KIMEcast

What if the goal wasn't simply living longer—but living stronger? In this episode of KIMEcast , Tony Mikla sits down with family physician Dr. Sam Robinson to explore what modern longevity medicine actually looks like—and why most people are focusing on the wrong things. Rather than chasing the latest supplement or health trend, Dr. Robinson explains the three evidence-based pillars that have...

Most rehabilitation programs focus on pain, range of motion, and checking boxes on a protocol. But is that enough to truly return someone to sport, performance, or the life they want to live? In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning explore some of the biggest missed opportunities in physical therapy and sports medicine. They discuss why fear and uncertainty are often the first bar...

Most injuries aren't complicated. Our thinking about them is. In Episode 60 of KIMEcast, we break down the framework we use to evaluate injuries, guide rehabilitation, and return athletes safely back to performance. Rather than trying to solve every problem at once, we discuss how identifying the true limiting factor creates clarity and accelerates results. The conversation explores KIME's...

What does it actually mean to be “healed” after an injury? In Episode 59 of KIMEcast, the team breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in sports medicine: pain-free does not mean ready to perform. From ankle sprains to ACL tears to throwing injuries, this episode explores why athletes continue to get hurt, how compensation patterns develop, and why true return-to-sport testing matters. The c...

Season 3 of KIMEcast launches from the brand-new KIME studio with a deep discussion on the future of sports medicine, rehabilitation, coaching, and human performance. In this episode, Tony and Russ break down how AI is already changing healthcare, physical therapy, fitness, and business operations — and why generic clinicians and coaches are at serious risk of becoming obsolete. They explore the d...

In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla, DPT and Russ Dunning, MPT dive into the ever-popular world of recovery—separating hype from science on cold plunges, saunas, red-light therapy, shockwave treatments, orthotics, and more. They unpack recent research showing how post-workout cold exposure may actually blunt muscle growth and protein absorption , discuss when cold therapy is useful (hint: shor...

In Episode 55 of KIMEcast, Russ Dunning, MPT and Evan Hauger, DPT take you inside the real-life process of injury, recovery, and performance evolution. When Evan suffers a back injury playing pickleball, it sparks a powerful and honest discussion about how clinicians navigate their own rehab and what it teaches them. They break down: The healing timeline from acute inflammation to tissue regenerat...

AI is changing everything—even sports medicine. In this episode, Tony Mikla, DPT and Russ Dunning, MPT dive into how artificial intelligence is influencing the future of physical therapy, performance training, and patient care. From ChatGPT to custom-built AI agents, patients are showing up more informed (and sometimes misinformed) than ever. So what’s the real role of a PT in an AI-enhanced world...

Why do some D1 athletes come back slower and weaker after a season? In this episode, Dr. Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning break down the critical trade-offs between human performance metrics (like strength, speed, and power) and sport-specific performance (like IQ, conditioning, and durability). They discuss: The “performance seesaw” between raw athleticism and game readiness How youth sports developme...

In Episode 51 of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla, DPT, and Nikos Contos, DPT, welcome special guest Dr. Brian Gilmer, a leading orthopedic surgeon based in Reno, NV and Mammoth, CA. This insightful conversation dives deep into ACL reconstruction techniques, surgical decision-making, and modern rehabilitation strategies. Dr. Gilmer shares candid thoughts on meniscal root tears, the evolution of ACL repair pro...

In this episode of KIMecast , we sit down with Chris Rounds , Associate Director of Performance Enhancement for Arizona Men’s Basketball, to explore his philosophy behind athlete durability, return-to-play protocols, and building elite basketball players from the inside out. Chris shares insights from over two decades in elite collegiate programs—from his early days at Kentucky to leading performa...

Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning use a return-to-sprint case to do more than coach movement—they deliver a powerful critique of both the performance industry and the healthcare system that supports (and often limits) it. In this episode, they cover: Real-time coaching breakdowns for athletes returning to sprinting Why so much current rehab misses the mark on real-world performance What separates a grea...

