True Sports Physical Therapy Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Leyland, founder of Coast Performance Rehab and creator of Loaded Manual Therapy, for a powerful conversation that cuts through the noise surrounding manual therapy in the rehab world. From evidence-based skepticism to hands-on practicality, Dave shares how he bridges the gap with a hybrid approach rooted in experience, results, and human connection. We dive deep into what manual therapy really means today, especially for sports physical therapists and why throwing it out entirely might be a disservice to patients and clinicians alike. Dave discusses the value of combining soft tissue work, joint mobilizations, and dry needling with thoughtful loading strategies. He also opens up about burnout, the emotional weight of being a clinician, and how different international models impact physical therapy career sustainability. This episode is a must-listen for both new grads and seasoned PTs. You’ll gain practical takeaways about when to use manual therapy, how to integrate it with exercise, how to foster stronger therapeutic alliances, and what "skilled touch" really means. Whether you’re navigating conflicting messages on Instagram or developing your own clinical style, Dave offers a refreshing, grounded approach that empowers therapists to treat with both art and science. If you’ve ever questioned the role of your hands in a sports PT setting, this conversation will recalibrate your thinking. Learn why manual therapy still has a seat at the table and how to use it effectively without creating dependency. Tune in now! #ManualTherapy #SportsPT #TrueSportsPT #PhysicalTherapyPodcast #DryNeedling #SoftTissueWork #JointMobilization #RehabStrategies #EvidenceBasedPT #LoadedManualTherapy

In this episode, we sit down with Joe DeFranco, legendary strength and conditioning coach, founder of DeFranco’s Gym, and creator of CPPS and Team Forever Strong. Widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches in modern performance training, Joe joins Dr. Yoni Rosenblatt for a wide-ranging, honest conversation on efficiency, longevity, and what truly drives success in training, rehab, and business.  Joe shares his remarkable journey from training athletes out of a 500-square-foot storage closet to building one of the most recognizable brands in strength and conditioning. Along the way, he reflects on the lessons learned from personal injury, business mistakes, and decades of coaching elite athletes including NFL veterans, professional wrestlers, and lifelong clients who have trained with him for over 20 years.  In this episode, we cover Joe’s obsession with efficiency and minimal effective dose, why warm-ups should blend seamlessly into training sessions, and how listening, not talking, is the most underrated skill in coaching and physical therapy. Joe breaks down his philosophy on programming for longevity, why two high-quality sets may be enough for hypertrophy, and how overdoing volume often sabotages recovery, especially in rehab populations.  The conversation also dives into the blurred line between rehab and performance, highlighting why sports PTs and strength coaches must live in the “middle ground.” Joe discusses common mistakes PTs make when transitioning athletes back to strength training, why football conditioning tests are outdated, and what truly contributes to ACL and Achilles injuries at both the youth and professional levels.  Whether you’re a sports physical therapist, strength coach, clinic owner, or performance professional, this episode delivers timeless lessons on coaching, communication, programming, and putting the athlete first. Watch now to learn how Joe DeFranco continues to shape the future of strength, rehab, and performance through clarity, humility, and consistency. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #JoeDeFranco #DeFrancosGym #StrengthAndConditioning #SportsPhysicalTherapy #RehabToPerformance #CoachingEducation #PerformancePT #ACLRehab #AchillesRehab #WarmUpDesign #HypertrophyTraining #SportsRehab #AthleteDevelopment #PTPodcast #StrengthCoach #ClinicalCoaching #LongevityTraining

