What do Formula 1 racing and meniscus repair have in common? More than you'd think. This week, Dr. Grant Garcia and Will Sanchez welcome Dr. Nicholas Colyvas, a UCSF sports medicine surgeon who's revolutionizing how we approach knee surgery while living out his passion for vintage F1 racing.

Dr. Colyvas takes us from his childhood in South Africa to the operating rooms of UCSF, where he's pioneering meniscus preservation techniques that are keeping athletes in the game longer. He breaks down complex procedures like fibrin clot augmentation and meniscus transplants in ways that make sense whether you're a patient, athlete, or fellow surgeon.

But here's where it gets really interesting: Dr. Colyvas doesn't just talk about precision in surgery. He lives it on the racetrack, piloting vintage Formula 1 cars at Monaco and competing in modern endurance racing. The parallels between racing and surgery? They're all about preparation, precision, and knowing when to push the limits.

This episode is packed with surgical innovation, patient care philosophy, and some seriously cool racing stories. Whether you're dealing with a knee injury, interested in sports medicine, or just love a good F1 story, you won't want to miss this one.

Brought to you by The Recovery Shop - visit shop-recovery.net

CHAPTER MARKERS:

Introduction & Background

The Journey to Sports Medicine

Meniscus Preservation Revolution

Advanced Surgical Techniques

Fibrin Clot & Biologics

Meniscus Transplant Surgery

Patient Communication & Expectations

Robotics in Arthroscopy

Formula 1 Racing Passion

The Monaco Experience

Future of Joint Preservation

Find us at:

Website: sportsdoctalk.com

All Links: linktr.ee/sportsdoctalk

Dr. Grant Garcia and Will Sanchez welcome Dr. Greg Kolovich, orthopedic hand surgeon and co-founder of Oxo, to discuss revolutionary Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) technology that's transforming sports medicine.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

🔬 From Engineer to Surgeon

Dr. Kolovich's unique journey from Georgia Tech electrical engineer to Harvard-trained hand surgeon and medical device innovator

📱 The 8-Pound Revolution

Learn how DDR technology miniaturized an 800-pound C-arm into a portable, battery-powered device with crystal-clear imaging

⚡ Game-Changing Diagnostics

Real-time dynamic instability assessment

Less radiation than traditional fluoroscopy

Applications for sports teams, mission work, and emergency care

🏒 Sports Medicine Applications

How professional hockey teams use portable DDR for sideline diagnostics and remote consultation

🌍 Global Impact

Mission work stories from Kenya, Ethiopia, India, and Honduras—bringing advanced imaging to underserved communities

💡 Clinical Wisdom

When NOT to operate

Building a complex surgical practice

Second opinion philosophy

Patient-first approach

🚀 The Future

Point-of-care diagnostics, home healthcare, and the next generation of medical imaging

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

03:00 - Engineer to Surgeon Journey

06:00 - Hand & Nerve Surgery Specialization

11:00 - Mission Work Stories

19:00 - Birth of Oxo Technology

30:00 - DDR vs. Fluoroscopy Explained

35:00 - Clinical Applications

44:00 - Sports Team Use Cases

47:00 - Future Vision

Special thanks to The Recovery Shop for supporting innovative sports medicine conversations!

🎧 Also Available On:

Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Amazon Music | YouTube | Google Podcasts

📝 Full Transcript: sportsdoctalk.com

🎯 Be a Guest: Submit requests at sportsdoctalk.com

Youth sports look very different from how they did a decade ago: year‑round travel teams, overlapping seasons, private coaches, and constant pressure to keep up with the family down the street. In this episode of Sports Doc Talk, Will Sanchez and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Grant Garcia sit down with OrthoCarolina specialists Dr. James Starman and Dr. Bradley Winter to talk honestly about how that landscape is impacting kids, teens, and aging athletes.

You will hear real clinic‑side stories about youth pitchers juggling multiple teams, bullpens, and games without anyone truly monitoring total pitch counts—and how that leads to shoulder and elbow overuse injuries that are avoidable with better communication and planning. The doctors also unpack why female soccer and basketball players tear more ACLs, what landing mechanics have to do with it, and how neuromuscular training and smarter return‑to‑play criteria can reduce risk.

