The WorkReady Podcast with Dr. Kevin Rindal

Dr. Kevin Rindal
  • 5.0 (5)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Built to Last: Human Performance for Field Athletes The WorkReady Podcast delivers human performance, recovery, and leadership insights built specifically for the field—linemen, operators, construction professionals, crew leaders, and trades. Hosted by Kevin Rindal, a performance doctor who has worked with Olympic athletes and supported 45,000+ field professionals, each episode breaks down how to build strength, manage recovery, lead under pressure, and stay built to last—on the job and at home. Subscribe for weekly episodes built for the field.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Industrial Athlete's Edge: Why Your PPE Needs to Perform, Not Just Protect

    Is your workwear actually protecting you, or creating hidden risk? What you wear on the job affects more than comfort. It impacts focus, thermoregulation, compliance, and long term durability in the field. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Rindal sits down with Simon Levin, a 30 year performance apparel expert who has helped develop some of the most technically advanced FR and AR garments in the world. They break down why what you wear under your PPE matters just as much as the outer layer. You will learn the difference between inherent and treated FR fabrics, why polyester can melt in an arc flash, and how moisture against your skin can increase burn severity. They also explain why heavier gear is not automatically safer, and how proper layering helps you manage heat and cold. Stay durable. Stay focused. Stay built to last. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal • WorkReady Hub • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Subscribe to Field Notes Connect with Simon Levin • LinkedIn  RESOURCES • WorkReady Episode Exclusive Clip • Dragonwear • Dragonwear Instagram 🎉 SPONSORS • Vimocity Workforce Readiness Platform • WorkReady Community (FREE for field pros) CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to WorkReady 08:25 FR and Inherent Explained 11:50 Base Layer Dangers 14:10 DragonWear Pro Dry Tech 18:30 Comfort Drives Safety 22:37 Compliance and Education 28:22 Layering for Heat and Cold 33:40 Cold Weather Checklist 40:29 PPE Program and ROI 44:00 Future of Workwear

    49 min

  2. FEB 17

    From Groundman to Founder: When Frontline Experience Meets Entrepreneurial Hustle

    Felipe Carrillo started as a groundman, climbing towers and working long shifts until back injuries forced him to rethink his future. Instead of leaving the trade behind, he used what he learned in the field to build Wye Delta, a safety brand designed around what workers actually want to wear. In this episode, Felipe shares how injuries change your perspective on work and longevity, why most safety gear gets ignored on the job, the role of frontline experience in real innovation, and what it takes to build a business while still working in the field. This conversation is a reminder that your body is your livelihood, and the decisions you make today determine how long you stay in the game. Subscribe to the WorkReady Podcast and join the WorkReady Community to take these lessons from conversation to application. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal WorkReady HubLinkedInInstagramFacebookSubscribe to Field NotesConnect with Felipe Carrillo LinkedInWye DeltaWye Delta Instagram RESOURCES WorkReady Episode Exclusive WorkReady Community (FREE) SPONSORS Vimocity — The Workforce Readiness PlatformVimocity Community (FREE for field pros) CHAPTERS 00:00 The Injury That Changed His Career 02:30 The Back Pain Wake-Up Call 04:10 Why Field Athletes Must Train for the Job 06:10 The Problem With Safety Gear Nobody Wears 10:30 Why Cheap PPE Fails in the Real World 15:30 The Eye Injury That Proved It Matters 23:45 How WYE Delta was Born 27:50 Betting Everything on the Business 32:45 Quitting the Utility Job to Go All-In 38:00 Your Body Is Your Paycheck

    44 min

  3. FEB 10

    The Durability Blueprint: Longevity Lessons from a UFC Trainer

    Elite athletes don’t just train hard. They recover with purpose. In this conversation, Dr. Heather Linden shares what she’s learned from working with Olympic medalists and UFC champions, and how those same recovery strategies apply to the trades. They cover the essentials of recovery, how fatigue actually leads to injuries, why sleep and hydration matter more than most people think, and how simple daily habits can extend your career. This is human performance, built for field athletes who want to stay strong on the job and at home. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal WorkReady HubLinkedInInstagramFacebookSubscribe to Field NotesConnect with Dr. Heather Linden LinkedInInstagram RESOURCES WorkReady Episode ExclusiveWorkReady Podcast YouTubeWorkReady Community⁠ (FREE)WHOOP: Wearable performance and recovery tracking. Get one month of membership FREE.⁠Thorne: NSF-certified supplements trusted by athletes at the UFC Performance Institute.⁠ SPONSORS Vimocity: The Workforce Readiness PlatformVimocity Community (FREE for field pros)

