Finding Small Wins

Today I am joined by Tyler Lesher—an athletic trainer and performance specialist whose career spans the NBA, the G League, and one of the most intense environments in college sports: UCLA men’s basketball.He’s now a private-sector performance therapist, creator of the Advanced Rehab Certification, and a mentor helping sports medicine professionals build both clinical mastery and entrepreneurial skill.Tyler has seen every version of this field—from low-resource grind to high-pressure elite sport—and he brings a rare, unfiltered view of what actually shapes great practitioners. Inside today’s episode, you’ll learn three powerful lessons.First, why the biggest career unlock isn’t more skills—it’s reframing your identity beyond your job title.Second, how consistency, not complexity, drives both athletic performance and professional growth.And third, why the future of sports medicine belongs to practitioners who combine technical mastery with business acumen—because the value you create shouldn’t be limited by the structure you work in.This is a conversation for anyone who wants to grow past the traditional model and build a career with longevity, autonomy, and impact. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

For those who don’t know her, Dr. Courtney Johnson — better known online asThe Female Athlete Doc— is one of the leading voices in modern pelvic health and women’s performance. She’s a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a strength and conditioning specialist, and the founder of a 360wellness - a company that’s helping female athletes around the world lift heavier, run faster, and live without the symptoms they’ve been told are “normal.” Her blend of clinical expertise, coaching skills, and entrepreneurial grit is what encouraged me to reach out to connect for a conversation. She also has this contagious energy that I now you will enjoy during the conversation. In today’s conversation, you’re going to learn three big lessons. First, why pelvic floor dysfunction often shows up in athletes who look strong on the outside — and how to recognize the early warning signs. Second, how breathing mechanics, core control, and pressure management directly impact performance, recovery, and longevity. And third, the business side: how Courtney built a scalable, virtual model that’s changing access to women’s health and creating new career paths for rehab professionals. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Adam Parr’s journey through Major League Soccer spans over a decade — from early heart-rate monitoring days at Chivas USA, to leading performance and sport science roles in Minnesota, San Jose, and now Charlotte. He’s is one of the practitioners who has lived the full spectrum: strength coach, sports scientist, high-performance director, and architect of long-term development pathways across academy, second-team, and first-team environments.In this episode, Adam and I dive into three crucial lessons shaping the future of performance in pro soccer.First, why total distance is no longer a meaningful metric — and how acceleration loads, deceleration counts, and work-rate profiles give a far clearer picture of physical demand.Second, how load management must consider growth and maturation, especially when developing young athletes through peak-height-velocity windows.And third, why true applied sport science lives between the laptop and the training pitch — taking information from GPS, training design, and physical profiling to make decisions that keep players both healthy and available.This conversation is about where the sport is going — and why smarter data beats more data every time.  Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Dr. Garrison Draper’s story spans from small-town Wisconsin to the highest levels of professional soccer. A collegiate athlete turned sports scientist, he’s worked with MLS giants including Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and now FC Cincinnati, helping shape performance cultures around world-class players — even icons like Lionel Messi.Today, Garrison serves as Vice President of Sport Performance and Health and holds a PhD in Sports Science, blending data, culture, and human connection to redefine athlete care. He’s also the co-founder of the PSPA — the Professional Soccer Performance Association — building a global network of practitioners who are advancing the profession from the inside out.In this conversation, we dive into three key insights:Redefining Sports Science — why it’s more than load management and how communication, storytelling, and empathy make it work.Lessons from Superstars and Miami — how elite performance demands cultural understanding, not just data.The Future of Athlete Care — from player data ownership to mental health and the next evolution of sports science in MLS.This conversation is a masterclass in what modern performance really means — blending technology, human behavior, and genuine care for the athlete. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Dr. Matt Midkiff’s path to sports physical therapy didn’t follow a straight line.He was a college soccer player at Westmont, a youth coach who built one of Arizona’s top club programs, and today he’s a leading sports PT who helps young athletes stay healthy and competitive.In this episode of Finding Small Wins, we dive deep into the youth soccer ecosystem — where passion meets pressure.You’ll learn three key lessons from Matt’s experience:First, why collaboration between parents, coaches, and providers is the missing link in youth athlete development.Second, how the pay-to-play model and overloaded schedules are quietly creating injury epidemics.And third, the practical fixes — from communication templates to smarter training periods — that can keep kids performing without breaking down.Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or a clinician, this conversation is a reminder that the next generation’s success depends not on more games — but on better guidance. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Steve Tashjian’s career began on the treatment table — as a physical therapist helping athletes rebuild, recover, and return stronger. That foundation in human performance carried him into the pressure cooker of professional sport, where he spent years with the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, before stepping onto an even bigger stage as High-Performance Director for Everton FC in the Premier League and later with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Now, through his leadership and performance consultancy, The Elevation Project, Steve applies those same lessons from the field to the boardroom — working with organizations like Stanley, Lego, and others to redefine what high performance looks like under pressure.In this conversation, Steve reveals how elite leaders and teams endure when the stakes rise. We explore how pressure isn’t the enemy but a signal for alignmentWhy systems and processes become your anchor in uncertaintyHow the best leaders stay people-first — even when the environment isn’t.From the locker room to the corporate stage, Steve Tashjian shows that true high performance isn’t about escaping chaos — it’s about learning to thrive within it.Want to come hang with Adam and Steve? Join us this December 11-13 in Atlanta, GA for the Pro Soccer Performance Association (PSPA) annual event! https://www.pspa-performance.com/conference  Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Today’s guest is Molly Binetti, the Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at the University of South Carolina — one of the most dominant programs in college basketball.Over eight seasons with the Gamecocks, she’s helped build a championship culture grounded in consistency, connection, and care.Molly’s approach to training goes far beyond sets and reps. Her philosophy centers on coaching the human first — creating environments where athletes feel empowered, not commanded.In this conversation, we explore:how NIL is reshaping college sportshow leadership evolves when athletes become brandsand why autonomy and trust are the real competitive advantages in high-performance environments.From the chaos of her first season to Final Fours and Championships, Molly shares how great programs aren’t built on control — they’re built on collaboration. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Dr. Pat Davidson is a rare mix of scientist and athlete. He earned his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, taught at Springfield College, and has coached athletes from MMA to the NFL. He’s competed in strongman, bodybuilding, and still trains like a scientist testing his own data.Pat’s ability to translate complex biomechanics into practical systems has made him one of the most respected minds in modern strength and conditioning.In this episode, we explore three key ideas that will reshape how you train:First, why torque, not load, determines true mechanical tension and growth.Second, how training muscles in lengthened positions doubles the stimulus for hypertrophy.And third, how volume, stability, and exercise selection form the framework for smart, sustainable progress.Get ready to rethink the way you build muscle, prevent injury, and understand the physics of strength. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Today I am joined by Dr. Cassidy Papa, Performance Physical Therapist for the Charlotte Hornets. A former Stanford water-polo athlete, Cassidy earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from USC, completed a sports residency, and later a Division I fellowship at Wake Forest—all experiences that shaped her expertise in elite performance rehab.She’s part of a new wave of NBA clinicians blending data, biomechanics, and teamwork to redefine how athletes recover and perform.Cassidy shares her path from water polo to the NBA sidelines, lessons in collaboration, and how technology and trust shape athlete care.Together, we explore what it means to build longevity, adapt under pressure, and find small wins inside the world of the NBA. Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!

