Strength Resurgence Podcast

Jim Wittstrom
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Health & Fitness

A podcast helping others learn the science and art of coming back stronger from injuries, and how to prevent them, too! With the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that up to one-third of all humans are living with some form of chronic, musculoskeletal pain, learning a few techniques to combat these aches and pains can go a long way! Join me, Jim (a physical therapist and strength & conditioning specialist) as I discuss various topics pertaining to living a stronger, healthier life filled with less pain and greater quality of life. From scientific principles and anecdotal experiences, to sharing stories of others persevering through and overcoming orthopedic pain, this podcast aims to inform and inspire you with taking action towards waging the war on pain and dysfunctions that can arise within the body. The Strength Resurgence podcast is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a chance at crafting their comeback story and that pain shouldn't get the last word. Whether you're curious to learn a bit more about the body, living a healthier lifestyle, or looking to reclaim your physical health, it is my hope that this podcast allows you to gain the confidence and inspiration needed to take action and join others who believe that their comeback matters...and that it's theirs for the taking! In strength, Jim

  1. #26: No Quick Fixes: How To NOT Give Up On Your Rehabilitation Routine

    Apr 17

    #26: No Quick Fixes: How To NOT Give Up On Your Rehabilitation Routine

    When it comes to pain, injury, physical conditions, and various diseases through which the human body can be afflicted, the road to recovery often involves some form of a therapeutic regimen or exercise routine to help the body overcome the issue(s) at hand. The right rehabilitative regimen can do wonders for many conditions and injuries, but it's often a very slow, arduous, frustrating process (even when you're doing everything correctly). The problem therefore often becomes one of sticking to this rehabilitative regimen and seeing it through to the other end of your recovery; it's hard to stay with it when we feel like perhaps our regimen isn't paying off, not working, or simply taking much longer than it should. Over my years in clinical practice, I've seen common patterns arise for attrition rates of various therapeutic regimens, and feel there are common threads as two why this often is. So in this episode, we're looking at different strategies and tactics that can be utilized in order to help you ensure you're sticking with your therapeutic rehabilitation routine. Whether you're dealing with an injury or condition that feels overwhelming, or you're trying to work your way through a longstanding and chronic issue, my hope is that the contents in this episode can help you feel empowered and begin to point you in the right direction for actions and steps you can consider taking to help ensure you stick with your therapeutic regimen. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 7:53 - The problem to solve 11:27 - The big takeaway 13:30 - A few things to keep in mind with this discussion 19:27 - If it were easy... 26:54 - Knowing what you value 37:33 - Knowing your recovery timelines 44: 17 - Three feet from gold 49:23 - Pencil it in 52:12 - Avoiding a very common trap 56:42 - Moneymaker exercises & movements 1:08:05 - Going for the low-hanging fruit 1:14:20 - Key takeaways from this discussion 1:15:52 - A small request

    1h 18m
  2. #25: Hard Truths About Physical Rehabilitation (And What You Can Do About it)

    Apr 5

    #25: Hard Truths About Physical Rehabilitation (And What You Can Do About it)

    As the old saying goes, life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. And this can feel especially true when you're injured or dealing with a physical condition that causes pain or prevents you from moving in ways you otherwise need to. The world can feel a bit (or a lot) darker and grittier when we have to find a way to face what we're up against, which typically involves battling back through various facets of physical rehabilitation. The the fact of the matter is that this can be incredibly hard to do (for various reasons). Sure, there's times when a bit of rest is all that's needed, but there are unfortunately many times and scenarios where some seriously inconvenient and ugly truths will be presented to us as we embark on our road to recovery. So, in this episode, I'm covering some of the more common, ugly truths about the process of grinding through your physical rehab, along with various action steps that you can take for each one. My hope is that by the end of this episode, you'll feel a bit more armed up for how you can grind through the hard truths that are often presented to us when we're trying to heal and recover from what ails us, allowing you to crush your rehab and get back to the life you want to be living. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 7:37 - The problem to solve & the quick takeaway 13:10 - Things to keep in mind with this episode 16:53 - Ain’t no pause buttons when you’re injured 26:36 - The importance of accepting your reality 34:03 - Dealing with emotions 38:53 - The required investments with physical rehabilitation 42:43 - Changing priorities when you’re injured 50:02 - The need for deep patience (physical & mental) 57:57 - The physical side of pain 1:02:08 - Understanding (or lack thereof) from others 1:03:53 - The key takeaways for this episode 1:05:44 - A small & quick request

