Move the Needle: The Human Performance Podcast Mike and Hunter: The Gray Area of Performance
Dec 24, 2025
Mike and Hunter dive into their transitions from college to pro athletics, sharing valuable lessons about resources and team dynamics. They explore differences in facilities and staffing, debating ideal weight room setups and essential tech. The conversation shifts to the complexities of size in sports performance and injury prevention, especially focusing on Achilles injuries. They present a compelling case study on a recovering athlete's performance metrics and discuss innovative rehab strategies, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights.
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Pro Resources Enable Deep Individualization
- Mike describes deeper work in pro hockey where staff size and resources allowed highly individualized care.
- He contrasts that with college work where basic generalist coaching and habits (like breakfast choices) dominate.
Design Facilities Around Use, Not Show
- Facility design should match the sport and cast size rather than follow trends like filling space with full racks.
- Mike and Hunter prefer space, half-racks, turf, and targeted tech over crowded traditional racks.
Don't Auto-Prescribe Weight Gain
- Avoid reflexively trying to add 10–15 lbs to players; assess whether mass will actually improve performance.
- Prioritize improving sport-specific skills and capabilities when weight-gain efforts fail or harm performance.