Iron Culture presented by MASS

Ep 356 - Pain-Free Training (ft. Dr. John Rusin)

Dec 3, 2025
Dr. John Rusin, a Doctorate-trained physical therapist turned strength coach, shares his journey from pro sports to focusing on pain prevention for the general population. He discusses insights from his book, outlining six foundational movement patterns critical for injury prevention. The conversation highlights a shift from a purely biomedical approach to a biopsychosocial model in pain management. With an emphasis on health, he presents six physical traits essential for longevity and practical strategies for individualized training that prioritizes longevity over flashy performance.
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INSIGHT

Shift From Performance To Longevity

  • Dr. John Rusin shifted from elite athlete work to general population to prioritize health and longevity over pure performance.
  • He emphasizes training and lifestyle to extend life and daily function, not just sport results.
INSIGHT

Prevention Beats Short-Term Performance

  • High-performance work often focuses on injury prevention and keeping athletes available rather than flashy performance gains.
  • Small daily problem-solving compounds into athletes being at their best during competition.
ADVICE

Prioritize Pain Reduction First

  • Start training by reducing a person's pain signal and improving movement quality before chasing performance.
  • Use neutral, buffered positions and individualize based on sleep, hydration, and recent load.
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