The Athletic Edge Podcast #24 | Performance Therapy: Connecting Strength, Health, & Performance | Chris Guarin
Jan 16, 2026
Chris Guarin, a performance therapist with 14–15 years blending therapy and strength work, explains a broad, context-driven view of strength. He discusses how stability, mobility, timing, and system coordination shape performance. They cover return-to-play progressions, foot-ground interaction, and translating clinical findings into practical training strategies.
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Strength Is Contextual And Multifactorial
- Strength is contextual: tissue quality, position, timing and coordination all determine functional strength.
- Guarin defines strength as the ability to complete the task effectively and efficiently, not just isolated tissue capacity.
Treat Return-To-Run As A Performance Continuum
- Use return-to-run as a continuum: break down forces, velocities and thresholds needed for sport and build toward them.
- Test sprinting mechanics and capacity as core checkpoints before full return to play.
Foot-Ground Interaction Reveals Compensations
- Foot-ground interaction reveals upstream strategies and compensation patterns.
- Observing contact stiffness or timing prompts targeted experiments to find the athlete's natural expression.