Braun Performance and Rehab

Rayce Houser & Joey Scambia: Management of Athletic Lower Back Pain

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Rayce Houser & Joey Scambia to discuss considerations for athletic lower back pain. Joey is a board-certified sports clinical specialist and currently works for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, treating student-athletes at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He obtained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 2021, where he had the fortunate opportunities to learn from renowned ACL experts Mike Reinold, Lenny Macrina, and Zach Baker. He completed a Sports Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland in 2022 where he was able to receive extensive education regarding ACL rehabilitation. Joey played Division 1 baseball at Northeastern University where a significant back injury sparked his passion for returning athletes back to their sport. Rayce is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and currently works at ROKKE in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Pacific University with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021 and then completed an orthopedic residency with the University of Maryland in 2022. Rayce served as the strength and conditioning coach for Pacific University's baseball and softball team, Eastern Oregon University's baseball team, and Southwestern Oregon Community College's baseball team over a 6 year span. Rayce competed in 4 collegiate sports (football, baseball, golf, and swim) where a significant back injury ignited his interest for sports rehabilitation. For more on Joey, Rayce & Rehab Renaissance be sure to check out https://www.rehab-renaissance.com/ & rehabrenaissance on instagram. Season 6 and 7 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Pura Health - Bringing ultrasound into every clinician's hand. For more on Pura Health be sure to check out https://www.purahealth.net & @pura.health_ultrasound *SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order! **Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com ***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model. Episode Affiliates: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_pr Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Ashley Kowalewski, Lilly Simon, Devin Young: Softball S&C Round Table

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Ashley Kowalewski, Lilly Simon, & Devin Young to discuss strength & conditioning considerations for softball players. Ashley Kowalewski is a strength & conditioning coach with extensive experience in elite softball performance. She began her career supporting Michigan Softball, later leading S&C efforts at Arizona and contributing at the NSCA before moving into her current role at LSU. Ashley specializes in speed/power development, arm-care integration, and creating high-performance environments for softball and baseball athletes. Instagram: @ashleykowalewski Lilly (Simon) Bernardi is a strength & conditioning coach at the University of North Carolina, working closely with Tar Heel Softball. She previously coached baseball at Hofstra before fully transitioning into softball at UNC. With a strong focus on recoverability, shoulder health, and progressive physical development, Lilly is passionate about helping athletes build durability and translate strength into on-field success. Instagram: @lillyb_simon01 Devin Young serves as the strength & conditioning coach for Pitt Softball, now entering his fourth offseason with the Panthers. With a background in track and speed development, Devin builds programs centered around force production, sprint mechanics, and optimizing long-term athlete availability. He integrates data-driven testing and tech to personalize training for pitchers, slappers, and power hitters alike. Devin also hosts the "talkin' pitt" performance podcast. Instagram: @devin_sc_coach Together, Ashley, Lilly, and Devin bring unique perspectives from powerhouse programs across the country, diving deep into what makes softball a sport that demands speed, strength, and exceptional volume tolerance. Their insights challenge the idea of treating softball like baseball and highlight the importance of role-specific programming, aerobic capacity, arm-care, and athlete-centered return-to-play models. *SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order! **Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com ***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model. Episode Affiliates: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_pr Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Kristyn Sandberg: Beyond the Diamond: Crafting a Career Through Grit & Passion

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Kristyn Sandberg to discuss her journey in sport, including softball, ice hockey, and more. Kristen Sandberg is a former University of Georgia All-American and professional softball catcher whose career includes being named the 2012 NPF Rookie of the Year, earning a spot on the National Pro Fastpitch All-Decade Team, multiple All-NPF selections, and recognition as a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist. After eight years competing at the highest level of the sport, Kristen transitioned her passion into coaching, serving as both a collegiate coach and now a high school varsity coach while running Two-Three Elite Training — where she develops the next generation of softball athletes through elite skill development, competitive mindset training, and confidence-building guidance. She continues to lead in sport beyond the diamond, including coaching girls’ hockey and shaping athletes’ lives far past the field. Follow her work on Instagram: @ksandberg23. *SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order! **Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com ***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model. Episode Affiliates: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_pr Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Michael MacPherson: Pressure That Performs: BFR for Elite Adaptations

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Michael MacPherson to discuss BFR training (Blood flow restriction) adaptations, including endurance gains and other physiological considerations. Dr. Michael MacPherson’s diverse background in college athletics, education, coaching, and surgical consulting has given him a unique perspective on human performance, rehabilitation, and recovery. His work spans from training high-level athletes to helping individuals regain function after surgery—all with a focus on optimizing results through innovative methods like Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training. Dr. MacPherson has worked with individuals across the lifespan, from children as young as three to adults in their nineties. His passion for health and performance began as a collegiate football player at Michigan Technological University. After his playing career ended, he transitioned into strength and conditioning, coaching at both Michigan Tech and the University of Toledo. He then spent a decade teaching and coaching at the high school level, where he built a speed and strength program that expanded to serve athletes from elementary school through high school. He also began virtual training, programming, and consulting, working with teams and athletes. After 10 years in the weight room, Dr. MacPherson shifted his focus to sports medicine, working as a surgical consultant in the operating room. Observing procedures like ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, rotator cuff repairs, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) corrections, and lateral ankle reconstructions firsthand, he became increasingly focused on rehabilitation strategies tailored to each surgery and patient. It was in the operating room that he discovered Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and its ability to enhance recovery, build strength, and accelerate rehabilitation with minimal mechanical stress. Once he understood the benefits of BFR, there was no turning back. He has since dedicated himself to educating thousands of athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength coaches on the science and application of BFR. Recognizing that education is a major barrier preventing many from utilizing this powerful tool, he has immersed himself in research and outreach to bridge the gap between science and practice. For more on Michael, be sure to check out clinicalbfr.com and @clinicalbfr and @dr_macpherson on Instagram! *SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order! **Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com ***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model. Episode Affiliates: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_pr Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Meghan Sak-Ocbina: Rebuilding the Postpartum Athlete & Postpartum Performance

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Meghan Sak-Ocbina to discuss performance in the postpartum athlete. Meghan is a physical therapist, strength coach, and the powerhouse behind some of the most practical, empowering education in the pregnancy and postpartum space. Working predominantly online, she coaches athletes, active women, and new moms all over the world through evidence-based programming that blends performance training with realistic, real-life motherhood demands. Her signature offerings — including Barbell Before Baby, Postpartum Rebuild, and Busy Mom Rebuild — were shaped not only by her clinical expertise, but by her own journey through a complicated pregnancy, early postpartum challenges, and the process of rebuilding strength and identity with her daughter, Ella, by her side. Meghan’s transparent storytelling, myth-busting approach, and refusal to fearmonger have made her one of the most trusted voices in the perinatal performance realm. Whether she’s debunking misinformation, teaching pressure management, or reminding moms that “slow is fast,” her mission remains the same: help women feel strong, capable, and confident during every stage of pregnancy and beyond. Connect with her on Instagram at @dr.megsi.dpt for training tips, postpartum education, and a refreshingly honest look at motherhood and movement. *SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order! **Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com ***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model. Episode Affiliates: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_pr Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform