Movement Podcast

Performance is not just about strength, power, conditioning, or sport-specific skill.

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton revisit one of the foundational ideas behind Functional Movement Systems: the performance pyramid.

At the base is movement.
Above that is performance.
At the top is skill.

The conversation explores why performance cannot be understood by looking at one test, one lift, one movement, or one sport-specific task in isolation. Before asking how to improve power, speed, conditioning, or workload, we need to understand whether the body has the fundamental movement and capacity to support it.

Gray and Lee discuss the difference between movement screening and performance testing, why the overhead deep squat alone is not enough, and how capacity tests like motor control, carries, jumps, and impact control can help identify hidden energy leaks.

They also break down why athletes, workers, and active adults often chase the obvious goal — more power, more endurance, more strength — when the real opportunity may be found in movement quality, postural control, asymmetry, or foundational capacity.

This episode is a practical look at how to stop guessing, test more systematically, and make better recommendations for the person in front of you.

Learn more about Functional Movement Systems:
https://www.functionalmovement.com/
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Knee pain is one of the most common issues in sports, fitness, rehab, and everyday life — but the knee is rarely the only place to look.

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton break down why knee pain is often driven by what is happening above and below the joint. From ankle dorsiflexion and foot control to hip mobility, core stability, tone, alignment, and movement strategy, this conversation takes a deeper look at the systems that influence how the knee behaves.

They discuss common knee issues in youth athletes, female athletes, ACL risk, patellar tracking, quad dominance, total knee replacement, and the importance of using movement screens to better understand the difference between symptoms and underlying dysfunction.

The key message: before assuming the knee needs more strength, more quad work, or more isolated treatment, we need to ask better questions.

Is the ankle moving well?
Is the hip doing its job?
Is the core providing stability?
Is the person using tone, compensation, or alignment strategies that keep irritating the knee?

Whether you work with athletes, active adults, rehab patients, or people trying to stay functional as they age, this episode offers a practical framework for looking at knee pain through a functional movement lens.

Learn more about Functional Movement Systems:
https://www.functionalmovement.com/
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In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook sits down with Gina M. Schatz, clinician, educator, founder of The Schatz Method®, and creator of the Practitioner Mastery Program.

Gina trains manual and movement practitioners to move beyond protocols and develop the clinical reasoning required for complex orthopedic cases, hypermobility, and long-term practitioner mastery.

Together, Gray and Gina explore what separates protocol-driven care from true clinical reasoning. They discuss the importance of feedback loops, accurate assessment, root-cause thinking, and the ability to make clearer treatment decisions in real time.

This conversation also dives into hypermobility, practitioner burnout, movement behavior versus impairment, and why the best clinicians are not just applying techniques — they are constantly asking better questions.

For practitioners ready to elevate their work, this episode offers a deeper look at what it means to assess more accurately, think more critically, and develop the mastery needed for better long-term outcomes.

Learn more about Gina Schatz and the Practitioner Mastery Program:
https://theschatzmethod.com/practitioner-mastery-program/

Learn more about Functional Movement Systems:
https://www.functionalmovement.com/
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Most people train their shoulders by chasing strength, but completely miss the foundation that creates durable, pain-free movement.

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton break down why shoulder problems are so common, why shoulder pain is often more than “just a shoulder issue,” and how posture, spinal stability, reflexive control, and movement quality all influence shoulder health.

They dive into:

Rotator cuff function and shoulder stability
Why impingement happens long before tears
The importance of scapular control and posture
Closed-chain vs open-chain shoulder training
Why push-ups, pull-ups, carries, and Turkish get-ups matter
How the neck, spine, hips, and posture affect shoulder pain
The difference between strength and reflexive stability
Why functional training should prioritize movement quality first

If you work with athletes, rehab patients, or simply want healthier shoulders that last, this episode offers a practical framework you can apply immediately.
Learn more about our Academy:
https://functionalmovement.com/fmsacademy

The Shoulder Pain Solutions Online Masterclass:
https://functionalmovement.com/Store/1274/clinical_integration_the_shoulder_pain_solutions_online_masterclass

Listen to more episodes:
https://www.movementpod.com/

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Neck pain is one of the most common issues people deal with—but what if the neck isn’t actually the problem?

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, we break down why the neck acts as a “crossroads” in the body—and how issues with breathing, posture, mobility, and even lifestyle habits can all show up as neck pain.

You’ll learn why treating the symptom isn’t enough…
and what to look for if you actually want lasting results.

We cover:

Why the neck is a secondary problem more often than a primary one
How breathing, posture, and movement influence neck pain
The connection between the neck, shoulders, and low back
Why “fixing posture” alone often fails
Simple ways to screen your neck (and what it really tells you)
How lifestyle habits like sleep, stress, and work setup play a role

If you’ve ever had neck pain—or work with people who do—this episode will change how you think about it.
FMS Quick Screen
The Quick Screen Online Course introduces a streamlined approach to evaluating movement quality and identifying key limitations that may affect performance, training progression, and injury risk. Designed for busy fitness and healthcare professionals, this screen helps you gather meaningful information in minimal time—without sacrificing clarity or usefulness.

Online Course
https://functionalmovement.com/Store/1275/quick_screen_movement_readiness_screen

Live Course May 15th, 2026
https://functionalmovement.com/events/4568/register

Take a deeper dive into Cervical Pain
https://functionalmovement.com/Store/198/clinical_overview_approach_into_the_classification_and_management_of_patients_with_cervical_pain
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