116. How Alignment Impacts Performance and Knee Health Part 11 (feat. Dr. Nick Kennedy, Orthopedic Surgeon)

On this episode…I sit down with examiner and Level 3 instructor-trainer Riley Shepard @SkiWithRiley to break down the most common plateaus skiers hit—and the drills and decision-making that move you from intermediate → advanced → expert.Focus: Shift edge angles earlier, ski the fall line with intent, and master fore–aft movement—then turn those breakthroughs into real progress on snow.We talk about:✅ The three big plateaus: early edge angles, skiing the fall line, and true fore–aft control✅ Simple on-snow cues that work (lift all 10 toes, “ski on your sidewall,” chest over the outside ski)✅ High-impact drills: Dolphin Turns and the T-Rex double-downhill pole-plant for rhythm, rotation, and forward movement✅ Why poles and hand position change everything (and how arm rotation can “cue” leg rotation)✅ How to practice on flats vs. steeps, pick consistent pitches, and build timing without banking✅ Smarter video analysis: watch your skis first, decide the change you want, then match body movementsClosing: If you want faster progress this season, show up with one specific goal per day, film a few clean reps on a consistent pitch, and use these drills to lock in timing and pressure. Follow Riley at @SkiWithRiley for more: https://www.instagram.com/skiwithriley/ 📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:Dolphin Turns (NZSIA) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8_c3le3XNIMore Drills Playlist → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0qpyQfzv5uti10VMsJJmDgim4CYQUQTKTry the Legaski Club free for 14 days → https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signupFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/

On this episode, I sit down with pro skier Amie Engerbretson to discuss injury rehab—from broken fibula and MCL/meniscus issues to debilitating Morton’s neuromas—and how smart training, better decisions, and Blister+ injury insurance have shaped her comebacks. Amie shares candid stories (including a post-op PE scare) and exactly how she’s used Blister+ to cover MRIs, PT, surgery bills, and even complications without the usual insurance runaround.We talk about: ✅ Why “prehab first” keeps pros on snow (strength, stability, decision-making) ✅ Amie’s tips  for overuse injuries, avalanches, and knowing when to stop skiing ✅ Mental game during rehab: ask for help, protect your headspace, and pace the comeback ✅ Blister+ 101: $25k per injury, reimbursement flow, what counts as an “injury,” and the need to float costs📌 Learn more about Amie: @amieski on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amieski/ or her website https://amieski.com/ Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/🎧 Listen now at the link in bio or www.legaskipodcast.com/120

On this episode, I sit down with Kate Edwards, certified mindset coach and founder of The Ski Mindset Coach, to explore how skiers can rebuild confidence after fear, injury, or self-doubt. Kate shares her personal story of freezing mid-slope in Courchevel—and how that experience inspired her to retrain in emotional freedom technique (EFT) and matrix reimprinting to help others reclaim joy on the mountain.We talk about: ✅ Why fear after injury isn’t about ability—it’s your body’s protection mechanism ✅ How tapping (EFT) calms the nervous system and quiets internal alarms ✅ Matrix reimprinting: filing traumatic memories so they stop triggering fear ✅ Simple breathing and language reframes skiers can use before a run ✅ Handling social pressure on the mountain and skiing with faster friends or family ✅ The role of fitness, visualization, and journaling in regaining confidence ✅ Kate’s step-by-step tapping routine you can try anywhere—even on the chairliftWhether you’re returning from injury or just want to rediscover the joy of skiing without anxiety, Kate’s tools will help you rewire fear into freedom—and build lasting trust in your body again.📌 Learn more about Kate → The Ski Mindset CoachJoin the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/

On this episode, I sit down with Joe Dunn—aka Ski Dad TV—to unpack his outside-the-box approach to skiing: building balance you can trust, prioritizing turn completion before initiation, and why chasing a “forward move” often sends skiers the wrong direction. We explore practical dryland drills (rollerblades, slacklines, trampolines) and simple ways busy parents can prep for the season without living in the gym...We talk about: ✅ The origin of Ski Dad TV and why clear, reality-based cues beat old dogma ✅ G-forces, swings, and the “Gravitron” analogy—how proper carving feels (not forces you push) ✅ Completion → transition → initiation: using momentum from the last turn to start the next ✅ The “no forward move” debate: hips-over-feet lateral move first; then meet the tip as it engages ✅ CARV’s forward-move metric explained (foot acceleration vs. literal hip-drive) ✅ Dryland progressions that translate: wall leans, slackline balance, trampoline edge-feel, rollerblade one-foot turns ✅ Baseline fitness for real-world skiers—why general strength + mobility carry most of the load.If you’ve ever felt confused by “get forward!” cues— or you want dryland drills that actually map to on-snow positions—Joe’s framework will help you carve cleaner, stay balanced, and ski yourself into shape without guessing.📌 Learn more about Joe → Ski Dad TV (YouTube) — including “7 Ways to Practice Carving on Dry Land”Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/🎧 Listen now at the link in bio or www.legaskipodcast.com/118

On this episode, I sit down with Chris Davenport, one of the most accomplished big mountain skiers of our time. From his early days in New England to his groundbreaking ski career and his work with DPS Skis, Chris has lived at the cutting edge of the sport and continues to shape where skiing is headed.We talk about: ✅ Conditioning to ski 150+ days per year ✅ Chris injury history including his partial knee replacement ✅ His role with DPS Skis and perspectives on ski innovation ✅ What he wants his legacy in the skiing world to be known forIf you’ve ever wanted to hear directly from a true ski icon, this conversation with Chris Davenport will inspire you to chase bigger goals on and off the mountain.📌 Learn more about Chris → https://www.instagram.com/steepskiing/ Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/ 

