Michael Lau, DPT, CSCS is a physical therapist, strength and conditioning coach, and co-founder of The PreHab Guys. He is sharing his expertise on the benefits of blood flow restriction therapy (BFR), and its clinical and performance uses. Further, given his background in social media as an entrepreneur, Michael is also providing insight to the multiple paths PTs can take to keep their careers fresh and challenging.
Enjoy!
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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Coaching, Rehab, and Rethinking PT Careers with Emma Jack
Are you chasing credentials and career milestones, only to feel burned out once you “make it”? In this episode, we sit down with Emma, a physiotherapist turned coach, to uncover the surprising truth about success, fulfillment, and the hidden challenges clinicians face in the rehab and performance world.
Emma shares her story of climbing the PT ladder—fellowships, prestigious roles, and all—only to hit rock bottom at the peak of her career. From there, she redefined what it means to thrive as a clinician, blending coaching, personal development, and clinical practice. This conversation isn’t just for physical therapists—it’s for anyone in healthcare or performance fields who wants to build a sustainable and fulfilling career. 🔑 In this episode, we cover:- Why professional success doesn’t always equal personal fulfillment
- How coaching differs from therapy—and why clinicians need both
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How Muscle Lab Is Rewriting Recovery & Changing Healthcare with founder Vatche Ourishian
Muscle Lab’s founder joins us to reveal how recovery, NAD therapy, and proactive care are reshaping the future of performance and healthcare. In this episode, we sit down with Vatche Ourishian, co-founder of Muscle Lab, to talk about building a modern recovery business from the ground up. From NAD IV drips to in-house certifications, we dive deep into what today’s clients actually want—and why so many are turning away from traditional models of physical therapy. Whether you're a clinician, entrepreneur, or wellness enthusiast, this conversation is packed with real-world insights on scaling a business, staying ahead of the curve, and delivering lasting value in the health & performance space. 🔑 In this episode, we cover: What NAD therapy really does for energy, aging, and cognition Why Muscle Lab pivoted from training to recovery How they built systems to scale across multiple locations The biggest mistakes (and lessons) in launching during COVID Why the healthcare system is broken—and what’s replacing it For more information about Vatche and Muscle Lab: https://musclelab.la 
Chapters: 00:00 Introductions - Meet the Founders 1:00 NAD+ Therapy Benefits & What to Expect from Treatment 02:35 How Muscle Lab Recovery Center Got Started 03:25 From Personal Training to Recovery Business: Finding Your Niche 05:10 Starting a Business During COVID-19 & Overcoming Challenges 06:10 Scaling Your Recovery Business: Systems, Team Building & Delegation 7:30 Common Business Scaling Challenges & How to Overcome Them 10:20 Hiring Strategies: Using Internships as Talent Recruitment Pipelines 11:28 Weekly NAD+ Therapy Routine: Why I Do It Every Week 12:21 NAD+ Nasal Spray Benefits: How to Extend Treatment Results 13:15 Business Growth Strategies: Focus, Mentorship & Key Metrics 15:20 Customer Retention vs New Offers: Getting Clients to Come Back 18:10 From Free Services to Celebrity Clients: Early Business Hustle 20:47 Client Work vs Building a Bigger Mission: Finding Purpose 22:20 The $420 Billion Musculoskeletal Problem & Recovery Solutions 25:00 Career Change to Healthcare: Finding Your Path in Wellness 27:54 Proactive Wellness & Longevity Trends: The Future of Healthcare 31:08 Entrepreneurship Advice: Expect Failure & Stay Adaptable Looking for structured personalized programming to get out of pain and prevent injuries? Check out the Prehab App: https://theprehabguys.com/membership LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePrehabPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prehab-podcast/id1456407031?i=1000720709446 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pkr4GfAHUGUYYgvSSf3yV?si=XGoM_KsZQ9il9btjNO4fHg
Chapters: 00:00 Introductions - Meet the Founders 1:00 NAD+ Therapy Benefits & What to Expect from Treatment 02:35 How Muscle Lab Recovery Center Got Started 03:25 From Personal Training to Recovery Business: Finding Your Niche 05:10 Starting a Business During COVID-19 & Overcoming Challenges 06:10 Scaling Your Recovery Business: Systems, Team Building & Delegation 7:30 Common Business Scaling Challenges & How to Overcome Them 10:20 Hiring Strategies: Using Internships as Talent Recruitment Pipelines 11:28 Weekly NAD+ Therapy Routine: Why I Do It Every Week 12:21 NAD+ Nasal Spray Benefits: How to Extend Treatment Results 13:15 Business Growth Strategies: Focus, Mentorship & Key Metrics 15:20 Customer Retention vs New Offers: Getting Clients to Come Back 18:10 From Free Services to Celebrity Clients: Early Business Hustle 20:47 Client Work vs Building a Bigger Mission: Finding Purpose 22:20 The $420 Billion Musculoskeletal Problem & Recovery Solutions 25:00 Career Change to Healthcare: Finding Your Path in Wellness 27:54 Proactive Wellness & Longevity Trends: The Future of Healthcare 31:08 Entrepreneurship Advice: Expect Failure & Stay Adaptable Looking for structured personalized programming to get out of pain and prevent injuries? Check out the Prehab App: https://theprehabguys.com/membership LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePrehabPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prehab-podcast/id1456407031?i=1000720709446 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pkr4GfAHUGUYYgvSSf3yV?si=XGoM_KsZQ9il9btjNO4fHg 
Objective Data, Better Outcomes: How VALD is Elevating PT Standards
Can physical therapy evolve without data? In this deep-dive conversation, clinical leaders from Prehab and Vald come together to explore how technology and objective data are reshaping rehab and performance — and why so many clinicians are still stuck in outdated methods.
From the first handheld dynamometer purchase to building global tools that elevate care, this episode uncovers the real-world frustrations, breakthroughs, and opportunities in modern physical therapy. Whether you're a seasoned clinician or a PT student, you'll walk away with insights that challenge how we think about clinical decision-making, patient outcomes, and proving value in a changing healthcare landscape. In this episode, we discuss- Why “trusting the process” isn’t enough — and how to prove your value with data
- The hidden cost of not measuring outcomes in rehab
- What it takes to get clinic buy-in on tech (even if you're the only one using it)
- How tools like force plates and handheld dynamometers are being used across the rehab continuum
- Why the future of PT demands better systems, not just better clinicians
🎙 Episode Chapters:
00:00:00 — Intro: Why Objective Data Is the Future of Physical Therapy 00:01:45 — Introduction & Early Career Reflections 00:07:55 — Research and Validation of Clinical Testing Tools 00:11:10 — Orthopedic Residency: Building Clinical Expertise 00:17:46 — Challenges in Adopting New Technology in PT 00:22:18 — Why Data + Objective Testing Improves Patient Outcomes 00:29:35 — How VALD Came Into the Picture: Technology Meets Rehab 00:34:45 — Subscription Plans & Ongoing Customer Support 00:38:45 — PT-driven Products/Team 00:44:51 — Data’s Role in Enhancing Patient Engagement and Care 00:49:35 — The Future of Physical Therapy Is Data-Driven 00:57:10 — Building a Team That Drives Innovation 01:02:25 — Final Takeaways: Start Using Better Data Now
