In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest issues plaguing ACL rehab today: athletes being left to “figure it out”. Just because you’re cleared doesn’t mean you’re ready—and DIY-ing your own rehab using Instagram exercises or generic templates can cost you months or even years of progress. We dive into the complexity of ACL rehab, why social media is a minefield of misinformation, and how proper guidance—whether remote or in-person—is essential. We talk through powerful analogies, insights from real conversations with ACLers, and explain why even professionals shouldn’t rehab themselves. If you’ve been piecing together your own workouts or feel lost after PT, this one’s a must-listen.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we dive into what happens after a cyclops lesion is removed during ACL rehab. While many think it’s a quick fix, we dive into why a thoughtful game plan is essential to avoid setbacks—especially with extension and quad activation. We cover why managing pain, swelling, and load is critical in those first few weeks, how to approach crutch use strategically, and why every athlete’s response must be treated uniquely. With a proper post-op strategy, what feels like a setback can become a launchpad for major progress.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood aspects of ACL rehab: setbacks. We dive deep into the non-linear nature of recovery and how regression doesn’t mean failure and how reframing this makes a massive difference in this process. Drawing from personal coaching experience and thought leaders, we reframe setbacks and "missed milestones" as necessary adjustments rooted in readiness, not punishment. You'll learn why protocols based strictly on time can do more harm than good, how to recognize when an athlete simply isn’t ready for a task, and why adaptive, individualized programming is essential. Whether you're an ACLer or a clinician, this episode will shift your mindset and equip you with a more realistic and empowering perspective for the ACL rehab journey.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we dive into a powerful analogy—the undercooked vs. overcooked concept—to reframe how we approach loading and progression in ACL rehab. We emphasize the importance of starting conservatively to avoid unnecessary flare-ups that can derail recovery, especially in the early stages post-injury or surgery. You’ll learn why “undercooking” is a safer and smarter strategy that still allows for consistent progress, how to read your body’s response to training, and why psychological wins from easier starts matter. This episode is packed with practical strategies for athletes and clinicians alike to better manage load, symptoms, and long-term outcomes for ACL rehab.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we dive into the real-life case of a 14-year-old female athlete navigating a complex ACL rehab journey. From prehab through post-op frustrations, the story unpacks the common—but often overlooked—issue of a cyclops lesion, and the emotional, physical, and systemic challenges that come with it. You’ll hear the importance of restoring full knee extension, the nuanced role of quads and graft types, and why trusting your gut (and advocating for yourself or your athletes) could be the key to unlocking progress. This is a must-listen for any ACLer or clinician who’s hit a frustrating plateau and wonders, “Am I crazy, or is something actually wrong?”

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we break down a specific exercise—often a staple in early ACL rehab—isn’t the universal must-do exercise it’s made out to be. Speaking directly to both ACL athletes and clinicians, I'm sharing a candid conversation with an athlete feeling discouraged at four weeks post-op for not hitting this “milestone.” I unpack why this exercise can be problematic, especially for those with quad grafts, and emphasizing the need for tailored rehab strategies that prioritize principles over protocols. You’ll learn when this movement may have value, but more importantly, why most ACLers are better off focusing elsewhere early on. It’s a deep dive into one of ACL rehab’s most over-prescribed exercises—with plenty of empathy, experience, and practical takeaways.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we discuss a common theme that I often see with ACLers when it comes to choosing their ACL team. We dive into how this search looks, the best and worst case scenarios, a helpful rating system, and accessing elite level care.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.

In this episode, we tackle the #1 mistake I often see that makes swelling stick around. We dive into the downsides of swelling, diagnosing the problem, ACLers who feel they're "following the plan", case examples, and a very helpful 4-step framework for you to put into play for your own ACL rehab. If you're someone dealing with swelling or helping others to manage it, this will be a super helpful episode.

Ways we can connect:
My IG: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt
Our website: www.theaclathlete.com
Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com
_________________

Submit a topic or a question you'd like me to answer.

Check out our website and tons of free ACL resources

Sign up for The ACL Athlete - VALUE Newsletter (an exclusive newsletter packed with value - ACL advice, go-to exercises, ACL research reviews, athlete wins, frameworks we use, mindset coaching, blog articles, podcast episodes, and pre-launch access to some exciting projects we have lined up)

1-on-1 Remote ACL Coaching - A clear plan. Structured ACL program. Based on your goals. Expert guidance and support with every step. Objective testing from anywhere in the world.

Send me a text and share anything about the podcast - an episode that hit home or how the podcast has helped you in your journey.