On this episode, I sit back down with Dr. Nick Kennedy, complex knee surgeon, to wrap up this series on alignment and knee injuries.We talk about when boot fitting, orthotics, and strength work can’t fully solve extreme knock-knee (valgus) or bow-leg (varus). We dig into “corrective alignment surgery”, how it intersects with skiing, and realistic timelines for getting back on snow—including after knee replacement.We talk about:✅ Structural vs. functional issues: long-leg x-rays, dynamic valgus, and when PT/boot tweaks are enough ✅ Unloaders & bracing you can ski with—and when they help (or don’t) ✅ Osteotomy (bone realignment) in adults: who it’s for, risks, and why Europe does more of them✅ Uni vs. total knee replacement: how much alignment you can/should correct—and why “a little deformed” can be on purpose✅ Return to skiing after TKA: modern implants, realistic timelines, and building the strength/control to ski well againIf you’ve wondered where boot fit ends and surgery begins—or what alignment correction means for your future on skis—this episode brings clarity without the scare tactics.📌 Learn more about Dr. Nick → @nickthenemd | nickthenemd.com Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/ 

On this episode, I sit down with Harald Harb—legendary coach, boot fitter, and founder of Harb Ski Academy—to unpack his complete approach to ski performance: precise measurements, footbeds that evolve with you, cuff alignment that actually lets you tip the ski, and on-snow validation so the shop work translates to turns.If you’ve ever wondered where comfort ends and true performance begins, this episode shows how alignment, equipment, and coaching connect—so your boots help you ski the way you intend.📌 Learn more about Harald → Harb Ski AcademyJoin the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/ 

On this episode, I sit down with Heather Van Gilder, a Boulder-based boot fitter and board-certified pedorthist (25+ years), to answer one of the most common listener requests: what’s different about women’s boot fitting—and what actually matters for comfort, performance, and injury reduction? Heather blends deep shop experience with clinical pedorthics to demystify women’s vs. unisex boots, liners, and the step-by-step process she uses to get skiers dialed.The focus of this episode is practical, women-specific boot fitting you can use immediately—from choosing the right shell and liner to simple at-home tweaks that improve warmth, reduce calf pain, and keep toenails intact (yes, really).We talk about:✅ Women’s vs. unisex boots: what’s real (narrower heel, scalloped/ lower cuff) vs. just labeling✅ Calf cramping & numb toes: common causes (instep pressure, buckle placement, limited dorsiflexion) and fixes✅ Warm feet 101: thin moisture-managing socks, not wearing ski socks in the car, and relieving lower-foot constriction✅ Touring toenails: how to keep toes off the front (mid-buckle snug, technique, support)✅ Q-angle & cuff alignment: internal adjustments before external canting—what really helps performanceIf you’ve wondered whether you need a women-specific boot—or just a smarter fit—this conversation gives you a clear roadmap to ski stronger, warmer, and pain-free.📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:Connect with Heather → https://boulderorthotics.com/ Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/

On this episode, I sit down once again with Tom Gellie of Big Picture Skiing. Tom is a world-renowned ski coach and physical therapist who brings a unique blend of technical expertise and practical experience to skiing. We last connected back in Episode 25, and this time we pick up the conversation to go even deeper into boot fit, alignment, and their direct impact on ski performance and injury prevention.The focus of this episode is on bridging the gap between biomechanics, alignment, and real-world skiing performance. Tom shares what he’s learned over the years about common mistakes skiers make, how small alignment tweaks can lead to huge breakthroughs, and the role of both structural and functional differences in how people ski.We talk about: ✅ The evolution of Tom’s philosophies on ski performance ✅ How boot fit and alignment directly affect injury risk and skiing efficiency ✅ Mistakes skiers often make with boot fitting and how to avoid them ✅ The difference between structural vs. functional alignment in skiing ✅ Practical advice for skiers who want to improve technique and longevityIf you’ve been following the bootfit series, this episode with Tom ties together both the technical and human side of alignment—making it one of the most insightful conversations yet.📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:Learn more about Tom → Big Picture Skiing: https://bigpictureskiing.com/ Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/ 🎧 Listen now at the link in bio or www.legaskipodcast.com/episode113

On this episode, I sit down with Matt Lyall, owner of Seattle Ski Performance, where he combines expert boot fitting with the unique power of a ski simulator. Matt has worked with countless racers and recreational skiers, using technology to fine-tune alignment, improve performance, and reduce injury risk.We talk about: ✅ How ski simulation changes the bootfitting process ✅ Why alignment directly impacts skiing performance and injury prevention ✅ Lessons from working with competitive racers and everyday skiers ✅ The role of real-time feedback in refining boot fit ✅ How Seattle Ski Performance is helping skiers prepare year-roundIf you’re in the Seattle area, Matt’s approach offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to test your skiing, refine your setup, and build confidence before you hit the slopes.📌 Learn more about Matt’s work → https://www.seattleskiperformance.com/ Join the Legaski Club (it’s free) and access resources to transform your skiing → https://legaskiclub.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/legaski-club-freeFollow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Book a call with me → https://www.meettheskipt.com/