Zach Rockford: Building a Return to Play Roadmap & Redefining Return to Play

Zach Rockford: Building a Return to Play Roadmap & Redefining Return to Play

Author: Daniel Braun October 10, 2025 Duration: 1:01:18

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Zach Rockford to discuss RTP frameworks and roadmaps for athletes.Zack Rockford is the Director of Athletic Performance at the University of Montana, where he oversees all Olympic sports except football. In addition to leading training for men’s basketball, volleyball, and track & field, Zack manages the department’s nutrition initiatives, budgeting, and facility scheduling, building an integrated, high-performance culture across programs. Before joining Montana in 2022, Zack served as Director of Athletic Performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2017–2022), after holding strength and conditioning roles at Arizona, Incarnate Word, and TCU. A former collegiate football player at St. Ambrose University, Zack holds a Master’s in Kinesiology and Business from Incarnate Word and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Human Performance & Fitness from St. Ambrose. He’s certified through USAW (Sports Performance Coach L1), NSCA (CSCS), Strength Coach Collegiate Certified, and as both a Functional Range Conditioning Specialist and Functional Range Assessment Specialist. When he’s not coaching, you can find Zack in Missoula, MT with his dog Rocky, continuing to elevate athlete performance and collaboration through his work at High Performance HQ. For more on Zach be sure to follow @coachrockford22*SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order!**Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model.Episode Affiliates:MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout!AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription!CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off!Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKeMake sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared!Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_prLiked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform


Daniel Braun wears a lot of hats-physical therapy student, certified trainer, entrepreneur, and dedicated biohacker-and he brings that full spectrum of experience to every conversation on the Brawn Body Health and Fitness Podcast. Instead of quick fixes or fads, this podcast digs into the practical, often nuanced, realities of building a sustainable and resilient life. You’ll hear from a diverse mix of experts, from physical therapists and strength coaches to innovators in wellness, all through Dan’s grounded perspective as someone actively working in the field. Episodes might explore the mechanics of a specific exercise, break down the science behind a popular biohack, or discuss the mental frameworks needed for long-term health entrepreneurship. It’s a space where academic knowledge meets real-world application, whether you're a fitness professional looking to deepen your practice or someone simply curious about optimizing your own well-being. Tune in weekly for thoughtful discussions that go beyond the surface, always aiming to translate complex ideas into actionable takeaways you can use immediately.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Brawn Body Health and Fitness Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Rachel Selman: Bridging Pelvic Health and Sports Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Rachel Selman to discuss pelvic health in athletes and the gap between pelvic health and the sports performance sectors.Rachel Selman is a physic…
Frankie Telfort: Strength is Healthcare: Building Old Bull Athletics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ellie Hanowski: From Hockey Rinks to Cross Country Finish Lines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:01
In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Ellie Hanowski to discuss her journey in running and her transition from hockey athlete to endurance athlete. Ellie Hanowski is a junior at the U…