It is with great pride that I announce that Smart Sport International (SSI) turns 10 years old today. Oh, how the time goes by quickly! This anniversary is marked by a new location (at H.E.A.T. Bootcamp in Austin) and upcoming open house on February 7. More details on that later.
The roots of SSI go all the way back to 1992. By 2004, a vision had evolved to create a seamless integration of sport science solutions for training, rehab, and life. Another 10 years later, and SSI is moving into decade number two and has become the home of competent self care. Be it injury recovery or endurance sport performance, SSI has always focused on sports science-based and athlete-centered approaches to both injury prevention and injury recovery.
At times like these, it is always good to reflect upon the road you've traveled. It helps to bring perspective to the road ahead.
SSI started in a spare treatment room at the Spine And Rehab Center in Austin, Texas. From there, it evolved into its own space and has, for the most part, been associated with fitness facilities. SSI is one of just 84 Certified McKenzie Clinics in the world. With that in mind, I am one of just a handful of clinicians that have attained not only the highest level of training in the Mechanical Diagnosis And Therapy (the McKenzie Method), but have specialized in sports- and fitness-related injuries. From a coaching perspective, SSI has guided first time runners to experienced Ironman triathlete in the pursuit of their sport performance goals.
Now, SSI has moved into a new space at H.E.A.T. Bootcamp at 2210 S. 1st Street in Austin. It is an exciting time to work alongside some great, innovative personal trainers in a fun environment. The future is bright!
In 2008, I authored the book "RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach to Injury-Free Running" which continues to receive solid reviews. Whether the run is 800 m or 100 miles, the training principles remain consistent. As an example, in 2011 I coached a double World Masters Athletics gold medalist in the 800m and 1500m - just one month after one of my age group athletes completed the Western States 100 mile endurance run in 23 hours!
More and more people are being exposed to both the training principles and the application of MDT in the sporting community. This continues to take place via seminars and educational sessions, this website (almost 100,000 hits) and social media (followed by over 4100 readers).
Of course, none of this is possible without the athletes, clients, patients, and readers that support not only the Smart Sport International mission but that of the Smart Life Project and Competent Self Care as a whole. Thank you to all of you that have given SSI a degree of longevity in the sports community.
To celebrate this anniversary, H.E.A.T. will be having an open house on Friday February 7 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Stop in and say hello, check out the new facilities, and come see the home of competent self care. I look forward to celebrating with you!
Photo credits: Will Clayton
Up to 60% of runners will sustain an injury within any given year. Poor running mechanics, in conjunction with poor, ineffective and outdated training methods, can pose a significant injury risk. "RunSmart" was written to address these issues in the running community.
"Running Injuries: Etiology And Recovery- Based Treatment" (co-author Bridget Clark, PT) appears in the third edition and fourth editions of "Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach" by Charles Giangarra, MD and Robert C. Manske, PT.
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.
Top 5 finalist in three categories: "Best Overall Blog", "Best PT Blog" and "Best Advocacy Blog".
PO Box 26161
Austin, TX 78755
512-222-6263
