The ACL Athlete Podcast

There are many members of the ACL Rehab the team. The surgeon, the PT, the AT, the Sport coach, and the Strength coach to name a few -- but who should be clearing you to return to your sport and how? In this episode, we dive into the most crucial components of return to sport clearance and why the ability to utilize objective data from clinical and performance tests to assess one's readiness...

Looking for the magic bullet, quick fix or single best exercise to speed up your ACL rehab? ACL recovery is the long game. In this episode, we discuss an athlete case to help explain how playing the long game will get you reaching your goals and maximizing your rehab potential.  _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Obje...

So you are thinking about ditching your crutches? In this episode, we discuss the intricate decision making around transitioning off of your crutches and what factors are involved to set you up for success for the rest of your recovery. _________ 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...

It's time to ask yourself -- are you being challenged in your ACL rehab?  In this episode, we discuss how you perform a self audit to makes sure you are on the same page with your PT/coach.  _________ 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 buil...

Are you going through your ACL rehab but do not identify as an athlete? What defines an "athlete?"  In this episode, we discuss our definition at The ACL Athlete.  Maybe you will reconsider after listening to what we have to say.  _________ 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 actua...

In this episode, we discuss the differences in subjective vs. objective wins. Why do these matter? How can you shift your mindset if you're not seeing the progress you want? This episode covers just how to do that in your own ACL rehab. _________ 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 actu...

During ACL rehab, your body may not have the range of motion or strength to appropriately complete a task but our bodies are designed to figure out how to complete the task anyways— these are called movement compensations. In this episode, we break down the different theories and strategies surrounding these compensations. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching...

In this episode, we discuss the major role the Quadriceps play in ACL recovery and how we need to focus on more than just strengthening to improve its performance and our ACL outcomes. Find out the 4 qualities needed to get the most out of your quads in this episode. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testin...

In this episode, we discuss how you can help your friends and family understand the physical, mental, emotional and psychological aspects of your ACL journey. But this episode is not just for the ACL athlete! If you find yourself in a supporting role to someone going through the ACL recovery process, the analogies, POVs and resources in this episode will give you a deeper understanding of what the...

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...