Episode Details
Back to Episodes#226 | Dr. Morgan Brosnihan on Training for a Thru-Hike, Injury Prevention, and Helping Hikers on the PCT
Description
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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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 some