knee running physio

Knee Rehab: Mundane vs. Resilient Knee Project

Knee Rehab: Mundane vs. Resilient Knee Project

(Or: Why Settle for Beige When You Can Have Fireworks?)

Let’s face it—traditional knee rehab is, well... about as exciting as watching paint dry.

It’s the same routine: sit, stretch, repeat, lift light weights.

You're doing clamshells on the floor, slowly bending your knees, wondering if you’re a physical therapy patient or just auditioning for a very boring pilates class.

It’s like being told to whisper your way back to health when what you really need is a battle cry.

But fear not!

The Resilient Knee Project is here to save you from the soul-crushing monotony of old-school rehab.

We’re tossing out the stale playbook and giving you something that’s dynamic, alive, and—dare we say—fun!

This isn’t just about fixing your knee; it’s about rediscovering your potential and coming back stronger in ways you didn’t know were possible.

Traditional Rehab: Yawn-Inducing, Predictable, and Slow

Here’s how most rehab looks:

  • Endless stretching: “Just hold this for 30 more seconds.”

  • Light weights forever: “Progress? Oh no, we stick to 3kg.”

  • Zero excitement: It’s like attending a knitting class... but for your muscles.

  • Tedious reps that never end: “Only 10 more clamshells—great job!” (Said no excited person ever.)

If you’ve ever felt like your soul leaves your body halfway through a basic rehab session, you’re not alone.

And no, counting reps for squats with light resistance bands does not qualify as a spiritual awakening.

The Resilient Knee Project: Creative, Energizing, and Alive

Enter The Resilient Knee Project. This is not just rehab—it’s an adventure.

Forget the idea that you have to slowly plod your way back to fitness.

We’re talking about getting creative with movement, mixing things up, and actually enjoying the process of building strength and resilience.

Here’s how we do things differently:

  • Dynamic movement: Running intervals, sport-specific drills, and real-world challenges—because movement should feel alive, not like a chore.

  • Mind-body integration: Not just reps—we work on mindset, mindfulness, and your body’s signals to make sure you’re progressing with purpose.

  • Supportive and challenging: We push you in the right ways, helping you find your limits and build past them, without burning out.

  • Joyful experimentation: We teach you to play with movement again—rediscovering the fun of running, walking, and exploring your body’s potential.

This isn’t about doing the same boring exercises for weeks on end.

This is about testing yourself, learning, and adapting, just like an athlete.

You’ll find yourself running, moving, and feeling like a kid again—all while strengthening your knee the right way.

Are You Ready to Start Running?

If this sounds like you, The Resilient Knee Project is here to guide you.

It’s time to lace up, leave the boring routines behind, and discover the freedom that running can bring.

Let’s take that first step together—because every run is a chance to fly.

Ready to Break Free from Boring Rehab?

The Resilient Knee Project isn’t just about your knee—it’s about transforming the way you move, think, and feel.

Forget about endless sets of clamshells—this is about rediscovering freedom, power, and joy in your body.

Sure, we’ll strengthen your knee, but along the way, you’ll learn more about yourself than you ever imagined.

So, what’s it going to be? Mundane routines and boring stretches?

Or a challenging, exciting, and dynamic program that brings out the best in you?

Let’s ditch the beige and run toward freedom.

It’s time to play, move, and thrive.


Hi, I’m Dan O'Grady, Physiotherapist, Running Coach, and Developer of The Resilient Knee Project.

This isn’t another temporary fix or quick hack. This is about long-term success, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

With over 20 years of experience working with runners and athletes, I’ve created The Resilient Knee Project, a comprehensive, proven approach that helps you not only eliminate persistent knee pain but also enhance your running capacity beyond what you thought possible.

As your coach and mentor, I’ll provide personalized support, helping you move through the complicated web of pain management, rebuilding strength, and regaining your running form—in a way that lasts.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—it’s a customized, supported journey with me by your side.

Using the framework of The Resilient Knee Project, we’ll work through the phases of healing, from understanding your pain, to rebuilding strength, to running stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to transform your running experience and your life.

Next step: Schedule a free 15-minute phone call or Zoom session with me at your convenience by following this link. Together, we’ll figure out if The Resilient Knee Project is the right fit for you and how you can start your journey today.

The Resilient Knee Project is available in person or globally through an app-based online coaching portal.

Let’s get you back to running, enjoying life, and living with resilience!

