Pain, Performance, and Porrada

About Pain, Performance, and Porrada

Welcome to the Pain, Performance, and Porrada Pod – the only podcast where you’ll learn how to fix your busted body, roll like a savage, and still have time for some acai. Hosted by Dr. Nicholas Smith, a Physical Therapist and Strength Coach who spends way too much time thinking about why your knee hurts (again). This show is your go-to for rehab, recovery, and performance tips that won’t bore you to death like the intro of a John Danaher instructional. We’ll cover everything from fixing that injury from the leg lock you didn’t think was dangerous at the time, to building mutant mat strength, all while keeping it flow roll fun. Expect expert advice, a few bad jokes, and maybe even some unsolicited life coaching (that knee brace is not doing anything for you) If you love Jiu Jitsu, want to stay healthy enough to train for the rest of your life, and enjoy a podcast that rolls as hard as you do, you’re in the right place. So grab your favorite YesGi, tie your belt properly, and…combatch!

Publisher

Nicholas Smith

Category

education · health & fitness · sports

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 Jan 2025

Latest episode

12 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

36 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Sept 2025

   Have IG Coaches Lost Their Way?

   A viral clip from an in-house tourney set my feed on fire. Hot takes, pile-ons, even people calling someone’s employer. At the same time, coaches with big followings were green-screening each other for clicks instead of helping athletes. In this episode, I share why I’m doubling down on a different path: serving working pros who compete, with evidence-based coaching that keeps you training longer and away from the surgery table. Why this matters to you: drama won’t fix knee pain, improve guard retention, or help you train around a cranky back. Clear principles and boring-but-proven habits will. Top 3 Takeaways Serve athletes, not the algorithm. Coaching is about context, empathy, and consistent follow-through—not call-outs. The goal is your longevity: pain down, strength up, skills sharp. Evidence > outrage. Be wary of “magic” fixes and viral rants. Look for: transparent reasoning, realistic timelines, and progressions you can track. Big audience ≠ credibility (including me) Curate your inputs, protect your output. Unfollow noise. Follow people who: show their process (not just highlights), respect nuance, and give you actions that move the needle (sleep, strength, smart adjustments—not gimmicks). If you’re choosing substance over spectacle, this episode will feel like a deep breath. Where to find me: https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/ (https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/) https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC (https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC) Want to connect with me directly? Visit (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5)https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5 (https://bookacallhere/)to book a call

2. 

   29 Aug 2025

   Some Grapplers Are Not Built for This

   Today I dig into the gap between what we say we want (win tournaments, get pain-free, get stronger) and what we’re actually willing to do daily. Most athletes obsess over the finish line and ignore the boring, consistent work—sleep, nutrition, S&C, rehab minutes, intentional mat time—that creates those results. Quick fixes and random DMs won’t move long-standing injuries; disciplined systems will. As a coach, my job isn’t just to cheerlead—it’s to challenge old patterns, provide accountability, and help you align goals with your real capacity and season of life. If you truly want the outcome, you must accept the grind. If you’re not willing to do the work right now, that’s okay—just release the goal and stop beating yourself up. Choose, commit, and be coachable. Top 3 Takeaways Match actions to goals. If your weekly behaviors (sleep, food, S&C, rehab minutes, mat intent) don’t serve your goal, change the behaviors—or change the goal. Fall in love with the process. Progress is built in unsexy reps between sessions. Expect hurdles, don’t default to old habits, and track what you actually do. Get coached; be coachable. Hard conversations and accountability dislodge patterns. When life is chaotic, a targeted plan + honest feedback beats quick fixes every time. Where to find me: https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/ (https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/) https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC (https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC) Want to connect with me directly? Visit https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5 (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5) to book a call

3. 

   22 Aug 2025

   The PT Model Is Evolving (and Why AI Can’t Coach Your Chaos).

   In this episode of the Pain, Performance & Porrada Podcast, I lay out why the traditional, insurance-driven PT model fails combat athletes—and what the modern, tech-enabled, human model looks like. The old setup (2–3 in-clinic visits/week, 15 minutes with the PT, a stack of generic exercises, hot/cold packs and ultrasound) confuses “time in clinic” with progress. Real change happens between sessions—through daily guidance, feedback, and adjustments around your life, training, and stress. I also answer a question I get a lot: “Can AI replace you?” Templates and PDFs can list exercises. What they can’t do is coach you through the messy middle—family stress, work demands, fear, identity, and the mindset shifts required to break old patterns. Results come from a relationship, not a printout. My evolved practice model keeps you competing and out of surgery by combining constant access, objective milestones, and sport-specific progressions—without wasting your time. Top 3 Takeaways The factory PT model is broken for athletes. Minimal facetime, fluffy modalities, and visit caps don’t get you mat-ready. Progress = smart work between sessions with clear metrics and progression. AI can suggest exercises; it can’t coach your life. You need empathy, accountability, and context-driven decisions when real-world stress collides with rehab. That’s human work. Modern PT leverages tech to amplify the coach, not replace them. Daily messaging, video form checks, weekly check-ins, and sport-specific standards create faster, safer returns—and long-term longevity on the mats. If you’re stuck in the old model—or a template hasn’t moved the needle—check the show notes to book a call. Let’s build a plan that fits your life and keeps you training for years. Where to find me: https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/ (https://www.instagram.com/smithforgedsc/) https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC (https://www.youtube.com/@SmithForgedSC) Want to connect with me directly? Visit https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5 (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3txjhZ90zlk_yWXKp-rm_JyGIVzxfwrKSeYUYNOkrqf2cgpzhxlfeOu8FfokRAvfZu-xUwBNn5) to book a call

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

93,145

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

78

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.