Progressive Rehab & Strength

About Progressive Rehab & Strength

Physical therapists, strength coaches, and powerlifters Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson share their knowledge to help barbell athletes, coaches, and clinicians demystify strength training and create sustainability under the barbell and in business.

Publisher

Dr. Rori Alter, PT, SSC, PRSCC

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 May 2022

Latest episode

19 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

131 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Apr 2025

   S2 Q&A #3 - Why Barbell Training Is Essential for Adults 50–80: A Rehab Case Study That Inspires

   In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. John Petrizzo break down how strength training allowed a 75-year-old barbell trainee to avoid inpatient rehab after fracturing both her hip and wrist. Her story is a testament to how barbell training preserves function, independence, and quality of life—even after serious injury. “The stronger you go into these sorts of situations, the better off you're going to be—because you're going to have more lean body mass, more muscle mass, more bone mineral density… So that if you lose some of it, you’re not going to be as negatively impacted as someone who has low levels going in.” – Dr. John Petrizzo, PT, CSCS, PRSCC, SSC Key Topics Discussed The role of strength training in rehab for older adults How physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons can safely use barbell exercises Adapting barbell training during recovery from fractures and surgery The benefits of building “physiological reserve” through strength Strategies to maintain training with one-sided injuries Using machines, bands, and unilateral work as part of barbell-based rehab Key Takeaways Strength training can prevent the need for inpatient rehab You can apply progressive overload without a barbell Barbell lifts can be safely modified in rehab Muscle and bone strength serve as protection, not risk, as we age 0:00 – 1:39 – Episode intro + Pat’s story setup 1:40 – 5:00 – Pat skips inpatient rehab after hip + wrist fractures 5:00 – 9:30 – Strength training keeps older adults independent 9:30 – 10:50 – Rehab often unnecessary if strong enough 10:50 – 13:18 – Medical disclaimer + conceptual discussion 13:19 – 17:00 – How to train lower body post-fracture 17:01 – 22:00 – How to train upper body with one arm 22:01 – 25:00 – Applying progressive overload in rehab 25:01 – 30:00 – Healing timelines + early rehab mobility 30:01 – 35:00 – Managing PT visits + training around insurance limits 35:01 – 41:00 – Transitioning from rehab to barbell training 41:01 – 45:00 – Strength as physiological reserve in aging 45:01 – 52:00 – Doctors dismissing lifting + final takeaways Listen now and share this episode with a clinician, athlete, or loved one who needs to hear it. Got a question you would like the PRS team to answer on the show? Submit it here! https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on  Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs John IG: @johnpetrizzo

2. 

   12 Apr 2025

   Listener Q&A Episode #2: Feeling Burned Out After a Meet? + Training Through Life’s Seasons

   In this candid and insightful listener Q&A episode, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson of Progressive Rehab & Strength dive deep into two thought-provoking questions submitted by a competitive powerlifter navigating the post-meet blues and nutrition challenges. They unpack the psychological and physical impacts of taking extended time off from training after powerlifting competitions, explore ways to manage training stress, and discuss how to realign your training goals during life transitions. Plus, they address the complex question of when to transition to maintenance calories after bulking or cutting. From athlete burnout and life balance to nutrition periodization and sport crossover (hello BJJ!), this episode is full of real talk, actionable advice, and behind-the-scenes coaching strategy. Key Topics Discussed: When and how to take intentional time off after a powerlifting competition Psychological burnout vs. strategic off-season programming Communicating openly with your coach to optimize your program Training through lifestyle transitions like busy work seasons, family obligations, and other hobbies Adjusting expectations and recovery strategies in your 30s and 40s How to maintain strength without a meet on the horizon Pros and cons of adding high-stress sports (like BJJ) to your training in-season When to transition from a caloric deficit to maintenance Body composition discomfort vs. performance trade-offs Sustainable strength strategies and nutrition for competitive lifters Listener Takeaways: You don’t have to earn your time off — you need to plan it intentionally. Your training should adapt to your life, not the other way around. Weight gain doesn’t always mean strength gain — and that’s okay. Lifters in their 30s and 40s need smarter recovery strategies and realistic expectations. If you’re feeling something — mentally or physically — say something to your coach. Resources Mentioned: Join the Secret Society of Barbell Mastery Facebook Group Previous episode on weight classes & cutting #24 - Danny Lennon, MSc - Cutting & Confining to a Powerlifting Weight Class | A Decision Hierarchy Season 2, #2 - Choosing Your Powerlifting Weight Class | When to Cut, Bulk, And Compete Got a question you would like the PRS team to answer on the show? Submit it here! https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on  Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

3. 

   29 Mar 2025

   S2 Inspirational Interview #2: Strength Training Through Chaos | How One Barbell Athlete Stays Consistent With Barbell Training While Raising & Homeschooling 5 Kids

   In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast Inspirational Interview Series, Dr. Rori Alter sat down with Anna Marie Oakes-Joudy, an athlete who faces life’s toughest challenges and emerges stronger every day. Anna Marie shares her personal journey through the hardships of raising and homeschooling 5 children, demonstrating resilience, and the transformative power of strength training. As a mother of five—including a set of twins—she balances her role as a dedicated parent while excelling as a barbell coach, homeschooling her children, and running a successful business. From overcoming significant obstacles to finding empowerment in lifting, her story is one of perseverance and inspiration. Listeners will be moved by her candid reflections on how she navigates setbacks and finds purpose in both training and life. Anna Marie discusses the mental and physical battles she endured and how she leveraged strength training as a means of grounding herself. She opens up about the crucial role of a supportive community and the guidance she received along the way. Her experiences highlight the power of mindset and how shifting perspectives can turn adversity into an opportunity for growth. Juggling motherhood, coaching, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship, Anna Marie provides an honest look at the challenges she faces daily and how she stays focused on her goals. Whether you're an athlete facing challenges or someone looking for motivation to push through tough times, this conversation offers invaluable insights. Throughout the interview, Anna Marie and Dr. Rori Alter explores key themes such as goal setting, adapting mindsets, and the importance of consistency in training and life. Some of the thought-provoking questions she answers include: How do you find balance between raising five children, running a business, and staying committed to your own strength journey? What advice do you have for other parents who struggle to prioritize their own health and fitness? What were the biggest mental barriers you had to overcome, and how did you work through them? She also shares how she integrates her passion for strength training into her family life, setting an example for her children and encouraging them to build confidence through movement. This episode serves as a reminder that even when circumstances seem insurmountable, persistence and a strong support system can pave the way for success. Join us for this powerful and uplifting conversation with Anna Marie. Whether you’re a working mom of one or a stay-at-home-dad of 5, her journey will leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle your own challenges head-on. Listen now and be reminded of the strength that lies within you! Resources & Links: Anna Marie’s IG: @am_strength Anna Marie’s email: am.strength.ss@gmail.com Client Spotlight | Anna Marie’s 4th Pregnancy/Postpartum & Barbell Training Pregnancy & Postpartum Barbell Training Resources If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on  Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

35,060

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

21 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100

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

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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