​

For the 30‑, 40‑, and 50‑something weekend warriors, the conversation turns to arthritis, tendon pain, biologic options like PRP, and realistic strategies to keep playing the sports you love without burning out your joints. Throughout, the team keeps the focus on the athlete’s goals, not just the scoreboard, and explores how future tools like AI, navigation, and wearable tech could further personalize care.

Sponsored by The Recovery Shop, which supports patients with bracing, cold therapy, and recovery tools recommended by surgeons.

Website: sportsdoctalk.com

Why you need to listen

Understand how overuse injuries really develop in youth sports.

Learn questions to ask about pitch counts, workloads, and off‑seasons.

Hear practical ACL prevention and return‑to‑play insights for female athletes.

Get realistic guidance for staying active with arthritis and tendon issues.

See where biologics, tech, and AI may be taking sports medicine next.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro, The Recovery Shop, and “the power of play.”

05:00 – Meet Dr. Starman and Dr. Winter

09:00 – Youth throwing injuries and pitch counts

18:00 – Specialization, burnout, and year‑round sports

24:00 – ACL surgery, prevention, and female athletes

31:00 – Graft maturation and realistic return‑to‑play timelines

41:00 – The aging athlete and staying active with arthritis

47:00 – Biologics, supplements, and realistic expectations

54:00 – Wearables, AI, and the future of sports medicine

#SportsDocTalk #YouthSportsInjuries #ACLPrevention #OveruseInjuries #AgingAthlete #SportsMedicine #OrthoCarolina #TheRecoveryShop

Will Sanchez and Dr. Grant Garcia share a special thank you message to celebrate an incredible 2025!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO:

✅ Our Listeners & Viewers - Your support across all platforms means everything. Thank you for tuning in, engaging, and being part of our community!

✅ Our Amazing Guests - Every expert who joined us brought invaluable insights and expertise. Thank you for enriching our conversations!

✅ Our Sponsors - The Recovery Shop has been fantastic in supporting our mission. We're grateful for your partnership!

This year, we covered topics ranging from AI in surgery to NFL injuries, rehabilitation protocols to injury prevention, always blending clinical expertise with real-world applications.

🎯 What's Next in 2026?More expert conversations, cutting-edge topics, and content YOU requested!

Visit SportsDocTalk.com for:📝 Episode transcripts💬 Guest & topic requests📺 Video content📧 Community updates

Thank you for being part of the Sports Doc Talk family. Here's to a healthy, strong 2026! 🏆

#SportsMedicine #Orthopedics #ThankYou #HappyHolidays #InjuryPrevention #Rehabilitation #Podcast #Gratitude #Community

From cutting up wetsuits to revolutionizing sports medicine...

This week on Sports Doc Talk, we're bringing you an absolute MUST-LISTEN conversation with Michael McBrayer, a 38-year veteran of the orthopedic industry who's been at the forefront of every major innovation in sports bracing and recovery.

Ever seen those knee braces NFL linemen wear? That's Michael's world. But this episode goes WAY beyond bracing - we're talking about the complete evolution of how we prevent, treat, and recover from sports injuries.

🔥 WHY YOU NEED TO TUNE IN:

You'll hear wild stories that will blow your mind:

• Volunteers getting strain gauges surgically implanted in their intact ACLs to prove bracing works (yes, really - and no, this would NEVER get approved today)
• How DonJoy got its name by being named after the founders' WIVES (genius move to get them to mortgage their homes)
• Why Rod Laver loved the product but refused to wear it in competition
• The "McBrayer test" - how you knew if you were in trouble with legendary surgeon John Feagin

Game-changing insights about the future:

• The No Pain Act and what it means for reducing opioid use in surgery recovery
• Why cold therapy should be covered by insurance (but isn't... yet)
• How laser therapy and shockwave treatment are revolutionizing non-operative care
• Why pediatric sports medicine is exploding as its own specialty
• The role of AI in medical devices (spoiler: it's not what you think)

Real talk about the business of medicine:

• Why insurance is 10 years behind what doctors can actually do
• The "consumerism of medicine" and what it means for YOUR recovery options
• How surgeon-company collaboration drives innovation
• Why nearly every D1 college football team wears DonJoy braces

