The Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast

Host Michael Falk interviews Dr. Hannah Greving, a physical therapist and elite lacrosse coach, about ACL injury prevention through the lens of her non-contact ACL/MCL/meniscus tear in college and her 11-month rehab. Greving discusses how denial, time demands, and lost development affect athletes and highlights gaps she wishes she’d addressed, including hamstring strength, plyometrics, and deceleration training. She explains how she builds buy-in with athletes by improving warm-ups to include stopping/braking mechanics and by using force plate testing to identify asymmetries. Dr. Brett Ferstl adds that most ACL tears are non-contact and reviews modifiable risk factors such as sport demands, prior injury, range of motion, strength ratios, hip strength, and motor control. They emphasize consistent, progressive team warm-ups and strength work to reduce risk, note braces lack clear preventive evidence, and stress prevention for all ages.00:00 Meet Dr. Hannah Greving01:29 Hannah’s ACL Injury Story03:50 Diagnosis and Emotions06:09 Rehab Timeline Reality09:52 What She’d Change12:04 Coaching Prevention Warmups14:48 Strength Training Buy In16:22 Parting Advice Prevention18:13 Meet Dr. Brett Ferstl & Data Overview20:27 Risk Factors Modifiable23:45 Screening ROM Strength Control29:43 Team Programs31:29 Warmup Keys Consistency35:00 ACL Prevention Myths37:59 Final Takeaways and Resources

In this episode, Michael is joined by Dr. Bridget Fish and Dr. Jeff Steuck for an in-depth conversation on managing throwing workloads, preventing early-season injuries, and optimizing performance throughout the baseball season. They break down practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and clinicians—from proper buildup and arm care to communication, recovery habits, and recognizing warning signs before injuries occur.Whether you're a high school athlete, coach, or working in a professional setting, this episode offers actionable insights to help keep players healthy and performing at their best0:00 - Introduction & Guest Introductions Michael introduces the podcast and guests Dr. Bridget Fish and Dr. Jeff Steuck1:31 - Common Early Season Injuries Discussion of demand spikes, workload management, and differences between pro and high school environments4:45 - Ideal Buildup & Serial Testing Bridget explains professional approach; Jeff discusses monthly monitoring and tracking trends9:07 - Arm Care Philosophy & Baseline Maintenance Discussion of individualized programs and returning to baseline before throwing12:18 - Bullpen to Game Progression Recommendations for pitch count progression from bullpens to live at-bats to games15:13 - Player Advocacy & Communication How players can communicate with coaches about pitch counts and workload20:29 - Building a Weekly Throwing Routine Key elements for in-season schedules, managing two-way players, and recovery strategies24:05 - Recovery & Performance Habits Sleep, nutrition, hydration and their impact on recovery27:19 - Soreness vs. Pain How to differentiate between normal soreness and concerning pain31:42 - Wrap-up & Call to Action Final thoughts and information about monitoring programs

Are you training for output or just accumulating fatigue?In this episode, we break down why more volume isn’t always better when it comes to speed and power. From golfers chasing club head speed to runners working on their finishing kick, we explore how true explosiveness is a nervous system quality, not something you can grind into existence.We discuss common training mistakes, why adding more can backfire, and how to properly periodize volume and intensity throughout the year. If you want to get faster and more powerful without burning out, this episode will shift the way you think about training.0:00 - Introduction: Welcome & Topic Overview0:37 - Understanding Different Types of Athletes1:13 - How Speed & Power Show Up Across Sports1:44 - The Problem: Always Adding More2:25 - Reality Check: You Can't Grind Speed3:03 - Mindset Shift: Training Philosophy Discussion3:38 - Power & Speed Are Nervous System Qualities4:13 - Output vs Exhaustion4:42 - Why Adding More Backfires: Diminishing Returns5:31 - Golfers & Club Head Speed Example 6:19 - Greg Rose's Speed Session Game7:04 - Runner's Finishing Kick & Stride Power7:53 - Nervous System Fatigue Explained8:42 - Common Training Mistakes10:08 - What Is Periodizing Volume?10:51 - Early Training Cycle: Building Capacity11:38 - Power Phase: Decreasing Volume & Increasing Intensity12:36 - In-Season Training Adjustments13:08 - Practical Rules for Different Athletes14:17 - How to Know If Volume Is Too High15:11 - Philosophical Zoom Out: Conditioning vs Power16:10 - Key Takeaways & Principles17:05 - Are You Training Output or Accumulating Fatigue?18:18 - Final Thoughts

