The ACL Athlete Podcast

In this episode, we discuss opportunity cost in ACL rehab. Every decision we make has an opportunity cost. Each week, I have people reach out with problems, questions, and concerns regarding their cases. I want to break down the realities of these conversations and what it has costed them (them being 13 different ACLers) based on poor guidance and waiting. In majority of cases, it's not their...

In this episode, we discuss the realities behind a true ACL rehab journey vs. what you might see on social media. Understanding the purpose of these platforms and the inherent nature of social media can help us understand how to better filter what we choose to see and the perspective we have on it. This episode unpacks this idea and helps you to get out of the comparison trap and create a better h...

In this episode, we discuss a commonly overlooked benchmark in ACL rehab - your uninvolved side. While this leg has to take on the load early on, it can be a helpful proxy for a number of things in the ACL rehab process. What's important is that we have to be honest about what standards we're comparing it to to make sure we're not using a not-so-good standard. This episode highlight...

In this episode, we dive into the building your ACL athlete dashboard - a big part of pulling from the quote: "what gets measured gets managed". We go hard on this one talking about the dangers of the wrong things, focusing on very simple 3 step framework to guide your testing and ACL reahb, and how you can put this into play today as an ACLer, clinician, or coach. _________ Want a clear...

In this episode, we share the number one question to vet and see if your physical therapist/rehab provider is legit for you and your ACL rehab. We break down why this is so important, how it can tell you a lot, the typical process ACLers go through, and practical next steps if you find yourself concerned after asking this question. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL...

In part 2 of this 2-part podcast episode series, I discuss an upcoming surgery I'm having. I pull back the curtain on my own journey getting here, being super open and transparent about my whole process, the challenges I've faced, and how I came to this decision. This episode specifically highlights how I did my research on the right procedure, the procedure itself, the right surgeon, th...

In this episode, I discuss an upcoming surgery I'm having. I pull back the curtain on my own journey getting here, being super open and transparent about my whole process, the challenges I've faced, and how I came to this decision. I'm putting it all out there, so I hope you get something out of hearing my story and personal journey. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1...

In part 2 of this 2-part podcast episode series, we continue the conversation on our 8 proven strategies to help with swelling management in ACL rehab. This is after managing so many swollen knees over the years and ACLers including myself. It pulls from research and science, and gives you on the ground practical advice to put into play today to help get rid of your swelling. Knee compression slee...

In part 1 of this 2-part podcast episode series, we dive into all things swelling management. We discuss the background on swelling and the why, how it influences the recovery and our quads, and then we start tapping into the 8 proven strategies that will help you reduce your swelling in ACL rehab. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tir...

In this episode, we dive into the 0-100% assessment I use with all of my ACLers. It's a very simple tool to get context with where ACLers are as we zoom out. This then fuels the next questions which has SO much value in helping us adapt the game plan to make sure we're closing in on the gap. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are...

In this episode, we provide guidance on when you should schedule your ACL surgery. While it might seem super straight forward to just jump in the next open spot and get it over with, there might be a better path to give you your best chance. We dive into the surgery rush, balancing logic vs. reality of the surgery, the benefits and upside to potentially waiting, and specific scenarios that might h...

In this episode, we discuss how to keep your floor high after ACL injury and surgery. We often find that ACLers go from one extreme, moving and being active, to the other, resting and not doing anything. There's an opportunity here. And we talk through it by breaking down residual training effects, the value of prehab, our favorite building analogy, life constraints, and how to make the climb...

In this episode, we answer whether you can prevent a cyclops lesion from happening in ACL rehab. We give some background on a cyclops lesion, theories behind it, factors we see contributing to one forming, answering the question, and creating a game plan for it. _________ 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...

In this episode, we cover the 3-step return to performance continuum in detail. We explore the most important question to answer for our ACLers, the RTP continuum, 4 guiding principles that anchor this process, determining if an athlete is ready vs. cleared, and making sure you can translate this over to any sport or activity. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coach...

In this episode, we celebrate 4 years of The ACL Athlete Podcast. We talk about the journey over the past 4 years and what we've accomplished together as a community. The incredible messages, the reach, and 4 lessons I've taken away from this experience. Giveaway Details If you send me a message/email of how this podcast has helped you, you will be entered to win a T-shirt/merch/engraved...

In this episode, we cover how to initially process your ACL injury after its happened. As someone who's torn his ACL twice, it can be a lot to take in. This episode pulls back the curtain on how that experience felt from ACL #1 to ACL #2 and a real talk episode on what you need to make sure you get on the right track with your own ACL rehab journey. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL re...

In this episode, we answer the question on whether you should get a second opinion for your ACL surgery. We discuss some assumptions that are made during this process, putting yourself into a few different scenarios for comparison, making a choice not for yourself, doing a detailed analysis of multiple opinions, and a friend's message to make this really hit home. If you're someone who i...

In this episode, we dive into 10 key strategies that will help you sleep better immediately after ACL surgery. We dive into what things to avoid, what to look for, ways to manage the symptoms, positioning, protecting the site, setting up your environment, and the big 3 to make sure you stay in check. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are t...

In this episode, we dive into the .300 mindset. One that I think many of you will resonate with. We over strive for perfection as humans or these all-or-nothing mentalities. This mindset helps us reset our expectations, especially in such a long, hard, and nonliear process like ACL rehab. It also dives into how playing the long game allows to better find this .300 vs. expecting it right off the ba...

In this episode, we cover the Never Zero mindset and how it's key in this ACL rehab process. We dive into how Newton's first law and this mindset connect, how momentum - even just a little - matters a lot, the nonlinearity of ACL rehab, and some really practical ways you can put this into play for 2025 (or whenever you're listening to this) and your ACL rehab. _________ Want a clear...

In this episode, we dive into this topic about the gap and the gain. I really love this concept and it's a big one in ACL rehab. It's easy to look at what's ahead. Here, we share an ACLer breaking down, redirecting towards the gain vs. gap mindset, and unpacking this idea into some practical strategies for you to put it in play. A big way that pays massive dividends, especially from...

In this episode, we cover the 80/20 rule and how this can be incredibly effective in helping design efficient, personalized, and effective ACL programs. We dive into this rule (or also known as the Pareto Principle), how this applies to modern day and different domains of society, how it can be applied to your ACL rehab, and be incredibly helpful as an audit - whether you're a PT, ATC, coach,...

In this episode, we dive into comparing time vs. criteria in the ACL rehab process. We talk about how things have been done, how that might get us into trouble, and how setting up criteria and targets can be an absolute game-changer in this 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...

In this episode, we are breaking down some barriers around the perception of the older ACL athlete. We dive into how older ACLers might be treated differently, an older ACLer's story, building your ACL team appropriately, knowing when you need to make a shift, and deciding which hard you'd like to cross and when. If you may categorize yourself as "older", I encourage you to giv...

In this episode, we have our annual AnnKNEEversary episode. This is where we take a deep dive on a theme, and this year, it's about the little moments. Life and ACL rehab can feel like it's trying to get to the next thing. For this episode, we break down a different perspective and a useful strategy that can be helpful if you feel that you're in a rut or seeing more bad than good re...