    1h 1m

  4. FEB 3

    The Cold Truth: Protecting Performance and Function in Extreme Conditions

    The cold weather is not just uncomfortable. It's the second deadliest environmental stressor after a lack of oxygen. It changes the way your body moves, reacts, and performs. Dr. François Hammond, a human kinetics researcher and professor with 25 years studying cold exposure from Arctic communities to special forces, shares the real risks of working in the cold, including muscle strain, slips, dehydration, and impaired nerve function, and explains why even brief exposures can add up over time. He also separates fact from hype on using cold for recovery and explains how to do it safely. Learn practical strategies to protect yourself, build adaptability, read your body’s signals, and make smarter decisions when the temperature drops. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal • WorkReady Hub • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Subscribe to Field Notes Connect with Dr. François Haman • LinkedIn  RESOURCES • Winter Readiness Training Resources • Cold Exposure Response Zone Chart • WorkReady Community (FREE) • WorkReady Podcast YouTube • WorkReady Episode Exclusive 🎉 SPONSORS • Vimocity — The Workforce Readiness Platform • Vimocity Community (FREE for field pros) CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to WorkReady 04:20 The Science of Thermoregulation 13:38 Practical Tips for Cold Weather Safety 22:31 The Hidden Dangers of Non-Freezing Cold Injuries 25:54 Lessons from Indigenous Communities on Cold Management 35:30 Monitoring and Managing Cold Stress in the Field 48:10 Recognizing the Danger Zones of Cold Exposure 52:17 Cognitive and Physical Impacts of Cold 01:03:00 Musculoskeletal Risks and Cold-Related Injuries 01:08:21 Hydration and Dehydration in Cold Environments 01:15:22 The Cold-Weather Readiness Triangle 01:21:43 The Science of Cold Plunging

    1h 36m

  5. JAN 27

    The Home Front: A Line Wife's Take on Worker Safety

    As the wife of a lineman, Anne-Marie Olivieri has lived the reality behind the statistics: accidents every few days, a fatality roughly every twelve, and families forever changed. Instead of accepting those risks as inevitable, she built a grassroots movement that now supports hundreds of thousands of linemen, spouses, and communities across the country. In this episode of the Work Ready Podcast, Anne-Marie shares how a single T-shirt design grew into Line Junk, a 600,000+ strong community, and why she founded the Line Life Foundation, a nonprofit providing immediate, no-strings-attached support to families impacted by serious injury or loss in the line trade. You’ll also hear honest conversation around: Why accidents and burnout are rising Practical advice for linewives and partners navigating long hours, storms, and missed milestones How stress and exhaustion at home can increase risk and why support matters Mental health, suicide prevention, and knowing when to speak up This episode goes beyond jobsite safety. Anne-Marie shows how mental health, home resilience, and community support are just as essential for protecting careers, families, and lives in the trades. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal ⁠WorkReady Hub⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠Subscribe to ⁠Field Notes⁠ Connect with Anne-Marie Olivieri ⁠AnneMarie@LinelifeFoundation.com⁠ ⁠Line Junk⁠ (community + apparel + safety)⁠Line Life Foundation⁠   RESOURCES  WorkReady Podcast ⁠YouTube⁠ Vimocity Workforce Readiness ⁠Platform⁠ ⁠WorkReady Community⁠ (FREE) 🎉 SPONSORS ⁠Vimocity⁠ — The Workforce Readiness PlatformVimocity ⁠Community⁠ (FREE for field pros)

    35 min

  6. JAN 20

    The Industrial-Athlete Mindset: Training Your Body for a Lifetime in the Trades

    Want to build a long, safe, and high-performing career as a lineman? Scott Politakis—veteran electric lineman with 20+ years on the front lines, host of The Polecast, and now a skills instructor—joins Dr. Kevin Rindal on this episode of the WorkReady Podcast to share what it really takes to thrive in the electrical line trade. From mastering body mechanics and staying properly hydrated to recovery strategies, thorough job briefings, and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood, Scott breaks down the lessons he’s learned over decades in the field. Drawing from his experience on the front lines and in the classroom, Scott shows what it takes to prepare the next generation of lineworkers with confidence, skill, and a foundation in safety and discipline. Tune in for practical insights that will help you work strong, stay safe, and build a long, successful career in high-risk work. THE LISTENER TAKEAWAY Small habits early in your career have long-term consequencesPositioning and technique protect your body more than strength aloneHydration, sleep, and nutrition are safety tools—not lifestyle extrasRespect is earned through accountability and consistencyJob briefings and communication save lives when conditions changeCONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal WorkReady HubLinkedInInstagramFacebookSubscribe to Field NotesConnect with Scott Politakis FacebookPolecast Media PodcastRESOURCES WorkReady Podcast YouTubeVimocity Workforce Readiness PlatformWorkReady Community (FREE)🎉 SPONSORS Vimocity — The Workforce Readiness PlatformVimocity Community (FREE for field pros) CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:10 How Scott Got Into the Line Trade06:00 Body Position, Technique, and Saving Your Body08:54 Fear of Heights & Learning to Trust the System14:37 The Importance of Physical Fitness25:10 Sleep, Recovery, and Storm Work Reality29:45 Hydration Essentials for Linemen31:37 Maximizing Rest During Storm Work33:14 Nutrition Tips for Remote Work35:07 The Importance of Brotherhood and Safety44:56 Effective Pre-Job Briefings50:17 Transitioning from Lineman to Educator54:03 The Poll Cast and Future Goals

