The Razor Performance Podcast

Andy Reay
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS

Hosted by Andy Reay, former professional rugby player and strength and conditioning coach, this show gets straight into what really matters for long-term performance: staying injury-free, building serious strength, and competing at any age. You’ll hear the methods, principles, and beliefs behind Razor Performance, shaped by years of coaching driven, time-poor and often injury prone men, back to their best. If you want to know how to rebuild confidence in your body, stay injury free and strong, and know what actually works, this is your new weekly listen.

Episodes

  1. Men in your 40s/50s: The First Step you are missing after Injury, That Stops Constant Flare-Ups.

    3D AGO

    Men in your 40s/50s: The First Step you are missing after Injury, That Stops Constant Flare-Ups.

    If you are a man in your 40/50s who still trains, still competes, and still cares, but keeps dealing with flare ups, recurring injuries, or a body you no longer fully trust, this episode is for you. Most men in their 40s return to training after injury by guessing.They try rehab exercises.They follow generic programmes.They push through until something flares up again. In this episode, I break down the first step men in their 40s skip after injury, and why everything else tends to fail without it. This is not about exercises, sets, or reps. It is about clarity. You will learn: Why pain free does not mean ready to train hard again Why most rehab removes symptoms but never restores confidence Why flare ups are not bad luck, but feedback How understanding what is actually holding you back changes everything Why men in their 40s need a different approach to training after injury I explain how I assess men in their 40s who keep breaking down, how I identify the real problem, and how the Razor Rebuild system is structured to end the injury cycle rather than manage it. This podcast is for driven men in their 40s who want to rebuild real strength, train seriously again, and stop constantly worrying about their body letting them down. At Razor Performance, I help athletic men in their 40s stop guessing, stop breaking down, and start trusting their body again through structured strength based rehabilitation. If this episode resonates, the next one is important.Because I will break down exactly what this first step looks like in practice, with real examples. Subscribe for weekly episodes on strength, injury, and long term performance for men in their 40s.

    9 min
  2. Men in Their 40s: How I Rebuild Bodies That Keep Breaking Down

    FEB 3

    Men in Their 40s: How I Rebuild Bodies That Keep Breaking Down

    If you are a man in your 40s who still trains, still competes, and still cares but feels like your body keeps letting you down, this episode is for you. In this episode, I explain how I actually rebuild men in their 40s who keep breaking down, step by step. Not exercises.Not sets and reps.Not generic rehab advice. This is how I assess, how I think, and how I decide what actually matters when someone wants to train hard again but does not trust their body anymore. You will hear: How I use simple movement tests to see how men in their 40s shift weight and avoid certain positionsWhy injury history tells you more than pain ever doesHow I identify what is really holding someone back, not just what hurtsWhy most rehab removes pain but lowers your body’s tolerance for trainingHow I rebuild strength in the right order so flare ups stop repeating I break down the three phases of the Razor Rebuild: Restoring missing movement without flaring injuriesLoading old injury sites deliberately and progressivelyTurning rehab into real athletic strength again This podcast is for driven men in their 40s who are fed up with constantly managing pain, stiffness, and recurring injuries and want to rebuild real strength, confidence, and capability in their body. At Razor Performance, I help athletic men in their 40s stop guessing, end the injury cycle, and train seriously again without babying their body or avoiding hard work forever. If this episode resonates, the next one is important. Because I will break down the first step most men in their 40s skip after injury and why everything else fails without it. Subscribe for weekly episodes on strength, injury, and long term performance for men in their 40s. www.razorperformance.co.uk

    11 min
  3. Why you always break down when training gets serious again?

    JAN 27

    Why you always break down when training gets serious again?

    If you only ever break down when training starts to get serious again, this episode will make sense of it. You train consistently.You feel OK.Then you push harder, heavier lifts, faster running, higher intensity..and suddenly your knee, back, or shoulder flares up. This isn’t bad luck.It isn’t ageing.And it isn’t because you’re fragile. In this episode, I explain why athletic men in their 40s often flare up at the exact moment they try to train like themselves again — and why the problem isn’t intensity itself, but unprepared intensity. We cover: • Why “feeling OK” is not the same as being ready • The difference between being pain-free and being robust • Why rehab often removes symptoms but never rebuilds tolerance • Why flare-ups are feedback, not failure • How to stop repeating the same injury cycle every time training ramps up This podcast is for driven men in their 40s who still train, still compete, and still care - but are fed up with constantly managing pain, stiffness, or recurring injuries. At Razor Performance, I help athletic men rebuild real strength, stop breaking down, and get back to trusting their body to perform again — without babying it or avoiding hard training forever. If this episode hits close to home, the next one is important.Because next time, I’ll break down the first step you need to take before pushing hard again — so you stop repeating this cycle for good. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on strength, injury, and long-term performance🎧 New episodes every week

