Episode 039 - Sarah Martin on Rethinking Pain, Movement & Performance

In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, we’re joined by Sarah Martin — a neurobiologist-turned-physical therapist who went from publishing research to helping athletes reclaim their movement and eliminate chronic pain.

Sarah breaks down how rigid movement patterns develop, why most mobility drills miss the point, and how we can use tension release, neurological awareness, and coaching language to unlock long-term performance gains.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or clinician, Sarah’s framework will challenge your assumptions — and give you the tools to spot the real movement problems hiding in plain sight.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why “try harder” is often the wrong cue for athletes in pain
• How tension release works neurologically — and why it’s harder than contracting
• The critical role of support and propping in restoring motion
• How high-performing athletes mask poor strategies with strength
• When stiffness is needed... and when it’s compensating
• How to build movement options so you don’t wear out your go-to pattern
• The one thing most kids — and their nervous systems — are missing in modern training

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Find Sarah at Move+Smart Physical Therapy
• Katie Sinclair episode on the pelvic floor: Listen here (Apple podcasts)
• Coach Ryan Patrick on IG

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro & Sarah’s Unconventional Journey
 01:00 – From Neurobiology to Powerlifting to PT
 06:00 – Mentorship, PRI, and Learning Through Struggle
 09:00 – The Neurology of Tension & Why Relaxing Is Harder
 13:00 – Breaking Free from the “Try Harder” Mindset
 17:00 – Teaching Clients to Release, Not Just Contract
 21:00 – Laying New Motor Patterns (and Killing Old Ones)
 24:00 – How to Rewire Painful Patterns for Performance
 27:00 – Producing Force: Ground vs. Internal Bracing
 30:00 – Why Movement Variability Is the Real Goal
 34:00 – Rigid Youth Athletes & the Cost of Over-Coaching
 37:00 – Giving Kids Permission to Mess Up & Play Again
 41:00 – Coaching with Vibes: How to Actually Unlock Movement
 44:00 – Play, Laughter & the Lost Art of Letting Go
 46:00 – Experience vs. Expertise: Knowing What to Do When
 49:00 – Language, Permission & Autonomy in Coaching
 52:00 – Building Self-Reliant Athletes Who Own Their Patterns
 55:00 – The Hidden Art of Coaching High-Level Performers
 59:00 – Helping Pro Athletes Tune Out the Noise

Click Here for the Total Coach OS Mentorship