In this episode, we dive into a powerful analogy—the undercooked vs. overcooked concept—to reframe how we approach loading and progression in ACL rehab. We emphasize the importance of starting conservatively to avoid unnecessary flare-ups that can derail recovery, especially in the early stages post-injury or surgery. You’ll learn why “undercooking” is a safer and smarter strategy that still allows for consistent progress, how to read your body’s response to training, and why psychological wins from easier starts matter. This episode is packed with practical strategies for athletes and clinicians alike to better manage load, symptoms, and long-term outcomes for ACL rehab.

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Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the real-life case of a 14-year-old female athlete navigating a complex ACL rehab journey. From prehab through post-op frustrations, the story unpacks the common—but often overlooked—issue of a cyclops lesion, and the emotional, physical, and systemic challenges that come with it. You’ll hear the importance of restoring full knee extension, the nuanced role of quads and graft types, and why trusting your gut (and advocating for yourself or your athletes) could be the key to unlocking progress. This is a must-listen for any ACLer or clinician who’s hit a frustrating plateau and wonders, “Am I crazy, or is something actually wrong?”

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we break down a specific exercise—often a staple in early ACL rehab—isn’t the universal must-do exercise it’s made out to be. Speaking directly to both ACL athletes and clinicians, I'm sharing a candid conversation with an athlete feeling discouraged at four weeks post-op for not hitting this “milestone.” I unpack why this exercise can be problematic, especially for those with quad grafts, and emphasizing the need for tailored rehab strategies that prioritize principles over protocols. You’ll learn when this movement may have value, but more importantly, why most ACLers are better off focusing elsewhere early on. It’s a deep dive into one of ACL rehab’s most over-prescribed exercises—with plenty of empathy, experience, and practical takeaways.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss a common theme that I often see with ACLers when it comes to choosing their ACL team. We dive into how this search looks, the best and worst case scenarios, a helpful rating system, and accessing elite level care.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we tackle the #1 mistake I often see that makes swelling stick around. We dive into the downsides of swelling, diagnosing the problem, ACLers who feel they're "following the plan", case examples, and a very helpful 4-step framework for you to put into play for your own ACL rehab. If you're someone dealing with swelling or helping others to manage it, this will be a super helpful episode.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into navigating travel during ACL rehab. Inevitably, travel will happen for many folks over the course of 9-12+ months of a rehab process. So how do you handle it? This episode covers the conversations we have with our ACLers and one you should consider in your own travel/vacation planning, being different than your normal routine, game planning it, exceptions to this, and what's the reality of how travel impacts your ACL rehab.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss opportunity cost in ACL rehab. Every decision we make has an opportunity cost. Each week, I have people reach out with problems, questions, and concerns regarding their cases. I want to break down the realities of these conversations and what it has costed them (them being 13 different ACLers) based on poor guidance and waiting. In majority of cases, it's not their fault. It's a bigger issue - the system as a whole failed them. But, once they realize it's a problem, it's on them to make some moves. Otherwise, it costs them even more - finances, time, physical health, mental health, and so much more. I wanted to do this episode to pull back the curtain on the realities of what's quite common in this space. I hope that this allows you to take control of your own ACL rehab and process.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss the realities behind a true ACL rehab journey vs. what you might see on social media. Understanding the purpose of these platforms and the inherent nature of social media can help us understand how to better filter what we choose to see and the perspective we have on it. This episode unpacks this idea and helps you to get out of the comparison trap and create a better headspace for your own ACL journey.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss a commonly overlooked benchmark in ACL rehab - your uninvolved side. While this leg has to take on the load early on, it can be a helpful proxy for a number of things in the ACL rehab process. What's important is that we have to be honest about what standards we're comparing it to to make sure we're not using a not-so-good standard. This episode highlights an important component ACLers are searching for - the "feel" and what's "normal" and being able to find some signal within all the noise in this ACL rehab process.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the building your ACL athlete dashboard - a big part of pulling from the quote: "what gets measured gets managed". We go hard on this one talking about the dangers of the wrong things, focusing on very simple 3 step framework to guide your testing and ACL reahb, and how you can put this into play today as an ACLer, clinician, or coach.

_________

Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab?

1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next.

Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching

_________

Free weekly newsletter
The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use.

_________

More from The ACL Athlete
Website: www.theaclathlete.com
Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Email: [email protected]