Past Your Prime

Cramping mid-game? Here’s why it happens—and how to actually fix it. In Episode 21 of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex tackle one of the most frustrating problems in sports: calf and hamstring cramps . Alex shares a real-time story from a recent volleyball match where he finally overcame a calf cramp mid-game using a neural flossing technique—and why it worked for the first time in his life. Craig...

Feeling motivated but still can’t make progress? In Episode 20 of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down why motivation alone isn’t enough—and what to do instead. Using Alex’s recent string of injuries and volleyball training as a case study, they reveal a four-step system designed to eliminate failure points, build foundational skills, use feedback loops, and continuously upgrade your plan....

Most people think motivation is what keeps them going. But what if relying on motivation is actually what’s holding you back? In Episode 19 of Past Your Prime , Craig and Alex break down why motivation can be a trap—especially when it comes to staying consistent with injury rehab, strength training, or life as a busy parent. From late-night gym sessions to stacking injuries from overdoing it, this...

Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life. In each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free — even when life gets chaotic. 💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community: 👉 ⁠ pastyourprime.com ⁠ Follow us on Instagram: 📲 Alex...

In Episode 17 of the Past Your Prime Podcast, Craig and Alex tackle the follow-up to last week’s deep dive on heel pain misdiagnosis. This time, it’s all about treatment —and how to fix stubborn heel pain that hasn’t responded to classic plantar fasciitis protocols. The culprit? In many cases, it’s not your plantar fascia at all—it’s the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) , a deep foot muscle that’s of...

In Episode 16 of the Past Your Prime Podcast, Craig and Alex dig into one of the most misdiagnosed injuries in the world of foot pain—plantar fasciitis. Or is it? Craig lays out his clinical argument for why heel pain is often incorrectly blamed on the plantar fascia and instead caused by a different culprit: the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle. They cover: Why cramping is a big red flag The...

Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life. In each episode, hosts Craig Smith (@craigsmithPT) and Alex Keicher (@spikerkeicher) dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free — even when life gets chaotic. 💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community: 👉 pastyourprime.com Fol...

Check us out at Past Your Prime Website . Summary Ever finished a workout feeling fine, only to wake up the next day feeling like you got hit by a truck? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the nine tissues that cause pain and the pain mechanisms behind them—so you can stop making the same mistakes in your rehab. Injury Updates Before we get into the nitty-gritty, Craig and A...

The 10 Biggest Mistakes That Lead to Repetitive Injury We’re back with another episode of Past Your Prime , diving into why injuries keep coming back and how to break the cycle. Injury Updates: Alex played a five-set volleyball match, served an ace, and then his wrist reminded him who’s boss. Craig’s neck injury is improving, but only because he finally started following his own advice. Main Topic...

Past Your Prime – Episode 12: Treating Anterior Horn Meniscus Lesions (Part 2) ⁠🔗 More Resources & Extra Clips: pastyourprime.com⁠ What We Cover in This Episode Welcome back to Past Your Prime . This is Part 2 of our deep dive into anterior horn meniscus lesions —a knee injury that is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. Craig and Alex break down how to identify, treat, and prevent this issue s...

📅 Part 1 of 2 Episode Summary In this episode, Craig and Alex dive into anterior horn meniscus injuries , a commonly overlooked source of anterior knee pain that often fails conservative therapy if not diagnosed correctly. Craig breaks down: ✅ What is the anterior horn meniscus? ✅ How does it get injured? (Hint: It’s not always from sports or pivoting!) ✅ Why this injury is often misdiagnosed...

Welcome to Episode 10 of Past Your Prime! In this episode, Craig and Alex dive deep into knee pain , busting common myths, discussing why it’s not as simple as "just stretch" or "strengthen your hips," and breaking down what actually works . Plus, we take you behind the scenes for a live knee assessment and explore real strategies for managing knee pain long-term. 🔹 Injury Upd...

🔗 Website: PastYourPrime.com Episode Summary In this episode, Craig and Alex dive into the Exercise Standard and the fundamentals of programming an exercise routine . Before jumping into the main topic, they provide injury updates , discussing Alex's wrist issues and Craig’s ongoing neck rehab. They explore how injuries evolve through the rehab process , the importance of monitoring pain generato...

Question: How to progress your workouts after an injury without getting stuck in an endless injury cycle. Episode Overview In this episode, Craig and Alex break down exercise progression when returning from injury and how to know if you're truly ready to push your training again . They cover: ✅ The Three Training Standards – Rehab, Exercise, and Performance. ✅ How to Know Which Standard You&...

Summary: In this first-ever Comment Section episode, Craig and Alex respond to listener comments and questions. They cover topics ranging from height exaggeration in sports rosters to training modifications for injuries and why they don’t record the podcast in the gym. They also break down injury-related questions, including forearm pain, mid-to-lower back pain, and gripping techniques in weight t...

You can read more about this topic and more at Past Your Prime . If you are struggling with an injury and need help, visit Smith Performance Center. Summary In this episode of the Past Year Prime podcast, hosts Craig and Alex discuss how to start a workout routine, emphasizing the importance of motivation, injury management, and foundational movement skills. They share personal injury updates, cel...

Summary In this episode of the Past Your Prime podcast, hosts Alex and Craig discuss their personal injury updates and recovery experiences, emphasizing the importance of getting back into exercise after an injury. They explore foundational exercises and functional movements that are essential for anyone looking to start or return to a fitness routine. The conversation also highlights the signific...

Summary In this episode, Craig and Alex discuss the complexities of hip injuries, focusing on rehabilitation and performance training. They share personal injury updates, delve into the common causes and assessments of hip pain, and emphasize the importance of recognizing key signs and triggers during rehabilitation. The conversation highlights common mistakes athletes make in their rehab process,...

Summary In this episode of the Past Your Prime podcast, hosts Alex and Craig discuss the common issue of low back pain, particularly among individuals in their 30s and 40s. They share personal injury updates and delve into the causes, diagnosis, and management of low back pain. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding one's body, recognizing symptoms, and implementing effective...

Summary In this episode, the Alex and Craig discuss the significance of accurate diagnoses in rehab, injury recovery, exercise and performance. They explore the concept of feedback loops, the risks associated with misdiagnosis, and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the human body and the necessity of understanding one's symptoms and goals...

Summary In this episode of the Past Your Prime podcast, hosts Alex and Craig discuss the importance of staying active while managing injuries. They explore various strategies for injury management, including understanding the nature of injuries, the significance of trigger management, and the role of rest and recovery. The conversation also highlights common injuries faced by aging athletes and em...

Summary In this episode of the Past Your Prime podcast, hosts Alex Keicher and Craig Allen Smith discuss the challenges faced by aging athletes, particularly in relation to injury prevention and management. They explore the myth that injuries can be completely prevented, emphasizing instead the importance of managing injuries effectively and recognizing the inevitability of injuries as part of ath...