Why Do Your Hamstrings Always Feel Tight? (It’s Not What You Think)
Everyone thinks tight hamstrings mean they need to stretch—but what if that’s making the problem worse?

In this episode, Craig and Alex dismantle the myth of hamstring tightness and reveal 15 different causes behind that chronic, nagging sensation. From nerve tension and faulty motor patterns to movement compensation and fatigue, this episode digs into the complexity behind a deceptively simple symptom.

You’ll learn why stretching usually backfires, how altered neuromuscular states develop, and what to actually do if your hamstrings always feel lit up—even if you’re strong and well-trained.

Craig and Alex walk through a 5-part clinical framework that flips the typical approach on its head, so you can stop chasing symptoms and start solving the real problem.

In this episode:– Why “tight hamstrings” is almost never a hamstring problem– The 15 causes behind hamstring tightness (and how they overlap)– Why static stretching often makes symptoms worse– The role of neural tension, cramping thresholds, and lumbar referral– How movement patterning overloads the hamstrings– Why DOMS in one muscle is a warning signal– The difference between strength and control– What to do instead of stretching (starting with a prone glute squeeze)– How to test whether your glutes are actually working– Why your squats might be training dysfunction, not fixing it

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Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life.
In each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free—even when life gets chaotic.

💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community:👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pastyourprime.com

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Follow us on Instagram:
📲 Alex – @spikerkeicher📲 Craig – @craigsmithPT

Three NBA players tore their Achilles in the Finals. Was it just bad luck?

In this episode, Craig and Alex break down why Achilles tendon ruptures aren’t freak accidents—they’re predictable failures of the kinetic chain. Using high-profile injuries like Tyrese Halliburton’s, they dig into the real risk factors: fatigue, inhibition, missed warning signs, and poor load absorption mechanics.

You’ll learn how a passive structure like the Achilles ends up overloaded by upstream breakdowns, why “calf strain” is often a misleading diagnosis, and what athletes and coaches should be doing to prevent catastrophic injury—before it happens.

We explain the mechanism behind Achilles ruptures, the role of subclinical inhibition, and why even the strongest, most skilled athletes are still at risk without recovery and reactivation strategies.

In this episode:– Why Achilles ruptures happen in one consistent movement pattern– How fatigue and inhibition shift force into the Achilles– What the ACL and UCL teach us about kinetic chain failure– The difference between muscle weakness and muscle inhibition– Why “calf strain” is a vague and misleading diagnosis– What Halliburton's injury tells us about hidden risk– How to use key signs to prevent overload injuries– Why your plantar intrinsics (foot core) matter more than you think– When to check for joint effusion and movement compensation– Why overtraining without an off-season is killing longevity in sport

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Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life.
In each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free—even when life gets chaotic.

💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community:👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pastyourprime.com

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Follow us on Instagram:📲 Alex – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@spikerkeicher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📲 Craig – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@craigsmithPT

Thinking about trying 75 Hard?

This episode isn’t about masochism, punishment, or proving how tough you are. It’s about building systems that align with your identity, meaning, and direction—then testing those systems under stress.

Craig shares why he’s committing to 75 Hard (with a twist), how he’s using it to refine his habits, reduce decision fatigue, and strengthen boundaries as a business owner and clinician. This isn’t about suffering—it’s about structure, self-awareness, and execution.

Alex plays devil’s advocate, throws in a few champagne jokes, and tries to tempt Craig off the rails… but also digs into the deeper purpose behind the challenge.

If you’ve been curious about 75 Hard—or want to build your own high-performance system without burning out—this episode is for you.

In this episode:
– Why Craig is using 75 Hard to stress-test his personal system– The difference between suffering and strategic challenge– How to create boundaries when work and home life blur– Craig’s unique version of 75 Hard (with added deep work)– Why alcohol became a "work edge" and how he’s replacing it– How block scheduling creates freedom, not rigidity– Building support systems: from Sarah to social accountability– Alex’s favorite role: professional saboteur– Real strategies for executing a structured plan– Using 75 Hard to increase leverage, not just willpower

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Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life.

In each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free — even when life gets chaotic.

💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community: 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pastyourprime.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:

📲 Alex – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@spikerkeicher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📲 Craig – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@craigsmithPT⁠