Past Your Prime

Most active adults don’t break down because of one bad workout or a single unlucky twist — they get trapped in a doom loop , a cycle where tissue capacity slowly drops below daily intensity. Once that flip happens, even “normal life” keeps making things worse. In this episode, Craig & Alex break down how the doom loop forms, the subtle signs you’re in it, and—most importantly— how to get out b...

Most active adults think recurring injuries mean they’re “getting old” or “overdoing it.” But the real problem is almost always the same: your physical capacity has outpaced your tissue capacity —and the mismatch keeps blowing you up. In this episode, Craig breaks down exactly what that mismatch is, why strong and motivated people are the most vulnerable, and how hidden triggers, delayed feedback...

Knee pain during squats and lunges isn’t just “getting older” — it’s usually a specific structure or control problem that can be identified and fixed. In this episode, Craig Smith, PT, and pro volleyball player Alex Keicher break down the most common causes of knee pain and what to do for each one. They cover how to tell the difference between a joint issue, a tendon problem, or patellofemoral pai...

Most people think back pain means something is “out of place.” But recurrent low back pain isn’t a structural problem—it’s a capacity problem. In this episode, Craig and Alex dig into why back pain keeps coming back, why stretching often makes it worse, and how to rebuild the ability to handle load again. They cover:• The real cause of recurrent low back pain (tissue capacity mismatch)• Hidden tri...

Most people think shin splints are just part of running. But “shin splints” isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a location. In this episode, Craig and Alex break down what’s really happening when your shins hurt, why rest rarely fixes it, and how to rebuild the ability to absorb force. They cover: • The two main causes—medial tibial stress syndrome and posterior tibialis overload • Why “overpronation” isn’t th...

Our second Past Your Prime comment section is here — where we take your comments from Spotify and YouTube and turn them into full conversations. In this one, we cover everything from dietary fiber to what actually happens when tissues are injured, joint replacement training tips, and even the wild mechanics of reverse shoulder replacements. We also get into cramping, neuromas, and the connection b...

Most people think challenges like 75 Hard are just about willpower or discipline. At Past Your Prime , we see them differently: they’re a way to stress test your system —to find out if your daily habits, identity, and direction actually hold up under pressure. In this episode, Alex and Craig break down: What really makes 75 Hard difficult (hint: not the workouts). How challenges reveal cracks in y...

Most people think once they’re pain free, the problem is solved. But pain free doesn’t mean inhibition free. Muscle inhibition—the silent limiter that keeps certain muscles from firing—can stall your progress, cause recurring flare-ups, and make workouts feel harder than they should. In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down: What muscle inhibition really is (and why it linger...

Some treatments feel amazing in the moment—but are they actually helping you recover, or just keeping you stuck? In this episode of Past Your Prime , Alex and Craig dig into “triggers hiding as therapy,” the hidden danger of unverified treatments that mask symptoms without building capacity. From stretching to massage guns to even certain injections and surgeries, they unpack why so many popular a...

Most people believe rest = healing = problem solved. But if you’ve dealt with the same injury over and over, you already know the truth: taking time off usually makes things worse. In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig Smith (PT & life professional) and Alex Keicher (pro athlete & busy dad) break down: Why time off creates “fake improvement” and the dreaded doom loop When rest actuall...

Old injuries that never seem to stay gone? Taking time off, stretching harder, or grinding through ibuprofen won’t break the cycle. If you keep re-irritating the same spots, it’s not because you’re weak or unlucky—it’s because your programming isn’t addressing tissue capacity and you’re ignoring the feedback that matters. In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig uses Alex as a live case study to...

“Ever pushed through a workout just because it was on the plan—only to pay for it later? Most athletes and lifters know the trap: the program says one thing, your body says another. That’s where autoregulation comes in. In Episode 35 of Past Your Prime , Alex and Craig break down how to adjust a structured program in real time without losing progress. Alex shares what he’s been hearing about “intu...

Still jumping, landing, and lifting—but your knees don’t feel the same? In this episode, Craig and Alex break down the 5-Level Framework for keeping your knees healthy, strong, and pain-free—especially if you’re an active adult dealing with old injuries, stubborn swelling, or a history of patellar pain. Whether you’re playing pickup sports, chasing kids, or just want to train without blowing out y...