⏰ EPISODE CHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction & Welcome2:15 - Meet Michael McBrayer: 38 Years of Innovation4:00 - The DonJoy Origin Story: Named After Two Wives8:00 - From Tennis Shops to Orthopedic Revolution10:00 - Building Relationships with Pioneer Surgeons15:00 - AOSSM Circle of Honor Recognition22:00 - The Science Behind Knee Bracing26:00 - The Continuum of Care Philosophy30:00 - Innovation Timeline: Napkin to Product32:00 - AI in Medical Device & Insurance36:00 - NFL Athletes & Branding Restrictions40:00 - Future Categories: Biologics & Beyond42:00 - The No Pain Act & Opioid Reduction47:00 - Laser & Shockwave Therapy Revolution49:00 - The Consumerism of Modern Medicine52:00 - Pediatric Sports Medicine: Why It Matters54:00 - The Future of Sports Medicine Innovation

Whether you're a healthcare professional, athlete, coach, parent of a young athlete, or just fascinated by how medical innovation happens. SDT discusses insurance hurdles, the cost of innovation, and why the relationship between surgeons and medical device companies is the key to driving sports medicine forward.

💪 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE RECOVERY SHOPBecause your recovery matters. Find cutting-edge recovery solutions at The Recovery Shop.

🌐 VISIT US: sportsdoctalk.com for show notes, links, and more episodes

🔔 SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode of Sports Doc Talk!

#SportsMedicine #Podcast #ACL #Recovery #DonJoy #Orthopedics #InjuryPrevention #NFL #SportsInjury #HealthPodcast #DrGrantGarcia #WillSanchez #TheRecoveryShop #AOSSM #PediatricSportsMedicine

Hosts Will Sanchez and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Grant Garcia sit down with one of sports medicine's most influential minds: Dr. Brian Cole, Head Team Physician for the Chicago Bulls and White Sox.

Ever wondered how elite athletes like Lonzo Ball and Gabriel Landeskog defy career-ending injuries? This isn't just sports talk; it's a rare, deep dive into the science and psychology behind their comebacks.

Dr. Cole pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of pro sports surgery, breaking down:

How cutting-edge cartilage surgery has evolved

Why treating star athletes is uniquely challenging

The delicate balance of innovation, safety, and evidence

The future of joint preservation with AI and biologics

Whether you're a patient, surgeon, trainer, or a dedicated sports fan, this episode offers invaluable insights into getting back in the game.

Presented by The Recovery Shop.

Listen now and discover the secrets to elite-level recovery!

More episodes & transcripts: SportsDocTalk.com

This week on Sports Doc Talk, hosts Will Sanchez and Dr. Grant Garcia sit down with Dr. Wayne Weil, orthopedic hand, wrist, and elbow specialist, and yes, TikTok cooking sensation "seattlehanddoc"

From repairing complex hand injuries and pioneering minimally invasive techniques to becoming an unexpected social media star, Dr. Weil brings humor, humility, and precision to everything he does. Hear his insights on:

• The art of microsurgery and mentorship in medicine.
• Why “less invasive” often means “better recovery.”
• Thumb UCL injuries in athletes — and what the internal brace has changed.
• How a late-night Turducken video turned into 700,000+ followers.
• and much more...

Whether you’re an athlete, clinician, or just curious about how surgical skill translates to the kitchen, this episode has something for everyone.

Presented by The Recovery Shop: trusted by athletes and surgeons for innovative recovery solutions.

Visit sportsdoctalk.com for past episodes, transcripts, and info on becoming a future guest.

Keke Lyles, former Director of Performance with the Golden State Warriors and Executive Director for the Atlanta Hawks, joins Will Sanchez and Dr. Grant Garcia to unpack why ankle sprains sideline athletes and how Betterguards’ “seatbelt for the ankle” is changing the game. Hear how flexible-but-smart bracing stiffens only at dangerous speeds, why pros value comfort as much as protection, and what led to a reported faster return-to-play. Plus, inside stories on team collaboration, rehab vs. surgery, and applying performance tech beyond the ankle. A must-listen for athletes, trainers, and anyone who’s battled recurring sprains.

Highlights you’ll hear:

• The “piston” tech that allows natural movement, then locks when you need it most.

• Why comfort drives adoption in the NBA, and how version 3.0 improved fit.

• Real-world outcomes: fewer severe sprains and quicker confidence in return-to-play.

