Alex Sterner: BJJ Black Belt and Training the Spine
Mar 17, 2025
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Join strength coach and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Alex Sterner as he shares his unique philosophy on training. He emphasizes the importance of meeting athletes where they are and encourages a community spirit in fitness. Alex dives into the evolution of exercises like face pulls and debunks common injury prevention myths. He advocates for a playful mindset in martial arts and weightlifting, urging athletes to embrace challenges without fear. This enlightening conversation reshapes narratives around strength training and personal growth.
Challenging traditional training narratives is essential for understanding injury prevention and promoting a culture of movement optimism among athletes.
Meeting athletes where they are in their training journey fosters empowerment and encourages them to explore their capabilities without fear.
The role of social media in connecting coaches and athletes enhances collaboration and motivation, driving personal growth within the fitness community.
Deep dives
Training Philosophy and Athlete Empowerment
The podcast discusses the importance of understanding and challenging traditional training narratives, particularly those surrounding injury prevention and movement. The guests stress the significance of meeting athletes where they are in their training journeys rather than imposing rigid structures. They emphasize the need to give athletes the benefit of the doubt regarding their past experiences and opinions on training. By fostering an empowering environment, coaches can help athletes overcome mental barriers and cultivate a mindset focused on progress and resilience.
Social Media and Connection in the Fitness Community
A significant topic covered is the role social media plays in connecting coaches and athletes, allowing for shared learning experiences and collaboration. The guests share a personal story of how they connected through a viral video and subsequently trained together, illustrating the positive impact of online interactions. They highlight how lifting with like-minded individuals can enhance motivation and result in a deeper understanding of each other's training philosophies. This emphasizes the value of community in the fitness realm and how it can drive personal growth.
The Complexity of Injury Narratives
A critical insight revolves around the complexity of injury narratives and how they often stem from incomplete understanding of movement and training stress. The guests critique a common fear-mongering approach that discourages athletes from certain movements under the guise of injury prevention. They argue that while focusing on risk management, it is essential to also foster a culture of movement optimism that allows athletes to explore their abilities. Engaging in a variety of movements and understanding their own limitations can lead to healthier training habits and improved performance.
Challenging Misconceptions in Strength Training
The conversation highlights the misconceptions surrounding popular training modalities and the narratives that surround them. An important point raised is the idea that the fear associated with loaded movements often overshadows their potential benefits. The guests discuss how overstated claims about injury risks can lead to a culture of avoidance, resulting in diminished athletic performance and general wellbeing. Instead, integrating a variety of training methods while emphasizing personal empowerment leads to healthier, more capable athletes who are not constrained by fear.
Creating a Balanced Approach to Coaching
The podcast underscores the need for coaches to balance between safe training practices and encouraging athletes to challenge themselves. By utilizing a tailored approach to coaching, where individual athlete needs and backgrounds are considered, coaches can help their clients avoid the pitfalls of misinformation. The discussion raises important questions about how coaches should communicate effectively, promoting a growth mindset while still addressing legitimate concerns related to injury and performance. Ultimately, the goal is to equip athletes with the tools and confidence to explore their capabilities without the restrictions imposed by fear-based training narratives.
Joining us this week on the podcast is Alex Sterner. Alex is strength coach and black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu who has helped countless athletes get stronger while doing the sport they love. Throughout the episode he dives into challenging narratives around training, giving people the benefit of the doubt on their opinions from years ago, and meeting athletes where they are at. Follow Alex on Instagram at @alex.sterner and enjoy the episode.
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