When everything hurts, most people just try to push through—or give up altogether. But there’s a better way. In this episode, Craig and Alex introduce the Body Inventory : a 5-question system to map out your current and past injuries, identify hidden compensations, and finally train with clarity instead of fear. Whether you're dealing with persistent pain, old injuries that keep flaring up, or mov...

Why Do Your Hamstrings Always Feel Tight? (It’s Not What You Think) Everyone thinks tight hamstrings mean they need to stretch—but what if that’s making the problem worse? In this episode, Craig and Alex dismantle the myth of hamstring tightness and reveal 15 different causes behind that chronic, nagging sensation. From nerve tension and faulty motor patterns to movement compensation and fatigue,...

Three NBA players tore their Achilles in the Finals. Was it just bad luck? In this episode, Craig and Alex break down why Achilles tendon ruptures aren’t freak accidents—they’re predictable failures of the kinetic chain. Using high-profile injuries like Tyrese Halliburton’s, they dig into the real risk factors: fatigue, inhibition, missed warning signs, and poor load absorption mechanics. You’ll l...

Thinking about trying 75 Hard? This episode isn’t about masochism, punishment, or proving how tough you are. It’s about building systems that align with your identity, meaning, and direction—then testing those systems under stress. Craig shares why he’s committing to 75 Hard (with a twist), how he’s using it to refine his habits, reduce decision fatigue, and strengthen boundaries as a business own...

Feeling tight all the time? You might not need more stretching—you might need better movement, load management, and a new way to understand what “tightness” actually means. In this episode, Craig and Alex challenge the cultural obsession with stretching and unpack why static stretching is often overrated, misused, and even harmful when dealing with pain, injury, or performance goals. We break down...

Medial ankle pain? You might be dealing with a posterior tibialis injury—and not just a “flat foot.” In this episode, Craig and Alex break down why so many people miss the real cause of their foot pain and how the wrong rehab strategy leads to chronic issues. We cover structure vs. function, key signs, overpronation myths, and how to use taping and bracing to offload the post tib tendon without re...

Why does your injury keep coming back—even after rehab? In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down the “Rehab Gap”: the vulnerable zone between feeling better and actually being better. If you’ve ever stopped rehab too early, mistook fitness for readiness, or blown yourself up trying to return to activity, this episode is for you. They unpack: Why symptoms disappearing doesn’t...

Ever tried adding plyometrics—only to end up sore, flared up, or frustrated? In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex explain how to reintroduce plyometric training without blowing yourself up . Whether you’re returning from injury, trying to get more explosive, or just want to stay athletic as you age, this conversation gives you a clear roadmap for success. They cover:– What the stret...

Why do you feel fine during a workout… only to wake up sore, stiff, or wrecked the next day? In this episode of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down a powerful clinical tool: the 3-Capacity Model , which helps you identify what’s actually limiting your progress—and what’s setting you up for injury, burnout, or flare-ups. They cover: The difference between energy capacity , tissue capacity ,...

How to Understand and Manage Flare-Ups Without Panic, Quitting, or Starting Over You’ve been putting in the work. Things were feeling better. Then suddenly—pain’s back. You’re spiraling, questioning your diagnosis, and wondering if you’re just broken. In this episode, Craig and Alex unpack the real reason people relapse—even when their rehab was working. Spoiler: it’s not always about the diagnosi...

You didn’t fail 75 Hard. Your system did. In Episode 23 of Past Your Prime, Craig and Alex take a hard look at the viral 75 Hard challenge — and flip the narrative. Most people assume 75 Hard is a test of willpower and mental toughness. But Craig argues it’s something more revealing: a full-body audit of your life systems . Why can’t you drink a gallon of water a day without panicking about your n...

No knee pain? You might still be failing rehab. In Episode 22 of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down the most common mistake in knee recovery: assuming that once the pain is gone, you’re ready to get back to life. Spoiler—your knee disagrees. Using Alex’s recent flare-up as a case study, Craig explains why true recovery depends on more than just how your knee feels. You’ll learn the four m...