The Driven Athlete

Have you ever been told "just stop doing that activity" was your only option for joint pain or injury? Dr. James Gaddis is revolutionizing orthopedic care by offering effective treatments that fill the massive gap between conservative approaches and going under the knife.

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Gaddis breaks down the science behind regenerative orthopedics – from simple prolotherapy to advanced bon...

Throwing athletes face unique shoulder challenges that standard medical approaches often fail to address. This deep dive into shoulder pain reveals why the timing and location of pain matters more than most practitioners realize. When throwers experience pain at layback position—that critical moment when the arm is fully rotated backward before acceleration—it requires far more than rest and ice to properly heal.

The biome...

Spine surgery has evolved significantly over the last decade, and Dr. Phil Saville walks us through the new approaches. As an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Seville shares how his journey from the UK's NHS system to America's leading medical institutions shaped his passion for motion preservation surgery.

We dive deep into the advantages of disc replacements over tradi...

Why do some injuries linger for months while others heal quickly? The answer often lies not in the injury itself, but in when treatment begins. For driven, active people who want to maintain their quality of life, understanding the hidden dangers of delayed recovery can be the difference between getting back to 100% and developing chronic issues.

Scar tissue forms differently depending on how and when you start moving afte...

What if your body is decades older than your birth certificate claims? That's the shocking reality Blake Baino faced when his biological age test revealed his 39-year-old body was functioning at 64. In this eye-opening conversation, Blake returns to share the cutting-edge science of longevity and how we might actually reverse our biological clocks.

Blake breaks down how The Fountain, his anti-aging clinic, combines th...

Tearing your ACL might seem like the end of your athletic journey, but with the right approach, it's just a detour on your path to peak performance. This deep dive into ACL rehabilitation breaks down the entire recovery process from injury mechanics through return-to-sport testing.

Did you know that most ACL tears occur without any contact? The classic "guillotine effect" happens when your knee twists while ...

What drives someone to swim 24 miles, bike 1,120 miles, and then run 262 miles without stopping? Meet Robert Absug, an ultra-endurance athlete whose journey from college swimmer to extreme distance competitor reveals the fascinating psychology behind pursuing seemingly impossible physical challenges.

Robert's story begins with promise and heartbreak—a D1 college swimmer training for Olympic trials whose career ended a...

Dr. Faryal Faruqi joins the Driven Athlete Podcast to explore where internal medicine meets aesthetics & functional health

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Faruqi realized she couldn't answer basic hormone questions from her family members. This revelation sparked her journey into functional medicine, leading her to complete specialized training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Med...

Where we prioritize is what we truly value. This explorative conversation challenges us to examine not just how we save, but what we're actually saving for. Are our financial decisions aligned with what brings true happiness and life satisfaction?

Through personal reflection and wisdom gathered from others, I've identified five core areas worth investing in without hesitation. First are meaningful experiences wit...

This episode challenges the common belief that physical fitness should be our primary focus, suggesting instead that our emotional management skills might be the true key to a fulfilling life. What if emotional tranquility is actually more valuable than physical health?

Drawing from wisdom gathered from mentors and thought leaders across health, wellness, and entrepreneurship fields, I share a practical four-step approach ...

Pilates isn't just about creating a "long, lean" physique - it's about building functional, sustainable strength that serves you throughout life. In this enlightening conversation with private Pilates instructor Nolan Greenwald, we unlock a refreshing, science-based approach to movement that challenges traditional methods.

Nolan shares her remarkable journey from competitive equestrian suffering from ch...

Your feet are the foundation of your movement, yet they're often the most neglected part of athletic training. In this deep dive into foot and ankle mechanics, we uncover how seemingly small issues in foot function can create ripple effects throughout your entire body.

At the heart of many athletic injuries lies a surprisingly common problem: limited ankle dorsiflexion. This restriction forces your body to find creati...

Consider how professional athletes manage their pain and still perform at elite levels, they aren't always pushing through at 100% intensity or at 100% functionality. Drawing from my experience as a two-sport college athlete in football and volleyball, I share the critical lessons I wish I'd known during my playing career about sustainable athletic performance.

The truth is that even superstars like LeBron James ...

What separates those who maintain sharp minds into old age from those who experience cognitive decline? The answer seems to not just rely on genetic luck, but rather in 6 specific daily habits that create what neuroscientists now recognize as the true fountain of youth.

A fascinating study comparing elderly nuns to Alzheimer's patients revealed something remarkable: despite having identical brain pathologies – the sam...

In today’s episode, we navigate the often blurry lines between warm-ups and tissue mobilization, specifically focusing on common practices like foam rolling and the use of massage guns. Many athletes and active individuals mistakenly believe that using these tools adequately prepares their bodies for intense physical activities. Throughout our discussion, we emphasize that while these modalities can be beneficial for loosening tigh...

Feeling perplexed in regards to dizzy spells or the sensation that the world around you is spinning is not an uncommon report. We dive deep into the intriguing complexities of vertigo in this episode. From understanding the mechanics of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to exploring how visual stability and cervical spine movements affect our balance, we tackle your questions and offer insightful solutions.

Join ...

How often do we lean on imaging technologies like MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans as a crutch when faced with mysterious pains? On this episode of the Driven Athlete Podcast, we promise to challenge your perspective on the reliance on medical imaging in diagnosing musculoskeletal issues. We'll discuss the critical role imaging plays while urging caution against its overuse, especially when addressing shoulder pain. Together, we&apo...

Explore the complexities of hip impingement, from underlying anatomical issues to effective strategies for recovery. We focus on the roles of the iliopsoas, glutes, and proper movement mechanics in alleviating symptoms and promoting healthy mobility.

Our conversation doesn't stop at understanding; it progresses to actionable solutions for hip impingement and related conditions like snapping hip syndrome. We discuss practic...

Ever wondered why your elbow aches after a game of tennis or a round of golf? Join us for an engaging discussion with Dr. Kyle as we unravel the mysteries of tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis. This episode promises a deep dive into the anatomy of the lateral epicondyle and the common extensor tendon, highlighting why these areas can become painful hotspots for athletes. We explore how mobility disparities and compen...