Every runner wants to stay healthy, strong, and consistent but injuries often get in the way. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Dr. Hunter Etheridge, a physical therapist, running coach, and lifelong athlete, to break down how to prevent injuries and run pain-free.
From running form cues to overlooked muscles like the glute med, soleus, and posterior tib, Dr. Hunter shares practical strategies to build durability, strength, and efficiency. We also dive into strength training, stretching, cadence, recovery tools, and when it’s time to push through discomfort versus backing off.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why physical therapy isn’t just for injury recovery it’s for prevention
- The 3 most overlooked muscles runners ignore (and how to train them)
- Common running form mistakes and simple cues to fix them
- Glute strength and single-leg training for performance
- Dynamic vs. static stretching when to use each
- Cadence and how it affects injury risk
- Recovery tools and shoe choices that matter most
- How to know the difference between pain and discomfort
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Physical Therapy and Running
02:16 Journey to Becoming a Physical Therapist
04:07 The Importance of Running Form
07:24 Common Running Form Deficiencies
11:25 Improving Running Form: Tips and Techniques
15:15 The Role of Cadence in Running
18:48 Key Muscles for Runners
22:50 Strength Training for Runners
24:21 Balancing Running and Lifting
25:49 Personal Running Journey and Parenting
27:16 Balancing Family and Fitness
27:30 The Importance of Stretching
30:50 Knowing When to Push Through Pain
34:53 Prehab and Injury Prevention
37:08 Recovery Tools and Techniques
40:17 The Impact of Shoes on Running
44:53 Understanding Dorsiflexion in Running
48:04 Rapid Fire Questions and Key Takeaways
54:26 Until Next Time
Follow:
IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/
Doctor Hunter:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hetheridgedpt/
Dorsiflexion Post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJSiZWLtcwZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWRkOGIxZGQ2aTRxOA==
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