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Stone, Chief Operating Officer at True Sports Physical Therapy, former NCAA National Champion lacrosse player, and one of the most respected voices in ACL rehabilitation and coaching within sports physical therapy. Dr. Stone shares his unique journey from collegiate athletics to clinical leadership, detailing how he balances executive-level operations across multiple clinics while still delivering elite-level care to athletes. This conversation centers on the art of coaching: what separates simply instructing exercises from truly coaching athletes through high-stakes rehab.  In this episode, we dive deep into how great clinicians create exceptional sessions by combining preparation, adaptability, and communication. Tim explains how to structure rehab sessions with clear goals, how to regress and progress exercises in real time, and how to read the room to meet athletes where they are emotionally and physically.  We also cover how to build trust with high-level athletes, manage frustration and emotional moments during rehab, and balance athlete autonomy with authoritative coaching when it matters most. Tim shares practical strategies for navigating return-to-sport decisions, interpreting objective testing like force plates and dynamometry, and knowing when data does, and does not, tell the full story.  Whether you’re a sports physical therapist, student, strength coach, or clinician working with ACL athletes, this episode delivers a masterclass on coaching, leadership, and delivering meaningful rehab experiences that drive confidence and performance. Watch now to learn how Dr. Tim Stone approaches ACL rehab, athlete communication, and the art of coaching at the highest level. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #TimStone #ACLRehab #SportsPhysicalTherapy #RehabToPerformance #PerformancePT #CoachingInPT #AthleteRehab #ReturnToPlay #SportsMedicine #PTPodcast #ClinicalLeadership #SportsRehab #PhysicalTherapyEducation #AthletePerformance #ACLRecovery #RehabInnovation

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ben Moxness, physical therapist and performance coach at THP Strength, for a deep dive into jump mechanics, sprinting, plyometrics, and tendon health and how sports PTs can better prepare athletes for the real demands of high-level performance.  Despite being early in his clinical career, Ben brings an exceptional depth of knowledge shaped by years immersed in jump training, sprint mechanics, and applied biomechanics. From working with youth athletes to professionals, Olympians, and elite dunkers, his perspective bridges performance coaching and rehabilitation in a way few clinicians can.  In this episode, we cover how to properly progress jump training beyond box jumps, why approach jumps place completely different demands on the body than standing vertical jumps, and how eccentric capacity, pretension, and coordination determine explosiveness and injury risk. Ben breaks down complex concepts like bimodal force curves, ground contact time, and pretension into actionable insights sports PTs can apply immediately.  We also dive into practical rehab strategies for patellar tendinopathy and Achilles injuries, including why most athletes are underloaded, how to strengthen the rectus femoris effectively, and why calf strength standards are far higher than most clinicians realize. Ben explains how sprinting differs fundamentally from jogging, why return-to-run protocols often fall short, and how graded exposure to high-speed mechanics is essential for durable return to play.  Whether you’re a sports physical therapist, strength coach, or clinician looking to better integrate plyometrics, sprinting, and tendon loading into rehab, this episode offers a masterclass in performance-based thinking grounded in biomechanics and real-world application. Watch now to learn how Ben Moxness is reshaping how clinicians think about jumping, sprinting, and athletic durability.  #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #BenMoxness #JumpTraining #SprintMechanics #Plyometrics #SportsPhysicalTherapy #RehabToPerformance #TendonHealth #PatellarTendon #AchillesRehab #PerformancePT #AthleteDevelopment #SportsScience #ExplosiveTraining #ReturnToPlay #PTPodcast #StrengthAndConditioning #Biomechanics #HumanPerformance