Maximizing Winter Golf Practice and Fitness with Michael Falk and Jason Tipton Michael Falk and Jason Tipton discuss effective strategies for winter golf practice on the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast. They explore indoor practice techniques, highlighting the importance of feedback, structured routines, and practical drills. Key topics include transferring indoor practice to outdoor performance, incorporating physical fitness, and avoiding common training pitfalls. They also offer practical advice on setting up a weekly practice schedule, adding pressure to practice sessions, and leveraging simulator technology to improve golf skills. This episode is essential for golfers looking to maintain and enhance their performance during the off-season. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:28 Winter Golf Series Overview 00:47 Indoor Practice Tips 02:46 Simulator Practice Strategies 09:18 Common Practice Mistakes 12:54 Setting Up a Practice Schedule20:25 Maximizing Winter Practice for Golf Improvement 20:47 Integrating Physical Workouts with Golf Practice 23:50 Importance of Feedback in Practice Sessions 28:36 Common Mistakes in Golf Practice 31:47 Fun and Effective Practice Games 34:02 Adding Pressure to Simulated Practice 36:22 Conclusion and Future Plans

Why In-Season Training Matters featuring Ben HorzewskiIn this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Horzewski, Head Performance Coach at Lake Country ETS.Ben shares his journey into strength & conditioning, how he became a leader within ETS, and the coaching philosophy that drives their athlete development model.We dive into what makes ETS unique—from their high-energy training environment to their focus on building strong relationships with athletes and fostering long-term development, not just short-term results.A major focus of the conversation centers around why in-season training is essential for youth and high school athletes. Ben breaks down how athletes can maintain strength, speed, and durability during the season without adding unnecessary fatigue or soreness.We also discuss the importance of recovery, nutrition, and consistency—plus practical advice for parents looking to help their athletes perform at their best year-round.Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode provides actionable insights into smarter training and long-term performance development. Timestamps00:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 — Ben’s Background and Journey to ETS02:04 — ETS Growth and Expansion03:12 — Role and Responsibilities at ETS04:01 — Coaching Philosophy and Athlete Development06:30 — ETS Training Programs Overview17:31 — In-Season Training Strategies28:21 — Conclusion and Contact Informationhttps://www.etsperformance.com/locations/lake-country

Speed in Golf: How to Add Distance Safely (and Make It Transfer to the Course)A lot of golfers come into winter with the same goal: hit it farther next season. In this episode, Michael Falk and Jason Tipton break down why speed matters in today’s game, what separates swinging harder from swinging faster, and how to build real distance gains that actually hold up on the course.You’ll learn why ball speed is the KPI (not just clubhead speed), how center contact and efficient sequencing can unlock speed without extra effort, and why speed training needs a plan—both technically (setup, sequencing, ground forces) and physically (strength, power, rotational capacity). They also cover where overspeed tools fit, what typically goes wrong when golfers chase speed without feedback, and how to create a training blueprint that improves distance without losing your scoring skills.What You’ll LearnWhy distance is such a performance advantage (and where the “too much speed” line can show up)Ball speed vs. clubhead speed — and why strike + launch conditions often beat max effortCommon mistakes golfers make when they start speed trainingThe technical foundations that create speed: setup, sequencing, and ground force timingPractical tools/drills that help golfers learn to create speed efficientlyThe physical drivers of speed: strength, power, and rotational explosivenessHow mobility fits in (important, but not the main driver for everyone)A blueprint approach to gaining 10–15+ yards with less wasted effortWhat goes wrong when speed training is unbalanced (and how to avoid it)Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:15 The Importance of Speed in Golf (tour trends, scoring advantage, distance thresholds)06:14 Physical Fitness and Speed Training (better athlete = more potential speed, aging + maintaining speed)08:21 Common Mistakes in Speed Training (“swinging harder” vs “swinging faster,” dispersion early on, ball speed focus)15:44 Technical Aspects of Building Speed (setup/grip, kinematic sequence, ground-up movement, face/path issues when forcing speed)20:49 Innovative Training Tools for Golf (force pedal, constraints, continuous swings for balance and sequencing)21:24 Balancing Swing Sequencing and Speed Training (overspeed as a tool—not the tool; efficiency before effort)22:14 The Role of Physical Fitness in Golf Performance (why gym work supports speed development)22:49 Key Drivers of Club Head Speed (vertical impulse, upper-body explosiveness, rotational power)23:42 Importance of Flexibility and Mobility (helpful for some, but not the primary driver in most research)26:24 Creating a Personalized Training Blueprint (screening + player-specific plan; gym frequency; adding overspeed strategically; tracking)32:58 Common Pitfalls in Speed Training (open face/face control, losing wedges/scoring, overuse issues, poor warm-up/recovery)37:59 Recap and Future Plans (assess → efficiency → build capacity → add speed → track; upcoming episodes)Resources MentionedJason Tipton (Skillest): online assessment + lessons https://skillest.com/coach/jason-tiptonKinetic Sports Medicine & Performance: golf assessment https://kineticsmp.com/golf

