John Mackersie, Pt. 1 - Special Operations Strength & Conditioning Coach - Ep. 57
Dec 13, 2023
auto_awesome
Special Operations Strength & Conditioning Coach, John Mackersie, discusses optimizing special ops training by emphasizing simple metrics, balancing training methods, and mastering movement patterns. The debate on Olympic lifts, importance of rucking, and injury prevention strategies in special operations are also explored.
Success in special operations training involves long-term improvement and tailored programs.
Balancing diverse fitness elements and individual progress is crucial for optimal physical readiness in tactical roles.
Deep dives
John MacKenzie's Transition to Strength and Conditioning Career
John MacKenzie, a well-experienced strength and conditioning coach, shares his journey from starting in Division I athletics to working with special operations forces. His passion for coaching led him to special operations in 2013, emphasizing the importance of transitioning from college athletics to tactical training.
Adapting Training for Special Ops Performance
Training special ops soldiers goes beyond physical exercise to preparing them for the demands of their roles. John MacKenzie highlights the evolution in measuring success, moving from school pass rates to emphasizing continuous improvement. By focusing on long-term athletic development models and individual progress, training becomes more tailored to real operational readiness.
Challenges of Implementing Olympic Lifting in Special Operations Training
The debate on the efficacy of Olympic lifting in special operations training surfaces with contrasting viewpoints. While Olympic lifts offer total body stimulation, time constraints and different training priorities in tactical settings push for alternatives like plyometrics and focused strength exercises to ensure immediate and practical improvements.
Hybrid Training Approach in Tactical Fitness
The concept of hybrid training blends diverse fitness elements efficiently, catering to different athlete profiles. By integrating strength with aerobic work and addressing runner-lifter balance, performance gains are maximized. Emphasizing individual challenges and long-term progress helps in enhancing overall physical readiness for tactical roles.
John Mackersie is a strength and conditioning coach with over 15 years of professional coaching experience in collegiate athletics and within special operations. John began his coaching career in Division I athletics and has been working with Special Operation Forces since 2013. He’s currently the head of strength and conditioning for an Army Special Forces unit.
In addition to coaching, John has spoken and lectured on numerous occasions for the National Strength and Conditioning Association at both national and regional levels, as well as preparing individuals for certification and exam preparation.
In this episode, we discuss what John has learned over the course of his career and how he thinks about the training process for special operators.
Timestamps:
00:00:22 Intro
00:01:01 John Mackersie’s Background
00:03:03 Measures of Success
00:07:30 Olympic Lifting Debate
00:13:15 Balance of Training and Life
00:17:11 Primary Teaching
00:20:22 Motor Patterns and Training Effects
00:23:35 Rucking
00:27:42 Weights and Distances
00:29:50 Outro
Send John angry messages about Olympic lifting:
https://www.instagram.com/m_stronger/
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode