Philosophical Weightlifting Podcast Ep. 316: The Gray Area of Rehab and Performance | Derek Miles, DPT
This week, I sat down with Derek Miles to talk about the gray area where rehab and performance overlap.
Derek works daily with strength athletes navigating pain, injury, and the messy process of getting back to overloading training. We discuss how to think about injury beyond simple labels, why most issues are really scaling problems, and how coaches can keep athletes training without being reckless or overly conservative.
We talk about what “injury” actually means, how confidence and tolerance shape programming, and why collaboration between coaches and clinicians matters more than rigid protocols. Derek also shares practical frameworks for modifying load, range of motion, and exercise selection — without losing sight of performance.
If you’re a coach, clinician, or athlete trying to navigate the rehab process while still making progress, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about it.
Enjoy.
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https://www.milesrehabandperformance.com/
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