In this special throwback episode, we sit down with David Grey, founder of David Grey Rehab, an internationally respected coach and rehabilitation specialist known for his innovative approach to lower-limb biomechanics, foot function, Achilles rehab, and plyometrics. Based in Ireland and widely followed for his practical, clear, and repeatable systems, David brings a refreshing blend of deep biomechanical insight and open-minded clinical reasoning.  David shares his philosophy on assessing the lower extremity, focusing less on strict protocols and more on identifying what’s missing, restoring foundational patterns, and helping athletes reclaim authentic, efficient movement. He breaks down why so many clinicians miss key components of foot and Achilles rehab, how to assess true foot mobility (not just ankle mobility), and why closed-chain mechanics are essential for lasting change.  In this episode, we cover how David evaluates foot shape and calcaneal mobility, why midfoot movement is non-negotiable, and how to coach athletes through meaningful pronation and supination. He also walks through practical progressions for soleus and Achilles loading, tibial rotation, and plyometric readiness, including why most rehab programs fail to bridge the gap to the demands of sport.  David’s approach combines biomechanics, sensory awareness, reactivity training, and a commitment to staying curious. His perspective on what clinicians get wrong, why open-chain foot drills often miss the mark, and how to progress from early isometrics to high-level plyos offers a masterclass for any sports physical therapist looking to elevate outcomes for foot, ankle, and Achilles patients. Whether you’re a sports PT, performance coach, or athlete dealing with persistent lower-limb issues, this episode will challenge assumptions and give you practical frameworks you can implement immediately. Watch now to learn how David Grey is redefining lower-limb rehab through movement, mechanical clarity, and openness to learning. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #DavidGreyRehab #LowerLimbRehab #FootMechanics #AchillesRehab #Plyometrics #SportsPhysicalTherapy #RehabToPerformance #Pronation #Supination #SoleusStrength #Biomechanics #SportsScience #PerformancePT #AthleteRecovery #RehabInnovation #PTPodcast

In this milestone Episode 150, Dr. Yoni Rosenblatt sits down with Dr. Jeremy Beyer, Director of Clinical Excellence at True Sports Physical Therapy, to unpack the art and science of ACL rehabilitation. From early-phase strategies to the smart use of technology in modern rehab. Dr. Beyer brings a data-driven yet deeply practical perspective shaped by years of working with elite athletes in Baltimore. This episode dives deep into how PTs can think critically, use technology intentionally, and build systems that prioritize process over perfection. In this episode, we cover the biggest gaps in how most clinicians approach ACL rehab, how to preserve quad mass and tendon health early post-op, when and how to implement BFR and why timing matters, why hypertrophy (not just activation) determines long-term success, how nutrition, protein, and creatine support early-phase recovery. We also cover using force plates and dynamometry without losing clinical judgment, a smarter way to structure return-to-run programs, the ODS (Outcome-Driver-Strategy) framework for interpreting force plate data and why great clinicians focus on curiosity, communication, and comfort with uncertainty. Whether you’re a sports PT, coach, or athlete rehabbing an ACL, this episode will completely reshape the way you think about recovery and performance. Watch now to learn how Dr. Jeremy Beyer is helping develop the next generation of clinicians through smarter training, clearer systems, and stronger decision-making. 📸 Instagram: @jbeyerpt 🌐 True Sports PT: https://www.truesportsphysicaltherapy.com/team/dr-jeremy-beyer #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #SportsPhysicalTherapy #JeremyBeyer #ACLRehab #SportsRehab #PerformancePT #ForcePlates #BFRTraining #Creatine #Hypertrophy #ReturnToPlay #SportsMedicine #RehabInnovation #PTPodcast

