From the outside, Trey Dulaney's life looks like a highlight reel. Pro Hyrox athlete. Paris competitor. A 2:45 marathon. A 235-mile finish. The kind of résumé that makes people assume he's always had it together.

He hasn't.

In this episode, Dr. Clayton Dir sits down with Trey — former US Navy Diver, sober athlete, and mental health advocate — for one of the most honest conversations this show has ever had. Trey opens up about what life looked like after leaving the military, what rock bottom actually felt like, and why the traditional medical system didn't have the answers he needed.

What changed everything wasn't a prescription. It was a pair of running shoes — and eventually, a community called The Phoenix, a sober active community that uses fitness to support recovery and connection for people affected by substance use disorders.

This is a story about what real healing looks like when the waiting room lets you down.

What you'll hear in this episode:

— What life in the US Navy as a certified diver actually looked like

— The gap between military service and civilian life that no one prepares you for

— What rock bottom looked like for Trey — in his own words

— How traditional medicine fell short during his lowest point

— When running entered the picture and how it became his recovery

— The role The Phoenix sober community played in his transformation

— How he went from early sobriety to competing on the Hyrox world stage in Paris

— What he would say to someone who is at their rock bottom right now

Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for proof that healing is possible outside the traditional system — this episode is worth your full attention.

Connect with Trey Dulaney:

Instagram: @treyjdulaney

TikTok: @runningwithrecovery

Learn more about The Phoenix sober active community:

thephoenix.org

Connect with Dr. Clayton Dir:

Instagram & TikTok: @thedocdir

Email: Clayton@teamnaturalwellness.com

Heal Without Harm is hosted by Dr. Clayton Dir, physical therapist, and is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalized medical or mental health advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).

If you’re a runner dealing with:

• Shin splints
• IT band syndrome
• Runner’s knee
• Plantar fasciitis

Then there’s a good chance your problem isn’t your mileage — it’s your strength. In this episode, Dr. Clayton Dir PT, DPT breaks down why the majority of running injuries are actually a capacity problem in disguise, and why stretching more isn’t going to fix it. He walks through how every mile you run forces your body to absorb multiple times your body weight with every step — and what happens when your glutes, hips, and single-leg stabilizers aren’t strong enough to handle it.

He also covers the performance side: why strength training improves running economy by up to 8%, what the posterior chain is and why runners neglect it, and the four specific exercises every runner should be doing. You don’t need to live in the gym. You just need the right movements, done with enough intensity to actually matter.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia — especially after menopause — this episode could change everything.

Most women are told that bone loss is inevitable and that medication is the only solution. Dr. Clayton Dir, physical therapist, breaks down the research that says otherwise. In this episode, he walks through the LIFTMOR Protocol — a 2018 clinical study showing that post-menopausal women who did just one hour of supervised resistance training per week for 8 months achieved a 4% increase in lumbar spine bone density and 2% increase in femoral neck bone density, with zero serious injuries.

He also shares the story of a real patient who started weightlifting for the first time at age 58 — and whose bone density improvements left her surgeon speechless.

What you'll learn in this episode:

— What the LIFTMOR Protocol is and who it was designed for

— The exact exercises used: deadlift, back squat, overhead press, and jump chin-ups

— Why "playing it safe" may actually be accelerating your bone loss

— How to ask your doctor or physical therapist to get started

— The difference between osteoporosis medication and natural bone-building methods

— What financial assistance programs exist for medical bills (and how to ask)

Whether you're post-menopausal, approaching menopause, or know someone who is — this episode is worth sharing.

Connect with Dr. Clayton Dir:

Instagram & TikTok: @thedocdir

Email: Clayton@teamnaturalwellness.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician or physical therapist before beginning a new exercise program.