The Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast

The Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast

By Michael and Lauren FalkMedicineHealth & FitnessNutritionFitness
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The Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast episodes

  • Keeping Athletes on the Field: An ACL Prevention Special

    Host Michael Falk interviews Dr. Hannah Greving, a physical therapist and elite lacrosse coach, about ACL injury prevention through the lens of her non-contact ACL/MCL/meniscus tear in college and her 11-month rehab. Greving discusses how denial, time demands, and lost development affect athletes and highlights gaps she wishes she’d addressed, including hamstring strength, plyometrics, and deceleration training. She explains how she builds buy-in with athletes by improving warm-ups to include stopping/braking mechanics and by using force plate testing to identify asymmetries. Dr. Brett Ferstl adds that most ACL tears are non-contact and reviews modifiable risk factors such as sport demands, prior injury, range of motion, strength ratios, hip strength, and motor control. They emphasize consistent, progressive team warm-ups and strength work to reduce risk, note braces lack clear preventive evidence, and stress prevention for all ages.

    00:00 Meet Dr. Hannah Greving

    01:29 Hannah’s ACL Injury Story

    03:50 Diagnosis and Emotions

    06:09 Rehab Timeline Reality

    09:52 What She’d Change

    12:04 Coaching Prevention Warmups

    14:48 Strength Training Buy In

    16:22 Parting Advice Prevention

    18:13 Meet Dr. Brett Ferstl & Data Overview

    20:27 Risk Factors Modifiable

    23:45 Screening ROM Strength Control

    29:43 Team Programs

    31:29 Warmup Keys Consistency

    35:00 ACL Prevention Myths

    37:59 Final Takeaways and Resources

    41 min
  • Baseball Season Prep: Managing Load & Preventing Injuries

    In this episode, Michael is joined by Dr. Bridget Fish and Dr. Jeff Steuck for an in-depth conversation on managing throwing workloads, preventing early-season injuries, and optimizing performance throughout the baseball season. They break down practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and clinicians—from proper buildup and arm care to communication, recovery habits, and recognizing warning signs before injuries occur.

    Whether you're a high school athlete, coach, or working in a professional setting, this episode offers actionable insights to help keep players healthy and performing at their best

    0:00 - Introduction & Guest Introductions Michael introduces the podcast and guests Dr. Bridget Fish and Dr. Jeff Steuck

    1:31 - Common Early Season Injuries Discussion of demand spikes, workload management, and differences between pro and high school environments

    4:45 - Ideal Buildup & Serial Testing Bridget explains professional approach; Jeff discusses monthly monitoring and tracking trends

    9:07 - Arm Care Philosophy & Baseline Maintenance Discussion of individualized programs and returning to baseline before throwing

    12:18 - Bullpen to Game Progression Recommendations for pitch count progression from bullpens to live at-bats to games

    15:13 - Player Advocacy & Communication How players can communicate with coaches about pitch counts and workload

    20:29 - Building a Weekly Throwing Routine Key elements for in-season schedules, managing two-way players, and recovery strategies

    24:05 - Recovery & Performance Habits Sleep, nutrition, hydration and their impact on recovery

    27:19 - Soreness vs. Pain How to differentiate between normal soreness and concerning pain

    31:42 - Wrap-up & Call to Action Final thoughts and information about monitoring programs

    35 min
  • Periodizing Volume for Speed and Power

    Are you training for output or just accumulating fatigue?

    In this episode, we break down why more volume isn’t always better when it comes to speed and power. From golfers chasing club head speed to runners working on their finishing kick, we explore how true explosiveness is a nervous system quality, not something you can grind into existence.

    We discuss common training mistakes, why adding more can backfire, and how to properly periodize volume and intensity throughout the year. If you want to get faster and more powerful without burning out, this episode will shift the way you think about training.