Welcome to the True Sports Physical Therapy Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Zachery Cogen, Director of Rehabilitation for D.C. United, to unpack what it takes to thrive as a sports physical therapist at the highest level of professional soccer. Zachery shares his journey from wrestling in college and struggling to get into PT school, to eventually leading rehab operations for an MLS franchise. His story is one of relentless persistence, passion, and purpose, and it highlights what truly defines success in sports rehab: communication, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines. This episode dives deep into both career development and clinical mastery, covering how Zachery built his career from student volunteer to professional sports clinician, and how he now manages complex athlete cases under the pressure of performance timelines and front-office expectations. In this episode, we cover the path from sports residency to pro sports and what separates top candidates, how to stand out in the hiring process through passion, initiative, and networking, what it’s really like to be a rehab director in Major League Soccer, a step-by-step management of hamstring injuries including imaging, PRP, and progressive loading. We also cover how to build athlete trust using objective data like force plates and GPS metrics, communication with coaches, front offices, and athletes under performance pressure, the art of progressive overload, asymmetry management, and movement screening and why learning from other professionals, not just PTs, is key to success. Zachery’s blend of humility and expertise offers rare insight into what the day-to-day of professional sports rehab truly looks like. From managing multimillion-dollar athletes to creating individualized, data-driven care systems. Whether you’re a student dreaming of working in pro sports, a sports PT refining your systems, or a coach building a high-performance culture, this episode delivers a roadmap built on persistence, precision, and people skills. Watch now to hear how Zachery Cogen is redefining what it means to lead in sports rehabilitation. Connect with Zachery Cogen: 📸 Instagram: @thesportsphysio_ Follow True Sports PT: 📲 Instagram: @truesportspt 🎧 Subscribe to the True Sports PT Podcast for more in-depth conversations bridging rehab, performance, and education in elite sports. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #SportsPhysicalTherapy #ZacheryCogen #SportsRehab #MLSRehab #RehabToPerformance #DCSoccer #DCSports #PerformancePT #HamstringRehab #ReturnToPlay #SportsScience #PhysicalTherapy #AthleteRecovery #SportsMedicine #RehabInnovation #StrengthAndConditioning #ProfessionalSportsPT #AthletePerformance #PTPodcast #SportsPhysio #ProSportsRehab

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rob Rowland, a dual clinician-educator who blends his experience in Army Special Operations, Division I athletics, and academia to deliver one of the most practical and insightful conversations on modern sports rehab. Dr. Rowland earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware, the top-ranked orthopedic program in the world. After years in private practice, he transitioned to Army Special Operations, where he built elite-level rehab systems for tactical athletes. Today, he teaches at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and serves as the team PT for the University of Maryland Terps and UMBC Retrievers working daily with high-performance athletes. This episode is a deep dive into how to think, plan, and coach like an elite sports PT. Rob shares how he manages massive caseloads without compromising care, how he uses force plates, BFR, and electrical stimulation to drive outcomes, and why soft skills, not just science, separate good PTs from great ones. In this episode, we cover how to plan and communicate effectively in a high-performance rehab setting, using force plates for objective assessment and when they actually matter, practical applications for BFR, stim, and isometrics in knee rehab, why the quadriceps should be your primary target in most knee injuries, coaching, cueing, and motivating athletes through the “grind” of recovery, what today’s PT education gets wrong and how to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic and why “soft skills” like communication, adaptability, and empathy drive long-term success. Dr. Rowland’s clinical insight and teaching approach provide a masterclass for anyone serious about bridging rehab and performance. Whether you’re a student, new grad, or seasoned sports PT, this episode will help you refine your process, improve your athlete communication, and rethink how you deliver value in every session. Watch now to learn how Dr. Rob Rowland is reshaping the way physical therapists approach performance rehab, from the clinic to the classroom. Follow True Sports PT: 📲 Instagram: @truesportspt 🎧 Subscribe to the True Sports PT Podcast for conversations that bridge rehab, performance, and innovation in the world of sports physical therapy. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #SportsPhysicalTherapy #RobRowland #SportsRehab #RehabToPerformance #PerformancePT #AthleteRecovery #ForcePlates #BFRTraining #ElectricalStimulation #SportsScience #CoachingInPT #SoftSkillsInRehab #UniversityOfMaryland #UMDPT #ArmySpecialOperations #AthleticPerformance #SportsMedicine #RehabInnovation #PTPodcast

