

HNL Movement Podcast
Andrew Takata
Andrew Takata from HNL Movement discusses anything and everything related to optimizing human performance so that you can improve the quality of your life. Learn comprehensive ways to take care of your body, achieve better health, and elevate your performance so you can achieve your true potential. Andrew shares valuable information covering topics of rehab and injury prevention techniques, movement efficiency, strength and conditioning, and ways to create sustainable nutrition habits so that you can level up your performance in sports, daily activities, and life. He has over a decade of experience working with people of all ages, activity levels, training backgrounds, as well as helping people successfully return to activities following injury. Join Andrew and his passion to learn, understand, and share how health, nutrition, lifestyle, and movement collectively contribute to human performance. It will be a mix of interviews, great conversations, and solo episodes that you won’t want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to optimize your human performance.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 22min
Garvin Tsuji on the Evolution of Athletic Training and Giving Back to the Profession
In this episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew sits down with Garvin Tsuji, a seasoned athletic trainer and long-time advocate for the profession. Garvin takes us on a journey from his childhood in Mililani, where he played soccer and baseball, to his current role in athletic training and education. He reflects on the days when resources for strength and conditioning were limited and how unstructured outdoor activities like playing on monkey bars, biking, and running in the sand helped build athletic strength long before modern training regimens became widespread.Garvin shares his unique career path, detailing his shift from business and travel industry management to athletic training despite initial resistance from his parents. He discusses the challenges he faced early in his career, especially while establishing the athletic training program at Radford High School, where he was the sole trainer for ten years. His dedication to the profession helped build awareness of the importance of athletic trainers in high schools, pushing for more resources and positions. Garvin’s passion for teaching, service, and giving back to the athletic training community shines through as he encourages younger generations to embrace the profession’s evolving landscape. Tune in for a conversation full of insight, inspiration, and real-world experiences that show the value of perseverance and dedication in both life and work. Enjoy the episode!

Dec 24, 2024 • 14min
Yin and Yancy, Ep. 10: Embracing Daily Progress Over New Year’s Resolutions
In this final episode of 2024, ending with another Yin and Yancy episode, Andrew and Yancy dive deep into the topic of New Year’s resolutions and why they may not be the best approach for lasting change. Yancy shares a refreshing perspective, asking why we need to wait for the Earth to make its full rotation before we start working toward the things we want to achieve. For him, motivation doesn’t come from a calendar date—it’s about taking action now, not waiting for an arbitrary day on the calendar to make a change.Throughout the conversation, Yancy emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and appreciating what we can do today. He challenges listeners to think small and move small, as incremental progress is often the most sustainable. Rather than waiting for the next year, Yancy advocates for making resolutions in the present, focusing on the daily habits and consistent efforts that lead to long-term success. This episode serves as a reminder that every day counts in your pursuit of goals, and the key to achieving them is to start now—no waiting necessary. Tune in to this thoughtful and inspiring episode to jumpstart your journey toward consistent improvement heading into 2025 and beyond! Happy Holidays and enjoy the episode!

Dec 10, 2024 • 18min
Understanding Pronation and Its Impact on Lower Body Performance
In this episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew dives into the often misunderstood topic of pronation and its crucial role in movement and performance. He explains that prontation itself is not bad—it's essential for force absorption and efficient movement, but overpronation can lead to alignment issues, strain, and injury. With a detailed look at the mechanics of foot and ankle movement, Andrew highlights how pronation influences everything from your knee mechanics to your hips and even your pelvis.Throughout the episode, Andrew shares actionable tips to improve foot function and enhance lower extremity performance, from controlling your arch during exercises to strengthening your ankle and hip mobility. By understanding and managing pronation, athletes can reduce injury risks, improve strength, and maximize performance. Tune in for insights on how improving your foot mechanics can make a big difference in your overall movement efficiency and injury prevention strategy. Enjoy the episode!

Dec 3, 2024 • 17min
Finding Balance and Consistency in Fitness and Performance This Holiday Season
In this holiday-themed episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew dives into the challenge of staying consistent with your fitness routine during the busy holiday season. He highlights how our habits during the holidays can reflect the long-term patterns we've established throughout the year. Whether it's squeezing in quick workouts or managing holiday stress, the key is to see these moments as opportunities to maintain the momentum you've built in your training, rather than falling off track. Andrew shares actionable strategies to stay on course with your performance goals while navigating the holiday season. From prioritizing time for movement, even if it's just short bursts, to maintaining healthy eating habits in the face of seasonal indulgence, this episode is packed with practical tips that will keep you on the path to progress. Tune in for expert advice on how to use this busy time to reinforce your habits, stay consistent, and keep making strides toward your long-term fitness goals, no matter the season. Enjoy the episode!

Nov 26, 2024 • 12min
Yin and Yancy Ep. 9: Viewing Weaknesses As Opportunities For Growth
In another thought-provoking episode of Yin and Yancy, Andrew and Yancy dive into the topic of addressing your weaknesses—both physical and mental—and the importance of embracing them as part of the growth process. Yancy kicks things off with a humorous question: If you punched yourself in the stomach as hard as you could and it hurt, does that make you weak or strong? A fun way to segway into the concept that we all have weaknesses, but it's how we approach them that shapes our progress. The conversation shifts to the common tendency of focusing on strengths, whether it's in training or life. Many people gravitate towards what they're good at or feel comfortable with, often due to external pressures or the fear of appearing weak. However, as Yancy and Andrew discuss, the key to continuous improvement lies in acknowledging and working on your weaknesses. With the right training plan, a supportive coach, and a mindset of growth, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the real path to progress. This episode highlights how consistency, efficiency, and embracing the struggle are essential components of building long-term success in health, sports, and performance. Enjoy the episode!

