About Us

In college, I was a competitive volleyball player — young, reckless, and constantly in pain. My knees, back, and ankles hurt all the time. I stretched, foam rolled, did what I could… but nothing worked. I pushed through the pain, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t performing at my best.

Years later, right before graduating physical therapy school, I played in a tournament I thought I was ready for. I strained my back, wore a knee brace, and limped off the court with calf pain. It was humiliating — I was a PT, preaching body health, yet I couldn’t even play the sport I loved without breaking down.

I felt embarrassed and disappointed. My identity as both a PT and an athlete felt fractured. How could I teach others if I couldn’t help myself?

I set a clear goal: to play volleyball pain-free, recover well, and never feel that embarrassment again. More than anything, I wanted to prove to myself that I could solve this — that I could finally fix what had held me back for years.

I’d already tried it all: foam rolling, rest, random rehab protocols, general strength training. Nothing created lasting change. Everything gave me short-term relief but long-term frustration.

Each failed attempt made me question my identity as an athlete. I started to feel like my body was beyond my control — like maybe this was just how things were going to be.

Then it clicked: I needed a long-term, structured program — one that was patient, sport-specific, and progressive. No more random routines. I needed a system that matched the demands of volleyball.

I committed fully. I built a program that targeted my glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. I tracked my pain levels, monitored my progress, and trained with real purpose. For the first time, I felt like I was gaining control and building true strength.

But it wasn’t linear. The pain came back during games. Progress was slow. Doubt crept in. Still, I trusted the process — I stayed objective and stuck to the plan.

Then I dialed it in further. I focused harder on the muscle groups that mattered, upped my protein intake, and added sports-specific conditioning. That was the turning point.

Now, I play volleyball pain-free. I can finish full tournaments without breaking down. I feel strong, confident, and fully in control of my body — and I’m still evolving my program. But most importantly, I’m living proof of what’s possible when you combine the right knowledge with the right system.

Dr. Joseph now lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife Anh with their miniature American Eskimo Arya.