The Rethinking Rehab Podcast

Welcome back, friends! On this episode I chat with Diego Hidalgo, known as the  Skeptical Physio online. Diego published a fanastic paper a while back over " The Fallacy of Osteopathic Anatomical Possibilism." We talk about why it's important to embrace critical thinking to challenge these narratives.  Diego calls healthcare providers to balance clinical passion with scientific skepticism to impro...

Hey friends! On this episode, I sat down with one of my PT friends who I connected with at the Elite Rehab Basketball Conference last year.  Bria Savage is a physical therapist based in Atlanta and is joy to chat with. We talked about her journey, which started with multiple PT school rejections, various travel PT contracts, and more recently a stint with EXOS in Atlanta.  Currently, she is focusi...

Hey friends! In this episode, I sit down with Lionel Rice and Jamal Court from the Utah Jazz to talk all things mentorship and authentic relationship building in the world of elite sport.  We discuss how qualities like work ethic, initiative, and professionalism are directly connected to mentorship.   Lionel and Jamal share their personal stories of how they got to the NBA and some great advice on...

In this episode, I sit down with Physical Therapist and weightlifting coach Neville Chu, founder of Legacy Performance and Rehab. Neville and I chat about his unconventional career path.  While he started in a traditional outpatient physical therapy clinic and left to join corporate healthcare, he ultimately returned to patient care by launching his remote coaching and rehab business which focuses...

Welcome back, friends! In this episode, I sat down with Joey Scambia and Rayce Houser, Co-Founders of Rehab Renaissance, to talk about how we can better rehab athletes with low back pain, especially those with bone stress injuries.  We get into imaging, nutritional, and workload considerations for this population, as well as Joey and Rayce's own tier-based system for returning these athletes to sp...

Hey friends! In this episode, I sit down with Clinical Athlete's very own Zak Gabor and his personal behavior coach Shelly Belk.  We go deep into the topic of burnout in high-achieving clinicians and how chronic stress and over-identifying with our professional roles can quietly keep us from taking healthy action. We talk about why so many of us tie our self-worth to productivity, struggle to set...

In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Fujimoto Epperson to talk about her journey and lessons learned working in pro tennis as a physical therapist.  I am personally inspired by Kayla and her mindset towards her career.  She's a "I will figure it out" kind of person.  She shares how her mind has changed on the utilization of breathwork.  We also get into the existential questions that come with w...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and mentor Natalie Trotter, an Athletic Trainer based in Atlanta, Georgia.  This was such an enjoyable and real conversation with someone I deeply respect.  Natalie shares her thoughts on creating meaningful relationships while operating within a sports medicine team. She reminds us to leave ego at the door and to approach athlete management through a hol...

Welcome back, friends! In this episode, I sit down with Logan Kelly-Sullivan, Senior Performance Physical Therapist for the San Antonio Spurs.  Logan and I connected at the NBPTA networking event during Summer League this summer and I really enjoyed chatting with him (over a Dos Equis of course).  He mentioned he was studying cartilage injuries as part of his PhD and I knew I had to get him on her...

On this episode, I sit down with one of my first online-turned-real-life PT friends, Taylor Eckel! We unpack the winding path of her career, which has included multiple tough job transitions.  Taylor shares the lessons those experiences taught her about humility, growth, and the importance of finding the right professional environment. We also dive into how culture, mentorship, and self-awareness...

In this episode, I chat with my friend Cassidy Papa, a performance physical therapist for the Charlotte Hornets.  She shares her career journey and dives into her decision to pursue residency and fellowship. We chat about why she's adopted a minimum effective dose approach in the NBA, and the need for humility, flexibility, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration to prioritize what's truly best...

On this episode, I'm joined by Sawyer Williamson, an athletic trainer in the G League, for an honest conversation about life as an AT in pro sports. We dig into the challenges of having limited autonomy, the tension between prestige and personal fulfillment, and the process of discovering your own voice in a demanding environment. Our conversation dives into finding clarity, aligning with your val...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tiffani Michel, a physical therapist and entrepreneur in Atlanta.  She shares her journey from college basketball player to starting her own practice, discussing her experiences with injuries, career transitions, and building a business focused on comprehensive care for athletes. She emphasizes the importance of holistic treatment approaches, educating yo...

