About this episode
Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍 For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃♂️📚 - Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓 - The Run Smarter Book 📖 - Access to Research Papers 📄🔍 - & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟 👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨ In this episode, Brodie Sharpe sits down with Sara to share her inspiring journey of overcoming Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT) after struggling with it for several years. Sara's story is filled with ups and downs, from navigating misdiagnoses and passive treatments to discovering the power of strength training and the mind-body connection. Whether you’re currently battling PHT or looking for guidance on chronic pain, this episode offers valuable insights and hope. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction to today’s episode and Sara’s success story 00:33 – Background on Sara’s PHT journey and how it developed over the years 01:07 – Sara shares the onset of her symptoms dating back to 2009 02:34 – The chronic resurgence in 2017 and the role of life transitions 03:54 – Seeking treatment: from passive treatments to sports medicine 05:49 – Ineffective treatments: PRP, dry needling, and acupuncture 06:48 – Diagnosis of PHT and later gluteal tendinopathy 08:15 – Attempting different procedures: Tenex, injections, and shockwave therapy 09:43 – The mental and emotional toll of chronic pain 10:41 – Finding Brodie’s podcast and beginning strength training 12:18 – The importance of slow, heavy progressive strength training in recovery 14:13 – Balancing treatment approaches and avoiding unnecessary interventions 16:29 – Returning to running: overcoming fear and rebuilding confidence 19:22 – A pivotal moment: discovering ‘Think Away Your Pain’ and the mind-body connection 24:27 – The impact of personality traits on chronic pain and recovery 27:53 – How stress and responsibility play a role in pain persistence 31:36 – Understanding the emotional component of pain and its management 34:27 – Key strategies for overcoming hypervigilance and overanalysis 37:45 – How to shift treatment strategies when progress plateaus 41:02 – Sara’s current status: running again and symptom management 42:51 – Final advice for PHT sufferers and key takeaways Key Takeaways: ✔ Passive treatments like PRP, dry needling, and injections may not provide long-term relief for PHT. ✔ Strength training, specifically slow, heavy progressive loading, is a crucial foundation for recovery. ✔ Addressing the mind-body connection can be a game-changer in managing chronic pain. ✔ Hypervigilance and fear of movement can perpetuate pain—learning to reframe these thoughts is essential. ✔ Recovery is a journey—adjusting your approach when progress stalls is key to success. ✔ Stress and personality traits (perfectionism, responsibility, self-criticism) can influence chronic pain. Resources Mentioned: Sara's email: sarashaff@gmail.com Think Away Your Pain – David Schechter Healing Back Pain – Dr. John Sarno Emily's TMS Instagram Dan’s YouTube Channel: Pain Free You