If you've been part of the MT community for a while, you’ve likely heard of or seen our MT-sponsored athlete, Julia Hannaford. She has been actively treated by our MT therapists for several years, helping her achieve incredible CrossFit career highlights, including competing at Torian Oceania, Wodapalooza in Miami, and winning the elite pairs division at Down Under. Beyond competing on the big stage, Julia is a passionate social athlete who loves playing sports with friends. Unfortunately, while playing local social AFL, she sustained a complete ACL tear, along with medial and lateral meniscus injuries.

Under the guidance of Andrew and Sammy at Movement Therapy, Julia was referred to Dr. Tom Cross to assess her eligibility for the ACL Cross Protocol, a non-operative treatment approach. After a thorough evaluation, she was deemed a suitable candidate. On December 7th, Julia was fitted with a brace by Sam and began her six-week bracing phase. During this time, she gradually progressed from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing while carefully increasing her range of motion within the brace.

Alongside this, she followed a structured rehab program focused on motor control, maintaining global strength, and mobility.By January 18th, Julia was able to fully remove the brace, marking a significant milestone in her recovery. From there, her rehabilitation shifted towards restoring full range of motion, improving motor control, building strength, and enhancing single-leg stability.

At the 12-week mark, Julia underwent an MRI and consultation with Dr. Cross, who was thrilled with her progress. She ranked in the highest percentile of ACL healing, showcasing the effectiveness of her dedication and the ACL Cross Protocol.Her journey is far from over, as she now focuses on the next 6-9 months of rebuilding motor control, power, and agility. To support this, she has transitioned into exercise physiology to further advance her rehab and prepare for her next big goals.Julia has set her sights on major milestones for 2026—but you'll have to tune in to our podcast to hear what’s next for this powerhouse athlete. We are incredibly proud of her resilience, determination, and progress, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.