Legaski

In this episode, I sit down with Drew—a passionate skier who's no stranger to injury. After tearing his ACL multiple times and navigating a current rotator cuff tear, Drew shares what it’s really like to come back from major setbacks and still pursue big goals on the mountain.

But instead of me interviewing him, we flipped the script: Drew asks me the questions he’s most curious about—from what separates pro-level recovery from everyday rehab, to how to protect your knees and meniscus long-term, and even why falling “wrong” might be the real culprit behind so many injuries.

We cover a ton, including:

- Why eccentric strength is the most overlooked piece of ski prep

- The 3-pillar system I use to help skiers prevent arthritis and re-injury

- How to train like a professional skier (even if you're not one)

- The underrated skill of falling well—and how to build better body awareness

- If stem cells, peptides, or PRP are worth it for knee injuries

- Why intensity might matter more than sets, reps, or weight

This episode is full of insights for any skier who’s dealt with injury—or just wants to ski stronger for life. Whether you’re coming back from ACL surgery or trying to stay ahead of breakdowns, this one’s for you.

📲 Ready to take your recovery or training seriously? Start your 14-day free trial of the Legaski Club: legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup

In this episode, I’m joined by pro skier and trainer John Collinson (@johncollinson)—someone who's not only been through multiple ACL surgeries, but has also made it his mission to come back stronger each time. We sat down to talk through his most recent ACL injury (his third), what’s worked in past rehabs, and how he’s navigating the mental and physical grind of recovery all over again.

John also flipped the script and asked me some questions about injury prevention, rehab best practices, and how to build a return-to-snow plan that actually works—whether you're an elite athlete or a passionate weekend skier.

If you’re in the middle of ACL rehab, recently injured, or working with injured skiers, you’ll get a lot out of this one.

We dig into: ✅ The injury mechanism behind John’s latest ACL tear ✅ Why he went with a cadaver graft—and how it compares to hamstring ✅ What to expect during the early post-op phase ✅ How to mentally stay strong during setbacks ✅ The differences between pro-level rehab and what most skiers experience ✅ The gap between PT discharge and real return-to-snow training

🎿 Follow John Collinson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncollinson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncollinson

🎧 Follow me and learn more:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legacyrehabandperformance.skiingWebsite: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/skiing-homepageYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_ski_ptBook a call with me: https://www.meettheskipt.com/

Try the Legaski Club free for 14 days: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup

In this episode of The Legaski Podcast, I sit down with lifelong skier Nathaniel just 3.5 weeks after his ACL surgery. His story starts like many—on a powder day, first run of the morning, and an unexpected drop that changed his season. But what followed is a powerful look into the physical and mental resilience it takes to navigate ACL rehab.

We discuss everything from his initial injury at Stevens Pass to choosing a surgeon, managing recovery at home, and the emotional toll of sitting on the sidelines. Nathaniel also shares what helped him the most—before and after surgery—and what he’s focusing on as he rebuilds, with the ultimate goal of returning to skiing stronger than before.

✅ Inside the episode: • How the injury happened and what went wrong on the hill • Why he was able to drive home (in a stick shift!) after tearing his ACL • The challenges of navigating early recovery and crutches in a 3-story home • What made the biggest difference in managing swelling and pain • Why prehab and having a plan were game changers for surgery prep • His thoughts on bracing, rehab timelines, and long-term return to skiing • Mental strategies for staying motivated during recovery

Whether you’re currently rehabbing an injury or simply want to hear how other skiers are making their comeback, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and first-hand experience.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to keep moving forward—even when the road is long.

—

💬 Ready to work together? Book a call: https://www.meettheskipt.com

⛷️ Start your recovery or training journey with the Legaski Club: Try it FREE for 14 days: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup

—

📲 Follow Greg Louie (The Ski PT) for more ski rehab and performance content: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legacyrehabandperformance.skiing Website: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/skiing-homepage YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_ski_pt

In Part 2 of this unique husband-and-wife ACL recovery series, we turn the mic to Carl.

