226. Pain-Free Performance: How to Build a Powerful and Healthy Body for Life with Dr. John Rusin
Jan 26, 2026
I’m very honored to welcome Dr. John Rusin to the podcast today!
John is a physical therapist, personal trainer and injury prevention expert who has been named one of the top 50 fitness experts in the world by Men’s Health magazine. He’s also the founder and CEO of The Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification (PPSC), which has proudly certified 20,000+ coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, physicians and other allied health and fitness professionals in-person since 2018.
John and I first connected on Instagram, and I LOVED his book - couldn’t put it down! One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that going all in on one thing with your health and fitness is NOT sustainable. True, long-term fitness comes from being well-rounded!
We also dive into why your training NEEDS to evolve over time, comparison culture and misinformation on social media, what really moves the needle for women in perimenopause, John’s Pain-Free Performance framework, and much more.
If you’re looking to build a powerful and healthy body for life (pain-free), this conversation is a MUST-listen. I know you’re going to love it!!
Episode Recap:
- Why sustainable fitness comes from well-rounded training (not all-or-nothing approaches)
- The 6 components of a holistic & well-rounded fitness plan
- Why your training should evolve as your body and lifestyle change
- Why comparison in fitness is incredibly harmful
- The never-ending misinformation on social media + why education & service matter WAY more than trends
- Why progressive strength training and muscle-building are essential for women in perimenopause
- Why pain is NOT a normal part of aging & exercise should never hurt
- The 3 key phases the Pain-Free Performance approach follows
- How starting slow & building a strong foundation leads to long-term results
Links/Resources Mentioned:
- Get John’s book, Pain-Free Performance
- Connect with John on Instagram @drjohnrusin
- Connect with John on Facebook
- Follow John on YouTube
- Check out John’s website
- Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
- Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
- Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
- PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
- Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
- Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
- Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!
More about the Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast:
If you've tried all the fad diets and are sick and tired of not achieving your health and fitness goals long-term, you've come to the right place! Welcome to the Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast with me, Kristy Castillo. I'm here to help you break the annoying diet cycle, gain confidence, and reach your health and fitness goals.
This podcast will show you how to be proud of the body you have, build the body you want, and enjoy the process along the way. I'll cover topics like how to get the most from your workouts, the importance of feeding your body what it needs, and key mindset shifts that will empower you. I've broken through the BS surrounding diet culture and built my dream body, all while being a busy wife, Mom and business owner, and I know you can too!
Connect with me on Instagram at @kristycastillofit
Learn more about working together by visiting my website: https://www.kristycastillo.com/