The ACL Athlete Podcast

Ravi Patel
  • 5.0 (80)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The ACL Athlete Podcast brings you everything you need to know about ACL injuries. This podcast creates discussion around the ACL injury itself, research, rehab, performance, return to sport, mindset, you name it. I'm your host, Dr. Ravi Patel, Performance Physical Therapist, Coach, and 2x ACL athlete. I invite you to join me as we explore insights, expertise, personal stories, and experiences - from the athlete to the healthcare professional to the coach, so that we, together, can raise the standard of care and revolutionize the field of ACL injuries and rehab.

  1. 4D AGO

    263 | Quad Size Still Smaller? The Science Behind Persistent Quad Atrophy after ACLR

    In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating and under-discussed parts of ACL rehab: your quad is still smaller months later, and you’re wondering if something is wrong. I break down what the research actually shows about quadriceps muscle mass before surgery, immediately after, and even years down the road. We walk through why atrophy starts earlier than most people realize, why surgery creates a second drop, and why full visual symmetry is not guaranteed within 9–12 months. You’ll also hear real-world examples from elite athletes, and why even world-class pros with top-tier resources don’t always regain identical quad size quickly. We unpack graft type differences, genetics, programming mistakes, and the biological realities that shape muscle recovery. Most importantly, I explain why muscle size and strength are not a perfect one-to-one match using a simple “cup” analogy. Bigger muscle increases potential capacity, but performance depends on more than just volume. If you’ve been staring at your leg wondering why it still looks different, this episode gives you clarity, normalization, and practical direction on how to approach hypertrophy the right way. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    33 min

  2. FEB 6

    262 | The Human Body Is Resilient: Redefining ACL Limits Through Lindsey Vonn's Story

    In this episode, we take a deeper, more grounded look at resilience through the lens of Lindsey Vonn's ACL journey. Not as motivation, but as a real, physical, and mental demonstration of what the human body is capable of when given time, intention, and the right environment. From multiple ACL tears and degenerative knee changes to a partial knee replacement and a late-career Olympic push, Lindsey’s story challenges rigid narratives around timelines, imaging, and “what should be possible” after injury. This episode unpacks the difference between structure and function, why feeling good doesn’t always mean being ready, and how capacity, tolerance, and informed decision-making matter far more than labels. Most importantly, it reframes the ACL journey with a powerful reminder: it’s never too late to rebuild, adapt, and return to what matters to you. Links:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUI-ajQDTCc/ https://www.espn.com/olympics/skiing/story/_/id/47776769/vonn-crashes-limps-final-test-run-week-olympics https://www.instagram.com/p/DUTSTCvDdIp/https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47816576/vonn-confident-race-olympics-ruptured-acl https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUTcSDGEfPn/ Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    22 min

  3. JAN 29

    261 | The ACL Is a Seatbelt: You Don’t Know You Need It Until You Do

    In this episode, we unpack why “feeling good” late in ACL rehab can be one of the most misleading signals an athlete can rely on. Using the ACL-as-a-seatbelt analogy, we break down why the ligament stays quiet during controlled rehab and daily activities, why clinic exams and timelines often provide a false sense of security, and why symptoms disappearing does not equal readiness for sport. This episode reframes ACL recovery away from confidence and calendar time and toward objective evidence, chaos tolerance, and worst-case scenario preparedness, so athletes and clinicians understand what truly reduces reinjury risk. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    23 min

  4. JAN 22

    260 | Arthrofibrosis After ACLR: Trusting Your Gut When Rehab Isn’t Adding Up

    In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of ACL rehab: what to do when your knee just doesn’t feel right. You can be doing everything “by the book,” checking every rehab box, yet still feel stuck with stiffness, blocked motion, or regression that doesn’t add up. We unpack why blindly pushing through isn’t always the answer, how arthrofibrosis and cyclops lesions can quietly derail progress, and why listening to your gut (and advocating for yourself early) can save months of frustration. This episode is about separating normal rehab discomfort from true red flags and empowering ACLers and clinicians to stop wasting time fighting the wrong problem. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    24 min

  5. JAN 15

    259 | Why Your ACL Rehab Needs a Guide, Not Just a Protocol

    In this episode, we tackle one of the most common (and costly) questions in ACL rehab: when you should bring in an ACL specialist: right away, or “later when it really matters.” Using analogies like hiring an expert consultant or building your dream home, we break down why the early phase isn’t just “basic box-checking,” how cookie-cutter rehab quietly creates gaps that show up months later, and why progress early on can falsely convince people their plan is solid. The core message is simple: don’t wait until you’re stuck. Find a true guide who uses criteria, testing, and individualized progressions so you’re not relying on time, luck, or “good enough” to get you back to sport. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    29 min

  6. JAN 8

    258 | The 24-Hour Rule: The ACL Rehab Mindset You Need in the New Year

    In this episode, we kick off the new year with one of the most important conversations in ACL rehab: your mindset. Drawing inspiration from performance coach and author Steve Magness, this episode introduces the 24-Hour Rule: a simple but powerful framework for handling both wins and setbacks during ACL recovery. Whether you’re riding the high of a milestone or navigating swelling, frustration, or doubt, this episode reframes how long you let any single moment define you. It’s not about controlling outcomes (you can’t) but about controlling the return: how you reset, refocus, and show up again. If you’re entering a new year (or any phase of rehab) and want something that actually helps your ACL rehab work, this episode is your mental reset. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    16 min

  7. JAN 1

    257 | Stuck in ACL Rehab: Why So Many ACLers Fall Through the Cracks

    In this episode, we break down the most common and frustrating path that ACL athletes take as they move through rehab and quietly fall through the cracks. From early progress that masks deeper problems, to reduced PT frequency, insurance visits/denials, and vague “you’re cleared, just ease back in” guidance, this episode pulls back the curtain on why so many athletes feel stuck months down the road. We share what we consistently see after working and consulting with thousands of ACL athletes worldwide, why timelines and protocols fail without objective testing, and how this system fuels re-injury rates. The goal of this episode is simple: help you recognize the red flags early, understand what good ACL care should look like, and make sure 2026 (or whenever you’re listening) is the year you stop leaving your ACL rehab to chance and blind trust. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    36 min

  8. 12/25/2025

    256 | Proactive > Reactive: The ACL Surgery Prep That Separates Successful Recoveries

    In this episode, we breaks down one of the most underestimated factors in ACL recovery: what happens before surgery even begins. As the end of the year approaches and more athletes rush into ACL surgery due to holidays, insurance deductibles, and downtime, this episode explores why preparation, not the surgery itself, is often the difference between smooth momentum and months of frustration. Drawing from hundreds of ACL athletes’ experiences, we share the exact themes, systems, and mindset shifts that consistently lead to better early outcomes, quieter knees, and faster long-term progress. Whether you’re pre-op, early post-op, or a clinician guiding athletes through this process, this episode reframes ACL surgery as a continuation of momentum, not a starting line, and shows why being proactive beats reactive every single time. Ways we can connect: My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Our website: www.theaclathlete.com Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com _________________ Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer. Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up) 1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world. Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

    29 min
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5
out of 5
80 Ratings

About

The ACL Athlete Podcast brings you everything you need to know about ACL injuries. This podcast creates discussion around the ACL injury itself, research, rehab, performance, return to sport, mindset, you name it. I'm your host, Dr. Ravi Patel, Performance Physical Therapist, Coach, and 2x ACL athlete. I invite you to join me as we explore insights, expertise, personal stories, and experiences - from the athlete to the healthcare professional to the coach, so that we, together, can raise the standard of care and revolutionize the field of ACL injuries and rehab.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravi Patel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    263
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ACL Athlete Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ACL Athlete Podcast