechanical tension, you’re guessing. Dr. Nicholas Rolnick is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, strength specialist, blood flow restriction (BFR) res...

Very few people prepare athletes for what comes after the dream ends. When the NHL career is over, identity, structure and purpose don’t automatically come with it. In this episode of Staying Relevant , Tom Swales sits down with Matt Beleskey to explore what happens when elite athletes transition out of professional sports and how lessons from high-performance environments carry into business, men...

Most training programs are built for short-term results not longevity, adaptability, or nervous system health. That’s why so many people end up strong but stiff, fit but injured, or burned out on training altogether. In this episode of Staying Relevant, Tom Swales sits down with Kellen Milad to unpack a different approach: intuitive movement and lifelong training. Kellen is a movement coach, educa...

Human health is deeply influenced by biofrequencies, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and nervous system regulation—yet most people never consider how modern technology affects sleep, energy, posture, and performance. In this episode of Staying Relevant, Tom Swales sits down with Nicolas Desjardins, founder of Q Technology and Academie Neuera, to explore how biofrequency-based technology may help re...

Running a healthcare clinic shouldn’t require constant micromanaging but for many clinic owners, it does. Poor systems, unclear expectations, and disconnected technology quietly create chaos, burnout, and stalled growth. In this episode of Staying Relevant, Tom Swales sits down with Paul Wright, a former multi-clinic physiotherapy owner and health business mentor, to break down how high-performing...

Are you a clinic owner, physio, or healthcare professional looking to grow your clinic, avoid costly mistakes, and stay ahead of the curve ? In this episode of Staying Relevant , Tom Swales sits down with Rick Lau , founder of Clinic Accelerator, to reveal practical strategies, insider tips, and mindset shifts that can transform your practice. From mentorship to operational efficiency, culture cha...

New grads often struggle under the pressure of perfection—but what if giving yourself grace is the real path to success? Dr. Paul Salamh shares how mindset, vulnerability, and mentorship can change the way clinicians thrive in their careers. Dr. Paul Salamh is a Visiting Associate Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and Director of Research for the DPT Phoenix program. With a PhD in P...

Ever wondered how to turn second-hand sales into a thriving business while mastering negotiation, frugality, and mindset? This episode dives deep into flipping for profit, smart entrepreneurship, and actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Tim MacLeod is a seasoned entrepreneur and full-time reseller, known for his expertise in Facebook Marketplace and part-time flipping for profit. H...

Raw strength alone doesn’t make the World’s Strongest Man. Mental control, recovery and nervous system regulation do. In this episode of Staying Relevant, Tom Swales sits down with Mitchell Hooper to explore the psychological, neurological, and recovery principles that separate elite performers from everyone else. Mitchell is the reigning World’s Strongest Man, a clinical exercise physiologist wit...

What if confidence wasn’t something you’re born with — but something you can train every day? Dr. Ivan Joseph is an award-winning leadership coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author known globally for his viral TEDx Talk “The Skill of Self-Confidence” , which has been viewed over 30 million times . As a former championship-winning coach and university athletic director, Dr. Joseph has spent...

Jodi Barrett is a kettlebell coach, author, and founder of Kettlebell Kickboxing Canada , known for her empowering approach to strength and mindset. After facing personal and professional challenges, Jodi rebuilt her identity through fitness — turning pain into power and launching a movement that helps others rediscover their own strength. Today, she joins Tom Swales on Staying Relevant to share h...

What does it take to build a brand, a business, and a community that lasts? Today on Staying Relevant , Tom Swales is joined by Jeremy Rupke —better known as Coach Jeremy, the founder of How To Hockey . What started in 2009 as a simple blog has grown into one of the largest independent hockey platforms in the world, with nearly 500,000 followers across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond. Jerem...

Most coaches obsess over intensity, novelty, and programming tweaks—but miss the deeper principles that make strength training last. Brett Jones is a StrongFirst Master Instructor, licensed athletic trainer, and author of Iron Cardio . For over two decades, he’s been shaping how clinicians, coaches, and athletes approach kettlebells, rehab, and movement quality. As co-creator of the Secrets of… se...

What do most people get wrong about physical therapy education—and what’s really happening behind the scenes as we prepare the next generation of clinicians? Dr. Evan Papa pulls back the curtain to reveal what most people don’t realize about PT education, from perfectionism to posture to patient outcomes. Dr. Evan Papa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Tufts...

Most physios want to help people. Few learn how to lead people. And even fewer figure out how to grow a clinic without burning out. In this episode of Staying Relevant , Tom Swales sits down with Darryl Yardley —physiotherapist, clinic owner, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential mentors in Canadian rehab. Darryl is the founder of Mentorship Bootcamp , Chief Clinical Officer at Clinic Acce...

What can martial arts teach us about discipline, longevity, and staying relevant in life and business? Phil Ross—better known as Master Phil —shares how combat sports shaped his mindset and why strength training, resilience, and discipline remain timeless tools for success. Phil Ross is a lifelong martial artist, strength and conditioning expert, entrepreneur, and the host of Master Phil in Your C...

How do you prepare the next generation of physical therapists to succeed in a world where healthcare demands are evolving faster than ever? Dr. Christina Odeh reveals how leadership, innovation, and a growth mindset are shaping both education and clinical practice. Dr. Christina Odeh is the Dean of Graduate Health Professions and DPT Program Director at South College, leading one of the nation’s m...

Over 900 NHL games. 17 seasons. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and San Jose Sharks. But Scott Thornton’s story didn’t end when the arena lights went out. Scott Thornton is a former NHL forward who played 17 seasons across more than 900 games, known for his relentless work ethic, leadership, and toughness. Since retiring, he’s reinvented himself as a gym ow...

What does it look like to blend sport, recovery, and resilience into a career—and a life—that actually lasts? Today on Staying Relevant , Tom Swales is joined by Lyndsay Budgell —a Registered Massage Therapist, founder of Total Recovery Massage Therapy & Wellness and True North Kettlebell Club , and a Team Canada kettlebell sport athlete . From escaping an abusive relationship and dead-end job...

From competitive bodybuilding glory to losing a dream gym during the pandemic, Ryan Hawkes has lived the full arc of ambition, adversity, and reinvention. This episode isn’t just about fitness, it’s about the courage to evolve, let go of ego, and repurpose hard-earned lessons into a life of greater meaning. — Ryan Hawkes is a Gym Founder, Business Strategist, and High-Performance Mentor , known fo...

What does it take to train thousands of NFL athletes, Olympic medalists, and everyday kids to move faster, perform better, and stay injury-free? Bill Parisi is a world-renowned performance coach, founder of Parisi Speed School (100+ facilities, 1M+ athletes trained), and author of The Anatomy of Speed . With over 30 years of experience, he’s trained more athletes in speed development than almost a...

Welcome to Staying Relevant — the show where we break down what’s actually working in rehab, human performance, entrepreneurship, and life. Hosted by Tom Swales , physiotherapist, strength coach, and founder of the AMT System , this podcast brings you honest conversations with world-class coaches, researchers, and leaders across industries. Together, we uncover the principles, habits, and systems...