EPISODE 57: Mastering Resilience Under Load: Martins Licis on Injury, Rehab, and the Strongman Mindset

Dr. Ja'nae Brown
Jul 30
3 min read

On Episode 57 of the Physical Therapy San Pedro Podcast, we sat down with one of the most resilient athletes in strength sports—Martins Licis. Known for his win at World's Strongest Man in 2019 at the Rogue Invitational in 2021and the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2022, Martins is not only a champion but a master of comebacks. In this episode, he shares how he continues to rebuild his body and mind through serious injuries, and how a smart approach to training keeps him at the top.

A Career Built on Comebacks

Martins’ strongman journey includes some of the most intense injury comebacks in the sport.

In the last 5 years he’s overcome:

Nerve damage after the 2019 World’s Strongest Man
Chronic hip pain and shoulder issues
Emergency appendicitis surgery just weeks before the 2021 Rogue Invitational
A herniated disc shortly before the 2022 Arnold (which he still won)
A torn biceps during Rogue Invitational 2022
A sciatica flare-up in 2024 after an aggressive return to deadlifting

These were just the big acute injuries! Martins initially came to us with a right shoulder pain and hip pain in 2021. We began working through limitations in his ROM and stability to get him back to competing at his best. After working together for only 3-4 months, he competed at the First Rogue Invitational in 2021 and took 1st place in this competition. He had a patellar tendonitis flare up while there that we worked through after Day 1, but he was still able to take home the win. We have continued to maintain his R shoulder and R Hip pain through each competition, by doing a ton of warms up, activation work, mobility & stability training and adding single arm/leg training to his programming.

Each injury could have ended his career—but instead, they fueled his growth. With strategic rehab, elite physical therapy, and a relentless mindset, Martins keeps rising.

The Strongman Mindset: Learn, Load, Explode

Martins’ training philosophy revolves around a three-phase system:

Learn: Build mobility, stability, and movement quality
Load: Add weight without sacrificing form
Explode: Peak with explosive output when ready

“Many athletes skip the learning phase. That’s where the most important work happens,” Martins explains.

Instead of pushing max effort every day, Martins trains with purpose—prioritizing technique, recovery, and structure.

Martins has always been a very strategic competitor. He knows how to leverage the competition to win without having to win every event. This way he saves leaves gas in the tank, and does not get inujred by pushing his lifts to the max. His philosophy is stay at the top, feel as good as possible and take it home with the Stones ( his best event ).

Lessons from Rehab That Everyone Can Use

Whether you're recovering from injury or just trying to stay strong long-term, Martins offers this advice:

Don’t stop training—adapt your movements to stay in the game
Work with pros who understand the root cause of pain- Like yours truly :))
Prioritize movement quality over intensity
Be curious about your body’s limits and how to improve them

His success isn’t about luck—it’s about consistency, coachability, and trusting the process.

Changing the Culture of Strength

At Wreckit Gym in El Segundo, CA, Martins is helping shift the mindset around strongman. His gym welcomes all levels—not just elite lifters—and promotes smart, sustainable strength. His YouTube series, Strength Unknown, highlights global strength cultures and training philosophies. He also organizes the Santa Monica Classic, now an official Strongman Games qualifier.

Stay Connected with Martins

📍 Wreck-It Gym – El Segundo, CA

📺 YouTube: Martins Licis

📸 Instagram: @MartinsLicis

🌐 Website: Wreckitgym.com

🎙 Listen to the full episode at physicaltherapysanpedro.com/podcast

We also offer in-clinic and telehealth rehab services for athletes at all levels. Reach out, DM us, or subscribe for more stories like this.

💡 Struggling with an Injury? 📲 Stay Connected with Us

Let’s be real—being sidelined by an injury is frustrating, whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who just wants to feel good moving through daily life.

Don’t push through the pain or wait it out. The longer you ignore an injury, the harder it becomes to bounce back. Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to recover faster, move better, and stay in the game—whatever your “game” looks like

📅 Book an in-person or virtual physical therapy session today!

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Whether you want free tips, expert insights, or just some behind-the-scenes training chaos, we’ve got you covered:

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