    7 min
  4. Why Most Injuries Aren’t Random (And the One Question That Solves Them)

    JAN 20

    Why Most Injuries Aren’t Random (And the One Question That Solves Them)

    If you’re a driven man in your 40s who keeps dealing with recurring injuries, stiffness, or stop–start training, this episode will change how you think about pain forever. In this solo episode of the Razor Performance Podcast, I break down the single most powerful question I use with clients to uncover the real cause of long-term injuries: “It was all OK… until ______.” Most injuries don’t come out of nowhere. They accumulate over time. A rolled ankle. A hamstring strain. A tight hip. Then suddenly… your back “goes.” But the back isn’t the problem — it’s just the last thing left doing the work. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why pain is usually late, not random • How one injury quietly creates the next • Why treating symptoms keeps you stuck in rehab purgatory • How to identify the moment your injury cycle actually started • The difference between managing injuries and controlling performance This is the exact framework I use inside the Razor Rebuild to help athletic men stop breaking down, rebuild real strength, and trust their body again. If you’ve tried physio, rehab exercises, or “being careful” — and still don’t feel confident in your body — this episode will give you clarity. 🎯 Want help applying this properly? I offer a free 20–30 minute training and injury audit where we map your injury timeline and build a clear plan forward. 👉 Book your call here: https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min Subscribe for weekly episodes on training, rehab, strength, and performance for men in their 40s who refuse to accept decline.

    7 min
  5. Why Traditional Rehab Fails Athletic Men in Their 40s (And What Actually Works Instead)

    JAN 13

    Why Traditional Rehab Fails Athletic Men in Their 40s (And What Actually Works Instead)

    If you’re a driven man in your 40s who still trains, still cares, but keeps picking up injuries… this episode is for you. In this solo podcast, I explain why traditional rehab fails athletic men, and why so many former athletes, runners, rugby players, and busy professionals end up stuck in a cycle of: Recurring injuries Stop–start training Constant stiffness and niggles “Managing” pain instead of fixing it Losing trust in their body under fatigue This isn’t about motivation.And it’s not because you’re “getting old”. It’s because rehab was never designed to rebuild athletic bodies — only to reduce symptoms. In this episode, I break down: Why being “pain-free” is not the same as being robust How old injuries quietly change the way your body moves and loads Why rehab that avoids load guarantees re-injury later The difference between medical rehab and performance-based rehab Why athletic men need strength, not endless corrective exercises What rebuilding your body properly actually looks like in your 40s I work with men who want to stop breaking down, rebuild real strength, and reach the end of the journey feeling confident, capable, and pain-free again — not just “back to baseline”. If you’ve ever thought: “This shouldn’t be happening yet” “I train hard, so why do I keep getting injured?” “I just want to trust my body again” This episode will reframe how you think about rehab, training, and longevity. 🎯 Want help rebuilding properly? I offer a free 20–30 minute Injury & Training Audit where we: Review your full injury history Identify why pain keeps coming back Map a clear plan to rebuild strength and confidence properly 👉 Book your free call here https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min

    8 min
  6. Why Bodybuilding Splits Are Failing You in Your 40s (And What to Do Instead)

    JAN 6

    Why Bodybuilding Splits Are Failing You in Your 40s (And What to Do Instead)

