Rapid Fire Episode 17: Cody Hughes Talks Performance Training From Youth to Pro
Episode Summary:
Cody Hughes joins Justin on Rapid Fire to talk about his next chapter—building one of the most innovative performance facilities in the country from the ground up. From training 10-year-olds to 10-year NFL vets, Cody breaks down how foundational principles never change, regardless of level. We dive into youth development, parent education, tech integration and training philosophy.
Key Takeaways:
Youth Training Principles: Coordination over output. Layer in motor control, skipping, games and fundamental movement patterns.
Common Mistakes: Overloading young athletes too early. Lack of recovery. Too much organized sport, not enough play.
Tech at Farm & Forge: Vitruve VBT, Keiser, 1080 Sprint, Hawkin Dynamics, Z-Tread, FiyrPod GPS & Rock Daisy AMS.
Private Sector Potential: Opportunity to build deeper athlete relationships over time, track long-term development and prioritize longevity in pros.
Notable Quotes:
“The way we train some of our 10-year-olds and a 10-year NFL vet looks very similar.”
“Specificity is about knowing when to apply stimulus, not doing something that just looks sport-specific.”
“You don’t see results if you don’t recover—training adaptation doesn’t happen in the session, it happens after.”
“Parents want advanced too early. But if your training age is low, you shouldn’t skip the foundational work.”
“Your facility might be five-star, but if the steak is bad, nobody’s coming back. The product matters.”
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Pacers fandom
01:30 – Cody’s move to Nashville and Farm & Forge Club
03:20 – Non-negotiables in youth development
06:00 – Common training mistakes for kids
09:00 – Navigating tough conversations with parents
11:00 – The myth of advanced training for youth
13:00 – Full tech breakdown at the new facility
18:30 – Assessment process & AMS integration
22:00 – Training youth vs. pros: principles & adjustments
27:00 – Why training a 10-year-old is more like training an NFL vet than you'd think
29:00 – Where to find Cody & facility updates
Connect with Cody Hughes:
Instagram / Twitter: @CLH_strength
Website: clhstrength.com
Facility: @thefarmandforgeclub