The Higher Powered Podcast

Kurt Kessler

5.0 (8)
Medicine
Complete

The Higher Powered Podcast is a biweekly show hosted by Kurt Kessler, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC. The show discusses various topics in the world of physical therapy, sports medicine, and health and fitness. The goal is to give the listener practical education that can be applied for the purposes of betterment of knowledge, fitness, and pursuit of the best care in the world of sports medicine.

1d ago

Faith in Practice: Episode 40: You Still Love Me When I Do Bad

Kurt Kessler reflects on parenting, faith, and managing emotions through insights from his recent reading and personal experiences. This episode offers practical advice on how to lead with grace, influence positively, and see challenges through a spiritual lens. Keywords parenting, faith, grace, emotional control, spiritual growth, Justin Whitmel Earley, habits of the household, God's love, discipline, patience Key topics Parenting as a reflection of spiritual identity The importance of establishing family rhythms that include God The difference between reacting and responding in parenting The role of grace in discipline and influence Understanding control versus influence in parenting The significance of seeing children as image bearers The impact of emotional reactions on parenting The power of prayer in parenting moments The concept of being a thermostat versus a thermometer Trusting God's sovereignty in parenting challenges Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Parenting and Faith 02:34 The Thermostat and Thermometer Analogy in Parenting 04:54 Influence vs. Control in Parenting 09:05 Controlling Emotions and Authority 12:00 Trusting God's Provision and Overcoming Anxiety 13:22 Lessons from Airport Anxiety and Trust 14:49 God's Love and Our Actions 15:17 The Unconditional Love of God and Parenting 16:28 Being Children of God First 17:26 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts CONNECT: hpsportspt@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Sep 28

Episode 40: Stretching Does Not Mean Flexibility

This episode explores the science behind flexibility, debunking common myths and providing practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and parents to develop lasting, sport-specific flexibility through strength and movement control. Keywords flexibility, mobility, stretching, sports performance, strength training, movement control, athletic training, muscle lengthening, injury prevention Key Topics Difference between flexibility and mobility The misconception that stretching lengthens muscles The role of nervous system in flexibility Structural changes from stretching and how long they take Active vs passive flexibility and their importance Integrating strength training to improve flexibility The importance of movement patterns over individual muscles Flexibility considerations for different sports and athletes Growth spurts and temporary mobility limitations in adolescents Practical strategies for developing sport-specific flexibility Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and its focus on flexibility 04:54 The concept of increased stretch tolerance and nervous system adaptation 06:37 Structural changes in muscles and how long they take 08:32 How athletes develop true, functional flexibility 09:12 The importance of strength and control in flexibility 12:20 Active vs passive flexibility and their relevance in sports 15:18 Resistance training as a tool for improving flexibility 16:04 The role of stretching as a starting point, not the finish line 17:00 How to measure real progress in flexibility 19:16 Movement patterns and the body's integrated system 20:28 Limitations of passive flexibility and the importance of control 22:24 A progression approach: expose, strengthen, and integrate 26:26 Strengthening muscles in lengthened positions for better transfer 28:36 Addressing hip flexors and adductors in flexibility training 31:15 The complexity of shoulder and thoracic mobility 33:44 Optimal dosage and frequency of stretching 35:15 Practical application: using new ranges immediately 36:02 Growth spurts and temporary mobility issues in adolescents 39:32 Myth vs reality in flexibility and injury prevention 40:54 Key takeaways: flexibility is a skill, not just a goal CONNECT: kurt@hpsportspt.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Sep 21

