THE LAB COLLECTIVE

In this episode of The Lab Collective, Lou sits down with Paul Clingan creator of Fit For The Republic to discuss discipline, identity, consistency, and the role community plays in long-term fitness success. We explore how storytelling influences fitness culture, how adopting an alter ego can help people pursue growth and accountability, and how building a strong sense of identity can help people...

Do you feel trapped by productivity standards, documentation, insurance limitations, or the traditional physical therapy career path? You may be stuck in the Physical Therapy Matrix. In this episode of The Lab Collective Podcast, I discuss the mindset that keeps many clinicians feeling stuck and the steps you can take to build a career with more freedom, purpose, and opportunity. -Why therapists o...

In this episode, Louis Fullenkamp discusses the realities of entering the sports medicine world as a new clinician. Topics include: standing out in a competitive sports PT market board certifications and credibility networking with coaches, ATCs, and surgeons balancing evidence-based care with clinic realities managing high-volume outpatient practice and bridging the gap between rehab and performa...

In this episode, Lou sits down with Adelaide Cooke Sperling, a third-generation physical therapist specializing in pelvic health and sports medicine. Adelaide, a former D1 track and field athlete at the University of Albany, discovered pelvic floor physical therapy while studying at Northwestern University. The discussion focuses on pelvic health in athletic populations, emphasizing the importance...

In this episode of The Lab Collective, Louis sits down with Mohamed, a Physical Therapist for the New Orleans Saints, to unpack his journey from PT school to the NFL sidelines. They dive into the pivotal career choices that shaped his path, discuss the differences between private practice and professional sports, and explore what it truly takes to thrive in elite-level sports medicine. Mohamed sha...

In this episode of The Lab Collective, Louis and Alex unpack the underrated power of isometric training for athletes. They break down the science behind yielding vs. overcoming isometrics, discuss how to strategically use them for strength gains, tendon health, and injury resilience, and explore how to implement them across sports like football and track. Whether you’re pushing through sticking po...

In this episode of The Lab Collective, Dr. Lou Fullenkamp explores the importance of autoregulation and flexible non-linear programming in training and rehab. He emphasizes that training should adapt to the athlete or patient, not the other way around. Lou introduces key autoregulation tools like Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Reps in Reserve (RIR), and Velocity-Based Training (VBT) as practica...

In this episode, Louis engages in a dynamic discussion with Terrance Motley, Director of Football Rehabilitation at BYU, about their journeys and experiences in the field of physical therapy and strength & conditioning. Terrance, a former strength coach turned physical therapist, shares his inspiring path from walk-on football player to pursuing rugby and ultimately becoming a PT. They delve i...

In this episode, Louis discusses the benefits of the 40-20 interval training split, which involves 40 seconds of high-intensity work followed by 20 seconds of rest. He explained that this method is effective in improving aerobic capacity, metabolic health, and work capacity, and can provide similar benefits to steady-state cardio in a shorter time. Louis also highlighted the mental toughness aspec...

In this episode, Louis and Brandon discuss the importance of sport-specific conditioning in athletics, emphasizing the need to match the demands of the sport with the conditioning program to optimize performance and prevent injury. They also discussed the challenges of working with high school athletes and coaches, the importance of efficient conditioning for various sports, and the need for a bal...

In this episode, Louis and Alex Gehle discuss the pros and cons of doing a residency versus non-residency for specialization in physical therapy. Alex shares his experience with a hybrid residency, which included on-site learning, mentorship, and weekend intensive education.

In this episode, Louis discusses movement economy, which refers to the efficiency with which the body uses energy to perform a specific task. He explained that this concept applies to various disciplines, such as running, weightlifting, and Crossfit, and that it is not solely about strength or endurance, but also about neuromuscular coordination and biomechanics. Louis also outlined how movement e...

In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of training splits in achieving fitness, rehab, and performance goals, and explored different types of training splits such as full body sessions, push-pull splits, upper and lower splits, and old school bro splits. He also shared his personal training experiences and the challenges and benefits of various training splits, emphasizing the importance...

In this episode, Louis discusses proprioception, the body's ability to sense its position in space, and its importance in injury recovery and athletic performance. Various exercises and training techniques were discussed to improve proprioception, including balance exercises, reactive drills, and the use of unstable surfaces. The discussion also covered patient examples and emphasized the need for...

In this episode, Louis discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for athletes and coaches, emphasizing its importance in training, skill acquisition, recovery, and mental resilience. He explained how neuroplasticity can be applied to optimize performance through various techniques such as quality practice, simulating real-life situations, and progressive rehabilitation approach...

In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of mobility and warm-up routines for athletes and strength training enthusiasts. He introduced Joe Defranco's Agile 8, a mobility routine that targets problem areas such as the hips, lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. Louis emphasized the importance of consistency in mobility routines and encouraged the audience to try the Agile 8 for a few weeks to...

In this episode, Louis and Paul dive deep into the evolution of CrossFit and its shortcomings for competitive CrossFitters, highlighting issues like randomization, lack of structure, and group fitness limitations. They explore concurrent training, optimizing strength gains, and balancing high-energy expenditure activities. The duo critiques the barriers to professionalization in CrossFit, emphasiz...

In this episode, Louis, Brandon, and Alex dive into the benefits of auto-regulation training, which adjusts workouts based on an athlete's readiness and recovery. They share personal experiences, with Louis noting its effectiveness and Brandon highlighting how it helps him adapt his training. The team also discusses the use of fitness trackers like Whoop, Fitbit, and Aura Ring to monitor recovery...

In this episode Lou interviews Dr. Trent Nessler creator of The Athlete Lab. They dive into the relationship between human movement, injury risk management with ACLs, and the importance of continuous learning and reading research in the field of physical therapy. Lastly, a discussion on martial arts for personal development, and what to look for when visiting gyms. Be sure to check out his page at...

Louis and Brandon discuss the upcoming Olympics in Paris. In this episode they look into medal strippings due to unethical practices, and the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. They also talk about the conditions for athletes at the Olympics, the addition of new events to the Games, and their personal preferences for the summer and winter Olympics.

Louis and David focus on the natural processes of aging and their impact on fitness, with a particular emphasis on the role of sleep, recovery, and hormones in muscle repair and growth. They also discuss the negative effects of chronic stress on the body, the importance of heart rate variability as a marker for physical performance, and the significance of work-life balance. Lastly, they highlight...

In this episode, Louis, Alex, and Brandon dive deep into the concept of the "hybrid athlete," exploring what it means to train in multiple disciplines like powerlifting and running. The trio debates the merits and drawbacks of the term, with Alex and Brandon questioning if a "hyrbid athlete" exists. They discuss whether being well-rounded in various fitness areas equates to hybrid athleticism and...

In this episode Lou and Dave highlight the significance of incorporating strength training for unaffected areas in early stage rehabilitation especially post-surgery or injury. They also discuss the importance of maintaining a routine and providing a sense of progress for patients, keeping involved in their sport community, and sustaining motivation. If you have questions or have a topic you want...

In this episode Lou sits down with Annette Zapp CSCS*D, TSAC-F *D to discuss the unique physical and mental health challenges faced by firefighters. AZ highlights the critical importance of addressing underlying causes such as sleep, nutrition, mental health, and exercise. If you have questions or have a topic you want answers on let us know!

In this episode Lou sits down with Alan Obst, Senior Physiotherapist for Tennis Australia. In this episode Lou and Alan discuss the importance of communication, learning from others, and the role of physical therapists in injury management and rehabilitation. Additionally, they touch on the challenges of managing globally dispersed athletes, the balance between longevity and effectiveness in tenni...