The Back in Action Podcast

Mixtape 2: What Pain Actually Is

Pain is weird. You can have a perfectly healed structure and still be dealing with very real pain. You can also have arthritis, disc degeneration, or an old injury on an MRI and still get stronger, move better, and feel better over time. Mixtape #2 pulls together some of the biggest conversations we’ve had around pain science, nervous system sensitization, inflammation, movement avoidance, and why pain does not always equal damage. Dr. John Lavelle, Coach Dusty Holden, and Coach Josh Bunch break down: * what pain actually is * how the brain and nervous system process pain * why rest sometimes makes chronic pain worse * what “sensitized” pain really means * and why rebuilding movement confidence matters so much in recovery The conversation also gets into: * chronic back pain * fear of movement after injury * pain flare-ups * inflammation and sensitivity * why healing is rarely a straight line * and how strength training can help desensitize the nervous system over time. If you’ve ever thought: “Why does my back still hurt if nothing’s torn?” or “Why does it feel like every little movement sets things off now?” …this episode is for you. And if something in this Mixtape hits home, every clip is linked back to the full original episodes so you can go deeper. 00:48 - ⁠Episode 2: Facing Fear - Pain, Injury, & Getting Moving Again⁠ [https://youtu.be/T3aTBf6kEs0 [https://youtu.be/T3aTBf6kEs0]] 04:05 - ⁠Episode 3: Pain Isn’t the Problem – It’s the Messenger⁠ [https://youtu.be/LHVwwIwgwnI [https://youtu.be/LHVwwIwgwnI]] 05:03 - ⁠Episode 2: Facing Fear - Pain, Injury, & Getting Moving Again⁠ [https://youtu.be/T3aTBf6kEs0 [https://youtu.be/T3aTBf6kEs0]] 05:10 - Episode 7: The Truth About Injury Recovery —What Actually Heals You? [https://youtu.be/0WzIbBACDzU [https://youtu.be/0WzIbBACDzU]]

Mixtape 1: Fear is the Diagnosis

Afraid to move because you think pain means you’re making things worse? One of the sneakiest things about back pain is that eventually it stops being about the pain itself. It becomes fear. Fear of bending over.Fear of deadlifting.Fear of “messing it up again.”Fear every time your back tightens up that you’re somehow back at square one. That’s what Mixtape #1 digs into. This episode pulls together some of the biggest conversations we’ve had across the show around: * fear of movement * chronic back pain * deconditioning * pain flare-ups * rebuilding confidence in your body again In this conversation, Dr. John Lavelle, Coach Dusty Holden, and Coach Josh Bunch break down why pain does not always equal damage, how the nervous system can amplify pain responses, and why avoiding movement often keeps people stuck longer. The team also talks through what rebuilding confidence actually looks like in real life — from modifying workouts and easing back into activity to understanding flare-ups without spiraling into panic. You’ll hear practical conversations around: * strength training with back pain * why rest sometimes backfires * nervous system sensitization * getting back to exercise safely * movement confidence * pain science explained simply One of the biggest themes throughout the episode is that recovery is not about becoming fragile or avoiding life forever. It’s about learning how to move again with understanding, consistency, and confidence. If you’ve ever felt afraid to bend over, lift weights, work out again, or get back to normal life because of pain, this episode is for you. Source episodes linked below. Ready to put it into action? Coach Dusty and Dr. Lavelle built a program for exactly that. Phase One is just four weeks — which means four weeks from today, you could be feeling better in your body and getting back to doing the things you love. $15/month → thebackinactionpodcast.com https://youtu.be/T3aTBf6kEs0 Pain Isn’t the Problem – It’s the Messenger [https://youtu.be/LHVwwIwgwnI] Episode 20 - TRIGGERED: The Fitness Fear That Made Us Throw Out the Notes⁠ [https://youtu.be/Y0dHgVcZ5Bo] “My MRI Says I’m Broken” – What Imaging Really Tells You [https://youtu.be/PnXVGK6wQ4c] Episode 20 - TRIGGERED: The Fitness Fear That Made Us Throw Out the Notes⁠ [https://youtu.be/Y0dHgVcZ5Bo]

Ep. 19 - The Biggest Fitness Mistakes (Even Coaches Make) | Prevention vs Treatment, Excuses & Intensity

In this episode of the Back in Action Podcast, Dr. John Lavelle sits down with coaches Dusty Holden and Josh Bunch to talk about what people get wrong about fitness, health, pain, and performance — including mistakes we’ve made ourselves. We cover why working out feels hard at first, why most people quit too soon, and how the modern healthcare system focuses on treating symptoms instead of preventing problems in the first place. This conversation goes deep into mindset, excuses, intensity, aging, injury, and why movement is one of the most powerful tools you have to stay healthy for life. Topics in this episode include: * Why fitness should be about health, not just aesthetics * The real reason working out feels bad at the beginning * How complacency leads to pain and injury * Why prevention matters more than treatment * The 5 lifestyle habits that impact your health the most * Functional training vs isolation workouts * Why intensity is often misunderstood * How to stay consistent even when motivation fades * The role of coaching in long-term progress * Why most healthcare systems reward treatment instead of health If you want to rethink pain, rebuild strength, and regain function, this episode will change the way you look at fitness and health. As we talk about in the episode, movement, nutrition, sleep, hydration, and sunlight are simple but powerful habits that can completely change how you feel day to day. If you want help putting this into practice, start with our 4-week on-ramp program designed to help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing what you love. Visit: https://thebackinactionpodcast.com Follow us for more: Instagram → @backinactionpodcast ▶️ Ready to get started?

Ep. 18 - TRIGGERED: The Fitness Fear That Made Us Throw Out the Notes

This episode of Back in Action took an unexpected turn before we even officially started. We were still setting up the studio and the cameras were already rolling when Dr. Lavelle brought up a topic that immediately sparked a reaction from our trainers. Instead of stopping and resetting, we threw out the notes and let the conversation unfold. What started as a behind-the-scenes moment turned into a candid discussion about muscle building, strength training as we age, movement for retirees, and one of the most common fears people have about getting stronger. In this episode we talk about: • the fear of “getting too big” from strength training • building muscle and training for real gains • why strength matters more as we age • movement, longevity, and staying active in retirement • the mindset shifts that help people stop holding back in the gym Sometimes the most valuable conversations are the ones you didn’t plan Ready to take your first step toward getting back in action? The Back in Action Programming is a simple 4-week onramp designed to help you start moving again, build strength safely, and create momentum toward a more active life. Learn more and get started at: thebackinactionpodcast.com

Ep. 17 - Why Rest Isn’t Fixing Your Pain (The Real Cost of Avoidance)

If you’ve been resting because of pain… this episode might change everything. Dr. John Lavelle and Coach Josh Bunch discuss what happens to your body when you stop moving, and why avoidance often leads to more weakness, instability, and long-term pain. In this episode of Back in Action, we break down: ✔ What your body loses first when you stop training ✔ Why muscle loss happens faster than most people expect ✔ How inactivity accelerates aging and joint problems ✔ Why walking alone isn’t enough to maintain strength ✔ The minimum strength training most people actually need The goal isn’t just to reduce pain. It’s to stay strong enough to live the life you want. Ready to start moving again safely? If pain or inactivity has been holding you back, our Back in Action Program is designed to help you rebuild strength, improve stability, and get moving with a structured plan. Start here: 👉 https://thebackinactionpodcast.com