Faith in Practice: Episode 39: Paid in Full

The gospel is not that Jesus paid most of the bill and left you to cover the rest. It is finished means exactly that - finished. If you keep living like your faith has a balance due, this episode will challenge that instinct and show you why grace changes everything.Kurt Kessler uses a scene from Friends to expose a surprisingly common Christian reflex: slipping our own “$20” under the receipt after Jesus has already paid in full. What starts as a sitcom moment becomes a sharp picture of how easily believers drift into earning, proving, and performing, even when they already know salvation is by grace through faith.You'll discover: Why John 19:30 matters far more than a comforting phraseWhat the Greek word tetelestai meant in the world of debt and paymentHow Colossians 2:13-14 reframes sin as a canceled legal recordThe difference between obedience that flows from love and obedience that tries to buy loveWhy legalism and cheap grace both miss the heart of the gospelKurt also unpacks why Christians so often respond to failure by hiding, striving, and overcorrecting instead of running back to the Father. Using Adam and Eve, the “fig leaves” we still make today, and the logic of Ephesians 2, he makes the case that good works are the fruit of salvation, not the price of admission.This episode matters because the way you understand grace shapes everything - how you pray, how you serve, how you fight sin, and how you see yourself after you fail. If you've ever felt like God's approval rises and falls with your performance, this conversation brings you back to what the cross actually says.Perfect for anyone who knows the gospel in their head but keeps living like it depends on their effort. If you need a clear, grounding reminder that Jesus already picked up the check, this one will stay with you. CONNECT: hpsportspt@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Sep 14

Episode 39: Hydration for Athletes

Hydration is not just about drinking more water...it is one of the most overlooked performance tools in sports. Kurt Kessler breaks down why even a small fluid deficit can make workouts feel harder, slow decision-making, and quietly drain performance before most athletes realize what is happening.Rather than treating hydration like a simple “drink when you’re thirsty” problem, Kurt shows why that advice falls short for athletes training in heat, sweating heavily, or stacking long practices and tournaments. He explains the difference between surviving on water and actually preparing your body to perform, recover, and stay healthy. You’ll discover: Why thirst is a late signal, not a performance strategyWhat the “2% body weight loss” threshold really means in the real worldWhy pee color is useful, but not a complete hydration testHow hydration changes when exercise is long, hot, or intenseWhy sodium matters just as much as water after hard sessionsWhen sports drinks, electrolyte mixes, coffee, and energy drinks actually make senseKurt also tackles some of the biggest misunderstandings in sports hydration, including the myth that cramps are caused by dehydration alone and the idea that chugging water right before practice can make up for a day of under-drinking. His bigger point is simple: hydration works best when it is built across the day, matched to your sweat rate, and adjusted to the demands of your sport.He also shares practical recovery advice, including how to think about post-practice fluid replacement, why food matters as part of hydration, and how coaches can start a smarter hydration conversation in just seconds before practice.Essential listening for athletes, parents, and coaches who want a clearer, more useful approach to hydration. If you want better performance tomorrow, it starts with what you do long before practice begins. CONNECT: kurt@hpsportspt.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Sep 7

Faith in Practice: Episode 38: Identity in Christ part 3

Your career, title, role, and even your confidence can shift overnight. This episode shows why the safest place to anchor your identity is in something that cannot be taken away. Kurt Kessler turns a recent personal setback into a clear, practical look at what it means to live from identity in Christ, not achievement. After finishing a mini-series on identity with Daniel Day and Jordan Shoebridge, Kurt brings the lesson into real life through a moment on a Team USA masters field hockey tour in the Netherlands, where he suddenly felt ineffective, unnecessary, and out of place. He breaks down the tension many people feel when their worth gets tied to jobs, roles, family, sports, or performance. You'll hear how a simple church exercise - using five words to describe yourself - reveals how fragile earthly identity can be, and why the biblical words blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven are so different. Those five truths do not expire, shrink, or disappear when circumstances change. Kurt also shares the uncomfortable part most people avoid: what happens when pride gets exposed. In a high-stakes tournament environment, he had to admit he was not the right person for the moment, ask for help, and sit with the frustration of not being the expert. That experience became the turning point, showing how humility, reflection, prayer, and a deeper identity can steady you when you feel like an imposter. You’ll discover: why identity built on work, status, or success eventually crackshow to spot the quiet lies that show up as comparison, insecurity, and worthlessnesswhat it means to be rooted in something that cannot changewhy feeling shaken does not mean you are spiritually failinghow a painful moment can actually become evidence of graceThis is a short but honest reminder that being tested is not proof you are lost. It may be proof that your roots are growing deeper. Perfect for anyone who feels stretched, overlooked, or unsure of who they are when life stops affirming them. CONNECT: hpsportspt@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Aug 31

