Episode 40 - No More Red Gumballs with John Pugh from EPI

As runners, we put our bodies through thousands of repetitive impacts over hundreds of miles. But when an injury strikes, how do we navigate the road back to the trails without losing our hard-earned fitness? In this episode, we are joined by John Pugh, DPT, ATC, SCS, physical therapist and co-founder of the Elite Performance Institute (EPI). John is a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist who uses biomechanics and corrective exercise to return injured athletes to their sports stronger than they were before. John joins us to demystify the injury rehab process and break down the foundational pillars of bulletproof running. We dive into the true role of physical therapy in a runner's routine, why heavy lifting belongs in an ultra-endurance training block, and the most effective strategies for long-term injury prevention. Plus, John finally settles one of the oldest, most fiercely debated topics in the running community: Should runners actually be stretching more? If you want to keep your joints healthy, your muscles balanced, and your trail career thriving for years to come, this episode is essential listening. Support the Podcast: If John's advice helped you fix a nagging ache or rethink your training, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!