The ACL Athlete Podcast

In this episode, we discuss how to identify when you should be pressing the brakes, hitting the gas or just coasting in order to optimize your ACL rehab and feel more confidence navigating the tough parts of the journey. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom...

In this episode, we build off of last week's discussion on the principles of mechanics, consistency and intensity. We discuss how to use the "dial analogy" to appropriately ramp up your rehab process to build your foundation and bridge the gap to higher level activities like jumping. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tir...

Have you earned the right to dial up the intensity? In this episode, we dive into a simple framework to help you understand the research based milestones that are key to assessing your readiness for activities such as running and jumping. These principles can act as a guide for your movement progression throughout the rehab process.  _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote AC...

Emily Barnhart is a Registered Dietitian who created and operates as the Injury R.D, specializing in nutrition for injuries and rehab. Prior to that, she worked in collegiate and professional athletics. Most recently with the Texas Rangers and is a consultant for USA Volleyball. In part two of this 2-part series, Emily and I discussed: The realities of using collagen How to develop a healthy minds...

Emily Barnhart is a Registered Dietitian who created and operates as the Injury R.D, specializing in nutrition for injuries and rehab. Prior to that, she worked in collegiate and professional athletics. Most recently with the Texas Rangers and is a consultant for USA Volleyball. In this, the first of a two-part series, Emily and I discussed: How she found her way into sports nutrition Areas she se...

In this episode, we cover an opportunity cost regarding ACL rehab. We focus on sharing a special athlete win, return to performance criteria, return to performance testing, and finally, an audit of your own ACL process. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom +...

In this episode, we take a break from any ACL-related content. We take a moment for 5/24/22 and UVALDE. For 21 human beings - 2 teachers and 19 elementary school children. For hurting families and friends. For a community.⁠ To show our support. Ways that you can support UVALDE: https://twitter.com/Uvalde_CISD/status/1529515364152901633 https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/donate-to-texas-elementary-scho...

Kelsey suffered multiple ankle injuries and an ACL tear in her pursuit of her professional dance goals. Now, four years after her ACL recovery, she has developed a comprehensive approach to injury recovery that she calls mental skills training. Kelsey has her Masters in sport and exercise psychology and serves as the Performance Enhancement and Rehabilitation Specialist at The Micheli Center for S...

Kelsey suffered multiple ankle injuries and an ACL tear in her pursuit of her professional dance goals. Now, four years after her ACL recovery, she has developed a comprehensive approach to injury recovery that she calls mental skills training. Kelsey has her Masters in sport and exercise psychology and serves as the Performance Enhancement and Rehabilitation Specialist at The Micheli Center for S...

In this episode, we answer the question - "How Important is Post-Op ACL Rehab?"  We cover the "major" analogy, building your foundation, a real-time ACL athlete story you want to hear, reducing delays or setbacks along the way, and how to create smoother transitions phase to phase during your ACL rehab journey.  _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL...

In this episode, we cover the essential feedback loops needed to manage your grumpy knee. We discuss The Protect-Expose Continuum, The Goldilocks Principle, The Traffic Light System, The 24-Hour Feedback Loop, and making sure we address the bigger buckets of health including important questions to ask in this process. This episode is one that equips you for not only the ACL journey but ANY injury-...

In part 1 of this episode series, we cover the "grumpy" knee in ACL rehab. We dive into what defines a grumpy knee, some concerns you might have about "messing up" your knee, building the full story, teasing out pain and swelling, and getting the ROOTS of the problem. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guess...

In this episode, we cover how you can find your own ACL "signal" within the noise. With a world full of information overload, how are we able to make sure we are taking the right steps in the ACL journey? We cover filtering through information, creating boundaries, community groups, mindset and being rooted in principles and the basics so you can find your signal within the noise of your...

In this episode, we cover all things regarding wound management and healing after ACLR. We discuss the main goals for wound management, phases of healing, some red flags to look out for, breaking down materials used in wound care, and how to manage your wounds and scarring through this process. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired o...

In this episode, we help you with navigating the showering process after ACL reconstruction/surgery. We cover the first few days post-op, practical options to cover your incision site and keep it safe, how to set up your environment, mistakes to avoid early, and my own post-op experience with showering after ACLR. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for AC...

In this episode, we cover when you can ditch the crutches and walk normal again. We discuss the main factors that will impact when you can walk again, how your injury and surgery will influence walking, some advice from working with ACL athletes, the dimmer switch analogy, and very common mistakes to avoid early when returning to walking.  _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Rem...

In this episode, we cover EVERYTHING related to getting back to driving after ACLR.  We discuss the main factors that will impact when you can drive again, research that gives us parameters on timing, how graft type influences this, functional tests used in the research, prerequisites we need, and practical checklist for anyone who preparing for surgery and driving. _________ Want a clear plan for...

In this episode, we cover when you can get back to work (or school/daily things/life) after ACL reconstruction. We look at different occupations as examples and the needs and demands of each. We discuss the important factors that go into making the decision of returning to work and creating a good game plan to get there. We dive into common mistakes I see people make when returning back to work, a...

In this episode, we highlight a 3x ACL athlete win. We discuss her journey as an athlete who has gone through the ACL process THREE times as well as what she was able to get back to recently. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built ar...

In this episode, we cover setting the proper expectations in your ACL rehab. We talk about certain expectations I didn't handle so well in my own ACL process and outline a helpful list of ones for you to utilize to make the most of yours. This directly impacts your mindset and our mindset drives our actions. Make sure you have these in place as you take this journey on. _________ Want a clear...

In this episode, we cover the importance of time at PT vs. time at home. If you're going to PT 2x per week, is that enough? Maybe you get a home exercise program with it.  Still, are you making the most of your time? We cover how to dissect this out and a helpful analogy and perspective to approach your own ACL rehab process and maximize the return on your time you have. _________ Want a clea...

In this episode, we dive into reframing your mindset about the ACL rehab process. How do we combat the overwhelming feeling that can some times take over? Listen to this episode and see why "brick by brick" can help answer that question and keep that overwhelming feeling from kicking in. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tire...

In this episode, we reflect on the past year of The ACL Athlete Podcast, a message, accomplishments, and a special giveaway at the end.  _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner...

In this episode, we answer the question of when you should ideally start rehab after ACL surgery. We cover the best approach and how to strategize this as that time comes. We touch on the main priorities so you know how to navigate this process early and make the most of your ACL journey from day 1. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are ti...

In this episode, we discuss a recent conversation with one of my ACL athletes who had their 6 month follow-up after ACL reconstruction with their surgeon. We dive into what the surgeon cleared her for compared to what was assessed at the follow up. We cover the importance of objective testing, a team approach, and to make sure we check ALL the boxes before we get full clearance. This is incredibly...