In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dr. Morgan Brosnihan. Dr. Brosnihan runs Blaze Physio, a mobile physical therapy service, from her van, where she helps ailing hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail. We learn all about this novel business idea and go deep on everything to do with injury and injury prevention, including the best training regimen, the biggest mistakes thru-hikers make in terms of inciting injury, which gizmos and gadgets she recommends for hikers, exercises hikers should focus on both before trail and during, and much more. If you’re into exercise science at all, you will enjoy this one.
We wrap the show with some news of a grizzly attack in Banff National Park, the weirdest thing we refuse to buy, and a Triple Crown of little things that make you irrationally happy.
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LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.
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Interview with Dr. Morgan Brosnihan
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:54 - Reminders: Submit yourself or someone else to be a guest on BPR, fill out the AT 2023 thru-hiker survey, come to the Denver hiker meetup on December 1, and support us on Patreon for bonus content!
00:09:35 - Introducing Dr. Morgan
00:11:20 - Tell us about your titles and what education they require
00:13:33 - What got you into physical therapy?
00:15:56 - Do you have any tips for someone who wants to blend business and hiking?
00:18:25 - What value do people get from telehealth physical therapy versus in person?
00:21:21 - Do you think physical therapists are better at diagnosing injuries?
00:24:20 - Discussion about Morgan’s charging rates and business economics
00:27:30 - Tell us more about your van business setup
00:29:31 - How are your pre-trail injury talks received?
00:32:16 - What are the cliff notes of your pre-trail talk?
00:35:17 - Tell us about some of the most injured people you’ve worked with
00:39:48 - What are some of the best things people should do prior to thru-hiking?
00:42:07 - What’s the best form of weight training for thru-hiking?
00:43:57 - What is the ideal training protocol for someone with gym access?
00:47:25 - Is there a way to find out what 70% of your max daily mileage is?
00:50:50 - Is there a recipe for building in enough rest days?
00:56:00 - Tell us about your Long Trail hike
00:58:10 - Are you fun to hike with or do you diagnose everything you do?
01:00:15 - Is it ever hard to take your own advice?
01:01:50 - Where should someone strike with their foot?
01:04:25 - How do you know if your gate is correct or incorrect?
01:05:23 - What’s your perspective on baby deer legs?
01:08:02 - Discussion about anti-inflammatories
01:10:34 - How do you tell the difference between inflamed and swollen?
01:11:25 - What are the downsides of using ibuprofen chronically?
01:15:40 - What do you suggest future thru-hikers start doing to prepare for their hike?
01:19:50 - How should hikers think about and transition to zero drop shoes?
01:22:48 - How applicable is running to switching shoes and preparing to hike in general?
01:24:57 - How helpful is having your stride analyzed?
01:26:00 - Is there a way to know who is better suited for a thicker midsole shoe?
01:32:20 - What other prep should November listeners do?
01:34:55 - Are there things you see people doing that you know might cause injuries?
01:36:05 - What’s the difference between a loaded pack or a weighted vest?
01:37:15 - Tell us about stretching
01:43:15 - Is it possible to create too much range of motion through stretching?
01:44:52 - What are the best stretches for thru-hikers?
01:47:19 - What can you do to help with restless legs?
01:51:13 - What tools could someone carry for injury prevention and how do they work?
01:57:23 - What about topicals, like CBD?
02:01:51 - What is your take on insoles?
02:04:02 - Where can people learn more from you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
QOTD: What’s the weirdest thing you need that you just refuse to buy?
Triple Crown of little things that make you irrationally happy
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns.
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.
Brandon "Horsepower" Weis on the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Arizona Trail
Quoc "Double Magic" Nguyen on the Alaska Traverse, Norge pa Langs, and Brooks Traverse
Q&A with Hiking Viking: Underrated Gear, Favorite Hikes, & Go-To Backpacking Foods
Backpacker Radio LIVE with Ryan "Dirtmonger" Sylva
Audrey "Glowstick" Payne on the Patagonia O Circuit, Tramily Breakups, and Balancing a Career with Hiking
Bethany "Fidgit" Hughes on Hiking, Biking, and Paddling 20,000+ Miles Across the Americas
The Real Hiking Viking on Why He Disappeared, His CDT Flip-Flop, and Reality TV in Central America
Henry "Moose Juice" Lewis on Shaking Down AT Hikers, the Teton Crest Trail, and Champagne Shoeys
Eeland Stribling aka the "Black Steve Irwin" on Fly Fishing, Stand Up Comedy, and Wildlife Biology
How to Hike the Colorado Trail with David Fanning: Seasons, Trail Towns, and Extra Experiences
Girl Stuff 3.0: Hiking as a New Mom, Pink Blazing, and Fear Mongering
Maggie "Honey Badger" Slepian on Suffering, Stubbornness, and Misogyny on Trail
Kelly "Ibex" Floro on the Pyrenean Haute Route, Budgeting for a Thru-Hike, and Being the Trek's Managing Editor
Chaunce Hiked the Foothills Trail! Terrain, Difficulty, Hiking with a Dog, and Gear
Q&A: Backpacking with a Gun, Crush It Syndrome, Overrated Gear, Emotionally Draining Trail Experiences, and More
Kevin "The Animal" Koski on the 2,300-Mile Four Corners Loop
Wes and Marie Black on Sex During a Thru-Hike, Hiking the PCT as a Married Couple, and Arguing on Trail
Bailey "PseudoSloth" Bremner on the Columbine Route, Creating Her Own Routes, and Backpacking with Dogs
David "Moondog" Roop on Thru-Skating the Florida Trail and Natchez Trace Trail
Matt "Schmutz" Lyons on Becoming a Social Media Celebrity and Using Cringe Comedy to Trigger the Internet
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