In this episode, Carmen shares the story of her career, from an unexpected switch from behavioural psychology and criminology into kinesiology, through to working with university teams, NHL athletes, national-level performers and young athletes returning from serious injury.

The conversation explores what kinesiology actually means, how it sits alongside strength and conditioning, and why understanding the sport is just as important as understanding the science. Carmen also discusses the communication challenges that can arise between practitioners, coaches and athletes, particularly when return-to-play decisions are being made under pressure.

Richard and Carmen then take a deeper look at ACL rehabilitation. They discuss why training age matters, how the rehab journey differs between a professional athlete and a young adolescent athlete, and why parents can play such an important role in the process. Carmen also breaks down the place of isometrics, dynamic strength training, plyometrics and force progression in ACL rehab, while offering a clear, practical view of what effective exercise prescription should look like.

Finally, Carmen gives her thoughts on artificial intelligence in sports science and rehabilitation. While AI may help with programming and exercise selection, she explains why coaching, communication, technical feedback and human connection remain central to helping athletes return to performance safely and confidently.

In this episode you will learn

• What kinesiology is and how it differs from strength and conditioning
• Why practitioners need to understand the language and demands of the sport they work in
• How to communicate more effectively with coaches during return-to-play decisions
• Why ACL rehabilitation must be adapted to the athlete’s training age and experience
• The key differences between rehabbing a professional athlete and an adolescent athlete
• Why parents can be critical in supporting youth athletes through injury rehabilitation
• How isometrics, dynamic strength training and plyometrics fit into ACL rehab
• Why force progression matters when preparing athletes for sprinting, cutting and collision demands
• Where AI can support practitioners — and where it cannot replace real coaching

About Carmen Bott
Carmen Bott is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Practicing Kinesiologist, Sports Performance Coach and Educator based in Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and has worked with athletes from learn-to-train level through to high performance and professional sport.

Carmen’s work spans physical preparation, ACL rehabilitation, return to play, collision sport athletes, multi-directional speed coaching and mental performance. She is also a university lecturer and has been teaching since 2005.

You can find Carmen on Instagram at @coachbott

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​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

Whether you're a coach, therapist, or performance practitioner, this episode offers a wealth of real-world insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why rehab should be treated as coaching, not just therapy
• How communication and trust are at the heart of effective injury recovery
• The mental toll of injury, and how to keep athletes feeling connected and valued
• Why protocols are useful, but experience and adaptability matter more
• How to “train around injury” and keep performance progressing
• The role of environment, load tolerance, and coaching cues in recovery
• How elite recoveries (like NFL star Aaron Rodgers') can mislead athletes
• Why Michael teaches his students to “get miles on the soul” through experience
• How to filter hype, stay objective, and build athlete autonomy

Michael’s no-nonsense, athlete-first approach is as insightful as it is relatable, combining science, coaching, and a human touch in every decision he makes.

About Michael Carolan
Michael Carolan is a highly experienced performance coach and academic specialising in sport rehabilitation. He is the Subject Lead and Programme Lead for Sport Rehabilitation at the University of Salford, where he teaches and mentors future practitioners while supporting clinical practice through partnerships with organisations like the PFA and Salford City Council. With a background spanning elite athletics, rugby, professional football, and the British military, Michael brings a unique blend of hands-on coaching, clinical rehab, and academic insight. He continues to work directly with athletes across the world, from youth sprinters to pro footballers, helping them navigate injury and return stronger than before.

FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research