ACL tears used to be rare in high school sports. Today, they’re an epidemic. Behind the headlines, there’s one voice cutting through the noise with hard truths, practical solutions, and decades of experience: Coach Carmen Bott. Known online as “Coach Bott,” she’s become the go-to expert on youth athletic development and late-stage ACL rehab, guiding parents, athletes, and coaches through one of the most pressing crises in sports performance.

In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Kelly and Juliet Starrett sit down with Coach Bott to dig into why so many kids are getting hurt, why recovery takes longer than most parents realize, and how we can protect the next generation of athletes.

• Why ACL rehab isn’t 12 weeks—it’s a full year
• The difference between yesterday’s athletes and today’s single-sport kids
• Red flags parents should watch for in youth sport programs
• How to support kids when insurance and the system fall short
• The myths around strength training and growth in young athletes
• Why prevention starts with play, variety, and strength—not fear
• The real story behind the menstrual cycle and ACL injury debates

00:00 - Intro

00:54 - Carmen's Background

05:26 - Athletes 25 Years Ago

10:00 - Good Rehab Program Criteria

13:18 - Ideal Club System for Athletes

16:40 - Supporting Kids in Sports

23:46 - Post-Acute Rehab Strategies

29:32 - Return to Play: Getting Fitter

32:23 - Importance of Exposure in Rehab

39:34 - Returning to Contact Sports

44:51 - Preventing ACL Injuries in Kids

52:30 - Menstrual Cycle and Athletic Performance

56:04 - Myth Busting in Sports

58:20 - Where to Find Carmen

59:34 - Outro

This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT and Momentous.