Episode 38: 2026 Masters Field Hockey World Cup - Netherlands

What happens when a sports PT leaves home for his first Europe trip, works a World Cup, and gets forced to rethink how he sees time, stress, and success? Kurt Kessler’s first episode back from the Netherlands blends culture shock, field hockey, and a surprisingly powerful reminder: sometimes doing less reveals more. Kurt shares what it was like traveling with Team USA’s Masters Field Hockey program as part of the medical staff, from the chaos of Amsterdam bikes and canal tours to the very different rhythm of life in Rotterdam. He also opens up about the realities of international travel, sleep deprivation, parenting fatigue, and why a simple laundromat errand became a lesson in how American life trains us to chase efficiency at the expense of peace. You’ll hear about: Why Masters Field Hockey is one of the most underappreciated sports scenes in the worldHow Europe’s public transit, biking culture, and adult sports model compare with the U.S.The medical team setup at the World Cup and what Kurt learned from other PTs using dry needlingThe Anne Frank House, Rotterdam’s wartime history, and the emotional weight of visiting places shaped by conflictHow one small laundry problem turned into a bigger reflection on comparison, urgency, and contentmentKurt also talks through the silver medal finish, but the bigger story is the team itself - how a group of athletes grew closer, competed harder, and recognized the rare opportunity they had in front of them. That perspective gives this episode its real depth: it is not just a travel recap, it is a reset on what matters when life feels too full.Perfect for listeners who like thoughtful solo episodes that mix personal story, travel observations, sports medicine, and practical perspective. If you’ve ever felt rushed by your own life, this one will land.
Aug 24

Faith in Practice: Episode 37: What Paul’s Conversion Teaches Us About Grace and Redemption

Exploring the transformative journey of Paul in the Bible, highlighting humility, dependence on God, and the true nature of spiritual strength. This episode challenges modern believers to reevaluate their perceptions of success, influence, and faithfulness. Keywords Paul, transformation, humility, spiritual strength, faithfulness, biblical story, Christian life, dependence on God, humility in faith, modern Christianity Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The significance of Paul's story 01:55 Saul's background: Respect, influence, and religious zeal 03:52 The danger of confusing confidence with wisdom 06:47 The Damascus Road: God's radical transformation 10:05 Paul's humility and suffering as signs of authenticity 13:50 The culture of Corinth: Status, influence, and comparison 15:35 God's upside-down kingdom: Weakness as strength 19:33 The importance of dependence and surrender 21:40 Transformation as God's work, not ours 23:36 Modern parallels: Chasing image vs. faithfulness 25:37 Call to humility and authenticity in faith 27:32 Final reflections: Hope and self-examination CONNECT: hpsportspt@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/
Aug 17

Episode 37: Ice Baths

This episode explores the effects of ice baths on athletic recovery, muscle soreness, inflammation, and long-term muscle growth. Kurt Kessler reviews current research, practical recommendations, and best practices for athletes and coaches. Keywords ice baths, athletic recovery, muscle soreness, inflammation, muscle growth, sports science, recovery techniques Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ice Baths 02:58 Short-Term Recovery Benefits 05:56 Inflammation and Muscle Damage 09:04 Long-Term Effects on Muscle Hypertrophy 11:44 Psychological Effects and Perceived Recovery 12:50 Practical Recommendations for Ice Baths CONNECT: Kurt@hpsportspt.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowersportspt/

5

out of 5

8 Ratings

The Higher Powered Podcast is a biweekly show hosted by Kurt Kessler, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC. The show discusses various topics in the world of physical therapy, sports medicine, and health and fitness. The goal is to give the listener practical education that can be applied for the purposes of betterment of knowledge, fitness, and pursuit of the best care in the world of sports medicine.

Creator

Kurt Kessler
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

81
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Kurt Kessler