276: Coaching Through Rehab with Michael Carolan

Jul 14, 2025

Joining the conversation is Michael Carolan, a performance coach and sport rehabilitation expert with nearly 20 years of experience in elite sport and education. He discusses the transformative approach of treating rehab as a coaching opportunity rather than mere therapy. Communication and trust are key to athlete recovery, while adaptability can outshine rigid protocols. Michael emphasizes the importance of maintaining athlete connection during injury and offers strategies to train around injuries effectively. His blend of science and a human touch makes for engaging insights.

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ANECDOTE

Experience Trumps Protocols

Michael Carolan mentors graduates and notices they often rely heavily on protocols in rehab.
He emphasizes the need for bespoke rehab plans tailored to each athlete's unique needs and responses.

ADVICE

Communicate Calmly During Injury

Prioritize communication and calm coaching to help athletes navigate scary injuries like ACL tears.
Keep injured athletes engaged by integrating relevant skills and training as early as possible.

INSIGHT

Psychological Connection Aids Rehab

Involving injured athletes in peripheral activities prevents feelings of isolation and depression.
This psychological connection supports adherence and emotional well-being, even if it doesn’t speed physical healing.

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This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves welcomes back Michael Carolan, a performance coach and subject lead in sport rehabilitation at the University of Salford. With nearly two decades of experience across elite sport, the military, and education, Michael shares a refreshingly honest and deeply practical perspective on what it really means to coach athletes through injury and recovery.

Whether you're a coach, therapist, or performance practitioner, this episode offers a wealth of real-world insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why rehab should be treated as coaching, not just therapy
How communication and trust are at the heart of effective injury recovery
The mental toll of injury, and how to keep athletes feeling connected and valued
Why protocols are useful, but experience and adaptability matter more
How to “train around injury” and keep performance progressing
The role of environment, load tolerance, and coaching cues in recovery
How elite recoveries (like NFL star Aaron Rodgers') can mislead athletes
Why Michael teaches his students to “get miles on the soul” through experience
How to filter hype, stay objective, and build athlete autonomy

Michael’s no-nonsense, athlete-first approach is as insightful as it is relatable, combining science, coaching, and a human touch in every decision he makes.

About Michael Carolan
Michael Carolan is a highly experienced performance coach and academic specialising in sport rehabilitation. He is the Subject Lead and Programme Lead for Sport Rehabilitation at the University of Salford, where he teaches and mentors future practitioners while supporting clinical practice through partnerships with organisations like the PFA and Salford City Council. With a background spanning elite athletics, rugby, professional football, and the British military, Michael brings a unique blend of hands-on coaching, clinical rehab, and academic insight. He continues to work directly with athletes across the world, from youth sprinters to pro footballers, helping them navigate injury and return stronger than before.

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