    0:00 - Introduction: Welcome & Topic Overview

    0:37 - Understanding Different Types of Athletes

    1:13 - How Speed & Power Show Up Across Sports

    1:44 - The Problem: Always Adding More

    2:25 - Reality Check: You Can't Grind Speed

    3:03 - Mindset Shift: Training Philosophy Discussion

    3:38 - Power & Speed Are Nervous System Qualities

    4:13 - Output vs Exhaustion

    4:42 - Why Adding More Backfires: Diminishing Returns

    5:31 - Golfers & Club Head Speed Example 6:19 - Greg Rose's Speed Session Game

    7:04 - Runner's Finishing Kick & Stride Power

    7:53 - Nervous System Fatigue Explained

    8:42 - Common Training Mistakes

    10:08 - What Is Periodizing Volume?

    10:51 - Early Training Cycle: Building Capacity

    11:38 - Power Phase: Decreasing Volume & Increasing Intensity

    12:36 - In-Season Training Adjustments

    13:08 - Practical Rules for Different Athletes

    14:17 - How to Know If Volume Is Too High

    15:11 - Philosophical Zoom Out: Conditioning vs Power

    16:10 - Key Takeaways & Principles

    17:05 - Are You Training Output or Accumulating Fatigue?

    18:18 - Final Thoughts

    21 min
  • How to Maximize Winter Golf Practice & Off-Season Training | Indoor & Simulator Tips

    Maximizing Winter Golf Practice and Fitness with Michael Falk and Jason Tipton Michael Falk and Jason Tipton discuss effective strategies for winter golf practice on the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast. They explore indoor practice techniques, highlighting the importance of feedback, structured routines, and practical drills. Key topics include transferring indoor practice to outdoor performance, incorporating physical fitness, and avoiding common training pitfalls. They also offer practical advice on setting up a weekly practice schedule, adding pressure to practice sessions, and leveraging simulator technology to improve golf skills. This episode is essential for golfers looking to maintain and enhance their performance during the off-season.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

    00:28 Winter Golf Series Overview

    00:47 Indoor Practice Tips

    02:46 Simulator Practice Strategies

    09:18 Common Practice Mistakes

    12:54 Setting Up a Practice Schedule

    20:25 Maximizing Winter Practice for Golf Improvement

    20:47 Integrating Physical Workouts with Golf Practice

    23:50 Importance of Feedback in Practice Sessions

    28:36 Common Mistakes in Golf Practice

    31:47 Fun and Effective Practice Games

    34:02 Adding Pressure to Simulated Practice

    36:22 Conclusion and Future Plans

    39 min
  • Why In-Season Training Matters ft. Ben Horzewski

    Why In-Season Training Matters featuring Ben Horzewski

    In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Horzewski, Head Performance Coach at Lake Country ETS.

    Ben shares his journey into strength & conditioning, how he became a leader within ETS, and the coaching philosophy that drives their athlete development model.

    We dive into what makes ETS unique—from their high-energy training environment to their focus on building strong relationships with athletes and fostering long-term development, not just short-term results.

    A major focus of the conversation centers around why in-season training is essential for youth and high school athletes. Ben breaks down how athletes can maintain strength, speed, and durability during the season without adding unnecessary fatigue or soreness.

    We also discuss the importance of recovery, nutrition, and consistency—plus practical advice for parents looking to help their athletes perform at their best year-round.

    Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode provides actionable insights into smarter training and long-term performance development.

    Timestamps

    00:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:42 — Ben’s Background and Journey to ETS

    02:04 — ETS Growth and Expansion

    03:12 — Role and Responsibilities at ETS

    04:01 — Coaching Philosophy and Athlete Development

    06:30 — ETS Training Programs Overview

    17:31 — In-Season Training Strategies

    28:21 — Conclusion and Contact Information

    https://www.etsperformance.com/locations/lake-country

    30 min
  • Winter Golf Improvement: How to Gain Speed (without wrecking your swing)
    Speed in Golf: How to Add Distance Safely (and Make It Transfer to the Course)

    A lot of golfers come into winter with the same goal: hit it farther next season. In this episode, Michael Falk and Jason Tipton break down why speed matters in today’s game, what separates swinging harder from swinging faster, and how to build real distance gains that actually hold up on the course.

    You’ll learn why ball speed is the KPI (not just clubhead speed), how center contact and efficient sequencing can unlock speed without extra effort, and why speed training needs a plan—both technically (setup, sequencing, ground forces) and physically (strength, power, rotational capacity). They also cover where overspeed tools fit, what typically goes wrong when golfers chase speed without feedback, and how to create a training blueprint that improves distance without losing your scoring skills.

