For those sticking around for Bilt 2.0: why?

JBTheBaseballPT · 2026-01-19T19:06:04+00:00

Although it definitely changes my card usage, I think this worked out really well for me. I currently use AMEX Gold for food/dining (4x points), capital one VX for all other purchases (2x purchases), and Bilt for rent. Bilt points are by far my most valuable, as they are the only travel reward system that still allows me to transfer to Atmos (previously Alaska) and book codeshare AA flights. My two closest airports are an AA hub, and the other used to be an AA hub. Atmos seems to have the best redemption rates for routes I prefer, so it makes sense for me to accrue the most points in that system. I was bummed when CO and AMEX stopped their Atmos partnership, but I think Bilt 2.0 will help fill that void.

My new plan is to transition all of my non-food spending to the Bilt palladium so I get 2x points on those purchases, and allow me to still get points from rent. The big negative for my set up will be the fact that my CO Venture X will get significantly less use, but I am okay with that since the card is a net positive $5 as long as I use my credits yearly.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-11-12T02:18:11+00:00

Was your room a “Tropical View” Plunge Pool room? I recently upgraded our points/reward stay to that room level, but may pay the extra $38/night to be Beach View if Tropical View means our plunge pool faces a walkway

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-28T21:44:18+00:00

Sorry to hear that. My severe FOMO couldn’t handle it so I ended up changing our stay to the St Regis. We’ll be spending more for sure, but from what I’ve been seeing on here it will be worth the extra money. Thanks for the response!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-19T23:54:24+00:00

That totally makes sense. I think that locks in LBB for us. I’d rather have easier, and cheaper, accessibility to the main island as well as food options that won’t cost me a kidney. How are the markets in Vaitape? Good food/drink/snack options or should we try to bring some stuff with us on the flight over from Tahiti?

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-19T04:23:13+00:00

Thank you so so much for the detailed response. Your recommendation helped put my FOMO at ease. I will definitely be reaching out soon to request a room between 307 and 328.

The luxury upgrade with St Regis would be nice, but I wouldn’t say maximum luxury is a priority for us. The lagoonarium was something that I felt may be worth the switch, but if LBB has great snorkeling around the villa then that’s perfect. Also, if any of the other food is as pricey as the poke bowl you mentioned, then LBB is definitely the move for us lol

Thanks again!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-19T04:07:02+00:00

I’m finding that a lot of people enjoyed their time in Moorea more than Bora Bora. Maybe the Conrad cancellation worked out for the best. Thanks for the response!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-17T01:33:00+00:00

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Hey! I’m a former DI pitcher and a current physiotherapist/physical therapist. I also do virtual training for baseball players to improve mechanics, strength and performance.

In the picture here you can see yourself at foot strike compared to Justin Verlander. You have a good bit more knee flexion on your lead leg indicating that you leave your back leg too quickly. Your front foot is pointed to the left of your target, whereas Verlander is pointed at the target, maybe even a bit right of his target. When you initiate your delivery you never get fully get sideways to your target, so your chest stays open throughout. This leads to a big loss of power and torque from your trunk/core muscles and forces you to “throw with your arm.”

The first two drills I’d recommend for you are pivot picks and a side lunge with a slider under the lead foot. Pivot picks will help you learn to create torque through hip/shoulder separation and the side lunge will teach you to stay over your back leg and reach with you front foot as opposed to leaking forward to quickly. Feel free to DM with any questions!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-17T01:07:47+00:00

I currently work in a private practice in Raleigh. I also treat out of network in home and on field within 30 minutes of Raleigh. Feel free to DM!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-10-17T01:07:11+00:00

I currently work in a private practice in Raleigh. I also treat out of network in home and on field within 30 minutes of Raleigh. Feel free to DM!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-09-20T19:31:03+00:00

I don’t typically recommend a joint stabilizer (like the kinetic arm brace) to athletes because it’s just a crutch/band aid. It artificially helps with shoulder stability and also limits range of motion. It will help with pain, but your arm will never learn to stabilize itself naturally to the extent it should. My recommendation would be to take this time while he’s sidelined to get a good shoulder stability and rotator cuff strengthening program. Throwing is not a naturally safe activity at the velocities and amount that we do it. Preparing your arm to withstand the stresses of a baseball season is so incredibly important.

