The Athletic Potential Podcast

Mike Mathews DPT

The Athletic Potential Podcast is your place to come and get answers to your athletic development questions. We cover a range of topics all related to getting you to achieve your athletic goals so that you can experience and enjoy the athletic career that you desire. Hosted by Mike Mathews, a physical therapist and strength coach, answers will be a blend of what has worked for those in the past as well as what the research world has to say. Topics will include sports performance training, rehabilitation, injury prevention, speed and agility training, and power development. Interviews with athletes will help to provide examples that will help you know what steps to take so that you can go and perform in your sport at the highest level. Come listen and lets achieve your maximum athletic potential! 

  1. MAR 31

    063: Most Common Baseball & Softball Injuries Beyond the Arm: Low Back Pain, Pars Defects, and Core Training

    In this Athletic Potential Podcast episode, a physical therapist answers a listener’s question about the most common baseball and softball injuries outside the shoulder and elbow, explaining that low back pain is a major issue (with hamstrings also common in baseball) and highlighting adolescent pars stress fractures caused by repetitive high-speed lumbar extension and rotation. The episode reviews basic lumbar motion limits to show why the low back is poorly suited for rotation, describes typical symptom progression, notes that imaging can help determine status, and outlines common management including activity restriction for roughly 2–5 months, with many returning to play (about 80%) though overall return may take 6–8 months. Prevention focuses on adequate seasonal downtime, a gradual ramp-up of volume and intensity, improved mechanics, and core control using planks, side planks, and bird dogs/dead bugs rather than crunches or sit-ups. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:17 Listener Question 01:53 Common Non Arm Injuries 02:38 Why Throwers Get Back Pain 03:33 Pars Defects Explained 07:49 Diagnosis Imaging and Timeline 11:18 Prevention Through Ramp Up 14:56 Skip Crunches Build Core 16:21 Plank Bird Dog Routine 21:17 Wrap Up and Next Steps Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    24 min

  2. MAR 17

    062: Athlete Recovery After Pitching & How to Handle a Shoulder Injury

    This Athletic Potential Podcast episode answers two questions about recovery and injury. For a softball pitcher who isn’t recovering well, the host recommends prioritizing hydration and real food within 30–45 minutes post-outing, then maximizing sleep, using light movement like walking to promote blood flow, limiting passive sitting, avoiding post-game ice because it decreases blood flow, and being cautious with hot tubs due to dehydration risk (10 minutes max if used, then rehydrate). He suggests non-fatiguing electrical muscle stimulation for 45 minutes to two hours (e.g., Marc Pro or Compex recovery settings) to aid recovery, especially when time is short. For handling a shoulder injury, he emphasizes understanding how it happened and what structures are involved, maximizing blood flow (movement, heat if aching, e-stim), avoiding anti-inflammatories and RICE, keeping pain at 3/10 or less, then gradually reloading and field-testing until fully returned. Marc Pro Promo Code: POTENTIAL 00:00 Healing And Recovery Intro 01:00 Listener Question Setup 02:43 Pitching Recovery Context 03:57 Hydration And Food First 05:52 Sleep And Phone Habits 06:54 Blood Flow Recovery Basics 08:42 Walks Hot Tubs And Rest 11:06 Why Ice Slows Healing 12:29 RICE Protocol Critique 14:47 Recovery Tech And E Stim 17:18 Compex Vs Mark Pro 18:26 Mark Pro vs Budget Units 18:58 Affiliate Code and Savings 19:52 Tournament Recovery Checklist 22:21 Switching to Injury Q&A 22:50 Injury Basics Blood Flow 23:59 Pain Rules and Movement 26:03 Inflammation Not Ibuprofen 27:38 Loading and Wolff Law 29:44 Progression and Field Tests 34:16 No RICE for Shoulders 35:46 Wrap Up and Submit Questions Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE!!! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    37 min

  3. MAR 10

    061: Knee Pain and How We Get Rid of It!