    1h 8m
  3. #24: Playing the Long Game (How to Stay Physically Active Your Whole Life)

    Mar 27

    #24: Playing the Long Game (How to Stay Physically Active Your Whole Life)

    If you want the benefits of physical activity to carry across your entire life then you're going to need to keep active throughout your entire life. Whether you want to be physically active to achieve the physical health benefits it offers, the mental health benefits, social health benefits, or even the spiritual benefits, you'll only maintain them with consistent engagement in these physical pursuits. It's the old "use it or lose it" phrase; the body will regress without consistent physical stimulation, and along with it, we may also find that we also lose the mental health benefits or other wellness benefits it provides. So, in this episode, we're covering the mindset around playing the long game; the mindset of what it takes to keep the big-picture, long-term goals and objectives in mind throughout our physical pursuits. The results can lead to greater personal fulfillment, which reduces risk of burnout, along with reduced likelihood of pain and injury, allowing us to keep moving rather than be forced to sit on the proverbial sidelines. The result is a greater ability to keep moving throughout our lifespan, allowing us to experience an overall higher quality of life—physically, mentally, and even spiritually. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 5:45 - The problem to solve & quick takeaway 11:54 - It’s never too late! 16:29 - Running vs sprinting 30:10 - Mistakes we make when we’re healthy 40:15 - Learning about periodization 47:29 - Individualization (and why you need it) 58:48 - Mistakes we make when injured 106:56 - Re-framing: obstacles vs opportunities  1:11:06 - Doing the stuff you don’t like 1:14:29 - The necessity of enjoying the process 1:15:58 - Key takeaways from this episode 1:18:08 - A small request

    1h 20m
  4. #23: Getting More Out of Physical Therapy (Simple, Actionable Steps)

    Mar 22

    #23: Getting More Out of Physical Therapy (Simple, Actionable Steps)

    No one likes being injured or hurt. No one likes to experience limited movement and functional capacity. But we all like healing and maximizing the rate and extent of our recovery. Which is exactly why it's worth knowing how to get more out of the injury recovery and rehabilitation process.  Whether you've got a minor injury, or you're battling through multiple chronic and debilitating issues, implementing a few key action steps throughout your rehabilitation can yield some drastic results; from feeling more confident, to healing a quick rates, to improved mental health, there are numerous rewards that can be reaped with the right approach. So, sit back and relax, as this episode covers all sorts of powerful and practical steps you can take to make your physical therapy experience as optimal as possible. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 2:30 - Quick update: I broke & separated one of my ribs 9:30 - The problem to solve & big takeaway 14:53 - The right mindset (the foundation of it all) 22:14 - Maximize your time 25:01 - Bringing extra info 31:55 - The process (being engaged in your recovery) 36:33 - Learn the basics 42:14 - Know your exercise objectives 46:06 - Take advantage of technology 53:18 - Utilize inter-session tracking 57:30 - Record your questions 58:34 - Utilize outcome measures 1:00:59 - Set your goals 1:02:37 - Stockpiling “ammunition” 1:06:29 - Chaff in the blast (a powerful quote) 1:08:23 - Key takeaways from this episode 1:09:40 - A small request

