#471 Dr Meghan Sak-Ocbina - Things Your Physical Therapist Wishes You Knew

#471 Dr Meghan Sak-Ocbina - Things Your Physical Therapist Wishes You Knew

Author: Andrew Coates May 21, 2026 Duration: 53:18

Dr Meghan Sak-Ocbina is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Strength Coach and joins the show to share her expertise on:


All the things your physical therapist wishes you knew

The issues within the system that make their role more difficult

The challenge between the cost of education and compensation in physical therapy

Their desire to give you the best care conflicting with the insurance model

Why burnout in physical therapy is a potential problem

What Meghan means by: “The problem with most rehab, it never makes it into training. We treat rehab and training like they’re separate lanes, when they’re meant to do the same thing — drive adaptation.”

Why most people have at least one, if not a few, potential joint issues, and why this is normal and not necessarily a problem

Meghan’s response when a client was told by another clinician: “Because she doesn’t do sports, she doesn’t need to train power.”

What Meghan means by: “Your injury isn’t from what you’re doing, it’s from what you’re not doing.”

And much more


Instagram: @dr.megsi.dpt


CHAPTERS


00:39 Insurance and Volume

02:34 Cash Based PT

05:34 Strength Coaching Edge

08:32 PT Training Gaps

11:33 Rehab and the Training Spectrum

13:34 Pain and the Nervous System

18:54 Patient Expectations

21:04 Imaging and Surgery Myths

23:44 Form Fear and Adaptation

24:36 Outfunctioning Structure

26:19 Imaging Fear and Nocebo

27:46 Living With Wear and Tear

30:22 Insurance Model Limits PT

32:32 Burnout, Debt, and Paperwork

35:55 Cash Based and Online Paths

37:54 Choosing a PT Like Choosing a Haircut

44:07 Rehab Meets Real Training

47:27 Power Training For Everyone

50:06 Aging, Capacity, and Injury Risk

51:46 Where To Find Meghan


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you better understand rehab, physical therapy, or injury management, you can support the show by:


Subscribing and checking out more episodes

Sharing it on social media (tag me and I’ll respond)

Sending it to someone dealing with pain, rehab, or training frustrations


FOLLOW ANDREW COATES


Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness

https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


PARTNERS AND RESOURCES


RP Strength App (use code COATESRP)

https://www.rpstrength.com/coates


Just Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)

https://justbitememeals.com


MacrosFirst – FREE Premium Trial

Download MacrosFirst and during setup select ANDREW


KNKG Bags (15% off)

https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676


Versa Gripps

https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates


TRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial

https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree


Reply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you


Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Podcast Episodes
#474 Dr Mike Banna - Why Are Fitness Influencers Scared of GLP-1 Drugs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:47
Dr Mike Banna is a physician in the UK health care system and passionate health educator.Mike guests to share his experience with:What’s going on with “pro” and “anti” GLP-1 medication people and tribesWhy fitness influe…
#473 Dr Dwayne Jackson - Reclassifying PCOS to PMOS, What This Means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
Dr Dwayne Jackson returns to break down the implications of the reclassification of PCOS to PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome).Including:What the reclassification meansWhy it’s important and helpful for outc…
#468 Krista Scott-Dixon - Hunger, Behavior Change, and Identity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Krista Scott-Dixon returns to share details about her new book — Applied Nutrition Coaching and Counseling: Theory to Practice — and her expertise about:In our modern world, can we trust our hunger signalsWhy Krista beli…
#466 Erica Mulholland - Managing Injuries In Female Youth Sports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
Erica Mulholland is a strength coach who specializes in young female athletes and the author of Female Athlete High Performance.Erica joins me to share her expertise on:Are injury rates higher in young female athletesWha…