    58 min

  7. JAN 13

    Save Lives: The Peer-Led Solution to Construction's Silent Crisis

    In the construction and energy trades, toughness is worn like armor, but silence around mental health is costing lives. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Rindal sits down with Katie Deal, MPH, a public health professional and leader with MATES in Construction North America, to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the trades. Construction workers, especially men, die by suicide at nearly twice the national average, with suicide claiming five times more lives than workplace fatalities. Katie explains why traditional, top-down programs often fail and how a peer-led, industry-owned approach is changing jobsite culture. Drawing from the globally proven MATES in Construction model, this conversation explores how peer support, mental health literacy, and early intervention can build safer, stronger jobsites and save lives. CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal WorkReady Hub LinkedIn Instagram ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Field Notes⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Katie Deal LinkedIn MATES North America Pilot Website MATES In Construction LinkedIn MATES in Construction Instagram  RESOURCES WorkReady Podcast YouTube Vimocity Workforce Readiness Platform WorkReady Community (FREE) CIASP Toolbox Talks CIASP Needs Analysis and Implementation Tool 988 Lifeline - Help Someone Else Suicide Prevention Resource Center Effectiveness of the Australian MATES in Construction Suicide Prevention Program: a systematic review 🎉 SPONSORS Vimocity — The Workforce Readiness Platform Vimocity Community (FREE for field pros)

    1h 5m

  8. JAN 6

    Brotherhood in Action: Supporting Field Athletes and Families Through Recovery

    Zach Spicer’s life changed in an instant after a catastrophic arc flash left him with severe burns. On this episode of the WorkReady Podcast, Zach, a former Marine and journeyman lineman, shares how he turned tragedy into a mission supporting field athletes and their families. He talks about hidden risks in routine work, how complacency creeps in, the importance of PPE, and why looking out for each other saves lives. Today, Zach leads Line Brother’s Keeper, a nonprofit providing resources, financial aid, and a community to navigate the "new normal" after a life-altering injury. His mission now touches hundreds across the trades, helping them work safer and feel less alone on the road to recovery. THE LISTENER TAKEAWAYS Complacency Kills Safety is Personal Accountability: It is your job to keep yourself safe, not the foreman's or the company's.  The Ripple Effect: A workplace accident doesn't just hurt the worker. It drastically impacts the spouse, children, family, and coworkers.  The Financial Risk of Breaking Rules: If you willfully break safety rules, Workers' Compensation can deny your claim, leaving you personally responsible.  Use Your PPE: Not wearing it correctly (e.g., rolled-up sleeves, no safety glasses) can cost a limb or life. The Importance of Mentorship: Ask questions, stay eager to learn, and let those with experience help along the way. Look Out for Mental Health: Push past the "strong man" mentality. Trauma has real effects: anxiety, panic, PTSD. Be honest and seek help. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to WorkReady 01:41 From Marine Corps to Line Work 08:27 The Reality of Being a Lineman 12:54 The Day of the Accident19:39 The Aftermath and Recovery 30:59 Lessons Learned and Shared 36:22 Addressing Safety Concerns and Practical Steps 44:57 The Financial and Legal Implications of Safety 49:22 Line Brothers Keepers: Mission and Support 56:24 Woodworking for Fundraising and Awareness CONNECT Connect with Dr. Kevin Rindal WorkReady Hub⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subscribe to Field Notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Zack Spicer ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Facebook Email: ⁠zmspicer@spicerstory.com⁠  RESOURCES  WorkReady Podcast ⁠YouTube ⁠  Vimocity Workforce Readiness ⁠Platform⁠  WorkReady Community (FREE): ⁠https://vimocity.circle.so⁠  🎉 SPONSORS ⁠Vimocity⁠ — The Workforce Readiness Platform ⁠Vimocity Community⁠ (FREE for field pros)

    1h 3m
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Built to Last: Human Performance for Field Athletes The WorkReady Podcast delivers human performance, recovery, and leadership insights built specifically for the field—linemen, operators, construction professionals, crew leaders, and trades. Hosted by Kevin Rindal, a performance doctor who has worked with Olympic athletes and supported 45,000+ field professionals, each episode breaks down how to build strength, manage recovery, lead under pressure, and stay built to last—on the job and at home. Subscribe for weekly episodes built for the field.

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