• The path from Steph Curry-era ankle challenges to modern prevention thinking.

• Future applications to knees and elbows, and outreach to youth sports.

Shoutout: Big thanks to our sponsors at The Recovery Shop for supporting smarter rehab and protection.

Hashtags: #SportsDocTalk #KekeLyles #GrantGarcia #WillSanchez #Betterguards #AnkleSprain #SportsMedicine #PerformanceScience #NBA #Rehab #InjuryPrevention #Orthopedics #RecoveryShop

Turf toe has sidelined Brock Purdy and Joe Burrow, affecting legends like Patrick Mahomes and Deion Sanders. But what exactly is it — and why does it matter so much?

In this episode, Will Sanchez and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Grant Garcia break down:

The anatomy and mechanics of turf toe

Why is this injury devastating for quarterbacks

Differences in severity (2–5 weeks vs season-ending surgery)

Modern treatments: taping, custom orthotics, internal bracing, biologics

Lessons from past stars like Deion Sanders and Serena Williams

Get the full medical perspective on an injury that can define seasons and careers.

Special thanks to The Recovery Shop for sponsoring this episode.

Check us out at sportsdoctalk.com for transcripts, guests' requests, and much more.

00:00 – Intro & NFL injuries this season
02:00 – Shoutout to The Recovery Shop
03:10 – What is turf toe, anatomically?
05:45 – Why it kills explosiveness in athletes
08:15 – Brock Purdy vs. Joe Burrow: different severity, different outcomes
12:00 – Risks of playing too soon & custom braces
14:00 – Why it’s called “turf toe” & the need for rebranding
15:30 – Deion Sanders then vs. modern treatments now
17:00 – Internal bracing revolution in sports medicine
20:00 – Cartilage damage, sesamoid fractures & long-term risks
22:00 – Can cleats, training, or AI help prevent turf toe?
24:00 – The future: prophylactic bracing & biologics
25:00 – Closing thoughts & visit sportsdoctalk.com

#NFL #SportsPodcast #BrockPurdy #TurfToe #SportsMedicine #AthleteRecovery #SportsDocTalk #JoeBurrow #DeionSanders #FootballTalk

On this episode of Sports Doc Talk, host Will Sanchez and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Grant Garcia welcome elite performance coach Gary Chupik for a deep dive into the mental side of sports.

Gary shares his journey from pastoral leadership to becoming a sought-after performance coach for professional athletes, executives, and teams. He reveals how mindset, identity, and self-leadership shape recovery, resilience, and peak performance both on and off the field. From NIL distractions to the CAPE method, this episode is packed with insights for athletes, coaches, and leaders.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why mindset is the “missing link” in recovery and performance

• The CAPE method (Control, Assess, Plan, Execute) for thriving under pressure

• How NIL deals and constant distractions impact today’s athletes

• The role of self-leadership and “perfecting the simple” in long-term success

• Real coaching stories that show how unlocking mindset transforms performance

Gary’s insights go beyond sports, they’re lessons in leadership, resilience, and living a high-performance life.

Sponsored by The Recovery Shop, your trusted source for athlete recovery tools and rehab innovation.

For more episodes, transcripts, and to connect with us, visit sportsdoctalk.com.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Recovery Shop Shoutout

04:30 – Gary’s Journey: From Pastor to Performance Coach

09:00 – Self-Leadership as the Foundation of Elite Mindset

14:40 – Managing Thoughts: Why Less Is More

18:00 – NIL, Distractions, and the Modern Athlete

22:00 – The CAPE Method: Control, Assess, Plan, Execute

27:00 – The Leadership Pyramid & Building Habits

33:00 – From Coping to Thriving: Mental Health vs. Mental Performance

39:00 – Unlocking Mindset: The Equation of Experience, Belief, and Behavior

46:00 – High-Performance Lifestyle & Game Plan for Life

47:30 – Gary’s Dream Dinner Guests & BBQ Philosophy

50:00 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

#SportsDocTalk #SportsMedicine #PerformanceCoaching #EliteMindset #AthleteRecovery #SportsPsychology #Orthopedics #InjuryRecovery #AthletePerformance #MindsetMatters #HighPerformance #SportsInnovation #RehabAndRecovery #MentalToughness #LeadershipInSports