130: First Move Well, Then Move Often: Gray Cook on Functional Movement

As a physical therapist and creator of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Gray Cook has spent more than 30 years changing how we think about human movement. In this episode, recorded at the Functional Movement Systems headquarters in Chatham, Virginia, Garrett sits down with Gray for a wide-ranging conversation on what "functional" actually means, why most of us are chasing symptoms instead of causes, and how to build a body that moves well for life. If you've ever wondered why your training isn't translating into real-life movements or why pain keeps coming back, this episode is for you. We cover: Why Gray defines "functional" as simply meaning "good enough" in the most important areas that influence musculoskeletal health. How movement screening is a status check for the musculoskeletal system, just like we take blood pressure for the cardiovascular system and use an eye chart for the visual system. The value of “regressing to progress” by working through the developmental phases: roll → crawl → kneel → squat → stand → walk → run The difference between calibration and conditioning (and why most warm-ups are wasted) Reclaiming physical culture for everyone from kids in school to adults who have “given up” on regular movement practices A real-life example in Gray’s assessment of Garrett’s movement during their time together If you check a wearable every day to see your readiness and recovery, what are you doing to check your movement system? In this episode, you will learn a clear framework for running that same type of diagnostic on your musculoskeletal health. And underneath all of this is a deceptively simple principle. As Gray puts it, the sustainable path to health, fitness, and vitality is to “first move well, then move often.” Visit our website www.neu.fit to learn more! Purchase The NeuFit Method Book on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3itezL6 Instagram:   / neufitrfp   Facebook:   / neufitrfp   Podcast: https://www.neu.fit/podcast/ Contact us: https://www.neu.fit/contact/ 00:00 Introduction & Welcome to FMS Headquarters 03:00 Why Gray Cook Created the Functional Movement Screen 09:50 Defining Functional Movement 18:35 FMS vs SFMA 22:40 Mobility or Stability? 35:00 Stop Chasing Pain 44:00 Lifestyle & Movement Health 50:10 Movement Readiness 56:50 Training Without Breaking Down 01:06:50 Physical Education & Youth Athletes 01:12:50 Rebuilding Physical Culture 01:20:50 The Future of Movement & Rehab