In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, the host welcomes Jason Tipton, Director of Instruction at Chenequa Country Club. They introduce a series of podcasts aimed at helping Wisconsin golfers improve their game during the winter. Key discussion points include the importance of assessment and having a plan, strategies for reflecting on the past season, and specific advice on handling common golf issues. Jason and the host delve into swing improvements, physical fitness, and customizing practice routines to maximize off-season progress. They also discuss the role of mobility and strength in improving golf performance and offer tips for setting achievable goals and building an effective winter training plan.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Series Announcement00:55 Reflecting on the Past Golf Season05:16 Physical Fitness and Golf Performance07:12 Building an Off-Season Golf Plan07:53 Full Swing and Short Game Strategies10:53 Putting Techniques and Distance Control14:04 Importance of Physical Assessments17:26 Common Issues and Goals for Improvement17:55 Common Golf Issues and Skills Testing18:37 Improving Distance and Ball Flight19:52 Key Elements of Golf Setup22:19 Addressing Physical Limitations and Pain25:30 Building a Winter Training Plan28:21 Balancing Practice Types31:55 Physical Training for Golfers34:26 Conclusion and Future EpisodesInterested in our golf performance options? www.kineticsmp.com to book a free discovery call and learn moreFollow us @kinetic_smp for more educational materialFind Jason Tipton online @jasontiptongolf or on Skillest by searing Jason Tipton

Optimizing Baseball Performance: Off-Season Training with Jason Hoida In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, Jason Hoida, a performance coach at BRX Performance, joins us to dive deep into off-season baseball training. Jason shares his unique journey from a disenchanted business major to a passionate exercise science advocate and performance coach. We discuss key strategies for maximizing off-season training, common mistakes young athletes make, and effective methods to build strength and power specific to baseball. Jason also offers insights on the importance of leadership and making sacrifices to achieve athletic goals. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is packed with valuable advice to help elevate your game. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:03 Jason's Journey into Exercise Science 03:38 Leadership and Coaching Insights 07:24 Common Off-Season Mistakes in Baseball 12:13 Balancing Multi-Sport Participation 15:19 Strength and Power Development in Baseball 20:28 Customized Training Programs at BRX 24:03 Elite Level Choices and Development 24:46 Off-Season Throwing and Ramp-Up 30:54 Managing Arm Workload and Injuries 38:22 Training and Throwing Sequence 42:23 Rapid Fire Questions and Advice 47:39 Conclusion and Contact Information Follow us on Youtube, twitter or Instagram @kinetic_smp Find BRX online at https://brxperformance.com/ or on social media @brxperformance

Baseball players at every level are facing a rise in arm injuries — but with the right tools and recovery strategies, you can protect your arm and perform at your best.In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, host Michael Falk is joined by Dr. Jeff Duke, physical therapist at Kinetic Sports Medicine & Performance in Milwaukee, and Adam Morrow, founder of the innovative FlexProGrip device. Together, they discuss how grip strength impacts throwing health, why rest and recovery are essential, and how technology is changing the way athletes train and rehab.Listeners will learn about the realities of youth baseball injuries, how to structure in-season vs. off-season training, and why individualized sports physical therapy in Milwaukee can make a difference in both prevention and long-term success.Whether you’re a pitcher, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with actionable insights to keep athletes healthy and competitive.Episode HighlightsThe rise of arm injuries in baseball and why they matter (01:51)Objective data and the role of technology in recovery (02:37)Challenges of preventing injuries in youth baseball (08:45)The importance of rest and recovery for long-term success (12:56)The story behind FlexProGrip and its role in performance rehab (17:21)Structuring training for in-season vs. off-season athletes (34:18)Practical takeaways for athletes, coaches, and parents (38:38)👉 Learn more about physical therapy in Milwaukee at www.kineticsmp.com

In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, host Michael Falk introduces listeners to Dr. Bridget Fish, the newest addition to the Kinetic Sports Medicine & Performance team. Bridget’s career path has taken her from Marquette University to working with the Milwaukee Brewers’ rehab staff, and now back to helping athletes and active adults in the Milwaukee community.Bridget shares her story of transitioning from athletic training into physical therapy, her passion for baseball, and her philosophy on delivering individualized, athlete-focused care. Listeners will learn about the importance of manual therapy, strategies for managing back pain, and why early intervention in physical therapy can prevent long-term issues.This episode is packed with insights for athletes, parents, and active adults looking to better understand how physical therapy in Milwaukee can improve performance, reduce pain, and enhance recovery.Episode Highlights:Bridget’s journey from Marquette to the Milwaukee Brewers (00:19)Key beliefs that guide her physical therapy approach (04:33)Managing back pain with targeted treatment (09:47)The role of manual therapy in recovery (14:54)How consistent routines support long-term health (18:47)Excitement for the future of physical therapy in Milwaukee (25:03)👉 Learn more or book an appointment at: www.kineticsmp.com