    In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most common complaints we see in athletes of all ages — knee pain. Whether it’s a baseball player dealing with pain during squats, a soccer player struggling after a hard season, or a young athlete trying to push through discomfort during growth spurts, knee pain can quickly limit performance and confidence. At Athletic Potential, we don’t just treat the knee. We look at the entire system. Using a joint-by-joint approach, strength testing, movement analysis, and sport-specific loading, we work to understand why the knee is hurting in the first place. Often the issue isn’t the knee itself, but problems with the hip, ankle, strength, or how an athlete is managing workload. In this episode, we’ll talk about the most common causes of knee pain in athletes, how we evaluate it, and the strategies we use to help athletes get back to training and competition stronger than before. Let’s get into Episode 61 of the Athletic Potential Podcast. Want to WATCH this episode. Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    37 min

  4. MAR 3

    060: Youth Sports Training- What the Research Actually Says!

    In this episode of the Athletic Potential Podcast, Dr. Mike Mathews breaks down what the research actually says about youth strength training, sport specialization, injury risk, and long-term athletic development. If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete who wants to build performance without increasing injury risk, this episode gives you clear, evidence-based guidelines you can apply immediately. Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    48 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    059: Why Your Athlete Should Specialize in a Sport

    Is earlier always better? In this episode, we break down the truth about youth sports specialization — when it helps, when it hurts, and how to make the right call for your child. Learn what the research says about injury risk, long-term performance, and why multi-sport athletes often have the upper hand. A must-listen for parents navigating the balance between passion and pressure in youth sports. Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    1 hr

  6. 11/06/2025

    058: Why Your Back Pain Isn't Going Away

    Back pain is one of the most common — and most stubborn — problems for both athletes and everyday movers. In this episode of The Athletic Potential Podcast, we break down why back pain can be so resilient, what’s actually happening in the body, and why chasing symptoms rarely works. We’ll cover:  • Why back pain often becomes chronic or keeps coming back  • The difference between tissue injury vs. movement dysfunction  • How the spine, hips, and core interact to create (or relieve) pain  • Common mistakes people make when trying to “fix” their back  • Evidence-based strategies for lasting relief and performance Whether you’re a high-level athlete, weekend warrior, or someone who’s tried everything, this episode will help you understand what’s really driving your pain and what you can do about it. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes on rehab, performance, and unlocking your true athletic potential. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube 📍 Follow @athlpotential for more content Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    17 min

  7. 05/08/2025

    057: A Method for Boosting Throwing Velocity & Reducing Pain Through Brain-Muscle Connection

    In this episode, I dive into a powerful yet often overlooked method for improving throwing performance: strengthening the brain-muscle connection. By improving how your nervous system communicates with your muscles, you can throw with more velocity and less pain. I break down how this connection works, why it matters for throwers, and specific strategies to help you train it effectively. 🧠💪 What you’ll learn: • What the brain-muscle connection is and how it affects throwing • How to activate the right muscles at the right time • Drills and cues to improve efficiency, control, and power • Why better neuromuscular control leads to less stress on the arm If you’re a pitcher or position player looking to throw harder and stay healthy doing it, this episode is a game-changer. Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    22 min

  8. 05/01/2025

    056: Recovery, Elbow Pain, and What’s New at Athletic Potential 🎙

    In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering three of the most common and important questions I get from athletes, coaches, and clients: 1️⃣ What are the best recovery strategies? I break down the most effective ways to speed up recovery, reduce soreness, and get the most out of your training — including tools, timing, and what to avoid. 2️⃣ How do you treat tennis elbow? Whether you’re dealing with nagging elbow pain or just starting to feel it creep in, I explain the causes of tennis elbow and walk through simple, proven ways to manage and treat it. 3️⃣ What’s new at Athletic Potential? We’ve got some exciting things in the works — from new programs to updated equipment and expanded services. I share what’s coming next and how we’re continuing to raise the bar for athlete care and performance. If you’re serious about staying healthy, performing better, and keeping up with what we’re building at Athletic Potential, this episode is for you. Want to WATCH this episode? Click HERE! Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Athletic Potential Podcast is your place to come and get answers to your athletic development questions. We cover a range of topics all related to getting you to achieve your athletic goals so that you can experience and enjoy the athletic career that you desire. Hosted by Mike Mathews, a physical therapist and strength coach, answers will be a blend of what has worked for those in the past as well as what the research world has to say. Topics will include sports performance training, rehabilitation, injury prevention, speed and agility training, and power development. Interviews with athletes will help to provide examples that will help you know what steps to take so that you can go and perform in your sport at the highest level. Come listen and lets achieve your maximum athletic potential! 

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Mathews DPT
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Athletic Potential Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Athletic Potential Podcast