In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Mae Hughes, a sports residency–trained physical therapist and pelvic floor specialist who’s changing how clinicians think about the connection between pelvic health and athletic performance. Dr. Hughes blends her background in sports rehab with advanced training in pelvic floor therapy to help athletes recover from chronic hip, hamstring, and low back pain, and to address a topic that’s often overlooked in performance settings: the role of the pelvic floor in stability, power, and injury prevention. In this episode, we cover how pelvic floor dysfunction shows up in athletes (and why it’s not just a women’s issue), the connection between pelvic mechanics, hip stability, and hamstring injuries, how breathing and diaphragmatic control can reveal pelvic floor dysfunction, why sports PTs need to assess the pelvic floor during return-to-play, integrating internal exams, loading, and movement for full-body rehab and misconceptions about pelvic floor therapy and how Dr. Hughes is bridging the gap between orthopedics and pelvic health. Dr. Hughes breaks down how to assess pelvic floor dysfunction, even without an internal exam, and explains why breathing, pressure management, and proper cueing are essential in preventing injury and improving performance. She also shares her insights on pelvic floor issues after hip surgery, how to load the pelvic floor safely, and why sports PTs should feel empowered, not intimidated, to talk about this critical system. Whether you’re a sports physical therapist, strength coach, or athlete, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to better understand how pelvic floor health impacts performance, pain, and long-term durability. Watch now to learn how Dr. Mae Hughes is redefining what it means to treat the whole athlete from the inside out. Connect with Dr. Mae Hughes: 📸 Instagram: @dr.maehughes 🌐 Website: https://drmaehughes.com/ 🎥 YouTube: @dr.maehughes Follow True Sports PT: 📲 Instagram: @truesportspt 🎧 Subscribe to the True Sports PT Podcast for expert conversations at the intersection of rehab, performance, and innovation. #TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #SportsPhysicalTherapy #PelvicFloorHealth #MaeHughes #PelvicFloorPT #SportsRehab #RehabToPerformance #PelvicHealth #PelvicPain #HipRehab #HamstringInjury #AthletePerformance #SportsMedicine #WomensHealthPT #MensPelvicHealth #PhysicalTherapy #RehabInnovation #ReturnToPlay #PTPodcast #DiaphragmaticBreathing #AthleteRecovery

Welcome to the True Sports Physical Therapy Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Mike Boyle, one of the most influential strength and conditioning coaches in the world and founder of Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning. Known for shaping the modern approach to athletic development, Mike joins Dr. Yoni Rosenblatt for a deep, practical, and candid conversation on what it takes to build strong, resilient athletes. Both in the gym and in life. Mike shares his journey from the early days of athletic training at Boston University to becoming a pioneering figure in strength and conditioning. He reflects on the evolution of the field, the mentors who shaped him, and the mindset that keeps him learning and leading at 66 years old. This episode dives deep into the science and simplicity of great coaching, covering topics that every physical therapist and strength coach will find invaluable. We cover all topics from the evolution of strength and conditioning and the lessons from a 40-year career, building resilient hamstrings and why traditional leg curls miss the mark, how to integrate sprinting and eccentric loading to prevent hamstring injuries, the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and showing up with consistency, the “nerdification” of strength training and how to focus on what actually matters and bridging the gap between rehab and performance through collaboration and curiosity. Mike’s wisdom extends beyond sets and reps. He explains how humility, consistency, and a relentless desire to learn have fueled his success: lessons that resonate far beyond the gym. From his take on force plates and Nordic hamstring training to his favorite books and leadership philosophy, this is a masterclass in longevity, adaptability, and excellence. Whether you’re a sports PT, strength coach, or performance professional, this conversation is packed with insight from one of the greats in our field. Watch now to hear how Mike Boyle continues to lead, teach, and inspire the next generation of rehab and performance professionals. 📸 Instagram: @mbsc_online 🌐 Website: www.bodybyboyle.com Follow True Sports PT: 📲 Instagram: @truesportspt 🎧 Subscribe to the True Sports PT Podcast for more in-depth conversations with leaders in strength, rehab, and performance.#TrueSportsPT #TrueSportsPodcast #SportsPhysicalTherapy #MikeBoyle #StrengthAndConditioning #PerformanceTraining #SportsRehab #FunctionalTraining #HamstringRehab #RehabToPerformance #AthleteDevelopment #Sprinting #EccentricTraining #SportsScience #CoachingExcellence #RehabInnovation #PhysicalTherapy #SportsMedicine #PTPodcast #AthletePerformance #LeadershipInSports