Three weeks after Sarah Beth’s ACL injury, Carl found himself on the mountain with their 5-year-old—trying to help him off the lift—and tore his own ACL. What followed was a tandem ACL surgery experience, a shared rehab process, and a crash course in navigating recovery as a dad, pilot, and skier.

👟 In this episode, Carl opens up about:

• What led to his injury while skiing with his young son
  

• Why he initially progressed faster than expected post-op
  

• The mental side of ACL rehab: fear, boundaries, and comparison
  

• Balancing recovery with the pressure of returning to work as a pilot
  

• How he's reverse-engineering his rehab based on job demands
  

• Getting back to basketball, hiking, and future ski trips—safely
  

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your recovery timeline or wanted clarity on what’s “too much, too soon,” this episode is packed with insight—and a few mindset shifts you’ll want to hear.

–

🔗 Stay connected & dive deeper:

Instagram: @the_ski_pt

Facebook: Legacy Rehab & Performance

Website: legacyrehabandperformance.com

YouTube: The Ski PT on YouTube

🎿 Book a free call: meettheskipt.com

🚀 Start your 14-day free trial of the Legaski Club: Join Here

When Sarah Beth tore her ACL on a blue run she knew like the back of her hand, she had no idea her husband, Carl, would suffer the same injury just weeks later.

In the first of a two-part series, I sit down with Sarah Beth just two weeks post-op to hear her story of injury, surgery, and early recovery—all while parenting four young kids. We dive into the emotional and logistical challenges of navigating ACL rehab as a mom and the steps she’s taking to come back stronger.

👟 What we cover:

• The surprising way she tore her ACL on a familiar slope

• How a delayed diagnosis led to a longer rehab timeline

• What’s helped her most in the first 14 days post-surgery

• Using blood flow restriction and early mobility to accelerate healing

• Managing parenting, swelling, insurance limits—and progress tracking

• What it really takes to get back to hiking and skiing with kids
  

Whether you're in rehab yourself or supporting someone who is, Sarah Beth’s story is an honest, hopeful look at what early ACL recovery actually feels like.

–

🔗 Stay connected & dive deeper:

Instagram: @the_ski_pt

Facebook: Legacy Rehab & Performance

Website: legacyrehabandperformance.com

YouTube: The Ski PT on YouTube

🎿 Book a free call: meettheskipt.com

🚀 Start your 14-day free trial of the Legaski Club: Join Here

In this episode, I’m joined by Lauren Mikov—better known as @sauntermama on Instagram. Lauren is a PSIA-certified Level 2 Alpine instructor, staff trainer at Mohan Ski School, and mom of two little rippers. We dive into what it’s really like teaching kids how to ski—both as a parent and an instructor.

Whether you're helping your own kids get comfortable on snow or you're coaching other families, Lauren shares practical, experience-backed tips on everything from choosing the right gear and dealing with meltdowns to building confidence and handling growing pains (literally).

We also chat about:

• How to use play (not drills) to help kids build ski skills
  

• Tips for safe skiing with little ones (harnesses, slope ropes, and beyond)
  

• Injury prevention, balance development, and red flags to watch for
  

• Communication hacks like helmet audio systems that make skiing more fun—and safer
  

• Why sometimes… the best ski day is one run and done

If you’re raising or teaching young skiers, you’ll get a ton out of this conversation. Lauren brings the perfect blend of technical skill and parenting wisdom—plus a whole lot of humor and heart.

🎿 Connect with Lauren: @sauntermama  

💪 Get strong, confident, and injury-free this season: Join the Legaski Club 🎧 More episodes: legaskipodcast.com

In this episode of the Legaski Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Brewer, a U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team Member and Olympian whose journey is a testament to resilience. 

Matthew opens up about his personal battle with testicular cancer, a harrowing struggle with opioid addiction, and the life-changing moment of losing both legs. He shares how adaptive sports—especially mono skiing—helped him reclaim his passion for life and overcome the darkest moments of his past.