Nov 19, 2024 • 23min
Balancing Internal and External Training Loads to Maximize Strength
In this episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew dives into how intermediate and advanced athletes can maximize their strength gains through smarter training. He highlights the importance of mental effort, neural activation, and full-range movements in building strength, all while avoiding common pitfalls like fatigue-induced limitations and the over-emphasis on just adding more weight. Andrew explains that strength isn’t just about lifting heavy loads; it’s about smartly activating the right muscle fibers, ensuring proper technique, and balancing both external and internal loads. He emphasizes how the right combination of external load (the weight you lift) and internal load (how your body adapts and responds) is crucial for long-term progress. By focusing on effective training methods, enhancing motor drive, strategically applying progressive overload, optimizing recovery, and periodizing your training, you can avoid overtraining and maximize your strength potential. Tune in to learn practical tips for training smarter, improving your performance, and maximizing your strength gains over time. Enjoy the episode!

Nov 12, 2024 • 15min
Meal Timing, Circadian Rhythms, and Better Sleep for Maximizing Athletic Performance
In this insightful episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew delves into the often-overlooked connection between nutrition and sleep, and how they work together to optimize athletic performance and recovery. He highlights how poor sleep can drive athletes to reach for caffeine or energy drinks first thing in the morning, creating a cycle that can hinder progress. Throughout the episode, Andrew explains the impact of meal timing on circadian rhythms and how small adjustments to when and what you eat can support better sleep and, ultimately, better performance. With practical strategies in mind, Andrew emphasizes the importance of establishing a regular meal schedule, particularly focusing on the benefits of a balanced breakfast and an earlier, balanced dinner. He also touches on how optimizing these areas can synchronize your body’s internal clock, leading to improved metabolic function and sleep quality. This episode serves as a helpful guide to understanding the vital role nutrition and sleep play in enhancing your athletic potential. Tune in for actionable tips to refine your routine and support your body’s natural rhythms for better performance and recovery. Enjoy the episode!

Nov 5, 2024 • 14min
Yin and Yancy, Ep. 8: Hydration Essentials for Recovery and Performance
In this refreshing episode of Yin and Yancy, Andrew and Yancy dive into the critical topic of hydration and its profound impact on recovery and athletic performance. Yancy shares his favorite recent post-workout blend of watermelon and coconut water, highlighting the natural electrolytes found in fruits and their role in rehydrating the body after intense activity. Together, they explore how hydration is not just about drinking water; it’s about restoring the body's water and electrolyte balance to ensure optimal function. Andrew emphasizes the importance of a balanced meal rich in whole foods consumed within 1-2 hours post-workout to enhance hydration and recovery further. They discuss how every aspect of our diet, from the foods we eat to the supplements we take and even caffeine consumption, plays a significant role in our hydration status. This episode serves as a quick and thorough guide to understanding how to effectively hydrate and the balance required to support athletic endeavors. Tune in to discover practical hydration strategies that will help elevate your performance and recovery. Enjoy the episode!

Oct 29, 2024 • 17min
Strategies for Maintaining Consistency and Avoiding Burnout
In this engaging episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew explores the crucial balance between maintaining consistency in training and avoiding burnout. Drawing an analogy to cultivating a garden, he illustrates how both processes require patience, attention, and ongoing effort to thrive. As athletes and fitness enthusiasts, it's essential to recognize the signs of burnout and understand its underlying mechanisms, such as emotional fatigue and decreased motivation, to ensure sustainable progress. Throughout the episode, Andrew provides practical strategies for fostering a positive mindset while embracing the monotony that often accompanies training. He emphasizes the importance of recovery, tuning into your body, and celebrating small wins, all of which play a significant role in sustaining long-term motivation. By incorporating enjoyable elements into training routines and utilizing techniques like the 5-whys, listeners can uncover deeper motivations and create a more fulfilling training experience. Join Andrew as he encourages you to assess your training habits and make mindful adjustments that promote consistency without compromising well-being. This episode serves as a valuable reminder that true progress is built on a solid foundation of patience, self-awareness, and intrinsic motivation. Tune in to discover how to cultivate a thriving training routine that leads to lasting success. Enjoy the episode!

Oct 22, 2024 • 13min
Discovering Your Lasting Motivation with the 5-Whys
In this motivating episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew explores the essential concept of finding your "why" as a driving force behind motivation and performance. He reflects on how understanding personal motivations can provide clarity and resilience, especially during challenging times. Drawing from his experiences, Andrew emphasizes the importance of reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, helping listeners to trust the process and stay committed to their journey. Andrew introduces the 5-Whys technique as a practical tool for uncovering deeper layers of motivation. By continually asking "why," listeners can gain insight into their core values and aspirations, allowing them to align their actions with their true intentions. Throughout the episode, Andrew encourages a perspective shift that recognizes the significance of daily efforts and small victories, reinforcing that the journey itself is just as valuable as the end goal. Tune in for an insightful discussion that will inspire you to delve deeper into your motivations and enhance your approach to training and personal growth. Enjoy the episode!


