Taylor Evernden: Bridging Rehab and Performance Through Data, Culture and Care

In this episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with Taylor Evernden, coach and Co-Founder of ORKA Performance, to explore what truly effective return-to-performance looks like when rehab, performance and people are fully aligned.Taylor shares how ORKA has built a collaborative model that moves athletes seamlessly from acute rehab into performance — balancing objective data, subjective feedback and the human side of coaching. The conversation spans RTP evolution, criteria-based transitions, communication breakdowns and how technology like force plates and strength testing fits across the entire athlete journey.They also dive into scaling a performance business, building culture across multiple locations, onboarding staff and why relationships, trust and critical thinking still matter more than any tool.If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinic owner interested in RTP pathways, integrated care models, performance testing, or scaling without losing culture, this episode is for you.