You can also email  dan@kinfolkwellness.com.au  for any questions. 

Running: The Closest Thing to Flying

Running: The Closest Thing to Flying

Running isn’t just exercise—it’s the closest thing we have to flying.

Think about it: every step lifts you off the ground, even if only for a moment.

With each stride, you’re weightless, soaring through the air, leaving gravity behind.

It’s an amazing feeling—one that transforms your body, mind, and spirit.

Running isn’t just about moving forward; it’s about reclaiming the joy, freedom, and playfulness you felt as a child.

Freedom Through Movement: Rediscover the Joy

When you run, you reconnect with the freedom of play. It’s like being a kid again—moving just because it feels good, without overthinking it.

Back then, movement was pure joy, not something to control or fix. That’s what running gives back—a sense of lightness, of being in the moment, where every stride feels like a small flight.

Running Lifts More Than Your Feet

Running awakens your body, clears your mind, and lifts your spirit.

It’s not just about strength or endurance—it’s about freedom.

When you lift off the ground, even for that fraction of a second, it’s a reminder that you are more capable than you think.

Running gives you the opportunity to leave behind stress and limitations, to feel alive, weightless, and free.

Every Run is Play

Running isn’t just about chasing goals or finishing races—it’s a chance to play, explore, and feel joy in movement.

When you hit the trail, the road, or the park, you’re flying on your terms.

There’s no right way to do it, no rules to follow—just you, your body, and the rhythm of your stride.

Is The Resilient Knee Project Right for You?

This isn’t a program for everyone.

It’s not for those who want to stick to the same old boring rehab routines or rely only on isolated strength work in the stinky gym.

But if you’re ready to break free from the mundane and rediscover the joy of movement, this might just be the program for you.

Here are 3 signs that the Resilient Knee Project is a perfect fit for you:

  1. You want to move beyond pain and experience the joy of running, playing, or walking freely again.

  2. You’re tired of endless gym exercises and are ready to trust your body and embrace movement as part of the healing process.

  3. You believe setbacks are part of growth and are ready to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward—even when things don’t go perfectly.

Are You Ready to Fly?

If this sounds like you, The Resilient Knee Project is here to guide you.

It’s time to lace up, leave the boring routines behind, and discover the freedom that running can bring.

Let’s take that first step together—because every run is a chance to fly.


Hi, I’m Dan O'Grady, Physiotherapist, Running Coach, and Developer of The Resilient Knee Project.

This isn’t another temporary fix or quick hack. This is about long-term success, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

With over 20 years of experience working with runners and athletes, I’ve created The Resilient Knee Project, a comprehensive, proven approach that helps you not only eliminate persistent knee pain but also enhance your running capacity beyond what you thought possible.

As your coach and mentor, I’ll provide personalized support, helping you move through the complicated web of pain management, rebuilding strength, and regaining your running form—in a way that lasts.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—it’s a customized, supported journey with me by your side.

Using the framework of The Resilient Knee Project, we’ll work through the phases of healing, from understanding your pain, to rebuilding strength, to running stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to transform your running experience and your life.

Next step: Schedule a free 15-minute phone call or Zoom session with me at your convenience by following this link. Together, we’ll figure out if The Resilient Knee Project is the right fit for you and how you can start your journey today.

The Resilient Knee Project is available in person or globally through an app-based online coaching portal.

Let’s get you back to running, enjoying life, and living with resilience!

You can also email  dan@kinfolkwellness.com.au  for any questions. 

New Program to Help with Persistent Knee Pain

Hi, I’m Dan O'Grady, Physiotherapist, Running Coach, and Developer of The Resilient Knee Project.

Are you a runner or athlete who’s been sidelined by persistent knee pain, unsure of how to move forward without giving up what you love?

I know exactly how you feel. After years of struggling with my own knee pain and navigating through a maze of treatments, I’ve developed a way to not only manage knee pain but to build resilience and strength that lets you keep doing what you love—running.

This isn’t another temporary fix or quick hack. This is about long-term success, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

With over 20 years of experience working with runners and athletes, I’ve created The Resilient Knee Project, a comprehensive, proven approach that helps you not only eliminate persistent knee pain but also enhance your running capacity beyond what you thought possible.

As your coach and mentor, I’ll provide personalized support, helping you move through the complicated web of pain management, rebuilding strength, and regaining your running form—in a way that lasts.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—it’s a customized, supported journey with me by your side.