Today’s guest is Jarred Boyd, a clinician-turned performance therapist whose path has taken him from outpatient physical therapy clinics all the way into the trenches of the NBA. Over seven seasons—and countless hours in training rooms and practice courts—he’s refined a nuanced lens on how we think about rehab, performance, and injury risk.Jarred doesn’t accept the blanket slogan “rehab = training.” Instead, he suggests rehab is about managing risk and restoring lost capacity, while training is about pushing boundaries to build new capacity. That seemingly small distinction changes the way we make decisions—what we’re willing to challenge, what we’re cautious about, and when we lean in or hold back.In this episode, we’ll unpack:Why variability (metabolic, mechanical) is critical for both performance and longevityHow Jarred’s “pluralism, essentialism, adaptive intent” framework guides program designThe real cost of binary thinking—how we lose chance for innovation when we oversimplifyAnd practical takeaways you can use, whether you coach, rehab, or train athletes of any levelSign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance: @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelNeed a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!   Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.comFollow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.LoiaconoFor FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channelLooking to upgrade your hydration? Check out SkyMD and use discount code ADAM20 Tired of taking multiple pills as part of your supplement routine? Check out ProBio and receive 20% off!Need a trusted supplement to improve your health and performance? Go to out Momentus.com for 35% off your first subscription!Want to enhance your recovery? Grab a pair of FireFly recovery straps today!