    What You’ll Learn
    • Why distance is such a performance advantage (and where the “too much speed” line can show up)
    • Ball speed vs. clubhead speed — and why strike + launch conditions often beat max effort
    • Common mistakes golfers make when they start speed training
    • The technical foundations that create speed: setup, sequencing, and ground force timing
    • Practical tools/drills that help golfers learn to create speed efficiently
    • The physical drivers of speed: strength, power, and rotational explosiveness
    • How mobility fits in (important, but not the main driver for everyone)
    • A blueprint approach to gaining 10–15+ yards with less wasted effort
    • What goes wrong when speed training is unbalanced (and how to avoid it)
    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

    01:15 The Importance of Speed in Golf (tour trends, scoring advantage, distance thresholds)

    06:14 Physical Fitness and Speed Training (better athlete = more potential speed, aging + maintaining speed)

    08:21 Common Mistakes in Speed Training (“swinging harder” vs “swinging faster,” dispersion early on, ball speed focus)

    15:44 Technical Aspects of Building Speed (setup/grip, kinematic sequence, ground-up movement, face/path issues when forcing speed)

    20:49 Innovative Training Tools for Golf (force pedal, constraints, continuous swings for balance and sequencing)

    21:24 Balancing Swing Sequencing and Speed Training (overspeed as a tool—not the tool; efficiency before effort)

    22:14 The Role of Physical Fitness in Golf Performance (why gym work supports speed development)

    22:49 Key Drivers of Club Head Speed (vertical impulse, upper-body explosiveness, rotational power)

    23:42 Importance of Flexibility and Mobility (helpful for some, but not the primary driver in most research)

    26:24 Creating a Personalized Training Blueprint (screening + player-specific plan; gym frequency; adding overspeed strategically; tracking)

    32:58 Common Pitfalls in Speed Training (open face/face control, losing wedges/scoring, overuse issues, poor warm-up/recovery)

    37:59 Recap and Future Plans (assess → efficiency → build capacity → add speed → track; upcoming episodes)

    Resources Mentioned
    • Jason Tipton (Skillest): online assessment + lessons https://skillest.com/coach/jason-tipton
    • Kinetic Sports Medicine & Performance: golf assessment https://kineticsmp.com/golf
    41 min
  • Winter Golf Improvement Series With Jason Tipton: Assess, Plan, Practice

    In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, the host welcomes Jason Tipton, Director of Instruction at Chenequa Country Club. They introduce a series of podcasts aimed at helping Wisconsin golfers improve their game during the winter. Key discussion points include the importance of assessment and having a plan, strategies for reflecting on the past season, and specific advice on handling common golf issues. Jason and the host delve into swing improvements, physical fitness, and customizing practice routines to maximize off-season progress. They also discuss the role of mobility and strength in improving golf performance and offer tips for setting achievable goals and building an effective winter training plan.

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Series Announcement

    00:55 Reflecting on the Past Golf Season

    05:16 Physical Fitness and Golf Performance

    07:12 Building an Off-Season Golf Plan

    07:53 Full Swing and Short Game Strategies

    10:53 Putting Techniques and Distance Control

    14:04 Importance of Physical Assessments

    17:26 Common Issues and Goals for Improvement

    17:55 Common Golf Issues and Skills Testing

    18:37 Improving Distance and Ball Flight

    19:52 Key Elements of Golf Setup

    22:19 Addressing Physical Limitations and Pain

    25:30 Building a Winter Training Plan

    28:21 Balancing Practice Types

    31:55 Physical Training for Golfers

    34:26 Conclusion and Future Episodes

    Interested in our golf performance options? www.kineticsmp.com to book a free discovery call and learn more

    Follow us @kinetic_smp for more educational material

    Find Jason Tipton online @jasontiptongolf or on Skillest by searing Jason Tipton

    39 min
  • Optimizing Baseball Performance: Off-Season Training with Jason Hoida

    Optimizing Baseball Performance: Off-Season Training with Jason Hoida

    In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, Jason Hoida, a performance coach at BRX Performance, joins us to dive deep into off-season baseball training.