Using the framework of The Resilient Knee Project, we’ll work through the phases of healing, from understanding your pain, to rebuilding strength, to running stronger and more resilient than ever before.

And here’s the best part:

From day one, you’ll start running again with a clear path to get back to the sport you love, all while avoiding the pitfalls of surgery or endless physio appointments. You’ll learn how to take control of your own recovery and ensure your knee remains strong for life.

If you’re ready to take control of your recovery and get back to running with confidence, I’m excited to work with you.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to transform your running experience and your life.

Next step: Schedule a free 15-minute phone call or Zoom session with me at your convenience by following this link. Together, we’ll figure out if The Resilient Knee Project is the right fit for you and how you can start your journey today.

The Resilient Knee Project is available in person or globally through an app-based online coaching portal.

Let’s get you back to running, enjoying life, and living with resilience!

You can also email  dan@kinfolkwellness.com.au  for any questions. 

Can You Run with Knee OA?

Can You Run with Knee OA?

Here's What You Need to Know!

So you’ve just been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA)…

There may be many questions running through your head

  • What exactly is knee osteoarthritis (OA), and how did I get it?

  • What are the best treatment options for managing knee OA?

  • Will I need surgery at some point, or are there other alternatives?

  • Can I use knee OA as an excuse to skip leg day at the gym forever?

  • Can I blame knee OA for my newfound ability to predict the weather with my knees?


But if you’re like me, your most important concern will be:

“Can I still lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement?”

Well, you're not alone!

Many folks in your shoes (pun intended) are curious about the same thing.

Let's dive in and explore whether running with knee OA is a good idea, and how it might even help ease your knee pain.

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis (OA):

First off, let's talk about knee OA.

The old view of OA is that it a result of wear and tear and inevitable joint degeneration.

This is known as the biomedical model and it offers an overly simplistic view that OA happens when the cartilage in your knee joint starts to wear down, causing pain, stiffness, and all-around discomfort.

It's not exactly an inspiring way to view the problem.

New view of OA:

Thankfully some very smart researchers, clinicians and doctors have come together to provide an updated explanation for knee OA and this involves taking a broader view of knee OA as an integrated whole body problem - that involves inflammation, metabolic health, immune system, diet, nutrition and even things like our beliefs and knowledge.

“Clinical outcomes in OA are influenced by multiple factors, including pain sensitization, psychological distress, muscle strength, BMI, inflammation, disease severity, and comorbidities,39 which may ultimately limit the maximum improvement in pain and function”.https://acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acr.25313

Essentially we have updated our model from a simple mechanical system (body is a machine that needs fixing) to seeing the body as an ecosystem (capable of positive adaptive and growth given the optimal conditions) that is capable of regenerating given the optimal environmental conditions.

This new approach is no shortage of a revolution and paradigm shift in how we see the body and it’s potential for healing.

It opens the door to many treatment options that were previously not even considered until very recently.

Benefits of Running with Knee OA:

Believe it or not, running can actually have some perks for folks with knee OA:

  1. Improved Joint Function: Running can help keep your knee joints flexible and moving smoothly, which is super important when you've got OA.

  2. Strengthening Muscles: When you run, you're not just working out your legs – you're also giving those supporting muscles around your knees a good workout. It's like building a sturdy support system for your knees!

  3. Weight Management: Running is a great way to burn calories and keep your weight in check. And when you're carrying around less weight, there's less stress on your knee joints.

  4. Mood Boost: Ever heard of a runner's high? It's a real thing! Running releases feel-good hormones in your brain, which can help lift your mood and ease stress – definitely a win-win!

Considerations for Running with Knee OA:

Before you lace up those shoes and hit the pavement, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Talk to a Pro: It's always a good idea to chat with a healthcare pro before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you've got knee OA. They can give you the lowdown on whether running is safe for you.

  2. Take It Slow: Start with a gentle jog or brisk walk, and gradually build up your speed and distance over time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a runner!

  3. Shoe Game Strong: Invest in a good pair of running shoes with plenty of cushioning and support. Your knees will thank you!

  4. Watch Your Form: Pay attention to your running technique – aim for a mid-foot strike, keep your posture upright, and try to land softly to reduce impact on your knees.

  5. Mix It Up: Running is great, but it's not the only game in town! Mix in some strength training and flexibility exercises to give your knees a well-rounded workout.