    1h 11m
  5. #22: Being A Physical Therapist: Why We Do What We Do

    Mar 19

    #22: Being A Physical Therapist: Why We Do What We Do

    You hear me say it all the time on this podcast: we all need to be a geek about something! And in case you don't know, I am a massive geek with all things pertaining to physical therapy. I'm not ashamed to admit it, either. The truth of the matter is that life is so much better when we have passion for our daily work endeavours. So, I thought it would be a fun idea to make a podcast episode about why physical therapists (such as myself) enjoy our jobs so much. Sure, it has it's challenges, just as any job or career does, but the goods far outweigh the bad, and having a positive impact in the lives of others is just the coolest thing ever. So, in this episode, I'm covering some specifies pertaining to what makes being a physical therapist the coolest job ever (yes, I am biased), along with what many other physical therapists enjoy about the profession as well. And by the end of the episode, I'll have hopefully provided you with some really cool insight that can perhaps help you to find a bit more meaning and fulfillment within your life, even if you're not a physical therapist or within the healthcare field.  So, if you have any interest in the world of physical therapy, or you're thinking about becoming a physical therapist, or you're in physical therapy school, my hope is you'll get some valuable insight out of the contents presented within this episode! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 7:08 - The “problem” to solve & big takeaway 14:35 - Just to be clear on a few things 16:46 - Definition, basics, & specialties of a physical therapist 21:55 - The big “why” behind this job 31:33 - Speaking to prospective physical therapists & students 37:42 - The joys of self-discovery 40:44 - Job satisfaction rates of physical therapists 42:00 - The realities of burnout as a physical therapist 45:50 - Occupation vs identity as a working professional 49:15 - Helping vs empowering others as a physical therapist 50:50 - Income and being “rich” as a physical therapist 54:00 - The Japanese concept of Ikigai (a reason for being) 58:03 - What winds my clock as a therapist 1:02:34 - Key takeaways of this episode 1:04:16 - A small request

    1h 6m
  6. #21: What Physical Therapists Want You to Know (For Maximal Recovery)

    Mar 8

    #21: What Physical Therapists Want You to Know (For Maximal Recovery)

    Any physical therapist worth their weight in salt wants you to get better; to overcome your physical limitations and difficulties; to eliminate your pain; to experience a higher quality of life, and so on. And one of the most essential ways this process occurs is through education of general concepts and principles that can be universally applied to essentially any physical injury or condition. Yes, you need to be aware of specifics pertaining to your situation, but you also must be aware of the general steps you can take to start optimizing your recovery, because these general concepts can yield profound differences in your recovery when stacked together. So in this episode, I'm covering some seriously important information that us physical therapists want you to know as a means to experience optimal outcomes with whatever injury or physical condition you may be up against! ARTICLES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Butler, P., Nguyen, T., Giummarra, M. J., O’Leary, S., & Sterling, M. (2022). Injury perceptions and their association with recovery outcomes in adults with traumatic orthopaedic injuries: a scoping review. Disability and rehabilitation, 44(24), 7707-7722.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 7:38 - The problem to solve & big takeaway 15:00 - Who wants it more? 17:27 - Taking an active role in your recovery 25:24 - Leaning into the process 31:41 - What you believe matters 38:07 - Losing battles but winning wars 42:29 - Running YOUR race 45:33 - Looking at the entire body 51:56 - Active vs passive modalities for recovery 1:00:50 - Where to focus (hint: on what you CAN control) 1:03:34 - Key takeaways for this episode 1:06:28 - A small request

    1h 8m
  7. #20: Injury Recovery: Powerful Goal Setting Methods for Optimized Outcomes

    Mar 8

    #20: Injury Recovery: Powerful Goal Setting Methods for Optimized Outcomes

    In this episode of the Strength Resurgence Podcast, we're looking at an all-too-often neglected aspect of physical rehabilitation: goal setting. Sure, we all want to get better when it comes to sustaining an injury or condition. But simply wanting to get better leaves us a bit aimless in knowing how to make this happen in the most optimal manner; there is, in fact, a number of steps we can take and actions we can perform to "tighten up" the process of moving towards our desired outcome. So, in this episode, we're looking at concepts involving intentionality, the importance of behaviour, iterative techniques for reducing ambivalence, monitoring and tracking your progress, and a whole lot more! By the end of the episode, my hope is that you'll have a few new ideas or strategies you can consider for not only setting the right goals based on your situation, but also a general framework for ensuring you're you're able to track and maintain your progress from start to finish!  ARTICLES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Berengüí, R., Castejón Martínez, M. Á., & Martínez Alvarado, J. R. (2021). Goal setting in sport injury rehabilitation: a systematic review.Levack, W. M., Taylor, K., Siegert, R. J., Dean, S. G., McPherson, K. M., & Weatherall, M. (2006). Is goal planning in rehabilitation effective? A systematic review. Clinical rehabilitation, 20(9), 739-755.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 5:44 - The problem to solve & big takeaway 10:36 - Starting with intentionality 13:20 - Research about setting goals for injury recovery 20:09 - Why you need to learn about what you’re up against 24:44 - The five “why’s” technique 30:30 - Outcomes vs behaviours for goal setting 35:28 - Setting behaviour-based goals for injury rehabilitation 42:03 - Setting SMART goals for optimal outcomes 44:44 - Setting guideposts (short, medium, & long-term goals) 47:51 - Tracking progress along the way 55:08 - Accountability  58:43 - Key takeaways of this episode 1:00:11 - A small request

    1h 2m
  8. #19: Going Under the Knife: How to Optimize Outcomes After Surgery

    Feb 15

    #19: Going Under the Knife: How to Optimize Outcomes After Surgery

    Undergoing surgery is never a fun process, but one that's (unfortunately) often necessary. And while the miracle of modern medicine has seen profound advancements in surgical techniques and outcomes over the previous decades, surgery in itself creates a new injury for the body to recover from. And if you want the best outcomes possible, there will be work that needs to be done on your part—before AND after—surgery to help give your body the best chance possible of regaining maximal amounts of health and function. Which is why this episode covers all sorts of information pertaining to the ways you can prepare your body before surgery and what to know and expect for surgery itself, along with steps to take after surgery has been performed.  Because, let's face it: if you are going to go through a surgical procedure, it's worth implementing and following through on a few basic steps and actions that help reduce risk of surgical complications, optimize healing recovery rates, and limit the risk of surgical failure. As always, everything discussed in this episode is for informational purposes only; if you are planning to undergo surgery or any other medical procedure, consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional to receive medical insight pertaining to you. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 - Intro 8:10 - The big problem to solve & the big takeaway 11:02 - The context of this episode 13:40 - Some surgical statistics 16:27 - Essential education for undergoing surgery 26:18 - Timelines for surgical recovery 32:04 - Factors affecting surgical recovery rates 36:34 - Pre-surgical steps to take for better outcomes 44:18 - Nutritional intake for better healing 50:29 - Pre-surgical strengthening 55:50 - Preventing surgical complications 59:59 - Post-operative strengthening exercises 1:03:59 - Understanding phases of recovery 1:07:57 - Post-operative specific strengthening exercises 1:11:42 - The importance of ongoing maintenance  1:14:15 - Key takeaways from this episode 1:16:29 - A small request to make the world stronger & healthier

    1h 18m
See All (27)

About

A podcast helping others learn the science and art of coming back stronger from injuries, and how to prevent them, too! With the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that up to one-third of all humans are living with some form of chronic, musculoskeletal pain, learning a few techniques to combat these aches and pains can go a long way! Join me, Jim (a physical therapist and strength & conditioning specialist) as I discuss various topics pertaining to living a stronger, healthier life filled with less pain and greater quality of life. From scientific principles and anecdotal experiences, to sharing stories of others persevering through and overcoming orthopedic pain, this podcast aims to inform and inspire you with taking action towards waging the war on pain and dysfunctions that can arise within the body. The Strength Resurgence podcast is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a chance at crafting their comeback story and that pain shouldn't get the last word. Whether you're curious to learn a bit more about the body, living a healthier lifestyle, or looking to reclaim your physical health, it is my hope that this podcast allows you to gain the confidence and inspiration needed to take action and join others who believe that their comeback matters...and that it's theirs for the taking! In strength, Jim

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Wittstrom
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Strength Resurgence Podcast
  • Show Website
    Strength Resurgence Podcast