In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, we’re joined by Sarah Martin — a neurobiologist-turned-physical therapist who went from publishing research to helping athletes reclaim their movement and eliminate chronic pain.
Sarah breaks down how rigid movement patterns develop, why most mobility drills miss the point, and how we can use tension release, neurological awareness, and coaching language to unlock long-term performance gains.
Whether you're a coach, athlete, or clinician, Sarah’s framework will challenge your assumptions — and give you the tools to spot the real movement problems hiding in plain sight.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro & Sarah’s Unconventional Journey
01:00 – From Neurobiology to Powerlifting to PT
06:00 – Mentorship, PRI, and Learning Through Struggle
09:00 – The Neurology of Tension & Why Relaxing Is Harder
13:00 – Breaking Free from the “Try Harder” Mindset
17:00 – Teaching Clients to Release, Not Just Contract
21:00 – Laying New Motor Patterns (and Killing Old Ones)
24:00 – How to Rewire Painful Patterns for Performance
27:00 – Producing Force: Ground vs. Internal Bracing
30:00 – Why Movement Variability Is the Real Goal
34:00 – Rigid Youth Athletes & the Cost of Over-Coaching
37:00 – Giving Kids Permission to Mess Up & Play Again
41:00 – Coaching with Vibes: How to Actually Unlock Movement
44:00 – Play, Laughter & the Lost Art of Letting Go
46:00 – Experience vs. Expertise: Knowing What to Do When
49:00 – Language, Permission & Autonomy in Coaching
52:00 – Building Self-Reliant Athletes Who Own Their Patterns
55:00 – The Hidden Art of Coaching High-Level Performers
59:00 – Helping Pro Athletes Tune Out the Noise