    Why Bodybuilding Splits Are Failing You in Your 40s (And What to Do Instead) If you’re in your 40s, still training hard, but feeling weaker, stiffer, or more injury-prone than you should be… this episode is for you. In this solo podcast, I break down why traditional bodybuilding splits stop working as you get older, and why so many fit, driven men end up stuck in a cycle of soreness, stop-start training, and recurring injuries. This isn’t about motivation.It’s about training structure. You’ll learn: Why training a muscle once a week isn’t enough to drive real strength or resilience How excessive fatigue is killing your progress, not accelerating it Why full-body training is far more effective for men in their 40s The three questions every training session must answer if you want to keep improving A real client example showing how less fatigue led to more strength I work with men who still train, still care, and still want to perform — but don’t fully trust their body anymore. Ex-athletes. Busy professionals. Dads who refuse to accept “athletic decline” as inevitable. If your training feels like it should be working better than it is, this episode will help you understand why — and what to change. 🎯 Want help structuring your training properly? I offer a free 20–30 minute training audit where we: Review your current training Identify what’s holding your progress back Build a clear plan you can actually recover from 👉 Book your call here: https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on: Training in your 40s and 50s Injury-free strength and performance Rebuilding confidence in your body Smarter programming for busy, driven men

    11 min
  7. ACL Injuries While Skiing: Why They Happen & How to Reduce Your Risk (With an ACL Rehab Specialist)

    12/16/2025

    ACL Injuries While Skiing: Why They Happen & How to Reduce Your Risk (With an ACL Rehab Specialist)

    Ski season is here – and with it comes a spike in ACL injuries. In this episode of the Razor Performance Podcast, I’m joined by James Phillips, an ACL rehabilitation specialist and former colleague of mine from Pure Sports Medicine. James now runs the Complete ACL Rehab Course and has spent years helping people return to skiing, sport, and high-level activity after ACL injuries. In this conversation we break down:– Why ACL injuries are so common when skiing– The most common mechanisms of ACL injury on the slopes– How fit, confident skiers still get injured– What you should be doing before a ski trip to reduce risk– What actually matters while you’re on the mountain– What to do immediately if an ACL injury happens abroad– Surgical vs non-surgical options– Why ACL rehab is no longer time-based– How modern rehab is driven by objective criteria, not guesswork– The biggest mistakes people make during ACL rehab– Why people fall apart when they start running again– What it really takes to get back to skiing with confidence This episode is especially relevant if you:– Ski once or twice a year– Train regularly but don’t feel “ski-fit”– Are in your 30s, 40s or 50s– Want to avoid a long, frustrating rehab cycle– Or are currently dealing with an ACL injury My work is built around The Razor Rebuild – helping men break out of cycles of niggles and injuries, rebuild real strength, and regain confidence in their body so they can train hard and do the things they care about without constantly breaking down. If you ski, train, or want your body to last, this episode is well worth your time. 🎧 Listen to the full episode📍 Links to James, his clinic, and the Complete ACL Rehab Course are below https://optimal-strength.com/https://www.completeaclrehabcourse.com/

    1h 6m
  8. The one thing you are ignoring that is keeping you injured

    12/09/2025

    The one thing you are ignoring that is keeping you injured

    In today’s episode of the Razor Performance Podcast, I break down the one thing everyone ignores that keeps them stuck in the injury cycle — and why the site of your pain is almost never the root of the problem. This is the episode you need if you’re a 35–55 year old dad who keeps getting:• Back spasms during lifting• Achilles pain during running• Knee niggles that never disappear• Shoulder pain that keeps returning• “Random” injuries that seem to come out of nowhere I explain the 3 types of injuries most people experience:1️⃣ Direct trauma2️⃣ Protective spasms3️⃣ Creeping overload injuries …and why the second two are usually caused by old injuries you’ve never truly fixed. You’ll learn:• Why old ankle or knee injuries quietly change the way your body moves• How compensation patterns build over years• Why your lower back often hurts even though “nothing happened”• Why the injured area is rarely the real issue• How your body redistributes force (the “dimmer switch” method)• Why rehab fails when it only treats symptoms• How isometrics can re-activate long-forgotten muscles• What proper rehab should actually look like for men in their 30s, 40s and 50s This episode will change the way you think about your body — and help you finally understand why injuries don’t just appear out of nowhere. 🎧 LISTEN IF YOU’VE EVER SAID: • “My back just went”• “I’ve had this niggle for years”• “I keep getting injured when my training ramps up”• “Physios only ever look at the painful area”• “I feel like my body is falling apart in my 40s” 🔧 WHAT YOU’LL TAKE AWAY • How to trace your pain back to the original cause• How to stop chasing symptoms• Why isometric training is a game-changer• How to rebuild your body properly by fixing old injuries first• The assessment framework I use with Razor Performance clients 👇 IF YOU NEED HELP REBUILDING YOUR BODY I specialise in helping 35–55 year old men fix long-term injuries, get strong again, and feel confident in their body — without breaking down. There’s a link below to book a call. https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min No pressure — just a conversation about what’s going on and whether I can help.