Matthew takes me through his early days of loving skiing and snowboarding, the challenges he faced during recovery, and the pivotal role that community support, innovative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation, and a relentless drive played in his transformation.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How facing addiction, cancer, and amputation reshaped Matthew’s life✅ The power of adaptive sports to reignite passion and build confidence✅ The importance of community, mentorship, and mental resilience✅ Insights into his rigorous training routine and recovery process✅ How innovative treatments helped him combat depression and reclaim his future

📍 Links & Resources:🔗 Follow Matthew Brewer:Instagram: @6packbrew

🏔️ Stay connected with Legaski:Follow me on Instagram:@the_ski_pt 

Follow me on FB: Legacy Rehab and Performance - Skiing

Follow me on YouTube: @the_ski_pt

Join the Legaski Club: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup

🚨Join Skihabilitaion FREE FB Group for skiers recovering from Injury 🚨

In this episode of the Legaski Podcast, I sit down with Kelsey O’Driscoll, a passionate skier, ski patroller, and adaptive ski racer who is making waves in the world of Para Alpine skiing. 

Kelsey shares her powerful story of resilience, from her early days as a ski bum and nurse to an accident that changed her life—but not her love for the mountains.

On March 6, 2021, Kelsey suffered a spinal cord injury while snow tubing, an accident that initially left her feeling like her world had collapsed. But through grit, adaptive sports, and an unbreakable spirit, she found her way back to skiing and is now training to make the 2026 Paralympic team.

Kelsey discusses the mental and physical challenges of recovery, her fears about returning to skiing, and how she discovered adaptive sports through High Fives Foundation and Vermont Adaptive. 

📍 Links & Resources:🔗 Follow Kelsey O’Driscoll:

• Instagram: @Kelski_Odriscoll

🏔️ Stay connected with Legaski:

• Try the Legaski Club FREE 14-day trial https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup 

• Join the free “Skihabilitation” FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/skihabilitation 

In this episode of the Legaski Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Kurka, an elite sit-skier on the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and a multiple-time Paralympic medalist. From his roots in a small Russian village in Alaska to becoming one of the world’s top sit-skiers, Andrew shares how grit and tenacity shaped his career and life.

Andrew opens up about the ATV accident that paralyzed him at 13, how wrestling prepared him for elite skiing, and why mental toughness and discipline set the best athletes apart.

Beyond skiing, Andrew is a pilot, boat captain, and the owner of Golden Standard Bed & Breakfast in Alaska, where he leads adventure camps for people with disabilities. He discusses his plans to become the first disabled flight instructor in the U.S., why he believes hard work beats talent, and how he’s paving the way for future adaptive athletes and adventurers.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ The mindset shift that turned Andrew into an elite Paralympic skier✅ How failure fuels growth and why the best competitors always focus on beating their past selves✅ The importance of training off the snow for peak performance and injury resilience✅ How Andrew built his bed and breakfast from scratch, funding it through his Paralympic winnings✅ Why he’s dedicated to helping others with disabilities experience outdoor adventure✅ His future plans to become a flight instructor and expand opportunities for disabled pilots

📍 Links & Resources:🔗 Follow Andrew Kurka:

• Instagram: @AndrewKurka

• Golden Standard Bed & Breakfast: @GoldenStandardBnB

• Stay at Golden Standard B&B

  
  

🏔️ Stay connected with Legaski:

Try the Legaski Club FREE 14-day trial https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup

Ever wondered what it’s like to work with some of the best ski racers in the world? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my time in Maribor, Slovenia, where I worked as a team physio for the U.S. Ski Team at the World Championships.

From prepping athletes for race day to coordinating medical care and adjusting to last-minute race cancellations, this experience was a masterclass in adaptability, preparation, and high-performance skiing.

✅ What goes into race-day preparation for elite ski racers

✅ How the team stayed focused despite canceled events and unpredictable conditions

✅ The biggest mental and physical challenges of ski racing—and how you can apply these lessons to your own skiing or rehab

✅ Why year-round dryland training is a game-changer for injury prevention and performance

✅ The realities of ski racing injuries—including a hard crash that required ski patrol intervention

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Sign up for the Legaski Club Free 14-day trial and unlock stronger skiing today: https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/legaskiclub-signup