How Dr. Michael Mash Built Barbell Rehab by Blending Strength, Rehab, and Education
Dr. Michael Mash joined us to share how he turned his passion for bridging strength and rehab into a global education company that’s redefining the way we treat pain.
How Dr. Michael Mash Built Barbell Rehab by Blending Strength, Rehab, and Education
Dr. Michael Mash has carved a unique path that bridges the gap between physical therapy and strength training, industries historically divided in their approach to health and wellness. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), certified strength and conditioning specialist, and founder of Barbell Rehab, Mash has transformed his early experiences with injury, coaching, and rehabilitation into a growing educational company that empowers clinicians and coaches alike.
His mission is to empower people to stay strong, find ways to keep training while managing pain, and move beyond the common “just stop lifting” advice often given by traditional healthcare providers.
Dr. Mash’s path into strength and rehab started on the baseball field. As a tall, lanky high school pitcher, he wanted to pitch faster. Luckily, an athletic trainer with a strength-focused approach introduced him to the weight room instead of handing him a weighted ball. A couple of years later, forty pounds heavier, he was throwing much harder. It taught him of the impact that general strength training could have.
But his journey was not without setbacks. A shoulder injury from years of throwing led to a SLAP tear and surgery in 2011. The rehab process gave Mash a front-row seat to the shortcomings of conventional rehabilitation, especially the treatment approaches that were standard at the time. That experience cemented his belief that rehab should look more like strength training than traditional physical therapy.
The Barbell as a Tool for Healing
After earning his DPT in 2016, Mash began working in a hospital outpatient setting, treating older adults and post-operative patients. It was there that the seeds of Barbell Rehab began to take root. Contrary to outdated beliefs that older adults should avoid lifting, he taught them how to squat, deadlift, and press—sometimes with just five-pound dumbbells—as a way to restore function and build resilience.
That philosophy eventually became the foundation of Barbell Rehab: meeting people where they are, modifying movements intelligently, and most importantly, keeping them moving. Movement and resistance—when applied correctly—are essential for everyone, from athletes to seniors recovering from surgery.
Turning a Vision into a Business
As Mash continued to challenge the status quo in physical therapy, he also began building Barbell Rehab as a business. The turning point came when he taught his first one-day seminar. With a passion for teaching and a knack for breaking down complex ideas, Mash gradually transitioned from running a his outpatient clinic to building an education company.
Barbell Rehab now offers six online courses, two live certifications, and employs seven instructors worldwide. They have taught over 140 live courses and certified more than 2,800 coaches and clinicians in a method that helps clients train through and manage pain, not avoid it.
Marketing With Ethics and Confidence
In today’s online world, where the most extreme voices often get the most attention, Mash’s marketing approach is surprisingly balanced. While he admits to trying more controversial takes early on to gain traction, his focus now is on staying ethical and grounded in his company’s message.
Barbell Rehab markets aggressively but authentically. “If I write something that makes me feel icky, then that’s too much,” he says. “You can’t just be a brand that’s all clickbait, and then you don’t deliver on the back end.”
Mash believes that if your product is truly helpful, it is your duty to sell it. That mindset shift—from seeing sales as sleazy to seeing it as a service—has been crucial to the company’s growth. If you are changing people’s lives for the better, then it is your obligation to get your service or product into their hands.
The Power of Repetition
A common challenge many content creators face is feeling like they have nothing new to say. Mash acknowledges this, but he does not aim to constantly reinvent the wheel. Instead, he focuses on consistency—repeating the core messages that define his business in different ways, trying to reach new audiences. That mindset is paired with a practical strategy: post three times a week on Instagram. No more, no less. It is a sustainable rhythm that allows him to show up regularly without burning out.
This organic presence is supported by a second key to growth: mastering paid ads. Learning how to run social media ads gave Mash the confidence to scale Barbell Rehab and ensure that great content did not get lost in the algorithm.
Advice for Coaches and Clinicians
For those looking to follow a similar path—blending clinical knowledge with entrepreneurial ambition—Mash offers three key pieces of advice:
- Start small and build on the side. You do not need to quit your job tomorrow. Test ideas, build confidence. Then scale when you are ready.
- Imposter syndrome is normal. It never really goes away. If you care deeply about what you are doing, you will doubt yourself sometimes. That’s human
- Be a guide, not a dictator. Coaches should remain curious, especially when clients are in pain. That means letting go of rigid rules and collaborating with clients to find what works. The best coaches help people explore what feels good, not just bark instructions.
Dr. Michael Mash’s story is one of vision, persistence, and clarity of purpose. From helping seniors deadlift in a hospital clinic to educating thousands of professionals worldwide, he has proven that blending strength and rehabilitation is not just clinically effective. It is also a viable, scalable business model.
By staying true to core principles, marketing with integrity, and focusing on consistent execution, Barbell Rehab has grown into more than just a brand—it is helping transform lives for the better. For coaches and clinicians who believe in the power of strength, it offers a powerful example of how to turn expertise into impact.
This material was recently covered in the Business of Coaching Workshop, a series designed to help coaches grow their businesses by mastering key principles like trust, pricing, and delivering value. Each session dives into actionable strategies to build better client relationships and drive success. Want to take your coaching practice to the next level? Join us for the next workshop—it’s free.