    12 min
  9. Rob Thirlby, from worlds best (England 7's rugby)... to a personal low

    12/03/2025

    Rob Thirlby, from worlds best (England 7's rugby)... to a personal low

    Rob Thirlby — former England 7s star, World Series leading try scorer, Commonwealth Games athlete, and one of the fittest men I ever played with — opens up about the injuries, setbacks, and mental battles that nearly ended his athletic life at 47. For 18 months he was stuck in a cycle of:• Constant niggles• Achilles pain so bad he couldn’t run a mile• Weight gain• Stopping sessions halfway• Losing confidence• And feeling like he was letting everyone down And then… he rebuilt everything from scratch. In this episode, we cover: • The hidden cost of training through pain• How ex-rugby players carry 10–20 years of “silent damage”• Why strength training becomes non-negotiable in your 40s and 50s• What actually causes long-term Achilles issues• Why endurance athletes break when strength isn’t there• How to rebuild an athletic body after years of compensations• The emotional side of losing (and regaining) your identity as an athlete• Rob’s turning point — and how he got back to running pain-free• The exact process we used to rebuild him from the ground up• The mindset every 40–55 year old needs before starting a comeback This episode isn’t just about injuries — it’s about purpose, identity, frustration, accountability, and the moment you realise you can’t keep doing this alone. Whether you’re an ex-athlete, a dad in your 40s, or someone stuck in the same injury cycle…this is the conversation you needed months ago. If you want help rebuilding your own body, hit the links below and reach out. https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min

    42 min
  10. Why training in your 40’s must change (if you want to stay strong, athletic and injury free).

    12/02/2025

    Why training in your 40’s must change (if you want to stay strong, athletic and injury free).

    Training in your 40s is NOT the same as training in your 20s — and if you don’t adapt, you’ll keep running into the same cycle of niggles, flare-ups, slow recovery, and frustration.In this episode of the Razor Performance Podcast, I break down:• Why your wants and needs shift in your 30s–50s• How old injuries and compensations affect your training• Why squats and deadlifts might not be the best option anymore• Smarter exercises that keep you strong, athletic and pain-free• The recovery gap no one in midlife is talking aboutIf you’re a busy dad, ex-athlete, or midlife competitor trying to get strong again — this will help you understand exactly how to train for the body you have now… so you can still hit the goals you care about. WHO I AMI’m Andy Reay — former professional rugby player and strength & conditioning coach. I help busy men (30–55) rebuild their strength, get out of the injury cycle, and take on big physical goals with confidence. NEED HELP WITH YOUR TRAINING?Book a free 30-minute training audit where we’ll go through your current setup, identify what’s holding you back, and build a plan to move forward.👉 https://calendly.com/razorperformance/30min

    12 min
  11. Who is this for?

    11/25/2025

    Who is this for?

    Welcome to The Razor Performance Podcast. I’m Andy Reay. I’m a former professional rugby player, and for the last fifteen years I’ve been working in strength and conditioning and injury rehabilitation, helping busy men in their late thirties, forties and fifties build strong, capable, resilient bodies again. If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t quite doing what it used to… if you’ve slipped into the cycle of niggles, false starts and frustration… or if you’ve got big goals but no idea how your current life load is going to support them… this is exactly why this podcast exists. Every week I’ll be breaking down what actually works for people like you. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just practical strength training, smart rehab, and the mindset shifts that help you show up for your family, your work and yourself. This first episode is here to set the stage. Who I am, what Razor Performance stands for, and how this show will help you rebuild confidence in your body, whether you want to run a marathon, complete a Hyrox, or simply feel strong again in everyday life. Let’s get into it.

    3 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Hosted by Andy Reay, former professional rugby player and strength and conditioning coach, this show gets straight into what really matters for long-term performance: staying injury-free, building serious strength, and competing at any age. You’ll hear the methods, principles, and beliefs behind Razor Performance, shaped by years of coaching driven, time-poor and often injury prone men, back to their best. If you want to know how to rebuild confidence in your body, stay injury free and strong, and know what actually works, this is your new weekly listen.

Information