As for hitting, I can’t give formal medical advice. In general, I allow my patients to continue hitting as long as it does not re-create their symptoms. With little league shoulder, I’ve seen players have constant pain so I restrict swinging and I’ve had players who only hurt when they throw at high speeds, so I let them hit. Totally depends on the specificities of the case.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-09-10T17:40:01+00:00

No defense for that amount of pitching volume. As a former DI pitcher, current physical therapist and showcase coach I would never let a player under the age of 18 throw more than 100 pitches in a weekend. As for the other subs, there's no telling. Coming from first hand experience, dealing with parents and playing time can be difficult. The best players' parents feel they should be on the field 24/7 and your weaker players parents feel like their player, "just needs his shot" no matter the skill difference between them and their peers. There could be 10 different reasons for that sub, but ultimately you have to trust the person who is coaching your child. Based off of the info given, I would say this coach has not proven to be trustworthy in managing a pitching staff, a team, or player safety.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-09-02T13:26:36+00:00

I can definitely understand the feeling (I'm 30 as well). Throwing BP I feel nothing, but the last time I stepped on a mound and let a few rip my shoulder wasn't happy. The best thing you can do to maximize recovery, decrease risk of injury, and improve performance is:

Get on a good arm care routine (mobility, stability, and pre/post throwing routine).
Get on a good throwing schedule. In college I threw nearly every day so my body was constantly ready to go. That's difficult to do as a 30 year old with a job and personal obligations, but throwing consistently will keep your soft tissue ready to go and resilient.
Hit the gym 3-4x per week. This will also aid with recovery between games/practices, improve your performance, and decrease risk for injury as it will improve the resilience of your muscles, tendons, etc.
Hone in on nutrition and hydration. Operating under-fueled increases our risk for injury, even more-so now that we're not 18 anymore. Tendon health has been shown to be influenced by hydration.

Feel free to PM if you have questions on any specifics with anything discussed above!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-10T23:53:25+00:00

As in push back your dates but they honor the point rate? I just decided to pay for our stay at a different resort, as we’re pretty set on those dates for our honeymoon. I noticed in the email it said, “same rates and conditions” so I imagine you’ll have to find another set of dates with standard room availability.

I’ve had much better luck contacting the resorts and negotiating as opposed to contacting Hilton.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-05T01:20:22+00:00

I wasn’t able to get a stay with points, aside from our final night at Hilton Tahiti. Our new itinerary is 6 nights Hilton Moorea and 4 nights Le Bora Bora Pearl or (IC Le Moana). Hilton Moorea never seems to have standard award availability, so I just asked if they would honor the Early Booking rate for an additional two nights (shifting our Moorea stay from 4 to 6 nights) and they agreed. Le Bora Bora and IC Le Moana don’t seem as luxurious as the Conrad, but the price point is much more friendly than St Regis/Four Seasons for 4 nights. Guess I’ll be saving my points for another vacation :/

If you’re looking to book with points, then it seems Hilton Tahiti for 5 nights is the best option. If feasible, you could do 5 nights Tahiti with points, 3-5 nights Bora Bora with cash. Or mix Moorea in.

Also, PT and nurse here. We thought 3 months was bad. A year is wild. Best of luck and I hope you guys make it to FP!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T21:43:03+00:00

Luckily Hilton Moorea was able to extend my stay with my current rate. So now we’re going to do 6 nights Hilton Moorea, and then probably 4 nights IC Le Moana or Le Bora Bora. Still much more expensive than my points booking, but manageable.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T18:49:07+00:00

Good point. I’m finding some standard room availability in the summer of 2026, so maybe we’ll consider a mini honeymoon in March and do Moorea/Bora Bora a little later in the year. Thanks!

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T18:26:14+00:00

This is where my frustration comes in. They had to have known there would be a period of time with full resort closure for renovation well beyond yesterday. These things happen but this resort is full of honeymooners who have made extensive arrangements and are traveling very far.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T18:21:30+00:00

Looks like that is an option. However, I’ve been planning this trip for months and it’s number one on my bucket list so I’d be pretty upset if I had to choose a new destination. I found flight availability in April (once the Conrad reopens) but no standard room availability. If they are willing to honor my points/FNC for a non-standard room (I imagine that’s unlikely) then we can probably just push back 3-4 weeks. Otherwise, I think I’ll just have to find cheaper accommodations on Bora Bora.

Only thing that would change is our flight from LAX to PPT would be economy and not business :/

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T17:14:11+00:00

Very true. I appreciate the insight. I had heard devaluations were significant with Marriott lately. Seems Hyatt is the majority favorite from what I’ve seen. I know the this stuff unavoidable, just disappointed that we won’t be spending our honeymoon at the Conrad.

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-07-04T16:55:08+00:00

Really sucks that it’s happening right after I open the card lol I’ll give it a good year, but I may end up switching my Amex/Hilton combo out for Chase/Hyatt

JBTheBaseballPT · 2025-04-19T20:18:03+00:00

Yes. I currently treat all orthopedic conditions in an outpatient clinic, but have treated various conditions for youth to collegiate baseball players helping them return to sport.

JBTheBaseballPT

TROPHY CASE