    Jason shares his unique journey from a disenchanted business major to a passionate exercise science advocate and performance coach. We discuss key strategies for maximizing off-season training, common mistakes young athletes make, and effective methods to build strength and power specific to baseball.

    Jason also offers insights on the importance of leadership and making sacrifices to achieve athletic goals. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is packed with valuable advice to help elevate your game. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    01:03 Jason's Journey into Exercise Science

    03:38 Leadership and Coaching Insights

    07:24 Common Off-Season Mistakes in Baseball

    12:13 Balancing Multi-Sport Participation

    15:19 Strength and Power Development in Baseball

    20:28 Customized Training Programs at BRX

    24:03 Elite Level Choices and Development

    24:46 Off-Season Throwing and Ramp-Up

    30:54 Managing Arm Workload and Injuries

    38:22 Training and Throwing Sequence

    42:23 Rapid Fire Questions and Advice

    47:39 Conclusion and Contact Information

    Follow us on Youtube, twitter or Instagram @kinetic_smp

    Find BRX online at https://brxperformance.com/ or on social media @brxperformance

    50 min
  • Enhancing Baseball Performance with FlexPro Grip: Insights from Kinetic Sports Medicine

    Baseball players at every level are facing a rise in arm injuries — but with the right tools and recovery strategies, you can protect your arm and perform at your best.

    In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, host Michael Falk is joined by Dr. Jeff Duke, physical therapist at Kinetic Sports Medicine & Performance in Milwaukee, and Adam Morrow, founder of the innovative FlexProGrip device. Together, they discuss how grip strength impacts throwing health, why rest and recovery are essential, and how technology is changing the way athletes train and rehab.

    Listeners will learn about the realities of youth baseball injuries, how to structure in-season vs. off-season training, and why individualized sports physical therapy in Milwaukee can make a difference in both prevention and long-term success.

    Whether you’re a pitcher, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with actionable insights to keep athletes healthy and competitive.

    Episode Highlights
    • The rise of arm injuries in baseball and why they matter (01:51)
    • Objective data and the role of technology in recovery (02:37)
    • Challenges of preventing injuries in youth baseball (08:45)
    • The importance of rest and recovery for long-term success (12:56)
    • The story behind FlexProGrip and its role in performance rehab (17:21)
    • Structuring training for in-season vs. off-season athletes (34:18)
    • Practical takeaways for athletes, coaches, and parents (38:38)

    👉 Learn more about physical therapy in Milwaukee at www.kineticsmp.com

    45 min
  • Unlocking Sports Physical Therapy with Dr. Bridget Fish: From Marquette to the Milwaukee Brewers

    In this episode of the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast, host Michael Falk introduces listeners to Dr. Bridget Fish, the newest addition to the Kinetic Sports Medicine & Performance team. Bridget’s career path has taken her from Marquette University to working with the Milwaukee Brewers’ rehab staff, and now back to helping athletes and active adults in the Milwaukee community.

    Bridget shares her story of transitioning from athletic training into physical therapy, her passion for baseball, and her philosophy on delivering individualized, athlete-focused care. Listeners will learn about the importance of manual therapy, strategies for managing back pain, and why early intervention in physical therapy can prevent long-term issues.

    This episode is packed with insights for athletes, parents, and active adults looking to better understand how physical therapy in Milwaukee can improve performance, reduce pain, and enhance recovery.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Bridget’s journey from Marquette to the Milwaukee Brewers (00:19)
    • Key beliefs that guide her physical therapy approach (04:33)
    • Managing back pain with targeted treatment (09:47)
    • The role of manual therapy in recovery (14:54)
    • How consistent routines support long-term health (18:47)
    • Excitement for the future of physical therapy in Milwaukee (25:03)

    👉 Learn more or book an appointment at: www.kineticsmp.com

    31 min

About The Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Milwaukee Sports Performance Podcast. We are your hosts, Michael, and Lauren Falk. We are physical therapists, athletic trainers, and strength conditioning coaches at Kinetic Sports…