Hey friends! On this episode, I sit down with Anthony Sinacore,   VP & Director of North American Sales for VALD Performance. Anthony shares about how his background as an athletic trainer and physical therapist allowed him to add value on the clinical application side of developing human performance technology with VALD over the last few years.   Additionally, we chat about how his skillset has e...

On this episode, I sit down with Lisa Pataky, a sports physical therapist whose career has spanned pro tennis, Overtime Elite, and now the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves. We dive into what it takes to build trust with athletes, bridge the gap between medical and performance teams, and reconsider long-term rehab as a training macrocycle rather than a checklist. If you're curious about life as...

Today is a special episode as I welcome back my very FIRST guest and good mentor, Jarred Boyd!  Jarred is the Director of Rehab for the Memphis Grizzlies and embodies what it means to think deeply and reflectively. In this episode we talk about how he builds trust with athletes through offseason reflection, storytelling, and clear education. Jared also shares the four core values that shape his hi...

In this episode, I sit down with Trevor Rappa from Resilient Performance PT to talk all things return to sport, especially in the mid to end stages of rehab. We get into the weeds on movement strategies and change of direction.  Trevor breaks down how he builds progressions, why most athletes are underprepared, and how reactive drills may lead to better outcomes than pre-planned ones. We also touc...

Welcome back, friends!   In this episode, I'm joined by Kelsey Fuller and Hannah Dvorak, two PTs that I met as students and walked alongside as they searched for their first job and ultimately walked away from those jobs. They share about their journey, from being diligent in their initial job search to being patient in the middle of their first job when things got hard to finally finding the cour...

Welcome back, friends! In this episode, I'm joined by Matt McInnes Watson, the founder of PlusPlyos, to dive deep into all things plyometrics.  Matt is a high jumper turned coach and now educator, where he aims to make plyometrics more approachable by providing simple, scalable frameworks for athletes and clinicians.  He shares his ideas behind plyometric progressions, as well as misconceptions he...

Welcome back friends! In this episode, I sit down with Erin Kelly-Sullivan, who began her career as a physical therapist and then pivoted into the world of branding and design. Erin shares her journey of realizing early in her PT career that clinical practice wasn't the right fit and how she navigated the uncertainty of what to do next. We dive into her transition to branding, the struggles of lea...

In this episode I sit down and chat with Rich Willy, a leading expert in running-related injuries and bone stress injuries. We dive deep into the complexities of bone loading, the evolving role of biomechanics in injury risk, and the practical application of strength training and plyometrics for athletes. Rich shares invaluable insights on mentorship, professional growth, and the importance of bri...

On this episode, I sit down with Natasha Barnes, a chiropractor who specializes in working with climbing athletes. Natasha shares her journey from being an elite climber to navigating chiropractic school, where she was motivated to develop a more evidence-based, exercise-focused approach to rehab as an independent practitioner. We dive into how her treatment philosophy has evolved, the challenges...

In this episode I chat with Abby Gordon, a sports physical therapist at Seattle Children's, about her career journey from working with the WNBA's Seattle Storm to treating pediatric sports injuries and chronic pain. She reflects on how her approach to patient care has changed, the unique challenges of professional sports medicine, and the critical role of addressing holistic factors like sleep, nu...

In this episode, I sit down with Missy Mitchell-Mcbeth, a seasoned strength and conditioning coach with a wealth of experience in both coaching and consulting. We dive into how her thought process has changed in relation to plyometrics, conditioning, and the art of coaching. Missy shares insightful perspectives on building relationships with sport coaches, shaping athletes' long-term development,...

In this episode, I sit down with Chelsea Ortega to discuss her role as the Director of Health and Performance for the LA Sparks and how she juggles professional demands with life as a mom. Chelsea shares insights on managing time, building systems for athlete care, and embracing the challenges of her dual roles. Her story offers practical advice and perspective for anyone balancing family and care...