150: Matt Unthank: How to build BogeyProof Shoulders.

Today I am very excited to announce our guest; Matt Unthank. Matt is Director of Training and Education at Crossover Symmetry – a medically designed rotator cuff and scapular strengthening system engineered to enhance shoulder health and performance. The programs were developed using the most current research and EMG data to identify the best exercises and techniques to train the scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff.

Crossover Symmetry provides gear to athletes, coaches, and therapists around the world. They are currently used by professional athletes in the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and over 75% of major NCAA Division I Universities. Crossover Symmetry is also used a principal training tool among the best CrossFit athletes and gyms in the world.

Matt Unthank’s Background

• Matt grew up playing soccer and cycling – not traditionally areas related to the shoulder which is where most of his work is focused now
• He received his Undergraduate degree at Texas A&M in exercise physiology, and then later his Master’s degree at TXU Fortworth
• Matt was a personal trainer for some time before realizing how he wanted to apply his education to the world of fitness
• He had a number of issues with his shoulder during his fitness career, and came across Crossover Symmetry. After following their program, he was able to remedy his shoulder issues, and eventually came onboard in their training and education department

Highlights from this Episode

• How Matt got into Crossover Symmetry, and how it relates to shoulder mobility. Shoulders can be one of the most problematic parts of the body for a lot of athletes, and Crossover focuses in on fixing this.
• Where most shoulder issues stem from. Most people’s shoulders go inactive for 90% of their week, and are then put under extreme load and movement when going out to play golf or pitch in baseball. This is a problem, and we talk about a few ways folks can think differently about how they use their shoulders on the course and off.
• Some of the common misconceptions that athletes have about shoulder rehab, and how Crossover takes a slightly different approach. Shoulder mobility doesn’t stop at the rotator cuff, which we get into.
• The main components of the Crossover Symmetry program, being: activation, recovery, strength, and mobility. Each component is important in its own right, and needs to be thought about individually.
• How golfers should think about shoulder recovery after a round of golf or a day at the driving range.
• Where to start if you experience a ‘nagging’ shoulder. Many injuries can be prevented by just respecting the body part when you start to feel something coming on, and resting the muscle and joint.

Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?

Happy Gilmore

What would be your “walk-up song” to the tee?

Top Gun Theme Song

Who would you like to spend a day on the course with, and where?

Jordan Spieth at Augusta 

What has you most excited moving forward?

Building out the training platform into more sport-specific training.

Where to find Matt Unthank and Crossover Symmetry:

Website: crossoversymmetry.com

Instagram: @crossoversymmetry

Twitter: @CrossoverSymtry

Facebook: Crossover Symmetry

To continue the conversation and ask any questions you may have, head over the 18STRONG Facebook page.

Episode Sponsors

PGATour Mobile App: (PGATour.com/mobile) Get live scoring and stay up to date with all of your favorite players every weekend! Find the app on iOS, Android, Blackberry, etc

Get live scoring and stay up to date with all of your favorite players every weekend! Find the app on iOS, Android, Blackberry, etc

RADroller: (RADroller.com)

The greatest self soft-tissue and myofascial release products in the world!!

Connect with 18STRONG

Facebook Page       Twitter Profile       Instagram Profile

Join The 18STRONG Movement!

If you listened to the very end of this episode, then you know that there is a movement happening in golf and fitness.  To join, simply follow this link to the private Facebook group and ask to join!  Once you’re accepted, you are officially part of The 18STRONG Movement!  Introduce yourself to the group and let’s get connected!