The Rhody Strength Podcast

Dr. Matthew Sweeney, Physical Therapist
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Conversations with local athletes, businesses and friends in Rhode Island. Hosted by Dr. Matt Sweeney of Strength & Sport PT. Website: www.strengthandsportpt.com

  1. Oct 4

    #121: Sid Abbruzzi of Waterbrothers

    GameDay RX #10 This podcast episode (Rhody Strength Podcast #121) features Sid Abbruzzi, a legendary figure in the Rhode Island surf and skate community and owner of the iconic shop Waterbrothers.Sid discusses the history of his shop, from its early days on the beach in the late 70s to their current, unique constructed shop location in Middletown with the @kirbyperkins team.Sid details his integral role in creating the world-class indoor facility Skater Island in Middletown, which famously appeared in the @tonyhawk Pro Skater video game. He also reflects on the early days of building backyard ramps and the local surf-skate culture, which he likens to the Dogtown scene.Sid shares the story behind the documentary @waterbrotherfilm : The Sid Abbruzzi Story, which involved digitizing two physical miles of his personal film archives from the 60s and 70s to preserve local skate & surf history.The conversation covers the legal battles to keep the famous Ruggles surf break accessible and the efforts to protect the reef from destructive construction projects.Sid discusses his lifelong commitment to sports, his father’s (Lou Abbruzzi) career in professional NFL football (The Boston Yanks) who was also signed by the MLB (Detroit Tigers) , and who was a long time coach at Rogers Vikings . His uncle (Pat Abbruzzi) who played for URI Football was drafted by the NFL (Baltimore Colts) and then played 10 years in the CFL with Montreal Alouettes . And also his uncle (Jim Abbruzzi) who was a professional boxer in Providence. He talks about his recovery from double hip surgery, and his ongoing passion for surfing and staying active at nearly 75 years old.Was truly an honor to get Sid on the podcast. Special thanks to Sid & Danielle for making this one happen.

    #121: Sid Abbruzzi of Waterbrothers

  2. Sep 3

    #120: Edge Fitness Johnston, with Anita & Daniel

    Had a blast hanging out with Anita & Daniel, discussing their personal journeys in fitness & with Edge Fitness, and their excitement for the opening of the newest location of Edge in Johnston RI. Really fun episode hope you guys enjoy!

    #120: Edge Fitness Johnston, with Anita & Daniel

  3. Aug 29

    #119: Kyle Cox: 2026 Rhode Island Believe Walk and 5k Run

    #119: Kyle Cox: 2026 Rhode Island Believe Walk and 5k Run Had a chance to sit down with Kyle Cox recently - a runner and local member of the Rhode Island community. His son - Luke was diagnosed with Dup15Q, a rare lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an extra copy of a portion of chromosome 15. Kyle & his wife Elizabeth are hosting the 2026 Rhode Island Believe Walk and 5k Run at Goddard Memorial Park on October 3rd. All proceeds go towards Dup15Q Alliance nonprofit. “An anonymous donor has already pledged a $25,000 matching gift to kickstart fundraising efforts. The fundraiser will be held on Oct. 3 at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. Registration will open at 11 a.m. Participants are encouraged to take part in the 5k race or a more relaxed one-mile walk.” “It’s so important to us that everyone feels like they can do it, whether walking, running or rolling in a wheelchair,” said Cox. “Cox also plans to have food trucks, live music by a local band and touch-a-truck opportunities.” “If you’re able, please consider making a donation or becoming a sponsor for the event. Your support would mean so much to our family and to the entire Dup15Q community. We would also be honored to have you join us—whether walking or running—in support of Luke, others affected by Dup15Q, and all children living with disabilities.” @kcoxy2005 @elizabethmicelicox Tickets and more information are available online at ⁠https://charity.pledgeit.org/RhodeIsland⁠

    #119: Kyle Cox: 2026 Rhode Island Believe Walk and 5k Run

  4. Aug 22

    #118 Conor Dauer

    Had a great time talking with Conor Dauer. Conor is a prior division 1 and professional tennis player who now helps athletes as a Mental Performance coach. Conor has his MA in psychology and via his buisness Cognitiveedgeconsulting.com and https://www.instagram.com/cognitive_edge_consulting/ he provides numerous resources for athletes who are looking to take their mental performance to the next level. This was a fascinating conversation. Thank you Conor! Hope you all enjoy.

