Welcome to Episode 73 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

"The Longevity Formula for Athletes: Chris Phillips"

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc sit down with one of the most experienced sports medicine and performance professionals in the industry, Chris Phillips, Founder and Owner of Compete Sports Performance & Rehab.

Chris is a board-certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with more than 30 years of experience helping athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and maximize their performance. Throughout his career, he has worked across the NHL, professional soccer, arena football, Olympic figure skating, and elite youth sports, building a reputation for developing athletes who are built to perform—and built to last.

Chris served as the Athletic Trainer for the Czech Figure Skating Team during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and previously worked with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Sol, Los Angeles Avengers, Orange County Blues, and Anaheim Bolts. He was also selected as the Head Athletic Trainer for the 2002 USA Hockey Men's National Team and was part of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finalist Mighty Ducks organization.

Over the years, Chris has worked alongside some of the world's greatest athletes, including Alex Ovechkin, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, J.S. Giguère, Marta, Joy Fawcett, Shannon Boxx, Nathan Chen, and Mariah Bell.

Drawing from decades of experience, Chris recently authored Built to Go the Distance: The Athlete's Guide to Performance and Longevity, a book designed to help athletes and families understand the importance of injury prevention, long-term development, and building careers that last.

You can learn more about Chris and Compete Sports Performance & Rehab at:

https://competeperformance.com

And find his book here:

https://www.amazon.ca/Built-Go-Distance-Performance-Longevity/dp/B0GXL54FZV

In a sports culture that constantly pushes athletes to do more, specialize earlier, and train year-round, Chris shares why longevity—not intensity—is the ultimate competitive advantage.

From his experiences in the NHL, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Olympic Games, Chris reveals why the best athletes are often the ones who master the basics, prepare before problems arise, and commit to doing the simple things well.

Episode Highlights:

• Why longevity is the missing piece in youth sports development
• The difference between being cleared to play and being prepared to return
• Why the best athletes "warm up for the warm-up"
• How elite performers approach preparation differently
• Why doing the simple things well leads to long-term success
• The biggest mistakes athletes make when returning from injury
• How mobility, asymmetries, and movement quality impact performance
• Why single-leg strength matters more than most athletes realize
• The importance of proactive injury prevention instead of reactive treatment
• What separates elite athletes from average athletes in their daily habits
• Lessons from the Stanley Cup Finals and the Olympic Games
• Why showing up early and preparing matters more than talent
• How parents can help athletes think long-term instead of short-term
• Red flags athletes and families should watch for when choosing rehab professionals
• Why every athlete needs a plan—not just exercises
• How to build a career that lasts instead of chasing short-term results

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever dealt with an injury, worried about burnout, or wondered how elite athletes stay healthy while competing at the highest levels, this episode is a reminder that success isn't just about how hard you train.

It's about how long you can keep training.

Because talent doesn't matter if you're unavailable.

Do the simple things well. Play the long game.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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