In this episode, Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning tackle one of the most important challenges in physical therapy and sports performance: the disconnect between academic research and what actually works in the clinic. They break down: Why research can feel outdated or irrelevant by the time it reaches clinical practice The challenges of applying rigid protocols to highly variable human bodies How real-...

In Episode 47 of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla and Russ Duncan dive deep into the art and science of movement—exploring how understanding shapes and identifying limiting factors is the key to unlocking athletic performance, preventing injuries, and creating bulletproof programming. From sprint mechanics and ballistic movement to orthopedic interventions and joint health, they break down: Why owning the sha...

In this solo episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla sits down for a freestyle Q&A—answering the most important questions aspiring and early-career physical therapists should be asking. From what separates standout new grads, to what clinical excellence actually looks like in practice, Tony shares the mindset, habits, and strategies that define success at the highest level of sports physical therapy....

In this episode, Tony sits down with athlete, author, and performance coach Brad Kearns to talk about everything from professional triathlon to mindset, recovery, and redefining success in sport and life. Brad shares stories from his nine-year pro career, the mindset that helped him go from accountant to elite triathlete, and how a process-driven approach helped him outperform more experienced com...

In this episode, Tony and Russ unpack some of sports science's most uncomfortable truths—straight from a viral list circulating the field. From debunking the magic of foam rolling and GPS trackers to calling out the misuse of "functional training," they give no-nonsense takes on why many common practices in sports medicine fall flat. They also discuss how their unique two-year fellow...

Think you need to stretch more? Think again. In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony and Russ break down the real reason you feel tight—and it’s not because your muscles are short. From hamstrings to hip flexors, we explore why traditional stretching often fails, and what to do instead. Learn: ✅ Why most “tightness” is a stability issue, not a flexibility one ✅ Quick neuromuscular hacks to instantly i...

In this episode of KIMEcast, the team dives deep into the systemic challenges plaguing healthcare today—from insurance red tape to the shortage of primary care providers. With real-world examples, Tony Mikla, DPT & Russ Dunning, MPT explore the inefficiencies caused by bureaucratic hurdles and discuss how the evolving healthcare landscape, including tech-driven solutions, concierge medicine, a...

In this episode of KIMEcast , Tony Mikla, DPT, and Russ Dunning, MPT , sit down with Dr. Sean Robinson , an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and joint replacements. Dr. Robinson shares his journey from residency at the world-renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic to building his successful practice in Sacramento. 🔹 Key Topics Covered: ✔️ The importance of relationships in sports...

In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla, DPT, and Russ Dunning, MPT explore the fundamental principles of coaching, injury recovery, and athlete development. Whether you're working with youth athletes, elite performers, or recovering patients, understanding how to apply first principles thinking in training and rehabilitation is essential for long-term success. Key Topics in This Episode: The...

As young athletes improve, they face a paradox: the better they get, the more they play, and the higher their injury risk becomes. In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla, DPT, and Russ Dunning, MPT, experts in sports performance, explore how skill development, training loads, and recovery impact an athlete’s long-term success and health. Key Topics in This Episode:The Athlete Paradox: Why better...

In this episode of KIMEcast, Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning explore how technology, data, and daily habits influence health, performance, and recovery. From heart rate monitors to sleep trackers, they discuss the power of wearables and apps in guiding better decisions for fitness, stress management, and longevity. They dive into: ✅ How tracking heart rate, sleep, and glucose levels can optimize perf...

In this episode of KIMEcast, the Tony and Russ take a first principles approach to sports medicine, rehabilitation, and performance—breaking down complex ideas into fundamental truths that guide better decision-making in patient care, training, and recovery. The discussion starts with a deep dive into mitochondrial health, the foundation of energy production, adaptation, and resilience. The hosts...

In this episode of KIMEcast, hosts Tony, Mikayla, and Russ tackle the perennial challenge of New Year's resolutions focused on health and fitness. They dive deep into the psychology of goal-setting, the pitfalls of unsustainable habits, and the power of understanding your "why" behind health ambitions. The discussion spans key health pillars—stress management, sleep, nutrition, and movement—provid...