    #118 Conor Dauer

  5. Jul 21

    #117 Dylon Grzenda, ATC: UMass Boston, Athletes Acceleration

    Round 2 with Dylon!! Always a great time hanging out with Dylon. A true master of his craft in Athletic Training, rehab and return to sport performance. Dylon shares his talents between both the training staff at UMass Boston, working with many high level teams, as well as Athletes Acceleration in Attleboro working with clients one on one. Dylon has a background in college baseball and has been recently training for HYROX. Give him a follow!! https://www.instagram.com/dylongrzenda7/ @dylongrzenda7

    #117 Dylon Grzenda, ATC: UMass Boston, Athletes Acceleration

  6. Jul 1

    #116 Rick Hart: Roofing, Cycling, Family man

    Had a great time chatting with Rick about his journey to get to where he is today, including some wild stories about when he rode his bike cross country in support of homeless veterans. Thank you Rick! This was a great episode. Hope you guys enjoy! - matt

    #116 Rick Hart: Roofing, Cycling, Family man

  7. May 24

    #115 Rob Levine

    Great conversation with The Heavy Hitter himself... Rob Levine. We talk about his journey with fitness, injuries and rehab. We also talk about his journey from being a highly trained law enforcement officer, to working as a police offer in Central Falls, to becoming a lawyer. We also talk about when and why to call a lawyer! This was a really fun episode.. I hope you enjoy!

    #115 Rob Levine

  8. May 24

    #114: Karen Toti

    A fun conversation with a great personal trainer (and full time hairstylist & salon owner- Karen's Hair Design) over at BullfrogFit! Follow Karen at https://www.instagram.com/sparklefitness13/ Listen more to hear about Karen's personal journey into fitness and how she takes her own experience and uses it to help her clients. The discussion focuses on balancing a busy professional life with consistent fitness and nutrition habits. Fitness Journey & Community: Karen shares her history with fitness, beginning in her 20s at old-school bodybuilding gyms to her current membership at Bullfrog Fit (4:49 - 13:45). She highlights the importance of finding a supportive community and a gym that offers flexible, 24/7 access (15:09 - 19:08).Overcoming Excuses: A major theme is the misconception that one is "too busy" to exercise. Karen emphasizes that fitness is about maintenance, similar to a car, and that even short 15-minute workouts or consistent daily habits can lead to results (21:45 - 23:15, 31:35 - 32:26).Nutrition Philosophy: The duo discusses the importance of protein intake for satiation and metabolism. Karen advocates for "eating for function" rather than just taste, often preparing lean proteins like chicken and sweet potatoes in advance to ensure she hits her nutritional goals despite a demanding work schedule (24:26 - 25:24, 40:00 - 43:42).Consistency & Mindset: The guests discuss the "80/20 rule" for moderation, the importance of sleep, and the practice of starting the day with a mindful, positive mindset before the day's "chaos" begins (26:38 - 27:30, 34:34 - 35:05).Training Routine: Karen, now in her late 50s, explains how her routine has evolved to include weight training three times a week, active recovery, and mobility work, alongside the use of supplements like creatine to support muscle health (44:00 - 48:35).Reflecting on her professional and personal life, Karen shares her billboard mantra: "Every day is a gift. That's why we call it the present." She encourages listeners to make the most of each day and maintain a consistent, authentic approach to their health (57:26 - 58:57).

    #114: Karen Toti
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About

Conversations with local athletes, businesses and friends in Rhode Island. Hosted by Dr. Matt Sweeney of Strength & Sport PT. Website: www.strengthandsportpt.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Matthew Sweeney, Physical Therapist
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Matthew Sweeney, Physical Therapist
  • Show Website
    The Rhody Strength Podcast